Read aloud to me alt Taylor

by Kahlil Johnson

Dnd

28. Saturn

Summary: Taylor triggers with the powers of Sailor Saturn and all the complications that come with it.

1.1 Pyrrhic Victory

My heart dropped into my stomach upon hearing that low whine slowly build into a crescendo before falling back. Rushing downstairs to the living room. "Not here, not here, not here!" I repeated as though a prayer to ward off evil. I turned our old TV on, it gave a sharp chirp and a small whistle as cathode ray tube warmed up.

"-ectorate capes have been called up working with local emergency response forces to evacuate coastlines and low lying areas along the North Eastern seaboard." The presenter stated solemnly reading from his teleprompter. A crawl of text rolled slowly along the bottom of the screen. 'This is not a drill. Please proceed in a orderly manner to designated shelter locations, remember standard evacuation procedures.'

An Endbringer was heading here, and from the varied information coming from the presenter it was Leviathan. The monster responsible for killing millions and sinking entire islands was coming to add Brockton Bay to the list of underwater cities, right next to Nagasaki and Atlantis.

A bit of light-headedness hit me as the back of my knees bumped into the coffee table causing me to inadvertently sit on it with a thump. It took me a moment to realize that I was hyperventilating a bit. Taking a slow deep breath I tried to calm myself as my thoughts zipped through my head faster than Alexandria. Preplanned evacuations routes, as well as what Dad and I could or couldn't bring flashed to the front of my mind. Dad was still at work so he would have to go to a different evacuation shelter than the one I would be going to. Except I wasn't going to the evacuation site.

I was a cape, it was my duty to defend the city, but I was a cape that had never gone out yet. It was like some cosmic joke that Taylor Hebert, would get powers but not be able to use them; not up until the end that is. My stomach clenched as I curled up into a ball and hugged my legs, tears coming to my eyes as my emotions warred withing me. It took me a few minutes to finally make my choice as I stood up, sniffed a few times and wiped the tears away. If there was ever a time to toughen up and finally become a hero it was now.

Stepping into the middle of the room I prepared myself for my debut. "The power of the Planet Saturn, Transform!" I called out, raising my hand. Imminently a dark purple light sprang up around me, illuminating the living room in a light-show complete with sparkles. My comfortable baggy cloths disappeared leaving me clothed in opaque purple light. My weapon materialized in my hand first, before the rest of my built in costume appeared on my body. Knee-high boots, elbow length elegant gloves and a ridiculous pleated, ribboned mini-skirt shimmered into existence before finally a jeweled diadem fixed itself on my forehead.

After the transformation was complete I still instinctively tried to cover myself up. I was so very glad no one was around to witness that, since I was certain that the purple light left very little to the imagination. It wasn't completely bad, ever since the locker puberty seemed to have caught up and fill out my figure a bit. I still wore my comfy hoody and jeans so nobody at school had really noticed. Still I wouldn't have to suffer my first cape appearance with gangly arms, knobbly knees and the lack of feminine figure that I had feared I would be cursed with. That didn't mean I was by any means comfortable.

Patting myself down I gave myself a last once-over before heading to the backdoor, making sure my glaive didn't bang on the way out. Looking up to the gentle curve of the blade of my pole-arm, The Silence Glaive. I thought it was a very pretty weapon, but it was a little disconcerting that I was holding what was essentially a dooms-day device. Armsmaster might have a very nice halberd, complete with literally all of the cutting edge gadgets, but it couldn't hold a candle to my weapon.

Stepping out into the light rain I was pleasantly surprised to discover something new about my powers, an in built water repellent. The rain splattered and streamed off my clothes and hair leaving my curls and costume crisp and dry. Still didn't make up for the fact my powers seemed to be allergic to any additions I wanted, so no mask. That's one of the very good reasons I hadn't gone out before, whenever I tried to wear a mask it just felt wrong and my powers would eventually start to act weird. In truth all my powers were weird not just my costume. There was the whole embarrassing magical girl thing I had going on, my glowy transformation sequence could have come straight out of an Earth Aleph anime. From the stuff I had found on PHO about The PRT's power ratings I didn't know if that made me some sort of changer or what. Some side benefits of my moe-metamorphosis was some low brute and mover ratings. I was definitely a decent bit tougher, stronger and faster than normal me. But it wasn't enough for me to risk running around without the safety of a secret identity. I was tougher sure, but I doubt I was really bullet proof. I could comfortably lift 400 pounds, but I wasn't going to be chucking cars around anytime soon. Sadly I didn't get my childhood dream power of flight, but being able to effortlessly jump 30 feet into the air was extremely fun.

Using that gravity bending power, I leapt away bouncing off rooftops and over streets."There is no spoon." I laughed to myself as I tried to figure out where all the parahumans would be gathering. I was having so much fun using my powers that I almost forgot the gravity of my situation. It didn't take long for me spot a group of civilians being lead into an Endbringer shelter. Angling my jump I landed near a pair of police officers that were waving people along a yellow police cordon. Several of the civilians and one of the cops gave a surprised jolt as the heels of my boots made a sharp clack as I landed.

I hope I didn't look as ridiculous as I felt, as my colorful appearance attracted a lot of attention from everyone nearby. I didn't bother suppressing the sigh as several phones appeared and began to click pictures of me, reminding me exactly why I hadn't gone out with my inability to wear a mask.

"Um-, do you know where the hero's are gathering?" I asked the policeman that I had surprised, trying to shrink into myself as his partner continued to wave people toward the shelter.

Reaching through the window of his squad car he quickly handed me a piece of paper. Setting my glaive against my shoulder I quickly read the header of 'Parahuman Response.' "This is close to Arcadia, between it and the boardwalk, right?" I asked in a raised voice.

The policemen simply nodded as I folded up the paper and grabbed my weapon, readying myself to head out. "Good luck." He stated before turned away.

"Thank you." I responded as my stomach gave another flip. I took a few steps to gain speed before jumping off to the roof of a nearby building, probably flashing anyone that was looking as I left. I tried to reassure myself that it didn't really count because it was more a frilly leotard with a skirt, still didn't help my love-hate relationship with my powers.

I wasn't crazy fast, but hopping along rooftops allowed me to avoid any crowds or traffic jams made by the idiots that weren't supposed to be driving cars to shelters. I did get lost for a bit but eventually came to the building the paper had described. The big parking lot had several armored PRT trucks positioned around it gave it away. Also eye catching was Dragon's green armored suit near the building looking towards the ocean. Although, from a conversation with Greg that I faintly recall, based on size; he would argue that it should be called a mech rather than a suit. Landing in the parking lot I ran towards the building as with a flash of lightning a heavy sheet of rain picked up. I almost stumbled as the long neck of Dragon's armor swung around to look at me.

"A bit late." Her pleasant voice called down to me. "But we should still have a bit more time before he arrives, the others are inside going over the plan."

"T-thanks." I stuttered, failing to keep my composure in front of the world's greatest tinker. "Should I just head in?"

Nodding her mechanical head she said. "You may still be able to get the general idea, you don't look familiar though."

"O-oh I'm Saturn, its my first time out." I mutter lamely, fearing I sounded as stupid as I felt confessing my inexperience. I didn't stick around to get a response fearing I would somehow get banned, because a beginner would only get in the way.

Quickly making my way inside I could hear the an indistinct voice from farther in the exact words muffled by the noise of the new downpour. Following the sound of the voice I came to a large room that honestly looked like a cosplay convention. My breath hitched as I saw all the big names, Legend was flanked by Alexandria and Eidolon. All the local hero's were there, and I spotted a lot of the local villains scattered amongst some out of town heroes. I still found it a bit odd to see the capes of Empire Eighty-Eight in their costumes after their secret identities were revealed on the news not too long ago. It seemed ironic that everything had just calmed down from the bombings and gang war just to be attacked by an Endbringer.

I could finally clearly understand the words as Legend spoke to the gathered capes. "If we let him slip past our defensive lines, precious time will be wasted chasing him, getting him in another situation where we can contain his movements." I discretely slid into the back of the room.

"Our second priority is that we need to find ways to hurt him. If you cannot, if your attacks are deflected or prove otherwise useless, work to support those who can. It is vain to hope to kill him, but he can be whittled down enough that he will flee back to the ocean, and if we hurt him enough, it may delay the time before he is capable of making another attack elsewhere." Legend explained, pausing as a flash of lightning and a very loud crash of thunder shook the building. My guts were still tying themselves in knots, but it seemed now would be the best time to interrupt and explain my simple plan.

"Excuse me, Legend I have a way to kill Leviathan." I called with a raised hand, almost instantly regretting it as almost every head in the room swiveled around to look at me. Pushing through the wall of my own uncertainty I continued. "I haven't been a cape for long and I haven't gone out because my main power isn't PR friendly. But anyways, I have the ability to bring guaranteed death to my target. I-"

"Do you think this is some game girl?" Eidolon cut me off his obviously annoyed voice ringing out of his glowing green hood. "You aren't the first cape that thought they had a silver bullet for these monsters. Its never worked before, and I doubt you will be any different so either be quiet or leave."

Indignation battled with embarrassment inside me, indignation won. I was so stressed that I didn't care that I was in a room with some of the most powerful people on the planet, a part of me kinda snapped.

"Fine! I'll go, but when I start just stay out of my way!" I stormed out uncaring of the muttering that followed me. I wasn't far away when Legend cleared his voice and continued his briefing. I was so disgruntled as I stomped away, didn't he know what I was going to have to sacrifice to save everyone? I just made it to the outer doors when more rational thoughts broke through my emotions, I guess they didn't know the details. I didn't get the chance to explain before Eidolon interrupted.

Slowly stepping outside into the rain I glanced toward the coast trying to think of a good place to wait for the monster I was to slay. I barely started my journey before the sound of whirring of servos caught my attention. "Did you really mean what you said in there? You think you can kill Leviathan."

Looking over I saw Dragon's huge mech had turned towards me, and she seemed to be examining me carefully. "I know I can." I answered, and knew it was true. I wasn't sure exactly how I knew even though I had never used my true power, but I knew what it could do.

"My power is a little terrifying, it's one of the reasons this is my first time out." I gave Dragon a bit of a resigned smile. "Once activated I bring Death to my target. It doesn't matter what, it could be a person, a city, a planet or an entire solar system. I guess, I sorta become the personification of Death and nothing will stop me from destroying my target."

I wish I could see Dragon's face to get an idea on whether she believed me or not, I knew it sounded ridiculous. "Hmm. I see, does this happen instantaneously, or is there some rule or condition that needs to be met?"

I couldn't tell if she was just humoring me, but I continue anyway. "Um- It depends on how strong or big my target is, like a person would probably die in seconds. A planet should take an hour or so, Depending on how tough Leviathan is I think it should only take a few minutes. All I need is to see my target or have a really really good idea about them. It's scary that since I know about life on earth I could kill it, but I don't know enough about Leviathan to target him right now."

"That does sound like a terrifying power." Dragon agreed. "If you only need line of sight how about I get you on top a building near the bay, it should give you the best chance of seeing Leviathan early."

"Uh yeah, that sounds good; thank you." I nodded, surprised as a hatch opened up on the side of her suit. Inside was a small bay that could snugly fit several people, and from the packs with red crosses on them I guessed Dragon used this for medical evacuation. Stepping into the compartment I saw belts and fasteners that would likely be used to secure any wounded if Dragon were to be flying around at high speeds. The hatch closed as I felt, and heard a rumbling and high pitched whine as Dragon took flight.

"I noticed that your hair and outfit exhibit hydrophobic properties. Did you tinker your clothes or spray something on in advance of this fight?" Dragon's voice flowed out of a tiny speaker.

"No." I answered tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear as the inertia of flight shifted. "Some sort of built in changer ability, these cloths are part of my powers; no mask. Which is another reason this is my first time out."

"That's an interesting quandary, and you couldn't simply add a mask on top of the changed state?" Dragon asked.

"A mask always felt odd, and that feeling eventually grew until my powers started to act weird."

"Hmm, try putting this on." Dragon said as a small door near the medical supplies popped open revealing a dozen high tech wrist band looking things. "I designed these to help organize capes, put it on and see if you get the same odd feeling."

As I tightened the tinker-tech over my glove I only half listened to Dragon's explanation to how it worked and what the buttons did. "It doesn't feel odd at all, nothing like a mask." I said after confirming my name for the armband.

"Perhaps a striker effect with any foreign object on your skin. I would like to help you after this is all done. You are correct that your powers might scare off many in the PRT, but I could see you doing well in the Guild."

"Yeah- sure thanks." I muttered uselessly, Dragon didn't know the cost to use my power.

"Alright, I'll let you out here." She said, as the hatched opened up allowing the wind and noise to flow in. I hopped out onto a five story flat roofed building that had a great view of the bay. "I have to get back to the meeting I'm needed to help organize the front line fighters. I truly hope you are correct about your power."

As Dragon few off leaving the roof in a wash of hot air, I paused; the rain splattering off my outfit. Now that I was alone again my emotions began to boil up inside me. I could still leave, I didn't have to do this. Just take off the armband and run, I could let the more experienced heroes handle it. I was only 15, I hadn't even kissed a boy yet. Warm tears mixed with rain as I thought of all the things I still wanted to do. Why should I be the one to fight off the walking natural disaster?

I knew the answers. Because I could stop the monster before he ruined half the city. Because not even the Triumvirate had been able to really stop him before. Even the good days, Endbringer attacks had deaths in the tens of thousands, and I could prevent that. Taking a deep breath I steeled myself again.

As I waited I saw something odd, the waters of the bay were pulling back. I saw new algae covered rocks revealed by the lower water, there was even a small boat half sunk into the sand. I payed enough attention in science class to know what was going to be coming soon, looking out to the ocean I saw the horizon bulge.

"Tidal wave incoming!" I yelled into my wristband after pressing the left button. The wave moved very quickly, until it was funneled into the bay where it slowed and grew in height. The wave only seemed to be getting taller and I was a little concerned that the building I stood on wouldn't be high enough. As the wave approached I noticed that I wasn't alone anymore, as groups of heroes teleported to surrounding rooftops and flyers dotted the sky.

"Shielders and anyone that can reduce the waves damage get on it." My wristband barked, and an array of colorful powers flew out or popped into existence in the bay slowing the water down. The remains of the wave battered its way through and onto land, knocking over power lines and tossing cars. The building I was on shook ominously as the water slapped into its side, I was again wishing I were somewhere else.

"Leviathan spotted, still in the bay: AC-4!" Another voice piped out of my wristband, and I glanced the GPS map to get an idea where the beast was. Looking out I saw the Endbringer slowly rising out of the bay his coloration making him difficult to spot. It was his four glowing eyes that were easiest to see, his form rising up until he was only knee deep in the bay.

"Blasters ready! We'll hit him hard while there's no danger of collateral damage!" Legend's voice signaled to everyone, right as I slammed my finger on the left button.

"Hard override!" My heart pounded in my chest, feeling like I was standing one foot over the edge of a precipice. "Wait please! I'm about to activate! I'll try to keep collateral damage to a minimum, but I can take care of him!"

Time seemed to slow for a bit as I felt like I was at the top of the high-dive at the public pool. You're scared of jumping, but the kids behind you won't wait for you to psyche yourself up. So letting my power fill me I stepped off into that abyss. Instead of falling my feet left the roof as I floated upward. I didn't get the time to admire that I could sorta fly before the wristband spoke out again.

"Is this that girl from before!?" Eidolon's angry voice called out as I spun my weapon in a seemingly practiced twirl ending with my glaive standing against my left side. My right hand curled up around my head to grip near the blade and my left arm was straight down pulling the polarm close.

"Death Reborn!" My voice called out and seemed to echo loudly across the entire bay, as I brought my blade down. Long purple ribbons of energy spun around the head of my Silence Glaive until I brought it up pointing it toward the sky. "REVOLUTION!"

A pillar of bright purple energy sprung up around me, rising until it hit tearing a hole in the dark storm clouds above. It was a rush, as my power filled me with overwhelming strength. I didn't even feel a sense of dread that I had feared, instead clarity filled my mind, there was only one thing left to do. Bring death to my enemy. The pillar of light cut off wrapping around me in the shape of long purple streamers of death energy. Looking down at Leviathan my body seemed to move on its own rocketing down toward the beast. I briefly wondered if I broke the sound barrier when I registered the crack of noise, before I was directly before the beast. Swinging my blade down I cut to the hilt, scoring a line from Leviathan's shoulder to the middle of his chest. The Endbringer jolted into action like my attack came as a surprise, and we began our dance of death.

"Holy-Shit!" Assault yelled incredulously, looking down from the rooftop that many heroes were gathering on. It was probably less than a minute since the girl has started with her purple light show and now she was solo-ing the Endbringer in melee combat. The girl in the frilly purple mini-skirt looked comically small beside the 30 foot monster but by the looks of it she was as she said she would 'taking care of' Leviathan.

"Should we help her?" Legend wondered aloud, as the girl let go of her weapon spinning it around her neck before cartwheeling over Leviathan's arm and slashing the giant limb as it passed under her. She looked to be untouchable as she bounced around, using the monster's own limbs as platforms to launch additional attacks. Her weapon was always in motion, each block was shifting into an attack. Even standing in the water where the second Endbringer should be the strongest didn't help the beast. The streams and blasts of his afterimage were always countered by a seemingly casual twirl. However, each spin and attack was coupled with a loud crack of sound and a violent ripple of the surrounding waters.

"Help her, why should we?!" Assault glanced back at Legend before throwing his arm out gesturing toward the fight. "She's kicking his ass!"

"All capes, hold position!" Dragon's voice called through everyone's armband. "Unless Saturn's situation changes do not engage. Be ready but do not interfere!"

In a whine of jet engines Dragon's huge suit landed heavily on an unoccupied corner. Soon after Alexandria swooped down doing her best to keep her eye's on the fight. "Dragon you spoke to her, do you have any more more details on her powers?" The female member of the Triumvirate asked as she watch Saturn run up Leviathan's arm to deliver a long slash across his face.

"I can't tell you much more than she mentioned at the briefing." Dragon said, keeping all of her sensors trained on the battle. "Most concerning is the level of power she told me she was capable of. She claimed that once activated, her power brings death to target, explaining that destruction of a planet is within her capabilities. In her words she becomes unstoppable, a personification of death. From what I can speculate from the little time I spoke with her, Saturn is terrified of her powers. She tried to hide it but stress indicators in her vocal patterns and posture were clear to me."

Slowly more and more capes were gathering on the rooftop trying to figure out what to do and who this new cape was that was slicing Leviathan to shreds.

"That girl has the most incredible magical power I have ever felt!" Myrddin gasped, although most ignored his insight. "I never knew necromancy could feel so pleasant."

"Does she have a fuck-ton of skill, or is she a precog?" Glory Girl wondered aloud. "She hasn't been hit once."

"Unknown." Dragon answered, "Pattern analyzers can't determine if she is reacting to the future or her combat style is creating a near perfect zone to defend and attack."

"She just isn't doing enough damage." Brandish stated. "The size difference is too big, her spear thing is cutting into him but the proportions of the cuts are small in comparison."

A collective gasp sounded from the capes as a geyser of water erupted just below Saturn. In a impossible show of grace the girl kept her feet beneath her, riding the geyser to Leviathan's eye level. Almost contemptuously Saturn batted the beast's claws away as he tried to attack her in the seemingly vulnerable position. Then bringing the thicker back haft of her weapon around she slammed it down on top of his head with such force a visible shock-wave spread out in a widening circle on the water.

Leviathan disappeared, the blow forcing him under the surface of the water, the bay roaring from the displaced water. Then as though it took gravity a bit to caught up, Saturn slowly began to fall until she gracefully swan dove into the water with hardly a splash. Many of the capes started, concerned about losing sight of the fighters but uncertain what to do. A few seconds later the waters where the two disappeared into began to roil and bubble.

"A-are they fighting underwater!?" Lady Photon gasped. "Wouldn't Leviathan have a huge advantage there?!"

"I believe Saturn has entered a breaker state." Armsmaster stated. "From my calculations no known materials possesses the tensile strength to handle the kinetic energy delivered in the last strike. Her weapon should have bent or shattered."

"That girl is terrifying!" Shielder exclaimed. "Do you think she can actually do it? Can she really kill an Endbringer?"

Suddenly the roiling sea seemed to explode like a depth charge detonating. The water shifted as Leviathan's form shot out of the water angled toward the docks. With a sharp crunch the beast hit one of the ship graveyard's derelict vessels that had been dragged deeper into the bay by the initial tidal wave. Saturn surfaced soon after standing on the water's surface she flourished her weapon with a swift flick. Leviathan was embedded comically into the side of the rusted ship as the two stared at each other form across the water. The Endbringer was missing an arm and a deep purple ribbon of energy seemed to wrap around his chest, looking exactly like the glowing ribbons trailing from Saturn. With a short crouch Saturn shot forward her footsteps creating a trail of splashes as she zipped forward, the odd streams of energy trailing behind her.

In response the sea between them sprang to life, whips, blades, and balls of water moved to intercept. Saturn didn't slow down as she spun her glaive in front, and behind her, twirling it around her hips and shoulders defending herself from each attack.

"There's no harm in a little hope." Alexandria said barely above a whisper, before raising her voice in a commanding tone. "Come on, we should stay close if she needs help."

I was both terrified and amazed as I ran across the bay, rapidly closing the distance between myself and Leviathan. The creature countered my approach as a barrage of hydrokinetic attacks rushed toward me. Bringing up my weapon I spun it in front of me, twirling it in a surreal pattern around my fingers, hands and wrists. I can remember doing some baton twirling in the gymnastics classes Emma and I took as girls, but I was no where near this good. My body was sorta knew what it was doing, but the more I fought it almost felt like I was recalling the techniques from a millennium of hard training and combat.

A whip of water swung around from my left and I spun the haft under my armpit switching dominate hands. My blade intercepted the attack and I felt my power drain Leviathan's energy from the water, effectively 'killing' his power over it.

The Endbringer was a lot tougher than I first thought he would be, I could barely feel him weakening as my power slowly drained his power and life away. It really didn't matter, his fate was already sealed. I just wanted to wear him down before fully activating The Silence Glaive, the weapon was terrifying even when I was trying to hold back.

I broke through the curtain of water, after slaying literal tons of liquid. Rushing forward, Leviathan was still embedded in the ship I had smacked him into. Leaping into the air intent on stabbing the immobile creature I flicked away a blade of water only for Leviathan's long tail to come for my exposed right. I gasped as I was hit zipping away with a crack of air. Noise filled my ears as I smashed into a building somewhere between the boardwalk and the docks, windows and walls shattering as I went through them. Cursing myself, I had gotten complacent focusing on myself instead of Leviathan.

"Saturn!" Dragon's concerned voice yelled through my wristband. "Are you alright!?"

I was fine, that hadn't even hurt; you couldn't hurt Death. I didn't take the time to respond, I had to keep fighting or else the other capes would get involved. Fixing my mind on my target, the ribbons wrapped around my body flared. Like the ancient curse said, I arrived on swift wings appearing on Leviathan's shoulder in a flash of light. Cutting along the beast's neck I allowed myself some satisfaction as I sliced a piece of his ruined face off.

His stupid long tail swung up to smack me like a fly as I resumed my spinning weapon style. I kept close to Leviathan as each spin of my weapon blocked or attacked. Another spin and I disrupted a water attack that he launched at me from behind. I smiled as I felt another ribbon wrapping itself around the monster, binding our fates closer together. As more of my power took hold I could better understand my target, he felt odd, alien. I got the idea that this thing wasn't from earth, I doubted that it was even from this solar system; and for some reason that deeply offended me.

Leviathan zoomed away disrupting my attacks, it seemed he was trying to gain some space between us. With a slight huff I flexed my power and I was again up close and personal. Again after a few cuts he zipped away, but he couldn't get away; Death was everywhere.

Another ribbon of my power curled around him, and I felt that he was hiding parts of himself in a different dimension. I could now easily understand why the other capes had so much trouble hurting this abominable invader. Unless you could get to the protected core you couldn't kill it. A part of my mind worried about the other two Endbringers if they were the same, would someone else be able to kill them?

I tried to stay focused as my power was settling around Leviathan at a faster pace, as I sliced deeper into the tougher innards. Bits of whatever he was made of flew off with each swing of my glaive. He lost his tail as another ribbon fixed in place, that was about the time he turned and ran. He disappeared in a giant splash of water and I could feel the distance between us growing. It took me a second to realize what was happening before a wave of annoyance washed through me.

"Get back here, I'm not chasing you halfway across the ocean!" I yelled the ribbons around me flaring again as I appeared underwater beside him. Stabbing deeply into the monster's back I twisted my weapon. Using the curved blunt end as a hook I dragged Leviathan to the surface, before swinging my weapon and sending him hurling back toward land. It was only after he was already in the air that I realized it probably would have been better to kill him out in deeper water.

With another flare I appeared on top of the beast, wind whipping through my hair as we both sailed back. Leviathan gave a feeble attack that I batted away, my power had drained the strength from him. With a twirl I swung the back haft of my glaive down like a great mace. With a crack the Endbringer shot down landing in a crater on the street between the beach and buildings, it was time to end this.

"Silence Glaive!" I yelled, my voice doing that odd echoey thing as the blade lit up purple. Falling toward to the immobile monster I brought my blade down. My power told me where to strike, seeking Leviathan's heart, or whatever it had that was closest. Cutting deep I found my target and unleashed Death, trying my best to direct my power into the parts that weren't actually here. The ground shook and stoplights bounced in intersections, but at least buildings weren't falling over. There was another burst of purple light and the struggling beast under me stilled.

I straightened pulling my weapon free, it's blade no longer glowing. It was odd, he was dead and I still felt fine, I had almost expected to keel over the second I had unleashed my final attack. It was only after I looked at the ribbons still encircling my frame that I saw they were slowly disappearing into sparks of purple light that faded away. The enormous rush of energy was slowly fading away, and I knew what would happen at the end.

I was distracted when I heard a slowly rising sound reach my ears. Looking up I saw the surrounding capes, jumping, yelling and throwing their arms in the air in celebration. Even the villains were cheering. It was bitter-sweet, I couldn't help but smile. Stepping off the corpse of my foe I saw The Triumvirate flying down to me, soon many of the other capes followed, flying, swinging or jumping closer.

"You did it!" Alexandria laughed, looking like she wanted to hug me. It was only when I raised my hand, palm facing her that warded her from doing so.

Eidolon didn't approach me instead going to Leviathan's ruined form, investigating if the Endbringer was truly dead.

"I can't believe it!" Legend cheered, as he settled on the ground before me, dozens of other capes slowly gathering behind him. "On your first time out you killed Leviathan, you saved the city! There might have been some civilians hurt in the chaos, but nothing like usual. None of the defenders died and that's never happened before!"

My smile faltered, as I was reminded of what was happening to me. The slowly encroaching weakness coming to collect payment. "Y-yeah, sadly one cape did die today." My voice hitched, as the throat tightened.

"What who?" Legend asked, the gathering crowd quieted.

"There are several good reasons why I haven't gone out until today." I hiccuped as the tears gathered in the corners of my eyes. "There's a price to use my final power, I'm dying."

"What?" The leader of the protectorate gaped, pausing for several moments, before he turned and yelled. "Strider get Panacea!"

"I don't think it will help." I sniffed, looking down to see that more than half of the ribbons had disappeared into moats of light. "Listen, I don't have long. I learned some things while fighting him. Leviathan is an alien, like a really weird extra-solar type of alien. He wasn't even entirely here, part of him was in a different dimension. If the other Endbringers are similar you will need to hit where ever their heart thing is with something that can get to those hidden parts. Conventional weapons can't really hurt them."

"Wait, how do you know you're power is killing you if you haven't used it till today?" Alexandria asked quickly. "And how were you able to kill Leviathan if his vulnerability was in a different dimension?"

"I just know." I replied gruffly as more sparks of purple light started to flow off the ribbons. Sparks now drifting off of the Silence Glaive. "How did you know how to fly when you got your powers? My power is Death, it doesn't matter where my target is Death is everywhere."

There was a crack and faint rumble as who I guess was Strider alongside Panacea, appeared nearby. "I heard I was needed." She said in a rushed tone, jogging forward hitching up her voluminous robes.

"Saturn says that as a price for beating Leviathan, her powers are killing her." Legend explained.

"Do I have you permission to help?" Panacea asked, already reaching for my exposed upper arm.

"I don't think it will help." But I nodded anyway, a small tiny spark of hope glimmering in the back of my mind. Her hands were warm as the settled on my skin, and the spark of hope died when shock appeared on her face.

"I-I can barely feel anything, but I think she's losing biomass I can't do anything though." Panacea gasped.

"Thanks for trying." I muttered, before gulping down the lump in my throat. "Listen, my name is Taylor Hebert, my dad works at the Dock Workers Union. Could you tell him- tell him I'm sorry."

"Tell him yourself." Alexandria said a bit of panic in her voice, before turning and yelling. "Eidolon get over here!"

The last member of the Triumvirate paused his examination of Leviathan's remains and glided over. The purple of ribbons had disappeared, and sparkles were beginning to float off of my body as the weakness grew heavier.

"Please tell him that I love him, and that none of this is his fault. I should have told him about what was happening at school and about me being a cape." I pleaded. Eidolon coming over and lifted a glowing hand at me. "He's been down ever since my mom died, please don't let him do the same because of me. If you can, please get him a vacation or something."

"She's just wasting away, fading into some sort of energy, and it's getting worse at an accelerated rate." Eidolon grouched. "I don't know what to do, my power isn't coming up with a solution!"

"Clockblocker!" Legend snapped. "Get us more time!"

The time themed Ward pushed his way though the group of capes almost diving to touch my hand, and nothing happened.

"Time is meaningless to Death." I gave a short ironic laugh as I could see the jaws of several capes fall open. Tears were streaming down my faced as I breathed in a shuddering breath, my legs barely able to keep me standing. "I really wish I could have joined The Wards you know maybe then I could have had some friends."

"W-what no, you still can." Clockblocker said still holding my hand. "We can be great friends, whatever's happening keep fighting. We can- uh, I'm sorry I can't think of something funny right now."

"It's ok, but I can't fight this." I muttered as my legs gave out, Alexandria quickly catching me lowing me softly to the ground.

"No Saturn! Taylor, you can't go we need you!" My idol as a little girl yelled. "You don't realize how badly we need you!"

"I'm sorry." I said in a whisper, I could barely make my voice work. "I'm glad I could be a hero. I saved a lot of people today right?"

"Yes! But there is so much more you could do, whatever is happening stop it!" Alexandria yelled, the edges of my vision fading to black.

"I wish I could stay." I muttered before my eyelids grew too heavy to keep open

"Saturn down. BD-6" Echoed unhelpfully from the wristbands of the gathered capes. Many were looking around dumbly hoping someone had a solution that hadn't been tried yet. Others gazed at Saturn's still form as motes of purple light rose off her like sparks from a fire.

"Saturn deceased. BD-6" Alexandria spitefully pulled her own wristband off crushing it in her fist. The capes gathered around watched as Saturn's body glowed purple before bursting into purple motes of light.

Last edited: Dec 16, 2018

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MrStarbuck

Dec 14, 2018

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MrStarbuck

MrStarbuck

Dec 21, 2018

#49

"The nation is jubilant after the Endbringer Leviathan is confirmed dead. This joyous occasion is only darkened by the death of the Parahuman that defeated him. Details have slowly been made public-"

"-marks the lowest casualties of any Endbringer attack to date. Not only can these monsters be driven off, they can be killed. Not even Scion has been able to truly stop-"

"-No official video has been released, but we have been able to secure this video showing the Parahuman Saturn fighting in single combat with Leviathan. Little is know of Saturn's exact abilities but as you can see she is fighting alone against-"

"Japan's Prime Minister announced their intent to award Leviathan's bounty to Saturn's next of kin as well as granting her the countries' red, and green ribbons of honor. These color's repr-"

"-iot police were called after Endbringer cultists gathered for both mourning and protest. This attracted the attention of a mix of disgruntled citizens and cape support groups. Violence quickly broke out amou-"

Rebecca Costa-Brown flicked through various news stations before contemptuously pushing the power button on the remote in her hand. So little time had passed since the last Endbringer attack. She had barely had a free moment to think, there were so many things to do.

The world was in a bit of an uproar. The President took little time demanding answers before he himself was swept away dealing with press releases, and international mediation. Congress was debating what awards and medals they could award Saturn posthumously. Various parahuman agencies across the globe were demanding joint research on Leviathan's corpse, and nations everywhere were mixed on declaring states of morning or celebration.

"What an absolute mess." Rebecca growled, leaning back in her chair. She spent a minute rubbing her temples, thinking of all the things she still needed to do before she could rest. Taking a deep breath she stood up preparing to leave. "Door me."

The familiar rift opened before her into the endless white halls and doors. With a quick pace she stepped into one of the many unmarked doors, finding her costume and dressing quickly into the comfortable black and grey. Perhaps now she could finally get the answers she really wanted. Exiting her changing room she glided down the hall before coming to the conference room. She was pleased to see The Doctor, Eidolon and most importantly Contessa already gathered.

"You're late." The Doctor mentioned calmly, only to earn a glare from Alexandria.

The female member of The Triumvirate didn't even sit down before fixing her eye's on the woman in the fedora. "Contessa." She growled. "Explain."

"The Path has changed." Was the woman's simple reply, as though mentioning the weather.

"Fuck The Path!" Alexandria yelled. "We had it! We had our answer, and she kamikaze-ed herself on Leviathan! Why didn't Your Path see that!?"

"There's nothing to say that Saturn would have been able to do anything to Scion!" Eidolon argued dispassionately, a hand passively supporting his head inside his hood.

"I seem to remember you saying something very similar when Saturn first mentioned her powers!" She shot back. "If you hadn't interrupted her maybe she would have mentioned that her 'silver bullet' cut both ways!"

"An oddity that." The Doctor stated. "Almost all powers manifest in a way that prevents such harm to the host."

"She was obviously an exception because her power was so extreme. She said, she had enough power to destroy planets, and I see no reason to doubt that claim. All that potential and we lost it!" Alexandria lamented. "We could have- again Contessa, what the hell?!"

"Saturn was outside of The Path." She said mechanically.

The black clad cap gruffly pulled out a chair before flopping into it. "I wish I could ask her more questions, she some how knew about them."

"A really weird extra-solar alien, is what she called him." Eidolon toned. "What can we really take from a girl on the verge of death."

"A girl that has done more against the Endbringers on her first day out than we ever have!" Alexandria shot back. "Most concerning to me is what she said about conventional weapons being useless on them. Have we really hurt them, or it some game where they leave after having killed enough capes? I have this sick feeling like I've been watching good men and women die over a demented game of king of the hill."

"Our efforts have saved countless lives!" Eidolon growled his head raising off of his palm.

"But have we really hurt them?" She asked exasperatedly. "It never ends, we 'defeat' them only for the game to start up again four months later."

"This is not the time to get discouraged." The Doctor said, looking between everyone. "We may even have cause to celebrate, the Path has shortened, and we know more about our enemies than we ever have before."

"So what do we do now?" Alexandria asked breathing deeply, her nostrils flaring.

"We do what we have already been doing." Eidolon answered.

"Do we even know if that is enough anymore?" She said gravely. "I hope so, because I can't see any other choices."

"There are several options we could explore, although some could be considered; extreme." The Doctor mentioned, a sly tone entering her voice. "Saturn certainly was exceptional, we shouldn't abandon hope just yet."

Daniel Hebert stumbled out of his bedroom, seeing the bright, cheerful sunlight streaming through the nearby window; and he hated it. Roughly elbowing the bathroom door open he leaned over the sink, doing nothing to help his queasiness. Turning the sink on he took a draft of the water, relieving himself of the foul, sticky sensation before spitting out the mouthful of water.

He couldn't completely recall making it to his bed last night, he did recall why he was waking up with one of the worst hangovers in his life. Taylor was gone and he didn't take the revelation very well. After spending a good hour smashing and throwing things in impotent rage he discovered that wrecking his own home wasn't helping him feel better. He quickly changed tactics, drinking and crying himself into an epic stupor.

Leaving the bathroom after sorting himself as best as he could he stumbled toward the stairs, catching a glimpse out the window at the armored PTR van in his drive. At the bottom of his stairs he met the eyes of several visitors gathered around his house, and absently noticed that someone had cleaned up the mess of his rampage yesterday.

"Hey Danny." His friend Kurt greeted him quietly. Slumping down on the familiar chair around the kitchen table he gave a brief grunt as he sat.

"Do you want some coffee?" A concerned Lacy asked, she and Kurt were the only two familiar faces in his house. Several PTR officers seemed to be be strategically positioned near the entrances. Even the local hero Assault was sitting on his couch next to two very official looking individuals in crisp black suits.

"How you feeling Danny." Kurt asked pulling out the chair across from him.

"Fucking terrible." He gurgled the sticky dry feeling returning to his mouth.

"Yeah I get that."

"What are the discount storm troopers and the Men in Black still doing in my house? I vaguely recall yelling at them to get out." Danny growled, knowing that he was being unfair.

"You know that they have a good reason to be here." Lacy chastised as she set a mug of coffee and two white tablets in front of him.

"Yeah." He grunted after he gulped the aspirin down with a mouthful of hot liquid that burned on the way down.

"They are going to want to talk with you." Kurt mumbled. "Legend even showed up earlier, but said he would come back when you woke up."

"What time is it?"

"Half past 11." Lacy sighed. "I've been keeping water hot, for whenever you would come out."

"Thanks." Danny muttered, sticking the mug right under his nose to inhale the pleasant fumes. "So what's been going on since I drank myself too pissed to stand."

"The worlds gone a bit crazy." Kurt answered. "The President gave a public address this morning talking about Leviathan, and-- and Taylor. She called herself Saturn, but before she um- disappeared she told everybody around her, her real name. Somebody blabbed and her name got out to the public, there's been at least ten news vans circling the block. Only reason why they aren't in your front yard is because the police won't let them get any closer."

"Vultures." Danny grouched.

"Yeah." Lacy agreed. "We pulled the phone line out because I would pick up, hang up only for it to ring again half a second later."

"I guess there's a lot of things to sort out." Kurt said. "I insisted that nobody go upstairs, to ensure you have as much privacy as you can. At least these guys seem to be alright waiting till you woke up."

"You should have seen it earlier, the agents on your couch got into this stare down thing, with some other suits that came by." Lacy muttered with a bit of humor in her voice. "I couldn't really follow when they started talking about stuff like Article 14-B subsection d, bull-shit."

"I got one of them to summarize it for me and I filled in the blanks." Kurt interjected. "I guess they were from one of the other intelligence agencies and one of the higher ups wasn't content waiting. They got into this big legal off, where they damn well started speaking a different language till they established who had jurisdiction or whatever. Pretty sure it came down to 'we got here first, so suck it!'"

"Alright." Danny groaned, before taking several long gulps of coffee. He was about address the spooks on his couch before two sharp knocks sounded from the front door.

One PRT trooper called out some code, and a muffled voice called back a string of numbers before the door opened to reveal Legend in all his bright glory.

"Oh God!" Danny moaned before turning away, shielding his eyes with a hand. Sinking his nose back into his coffee mug.

"Excuse me?" Legend apologized in a questioning tone.

"No don't worry, come in everyone else seems be alright with just being here uninvited." He growled. "Nice costume, its usually great to see on TV but this early it offends my eyes, is all."

"It's not early." Lacy reminded him.

"Whatever." Danny snarked, giving the leader of the Protectorate a beckoning motion.

Legend gave a quiet "Thank you." Before walking over to the kitchen table his footsteps padding almost inaudibly across the floor.

"Pull up a chair and sit." Danny grouched. "You'd be the best person to help figure this all out, yes? Unless The President shows up at my door, right?"

"I can't be entirely sure that The President won't show up Mr Hebert." Legend answered. "But I believe I am the best for now."

"Good." He shot back before fixing his blood-shot eyes on the superhero. "Now where's my daughter?!"

"I-I thought that you were informed of the situation yesterday?" Legend stuttered taken aback by the question.

"I was told that Taylor disappeared!" Danny growled his raised voice just below a yell to save himself more pain from his headache. "The way they were talking it was clear they really meant dead. But, I guess there is no body or any real trace of her. I nearly punched two people last night, the first when he wouldn't give me a straight answer, and the second when he stopped me from going out to look."

"Yes, well let me give this to you as best as I know." Legend said grimly. "I was there when you're daughter fought Leviathan, after she defeated him she claimed that her powers would kill her as some sort of payment. Efforts were made to try and prevent this, all indications were that her powers were causing her to sort of fade away. She grew weaker and a tinker-tech device that monitored her vitals declared her deceased, before she faded in burst of energy. Because the things she herself said, as well the input from all the thinkers at our disposer we can only conclude that she is dead. I-if its of any help she didn't seem to be in any pain at the end."

"It doesn't really help, but thank you." He muttered back.

"I doubt I can really understand what you are going through but-"

"Do you have any children?" Danny interrupted.

"I-I've adopted a child, yes." Legend paused as though uncertain how much to say.

"Hmm." Danny grunted. "Maybe you can get an idea about how terrible I feel. How badly I've failed."

"You shouldn't say that!" Lacy interjected, annoyance and concern evident in her tone.

"I've been a shit father and I have very good reasons for thinking so!" He shot back. "I might not have been the worst one out there, but I haven't been a good one."

The group around the table were silent as Danny took a breath to continue.

"Taylor deserved much more than I could really give her, its been that way ever since Annette died. Sure I tried, but there's just so much a young girl needs her mother for that I couldn't give her. I can't really help her with tips about make up, can I? Dad's don't give insightful advice about dealing with boys. No we're here when that boy screws up so we can hug our daughters and make them feel safe again, swearing vengeance on the idiot that hurt her."

"You did the best you could." Kurt muttered putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Did I?" Danny asked. "Because I don't think so. I wasn't really dealing with Annette being gone all that great myself, but I haven't really been giving Taylor the attention she needed. Money was tight after she died, losing Annette's income hurt and funeral costs are a bitch. So I threw myself into my work, a bit to distract myself as well as to make sure we had enough money to keep things comfortable. With my work money was never a real problem but I know Taylor would spend her allowance at the thrift store rather than other things. Clothes, just another thing I couldn't help her with."

Danny gulped down the last of his coffee before continuing.

"Some days we barely spoke to each other. Then that thing at school and the locker happened, blindsiding me and reminding me that I needed to be a father!" He lightly thumped a fist on the table angrily. "I didn't have a clue that anything was going on, because I didn't talk to her. I wasn't there to help. After wards I tried to talk to her about it, tried to get her to open up. She always turned aside my questions or told me that she would talk later. Later quickly turned into never. Annette would have taken twenty minutes tops, to get Taylor to start spilling her concerns and problems. I was left worthless for months. Sure I got empty promises from the school that they would take care of anything on their end, and I couldn't do anything but accept that."

Sitting up in his chair the widower fixed Legend with an intense stare.

"Annette wasn't some shy wall-flower before I met her. She was involved with Lustrum back in the day, but got out before things became too crazy. Still, she learned some things about capes and told me, so I know about trigger events. So how should I take that my daughter was under enough stress to break her, and I wasn't able to do a damn thing about it?" He asked running a hand down his face.

"Trigger events are odd things." Legend muttered, seemingly falling back on a pre-written response. "We still don't know much about them, there really wasn't anything you could do."

"I should have prevented the entire fucking thing!" Danny snapped, before pausing and leaning back. "Sorry, I know I have a bit of an anger issue when I actually get pushed far enough. However, all my anger just seems to point back to me and it makes me sick. When Annette died I could be angry at the cell phone that played a big role in the accident. I got rid of our cells and have barely touched them since. Now Taylor's gone, and I can't hate her. Can I hate capes or super powers?"

"Your daughter did something truly amazing, as bad as trigger events can be she used her powers to save the city and kill an Endbringer." The colorful cape stated, sincerity clear in his tone. "She saved so many lives here, and potentially millions more from future attacks. From a certain point of view, we are lucky events did cause her to get powers."

"She has always been such a wonderful girl, always dreaming about becoming the next Alexandria. It just feel's so fucked. Don't get me wrong I'm- proud of what she's done." He forced the word out, hating that such a wonderful act required Taylor to sacrifice herself. "But right now, I feel that I would rather this city burn to the ground if I could have my daughter back."

"I think I can understand, or at least empathize." Legend stated. "Hind sight is always so much clearer. So many things I would change if I could. If I had moved a bit faster and might have saved a life. However, I've found that playing a guessing game of 'what if' regarding the past is a good way to keep your self up at night with nothing to show for it. You're not helping anything by beating yourself up, Taylor wouldn't want that. One of the last things she said was that she was sorry, and that you shouldn't blame yourself for any of this. She wanted you to get a vacation actually, I see no reason why that can't be arranged."

"I have no idea where I would go, or what I would do." Danny snorted with an ironic laugh. "Everywhere I've thought of going, it was always with my family."

"You do need a vacation though, she was right about that." Kurt agreed. "Maybe we can help you find something that would be nice. You should do it, not just for yourself but to honor her."

"Yeah, maybe." He sighed. "But before I can even think about that, I doubt that Legend came here to listen to me moan. I am guessing there is a lot of things to deal with being the father of an Endbringer slayer."

"You're right." Legend nodded. "But, I'm also a hero and I want to make things right. She mentioned things about her school, and you said something about a locker. Maybe you couldn't prevent your daughter's trigger event, but we might be able to bring those that caused it to justice."

"That sounds like something I can sober up for." A grim, determined smile working its way to Danny's face.

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You have four infractions and two warnings. You were last banned on September 03, 2010. Your probationary status expires in 112 days, on September 07, 2011.

Topic: Leviathan's Dead!!

In: Boards News Events World

Bagrat (Original Poster) (Veteran Member) (The Guy in the Know)

Posted on May 14th, 2011:

You read the post right, Leviathan's Dead! Alright before we get off on a tangent of unending celebration here's what we know.

Brockton Bay was attacked by The Endbringer known as Leviathan only a few hours ago. After the usual opening attack via tidal wave a huge purple beam of energy pierced the heavens. My info says that the purple beacon was the opening for a cape that engaged Leviathan single-handedly. What would be suicide for almost any other cape wasn't, as this cape proceeded to wreck Leviathan's face. Apparently it took less than fifteen minutes for this cape to finish off the monster. Delivering a final blow that created an earthquake that rated 5.8 on the Richter-scale. I will be delivering more details as I get them I was just too excited, I had to post something.

Edit: I have a name and a picture [Here] Her name's Saturn and I just started a new thread specifically for her. [Here]

Edit: Found a cell phone video of the fight. [Video] It's a bit shaky but its the best I got for now.

Edit: Got another video, better quality. [Video] Also, got some news that ruined my good mood., Saturn died killing Leviathan.

(Showing page 1 of 180)

FormerFukuoka (Kyushu survivor)

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

YES! YES! All of the YES!

Hamstermeister

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

No way! You're talking like it was a unknown cape. Do we have a new member of the Triumvirate.. Quadumvirate?

TinyDancer_1995

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

This is the best news the world has had like maybe ever!

HybridHydra

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

Speculation on the cape that off-ed Leviathan? BAMF: 20?

MadamMaskette (Cape Wife)

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

My husband just came back! He's only been to two other Endbringer fights and I always worry. Last time he said he got hurt really bad but Panacea patched him up. This time he said he didn't even fight. Now if you excuse me I need to do a thorough investigation to make sure he didn't get a scratch.

xIFireStarterIx

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

@ MadamMaskette: Bow-Chicka Bow-Wow! You gonna make sure to kiss any of his boo-boo's, wink wink nudge nudge?

Vorpal Bunny (Moderator)

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

@xIFireStarterIx: No infraction, or warning for that, just keep in mind not to push it. G-rating guys. PG tops.

MouseFan67

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

I'm still in shock! They've been wrecking the world with no real hope in sight. Until today!

ChessKingE8

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

Is the beginning of the end for the Endbringers?!

TimeLordMD

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

Simurgh next please! I lost a cousin to that [censored].

(End of Page. 1,2,3,4-180)

(Showing page 152 of 180)

FoxyFire (Cape Groupie)

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

So grateful! I live in Brockton Bay, come out of the Endbringer shelter and the city isn't underwater, or on fire, or infested with smurf bombs!

1_TitaniumTitan_1

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

Oh crap guys. Get on PHO after hearing Leviathan is dead and see pic of Saturn. Fall in love with the solid qt3.14, only to learn that she died. Not the hot chick, whyyy!!

BrocktonBridgeBum (Confirmed Troll)

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

@1_TitaniumTitan_1: I know what you mean, feels bad man.JPG. It's amazing that she killed Leviathan, but having her save the day only to kick the bucket sucks! This city is terrible, seriously they should change the welcoming sign at the city limits. "Welcome to Brockton Bay! Where things come to die. Population, -1 Endbringer, -1 Best Waifu 2011."

RedMan_9000

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

Just saw the video of the fight. Why aren't any of the other capes helping!? They're all just standing around being worthless. If they had actually done something maybe Saturn would still alive and she could fight the other two Endbringers! [censored] those [censored] useless capes. A big chunk of my tax dollars go to the Protectorate right? I want my money back you [censored]!

User received an infraction for this post: Please keep it civil, we don't know all the details of the fight there is no reason to point fingers.

GloryGirl (Confirmed Cape) (New Wave)

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

@RedMan_9000: Wow! Simmer down there RageMan.

@BrocktonBridgeBum: Really, Best Waifu 2011? Show some respect she sacrificed herself saving who knows how many people.

So I was there, and I might get in trouble for this but I'll deal with it later. Everyone was under a lot of stress, so the first tidal wave comes in and we're ready to fight when Saturn comes on the radio saying that she'll take care of Leviathan. Suddenly there's this giant purple beam of light blasting into the sky and a moment later Saturn's in Leviathan's face cutting chunks out of it. She had mentioned before to stay out of her way when she started fighting, and to be honest, seeing her go was a bit of a shock. You've seen the video, nobody's fought an Endbringer like that! So we were told to stand down and be ready if she needed help; she didn't. Saturn ended the fight without so much as a curl being out of place on her pretty little head. It was only afterward that she mentioned she was dying. I don't know the details of her powers, I can't really ask her anymore. Something about her final power killing anything but having to pay a price for it. We tried everything to help after that, nothing worked. Even my sister Panacea (you know her best healer in the world) tried to help, she couldn't do anything. I might owe Saturn my life. She sacrificed herself to save the city and so that the other capes didn't have to fight and die. If I could have done anything I would have.

Borgbarian

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

@GloryGirl: Wow sounds crazy. I saw the video, lots of water and Saturn in the middle. Does she have some sort of trump nullify ability I wouldn't think that a spear would just stop water attacks. Still can't fault any of the capes for not jumping in when Saturn looked to have things under control. Drowning or getting cut in half doesn't sound very fun.

AllSeeingEye (Unconfirmed Cape)

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

@GloryGirl: You forgot to mention Eidolon being a dick to Saturn. Something along the lines of "Go away little girl and let the big boys handle the scary monster." Only to eat all the humble pie as she did the job he's never been able to do. Practically could smell the jealousy coming off of him.

@Borgbarian: I don't think she has nullification powers, best I can tell is she's killing everything that comes close to her. Leviathan's control over the water in attacks, dead. I think she even somehow killed the kinetic energy when he tried to hit her with his claws, don't ask me how that works.

Habitual Gamer

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

@GloryGirl: Quote [Really, Best Waifu 2011?] Sounds like someone is jealous that she only got into the top ten waifu of 2011. You've got the the looks and the body, sadly though too much tsundere going on. Honestly though a best cape waifu thread sounds like something I want to be involved in, if only I wasn't on probation and could create threads myself; hint hint.

User received a warning for this post: Please keep posts on topic, and remember that GloryGirl and to the best of our knowledge Saturn are both underage. Certain topics will not be tolerated.

Edit: Worth

BrocktonBridgeBum (Confirmed Troll)

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

@HabitualGamer: My buddy already got you fam. Waifu thread [Here].

Sir Tanksalot (Wiki Warrior)

Replied on May 14th, 2011:

@ AllSeeingEye: It certainly sounds that you were in Brockton Bay for the fight. Should the mods be getting you a Confirmed Cape tag? Also moar! We need details!

@GloryGirl: Do you have any details on this 'final power' you mentioned? Did she show any other powers or did she just glare at Leviathan and was like. "Fool this isn't even my final form." Before proceeding to wreck him?

(End of Page. 150,151,152,153,154-180)

Topic: Saturn.

In: Boards Places America Brockton Bay Solo Capes

Bagrat (Original Poster) (Veteran Member) (The Guy in the Know)

Posted on May 14th, 2011:

Saturn came out of no where and saved Brockton Bay, killing Leviathan on the way. Sadly for the entire world she died after doing so. Details are scarce but I was able to dig up some nice nuggets.

This was Saturn's first public outing as a Cape. I have some unconfirmed reports about her having some sort of death powers. Sounds scary, but you know the results so I'm not going to complain.

I have pics of her, [here, [here] and [here]. Also video of her fight with Leviathan [here] and [here].

Edit: Confirmed as much as I can, Saturn has death powers. Still not sure on all the details, but she used her final power which is a guaranteed kill move that also kills herself.

(Showing page 1 of 317)

Metal Cobra

Posted on May 14th, 2011:

Wow that sucks. Most awesome cap since members of Triumvirate, shows up kill Leviathan. Then, "Peace out I'm done!"

DavyJonah

Posted on May 14th, 2011:

I'm going to say this right now. Saturn is the daughter of Alexandria and Legend. I know what you're going to say, "Legend is gay!" Doesn't mean anything if you go with in vitro fertilization and/or surrogate mother. She started the fight with a big pillar of light something Legend might do. She was obviously fast and strong, something she got from her mother. I doubt that a cape that strong would just come out of nowhere. I just think that it would make a lot of sense.

HybridHydra

Posted on May 14th, 2011:

Video was the most epic thing ever. Did you see that crazy spinning move where Saturn chopped of a huge chunk out of Leviathan arm?

Captain Obvious (Veteran Member) (Confirm Non-Cape)

Posted on May 14th, 2011:

@HybridHydra: Which spin move? Seriously, she was like a freaking pinwheel of death!

Pie Piper

Posted on May 14th, 2011:

"Will it blend? That is the question." *Brurrrrr* "Eww, Leviathan bits, don't breath this." IT BLENDS!

TrainedMonkey17

Posted on May 14th, 2011:

Watching the fight video. My face.

PrettyGinger1

Posted on May 14th, 2011:

Prayers go out to Saturn's loved ones. Her sacrifice will not be forgotten. She has given hope to the world, and will be sorely missed.

TiniestTony

Posted on May 14th, 2011:

Maybe I shouldn't be asking this but does anyone know who Saturn is? I'm just asking because she isn't wearing a mask or anything. Did New Wave get another member on the down low?

Vorpal Bunny (Moderator)

Posted on May 14th, 2011:

@TiniestTony: PHO has a guideline about if a cape's real identity is known to the public. When in doubt don't be a dick and respect that cape's privacy. Activities taken in and out of costume should be viewed in different lights. Saturn probably has a family that is grieving right now, and they don't need everyone on the internet asking them questions.

Winnebagle

Posted on May 14th, 2011:

The only close up picture we have of Saturn and she looks kinda sad. Not cool OP, right in the feels, critical hit; its super effective! I want to see that girl smile.

xNight_Owlx

Posted on May 14th, 2011:

@Winnebagle Maybe she knows that she's going to fight Leviathan and they're both going down.

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(Showing page 143 of 317)

Battle Siren

Posted on May 18th, 2011:

Not to say anything bad about Saturn, she's amazing and I would kiss her stylish boots for killing Leviathan. However, she ruins any verses threads. Who would win? Saturn VS Legend. It's a tie! Saturn beats Legend and dies afterwards.

XxVoid CowboyxX

Posted on May 18th, 2011:

Holy [censored] guys! I couldn't get on PHO for the last few days, but I know Saturn! Her name's [redacted, she goes to my school! I have some classes with her and I've hung out with her at lunch sometimes! I couldn't really believe it at first, she looks really different without her glasses. She looks amazing in her costume, she always wore a lot of baggy clothes at school.

User received an infraction for this post: Do not reveal cape identities!

White Fairy (Veteran Member)

Posted on May 18th, 2011:

@XxVoid CowboyxX: *Sigh* You're late to the party. The only reason why I'm bothering to respond is that I can believe that you might live in Brockton Bay. Something must have kept you away from PHO. Otherwise I can't see you not chiming in with the other tinfoil hats about Saturn being a product of human genetic experimentation involving the Simurgh. Anyway besides being an idiot, again; you aren't the first to have information on Saturn's identity. Her name isn't hard to find on some of the more infamous sites online, also some of the smaller news stations blabbed.

Loads of other people have chimed in claiming to have been her friend or something. One user claimed to have been her boyfriend and was trying to sell alleged nudes of her, he got banned hard! If you really knew her, you should respect her. She did something amazing that will help the entire world, don't be a dick trying to become internet famous because she went to your school!

Diabolic Squirrel

Posted on May 18th, 2011:

@ XxVoid CowboyxX: Maybe she wore baggy clothes because she didn't want creeps like you staring at her. I would place good money on her being shy. There's been some rumors saying that she might have been a cape for months and never said a thing. Sure her power might have a huge downside but she didn't go around like "Look at me, I'm the most powerful cape ever!"

Saturn Priest

Posted on May 18th, 2011:

Do not sully the name of the goddess by speaking it with your unworthy tongues. Lady Death will harshly deal with any heathens when she returns to cleans the world! Not even the false gods known as Endbringers could stand up to her power, and [The rest of this post is redacted]

User has received three infractions for this post: Do not post over 500 words spreading fear and hate. Do not threaten other users. Do not post demanding money from other users.

Lolitup

Posted on May 18th, 2011:

Oh look cultists! I was wondering if that would eventually happen. Do us a favor, get all your buddies together, find the Endbringer cultists and go kill each-other!

User has received a warning for this post: Do not encourage other users to violent acts.

L33T (Confirmed Cape)

Posted on May 18th, 2011:

@Lolitup: To be fair to the cultist, if I had to choose between a pretty death goddess and a bunch of huge monsters wrecking cities. I would choose the death goddess. Although, Simurgh might not be so bad, if it wasn't for the whole mind rape thing.

Anyway I've been hard at work trying to come up with a video game theme we could do as a tribute for Saturn. Anyone has some suggestions?

White Fairy (Veteran Member)

Posted on May 18th, 2011:

@L33T: Should I bother asking what you and Uber were doing during Leviathan's attack? It would be nice to hear from some more capes. Also I doubt Saturn would want any sort of crime spree done in her honor!

L33T (Confirmed Cape)

Posted on May 18th, 2011:

@ White Fairy: We don't always break the law in our live streams. Remember that Burger Time episode we did? We were giving out free food! Wasn't our fault that it was mostly homeless people that actually ate what we prepared. Dispite the fact that Uber was walking across the ingredients I made sure all the tech involved kept things up to health code.

Uber and I didn't make it to the fight. I had a malfunction in the tech when I was readying it. As for Uber, he can't really do all that much, because Leviathan won't care that you're the best at underwater basket weaving.

BaconMonster

Posted on May 18th, 2011:

You guys see some of the proposed memorial/monument for Saturn? Since she was the only cape that died from Leviathan's attack they don't have to worry about dealing with any pissy villains. Loads of people want a statue of her, some want it life-sized others want it huge!

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(Showing page 317 of 317)

BB Brass 143 (Confirmed Brockton Bay Police)

Posted on June 10th, 2011:

Did you guys see that Alabaster got arrested? I heard that StormTiger was also beat up. E88 and all the other gangs have been having a really hard time since all the independent hero's have shown up. Good riddance I say. For the last few weeks, they've been making my job a lot easier. The gang members are keeping their heads down, I mostly have to deal with drugs and maybe a mugging or two. Nothing like before when there was an armed robbery almost every day. I think we here at the BBPD have Saturn to thank for all the outside cape help lately. My guess enough heroes were glad they didn't die fighting Leviathan and decided the best way to thank her was to try and clean up the bay.

Xyloloup

Posted on June 10th, 2011:

Yeah things have been both a bit crazier and better. The Merchants lost Mush and a bunch of their drug labs got hit by the new capes. So Skidmark and Squealer haven't been seen lately. They're probably hiding, I doubt they could put up all that good a fight against some of the new hero's. Knowing tinkers though, I bet Squealer is building something to regain some control.

E88 already had their secret identities outed so they can't hide at Medhall anymore. I hear they still have a big influence in the city. They've always had the most capes in the city. Some of the out of town capes got hurt bad when they tangled with Kaiser. Guess the head-nazi is bad news but its worse when he's with Fenja and Menja. Still don't think they're as big and bad as they have been, Purity hasn't been seen since Saturn offed Leviathan.

ABB has been gutted, Bakuda was nabbed, and birdcaged before Levithan even showed up. Oni Lee hasn't been seen for weeks, rumor is he's suspected dead, or badly hurt. Lung has been trying to hold his ground, but unlike Oni Lee he can only be in one place at once. He hasn't been going full dragon lately, not since Armsmaster tinkered up some sort of anti-rageosaurus tranquilizer.

Kid Win (Confirmed Cape)(Wards ENE)

Posted on June 10th, 2011:

@Xyloloup: Yeah, I was hanging back as support when Armsmaster last fought Lung. He got hit by Armsmaster's tech, and instead of building up to full dragon he slowly started shrinking back. Half dragon Lung is still bad, but he eventually ran and we got all the gang members that covered his escape.

I haven't had a good nights sleep in a good two weeks, Saturn's really changed things around here. I wish she had joined the Wards beforehand, it would have been nice to know her.

Clockblocker(Confirmed Cape)(Wards ENE)

Posted on June 10th, 2011:

@Kid Win: I know what you mean man, she seemed to be a great person. I don't know if I would be able to do what she did, if I had the same choice.

Saturn's death messed me up for a tick, I was next to her at the end. I tried to use my power to help her but it didn't work, nothing we tried worked. I doubt she would blame me, so I decided not to blame myself. Besides, its best to find something funny even if its at yourself. I'll never get to live this down. I finally get hold to a pretty girl's hand-- she dies.

AngryBunny

Posted on June 10th, 2011:

@ Clockblocker: Wow! You're really pushing the edge of too soon man. However, I lol-ed, that is both hilarious and depressing.

XxVoid CowboyxX

Posted on June 11th, 2011:

Guys1 guys! This is crazy forget all those things I said about bying powers in a bottle Im 200% serious about this! Saturn's alive no jok I have pics. Mom sent me to get some milk and I saw her in the park near my house. She looks like a princess wearing this long purple dress she seems confused but its her!

[Pic] [Pic]

User has been banned for this post: Do not disrespect capes by posting photoshopped pictures or pictures of look alikes.

OrbitalDrop BanHammer (Admin)

Posted on June 11th, 2011:

Target locked. Fire for effect! That boys and girls is a good example of what not to do. Therefore, I will leave his post up.

TrainedMonkey17

Posted on June 11th, 2011:

@ OrbitalDrop BanHammer: Good shooting! Void Cowboy has a penchant for pushing everyone's buttons, this seems a bit much even for him.

Dick move, but honestly either really good photoshop or the best cosplay look alike I've seen so far. LOL look at second pic, she looks all confused like. "What are you doing? You only paid for one photo!"

(End of Page. 314,315,316,317)

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MrStarbuck

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Threadmarks 1.3 Memory is the Key

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MrStarbuck

MrStarbuck

Jan 2, 2019

#94

My eyes shot open before I immediately closed them. There was a light that was far too bright, causing me to turn away from the beam that found its way directly in my eyes. Raising my hand I shielded my face from the blinding glare. Squinting I saw a ceiling of green above me and one small hole allowing the offending stream of light through.

"Trees?" I muttered to myself as my mind caught up, seeing the slight sway in the leaves above. Glancing around I saw a small wooded area with some odd seemingly partially complete buildings nearby. My ears heard the chirping of birds and beyond that odd noises that tickled something unknown in the back of my mind.

Sitting up I got a better look at my surroundings, outside of the nearby trees were a conglomeration of buildings that I felt were houses of some sort. What really caught my attention were the huge structures reaching toward the sky in the distance. Something was very wrong. Where was I, where was my castle? I was certain that I had last been in Titan Castle. My memory seemed fuzzy, and everything was confusing, especially when I couldn't remember what I had last been doing before waking here.

There was a peculiar sense of familiarity to this place, if I had to guess from the vague planetary aura I was somehow on Earth. However, I didn't think that Earth had any buildings similar to what I was seeing nearby, and I had never seen anything like the towers in the distance. Some of them seemed to be made of glass, how they stayed standing boggled the mind.

Standing I took a deep breath and rolled my shoulders, before brushing the bits of grass and dirt off of my dress. It wouldn't be proper for a princess to look so unkempt. It was in the act of tidying myself that a thought occurred to me. I had thought that if I had just woken up, I would have fallen asleep in my castle. However, I wouldn't have gone to sleep in my dress, my retainers wouldn't have allowed it.

Thinking for a moment, I could only come to one conclusion; magic. The old staple of when in doubt; magic, was often the best answer to many questions as well as the solution to most problems. However, today it sadly fell short in explaining the situation I found myself in. I could neither guess the details or sense anything obvious, but I was certain magic was somehow involved. I had somehow been transported away from my home and from the fuzziness I felt, it was likely my memories also altered. It was quite worrying, for not only was I alone in a strange place, I could hardly feel my own magical power. My mind kept coming back to an odd feeling that I should recall something about this place, the sense of familiarity deepening as I stood pondering.

My thoughts were interrupted as the sound of running feet reached my ears. Slipping behind a nearby tree I hid and glanced out, spying three children along a path of solid stone. Two older boys were outpacing a younger girl as they passed by, heading to the odd unfinished structures.

"Looks like you're going to lose Cassy!" One boy yelled over his shoulder. "Hurry up!"

"I didn't want to race anyway!" The girl yelled back, he breath coming in swift gasps. "You promised you'd push me!"

"I said I might push you if you could keep up." The boy answered, from the slight resemblance and identical dark colored hair I suspected they were siblings. The two boys had reached the edge of the structures heading to a metal skeletal dome, and immediately began clambering up it. They reached the top about the same time that the girl caught up and stood at the bottom.

"I kept up, you have to push me!" She declared, grasping one of the metal rungs for support as she panted.

"You didn't keep up, you caught up!" Her brother countered.

The girl responded was a drawn out whine, before gasping. "Why are you so mean? You promised!"

"Don't be a crybaby!" The dark haired boy snarked. "Are you going to run home and whine at mom?"

Before the girl could respond the boy's companion at the top of the dome spoke. "Calm down Cassy, I'll make sure that one of us pushes you on the swings before we go back in. Okay?"

"Thank's Josh!" She sniffed, and smiled at the boy with dirty blond hair, as she rubbed at her eyes with a sleeve.

The girl then began climbing the dome while the two boys argued about the differences of having little siblings verses no siblings. However, I didn't pay attention to their conversation. There had been something about what the boy had said that pricked at my memory; swings. Looking around it seemed laughably obvious now when it hadn't before. It was a playground.

The three were climbing on a jungle gym, there was also swings, teeter-totters, and one of those tower things with attached monkey bars and slide. I knew what they were because I had been on similar things before, worryingly I couldn't remember when or where. That decided it in my mind, my memories had been altered. I struggled to remember any details, hoping something would become clear how my mind had been changed. I needed more information to decipher how my memories may have been changed, and if I could recover.

Looking around for any obvious signs of danger I decided to go to the easiest source of information, the children. Stepping away from my hiding spot I slipped into an ingrained posture, confident and gentle. I didn't want to scare them away, especially since I didn't know if their parents might be hostile.

Approaching with a leisurely pace it didn't take long for all three to notice me, their little faces flashing thought a mix of emotions. Staying at a comfortable distance I smiled, hoping they would be feel safe because of their elevated position.

"Good morning." I greeted the wide eye children. "How are you today?"

It took a few moments before the blond boy responded. "We're fine, how are you?" He asked politely, although an edge of suspicion could be heard in his voice.

"I'm enjoying this nice weather." I answer with a smile. "However, I find myself lost, could you tell me where we are."

"We're in uh- the park." He muttered unhelpfully, glancing around the surroundings before looking back at me.

"Oh yes, it does seem like a very nice park." I nodded, before continuing. "I know this might seem odd, but am I correct when I say we are on Earth?"

"Yeah, of course." The dark haired boy laughed. "Where did you think we were, the moon?"

"Oh I didn't think that." I answered honestly. "Not enough white to be the moon."

Before I could ask another question, the three leaned closer to each quickly conversing in quite rushed tones. I could only make out a few hissed words before the girl spoke up.

"Are you a cape?" She asked, a tone of wonder in her little voice.

Confused by the question I glanced behind myself. "Cape? I'm not wear-." I trailed off as my memory seemed to reach for something elusive. Cape was a title of some sort, I was almost certain of it.

"Cape's wear masks dummy." Her brother groaned.

"Not all of them!" She shot back. "New Wave doesn't and Saturn didn't."

My name suddenly snatched my attention. "How do you know that name?" I asked, barely keeping surprise from my voice. If I had done something here that my name was common place, it worried me I couldn't remember.

The three looked at me like I had grown a second head, and quickly started to whisper to each other again. Eventually the blond boy turned back to me. "Everyone knows her name. She killed Leviathan."

"Are you sure you're not a cape?" The black haired boy asked suspicion in his tone. "Cause you look a lot like Saturn. Are you related?"

I decided it would be best to play dumb. I didn't know who or what Leviathan was, I hoped whatever I had done was a good thing since the name seemed to hint at something sinister. Regardless, not remembering killing something could be a very bad thing depending on the details. "Do you really think I look like her?" I asked deflecting but not lying, hoping to direct them toward more information I could glean.

"Yeah! Saturn had hair that looked just like yours, She wore purple too!" The girl chimed

"Saturn didn't wear a big dress, and she doesn't have the spear." Her brother argued.

"I know! But, purple is the best color!" She growled, before turning back with a smile. "Your dress is really pretty."

"Thank you." I smiled, trying to think of what I could ask without raising too much suspicion. Something about the name Leviathan, seemed to unsettle my thoughts. So much around me teased at the edge of mind, but something felt wrong about the ghost of memory that came from Leviathan. Before I could ask more a call interrupted us.

"Taylor!?" Someone gasped distantly.

Looking over, a boy on the cusp of adult-hood walked slowly down the stone path. He seemed to be shocked, like he couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing. I was slightly wary, children shouldn't be dangerous, something that might not be true for this individual. It took all my willpower to stop myself from reacting when he reached into a pocket and withdrew a small black rectangle.

"Oh my God!" He gasped. "Taylor? It's you isn't it! I- how- nobody- people are going to freak!"

A small click noise issued from the thing in his hand, and I was struck with a wave of annoyance. That feeling was quickly followed by confusion as I couldn't understand why that noise offended me. Examining the device closer, I again felt the sense of recognition. With another click sound the stranger pulled the rectangle close to himself, prodding at it with his finger.

"Did you call me something?" I asked him as I battled with the confusion caused by his appearance, and my own memories.

"What was that?" He asked, glancing up from his device. Seeing my face he blinked dumbly a few times.

"What did you call me?" I asked, a sliver of the annoyance I felt slipping into my tone.

"I j-just said your name, Taylor. I didn't call you anything." He stuttered, his eyes trailing back to his hand.

His answer jolted at my mind, it felt right, but at the same time I knew my name was Saturn. This persons arrival seemed to bring even more questions and odd ghostly shards of memory. Still he seemed convinced that he knew me, so hopefully he wasn't dangerous. "Excuse me, but who are you?" I asked to both be polite, as well as hopefully recall something.

"Wha- OH! It's me Greg. You know, from school, you probably didn't recognize me because I've been growing out my beard." He smiled proudly, indicating to his mouth where, quite frankly an embarrassing patch of dark fluff shaded his upper-lip and parts of his chin.

He then began mumbling as he tapped at the device in his hand. If he was trying to speak to me I didn't care as another burst of inspiration hit me. He was holding a cell phone, a non-magical device for communication! My thoughts paused for several moments as new understand shot though my mind. I could remember many of the nearby technologies, when just seconds ago I couldn't recognize the cars surrounding the park. Part of my brain remained boggled, seemingly coming to terms with what I could now clearly remember.

"Are you bothering her?" The voice of dark haired boy asked accusatory, from behind me.

"What? No!" Greg looked up, then back down at his phone before tapping its screen a few more times before putting it in his pocket. "She's a friend from school."

"She's your friend?" He asked skeptically

"Yeah! What's it to you anyway." Greg shot back, before he paused unsure of what to say next. "Um- Chris?"

"Kyle! You live three houses away from us dummy!"

"Don't call me that!" Greg return to the now identified boy.

"Why not? Mom says you never go outside!" Kyle accused. "And that you're going to live in the basement till you're 40!"

"Show's what she knows, I'm outside getting milk!" A victorious half grin tugged at Greg's lip. "Come on Taylor, let's leave these brats."

Greg curtly turned away taking a few step before looking expectantly back toward me. Uncertain of my next action I looked between the children and the teen that professed to know me. Making my choice, I decided to go with Greg, he seemed harmless and there was something about the name he called me. I wasn't sure how, but I suspected that for the moment he was the best option for repairing my fractured memories.

"Thank you for your help." I nodded politely to the three children, before turning to follow Greg. Seeing me following he continued walking, leading the way out of the park. I was struck with a brief flash of disappointment, as I was forced to trail behind him. If he was as he said; my friend, calling me by name he should then at the least offer me his arm. Although, as soon as the thought occurred to me my stomach clenched slightly. It seems my subconscious wasn't comfortable with that idea, either way even if he were an acquaintance it would better to be with him than lost and alone.

As soon as we exited the park Greg slowed down, letting me catch up so that we were walking side-by-side. "This is crazy, everyone said you were dead!" He uttered, giving me smile as his eyes roved down my frame.

I couldn't decide if I should be flattered or insulted by the way he examined me, but neither option would help my circumstance. "I've been-, lost." I answered as honestly as I could, while also obscuring the details.

"What do you mean lost?" He questioned, still walking slowly to wherever we were going. "You've been gone for nearly a month."

"It's complicated." I answered with a schooled tone, keeping any uncertainty out of my voice. I was hoping to gather information from him, while avoiding any questions I couldn't answer. "How have things been here?"

"Cape stuff huh, I got it." He nodded stiffly. "Well after you killed Leviathan things have been insane here. New capes everywhere, oh and things at school got flipped upside down. After you disappeared police and PRT agents started to question loads of people about, well everything. You know those three girls that kept picking on you? Well I didn't even see Sophia after Leviathan, but Emma and Madison only stuck around for like two days before they were gone; heard they got expelled or something. But, yeah; it was like a switch had flipped, one day they were the super popular girls and the next nobody wanted anything to do with them. Lunch was wild, one day surrounded by girls and suck ups and the next, gone; like they had the plague."

The three names he mentioned seemed to tug at something in the back of my mind, it wasn't a pleasant feeling; but at least I felt like I was getting somewhere. It seemed my suspicion that Greg would be a good source of information had been correct, now what I needed to do was piece things together into a complete picture. Slowly, as he continued his tale I felt as though the complete fog that had obscured everything was lifting. Little things like sidewalks, fire-hydrants, and street-signs changed from being alien to things I could easily remember, and knew were common place.

"It was probably the best for them in the end, everyone was bad mouthing them after school started up after the attack. It was the entire school though, not just the preppy clique like with you. I, myself talked with this one PRT guys about the sick shit they pulled on you with the locker, but I doubt I'm the only one who told." He smiled at me as though seeking my approval, I returned a faint smile hoping that would get him to carry on. "Oh yeah, Blackwell got fired, although some people said she was fired and arrested; didn't get to hear the details. But, Gladly definitely got arrested, I guess some junior and senior girls were giving him head for skipping some major assignments."

The way Greg talked was somewhat odd, but I found myself able to follow easily enough. One of the last things he mentioned caused my memory to pause slightly, before my face suddenly flushed as I recalled the jargon. I was sure I glowed red as I was struck by the scandal of students doing such an act with a teacher. Taking a deep breath in an attempt to calm my nerves, I took a moment to looked around. The houses had shifted to larger block like structures, and we were approaching a street with more traffic. With the combination of being so lost as well as listening to Greg I hadn't thought where we were going.

"Greg, where are we going?" I asked.

"Wha- uh." He started, as though uncertain himself, looking around and glancing my way several times. "Well, um I was going to get something, but I can get it later if you need something; or wanna hang out."

I didn't want to lose my new source of information when he seemed so talkative, and I didn't have any clue what else to do. "No, I didn't have plans or anything, I've just recently returned." I answered, hoping he would be content with my vague answer. Because if he asked, I myself didn't know where I might have returned from.

"You just got back?" He questioned, before his eyes light up. "Oh, then you wouldn't have seen your statue!"

"I have a statue?" I gasped, unable to keep the surprise from my voice, and a sense of unease washed through me. I feared my apparent notoriety was going to come to haunt me. Here I was lost, with weakened magical power and fractured memories, while the strange Earth I found myself on had erected statues for me; and children knew my name.

"Oh yeah!" Greg crowed, taking a few backward skips away, beckoning me to follow. "Come on, I can show you! They only just put it up, like a week ago!"

My curiosity compelled me to follow despite my uncertainty, besides; I still didn't have any other plans. "Alright, I would like to see that please." People usually didn't create statues for individuals that had done something terrible. Even if I couldn't remember exactly why I had earned a statue, it was unlikely I would need to run from any mobs carrying torches and calling for my blood.

"Cool, its not too far, come on!" Greg's bright smile was only slightly darkened by the fuzz gathered around his mouth, as he jerked his head in an inviting gesture.

It didn't take long for Greg to turn the corner, following the sidewalk along a busy roadway. I spotted several of the drivers head's turn to glance at me as they passed, but none stopped. My forgotten acquaintance lead the way toward a small black metal overhang that would only be useful for keeping rain, and the midday sun away. As I tried to recall what the purpose of the little structure was for Greg stepped ahead and sat on the bench under the overhang. I followed and sat down as my mind slowly filled in the basics of a bus stop.

"Oh, good the next bus should be here soon." He smirked after pulling out his phone glancing between it and a nearby map several times. As though content with his assessment he again began to tap on his phone, before he suddenly exclaimed. "Oh! Son of a bitch!"

"What?!" I jumped, unexpectedly taken by his outburst.

"I just got banned! I was going to post some more about meeting up with you. Whatever, I'll show them." He growled, staring intently at his phone before he perked up looking at me expectantly. "Um- hey could I take some more pictures of you when we get to your statue?"

As he held up his phone I connected the dots as to why my subconscious was so annoyed when he first approached me. However, I didn't see how a picture could hurt anything, and at least this time he asked beforehand. "I don't see why not, you've been quite helpful so far. Could you please tell me what else has been happening since I disappeared?" I asked, again hoping he could provide some more clues I could use to piece things together.

"Oh, yeah sure!" He agreed, and began a long rambling tale about capes, that I couldn't really follow. I didn't want to stop him and ask for clarification, worried that he would become suspicious of my lack of seemingly common knowledge. However, many of the things he mentioned gave that odd tug at my mind. It was as though my memory was stretching, reaching for something just out of grasp. It wasn't long before a large box-like vehicle pulled up beside the shelter, the bus; I happily realized as my memory recovered forgotten information.

Greg confidently stepped up onto the large steps waiting for me at the top. I suppressed the annoyance that he hadn't offered me a hand up, pulling up the hem of my dress I carefully followed. My companion pulled out small card for his fare, sliding it along the top of a box near the driver. Reflexively I searched my clothes for pockets, before the action struck me. Of course my dress wouldn't have pockets, why would it? It was such an odd out of place thought, it worried me. I feared that whatever magic was responsible for my current state was more heavily influencing me than initially suspected.

"Uh- Taylor?" Greg questioned upon seeing my actions. However, he seemed to be quick enough to realize that I didn't have anything for the expected fare. "Don't worry I can cover for you."

The bus unexpectedly moved and I reflexively reached out, unintentionally steadying myself on Greg's shoulder. "Thank you." I muttered quietly, as my guide dropped some coins, before jerkily dropping down to pick them up.

"No problem." He said, his voice seemingly pinched as he stood back up, placing the coins in small slot near the driver. With a mechanical spin he strode toward the back. After a quick examination of the interior I saw that the passengers that weren't looking down at their phones or books were sending questioning glances in my direction. Gathering up my skirts, I followed Greg; using the bright metal poles to steady myself.

Moving carefully down the middle of the bus, I heard some muttering from the other passengers. I didn't like the attention, and it took a slight effort to keep my face passive after a girl slightly older than myself pulled out her phone before it also gave a familiar 'click'. Suddenly very uncertain about myself, I was glad when I made it to the pair of seats that Greg had found. Taking my own seat, I tried to keep my eyes down on my own hands but a noise and movement from the corner of my eye drew my attention. Looking across the aisle I noticed an old woman giving me a very nasty look.

She was short, thin and her fluffy white hair was secured under a floral print scarf. I tried not to stare back, but her bold glare surprised me; what had I done to her? So many thoughts, and worries were passing though my mind that I might have been looking for a bit longer than what would be considered polite.

"You should be ashamed!" The silver haired woman suddenly chastised. "Couldn't get her same costume but, you had a nice purple dress eh?"

I didn't even response, unsure why her wrath was directed toward me. It seemed that she wasn't done harping at me, as she continued. "How long did it take you to get your hair to look like hers? You shouldn't take advantage of her sacrifice, just because you look like Saturn!"

"She is Saturn!" Greg leaned over, returning his own harsh tone. I quickly glanced between them, uncertain if I wanted Greg to defend me or to be silent. It was becoming more and more obvious that whatever had happened with Leviathan was considered a very major event. Most worrying from what she had said was something about sacrifice; my sacrifice. It felt very important, and might explain why my magic felt so weak or why my memory was fractured. Perhaps the same things I couldn't remember were directly responsible for everything I couldn't explain. Regardless, I need to uncover the truth, because nothing seemed to fit correctly in my head. Answers and insights simply led to more questions. Sadly I was unable to ponder more as the older woman turned her attention toward Greg.

"Ha, Saturn?! Is that what she told you?" She scoffed. "I'm sure she's been leading you around town as she gets you to pay for whatever she wants."

"No! She's my-" Greg paused in his retort as I placed my hand on his arm just above his wrist. Looking into my eyes I gave a subtle shake of my head, hoping that he would get the idea that I didn't want more attention. He seemed to get the idea as he crossed his arms with a humph. "Whatever you old hag."

"Why I never!" She gasped. "Foolish boy! You'll see, not that you'll listen now. Let that girl lead you around by the nose, not like it hurts me."

For several minutes Greg angrily looked out the window, often stealing glances back at me. I tried my best to keep my face placid, but the woman's accusation had attracted a lot of attention. However, the looks the other passengers directed at me had changed from surprise to a mix of annoyance, or amusement.

Several stops went by before the older woman go to her feet, making sure to send another glare my way before she made her way to the front. New passengers that had entered had either ignored my presence or given me a few curious looks before taking their own seats.

"How much farther is it?" I questioned.

"Uh- two more stops." He answered in a whisper. "There was a lot of talk about where to put it. It was either, Captain's hill, near downtown, or the boardwalk. They eventually decided on the boardwalk because it's the closest to where you killed Leviathan."

I took a deep breath, sorting through my thoughts and concerns. I was still lost, and flying blind. My only resource was a boy I either didn't know or couldn't remember. This place didn't seem hostile, but it also didn't make me comfortable, being so very different from the earth that I could clearly remember. I wished for something solidly familiar, or that I wasn't so useless with my weak magic. I was still so very confused why I was here, I began to really miss my castle.

As we continued to our destination Greg stuttered a few times as though he wanted to say something but the only thing he was able to complete was. "You look very pretty in your dress."

Nodding, I gave him a faint smile. It was nice, the compliment seemed sincere, but I was more thankful that he wasn't asking any questions. It wasn't long before Greg stood up as the bus started to slow. Quickly following suit, I allowed him to lead again. Making our way to exit the bus I again heard the click of a phone, but ignored it. Stepping out of the vehicle I saw a large crowd of people strolling down a long planked walkway. This was obviously a well liked attraction of the city and I could see why. There was a pleasant beach, and bright white and red buildings with large glass storefronts drew the eye. Sea gulls squawked as they soared over the ocean, its light blue surface shimmering in the bright sun.

My admiration was cut short as I again noticed that I had attracted the attention of several bystanders. Following Greg as we left the bus-stop I battled to keep the proper bearing of a princess. I struggled with the desire to pull close to my guide, ironically; so that I could use his slightly shorter frame as a place to hide. However, my sense of propriety wouldn't allow it, a princess has no need to shrink away and hide her face.

Calming myself, I was able to really examine my surroundings. This place weighed heavily on my ghostly memories, there was something that made me feel like I had been here many times. I couldn't recall anything specific, but the store's large windows and expensive merchandise didn't seem alien. It was almost comfortable, and I felt as though memories of when I had visited specific stores were just out of reach.

I didn't realize that in my intense study of my surroundings I had fallen behind, but Greg grabbing my elbow pulled me out of my musings. A mix of emotions washed through me as he ungracefully pulled me along the planked walk. However, I held my tongue as we approached a raised gathering of colorful flowers, its centerpiece was a darkened bronze statue that struck me dumb.

"See, you have a statue." He proudly pointed, and started to ramble at me again.

Whatever he had begun to say I didn't give one ounce of attention. My mind had gone into overdrive, requiring all my mental capabilities to decipher was was before. There I was, a life-sized metal image in a short revealing outfit. The Statue's artist depicted me in a confident, upright pose. My feet close in a readied, yet comfortable stance. The statue's face had an almost somber look, to my sightless, unblinking metal eyes. A bronze recreation of my glaive was held in a close guard, its pole angled across the body, blade high.

The statue's appearance wasn't really important, it was the flood of memories that it triggered. Distant memories sharply came to the forefront of my mind and crystallized. I could remember the dread I felt before fighting the invader Leviathan. He was too powerful for anything but my full magical strength- magic? No, it was just my cape powers, I thought- I felt so confused; but shook my head knowing the underlying source of my power. If I had used my final magic, why wasn't I dead? I could even remember the grip of death tightening around me. I had brought my glaive down, Leviathan was dead; and I should have followed suit. My final power was just that, final. Why was I still alive?

I was jolted from my internal crisis, as I realized that someone was shaking my shoulder. Greg was insistently calling my name in a stressed tone that was steadily gaining volume with each repeat. "Taylor, Taylor, Taylor!"

"Y-yes." I stuttered a response, Taylor; that was my name. Not just the name that Greg had been calling me, and I had accepted as a cover. My name was Taylor as much as Saturn.

"Are you alright? You just blanked out there, sorta staring off into nothing." Greg asked, concern ringing in his voice. "Something happened with your forehead, there's this weird symbol on it."

"Symbol?" I questioned absently, still reeling from my revelation.

"Yeah, here." He muttered, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone. A few taps on the screen and he presented the device to me showing an image my face. In the middle of my forehead was a symbol that a layman might describe as a stylized h with a line through it. "It sorta appeared there with a bit of light."

"It, wasn't there-- before?" I asked bewildered. I should have always had that, it was the Symbol of Saturn. It designated me Sovereign of Saturn, proof of my magical right to rule. Things that I had always taken as unfailing fact seemed uncertain now. I was Saturn, but I wasn't because I was Taylor; could I be both?

Reality pulled me back, before I could try to sort out the details between my two identities. A insistent muttering rose from the ring of people that had seemed to have formed while I had been wrestling with my memories. The distinctive, and annoying click of a phone's camera could be heard around me. The crowd's attention focused squarely at me caused my breath to quicken. I felt an intense desire to shrink down and disappear, this feeling battled with my heavily ingrained training to stand tall and stately. I felt as though I would be pulled in two if I couldn't appease both.

Taking a swift scan of the ring of people, I saw a thin section where less had gathered. Fixing a placid mask onto my features, I moving decisively heading for my exit. I only had to get by a few curious onlookers.

"Are you a cape?" One person asked as I neared.

"You're a changer, right?" Asked another. "You look just like Saturn!"

I didn't answer that yes, now that my memory had caught up; I was a cape of sorts. I could easily recall what capes were, or at least Taylor knew what they were. It felt so odd that people thought I looked like Saturn. The reason I looked like Saturn was because I was Saturn. Shaking off the confusing barrage of thoughts I made a beeline to a nearby building. The building was a small clothing store, and luckily a line of changing booths occupied a side wall. Ignoring the attendant that greeted me near the door I swiftly entered a small changing room, glad for the privacy it promised.

Now alone I took a deep breath to center myself. Closing my eyes I was glad that I didn't hear the sounds of feet following me into where I had hidden. Reaching up I twirled a finger around a lock of my hair, glad for its familiar comforting feel. Opening my eyes, the changing room had a long mirror for customers and I gazed deeply into it. Everything seemed right, my dress and hair were clean; and despite the fact that I should be dead, I looked and felt healthy. I just couldn't shake the indistinct sense of wrongness. I couldn't decide if my appearance was slightly wrong or if the symbol on my forehead comforted, or worried me. Searching through my recent revaluations I tried to sort out the truth.

I felt pulled in two different directions, memories clashing to form a paradox. I wasn't lost anymore, I knew this city. It was just radically different from what I knew of Earth. Nothing felt certain anymore as I delved into my memories, things I thought I knew. I was the Princess of Saturn, I had a castle and subjects. However, now that I took time to think on it, I couldn't recall a single one of my people. I couldn't remember the layout details of my castle. Everything seemed to contradict itself. I had grown up in this city on Earth, but I was from the planet Saturn. I had died fighting an extra-solar invader, but I was still alive.

I spent several long minutes thinking, trying to pull more meaning from my memories that might explain what was going on. Hoping something would happen that would clarify things for me. Sadly, no new revelations came, and I felt lost in a completely different way.

A soft knock sounded from the changing room's door, pulling me back to the present. "Taylor?" Greg's voice called to me.

"Yes?" I answered after taking a moment to rein in my emotions.

"You are Taylor, right?" He questioned, uncertainty clear in his tone.

I grimaced behind the door as his question hit far too close to home than I would have had thought possible several minutes before. I decided that I to needed to leave if I wanted answers, because hiding here hadn't help me.

"Yes Greg." I replied opening to door to see his confused face looking at me. "Or at least to the best of my knowledge I am."

"What do you mean?" His confused look only got worse from my statement.

"I must apologize." I said giving him a short bow. "I'm having trouble with my memory. I am Taylor, but I can't recall how I know you. I don't know if I can really explain what is going on. But, thank you, what you've done has been very helpful."

"Memories? How have I helped with that?"

"You've-." I paused uncertain how to answer him I was so so confused. I feared that information I had until just recently thought mundane, might actually harm me. Eventually I decided that telling falsehoods when I couldn't determine truth would only serve to confuse me more. "You have helped me figuring out why I'm not dead."

"What!?" He hissed conspiratorially. "I thought that- that after seeing you alive, that the dying thing was a cover or something? You actually died?"

"To the best I can remember." I nodded.

"Um- not to be rude or anything, but you sure you aren't a bio-tinker creation or anything?"

"Bio-what?" I asked, as my memory unfortunately didn't fill in the details.

"A Bio-tinker, the guys that make-, Never mind." Greg muttered shaking his head. "If you were I doubt you would know if you were. Also, you haven't tried to eat me."

"I don't plan on eating anyone." I informed him, slightly scandalized and still confused.

"Good." He chuckled, before looking around, his hand raising to the scraggles of hair on his chin. "So- um, what are you going to do now?"

"I'm not sure. When you were talking about what's been happening recently and seeing the city has helped me remember things, so unless you can think of something more we could continue doing that."

Greg continued scratch at his chin in his pensive pose. His eyebrows perked, before he looked me down and back up. "I would like to hang out with you some more, show you around. But, it might be better if you talk to the PRT, they might be able to really help you. Your choice."

The corners of my mouth twitched into a tiny frown. "I fear this will sound foolish, but what or who is PRT?"

"Oh, they deal with cape stuff." Greg answered, and with a twitch of his head began heading toward the exit. Following him I noticed one of the store's clerks had been standing out of sight behind a display of jewelry, concealing herself within easy listening range. In a feigned display of nonchalance, she turned away avoiding eye contact. However, as we left the store I saw her steal a glance back at us. A list theorizing potential dangers or spies popped into my head before I silently chastised myself. Why would a nosy store clerk be a spy, I was so confused I was becoming paranoid.

Outside most of crowd that had seen me around my statue had moved on, but I did notice a few strangers pointing phones at me. It was becoming exceedingly annoying. As a princess I often received excess attention, but I didn't like my every move being recorded.

"So what do you think?" Greg asked. "I would like to show you around, but I wouldn't mind helping you contact the PRT."

I thought hard, trying to provoke my memory to give up details. The best I got was a vague sense of law and authority. "If you think they would be the best. Would we need to go somewhere?"

"You can use my phone and call them, maybe ask them-" Greg did a double take looking down the boardwalk. "Holy shit! Its Armsmaster and Gallant! Er- or you might be able to talk to them."

Greg's surprise was obvious as he pointed at two people I would best describe as knights. The two of them were attracting just as much if not more attention as I was. Phones that had been pointed at me, swiveled round to them; some even calling out to the duo. I couldn't see their eyes but it seemed obvious that they were looking directly at me. It didn't take long before their long confident strides closed the distance between us, and the crowd seemed to part till it was just us four.

The shorter knight Greg had called Gallant spoke. "How are you doing on this fine day?." He greeted, an obvious smile in his voice, even though I could not see his face.

"I am well, thank you." I curtsied, not dropping too low as I did not know his station, if he even had any. "How do you do?"

His head tilted slightly as though he was surprised, before he continued. "Armsmaster and I were just out on our patrol, and we saw you. Not that there's anything wrong, we just wanted to mention that impersonating a cape can attract trouble."

"I-I'm not entirely sure what you mean." I answered, although I had a very good idea. My answer seemed to not have been what the knight with the halberd wanted to hear as grunted and stepped forward.

"Facial recognition software pinged you for a 98% match to the hero Saturn." He stated with a firm tone. "Our software is advanced enough that a match that high shouldn't be possible unless powers are involved."

It took me a second but my memory helpfully filled in the details of facial recognition software. I was feeling very self conscious, as it seemed to me they thought I was impersonating myself. I fought down the strong desire to shrink and hide as I turned to the person that had helped me most today. "These people are with the PRT?" I asked Greg

He had been staring a bit wide eyed at the two, but he looked at me and nodded. The crowd around us were still muttering and pointing phones, so I stepped forward so what I said wouldn't be heard by every gawker nearby. "I am Saturn." I spoke in just above a whisper.

I couldn't see their faces but from their change in posture I guessed I had surprised them. "Truth?" The larger man in blue and silver said incredulously, before his head snapped to his companion. Gallant met his gaze before nodding, then turning back to me.

"Saturn; as in, statue over there Saturn?" He asked.

"Yes, I feel, I am even more confused than you." I answered, hoping that these knights could help. "I woke up in a park earlier, when I should be dead."

"You are coming with us." Armsmaster impolitely stated, before reaching up to the side of his helmet. "Control, I need a retrieval team at my location. Highest Priority."

There was something in Armsmaster's tone that made me uncertain I was doing the right thing. I felt as though what little control I had before was slipping from my grip, but I had little other idea what else to do. I was about to turn to Greg when I felt the world lurch and my vision suddenly change. I wasn't on the boardwalk anymore, from the view I was on top of a building. Turning I saw a man in a black suit, wearing a red mask. I didn't get a chance to organize my thoughts before he spoke.

"Sorry about this." He said, before a loud crackling noise rang in my ear. My neck and arm twitch as a violent jolt shot through my body. I could only remember pain before my legs gave out and my senses numbed into nothingness.

Last edited: Jan 3, 2019

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MrStarbuck

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Threadmarks 1.4 Turning of the Key

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MrStarbuck

MrStarbuck

Jan 3, 2019

#129

The feeling of an odd shambling wobble was the first thing I could detect as my senses returned to me, a fluttering in my hair seemed to indicate that I was moving.

"This plan seems worse the longer we do this." A deep male voice grumbled nearby. "You grabbed her right in front of Armsmaster."

"And we got away no problem. He didn't even know where she went." Replied the voice of the person who had apologized right before attacking me. I was almost annoyed as my sluggish mind recalled the details of a stun gun.

"This just seems stupid. With who she looks like, its bound to attract a lot of attention."

"That's probably why the boss wants her. Tinker plastic surgery is a thing, sure it'll cause a buzz but nobody with any brains will really think this is Saturn." If I could feel my face I was certain it would look suitably exasperated.

"If the boss wants her then why not take her back to base, or if not that one of his many safe-houses. It just seems odd, I got a bad feeling about this."

"She could be a changer for all we know. It's dumb to take an unknown back to base, an abandoned business building will do just fine for what we need."

As I slowly regained my sense of touch I felt a rough bumpy surface under me. The repetitive wobble, clarified as the gait of some creature that I was lying on.

"Trickster, I think she's waking up." A smooth feminine voice spoke from nearby.

"We're almost there, don't worry."

Blinking heavily to try and clear the blur that had fallen over my vision. The first thing I could see was the green-grey scales of the creature that was carrying me. I was lying on my stomach, tightly secured to its back by what felt like thick ropes. Shakily lifting my head the best I could I tried to assess my situation. We were moving into an empty blacktopped lot that my memory informed me looked like the back of a shopping plaza.

"Ballistic, that Blockbuster is gone, get the backdoor open." The voice of the man in the red masked ordered, Trickster; I connected.

"Am I the only one that sees the irony in breaking into a Blockbuster?" I heard from my other side. Raising my head I turned to see the slim form of the girl that had spoken earlier. She was wearing a tight armored black suit with red suns emblazoned on predominate places. She notice me looking at her, as her visored helmet turned down toward me.

"Just stay calm, we're not going to hurt you." She stated, and I could hear a bit of regret in her tone.

"A bit late for that." I growled as my neck throbbed, tingles and numbness still fluttering along my body. A stray thought crossed my mind, that I had wound up in a cliché video game plot. However, I didn't know if the intrepid knight would come rescue the kidnapped princess. As soon as the thought finished I was struck that I had thought that before I had really recalled what a video game was. I didn't know if I should take that as a sign that my memory was getting better or simply more strange.

A sharp thump sound came from the direction my kidnappers were heading. Again craning my neck around I was able to see another red and black clad man with a suit of blocky armor pulling at a previously featureless door that now had fist sized hole in the middle of one edge. Setting his foot along the wall he was able to gain enough leverage that the door opened with a stressed screech. My three captors quickly slid into the new entrance, however the beast carrying me struggled to work its bulk inside. I couldn't get a good view on the creature as every time I tried to look where it's head would be my view was obscured by a thick lock of traitorous hair. It was eventually able to work it's bulky limbs inside as its thick middle rubbed along the door frame with a repetitive scratching noise from its scales.

Inside we passed several darkened doorways before we entered a large room occupied with dozens of empty white shelves. From my position I could see the tops of several large windows that despite being fogged with dust provided the room plenty of light. The creature followed Trickster as he walked into the room's distant back corner, and the blocky Ballistic pushed several shelves to create a barricade that combined with foggy windows should obscure any easy views from the outside.

"Genesis put her down." Trickster ordered and what I had thought were thick ropes loosened their hold, eerily raising off of my back. I caught a glimpse of what looked like a snake's body curl along the creature's side. However, I couldn't get a better look as my ride lowered and with a tilt I rolled limply onto the blue carpeted floor.

Being restrained hadn't helped my limbs recover from the ache of being stunned, but I tried to push myself into a sitting position. The sun themed girl helped pull me up, and brushed my hair way from my face allowing me to get a good look around before she stepped away. The creature I had just been released from looked to be a large misshapen crocodile. It's scales, elongated jaws and general quadrupedal shape matched what I expected, but after that the comparison fell short. It's limbs were too long and thick, and it's core was too rounded and bulky compared to a streamlined form meant for swimming. I could also see what had secured me to it's back, as several extra limbs had curled up along it's side. They looked like the long bodies of constrictors, and I almost thought they were until I saw that where a head might be merged into the scaled creature.

I wasn't given long to examine my surroundings before the man in the top hat crouched down to my eye level. "Hi, sorry about the rough treatment, but we really didn't want a struggle. So who are you?" He asked in faked pleasant, cool tone.

"It is extremely impolite to demand someone's name before introducing yourself." I tersely stated, summoning as much righteous indignation I could in my weakened state. While it was rude of them, I didn't think they really cared. I just wanted more time to think as well as know more about my captors.

"How rude of me. I am Trickster, that's Sundancer, Ballistic, and the beasty that gave you a ride is Genesis." He stood taking off his hat and giving me an exaggerated bow, before answering pointing to each in turn. "I guess she's not the best mount for someone who seems to think they're royalty."

"Thank you." I nodded determined not to show weakness. "I am princess Saturn and I demand to know why you've kidnapped me."

It seemed my response had the desired affect as Trickster looked around at his team. I was beginning to realize that while I was struggling with how to respond to recent situations, others seemed to be uncertain how to deal with me. If I didn't know how to handle the deepening paradox that I had somehow become, I doubt anyone else would either.

"Princess.. riiight." Trickster paused before turning to Sundancer. "Why do I suddenly have the feeling we're being pranked?"

"Or Coi- the boss is setting us up for something." Ballistic grumbled. "I told you I didn't have a good feeling about this. What did he tell you again?"

"Not much, a girl looking exactly like Saturn showed up. He just wanted us to get to her before the Protectorate, secure her and call him when we were somewhere safe." He muttered. "Genesis head into the back, just make sure you don't hear sirens or something. I don't think there's anything to worry about but we'll ask her a few questions before calling the boss."

The large reptile turned around inside the cramped barricade, it's tail slapping against the wall as it squeezed back the way we had come. I didn't stand now that the tingling feeling was fading from my limbs. Without my magic I doubted I could overpower the three, that being said I did feel as though my magic was recovering. Ever since the statue and learning of my planetary mark appearing I had felt slightly stronger, I was hopeful I would soon have enough power to fight. Sadly, for the time being I was still near useless without the magical strength to defend myself.

"Sooo, princess. Not what I was expecting, despite the dress." He started, before shaking his head, and squaring his stance. "Alright, let's cut to the chase. I didn't sign up to hurt you, so help me out here. Why do you look like Saturn?"

"I am Saturn." I answered honestly, keeping my embarrassment hidden.

"Come on." He groaned. "I was there when Saturn died, be honest; I don't want to have to hurt you."

"Very well." I sighed. I doubted that he would believe a lie, and I could hardly believe the truth. However, I didn't think the truth could make my situation any worse. "To the best of my knowledge I am Saturn. Earlier I woke up in a park, I don't know how I got there, and yes; I know I should be dead."

The group was quiet for several seconds glancing at each other before the man in bulky armor broke the silence.

"Holy fuck!" Ballistic cursed. "I know powers are bullshit, but this opens up a huge can of worms!"

"Look we know Saturn was a girl in high-school, not a princess." Trickster grunted looking at his teammates. "There's no need to jump to extremes, well; the most extreme I mean. A bio-tinker or something out there probably has a sick sense of humor. She even has some sort of cape's stamp on her forehead."

"Even if that's true this could still blow up in our face so fast." Ballistic argued. "If she told Armsmaster that, the Protectorate is going to be crawling out of the woodwork. Even if she's a clone or whatever."

"We should call the boss and let him deal with this." Trickster said.

"So he can what? I wasn't alright with this mission anyway." Sundancer grumbled. "Getting her and asking her questions is fine, but kidnapping her so he can have a new pet isn't something I signed up for."

"She might not even be a real person." Trickster snapped, swinging his hand to gesture at me.

Even if I was confused, I wasn't going to stay quiet when he insulted me like that. "Yes I am!" I scoffed.

"We don't know what she is!" Ballistic huffed, his voice raising to just below a yell.

"Alright, alright." Trickster hissed, raising his hands before pausing and shaking his head. "We won't call him just yet. You talk to her or something, I need a smoke."

He stepped away before pulling out a small package. I didn't get the epiphany of sudden realization as my memory filled in a lack of details, I simply knew they were cigarettes. It gave me some hope that perhaps the paradox of my twin identities was sorting itself out. Regardless I was glad for the lack of additional confusion.

"Go find a window. We don't know if the fire alarms work in here." Sundancer commented, causing him to head into the back instead of lighting up in the other corner.

"He always does that when he needs to think." Ballistic whispered. "Its like his brain needs nicotine in order to work."

"I can't really blame him." Sundancer replied. "This was supposed to be something easy, not this."

"So what now?" I asked whimsically, when they paused looking between each other and me.

"Shouldn't you know?" He scoffed. "Isn't kidnapping a full time thing for princesses?"

"This is my first time being held captive." I answered glancing around looking for an opportunity to escape now that there were only two. That hope was lessened when the reptilian figure of Genesis emerged from the back. "You'll find that in most cases, princesses should never be kidnapped."

"Why are you saying you're a princess? Even if you did just suddenly wake up in a park, Saturn wasn't a princess even if she wore a tiara." Sundancer questioned.

"How certain of that are you?" I asked, deciding that while outright lying wouldn't help me, they didn't need to know my own woes with a conflicting memory. "A tiara is usually an indicator of royalty, nobility at the least."

"If that's true then Princess Glory Girl is the stupidest title I have ever heard." The bulky man chuckled. "Alright, let's just say that you're Saturn and nobody knew you thought you were a princess before you died. Now if you're really Saturn, use your powers."

"I can't right now." I growled, his smug tone annoyed me as it all but declared that he thought me trapped. "When I awoke I felt weak and I haven't recovered completely."

"Uh huh, convenient." He replied, crossing his arms in a very self-satisfied manner.

"Convenient for you!" I snapped back. "If I had the strength I wouldn't be held here!"

"Calm down there, killer." Ballistic placated sarcastically. "Wouldn't want you to go all purple pillar of death now."

"Still a scary thought." Sundancer muttered, before breathing out in a huff. "This has already gone too far, what does he want with her?"

"Yeah, I wanted to just call it off when we saw her with Armsmaster but Trickster had to switch her out and grab her." Ballistic nodded. "Look, I can see it these three ways. Either she's fucking with us, lying about everything. She thinks she's telling the truth, and like Trickster said, some cape out there has some complex plan involving a brainwashed girl they made look exactly like Saturn. Or, she's telling the truth.

"Either one of those options is still messed up. If she's lying, she's a very good actress that's been changed to look like Saturn or a cape herself. If the second option, who would want to pull something like this? Or the third option, and I am not equipped to deal with that."

"Well if it's of any help I do believe I am telling the truth, and I don't think I'm insane. And, if I were to be lying I have no idea what the truth would be." I shrugged. I felt so surreal, here I was calmly talking to my kidnappers, while I myself was struggling with an internal conflict of identity. I felt like curling up and crying till everything made sense again. However, I stubbornly resisted the urge because it wouldn't help, and as a princess such a display would be shameful.

We sat in silence for several minutes as my captors waited for their leader to return. I had hoped that something would happen, or I would see an opportunity that would allow me to escape, but nothing had occurred. Any plan I came up with seemed doomed to either be swiftly stopped by the three nearby, or I would likely be transported back by their leader. Eventually the man in the black suit returned, the smell of tobacco still clinging to him.

"Alright so did you find out anything?" He asked.

"Not really." Ballistic answered. "Basically she's either lying, and we're going to have to force her to tell the truth. She's crazy, or this situation is crazy and she's telling the truth."

"Yeah I thought the same sort of thing. So here's what I say, it would be easiest to just let the boss handle this; but!" He waved passively at Sundancer as her shoulders stiffened. "I agreed this could be big, like Triumvirate kicking down doors big. So I have that know it all Tattletale's number. If we either get our princess to her, or Tattletale here I bet she could get us more information."

"What would we do when we know more about her?" Ballistic asked.

"We can figure that out as we go." He shrugged. "You know, cross that burning bridge, depending on what she might find."

Seemingly sensing a consensus from the other members, Trickster pulled out his phone; poking around its screen. I remained quiet trying to divine how best to handle the situation, I felt so worthless in my current state. I hated the feeling of absolute lack of control, even when I first woke up lost and alone I had more influence of my own choices. Leaning back with a groan, my head thumped into an empty shelf. The only warning that things weren't going in my captor's favor was when Ballistic spat out a rushed curse.

With a loud crash the front windows shattered inward, leaping to my feet I saw a shimmering mass of twisting metal had landed inside. The moving amalgamation of metal shifted taking a shape of a wolf made of blades and hooks. My captors were only caught off guard for a moment as Ballistic stepped forward touching one of the empty shelves before it shot away in the blink of any eye. The improvised projectile hit the large metal beast solidly, but only caused it to stumble slightly. Not phased Ballistic reached out and sent another shelf zipping away.

"Genesis get Hookwolf, keep him occupied! Ballistic, the girl!" Trickster yelped, as he ran toward the back.

The larger man turned away from launching shelves and grabbed my arm pulling me toward him. As I stumbled forward he leaned down causing me to impact his shoulder before he lifted me off my feet. I might have squawked slightly as I was tossed up on his shoulder my hair falling around my face, when he spun around to followed his leader.

"That's not how you are supposed to carry a princess!" Sundancer gave a laughing scoff as we passed.

"Tough!" Ballistic grunted.

Looking though the veil of my own hair, I saw a spark of light appear between Sundancer's hands and it quickly grew to a bright ball of fire. Turning she left the fist sized ball in the middle of the passage. Ballistic's armor was very uncomfortable as I bounced on his shoulder as he ran. My right hand was stuck between my body and the arm that he had wrapped around my middle, but my left hung free behind his back. Finding a place on one armor plate I tried to push myself up enough to see where we were going. I wasn't able to position myself before I heard Trickster utter a curse, and I resigned myself to falling back down so I could look under my captor's armpit.

My dress obscured my view slightly, but I saw a slim woman with what looked like a birdcage on her head land bringing a small bladed weapon down toward Trickster's neck. Right before the blow landed, Trickster was suddenly replaced by a large blue trash bin. The blade of the weapon dug in and caught in the bin's thick shiny plastic. I lost sight of what was happening as Ballistic turned violently, my loose upper body flailing around as he moved and I quickly lost my sense of direction. Sounds and noises disoriented me and there was suddenly an intense heat and light that passed by. In the midst of the ungraceful handling I tried to regaining a grip on an armored panel so I could recover and keep my head from bouncing off Ballistic's back. I wasn't given the chance to regain my baring as with the noise of a deep thump Ballistic grunted and the sense of vertigo washed over me.

Protecting my head I was shaken as my captive's grip around my middle came loose, and I rolled away. Tossing my head back I swung my ruffled hair out of my face and was able to take a second to assess the situation. Ballistic was lying on the ground just out of arms reach, he was clutching at his side his mouth open as he vainly tried to gasp for air. I was able to guess he had been struck with the chunk of shattered rubble that had suddenly appeared not too far away.

I couldn't feel bad for the bulky man as he took a shuttering gasp and reached toward me groggily. Rolling away I sprang to my feet and ran. An intense wave of annoyance washed over me as I was struck with the impracticality of my dress. I couldn't get a full stride as I was forced to hold the hem up, and my comfortable soft soled slippers were not designed for running. Not looking back I sprinted for an alley that I hoped would offer me an escape.

The loud crack of a gun caused me to duck my head as I fled, almost making me stumble. Chancing a glance over my shoulder I saw a small figure in a green robe riding a floating slab of concrete, that looked suspiciously like a sidewalk slab. Whoever she was she seemed to be occupied keeping herself away from the car sized miniature star that was slowly following her as well as blocking her view. Ballistic seemed to have recovered as he and Trickster used the new conglomeration of rubble to fight the woman with the birdcage. I was only able to briefly admire the woman's impressive acrobatics as she dodged Trickster's twin pistols and Ballistic's attacks, before I heard someone call my name.

"Lady Saturn this way!" I looked forward to see a man in armor wielding a long spear beckoning to me from the mouth of the ally. I didn't know who he was or whether I should trust him, but I didn't seem to have much other choice; at least he seemed to have a sense of propriety.

I almost stopped and turned around when I saw ghostly mirror images step away from the man and rush toward me, the only thing that stopped me was that I could see the doppelgangers move to either side of me rushing to the battle I had left behind. Continuing to run I was intercepted as the armor clad man stepped up to me with a brief salute

"Come with me!" He said, in a tone equal parts pleasant and commanding, as he reached out his hand.

I was getting very suspicious of anyone who covered their face, but I didn't want to run from someone who seemed to be offering me support I took his hand. Whatever plan the knight had I wasn't able to find out as he disappeared, replaced by Trickster now smugly holding my hand.

"Well hi again, we shoul-" He cut off as I surprised him, violently driving the heel of my other hand into the middle of his face. As he stumbled away I ran, hoping I had stunned him long enough that he wouldn't be able to perform his switching power.

Rushing though the alley I ignored the sounds of battle behind me and quickly exited into a shopping plaza on the other side. The Blockbuster wasn't the only store that was closed as several other store fronts were dark, or covered over. However, there was a large department store that was still open. I slowed slightly as I decided where to go, the department store should provide some cover, or I could attempt to seek help at the nearby busy road.

My decision was taken from me as with another sound of shattering glass Genesis's scaly body tumbled through one of the Blockbuster's previously intact windows. The beast was covered in shallow wounds, and one of its snake like limbs hung limp and bloodied along it's side. The metallic wolf was quick to follow and the two continued their fight. It was obvious to me that Genesis was losing ground, but its tough hide helped protected it from its opponents whirling blades. The problem was that the two were fighting in the middle of the quickest path to the road and I didn't have any time to waste.

Fearing that I might be unable to acquire help along the road, as well as the possibility of getting hurt from the wrestling beasts I ran for the department store. As I sprinted through the parking lot I was thankful when I felt a burst of my magic filter through me, I didn't feel so helpless as my weakened magic helped wash some of my fatigue away. Reaching the edge of the parked cars I ducked behind and chanced a look back.

Genesis and the metal wolf still fought, but the reptile looked to be on its last legs. Above the abandoned store I could see the bright sun still hanging in the air. The green robed girl launched one of her many chunks of rubble down at an unseen target before a blur shot up and impacted the concrete platform she stood on. She wobbled in the air from the impact, then her previously stable ride cracked splitting into multiple pieces. Shakily floating down to the top of the empty store she turned around, reaching out to touch a metal box on the roof. As she did so her head snapped up, I couldn't seen her eyes but I knew she was looking at me.

I cursed myself, and turned to resume my escape, while they did provide the distraction for my escape I didn't feel very trusting at the moment. There was an odd feeling about their group that I couldn't put my finger on, best to play it safe.

The parked cars became more numerous as I ran, eventually reaching the large glass doors of the store. I only faltered for a split second as the automatic door languidly opened. Inside was a group of customers that had their phones out, recording the fight from around edges of the glass. I didn't stop, if they were brave or foolish enough to stay, I doubt they would flee if I rebuked them. I did catch one watcher following me with his camera, his exclamation of, "Oh my God, she looks like Saturn!" was not missed.

Running past the multiple colorful signs designed to draw attention, I saw that the store still had a multitude of customers milling around baskets and carts still full of merchandise. Stopping in the middle of a thoroughfare I looked around trying to decide on my next course of action. The only obvious exit was back the way I came, and as I glanced back I decided that was not where I would be going.

Outside in the parking lot was the metal wolf. It seemed to have finished its fight with Genesis and was leaping from car to car, crumpling roofs and hoods swiftly heading here. With wide eyes I turned, choosing a random direction I headed deeper into the store. The store was large, and I could easily get lost in the maze of aisles and displays. However, there were too many long slight lines that if I hid down one aisle I could be easily spotted by someone in the right position.

My flight through the store was interrupted as a shrill piercing buzz sounded through the store, and lights placed in the center of red rings marked with Fire flashed. The patrons that had been giving me odd looks before gasped looking around in alarm. The distinctive pops of gunfire soon followed by distant screaming echoing through the store.

Slowing to a stop I saw that I had run blindly into the middle of the store. I was near the electronics section, televisions of multiple sizes all played a sports game, the image repeated in an eye-catching dazzle. Not too far away was apparel, and the tightly spaced racks of clothing could provide me some easy cover.

Making my decision I moved toward the clothes and searched for a promising hiding spot. Hopefully things would calm down, and I could stay hidden until everything passed by. It wasn't the best plan, but as long as I wasn't noticed the city's guards would eventually arrive to establish order. Parting a thickly packed rack of hoodies I ducked into the middle, a sense of nostalgia washing over me as I remembered that I had done something very similar with my friend when I grew up in this city. I was still struggling with my intermingled memories, as I tried to slow my racing heart I noted that my surroundings had lost much of their alien feel from before.

More sounds of gunfire rang through the store and the heavy thumps of booted feet reached my ears, rapidly approaching my hiding spot. I tried to not even breath as the distinctive clodding noise approached, slowed and stopped well within earshot.

"The fuck man!" A man's baritone complained with a gasp. "We arrive late for a cape fight and now they want us to blitz a wal-mart!?"

"Shut up and find the girl!" Another, with a gravely voice commanded. "Rune said that she didn't see her running out any of the exits."

"Who the fuck we looking for again?"

"Do your ears not work?" The man she guessed was in charge growled. "Young girl, long purple dress, black hair, looks exactly like Saturn, shouldn't be able to miss her."

"Saturn! The fuck man!? Ain't she dead, why would we be looking for her?" The first man questioned.

"Maybe she is, maybe not. Whoever she is, Kaiser wants to get this girl brought into The Empire's protection." The leader rumbled, before barking out an order. "Spread out and find her, we need to make this quick."

A series of yes' and acknowledging grunts sounded as thumps of boots headed in different directions; their footsteps quickly drowned out by the shrill fire alarm. I stayed still and silent as my memory piped up with the mention of 'The Empire.' It was the way he said Kaiser that had allowed me to connect memories with the uncertain feelings I had received from the recent capes. Examined the revelation I was able to recall the basics of one of the cities gangs, modern day nazis. No wonder I had felt such uncertainty with what might have seemed to be my would be rescuers. I had very narrowly evaded a bear by running into a forest fire, and now that fire seemed to have caught up.

I stayed concealed for less than a minute before a shrill scream could be heard from the nearby electronics department. "Look what I found here! A nigger bitch was hiding under the counter!" The man from before laughed and I could hear the sounds of a scuffle over the fire alarm.

"Calm down bitch!" He snarled, before a loud hollow boom echoed through the store, silencing the sounds of a struggle.

"Next one is going in your chest!" The gravely voiced leader growled, reinforcing his threat with the distinctive 'schick chi-chunk' of a shotgun. "You see you have to really drive the point in with these animals, they're all action; can't think before they just do."

"Yeah thanks." The foul mouth man laughed. "Now, did you see a girl in a purple dress come this way?"

"I just work here!" I heard her say before a squeaking noise was accompanied with the sharp sound of a slap.

"Monkeys speak no evil!" He yelled. "I fucking asked you if you saw a white girl, in a fucking purple dress!"

"N-no, there were a lot of customers I didn't see her!" the distraught woman answered.

"Bitch! Then what good are you?" He hissed, and I chanced a look out. Pushing my head above the hangers I saw the two nazis. One had a thick blond beard contrasting his shaved head, watching with a shotgun pulled into his side. The other man with short red hair, with a bat held at the end of his tattoo covered arm. He raised his weapon high, his intent clearly to bring it down on the dark skinned clerk.

"Wait wait! I can help you find her!" The clerk yelled and I pulled my head back down.

"We don't need-" He was cut of as the sound of a boom and rumbling sound shook the store causing the shelves and racks of merchandise to rattle. "The fuck was that?"

"More capes I bet." The leader muttered. "We need to find the girl, we've wasted enough time with her; step away."

I immediately realized the racist' intent and struggled with a split second decision. It was a choice of staying safe and letting her die, or trying to intervene. I couldn't fight the two men, but I could distract them from killing the woman. Making my choice I pushed out of my cover, the hangers ringing noisily as I ran toward a nearby aisle. Looking over I saw the Nazi's eyes tracking me, their eyes widening before I broke line of sight down rows of large plastic bins and waste baskets.

"Get her!" I heard the leader yell, and I hoped my distraction had been enough. I wished I could do more but while my magic was slowly growing stronger I still couldn't do anything impactful with it. Snagging some of the merchandise as I passed I pulled it down behind me, if the foul mouthed man followed my path he would have to navigate through it.

There was so much noise filling the store, the alarm continued to buzz and yells and screams echo from different directions. From one corner of the store a battle seemed to sound as gunshots and bangs filtered to my ears. I looked behind as I heard a hollow thump, the ginger nazi had kicked a plastic tub in his pursuit of me.

"Hey, wait!" He called to me futilely, looking back ahead my feet slipped as I tried to avoid a rack of blankets in the middle of an inter-junction. Catching myself on a shelf I pushed off, spinning away from the display of bargain items, and skidded to a stop when a newcomer rounded a corner. He was obviously a cape, masked in a bright red and yellow costume, with the chest, legs and arms covered in obvious armor. A star-burst with a red core and yellow swirling, radiating lines stood prominently on his chest. As we eyed each other he seemed shocked by my appearance as much as his surprised me, sadly I had wasted too much time in my startled condition and my pursuer had gained ground.

Ignoring the newcomer I ran perpendicularly from him into another aisle. I glanced back again as the Nazi shoved off the bargain items before he screamed, dropping his bat and covering his face. The air around shimmered with the hazy distortion of heat, and the exposed skin I could see flushed red like he had suddenly received a sun burn.

"Vector, down kitchen supplies!" I heard the new cape call, and I feared my options of escape were slowly being cut away. I stumbled as movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention. Another cape wearing grey was standing upside-down jumping between the crossbeam supports high above. He was already ahead of me and moved to cut me off, then he jumped and it seemed like gravity corrected itself pulling him away from the ceiling. With a half flip he corrected his inverted state and landed heavily on the ground in my path.

Looking to the side I snatched the first thing I might use as a weapon, trying to look intimidating despite feeling very foolish in my choice. Fear me, for I am Saturn, wielder of the mighty spatula!

"Whoa whoa!" The man held his hands up passively. I could now see his chest that bore a black star-burst, the blocky lines radiating from the core ended in arrow heads. "I'm Vector, a-are you Saturn?"

"Yes!" I gasped not lowing my fearsome weapon.

"A-alright I can help you!" He said, a touch of skepticism coloring his declaration.

The boom of a shotgun sounded from back where the red and yellow cape was, cutting off any need for my response. "Damn it. Vector, a little help!" Could be heard before another shotgun round was fired.

"Heat Sink one sec! Um- stay here." He commanded uncertainly before he leapt, coasting high over my head; before landing softly at the end of the aisle.

Ignoring his order I pulled up my skirts again and ran. As I moved from cover to empty aisle I tired to avoid anyone I saw, it didn't matter if they looked like a gang member or just a store patron; I became very paranoid. Eventually after dashing down racks filled with pet food I neared an outer wall and spied an exit. A sliver of daylight streamed in around the edges, and I stepped up to it and pushed; immediately regretting my action.

Just outside was the familiar metal wolf engaged in battle with a man in bright sliver and gold armor. The man held what looked like a shield made of light defensively in front of him, and using a spear that sparked with electricity he fended away the reaching blades from the wolf. Both combatants looked up for a moment as the door loudly slammed on the outside of the building as it opened fully.

I felt like screaming in exasperation, but I didn't have the breath to waste as I turned on heel and ran. Moving along the outer wall I hoped that I could find another exit without powerful combatants outside of it. Moving along racks of toys and playing balls I ignored the distant memory of recognition I had felt from the man in shining armor. He had the vague feeling of 'good guy', regardless I didn't want to risk becoming collateral damage.

I felt so foolish, desperately running from everything, I wished I had stayed in the park with the children. The only benefit could I find was that the stress of the situation seemed to have a rousing effect on my magic. My power was slowly rising, I hoped it wouldn't be long before I could perform my basic transformation; if I didn't die beforehand.

Passing an aisle of fishing poles I spotted a red exit sign and ran toward it. My hope, of course was shattered as I saw two gang members standing under it. A thin nazi with a prominent swastika on his shirt stood beside a man wearing only tattoos on his upper body. Sliding to a stop, I decided I wasn't confident enough in my skills with a spatula to fight the thin man's rifle, and the tattooed man's pistol and heavy chain. Pushing off a kayak I headed back into the middle of the store.

Ignoring their calls to stop I ran, only pausing to pull a large box of fitness equipment down. The man wearing tattoos came to the corner of the aisle and raised his pistol aiming at me. Using the only tool I had available I threw my mighty spatula, causing him to reflexively duck back. I almost felt a slight sense of loss without it, while it didn't provide any real protection it was something to hold to keep my hands from shaking. Scrambling away I was able to reach the edge of the aisle and gain cover, moving into an assortment of furniture.

The store seemed to only be getting louder as gunshots echoed from every corner and a siren was heard from somewhere outside. Ducking behind a stack of metal chairs I looked around for another way out. The sharp sound of shattering glass drew my attention as someone in dark red fell through a distant skylight. From my angle I couldn't see what happened to that individual but I did see a familiar green robed figured following, floating down on what looked like a crumpled car hood. That area of the store became even noisier as I saw and heard racks of merchandise scattering their contents across the store.

I didn't have time to waste as there were still two nazi thugs somewhere nearby and I continued my flight. Nearly tripping over a coffee table, I realized that I wasn't too far from the clothing and electronics section where I had began my dash through the store. Sprinting out from around a cabinet I turned toward the back of the store, running directly into a ghostly knight. Bouncing off the surprisingly solid surface of the doppelganger I stumbled backwards.

Shaking my head clear I heard the pleased tone of the ghost's creator. "Lady Saturn! There you are, you haven't need to run anymore!" Looking up I saw the nazi knight, standing surrounded by a squad of his ghostly summons. Despite some new dents in his armor he seemed ready for combat, and several of his spectral soldiers swiftly moved to cut off my paths of escape. His full helm concealed his face, but I could almost feel the wide grin that was certain to be present on his face. He was less then ten paces away when he held his hand out expectantly, and I knew he could easily stop me if I decided to run.

"Saturn!" A call sounded form behind me. Looking back, my hair swaying around my head, I saw the two men in red and grey. Seeing who was near me they lurched to a halt, crouching into readied combat stances. My head whipped back, looking between the two groups of capes, my breath catching in my throat. I was trapped, caught at one end by two potentially powerful capes, and a nazi with a of squad ghost knights.

I was certain I would be killed. I was the prize that they would fight for, each pulling on me until I broke. I needed to be able to fight, to escape! It seemed that my fear, and desperation caused my magic to slip loose of whatever had been binding it. I felt it infuse my being causing me to smile, I wasn't near my full strength but it would be enough.

"The power of the Planet Saturn!" I chanted, a sparkle of purple light flickering around me. "TRANSFORM!"

Last edited: Jan 4, 2019

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Jan 3, 2019

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MrStarbuck

MrStarbuck

Jan 9, 2019

#150

A smile appeared on my face as my magic surrounded me in its comforting embrace. Summoning my weapon, I nearly laughed as when I felt its familiar weight; it felt right. I felt like this was the first correct thing that had happened today. I was so happy, I wasn't useless, helplessly running from everything, nothing could bring me down from the high I felt.

However, magically enhanced strength wasn't the only thing that my transformation brought me; and it wasn't pleasant. As my magic infused me a bit of the fog surrounding my memories cleared, and what I remembered blindsided me in a single heart wrenching moment. I remembered the last thing that I, Saturn; had done, and for that moment I hated my power.

The me that was Taylor had used my final power, dying to protect everything I loved.

The me that was Saturn had unleashed my accursed power, destroying everything I had loved.

Why!? Why had I done that!? I couldn't remember why! There had to be a reason, but I couldn't remember! No answers were forthcoming, and I felt futile anger chilling my bones. My time for self reflection was cut short as my transformation finalized. I needed some time to think and find answers, but, surrounded by potential enemies, I wouldn't be given that opportunity.

"Holy shit!" The nazi knight gasped, his cool confident tone evaporating. "She's actually Saturn!"

His declaration irritated me, his honeyed words from before had been lies. No-one had believed that I was truly Princess Saturn, although I too didn't want to accept my accursed mantle. I could only conclude that they had come to use me and my likeness, and the idea attracted my ire.

Snapping my gaze up to the man that had come to offer me protection, I flourished my weapon before bringing the haft down violently. "You!" I snarled, as my weapon cracked a tile next to my foot.

"Uh, yes Lady Saturn?" He answered dumbly.

"If you are to call me a title, use the correct one! I am Princess Saturn!" I rebuked. "You wear the trappings of a knight, do you also also claim to follow the tenants of such a role?!"

"Y-yes of course Princess Saturn." He seemed to snapped to attention before bowing at the waist. Not the correct supplication, I noted, but doubted that he knew the correct forms. "I am called Crusader, and I am here to bring you to the safety of Empire 88."

"Wait! Saturn he-" One of the other two capes behind me interrupted before I cut them of, silencing them with an out-held palm.

"If you make such a claim, then why do you follow the teachings of a foolish tyrant now more than a half century defeated?" I snarled, the fear that had consumed me earlier combined with the anger of my revelation that left me in a cold rage. "Do not the tenets of a knight include swearing to defend the weak and innocent, and to be a champion of right and good, against evil and injustice?"

"Uh- y-yes princess." He stuttered before he rallied. "I serve The Empire, and the good of the American people. Defending the innocent against the corrupt ideas of those that do not-"

"Ideas?!" I scoffed, ignoring the sounds of combat still ringing around the store. "You fight ideas with ideas and if yours is true you will not need to fear. In a battle of ideas the first to use violence has already lost! It is only when your foe has lost that fight that you defend what is yours, before striking back at the source; leaving no quarter! Now get out of my sight!"

The knight paused for a moment, glancing around to assess the situation, and noting that I was still surrounded by his squad of doppelgangers. "I am sorry princess but I must bring you to Kaiser." He said, a hint of nervousness in his tone.

"Then I too, will do what I must." I growled bringing my weapon to bear. Despite my anger I wasn't as confident as I sounded, I was still magically weak and he did outnumber me.

The surrounding ghostly images moved as one, some facing the two capes, but most closing in on me. The first knight stepped up, it's ghostly hands reaching out to me. Jabbing with my weapon, I extend out to my full reach, the magically infused blade slid through the image without any resistance. I was a bit surprised when the ghost had approached with what seemed to be unthinking confidence, it didn't even react when I countered. Its form shimmered and vanished before I spun readying myself for the next when they all stopped.

"Oh fuck!" Crusader gasped before he jumped back, his summons maneuvering around me to surround him in defensive formation. "RUNE!"

Keeping my blade forward in readied stance, I forced down my surprise. Why was he so scared, his summons had gone from blindly attacking to defensive in an instant? He had me surrounded, but he just gave up his troop's superior position.

A large boxed TV flew past me, reflexively I stepped to the side forming a point of a triangle so I could keep my eyes on everyone. Vector and Heat Sink stood readied, glaring intensely at the nazi. Vector lifted another TV like it had weighed nothing and sent it toward Crusader. The boxed TV flew straight with no arch until it seemed gravity remembered its job and pulled it to earth. I almost missed the fact that the box had slipped through the summoned knights but Crusader sidestepped it. I was slightly confused for a moment, because I remembered bouncing of of them like they were solid. Perhaps they could only act on living material and my glaive harming his creations had shocked him. He couldn't know that my weapon was part of me as much as my own arm was.

Holding my ground I kept all the capes in my vision, two more ghost knights charged me and I cut them down with a twirl of my glaive. Crusader ducked behind a display of DVDs as Heat Sink sent a shimmering yellow beam at him, the beam missed and continued till it ignited a distant couch. I didn't care that the other two capes seemed to be helping me. My emotions were such a mess that I didn't care who was friend or foe; I was alone.

"Rune!" Crusader yelled, as we all stood at a stale-mate.

"Saturn you should go; we can cover you!" The man in grey, Vector grunted.

"I am getting very tired of people telling me what to do!" I hissed back, I was about to say more when a loud clattering noise sounded behind me. With a flourish of my glaive I spun around to see the girl in red and black nearing us, the crumpled car hood she rode was even more ragged than before. I was stressed, and angry and with the number of potential enemies seemingly increasing, I feared that I would have to defend myself with lethal force. I didn't want to have to kill anyone in my confused state, but my level of restraint was quickly wearing thin.

"What!? I just buried Aegis under an entire shelf but he won't-" She cut off as she floated closer and spotted me. "Oh shit! She's actually Saturn!"

"Uh Maybe, you take care of her; get her to Kaiser!" He ordered, worry painted his every word. "I can handle these two!"

"Me! Why the fuck! I'm not suicidal!" She gasped.

"She can cut through my knights!" He argued. "Just stay away from her-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Vector yelled with his hands raised high, interrupting everything. "I think we just need to all calm down, I think we're all stressed because it turns out- ahh who am I kidding, Heat Sink!"

And like that the five of us burst into motion. The duo moved, Vector fell up toward the ceiling and Heat Sink launched another beam of yellow light at Crusader. I lost sight of those three as Crusaded retreated into the electronics section.

My attention was on the girl called Rune, as she sent two brown boxes at me. Batting both projectiles away with a twirl of my pole-arm I sent her a glare that caused her to squeak in alarm and dive to the ground, breaking my line of sight behind a rack of merchandise. The tight corridors of the aisles severely hampered my movement, but in my magically enhanced state I easily jumped on top of the rack Rune had hidden behind. I was pleased that it easily handled my weight with hardly a wobble. What didn't please me was when I saw Rune floating back toward the ceiling two racks filled with clothes hovering at her side.

"Please don't kill me, I'm only following orders!" She whimpered and sent a rack in my direction. The clothing was a much better projectile than I first expected as the individual articles came off in a wide cloud. Ducking under the metal rack I attempted to flick a clump of clothing away only for it to wrap around the butt of my weapon. It slowed me down as the next rack of cloths zipped toward me. Jumping away I again avoided the metal rack only for another clump of clothes to hit me. It didn't hurt but it did throw me of course and I landed on the edge of a shelf that gave way with a 'clunk.' Without the support of the shelf I fell into the middle of an aisle catching myself on all fours, as boxes rained down around me.

"I'm sorry!" I heard her call fearfully as I pushed myself to my feet. I was angry and lost. We didn't need to fight, I just wanted to be left alone to I could think and come to terms.. Why wouldn't they just leave me alone?!

Jumping back up to the top of a rack I saw that Rune had collected more ammunition that hung around her in a lazy spiral. With a growl I set my weapon before me, ready for her attack. She didn't disappoint as a stream of various merchandise came at me. Balancing carefully I spun away avoiding some radios, and with a upward cut I sliced a flat screen television in half so that the pieces split on either side of me. Twirling my weapon defensively around me I deflected a barrage of items that had swung around for another attack. Breaking the projectiles apart or cutting them seemed to disrupt her control and it gave me an opportunity to attack. Rune gasped as I jumped forward, and it was only because of her quick reaction that I was only able to cut away a corner of the hood she rode on. A faint smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as a familiar strip of red fabric fluttered down as I landed.

After that surprise she kept her distance from me, running just as often as she would turn to throw more projectiles. I was unable to close the distance as it was very difficult to dodge or deflect projectiles, all while trying to keep solid footing in a store that was becoming a state of ever increasing ruin. However, I can say that her fear was amusing and the exercise was certainly a good way to shake the rust off.

"Oh God! Please don't use your final power thing, I'm not worth it!" She yelled as she zoomed between two aisle running her hands along rows of goods. The items she touched moving to follow her as she zipped away, glancing back to ensure that I was well outside of strike ranger. I was so frustrated, she was too fast and the increasingly chaotic state of the store slowed me while I defended myself from her bullet hell. If I had the magical energy to use a ranged attack I wouldn't be forced to chase her down. Several of her projectiles had made it though my defenses and while the didn't hurt too much I would eventually be worn down.

Jumping down into an aisle I avoided two large packages of bottled water, only to growl after I heard a loud wrenching sound. Jumped back up I was shocked to see that she had reloaded with an entire support column, the roof held but I could see the beams had bent slightly. With a twirl I positioned my glaive behind my back, blade down, my legs crouched and ready. I took a moment to look around searching for something that would gain me an upper-hand, but I was surprised when Rune didn't attack.

My confident stance seemed to put her off of a continued fight as she held both her hands out. "Wait, okay! We don't need to fight, how about you just come with me and talk. Kaiser didn't want this, I know I don't want this!"

She didn't seem to know that at the moment she had a decisive advantage, as long as she kept her distance I was forced to stay on the defensive while chasing futilely after her. I was just waiting for her to make a mistake, and perhaps that is what she feared. "If Kaiser wanted to talk he would come himself or at the very least politely request a meeting. He didn't, instead he sends you to take me by force!"

"Not by force! Uh- Crusader just wasn't thinking." She denied, deflecting the blame. "If you join us you'll be a symbol that the people will rally behind, so much good could be done!"

"A symbol for hate." I snarled. "I would rather die, even if it would mean taking you and your entire empire with me!"

Her mouth gaped open and closed several times as she hung dumbfounded in the air. Any further interactions was cut short as a nearby fallen rack shuddered, moving upward with a metallic screech.

The person in red I had seen falling from the skylight earlier slipped out from underneath it. Whoever it was, seemed to stress Rune ever more as she pulled her floating pillar closer. As he stood I got a good look at him, while I couldn't see his face I guessed that he was young. The frayed state of his costume concerned me as did the suspicious wet spots on the red fabric that could easily be his blood. He however, didn't seem to be overly concerned as he took a moment to look between Rune and I. His eyes widened when he saw me and he opened his mouth to speak, but the only sound that came from his lips was a gurgling noise followed by a splash of blood. A flash of concern passed through me but he seemed to be only annoyed as he wiped the blood away with the back of his hand before fixing Rune with an angry glare. Without breaking eye contact he twisted his neck creating an ominous deep popping noise.

"Yeah, no!" Rune gasped, before looking up, angling the column before smashing it into a skylight. The glass shattered and she swiftly floated through the hole she had created.

Sending a glare at her retreating form I stayed where I was, I didn't want to chase fruitlessly after her especially now that she was outside with more room to avoid me. If she was willing to leave that was enough from me; for now. The boy in red made a motion to follow her but his head turned to look at me and he stopped. My memory tugged at me, giving me the vague sense of 'good guy', and since he wasn't attacking me or demanding anything I relaxed slightly. A bit of annoying paranoia reminded me that perhaps the reason he wasn't demanding anything was because he couldn't speak.

He gave me a small wave and smiled without showing any teeth. He was able to grunt, as he nodded giving me a thumbs up. While men might be able to communicate with grunts and simple gestures, it wasn't a skill I possessed and at the moment had no desire to learn. Turning, I looked out from my vantage point, the store was a mess. There was a trail of destruction that I recognized as the path I had taken while chasing Rune, merchandise scattered and lay broken in a fan like pattern. In a corner near the front black smoke was steadily spreading, creeping along the ceiling. The smoke was thick enough that I was barely able to see the letters 'Deli' over the counter. One of the main entrances I could see had shattered glass scattered along the floor where a squad of black clad soldiers stood defensively, multicolored lights flashing behind them.

The situation inside the store seemed to be settling down despite its ruined state, and I didn't hear anymore gunshots or screams. However, I needed somewhere safe so that I could figure out my fractured memories. While I was still strong physically, I was rapidly approaching my limit emotionally. And, there was another was squad of black soldiers that were heading in my direction that I didn't want to deal with. Looking up I decided to use the exit that Rune had created, and readied myself just in-case she hadn't fled completely.

Jumping through, I was glad to see that the grey expanse was empty besides the domes of translucent glass and breaker boxes. Rune couldn't be seen, I suspected she had flown away before going to ground to hide. Stepping away from the broken skylight the boy in red followed me, defying gravity as he floated through. Turning to look out over the city, I wished that things would make sense. I was just about to walk to the edge of the roof when three sharp snaps interrupted me.

Looking back the injured cape pointed at me, before holding his hand out flat and then pointed down. That was easy enough to understand, 'you stay here.' A flash of annoyance shot through me, I wasn't a dog to be snapped at and ordered around! I was starting to miss Greg, he was awkward, and lacked manners but he seemed to sincerely care.

"What!" I snapped. "I've been attacked, kidnapped, and nothing makes sense. I need to sit down and try to figure out why I'm not dead!"

He gave me a thumbs up before walking over to a nearby metal breaker box, sitting down on it before patting a spot beside him.

"No!" I scoffed, only slightly feeling bad for yelling at someone who couldn't respond. "I can barely remember anything and the majority of people that have hidden their faces have been either rude or violent!"

He paused, looked around the roof before he slowly raised his hand and tugged off his mask. Now that I could see his face I decided that he was handsome despite what looked to be a rising black eye. Without his mask I noticed why he wasn't speaking, a dark bruise surrounded what looked to be a mangled misshapen throat. I didn't know how he was breathing, but with the slow repetitive rising of his shoulders indicated that he wasn't in danger of asphyxiating. His gesture of unmasking was appreciated, but I still didn't feel very trustful. I did feel bad as he raised his eyebrows and gave me a hopeful thumbs up.

Sighing I tried to relax, but a flicker of light out of the corner my eye caused me to ready myself. With a spin of my glaive I pointed it defensively at the light that was rapidly approaching. The flicker of light slowed and turned into a blue and silver clad man that alighted on the roof. His mouth was slightly agape as he slowly approached.

"Saturn?" He whispered quietly. "Taylor, it's true?! I was briefed on my way here but I didn't really believe it."

"Who are you?!" I demanded, not lowering my weapon. I was again confused, everyone besides Greg had simply called me Saturn. Did he know my other identity? "How do you know that name?"

"I-I'm Legend, I mean I-" He muttered, before cutting himself short. "There was mention about you being confused, but you are Saturn; yes? Also known as Taylor Hebert?"

"Yes! I mean- I don't know!" I yelled, before taking a breath, and running a hand through my hair. "I remember killing Leviathan and-, then I woke up in a park. I don't know how or why, but I just want to go home and think."

"We can do that, we'll contact your father and get everything figured out." He nodded, his hands open passively.

My heart dropped into my stomach as flickers of memory accompanied a wave of emotions that overwhelmed me. My father, Taylor's father, whatever. It made my confusion even worse and I couldn't deal with that right now. Wrapping my arms around myself I hugged my glaive close, I wanted to go home, somewhere safe where no-one could bother me. Memories of two homes filled my mind, but only one of them was a place I could confidently call safe. Relaxing as best as I could I cast my mind outwards, searching for the thing I desperately knew had to be out there. My magic didn't disappoint as I sensed the familiar aura I knew so well, I was going home.

"N-no I will figure this out on my own." I stuttered in answer, while reaching deep within myself. With my weakened magic this would exhaust me, but since I was going to the seat of my power I would make it.

"Taylor, its alright, come with-" He was cut off as my magic blasted out from me, whipping up dust and forming a purple corona. "Wait! Saturn, I don't want to fight! Don't do anything rash!"

"I'm not fighting!" I grunted with strain as I pushed my weakened power, reaching out to the distant yet familiar target.

"Then what- Taylor please!" He said shielding his eyes from the wind my magic created.

I gasped as I felt the connection form, a rush of tingles running down my spine and through my limbs. Raising my glaive to the heavens I chanted, my voice echoing with magic. "PLANETARY TELEPORT!"

A disorienting moment later I fell forward to my hands and knees, a thin layer of off colored snow parting around my hands. Gasping for breath, I shivered as a light but frigid wind blew my skirt and hair. Looking around I was stunned by a the alien landscape I saw. This wasn't what I had expected, all of my memories seemed to have something missing; but this was all wrong. Everything was cast in dim light and the sky was colored with a slight yellow hue. It couldn't be right, the landscape was a frozen wasteland, This wasn't Titan.

Looking up higher I saw something that confirmed where I was with a terrible certainty. "No!" I yelled desperately

Hanging overhead was the source of my power, my beautiful ringed planet; Saturn. I despaired, trying to deny what I saw, but as my exhaustion faded I knew it was true. I felt strength flow into me, the majority of my magic recovering from being so close to where I belonged.

I didn't want to believe it when I had transformed, everything I had loved was gone; it was all my fault. I screamed tugging at my hair trying to remember why before it hit me. The rebellion, and the moon princess's death! I had been called to wipe the solar system clean, giving it a fresh chance to start anew. But as I looked around it didn't feel like any good had come from it. Without the queen's extreme magical power to give them life, the planets would revert to the lifeless rocks that physics demanded. Without my own magic to protect me, I would have expired from the hostile environment of my own moon. My castle wasn't here, and none of my subjects were alive to welcome and comfort me.

I stood sniffing back the tears that threatened to fall, I wouldn't accept that everything was gone. The queen had been both powerful and wise, if I had been reborn then the other guardians should be been too. I was the kingdom's trump card, only to be brought out as a last resort, the others had to be out there somewhere.

Raising my glaive I gathered the magical strength my planet had restored to me, before bring the haft down. A ring of purple magical energy spread out away from me as I struck the ground. Thrice I expelled my magic, it was crude, but it should attract their attention. I waited with baited breath certain that it wouldn't take them long to investigate my signal. Slowly as time passed, minutes or maybe an hour, and a creeping despair crawled up my spine.

Shaking my head, I raised my weapon gathering more magical energy, and three more blast shook the icy ground. As I waited, I vehemently denied the growing doubts in my mind. I wasn't alone, I couldn't be, fate wouldn't be that cruel. But as time continued to pass without any hint of my allies, the shadow of my fears darkened.

I wracked my mind for answers. I was Saturn, guardian and princess of the planet that shared my name. However my castle was nowhere to be seen, no ruins, no magical echo, nothing. I was alone with all that I thought familiar gone, now existing only in my fragmented memory.

My name was also Taylor Hebert, a girl that had become a cape after my former best friend had shoved me in a locker filled with refuse. Desperately searching all my memories for answers I began to see another picture. Now that I could think and see myself though another mindset I realized that I didn't want to think of myself as Taylor. The me, Taylor had hated herself and feared her own power. I hadn't known all I could do, because I was afraid to try. It was clear to me now that I was forced to examine both sets of memories.

More ideas came to me now that I was thinking clearly. The moon never had a magical kingdom, not for all of recorded time. Even if I had been reborn hundreds of thousands of years after it's destruction there should be some evidence. Without an atmosphere the traces of an entire civilization should still be around. The moon was well mapped, and partially explored, something should have been found. There was even an unfinished moon base up there, and it was certainly not a kingdom.

Wracking my mind for any answer, I thought of the foe I had defeated. Leviathan was a extra-solar, extra-dimensional abomination, it didn't belong here; and maybe my power didn't either. Alternate dimensions were already an established phenomenon with cape powers. If Earth Aleph was a thing, was the Silver Millennium something similar? I didn't know and a part of me knew I was searching for some answer as to why my allies weren't responding to my signal.

Gathering my power I sent my magical distress signal for a third time. I didn't know how long I had been on Titan and I looked around the landscape with a renewed eye. Walking around my immediate surroundings a part of myself marveled at where I was. With both despair and wonder I realized that I was the first person to set foot on this planet. If not the first person, then the first person in a very very long time; it was so bitter-sweet. It was quiet here but there was still a faint wind that blew along the rocks and ice. A trickling sound caught my attention and I found what looked to be a tiny stream of extremely clear water flowing down hill. Without thinking I dipped my hand into the stream, before yanking it back with a gasp. My magic seemed to scream as it strained to protect me from the violent chill surrounded my hand. Looking at my gloves the 'water' seemed to be boiling, bubbling along the magical fabric before it evaporated into nothingness. Liquid methane, a distant part of my mind informed me, as I rubbed my hands together to rid myself of the odd sensation. Again I was struck with the longing for home, this time I didn't only desire my castle.

There were still people that knew me back on Earth. People that I still loved, and needed the protection I could offer. The thought chilled me as much as the atmosphere did. Even with the techniques that Saturn's memories brought to my mind, they wouldn't have been enough to defeat Leviathan. There were still two Endbringers that I could only kill with my final power. I was, or Saturn had been a defender of the solar system. Even if the Saturn part of me was from an alternate dimension this was my solar system, and it needed help.

However I doubted I could do it alone, I needed help. Climbing the highest rise I could see I reached the summit and looked around. Nothing I could see was similar to Saturn's memories, and I didn't want to accept it. Pulling up all the magical energy I could, I screamed sending my power rushing outwards in a burst that left a haze of sparkles hanging in the air. Again falling to my knees, I shivered as the dregs of my magic struggled to keep me protected from the atmosphere's chill.

Pushing myself back I tucked my skirt under me to prevent the ground from evaporating under my butt. Propping The Silence Glaive against my shoulder and between my knees, I curled up and waited for allies that weren't going to come. I didn't want to go back to Earth and deal with what waited for me there. I didn't want to have to deal with gangs intent on using me for my power. I didn't want to confront a father I had been distant with for years, and lied to for months. I didn't want to be go back only to have to use my final power to defeat another extra-solar monster. I didn't want to go home only to die again.

There on top of a hill of ice, surrounded by liquid gasses I couldn't hold it any longer. I cried, my tears rolling down my cheeks before falling to the ground and instantly freezing solid.

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MrStarbuck

Jan 9, 2019

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MrStarbuck

MrStarbuck

Jan 26, 2019

#201

Coil had stayed up all night looking over reports and organizing events so that he could slowly guide events to his advantage. The chaotic state of the city was a difficult puzzle to crack, and the influx of independent heroes had shaken the power structure in the city.

Lung had been forced into a fraction of the area that he had once controlled, his defeat at Armsmaster's hands earlier this month had greatly damaged his reputation. He wasn't seen as an untouchable force of nature any longer. Without that primal fear the heroes risked smaller strikes at his holdings before pulling back, leaving Lung unable to retaliate. These tactics slowly but surely whittled away at his territory until all that he now controlled was a small core that he could personally protect. He was still extremely dangerous, but his ability to affect the city as a whole was almost non-existent.

The Merchants had always been the weakest gang in the city and they were fairing only marginally better than the ABB. Their territorial borders technically hadn't changed much since Leviathan's death, but their real power had been greatly diminished. With Skidmark and Squealer in hiding from the heroes, their major drug labs and crack-houses had been cleared out. They now only existed as a scattered conglomeration of dealers and gangsters supported by a house of cards made of desperate addicts.

E88 was proving to be a tough nut to crack. Kaiser wasn't a fool and he had spread his forces in a way that allowed him to hold his ground with minimal losses. The E88 were vigorously defending their territory and while their members often came out of some fights for the worse, Othala was able to put them back into fighting shape. Some of the independent capes had been scared off when Viktor stole the accumulated martial arts prowess of a brute; named Jotun, that had spent a week here after Leviathan.

Even his own operations had taken a hit. He preferred to stick to the high class illegal activities, weapon trade, money laundering, falsified identification, high-end drugs. The independents were targeting all the gangs in the city, his organization included, and he had already been forced to reduce some of his more noticeable illicit activities. With the additional attention focused on the bay he was slowly losing money, having to dip into his savings instead of gang activities covering the costs of his hired mercenaries. Regardless it was time to truly begin his day.

Reality A: Ending the time-line that he has spent the night looking over reports, Thomas Calvert awoke from a restful night of sleep ready for the new day. Splitting realities Calvert called in a personal day to work at the PRT and decided to not call Creep; his personal driver and mercenary. Walking into his triple car garage he jumped into his nondescript dark blue Honda Accord, before opening the garage door and driving into the city. He had taken to varying his means of getting to his secret base, he didn't want to risk anyone discovering any patterns in his activities.

The drive into his territory was boring as he took a non-direct route before he arrived at a multilevel parking garage that was owned by one of his various splinter companies. Parking near the elevator he cautiously looked around the bland concrete structure, and after determining the surroundings to be safe he stepped out; locking his car. The elevator was fortunately empty as he entered and inserted a key into the control panel. After pressing the buttons for both the top and bottom floors the elevator lowered, descending past the ground floor into a basement. The doors opened to a nonthreatening maintenance room, complete with cleaning supplies and tools. Walking over to a tool box Calvert opened the bottom drawer before feeling blindly along its underside, finding the familiar spaced buttons of a keypad. Absentmindedly entering the code, he was please that he didn't hear anything as he stood and pulled at the pegboard covered wall nearby. The wall swung open with out of a seam and he stepped into the unlit space inside, and closed himself in. Inside was a briefcase and a manhole cover, opening the briefcase he found a copy of his costume and took up his super-villain mantle. The manhole cover opened to a long ladder that was one of several secret entrances and exits to his base. As Coil descended on the ladder he mused that he was living up to many a boyhood fantasy, sure it was paranoid, but that didn't mean he couldn't also enjoy it.

Now that he was finally in his base he could get to business, heading toward his office he continued to the room right beside it. Opening the door he looked down to the sleeping form of his pet, she was pale and noticeably thinner since he had acquired her weeks ago. He would have to direct Mr. Pitter to ensure she was eating properly, it wouldn't do for his pet to suffer unnecessary complications due to malnutrition. Pausing for a moment he decided what questions to ask, he would have to be sparing because he wasn't dedicating both realities to his base.

"It's morning pet." Coil called to her.

"Mmm." She uttered as she stirred groggily "It's morning? I didn't sleep much. Candy?"

"No pet, you may go back to sleep after you answer some questions." Coil answered emotionlessly.

"What are the chances of any troubles arising here before lunchtime?"

"Seven point one nine eight." She muttered as she rubbed her eyes sleepily.

A faint frown tugged at Coil's lips as he heard the answer, the odds had been significantly worse ever since Leviathan's attack. Still he had to remind himself that they were still well within the acceptable risks. After all she was looking at all the possibilities, including the chance that he might choose to run screaming outside with the intent to turn himself into the nearest cape.

"What are the chances for the success of my grand plan, ignoring use of my power?" He asked, hopeful that there would be nothing negative since last he asked.

"Sixty eight point two six four." She answered with a wince. Coil didn't take note of her reaction of pain that shouldn't be bothering her after only two questions. He was more concerned that the numbers had jumped four percent since he had asked yesterday. The numbers were still less than they had been before Leviathan, but something must have happened that could change the odds in less than a day. He was tempted to ask more but he restrained himself, he would do a quick check of recent events before he chose what question would be best to ask without straining her.

"Good, my pet." Coil spoke soothingly. "Go back to bed, I will return soon enough with breakfast and perhaps some candy."

"Alright." the girl muttered before turning onto her side.

Leaving his pet Coil moved into his office to do a search of recent events.

Reality B: Thomas Calvert ate a breakfast of cereal before heading to work at the PRT. As he got into his Audi RS3 he lamented the problems with his double life. The PRT had been demanding more of his time as the independent capes stirred up trouble in the city. He was forced to strike a delicate balance as he secured his position at the PRT as well as used his power to further his operations as Coil. It was annoying that he couldn't dedicate his full power to his Coil persona full time, his clandestine operations suffered, even if he gained a higher degree of safety.

The drive was uneventful, and it wasn't long before he checked in and sat behind his desk. Absentmindedly looking though his messages he checked through the night's reports. An independent cape named Furrow had apprehended several Merchant gang-members and reported that he had a lead on Skidmark and Squealer's hideout. Fenja and Menja had attacked a PRT squad patrolling along the edges of E88 territory, no major injuries but their van had been destroyed. It was a show of force more than anything, the PRT would hardly suffer a hit to their PR if the event even made the news.

A message marked urgent pulled him out of his relaxed work pace, scanning through the message he pondered the news. A girl had appeared with a nearly perfect facial match to Saturn. With a twitch of his eyebrows he vaguely wondered how his counterpart would respond, but that wasn't his role as he leaned back and continued his work. Reaching to a nearby radio he affixed an ear-bud so that he could listen to the PRT chatter as the situation developed.

It was several minutes before something interesting came across the airways. "Armsmaster reporting from the boardwalk." The gruff voice of the Protectorate leader was heard clearly over the high-tech radios.

"This is Control, go ahead Armsmaster." Kid Win's voice responded.

"Gallant and I have eyes on the person of interest, moving to make peaceful contact."

"Understood, report anything of interest."

"Acknowledged."

Calvert almost rolled his eyes at the unflinching adherence to protocol that the man operated under. He didn't have to wait long before things became interesting.

"Control, I need a retrieval team at my location. Highest Priority." Armsmaster's voice sounded slightly gruffer as he ordered support.

"Understood Armsmaster, retrieval team on route. ETA four minutes."

Reality A: Coil wasted no time as he received a message from the highly encrypted connection that he had with the PRT servers. A doppelganger of Saturn promised to attract a lot of attention, and if he handled the situation correctly he could direct the resulting events to his advantage. He was tempted to drop the other time-line to focus his full power at the new opportunity. He grudgingly decided to keep his safe time-line, there were still too many unknowns for him to risk it.

Pulling out one of his many phones he dialed Trickster. The Travelers were currently his best resource that he could direct in a short time-frame, and if things were done correctly their involvement would create the least risk.

After a few rings his call was answered. "Yeah?" Trickster's voice asked.

"Gather your team, I've got a lead on something that could turn out to be very important. A girl matching Saturn's appearance has been seen in the city. She's on the blue line bus, most likely heading to the boardwalk. Apprehend her before the PRT, do so while attracting as little attention as possible." Coil commanded succinctly.

"Saturn? Uh- okay, what do you want us to do after we have her?" Trickster muttered.

"Take her to a secure location and contact me, then I will give you further instructions." Coil said, before hanging up. Already he was thinking of how to best use the situation to further his goals. An idea popped into his head that could drastically further his plans. Whoever this girl was had to be in the city for a reason. If he didn't handle this carefully he could easily run afoul of some other cape's plans.

Getting up from his desk he called for Mr. Pitter and exited his office moving to his pet's room. "Time to get up my pet. Just four questions, then you can have breakfast and some candy."

"Candy? Alright what are the questions?" The girl quickly roused and sat up. As Coil began explaining the basics of the situation, he lamented that his pet couldn't give simple yes or no answers. It would be rather simple to ask if this new girl was the real Saturn, a cape, or a clone, instead he would have to ascertain the truth as best he could by risk assessment.

After explaining the news so that her power could get a complete picture he asked his first question. "What are the chances that this girl that looks like Saturn would die if someone shot at her chest with a shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot from twenty yards away?" The question might seem to be somewhat odd but he found this was actually a very good question for determining if the person was a parahuman or not. Many parahumans would have some way to avoid death either by ignoring the wound or moving out of the way. This didn't work for every parahuman but from what he knew about Saturn this should suffice.

"Seventy-seven point eight five nine percent." She answered. The answer was enough for him to assume that whoever this was, she wasn't Saturn nor a parahuman. The numbers were slightly low but could easily be explained away by quick reflexes or moderate training.

"If this girl that looks like Saturn is killed, what are the chances of trouble arising here in the next day?"

"Fifty-two point five five one percent." She answered plainly.

"If the girl that looks like Saturn is killed, without any connection to me, what are the chances of trouble arising here in the next day?" Coil asked.

"Ten point one three two percent." She answered with a twitch.

Thinking carefully he asked his last question. "If the girl that looks like Saturn is killed, without any connection to me, what are the chances for the success of my grand plan, ignoring use of my power?"

"Eighty-one point nine five three." His pet answered with a groan. "Candy."

"Yes, pet" Coil nodded. "Mr. Pitter give her some candy, a small dose please."

As he left his employee to his task he strode back to his office thinking of what he now knew. The risk versus reward of this situation was dramatic, he was sorely tempted to end his other time-line to focus all his power on this opportunity; however the high risk held him back. His idea was for this fake Saturn to die in a public location, something that would to cause an absolute shitstorm at the PRT. Public outcry of their returned heroine's death would create such a blow to PR that he could easily see himself in the role of Director within the week.

The issue was that if her death had the opportunity of being connected toward his organization easily half of the public rage would be directed at him, something he was not confident he would survive. However if he could keep his hands clean, perhaps diverting the consequences between the PRT and someone else, he might get two birds with one stone.

Sitting down at his desk he reached for another of his many phones, one of his contacts inside E88 was about to get a tip. If a trigger happy neo-nazi happened to kill a revived Saturn then he could easily see the fallout removing both The Empire and Piggot.

Reality B: Thomas Calvert looked through agent patrol routes as he listened as the retrieval team picked up the person of interest. Everything considered, the PRT was working quite proficiently. The boy the doppelganger had been with was taken for questioning, the PR department was already obscuring details regarding the photos and video that had already been posted, and even Panacea was called in from the hospital.

It wasn't long before he was using his access codes to look into the camera feed for one of the PRT's most secure interrogation rooms. The most secure was surrounded in five feet of steel and reinforced concrete, and would mean he would have to use codes he shouldn't have in order to access the cameras. Luckily that wasn't the case as he watched Armsmaster question the young girl in the purple dress. It was amusing to watch the local leader struggle to question the girl who identified herself as Princess Saturn of Saturn. Armsmaster's tech determined that everything she said was true, however when questioned about simple things such as Taylor Hebert's former elementary school she couldn't answer.

Calvert tired his best to determine what the girl was as both occupants of the interrogation room became increasingly agitated. She herself admitted to being confused, and couldn't give an explanation about why she had come back from the dead. The boy that had been brought in with her hadn't been very helpful, claiming to have found her in a park. Was she a clone, or an altered and brainwashed girl? If so who had sent her, and for what purpose?

Leaning toward his screen with renewed interest, Calvert watched when Panacea was brought into the little room.

"Panacea good, as you can see, your expertise is needed." Armsmaster grunted gesturing at Saturn.

"Wow, uh what exactly do you need from me?" Panacea muttered as she stared at the Saturn doppelganger.

"Pardon me!" Saturn huffed. "Who is she and how would she help this situation?"

"My apologies-- princess." The tinker forced the title out. "It seems you don't remember Panacea, she was involve during the fight with Leviathan. She tried to prevent-- your death after you defeated the Endbringer. She is here to perhaps determine how you came back, as well as to confirm who you are."

A flush of red flared over the girl's face, clearly annoyed that she hadn't really been believed. "Very well, if it will help." She growled through her teeth.

"Uh, what do you need, remember I couldn't really use my power on Saturn." Panacea muttered.

"Hmm, but were you able to see her biology?" Armsmaster asked. "Perhaps get a idea if this girl is genetically identical? We could do some tests ourselves, however that would take time we didn't want to waste."

"Y-yes, I didn't really memorized everything, but I think I remember enough. It was a high stress situation, and Saturn's trump ability kinda threw me off."

"Whatever you can do would be helpful." The bearded man said, stepping into a corner to observe.

Panacea approached the girl slowly. "Do I have you permission to touch your hand to better identify you?

"If it will help, then yes. I grow tired of this useless questioning!" The girl huffed.

Touching the back of the other girl's hand Panacea's eyebrows furrowed. "Hmm that's interesting." She uttered.

"What can you determine?" Armsmaster asked.

"Uh- best I can remember she is a genetic match to Saturn, but that isn't the odd thing, or at least the only odd thing." Panacea declared, and continued as Armsmaster nodded. "She's nearly perfect physically; everyone, with the exception of some parahumans, have permanent marks from old injuries. Scars, or distinctive calcifications from bone injuries. She doesn't have anything like what I would expect, so um."

Panacea trailed off, and Armsmaster spoke with his own guesses. "So we can assume that either she has some healing powers of her own, was subject to healing powers, or her body came into existence recently."

"I don't have healing powers." Saturn stated evenly, seemly interested in Panacea's deductions.

"Yeah you don't." Panacea muttered sheepishly. "You don't have a Corona Pollentia nor a Gemma, they're special lobes in a brain and something that all parahumans have."

"But that's not how my magic works." Saturn countered.

"Did Saturn have a Coron Pollentia and Gemma before?" Armsmaster asked.

Panacea paused, taking a moment to think. "I remember her having a Pollentia, but everything was kinda muted, and the Gemma is a harder to detect even for me."

Leaning back Calvert toned out the resulting argument between Saturn and Armsmaster, it didn't look like the situation would be rectified anytime soon. While he didn't know who had sent the Saturn look alike, the girl at least wasn't going to be a threat.

Reality A: Coil was annoyed, the reports he was receiving were more chaotic than he had desired. Trickster had grabbed the Saturn double right in front of Armsmaster, and now the fool hadn't called. His agent inside the E88 had sent him a text that he and a group of other gang-members were readied to support Hookwolf, Rune, Crusader, and Cricket. The E88 capes had already been deployed by Kaiser and apparently had a good lead on The Traveler's location. Unless they were protected, something like Genesis' form would stick out like a sore thumb to Cricket's echo-location.

Coil didn't want to risk the Travelers but the there were too many things outside of his control and the temptation of the expected rewards was too much to call everything off. Sending a text back to his man in the E88 he ordered him to kill the girl that looked like Saturn if he got a good opportunity in a public place. He sweetened the order, promising, protection, a new identity, and a two million dollar retirement. Coil didn't plan to actually pay the man, he would need to disassociate himself from Saturn's death in every way, and dead men would tell no tales.

He was getting a bit anxious, and sent a text to Trickster right about the time when his connection to the PRT reported a cape fight between the E88 and the Travelers. Dauntless and Aegis had been patrolling the area looking for Saturn and were moving to respond. The villain began to ponder his other options, if the girl didn't die he could still give the PRT a major hit to their reputation. However, if the Travelers suffered any losses he might need to simply drop this time-line and see if he could make any major gains from his safe reality.

He was listening in on the PRT radios when suddenly his 'safe time-line' was suddenly cut. He spent several moments dumbfounded before he split time-lines, in both he immediately locked down his entire base. One of his selves ran off to his pet, the other continued to listen to the PRT as worrying reports filtered in. Something odd had happened, this had only occurred when he was dealing with trumps or a power precog was working against him. Now with this malfunction, he was stuck in a potentially disastrous time-line!

"Pet get up!" Coil snapped shaking the girl lucid from her drug hazed state. "What are the chances of trouble arising here in the next hour!?"

"Wha.." The girl grumbled.

"Answer the question!" He yelled shaking her some more.

"Twenty-one point seven seven eight percent." She grimaced.

"What are the chances the girl that looks like Saturn would die if someone shot at her chest with a shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot from twenty yards away!?" He demanded.

"Ten point four-" His pet cut off as she hissed through her teeth grasping at her forehead. "Fifty point zero ze- no!"

Coil was concerned, but not for her obvious pain as she curled in on herself. "Pet what's wrong?!"

"The numbers keep changing when I think of her! Sh-she, oh go-!" She sputtered before rolling to the side of the bed and heaving. She gave a pitiful pained groan as he stomach fought to expel less then a mouthful of bile. It took her several moments for her to recover, before coughing a few times and spitting away the residue.

"I need you to answer more-" Coil started before the girl cut him off.

"Seventy point nine- no." She stopped with a grimace, before rubbing her head and continuing. "Eighty-two point zero one one percent that the Earth is destroyed in less than a year."

Coil's breath hitched, and a cold bead of sweat ran down his spine.

As The ENE Wards approached the largest conference room they noticed that it was nearly filled to the brim with capes. It took them a few moments of searching for them to find enough empty seats to sit together.

"This is a bit crazy." Kid Win muttered. "I didn't think you saw this many capes outside of an A ranked threat or higher."

"Yeah, Alexandria and Legend are here, I wonder if Eidolon is going to show up?" Vista agreed with a whisper as she nodded toward the front where, the two members of the Triumvirate were talking with Armsmaster and Dragon in one of her smaller suits. Looking around the room, almost all the independents that had been in the bay had gathered. The majority of the Brockton Bay Protectorate were already there, and it looked like at least one member from every Protectorate branch was as well. The entirety of New Wave was present, and Gallant was with them whispering to Glory Girl.

"Dang it, come on!" Clockblocker hissed as he fiddled with his high-tech Wards smart phone.

"What's wrong?" Browbeat questioned.

"PHO is on fire, seriously, I think the servers are melting down as we speak." He growled as he quickly ran his fingers along the screen. "I'm having a hard time loading stuff, and I can't get the link showing a video of Saturn fighting to work."

"It may have been blocked." Aegis interjected, his ability to speak having recently been restored by Panacea.

"This is the internet, nothing is ever truly gone." Clockblocker countered.

"I agree with Clock." Kid Win nodded. "I doubt any PR department is a match against the army of internet trolls. If the video got out, it might have been slowed down but it will be back."

"The problem is that without the context of the video, I don't get why everyone is freaking out. They're calling Saturn a magical girl, sure her outfit is a bit frilly, but I doubt anybody that kills Endbringers would be called that." Clockblocker grouched.

"Have you seen the reaction from the cultists?" Kid Win asked. "The user Saturn Priest was going crazy. He got banned but that didn't stop him, he was up to Saturn Priest4 and then the trolls got involved. At least I hope it is mostly trolls. There is now Saturn Priest5 through 500 something, proclaiming the return of the death goddess. Some are even proclaiming Void Cowboy as a prophet, it's weird."

"PHO mods will handle it." Aegis sighed. "It might take them a while, but they've always been able to deal with the crazies."

As they were waiting another two capes entered. One was a giant of man that regardless of the weather looked to be wearing mostly shaggy black furs in a rugged wild man look. Following in his wake was a waif of a girl in a blue costume with a large blue mirrored visor covering her eyes.

"Look it's Papa Bear and Baby Bear, they helped bring in Ballistic earlier today." Aegis whispered, indicating with his head.

"No!" Vista hissed. "She's Electro Mistress, only her dad calls her that when she isn't around. She threatens to join the Wards if she hears him call her that."

Armsmaster cleared his throat, indicating that they were ready to begin. As conversation died down, Gallant pulled away from Glory Girl and moved to join the other Wards.

"First, I would like to thank everyone for coming." Armsmaster greeted. "Considering the potential weight of the situation, it was agreed that this should be handled with absolute care. Just so there are no misunderstandings we are going to start at the beginning, please keep any questions until later." Armsmaster stepped back and nodded to Dragon as she stepped forward and gestured to the large screen in the middle of the front wall. A fairly close-up view of what looked to be Saturn staring up at something above her appeared on screen.

"I'm sure everyone already knows, but this is Saturn." Dragon declared in a very matter of fact tone. "She is the only Parahuman to have successfully killed an Endbringer. Because of her death after defeating Leviathan a threat rating was seen as unnecessary, however recent events have change that. Accurate information on her powers has been very hard to find and much of her threat rating is educated guess work."

The still image began to play, Saturn's voice flowing from speakers along the sides of the room. "My power is a little terrifying, it's one of the reasons this is my first time out. Once activated I bring Death to my target. It doesn't matter what, it could be a person, a city, a planet or an entire solar system. I guess, I sorta become the personification of Death and nothing will stop me from destroying my target." The video paused, and several capes had shocked expressions as the looked around at the reactions of the others.

"I personally recorded this interaction with Saturn. Until now it has only been seen by a handful of people, as it was deemed unnecessary knowledge. As you just heard, in her own words, Saturn had a truly terrifying power." Dragon said in a grave tone. "It was a very good thing she was a hero."

"It is mostly from my interactions with her we are basing this threat assessment. In all honesty many analysts fear that the normal ratings fall short in Saturn's case, however I feel they will do for now."

The image changed to a looping video of Saturn speaking with a pair of police officers. She looked over a piece of paper before turning and leaping onto the roof of a two story building.

"This is one of the first recordings of Saturn, taken before Saturn arrived at the Parahuman rally point." Dragon spoke with a gesture. "We believe that this is an example of her normal powers before she activates her final power. With my interactions with her, we are able to guess at other details of her powers."

The video didn't change but Saturn's voice again came from the speakers. "Some sort of built in changer ability, these clothes are part of my powers; no mask. Which is another reason this is my first time out."

"She later clarified that she was unable to add a mask to her attire." Dragon clarified. "With what we can guess about her base powers we would rate Saturn a tentative Changer 6. Because of other observations, her changer powers would come with multiple sub-categories. Mover 2, and brute 3 are simple guesses of her enhanced strength and movement. Her costume has some interesting complications with a striker 1 for its hydrophobic properties, and a stranger -1 for the inability to wear a mask. Lastly would be the weapon her power gives her, something we do not know any details of and rate a cautious striker 4. Be aware that these are mostly guesses and our analysts agree, that with so little information these ratings are shaky at best."

The image changed again, silently playing a well known video of Saturn raising her weapon into the air as a purple beam of light surrounded her.

"This is where all of our standard rating calculations fall short." Dragon sighed. "We can only assume that this is Saturn's aforementioned final power. The hypothesis we have is that once activated Saturn enters a breaker state. From basic observations this breaker state come with sub-classifications that would rate her the most powerful Parahuman ever witnessed, and we do not know if what we observed is the limit of her powers. Guessing from her fight with Leviathan, and events afterwards her sub-ratings of her breaker state are Brute 10, Striker 10, Thinker 7, Trump 7, Mover 6, Shaker 5."

Dragon paused to let the capes in the room to understand numbers. "Details regarding these ratings will later be available to those that have the required clearance. If she was hostile the Earth might no longer exist, as such Saturn would rank as a S-class threat if not more so."

After her chilling statement Armsmaster stepped forward. "While these posthumous ratings seem superfluous, that might have been true until the events earlier today. At approximately 10:45 local time The PRT received several reports of a girl with an identical appearance to the deceased Saturn. Myself and Gallant responded and confirmed the reports."

He jerked his head as the screen changed again, showing a girl in a purple gown with an odd symbol on her forehead. "We confronted this individual, and asked for her identity. She claimed to be Saturn, professing confusion because she woke up in a park and knew she should be dead. My tech as well as Gallant's powers identified it as a true statement."

The screen changed showing a side-by-side picture of Saturn and the identical girl with a symbol on her forehead.

"As you can see, the similarity is obvious to both casual observation as well as facial recognition. The only major difference is the symbol on her forehead, which we have identified as the astrological symbol for the planet Saturn. It is unknown at this time how that correlates to the events that followed." Armsmaster stiffly directed at the images with his halberd. "Before we could take her to a secure location and question her more, a team of villains know as the Travelers swapped her with an air conditioner. Despite calling in additional resources to the area we were unable to locate her. It wasn't until later when we received reports of a cape fight between the Travelers and E88, that we were able track her location." Armsmaster nodded at the screen again as it changed to show what look security camera footage. "This is a collection of videos collected from a local shopping district. This footage is mostly why we are reacting with all due caution, instead of being treated as a relatively simple case of copied identity."

The screen played footage of the girl in the purple dress running into a department store, and hiding in a rack of clothing. The playback split into multiple videos showing E88 gang-members running into the store as scared customers ran towards the exits. After a few minutes of chaos one of the images showed Vector and Heat Sink arriving, and engaging a group of nazis at one of the entrances. The E88 gangers fired their weapons at Vector, bullets stopping and falling from an invisible shield less than an inch in front of the cape.

The fight was interesting, but most of those gathered were watching what was happening with the girl in purple. She didn't look to have any powers as she ran though the store in an almost satirical fashion. It wasn't until the girl became trapped between Crusader and the independent duo that things became really interesting.

The various split images showing multiple happenings in the store collapsed into two videos, one still looked to be the security footage. The other image appeared to be a helmet camera from Heat Sink. It was with a mix of reactions that the gathered capes witnessed the girl's sparkly transformation into Saturn. However it was Clockblocker that was the most vocal.

"Oh my god! She actually is a magical girl!" He gasped, but then immediately tried to hide, as he sank down in his seat.

"Clockblocker!" Armsmaster barked, glaring at the younger cape under his command. The image was frozen on a picture of Saturn standing with her ornate weapon, and an angry look on her face.

He gestured and the video continued showing Saturn fighting Crusader, and eventually showing her tussle with Rune. The security cameras were often pointed too low to properly record the fighting, but what they did catch showed Saturn's impressive fighting style that many in the room remembered. The video paused when the fighters moved into the food section that wasn't covered by a camera, and Armsmaster cleared his throat again.

"The rest of the incident was handled by PRT agents, mostly cleaning up E88 gang-members. The individual matching the description of Saturn went onto the building's roof where she had a minor interaction with Aegis before Legend arrived on scene." The skilled tinker, glanced over to Legend before summarizing. "This individual is obviously a cape, her odd changer power matches Saturn's costume exactly. It still may have been a fabrication, however, my combat analysis tech identified a match between fighting styles. The only distinction, was a vast difference between the speed and strength observed during fight with Leviathan, and today with the E88."

"As best as we can tell, this girl is Saturn." Legend stated as he stepped forward. "Unless proven otherwise, we are are acting under the assumption that this is Saturn. Resurrection is not unheard of regarding powers, and while there haven't been any cases of such after this long we can't rule it out this isn't a subset of her powers. There is also a possibility of a third party being involved in her return, but at this time we just don't know.

"Several things have happened that make this situation all the more complicated. From the little interaction we have had with her, Saturn seems to be confused and distrusting toward capes." Legend ran a hand through his hair, as he took a breath and continued. "Thanks to the efforts of several independent capes Crusader and Ballistic were taken into custody. Crusader was uncooperative, but Ballistic was non-combative and during questioning gave us information regarding his interaction with Saturn. She was calling herself Princess Saturn, which while odd, adds to what she said during her changer power, as well as what might be the most surreal event of today. During my encounter with Saturn she was visibly upset, and I was unable to calm her down. She suddenly activated her power and was surrounded by the iconic purple energy that is indicative of her power and called out Planetary Teleport. She disappeared, and all resources the Protectorate had available have been unable to find her location. Our think-tank Watchdog has been surprisingly unreliable, we aren't entirely sure why, but almost all information from our thinkers could be considered suspect. Magic 8 gets vague results like Concentrate and ask again, or Better not tell you now. Nutcracker keeps trying to unravel any details but says he doesn't have enough information, and Appraiser rates the situation as octarine; whatever that is."

Legend sighed and Dragon stepped up again.

"After I was made aware of the situation, I acted on a hunch and requested a change of viewing times from several telescopes in advantageous locations. Saturn has a particular theme that either her power or she operates from. I requested the telescopes direct their attention at Saturn, the sixth planet of our solar system. I expected nothing to be detected, and that I had simply made some donations to the study of astronomy, however that was not the case. S.A.L.T. the South African Large Telescope was able to catch something interesting. Titan, Saturn's largest moon was in prime viewing position, and they detected a slight increase in the moon's luminosity. The change was technically minuscule, but their instruments are extremely sensitive. Three instances of increased light were detected, with the last being the most energetic. They were even able to detect the frequency of the light and determined that it was a purple light as indicative of Saturn's power. It is of my opinion that Saturn is on Titan, and that the PRT might need to attach Mover 10 to her threat rating. As of right now that is the known situation with Saturn, Legend thought it best that everyone here Brockton Bay be informed because it is likely she will return here, if she does return."

The capes peered around at each-other, some were astonished, other were clearly worried.

"Do we know what caused the bursts of light?" Lady Photon spoke up, being the first one to ask what many were thinking. "Or how she is surviving on Titan? I doubt a miniskirt is considered protective clothing for a moon near the outskirts of the solar-system."

"Titan is actually considered one of the solar-systems nicer locations. It has an atmosphere where you wouldn't need a pressure suit, the biggest problem would be the lack of oxygen and extreme cold. Despite the dangers, there are several known brutes that could handle the conditions on the moon. However, since we know so little of her powers we don't know how Saturn is surviving." Alexandria answered, speaking for the first time. "What she might be doing on a moon approximately 900 million miles from earth is unknown. The blast of light could be her trying to blow off steam, practicing, or she might even be trying to get our attention because she accidentally got herself stuck; we just don't know."

"So if she does return what do we do?" Papa Bear asked, his deep voice carrying easily through the room. "Best for a confused girl to have someone to talk to, doubly so for a girl with powers; or triple for an S-class interplanetary Princess."

"As for now, we honestly want to bring her in for everyone's safety." Legend sighed. "As you said, she's confused having somehow returned from what everyone thought was her death. We cannot have her influenced by hostile organizations like the E88, something they have already attempted. It is of the highest priority she is brought in for her safety as well as the safety of all life on planet Earth. Even if she can't destroy the planet anyone able to kill an Endbringer isn't someone you want scared, angry and confused."

"That is quite a sobering thought." Manpower grunted. "Has the girl's father been informed?"

"Yes." Legend informed. "He was vacationing on Okinawa, and was understandably confused and angry. We put him on a fast jet back to the states, after he threatened to start swimming back."

Another cape started to ask another question when Dragon cut in. "Excuse me, I have just received something that would interest everyone. I just picked up a systems error alert from Sphere's defunct moon base. There are actually several systems still up and running out there, it's that just most of the critical ones, such as life support were never built. An outer door failed, and I was able to connect to a camera inside the base."

The screen changed, showing what looked like the still image of a large circular door. Suddenly a familiar curved blade pushed through a seam in the middle. The video was laggy, seemingly taking one image every half second, but everyone could see the door slowly open. Saturn was seen through the gap, using her polearm to pry her way in. The girl stepped in and flicked her hair back with a hand, the locks fluttering slowly down in the lessened gravity before passing under the camera and out of view.

"That was a near vacuum she just came in from, and the inside isn't close to life sustaining either." Dragon sighed, seeing Saturn casually walk in wearing her somewhat revealing costume. "I'll let everyone ponder what changes need to be made to her power ratings while I try to see if I can find some means of communication with the old base."

As Dragon walked swiftly from the room, a buzz of mutters slowly filled the room. Most of the capes expressed a mix of worry, exasperation or amazement.

"She's the most hard core magical girl ever!" Vista exclaimed with a giggle, before she blushed and glared at her fellow Wards. "You heard nothing.."

"Heard what now?" Kid Win asked.

"Exactly." Vista growled.

Clockblocker glanced suspiciously at the other boys in the group. "What's the bro-code for calling dibs in a situation like this? Cause dibs."

Last edited: Jan 28, 2019

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MrStarbuck

Jan 26, 2019

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Threadmarks 2.1 A Quiet Return

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MrStarbuck

MrStarbuck

Feb 8, 2019

#282

As I looked around the inside of the derelict Moon base I couldn't help but sigh, it was nearly as empty and lifeless inside as it was on the outside. I had decided to come here to relieve my boredom and to see the sights. My quest to the moon had gone just as I had feared, sadly I didn't find any evidence of a magical kingdom. I was alone, and for now I would have to suck it up and deal.

As I explored the base the muted sound of my footsteps traveled up my legs to my auditory senses. The only sounds that I could detect were the noises that traveled though my own body, and it was hard to ignore that I was still breathing despite the lack of air. It was a little odd having two sets of memories regarding space travel. With my Saturn memories I knew that I was literally being sustained and protected by magic, but it was still surreal. I was both having a new experience and not, micro-gravity was fun, but; no pun intended hard vacuum sucked.

For now I tried to focus on where I was, and the Moon base was sadly very bland. I noted that there was still some power as I saw lights working, although quite a few were flickering eerily. I could see why space sci-fi horror was so scary. The dim lighting and lack of sound combined with the sense of isolation created a very oppressive feeling. I wouldn't say the situation overly worried me, but I was on edge enough that I would likely nuke the entire moon if I saw a xenomorph.

There seemed to be a ring of corridors around the big dome that would have acted as the self contained biosphere. It looked like they didn't have too much longer until this place could have been more than a lifeless shell, it seemed a shame they abandoned the idea. Sure the tinker in charge went crazy, but you would think they would be able to do something with this place. The exposed wires and scattered tools promised a project with so much promise. Instead the place was left useless, empty and creepy.

The most interesting thing that I found was what looked to be a command center, complete with dozens of monitors and blinking lights. I poked around for a bit but all of the monitors looked to be running some dinosaur tech DOS prompt. The only code I could remember that might work only started a few old-school games, and I didn't feel like looking through any of the binders still in the command room.

A brief fantasy flickered through my mind of declaring this place as my fortress of solitude, but that was sad and depressing. It was like when I was a little girl, and I built the coolest snow-fort ever. I played hero, determined to defend the fort from all evil doers. However, in the end I was left cold, lonely and hungry, eventually abandoning the fort to go back home. It had been a long day for me, I was tired and hungry and this place didn't have any space snacks.

I didn't want to go home, but I didn't have a way to magic up food so my options were limited. That thought brought up other decisions, what to do once I got back. From the interactions earlier in the day my identity was well known, so living a normal life was going to be hard. Could I even have a life when I would have to die to kill another Endbringer, did I even want to fight anymore? Sure, I knew that I was supposed to be a defender of the star system, but my power was a last resort. Also, I wasn't completely recovered from whatever had brought me back. My magic still felt a little weak, I didn't think that I could even use my final power if I wanted to. Honestly it was probably for the best, I had been foolish with my powers before.

Looking back with the clarity of both memories I'm surprised I didn't destroy half a continent, even if I was holding back it was only thanks to Leviathan's multidimensional nature that saved the eastern seaboard. If I really had to use my final power I could only hope the Simugh was out on some planetoid nobody liked. I decided that whatever happened I would play it by ear. I wouldn't solve anything being overly worried. I felt a bit jaded and didn't feel like doing any hero-ing right away, so I wouldn't rush into anything.

Taking a deep breath I tried to center myself before releasing it explosively. Drawing upon my magic I reached my senses out to the earth, this would be a lot more precise if I could get a better fix on where Brockton Bay was. I had a vague memory of one of the other guardians taking care of the finer details of teleportation, but I should be able to get the general area. "Planetary Teleport!" I chanted, letting my magic suffuse me, pulling me back... home.

I appeared in a quick flash of light, and immediately surveyed around my surroundings. If my shaky memory was correct, I think I had landed on the top a building somewhere near the business sector downtown. The last trace of the sun was sinking over the horizon, and scattered lights showed the inside of several nearby office buildings. Taking a moment to think I recalled that my house should be north of here, so with a few steps I was off jumping between buildings. A light ache slowly filled my heart as my leisurely pace brought me closer home; I didn't know what to expect once I got there.

My path was interrupted as I needed to cross the street and I wasn't confident leaping the full way, so I moved toward an intersection. I hopped down and landed on top of the metal pole holding the traffic lights, and ran across the metal cross section. I almost lost my balance when a loud screeching noise sounded from below me, but I caught myself and jumped away. Glancing back I saw that a car passing though the intersection seemed to have spun out after it had slammed on its breaks, and was now blocking the intersection but nobody seemed to be hurt. A part of me wanted to make sure everyone was alright, but I quickly suppressed that urge. I reminded myself that it wasn't my problem, it wasn't my job to fix traffic accidents. My job, my purpose for being was a much more grim affair.

Slowly the buildings became a bit smaller, transitioning from cold high-rises into a scattered amalgamation of homes and private businesses. I was so busy readying myself for the confrontation that I would have when I got home that I didn't notice someone approaching from above and behind me.

"Hey Saturn!" Someone called and I jumped, spinning my weapon around, blade readied toward a flying girl in white.

"Uh hi." She greeted again. She wasn't attacking so I nodded.

"Hello." I responded, not lowering my weapon. She wasn't wearing a mask, and I knew that was important. My memory was still fuzzy and I couldn't remember her name, so I guessed. "Glory Girl?"

"Do you see a skirt and tiara?" She scoffed apparently taken back by my guess, before twitching. "Uh- well, beside yours I guess."

"Excuse me." I apologized reflexively. Saturn's ingrained manners were second nature to her, and I found it was nearly instinctive to me as well. Taking a breath I tried to relax while explaining the situation. "I am having issues remembering things, I did not wish to offend you. You try being dead for a while and your memories coming out unscathed. I don't even know how long I was dead."

"Oh- um, yeah, I guess that's pretty harsh. Uh, you were dead for nearly a month." She muttered before she seem shake herself and floated down, settling on the roof a comfortable distance away. "I'm Laserdream or if you want, you can call me Crystal, Glory Girl is my cousin."

I lowered my weapon and gave a short curtsy, before stopping myself. "Princess Sa- uh, you can call me Taylor." I sighed, rubbing my forehead.

"Oh wow, that Princess thing wasn't a joke, wait sorry! I'm not trying to make fun of you!" She quickly apologized, waving off her rudeness. "It's just really odd, I didn't mean to- Sorry, I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through."

"Yeah." I muttered and turned to leave. "I'm still figuring it out."

"Wait!" She yelped. "Uh, where are you going?"

"Home." I answered without turning around, before a thought struck me. "At least, I think this is the direction my home is in."

"Uh, yeah I think it is, but you don't want to go there." She muttered uncertainly.

"Why not?" I asked annoyed and slightly concerned. "I've had a very bad day, I'm tired and hungry. I have to go home and see my father and figure out if I'm grounded for the rest of this lifetime!"

"Oh well, I was in a hero meeting and your dad isn't around, he was on vacation." Laserdream said. "So if your hungry why don't we go out to eat, there's a restaurant row not too far away. In fact there's this great pizza place nearby."

"I don't have any money." I sighed. "My magic costume is lacking in pockets."

"My treat, I insist!" Crystal interjected.

I was about to decline when my stomach rumbled traitorously. "I guess I am quite hungry." A blush colored my cheeks.

"The pizza place offers private room for capes, so we wont be gawked at."

"That would be appreciated, thank you."

"Alright then follow me." She smiled, and hovered away slowly, leaving me to follow.

It was a bit morosely that I complied, having to quicken my previous pace to keep up with her uninterrupted flight. As she flew she constantly looked back as though checking to make sure I was following. It didn't take long for us to reach a section that was lined with restaurants along either side of the roadway. Crystal descended, landing near a building colored in the red, white and green of the Italian flag.

"Here, this place is run by this guy named Antonio." The New Wave cape said as I jogged up. "He's like one of the most stereotypical Italian guys alive, pretty sure he plays it up a bit though."

She pushed the door open, the sound of the bell ringing loudly as she entered.

"Mamma mia, if it isn't the fantisimo Laserdream. What-a brings you into my store-" I heard him greet her brightly, but as soon as I stepped in behind her his voice sputtered to a stop and he continued in a much more subtle accent. "Cazzo, Saturn!?"

Looking around the establishment it was fairly compact, but could still seat dozens of patrons. There was an open view into the kitchen where a few chefs worked dough around several brick ovens. All movement and noise stopped when Antonio said my name. There were a few patrons sitting around the tables, they all had wide eyes and a few had pieces of pizza inches from their mouths. The first person to make any noise was a small boy uttering "Wow!" He was missing one front tooth and tried to wiggle out of his booster seat before his father grabbed him. The family had two little girls that looked to be twins that also wouldn't sit idly by, as they too called out my name. A faint smile tugged my lips, I didn't want attention but I couldn't blame them.

"Uh, can we have a private room?" Crystal whispered.

"Y-yes of course." Antonio uttered, bustling out from behind the barricade around the kitchen. Whispers broke through the silence and one patron pulled out a phone to click a photo before we made it into the back. The chef dusted some flour off of his hands as he opened up a door with a stained glass middle. Inside was a long polished wood table, that I guessed was for meetings, or parties.

"I heard some rumors but-" Antonio started solemnly, before he stopped and cleared his throat. His face brightened and he continued in the thick Italian accent that I had heard before I had entered. "It's-a good to see you back Saturn, mia mamma would be so proud that you chose to visit my restaurant. I make-a you the best-a pizza. You sit and relax, I make-a sure no-one bother you."

He left and soon after the door closed some rapid yelling in Italian could be heard filtering through the door.

"Sorry, I should have tried to see if we could have come in a back door or something, I guess I'm a bit star-struck too." Laserdream sighed, sinking into a chair. "Don't worry he will keep his word, it's not wise to mess with a bunch of Italian guys that spend half the day punching dough."

"I supposed I could see that logic." I agreed, sitting down and pulled a nearby chair closer so I could prop my glaive on it. There was a few moments of silence as we settled in.

"That weapon is pretty cool, can I see it?" Crystal asked gesturing to the Silence Glaive.

"No!" I yelped, snatching up the weapon. It took me a second to pull back from my jerk reaction. "Sorry, its just- watch."

Setting my weapon that my blade faced up I grabbed a paper napkin from a basket and held it over its sharp edge. Dropping the napkin it fluttered down, landing on the blade and continuing as though it didn't encounter any resistance. The napkin fluttered down to the floor landing into two cut pieces.

"Whoa." Laserdream uttered.

"It's dangerous for more than it's sharpness, and only I can do this." I said placing my palm on the blade and drawing it across in a way that should have cut, however after opening my hand I showed that my palm was fine.

"Oh? Is the weapon Manton limited?" Crystal questioned.

"No. It's only safe for me." I answered, vaguely remembering what that term meant.

"That's... neat." She said hesitantly.

"Not necessarily the word I would use." I muttered setting my glaive back against the chair. We spent a few minutes in silence before I thought of something that I wanted to know about. "Your family is New Wave right?"

"Yeah, well my family, and aunt, uncle and cousins." She answered, an uncertain look appearing on her face.

"How do you live a normal life with, you know everything." I asked honestly wanting to know, especially since I didn't know what I was going to do with myself. As a princess I had been somewhat separate from the rest of society. I was well respected for my position as ruler of Saturn, and also because of subtle fear of my power. It was slightly lonely at times but I didn't have to worry about my privacy being intruded upon. People would greet me if I was in public, but I was never crowded.

"Well normal isn't really something I would say we have." Laserdream shrugged. "For the most part people understand if you shake your head and wave them off. I mean sure, there's the type that get too enthusiastic at seeing us, or wont leave, but people with any sense don't want to get on our bad side. It also helps that my Aunt Carol is a lawyer so she keeps a lot of the crazies away, anything else with other capes the unwritten rules usually cover."

"Unwritten rules?" I questioned.

"Oh crap, you don't know about those?"

"Fighting Leviathan was the first time I went out. I didn't get much of a chance to learn anything after that."

"Oh yeah." She said sheepishly. "Well I guess I should get you up to speed. The basic rules are no exposing the secret identities of any cape, although I guess that applies less to you and I. What does help is that you aren't supposed to fight outside of costumes, no attacking a cape's family, and avoid killing. The unwritten rules are honestly guidelines that keep our line of work from becoming a full on bloodbath, the problem is that not everyone follows them."

"So what happens to those that break the rules?"

"Well it depends on what rule was broken. They're all sorta enforced internally on a case by case basis." She replied. "For example if someone kills another cape it's not uncommon that they will find themselves falling victim to a lethal accident. If you've killed another cape in the past, usually nobody holds back afterwards. There's also this big thing about reputation and back room shady business. So since you're not supposed to hurt innocents and a villain does on purpose, they often wont be able to do any business with any other cape. It's why crazy groups like The Fallen don't have a home base, nobody wants to deal with them."

I listened intently nodding at her explanation before a thought occurred to me. "They're the group that worships Endbringers, do you think I would need to worry about them?"

"I don't know, you did kill one of their gods, but I'm not sure if they're brave or dumb enough to pick a fight with you." Crystal answered with a half laugh. "Not to freak you out, but there's a group of people calling you a goddess. Although I don't think you have to worry, the majority are just some net trolls."

"They are arguably correct." I mutter, thinking on Saturn's memories. Many of the people of the Silver Millennium had called the royalty goddesses, and with our powers it wasn't hard to see why. Then the thought occurred to me that I hadn't thought on. I was still having problems with both sets of memories, but I felt like Saturn had lived centuries. If I was her, and she was me, was I immortal?

"What?!" She uttered apparently hearing me.

"What might you call someone who can destroy planets, and apparently has a hard time staying dead?"

"Oh." She blinked. "Well when you put it that way, yeah, I guess I can see why some crazies would say that. If you don't mind me asking, do you know how you came back?"

"I don't mind, but thank you for asking." I was starting to like Crystal, she was polite but still in a friendly way. She was older than, me but not by too much that it felt odd. It vaguely reminded me of dealing with the other planetary princesses, and it made my heart ache a little. "I don't know how I came back, it's been quite strange."

"That's probably the understatement of the year." Crystal laughed. "I don't have any clue how I would handle what you're going through. I fly around and shoot lasers, I don't have to worry about sacrificing myself to become the incarnation of Death. If it's worth anything; thank you, thank you so very much! You might not know it on account of being dead for nearly a month, but you've saved this city in more ways than one. My family has been fighting for years now, and the villains were slowly winning. When you chose to fight Leviathan you saved so many capes, and they were revitalized because of your sacrifice. Even without the help from the visiting indie capes, us locals have been fighting better than I can ever remember. It was getting too risky to go on patrols in more dangerous parts of the city, so we stopped going out to help as much; and it just got to all of us. My uncle has been depressed for years, just sitting in front of the TV sorta wasting away. But ever since Leviathan he's been going out almost every day, and its pulled him out of his funk. If there's anything that I can do to thank you just ask."

I was taken back by her heartfelt thanks. I hadn't thought about what my actions might have wrought for the heroes. I was still unsure what I was going to do with my second life, but I felt better; lighter. "You're already helping, thank you."

She smiled and we began to talk about some of the things that had changed in the city. Telling me about some of the fights she had been involved in recently, or how Leviathan's death had kick started a huge demand for shipping. The city had worked out some contract with a ship breaking company to deal with the Ship Graveyard. The company thought that they could refurbish the hull plating and beams to make new ships. They likely wouldn't be the best ships, but the world didn't need the best ships, it just wanted any ships.

We were interrupted when Antonio came back holding a large pizza in each hand. He was followed in by another two men one who was holding two more pizzas, and another with three pitchers held in each hand. "Scusate signore, I didn't want to interrupt so I brought you several pizzas and all the drinks we offer. I have a pepperoni, cheese, meat-lovers, and a special creation I call The Caligula, it's a little crazy; crazy good."

That joke presented in his thick accent was able to put a smile on my face and my stomach rumbled again upon smelling the delicious scents from the food. The chefs were quick in setting up all the food, and I appreciated their skill as the moved around each other setting everything for our convenience. I was remaindered of my previous retainers, skilled, swift and professional. They soon left us to eat, even as parts of myself warred as to how to eat pizza. I wanted to just pick up a piece and eat it, just like Crystal was already doing. However, it felt wrong to eat pizza with gloves on, and I didn't want to take them off; not that I really could.

In the end I fell back on pulling a knife and fork from a nearby basket and set a napkin on my lap. I knew that my gloves wouldn't get oils on them, but it was like trying to fight against years of training that demanded I eat properly. The pizza was delicious, I didn't know if it was simply very good pizza or my taste buds were overstimulated from their first taste of food.

Even though I knew my actions were odd Laserdream didn't say anything as we ate. The Caligula was strange, with cherries as one of the toppings, but I enjoyed it none the less. After eating we sat back enjoying full bellies and taking a moment to relax.

"So, what are you planning on doing now?" Laserdream asked.

"I suppose I will go home, like I originally planned." I shrugged. "Even if my father isn't there, I don't have anywhere else to go."

"You could come over to our house if you wanted." She offered. "I know you can take care of yourself, but it would be safer if you had a family of capes surrounding you. Also, not to pressure you or anything but I gotta offer you a place in New Wave. You already don't wear a mask, so we can help you with all the things that involves. We have experience with that, like with my cousin Amy or Panacea, she always has trouble with people bothering her because of her powers. If you want some help or just wanna hang out, all you gotta do is ask. I might not always be around, but I have two cousins around your age that can at least relate with you somewhat."

"Thank you, again." I smiled. "I don't know how long it will be before my dad comes back, but I really want to see my room again. I don't know how to really describe it, I want to see and feel like I'm really here."

"Oh- oh yeah." She muttered, dropping us into a state of awkwardness again.

I was just finishing up a glass of iced tea when someone knocked on the door. It was a little odd because Antonio hadn't knocked, and I placed a hand on my glaive.

"Hmm, I was wondering if someone would show up." Crystal whispered, before calling out. "Who is it?"

"Alexandria and Legend." A strong feminine voice answered.

"Well this is over my non-existant pay grade." Laserdream sighed, and gestured to me. "It's whatever you want."

"Come in." I called not knowing what else to do. The door opened and two people I could recall seeing the images of many times walked in.

It was almost by reflex that I stood up to give the visitors a curtsy. It was natural, they were both leaders and powerful individuals, they deserved the show of respect. "Greetings Alexandria, Legend I hope you are well today." The two gave the other a glance, and I blushed realizing my actions. I sat back down without saying anything else to embarrass myself.

"We're fine. The more important question is how are you?" Legend asked, his voiced filled with concern.

I took a moment to think about my response before I answered. "I am better than I was before, returning to my planet was helpful."

"Your planet?" Alexandria asked in a curious tone.

"Yes, it's my planet." I stated matter-of-factly. I could tell that they were skeptical but a part of me felt like I needed to hammer in my claim. "I know it might sound odd, but I am Princess Saturn, Sovereign of the planet Saturn. I fear that the details are complicated, but it's my planet."

The two members of the Triumvirate paused for a moment looking at each other however it was Laserdream that spoke next. "Complicated or not, you were the first person there after all. If you want to claim it as yours, I don't think anyone can really argue."

She shrugged and looked at Alexandria and Legend then quickly grabbed another piece of pizza, and took a bite to separate herself from the conversation.

"Yes, I guess so." Alexandria muttered. "How is Titan by the way? You weren't hurt were you?"

"It was quite cold, but my magic protected me."

"Magic eh, looks like we have another Myrddin." Legend chuckled.

"Oh yes, the wizard! I didn't think about him." My memory informed me about him. "Is there anyway I would be able to meet with him?"

"Are you a fan?" Alexandra asked, it bothered me that I couldn't see her face. She seemed to be studying me and without seeing her face I couldn't get a good read on her in return.

"Not particularly, I would say that you were my favorite cape." I answered. "However, it would just be nice to meet with a wise-man."

"That could probably be arranged at some time." Legend smiled. "If you wanted we could arrange a tour of the rig, and Protectorate building. I'm sure that there's a few heroes that would like meet you as well."

"Oh yes. That would be agreeable."

The two capes glanced at each other and Alexandria turned to Crystal. "Laserdream would you mind leaving us for a bit?"

"Oh, yeah I guess-" She started, but I spoke before she moved to stand.

"I would prefer that she stay!" I stated crisply. "She invited me here, and it would be extremely rude for her to leave. If you have business with me, then you may arrange a meeting to discuss it at a later time."

As I spoke my mind seemed to be pulling me in two different directions. I knew these were two of the most powerful people of the planet, and I should listen to them. However, my sense of decorum demanded that protocol be followed, and I didn't feel like dealing with any cape business tonight.

"I have had a very long day, and I wish to return home. It's been too long, and I want to see my house again."

The two glanced at each other and I saw Alexandria nod fractionally.

"Yes, I can understand. Do you need a ride home?" Legend asked.

"No, thank you." I replied standing up. "I will be able to get home by myself."

The two older capes nodded in understanding and smiled at me. "I suppose if its alright we will see you tomorrow, your father is on his way back from his vacation and should be back sometime around then."

I stiffened slightly but did my best not to show it. My eyes glanced at Laserdream who was finishing the piece of pizza she had grabbed. "That sounds agreeable, thank you. Perhaps Crystal might share some of this delicious pizza with you, it would be a shame for it to go to waste. However, I am finished and I believe I will take my leave. Crystal, thank you for the meal and your company, I will consider your offer about New Wave. Have a good evening." I turned and was please to notice that the two Triumvirate members send a studying glance at the older girl. I didn't expect I would join any hero group anytime soon, but it was best to keep my options open.

I excused myself with a quick curtsy, and stepped toward the door between Legend and Alexandria. Leaving the restaurant I was sure to thank Antonio on my way out. It was completely dark as I continued my trek back home. Jumping back to the rooftops I sensed that I was being watched. Scanning the area I couldn't see anyone, so I decided to try and shake any pursuers just in case. Picking up my pace I avoided simply running along rooftops. Instead I jumped from roofs and into alleys, and bouncing down narrow paths between buildings. I smiled as I moved through the city enjoying the freedom granted to me by my magical enhanced body. I had never been able to do this when I was simply Taylor. Yes, I had been able to run faster and jump higher, but I had been too scared to really push my power. With Saturn's memories I was moving with a fluidity that I hadn't possessed before, and I loved it.

It was only after I reflexively sliced through a near invisible cloths-line did I slow down. Feeling very embarrassed I stopped and quietly jumped to a nearby roof. I had cover a lot of ground and hadn't really noticed it, the business buildings had been left behind and now I wasn't too far from home. If I was correct it was only a few blocks away, so I jumped back down to street level where I deciding to use the sidewalk. I moved at a more subdued pace, not really pushing myself, but was still fast enough that my hair streamed behind me.

It was only a few minutes later when the sight of my home brought a smile to my face. Slowing to a walk I looked around, the feeling of being watched had left but I wanted to make sure. The street looked normal as far as I could recall, the only thing that caught my attention was an inconspicuous white van seemed to have that under-cover movie feel. It could be nothing but I wouldn't put it past the PRT to have a few agents watching my house to ensure nobody looted it for stuff they could sell on ebay. With the thought of my old underwear being hocked online, the idea of guards didn't bother me. As long as they didn't come into my house they could keep the creeps and cultists away as much as they wanted.

Going up to the walkway I noticed that the front step that had been rotted had been replaced. For something so little it caused my heart to clench, forcing me to question why I had come. Was it right for me to be here? Was I still the same girl that had left to fight Leviathan expecting to die and never come back? Was my dad really my dad, if I was a mix of Saturn and Taylor? Would he accept the changes that had occurred now that I had returned from the grave? I couldn't answer those questions and I knew nothing would change if I froze up.

Sighing, I hardened my resolve and walked up the steps. Climbing onto the banister I pushed myself up so that I could reach the gutter. My gloved fingers felt a small box that was magnetized in place. It was out of sight and if you didn't know it was there it shouldn't be found. Pulling it down I opened it to find an extra house key. Stepping down I slipped it into the lock and twisted, a wave of relief washed through me as the deadbolt clicked open. The worries that the locks had been changed weren't true. This was right, my memories were correct, I was home.

Quickly replaced the key and box I opened the door. Nostalgia almost overwhelmed me as the familiar smell of the house filled my nose. My beloved castle was either long gone or hadn't existed, but here was still the home one of my halves had always known. A burden I didn't know I was carrying fell off me as I locked the door and ran a hand across the nearby wall.

"The distinguished Saturn returns at last. I have been waiting much longer than I had wished, and I am not a patient man." A deep accented voice rumbled from the middle of the living room, and yanked me away from my rumination. I gasped slightly as I brought the Silence Glaive up defensively. It was dark inside, the only light was filtering in from the orange toned streetlights outside. However I was able to make out the outline of a broad shouldered man sitting on the couch only three steps away. "I used up the last of my favors to make this meeting possible, I will not have that be for nothing."

Reaching over I flicked on a light and was glad that the house's electricity hadn't been shut off. Sitting on my couch was a man wearing a metallic dragon mask, his arms were crossed over his tattooed chest.

"Lung." I stated with a half growl, not lowing my weapon a millimeter. "What are you doing in my home?"

"At this moment I am here to talk." He rumbled, the muscles of his arms bulging. "My plans could change after that."

I was very angry that he was here, but didn't wish to start a fight in my own home. I knew he was dangerous; however, for the moment he wasn't hostile. Begrudgingly, I remembered my manners; while I wouldn't call him a welcome guest he was here now, so I was technically a hostess.

"Very well, would you like some tea while we talk." I asked, keeping my tone as neutral as possible.

He seemed to relax slightly. "Yes. Green tea if you have it." He answered, a predatory grin evident in his tone.

Last edited: Feb 9, 2019

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MrStarbuck

Feb 8, 2019

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Threadmarks 2.2 I Am Fire. I Am Death

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MrStarbuck

MrStarbuck

Apr 13, 2019

#367

I fumed silently as I quickly fixed the tea. I was still struggling with returning from the dead and Lung had to complicate things by invading my home. Luckily things hadn't changed much in the month I had been away, and the cupboard was still stocked with a variety of teas. So I begrudgingly played the hostess, heating up the water all while keeping Lung in the corner of my eye and one hand on my weapon.

"I must confess, that you're visit isn't entirely welcome." I began, as I reached for some mugs. "I've recently learned that there are some sort of unwritten rules among capes, and while I don't want to accuse you of anything it would seem to me that you would be in violation of them by coming here."

"A flimsy shield for the weak to cower behind." Lung grunted. "They are easily forgotten guidelines, that many on both sides ignore when it's convenient. Regardless it is easy to manipulate the rules or topple their ideals, all while still adhering to them."

"How so?" I questioned as I gathered all the tea essentials onto a serving tray.

He grunted again as he reached up to his mask and with a few clicking noises he removed it to show a harsh but distinctive angular face looking back at me. "By showing my face to you it could be viewed as satisfying the rules, I broke into your house so this could be considered compensation."

"Ahh." I nodded understanding his simple point. I was distinctively reminded of the Silver Millennium, and the power games some of the nobility like to play at court. "Currently your identity is worthless to me. Like when Fleur was murdered by a member of the E88 and while the murderer was killed to satisfy the rules, the exchange was still severely in the E88's favor."

The tattooed man's only response was a sharp nod as I set the tray between us and took a seat across from him. We spent a few moments in silence as we prepared our own tea. I knew that if this meeting had been proper I should be preparing my guest's tea, but I could hardly call him a proper guest. Instead I spent the short time I had studying him. He was physically quite impressive, but it was his mannerisms that I focused on. He seemed to be rushing himself as he prepared his tea, and while he kept his eyes on me his head twitched to listen to every sound that filtered in from outside. As best as I could tell he was on edge, and not just from me.

"So, you wished to talk." I said crisply keeping my weapon firmly in hand.

"Yes, your power is too great for you to be ignored." Lung spoke as and took a draft from his steaming teacup that would have likely scalded my mouth. "I have been in a similar situation, others will promise you much if you enslave yourself to their cause. Next they will attempt force, and you will either bow or fight; you will never be free. However, if you follow me I have experience keeping at bay those that would put you in chains."

"A gracious offer." I nodded amicably. "However, I am not planning on joining any faction at this time."

"You do not have time to waste." He said glancing up at the window. "They are already moving, making plans."

"Forgive me, I don't know the details of cape etiquette and interactions. Currently, I am in a position where I can hardly trust anyone, yourself included."

"Wise." Lung grunted, and took a breath. "But, you will join me."

"So your request is actually a demand then?" I asked narrowing my eyes, and tightening my grip on the Silence Glaive. "It seems foolish to try and force me to do something against my will, as you said I either bow or fight. I killed what you couldn't, not even when you were at your peak strength, why would you risk my wrath?"

"Do not try to trick me." Lung growled, but I could see a spark of jealously in his glare. "The price to triumph over Leviathan was great, and I know that as you are now; you are weak. I saw your fight with Rune, you could not defeat me unless you were to pay the same cost from before. But, we need not be enemies, my strength can protect your from those like the E88."

"So this is all for my protection?" I asked with a hint of sarcasm in my tone. "Forgive me if you do not strike me as a benevolent leader."

"I protect what is mine." He stated gruffly.

"That isn't what I've heard." I countered. "You've been losing to the heroes, and-."

"I do not lose!" He snarled. "I have only suffered some setbacks, and will return as I have always done twice as powerful as before."

"Then why do you need me?" I shot back and noticed that the temperature I the room was hotter than before.

"As I said, I saw the recording of your fight with Rune, I was unimpressed; I do not need you." Lung stated. "Without your final power, your strength is average at best."

"So you noticed my weakened state from earlier." I said trying to both obfuscate the truth, as well as fan his ego so I could get more info. "So your power hasn't faded completely, you must still have plants inside of the PRT?"

"Yes." He stated quickly, too quickly. Something told me that there was more that he didn't want to mention when he could be bragging about his influence. "I grow tired of this, there is no more need for discussion, you will join me or suffer my wrath."

"I am still having a difficult time understanding why you think I should be subservient. Do you really want to risk death if I'm forced to activate my final power?" I asked taking a sip of my tea. Something about our interaction was odd, and it tickled at my memories. Saturn had been playing court games from a very long time, judging people's reactions to learn hidden meanings had become second nature. If I could ask the correct question and read his reactions I might be able to find out why he was really here. "All this just seems foolish, are you being forced to come here?"

"No one has the power to force me to do anything." He bristled and the skin under his shoulders shifted slightly.

"So did someone else give you the idea to come here?" I asked on a hunch that if he wasn't forced to come here, the idea might have been suggested to him.

"Enough of your questions, there is no time! Get up, you are coming with me!" He growled as he stood, but his body language gave me insight to his state of mind. Lung was obviously angry, but he used that as a cover. The way he stood showed that he was tired, and his eyes glancing to the door said he was also worried.

"Oh, I see, you're desperate." I said, pausing for a moment to drink the rest of my tea as things fell into place in my mind. "I was wondering why you would make such a bold move to forcefully recruit me, it didn't really make much sense. Of course now it's understandable since you aren't acting completely sensible. You've been losing so much ground recently that it should just a matter of time before the heroes move to capture you despite your fearsome reputation, and you're not confident you will win this time. If you flee the city, you would lose your reputation that you've spent your entire time in Brockton Bay building, so your pride wouldn't allow it."

"If you wish to live, do not speak another word." Lung hissed.

"Please excuse my rudeness, but unless you care to correct me I think my conclusions are sound." I reply meeting his glare with my own. "You need me to join you, so that I can be your shield from the heroes. However, if I don't submit, you can kill me and the great Lung defeats the girl who killed Leviathan. If you push me, and I use my Final Power you would die in glory, taking me with you."

The temperature in the room had risen to uncomfortable temperatures, and wisps of heat were rising from Lung's form. "You talk far too much. If what you say is true you are left with two paths, either you bow or you die!" He growled his voice noticeably deeper.

"I see, however I will have to ask you to leave." I said standing with my weapon close. "A princess does not bow to the likes of you!"

He moved to strike just as I expected, throwing his body behind his fist, swinging to hit the side of my face. Pushing backward, I leaned back causing my seat to tip back; allowing me to roll and bounce to my feet. My maneuver gave me some space and readied my weapon as he thrust his hand and a stream of red flames billowed toward me. A swift sidestep allowed me to avoid the danger and I closed in, thrusting, I cut into his extended bicep causing him to yell in pain. In the confined space of my living room I couldn't properly use my weapon but I could still spin horizontally. Pulling the Silence Glaive back I spun it around my body, cutting a deep line near Lung's hip and sending the haft toward his cheek.

I had hoped a solid hit to his head would either stun him or render him unconscious so I wouldn't have to worry about his power growth. However, Lung proved to be just as tough as reported, and he took my strike like a champ. His head only jerked an inch or two before he glared and lunged at me with his uninjured arm. I wasn't able to pull back in time as he grabbed my lead arm at the wrist, before I could react he pulled me toward him, and kicked my legs out from under me.

There was a tussle for a few moments as he yanked me around keeping me off balance, all while trying to strike me kicks and knees. I wasn't going to simply let him pummel me as I twisted my body around to avoid any solid hits all while using my free hand to swing my glaive wildly at him. I must have grazed him with my blade, because he yelled and spun, pulling me off me feet causing me to smash a lamp before he thew me away. With a wave of confused vertigo I couldn't recover as I hit something with a shattering sound. I landed and rolled a few times before I pulled my feet under myself, and back flipped a few times to stop my momentum.

"You ass-hole!" I yelled, now that I had a moment to gather my wits, and I saw that Lung had thrown me through my front window! I had a few shallow cuts on my legs and upper arms where I wasn't covered, but it wouldn't slow me down. I was much more concerned by the 7 foot tall scaled Lung glaring at me from my living room.

Luckily for my house, Lung stepped through the broken front window to confront me on the lawn. Unluckily, I noticed a flickering light from behind him; my house was on fire. However, I couldn't do anything about my home as Lung charged me bellowing a war-cry. I stayed silent as I flourished my blade, setting myself in a stance prepared to meet him.

I sidestepped a gout of flame, and with a few quick paces I slashed at his hand. My blade cut with almost no resistance as I lopped his hand off, and continued my attack twirling around to cut of a leg at the knee.

Lung surprised me though, as with a small hop he pulled his legs up to his chest and dropped kicked me with both feet. I exhaled with a shrill squeak as I was launched back landing in the middle of the street and tumbling to a stop. I gasped, and with a cringe I forced myself to take a few steady breaths, Lung was most certainly strong. Jerking my head I flicked my hair out of my face as I got to my feet, Lung had grown another foot, now nearly 8 feet tall.

"Saturn, get clear!" I heard a voice yell, and noticed that my suspicions about the van had been correct. Three PRT agents were rushing over, while one yelled on his radio. "NEED BACKUP, ASAP! LUNG IS ATTACKING V.I.P, MOVING TO EXTRACT!"

One agent had a backpack that I recognized as a containment foam launcher and he sent a thick stream at the rapidly growing dragon-man waving the ejector back and forth in a wide snaking pattern. Lung avoided most of the fluid but a few globs landed on his legs, causing him to yell out in annoyance. The closest PRT officer reached me and pulled me toward him when Lung responded with his own ranged attack, his entire upper-body flared as he send a wave of fire at us. I was confident that I could evade but the troopers wouldn't have my speed, shaking my arm free of the well meaning officer I brought my weapon vertically in front of me.

"Silence Wall!" I chanted and a faint translucent purple wall intercepted the flames. As the fire swirled and slowly dissipated on the other side of my defense, it gave me a few seconds to decide on what to do.

"RUN!" I ordered, turning to the PRT agent that had tried to pull me away. Luckily he complied as Lung charged through the last wisps of fire and raked his now clawed hand across my defense. My magic easily held and I pulled back giving myself some more space. Lung was ramping up at a faster pace than I had heard on news reports, and I could now understand Lung's fearsome reputation. The hand that I cut off was already partially regrown and metallic scales were appearing all across his body.

Dropping my defense I rushed in ducking below his arms and running past him swinging. As I moved by I brought The Silence Glaive slicing across his upper leg, easily cutting through his femur. With a snarl he fell to the ground, only an inch of flesh holding his leg together. Before I could fully turn to attack his exposed back his form exploded, and I brought my arms up defensively. I stumbled back from the heat as fire flared brilliantly around him, and I saw him grasp his nearly amputated limb; pulling the slice together.

"Lung stop this, before I have to kill you!" I yelled my order, once I had escaped the oppressive aura of heat around him. I was slowly growing more concerned as Lung grew more powerful, if he wouldn't stop I would be forced to use my magic against him with all of it's inherent lethality.

"I KIRR OUU!" He growled while stumbling to his feet, the cut limb partially healed enough to put weight on.

Taking a deep breath I gathered my magic, causing a shimmer of purple light to surround me. "Death Ribbon!" I yelled, swinging my blade in a banishing motion that caused a streamer of purple energy to coil away from it.

Lung tried to avoid my attack but was still unsteady on his legs and my magic hit him slightly off center. The death magic wrapped around him before sinking into his body. As the light of my magic disappeared the fire surrounding his body sputtered out, and Lung fell to his knees. With a pained shaking hiss Lung fell forward and while he tired to catch himself his hands didn't stop him and he landed heavily onto his elbows. My boots clicked as I cautiously circled him, keeping my distance in case he was able to release any more bursts of fire. His body shook with the effects of my magic, and I found it ironic while he had come to make me submit, I wasn't the one bowing.

"Words can't truly describe what you just felt; can they?" I asked, my voice containing hints of anger, spite, and pity. "There's that cold emptiness, draining you of everything; that's what death really feels like. I won't need to become Death like I did with Leviathan in order to push you into that abyss; give up."

I was still pissed at Lung but the part of me that loathed my power kept me from striking him while he was down. I couldn't really read his scaly expression, but his eyes still held sparks of emotion as he raised his head and looked at me with fear and uncertainty. I was hopeful he would stop until I saw the fear in his eyes replaced by stubborn pride. With a deep rumbling growl fire sparked to life surrounding him and twisted into a swirling tempest.

I took a few cautious steps away as the ground shook as Lung roared in rage, and the red fire-storm brightened into a yellow-orange before a blast was sent in my direction. Rolling away I avoided the blast only for an unfortunate shrub behind me to catch fire.

"Death Ribbon!" I chanted sending another attack at Lung's form outlined by the flames. To my surprise Lung's shifted to the side dodging, before lunging toward me. I was barely able to bring my weapon up in time to catch his claws along the middle of pole's shaft. While I was uninjured the force behind the hit sent me stumbling back. Setting my feet I set the haft of my weapon on the ground and vaulted backward gaining more distance between my foe. Looking up, Lung was closing the distance at a worrying pace, so I turned tail and ran.

I needed to get somewhere were I could hit Lung with something he couldn't dodge, if my memory was correct there was a closed corner store about two blocks away. I didn't want to have any collateral damage, but it was a better option than someone's home. As I ran between two houses I felt a bloom of heat behind me, throwing myself into a roll a tongue of fire passed through where my head had been. I completed the roll and patted at my hair as I smelled an acrid scent and heard a faint crackling noise.

Glancing back I noticed that Lung was keeping pace with me, he even looked to be faster than me in a straight line. Pushing off a tree I passed I changed directions, using my momentarily superior agility to shake him off. I had to bat a few fireballs with a twirl of my weapon as he slowed digging his clawed feet into the ground, tearing up both dirt and rock as he followed.

A flicker of movement in the corner of my eye distracted me for a moment as I saw what looked like a group of people riding some sort of mutant dog lizard hybrids. I only caught a glance before a building obscured my line of sight, but it looked like they were following in a parallel path. I didn't have time to worry about them as I jumped over a shed only to hear a smash as Lung plowed through the little outbuilding.

I pushed myself, moving as fast as I could as we neared the corner store. I entered the store's small parking lot when something hit me from behind, knocking me clear off my feet. A spray of black rock scattered around me as I ungracefully flopped onto my stomach, and I only had a moment to realize that Lung had hit me with a chunk of asphalt that he had dug out of the street. I pushed off the ground but only made it onto my knees as I turned just in time to see Lung baring down on me. He was ten feet tall with sliver scales covering his large form, and he used two small, newly sprouted wings to increase his speed. They didn't look large enough to fly with but he still flapped them to help increase his speed.

"Silence Wall!" I yelped a millisecond before he would have crashed into me with enough force shatter my bones. As it was my barrier sprang into place just in time for Lung to flatten himself on my magical shield, and there was a loud whumph sound accompanied by the unpleasant noise of popping bones and cracking metal.

Scrambling to my feet I backed away as Lung slumped down as my wall disappeared. Lung's body was somewhat misshapen but from the rippling under his metal skin he was quickly recovering. As he pushed himself upright I jumped onto the corner of the store's roof.

"Lung!" I yelled at him, and despite my elevation his head was nearly at the same height as me. "Last chance! Give up or what I do next could very easily kill you!"

His only response was a deep roar as he straightened his arms and flared his wings. He wasn't going to stop unless I stopped him.

I took a deep breath and absentmindedly noted the sounds of sirens approaching. "Silence Glaive Surprise!" The head of my weapon glowed brightly as a bloom of purple light surrounded me spreading out to encompass the entire lot. Through the light I saw cracks forming along the building and surrounding cement and asphalt. Paint peeled and flaked away as my death magic sapped energy from everything it touched. Lung wasn't immune as he fell back to the ground and curled into a fetal position. While I didn't put much worth in the unwritten rules I still didn't want to deal with the complications of killing him. So as I saw Lung's bright metal scales dull I relaxed. The sphere of magic faded away and I hopped off of the corner of the building right before it crumbled under my feet.

Slowly walking forward I ignored the sounds of the store collapsing behind me. Lung was shaking and his breath was short and halting coming in an odd mix of gurgling growls. He shrinking slowly but surely as I walked closer, and while he was still much larger than me it looked like the fight was out of him. However, he surprised me and before I could speak he gave a frightened groan and pushed up himself up enough to raise a clawed hand at me. Reflexively I sprang forward and I drove the butt of my weapon into his midsection with as much force as I could. The dull scales I struck shattered and fell away, as he curled back on himself. I was not going to give him another chance as I spun away and raised my glaive high above my head and brought it down on his now exposed back.

The blade easily cut though the weakened armor on the back of his neck, and with a twitch he flopped motionless as I cut though his spinal cord. I made sure to keep the cut shallow and took a moment to examine the placement of my strike and to check if he was still breathing.

"If you can hear me do not try anything!" I hissed noting that he was still breathing, though it was even more ragged than before. "As long as my blade stays where it is you cannot regenerate, and so you will remain paralyzed. I don't know if you can still use your fire, but if I even feel a bit of heat I will not hesitate to decapitate you!"

He did nothing that I could interpret as a response, so keeping a hand on my glaive to keep it in place I looked around. My magic had done a number on the surroundings. The market's roof and most of the walls had fallen in, leaving only a skeleton of cinder blocks and steel struts remaining. The decorative bushes around the lot had died, drying up and turning brown.

In the distance I noticed a splash of color that stuck out from the surroundings. There was a girl in a purple bodysuit that had a camcorder pointed in my direction. She noticed my attention and gave a wave before she turned away stepping behind a building and out of view. It annoyed me that I couldn't follow because I had to keep my blade in Lung. However, I made a mental note to find out who she was and what she was doing here later.

Turning back to my foe I adjusted my weapon since his shrinking body complicated my initial cut. The sirens were louder now and I could hear them getting closer by the moment.

"Saturn!" A familiar voice yelled from above me and Legend swooped down his eyes filled with concern. "Are you hurt?!"

I looked down at myself and noticed that I was looking a bit worse for wear. From what I could see my hair was a mess, and my costume was scuffed with dirt and scorch marks. "I should be alright." I grunted, trying to reign in my frayed emotions as well as down play that now that the rush of adrenaline was fading I could feel all the aches, bruises, and minor burns I had received in the fight. I was a bit surprised when a waved of tiredness pulled at me, my arms and legs were heavy like I hadn't slept in two days. A stray thought occurred to me that I hadn't ever used my magic like that before and it had taken more than I was prepared for. The day had been long and my magic felt stretched, making me feel a tiredness that seemed to drag at something deep in my gut.

"Uh, good, and I guess excellent work dealing with Lung." Legend muttered as he looked around at the devastation my magic had wrought. "Is he going to live?"

"I'm not completely sure I care, he is quite tough. I figured he can't regenerate if something is keeping his spine severed." I say and adjusted my weapon again as he continued to shrink, looking more human as the dark scales were swallowed by dirty flesh. "I think he unconscious though, so I'm going to take this out?"

"Alright." Legend muttered uncertainly. "Beside, since I'm here if he does get up we should be able to deal with him together."

"Yes." I agreed crisply and carefully pull the blade out of Lung's spine. I frown in annoyance and embarrassment as I looked away from Lung's naked body. He looked so pathetic lying face down, his hair had turned bone white and his muscular frame from before seemed smaller. Flicking my weapon free of his blood I stepped away and remembered something important.

"My house!" I yelped and another rush of adrenalin shot through me and I took two quick steps back home before the jolt of energy faded and my legs turned to jelly. I ungracefully stumbled forward a few paces before I regained my balance using my glaive to help me stay upright. I wasn't going to make it back with any speed, and I looked back desperate for help. "Legend my house is on fire! Can you- or- I need- please don't let it burn down!"

"Wait Taylor!" Legend cut me off before I could work myself up further. "I would go if I thought I could help, my powers can extinguish flames but I would likely do just as much damage. Besides, there's already a fire truck on its way there already, hopefully it will arrived before your house suffers too much damage!"

"Oh... um, thank you." I muttered and looked down with a mixture of anxiety and embarrassment. I took a breath and walked over to a pile of cinder-blocks, that looked solid enough to not crumble if I sat on them.

"Are you certain you're not hurt?" Legend asked again as he stepped into arms reach, his hands out and readied in case I fell.

"I'm tired, I'm not dying!" I snapped and my boots kicked decayed chunks of asphalt.

"Sorry, I just-" Legend twitched and pulled away.

"No it's not-" I started, before I sat down and took a few moments to breath trying my best to sink into the mindset of a princess. "Forgive me, you do not deserve my ire, but as you know I've not had a good day."

"No it's alright." Legend nodded. "Lord knows I've had a few days where nothing goes right."

"Thank you." I said, trying my best to give him a small smile, although I'm sure I looked terrible.

Legend took a few steps away crouching over the downed villain. "Lung looks terrible, what did you do to him?"

"I hit him with my magic." I answered plainly. "Honestly, I'm surprised he's still alive, he's quit hardy."

"This is the result of your- um death magic?" He asked looking around at the ruined lot. "Will he recover?"

"My magic isn't very nice." I answered honestly, and I decided that I didn't need to explain any details from my fuzzy memories. I knew that I could have pushed that spell, and almost guaranteed his death, but there was a danger that I would have been swept up in the death magic as well. It wasn't a spell I wanted to use often. "I would think it depends on how his regeneration works, but if he doesn't I don't really care; he attacked me in my house."

"Yes,-" He frowned and anything else he was going to say was interrupted as the sirens that sounded to be coming up the street were suddenly at the street next to us screeching to a stop.

The doors in the back flew open and several PRT officers stumbled out in a less then professional order. "Dang it Vista!" An annoyed male voice yelled from inside as the troopers spread out securing the area. Some of the troopers moved over to me and Legend, and the veteran cape started to yell some orders about securing Lung. In the hubbub I patted at my skirt and ran my hands through my hair to assess how bad the damage was.

"What!?" I heard a young girl's voice gruffly question as I found the charred ends of a lock of my hair that hadn't survived Lung's flames. "You said you wished we could get there faster. It was a straight shot and I knew nothing alive was in the way."

"Whatever, at the very least you warn driver next time." The first voiced said as four capes piled out. Clockblocker, Vista, Assault and Battery looked around and started jogging over to Legend all while shooting glances my direction. After the heroes had a quick conversation with the Protectorate leader, Assault and Battery split up moving toward different PRT teams around the lot, Legend, Clockblocker and Vista walked toward me.

"Hello." I greeted as they neared, then quickly covered my mouth as a yawn escaped.

"Tired?" Vista questioned.

"Yeah." I answered, and a part of me recoiled from my lack of propriety. However, I was so worn down I was finding it difficult to stay in the mind frame of a proper princess. "I had intended to go home and rest. As it is I might need to find a sleeping bag and a lot of extra blankets, although I don't think a bath in liquid methane would be very relaxing."

"Wait, you don't plan to go back to Titan do you?!" Legend yelped, and registered that I had voiced my rambling thoughts.

"Excuse me." I mutter upon seeing Legend's shocked face as well as Vista's gaping mouth. "It just seemed to me that even if my house only receives minor fire damage I don't think it would be wise to go back there."

"You could come to the Wards HQ!" Vista interjected sharply. "We have everything you would need there, and it would be secure enough that you wouldn't need to worry about idiots like Lung!"

"Thank you for your offer." I nodded gratefully. "However, I really don't want to think about joining the Wards right now."

"You wouldn't need to agree to join." Legend interjected. "I'm mostly concerned about your safety, and I bet the Wards would be more than happy to accommodate you for an evening."

"Of course we would!" Vista cheered. "Right Clockblocker?"

"Princess Saturn, I would be our great honor to have as our guest." Clockblocker said stoically as he kneeled and bowed. I was thrown off by his action, and while I greatly suspected that he was joking, the royal in me appreciated the gesture.

I was so uncertain what to do, my mind was so scattered that I couldn't focus on any one line of thought; in the end I was left indecisive. Taylor knew that these were the good guys, and I should be able to trust them. However, Saturn's experience with politics and the conversation with Lung made me cautious of potential subterfuge. While I could potentially teleport out of any dangerous situation I didn't want to be put on the back foot, then thought occurred to me of a way to decline without being rude.

"Thank you very much for the offer, however Laserdream of New Wave already invited me to her house. I would be rude of me to take your offer, when she already invited me." I said succinctly, trying my best to slip deeper into my princess mindset. "I fear I might have to beg her cousin, Panacea for a checkup, Lung may have cracked a few of my ribs."

"Does my devotion mean so little to you my princess?" Clockblocker moaned grasping at his heart, and looked like he would continue when he yelped as Vista elbowed him in the shoulder.

"Lay off the ham Clock!" Vista hissed.

"How bold of you Clockblocker." I smirked at the interplay, and the tug of nostalgia reminded of when Saturn had been approached in similar overenthusiastic ways. "I don't think my father would approve of the ratio of boys to girls if I were to spend the evening with The Wards."

"Tell me about it!" Vista sighed, and then began to complain at length about how she was surrounded by testosterone all while dropping hints that she would be eternally grateful if I join her in The Wards. Clockblocker didn't let Vista's complaints about the team's gender imbalance stand without countering with his own thoughts. While I listened to the two I noticed that Legend had walked away, all while having his hand up to his ear. I knew plotting when I saw it, and it was dripping off of him.

"Princess Saturn's presence would always be appreciated, she doesn't need to join just for you." Clockblocker said, as he seemed to express himself in grand gestures since his face wasn't visible.

"Clock, I'm going to push you off a cliff!" Vista growled. "And before you ask what cliff, don't worry I'll make one!"

I couldn't help but smile from the other girl's threat when Legend returned. "So I think I have a solution that everyone should be happy with." He said, a confident smirk on his face.

"What do you propose?" I asked, unsure how I should handle the situation I was currently lost in.

"I was in contact with New Wave and they are more than happy to offer Panacea's services. I also mentioned that you were considering taking them up on Laserdream's offer and they were more than willing, but there was a slight concerned about security." Legend said not specifying whether it was him or New Wave that was concerned about security. "So I suggested that Panacea, Glory-Girl, and Laserdream all spend the night with the Wards. This way you can get Panacea to help any injuries and your father wouldn't have to worry about the ratio between girls and boys. Everything is covered, and you would have someplace secure to rest that isn't several million miles away."

The others looked at me expectantly and it seemed that Legend had covered everything. I would be hard pressed to think of an excuse that wasn't rude or would make me look unreasonable. There was also the fact that I was tired and in need of a shower, and a part of me did think that the idea sounded very nice. I didn't have the other guardians to fall back on, and spending some time with people that could partially relate with me was tempting. Eventually I sighed, I didn't want to fight, and would have to risk a bit of trust.

Before I could answer, Vista seemed to notice my indecision and spoke up. "Did I mention we have a jacuzzi bath?"

"Very well." I nodded, and couldn't help but smile because that did sound very, very nice. Using my weapon to help push myself to my feet, so I could take a short curtsy. "I will be in your care."

Last edited: Apr 18, 2019

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Threadmarks 2.4 The Calm Before...

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MrStarbuck

MrStarbuck

Jun 18, 2019

#399

Getting into the back of the back of the PRT van I couldn't help but smile as Clockblocker offered me a hand to get up in; it was sweet, in an eye rolling sort of way. Sitting down in the utilitarian seating, Clockblocker, Vista and Legend climbed in behind me before closing the door.

The door had barely shut before the van started up and began moving. "What about the others?" I asked, noting that the troopers, as well as Assault and Battery were left behind.

"They'll stay and get everything sorted out with Lung." Legend answered. "I just want to make sure that we get you somewhere secure."

I hummed and nodded, closing my eyes and leaning back till my head thumped against the thin headrest. Everyone was silent for a few minutes as the van quickly drove to our destination. I took a deep breath only to wince as my ribs sent a jolt of pain through me.

"Are you sure you're going to be alright?" Legend asked.

"No, but I'm not going to die or any-" I sniffed as I felt the bundle of my emotions come slightly undone, my eye growing moist. Looking down I found the cleanest section of my dirtied gloved to pad at my eyes. "Sorry, but I just can't-, I just wanted to go home and feel normal."

I struggled to pull myself back together as I battle with my emotions and embarrassment of being on the edge of breaking down in front of the heroes.

"It's alright." Legend said in a calming tone. "Sometimes the weight of being a hero gets to me too, you don't have hold it in."

"It's unbecoming of a princess." I argued and felt foolish the moment I said it.

"Forgive me Saturn, but can I ask why you're calling yourself a Princess?" Legend asked cautiously.

"No, its alright." I paused for a moment trying to think of the best way to explain. "Have you ever had a dream so vivid that when you woke up you were convinced it was real?"

I saw the three nod before Vista spoke in a shy tone. "I had a dream that Hookwolf was attacking my home, and when I woke up I jumped out of bed and nearly hit the panic button on my Ward phone before I realized it was a dream."

"Well, when I guess- I woke from the dead today I sort of had a dream like that, but it was more of a vision or something." I explained, trying my best to put it into words, not just so that they could understand but so that I could understand myself. "I can't remember everything perfectly, but it was all so real that I can't see it as anything but truth. I was a princess of Saturn in an inter-planetary empire, and I remember names, places and events from that life. What's more is that I woke up with skills and knowledge that I hadn't possessed before. I mean all the sort of cliché princess stuff, like how to dance or courtly etiquette. I've never actually touched a real violin but I know how to play one, and from my memories I'm really good! All of it just kinda boggles my mind, because I've never used the attacks I used against Lung. Do you know that I can feel the position of Mercury, or any of the planets because I can sense their magical auras. It's so hard to explain, and it still sounds insane but I know it's all correct!"

"Whoa." Clockblocker uttered. "Forgive my foul mouth my princess, but powers are bullshit!"

"Ignoring Clockblocker's choice of words I have to agree with him." Legend sighed. "You seem to be a very unique case as far a powers are concerned, I've seen very odd cases in my time as leader of the Protectorate, but this has pushed the edges of extreme."

I huffed a mirthless laugh and winced again from the pain in my ribs.

"Well, nothing we can really do at the moment. If you need anything please feel free to ask, the Protectorate hires people that can help you figuring all this out. It would be the least that I could offer for all that you've done." Legend said leaning in and gently patting my shoulder, before standing up. "For now relax, I'm going to the front to sort everything out. I'll get on the horn and see if the fire department was able to save your house as well as make sure Panacea is ready to patch you up."

"Thank you Legend." I nodded, as he passed by.

There was a few moments of awkward silence after Legend left until Clockblocker spoke "Sooo, magical music lessons, is there any music you particularly like?"

It took a little effort on both our parts but after a while the Wards and I struck up a pleasant conversation. Thankfully we talked about mundane things, music, movies, favorite subjects in school; it was so relaxing. I was able to forget the complications of magic, and superpowers for a while as we drove to the PRT tower. We just needed to be sitting around some couches, without masks or holding doomsday weapons for it to be truly relaxing.

"So once we get everything sorted out maybe we can play some video games. You've mentioned being into Mario-Kart?" Vista said questioningly, and I suspected she was reaching for something everyone could do together.

"I haven't played it in years, and I'm talking like N64 Mario-Kart." I sighed.

"Ahh my princess has excellent taste." Clockblocker nodded. "The classics should never be forgotten."

"Seriously Clock!" Vista groaned. "So she sort of, kinda is a magical princess or whatever, it's really confusing and it's obvious she's having a hard time figuring it out herself. She doesn't need you going my princess all the time when I've just called her Saturn and she's fine with it."

"No, no." I interrupted, and smiled mischievously. "If noble Clockblocker wishes to address me as such that is fine. After all by adding my to my title of princess he's one step from swearing fealty to me, and I see no reason to deny his servitude."

Vista started to laugh loudly, while Clockblocker chuckled. "My princess your jests cut as deeply as your weapon." He flamboyantly placed his hand over his heart, turning away looking upward.

"Am I joking?" I questioned in a flat tone, causing him to snap his head back to look at me. However, I could only hold a serious look for a few moments before smiling. "As correct or flattering as it is, I don't really want to feel like a princess right now."

"Of course Saturn." Clockblocker nodded

The Van took a sharp turn and a tickle in my stomach indicated that we were driving downward at a somewhat steep angle. The echoing coming from outside of the vehicle suggested that we had arrived at the PRT headquarters.

"We're here." Legend said coming from the front.

The Wards popped to their feet and as I made to stand a sharp pain from my ribs caused me to gasp and robbed me of the strength to stand.

"Saturn!" Vista and Clockblocker yelled.

"Ow..." I muttered, gently placing a hand over where the pain was worst, the area was hot as I tenderly felt a distinct swelling from the area.

"We need to get you to Panacea." Clockblocker said hastily as he looked around.

"I'm not going to keel over at this moment! I'm just a bit stiff right now, I can walk!" I grumbled, as I tried to get up, again earning myself another spike of pain. I hissed and sighed deciding that I wouldn't gain anything by being stubborn. "Although I wouldn't mind a hand getting there."

Clockblocker quickly sat down next to me allowing me to throw an arm over his shoulders. It was much easier to stand with him supporting some of my weight as my other hand used the Silence Glaive as walking staff.

"Dang it!" Clockblocker grumbled as we walked together out of the van and to what looked like a freight elevator.

"What?" I questioned with a grunt.

"You're like two inches taller than me." He sighed. "I need to get taller."

"Well my boots have a bit of a heel to them." I muttered trying to sooth his pride. "Beside your at the perfect height for helping me tonight."

"It would be more heroic as well as thematically correct if I did the patented princess carry."

"I'd rather not bend my torso at the moment." I hissed, and I almost stumbled as the distance we were walking suddenly shrank.

"Sorry!" Vista sputtered hastily. "Uh, this way you don't have to walk as far."

"Vista, again! Warning next time." Clockblocker grumbled as everyone stepped inside.

The two wards started to bicker again, Vista mostly bringing into question Clockblocker's strength to properly execute the princess carry. Saying that Gallant or Aegis would be the Wards up for that job.

I was glad for the distraction as it was something for me to keep my mind away from the throbbing pain in my ribs. Thankfully it didn't take long and the elevator doors opened to the Ward Headquarters. Inside were all the remaining Wards as well as the members of New Wave that Legend had mentioned. There was a flurry of activity as we entered, as everyone got off of couches and stood; Glory-Girl even flew up and hovered over everyone's heads.

The was a chorus of "Saturn!" as everyone saw my ruffled state, and a fluttering sensation filled my stomach. I didn't really know most of them, but I was still touched by the concern in their tones.

"Alright calm down." Legend quickly interjected before anyone could move toward me. "Saturn is going to be here all night, right now she needs medical attention; Panacea if you would please."

"Of course, please some sit down." Panacea said gesturing with a hand, and Clockblocker kindly walked me to a vacant spot in a couch. "We heard you were injured fighting Lung, and we were fearing the worst. However, you look a lot better than many of the people I've treated after fighting him."

"You should have seen the other guy." Clockblocker laughed as he gently lowered me down. "Not sure what Saturn did but he was wrecked, kinda looked like he was aged twenty years, or something."

"Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy." Glory-Girl muttered sarcastically. "Good riddance."

"Anyway," Panacea toned, before asking. "Do I have your permission to heal you."

I nodded and she placed her hand right above where my glove didn't cover. As soon as she touched me I felt my magic react defensively.

"What the?" The New Wave healer uttered absentmindedly. "It's not as bad as the.. um last time, but uh its like seeing your anatomy through thick frosted glass."

"Oh um, yeah on sec." I muttered sensing her discomfort from the mention of the last time. Taking a short breath I metaphysically relaxed, and my outfit glowed purple before disappearing with a popping sensation and the dress from before materialized with a small flutter.

"Flipping magical girl shenanigans!" Glory-Girl exclaimed, and the rest in the room voiced similar opinions. "Did your makeup change as well?"

"Healing first please." I muttered as relaxed my magic as far as I could. "Is that better?"

"Yeah, that's better." Panacea nodded "It's still like looking through tinted glass but at least I can heal you now."

There was an odd tingling sensation where my rib was aching, and the persistent stinging from the burns disappeared. I was just about to thank Panacea when she gasped and grabbed my arm with her other hand. I tensed up as her gaze twitched to my forehead before meeting my eyes again.

"Is something wrong?" I asked as gently pulled my arm away.

"Uh, no not really, in fact beside the injuries your body seems to be perfectly normal." She muttered with a shake of her head that made me wary, "You don't happen to have any healing abilities do you?"

"Not really, my magic protects me from all threats. However, the level of protection changes depending on the nature of the threats, its quite hard to explain." I answered and stretched glad that I felt no pain. "Thank you very much for healing me."

"You're going to need to eat something." The robed girl said. "The damage wasn't too severe, but I still had to pull from your bodies reserves."

"I will do so, again thank you." I nodded "However, I heard some mention of a bath?"

"Oh yeah sure." Vista said, walking to the edge of the room becoming me to follow.

The journey wasn't long and the younger girl lead me to a room with multiple fully enclosed toilet stalls and shower booths. There were also two doors at the end, she opened one and inside was utilitarian room with a very large bath tub complete with jets. There was a complex looking array of knobs and levers, luckily Vista was quick to explain.

"This one is hot, that's cold. These four control the pressure of jets, and which ones are blowing, feel free to play around with it."She pointing and explained. "This thing is really relaxing, and great at getting all the dirt off from some of the messier situations we've been through."

"Sounds like exactly the thing I need right now." I smiled, and wondered if I could get one of my own sometime. I didn't know if it was tinker-tech, but I would imagine a tinker-tech bath would be amazing. "Would I be able to get something else to wear? I would rather not sleep in my dress."

"Uh, I think we can do something, there might be a some hero brand pajamas in the gift shop, if nothing else we have a bunch of sets of grey sweat shirt and pants that are kinda default workout cloths. I'll find something and leave it right outside the door."

"That would be very kind."

"I'm really glad you're here Saturn." Vista said with a smile as she headed for the door. "I was really frustrated that we were told to stand down and couldn't help you, its just- whatever happened it's great you're back. If you need anything else just yell."

"Thank you." I sighed as she backed out closing the door.

My dress was something that usually required a bit of help getting into, but after a small struggle I managed to get out of it. I was glad that Vista had instructed me on how to use the tub, with her instructions I was able to fill it without much difficulty. Stepping in I sank down into the water and turned on the jets. A quite hum filled my ears as the turbulent water washed the grim off my body, and with a sigh I tried to let my worries go with it.

Numberman was vexed as he aggressively pounded his fingers into desk calculator and waited as it churned and printed out a long string of numbers. He contemptuously looked over the simple calculations, hating that he was reduced to cross checking with such a simple device. A misplaced number caught his attention and that simple digit threw the enter following string of calculations into chaos.

Anger rushed through him as he grasped the calculator and threw it at the wall with a growl. No sooner did the shattered keys and pieces fall to the ground when a knock sounded on his door. "Come in!" He answered with a snarl.

Doctor Mother open the door and raised an eyebrow at the remains of the device.

"Problems?" She inquired as she smoothly entered the room.

"Its infuriating, what should be simple isn't!" Numberman hissed. "With Scion, or the Endbringers I simply couldn't see any numbers. With Saturn I get numbers and they all turn out wrong, its like I'm forgetting something as simple as carrying the one!"

"Interesting." The Doctor mused as she sat down in a vacant chair. "How bad are the irregularities?"

"It seems to be completely random which is something that is very hard to actually do." Numberman grouched since he knew that most random number generators weren't actually perfectly random. "The end result is that none of my calculations are reliable, I fear that I would make an error at a critical juncture and the results could be catastrophic."

"I wish I had time to study the phenomenon in more depth, but my scheduled is extremely busy." The Doctor hummed. "However for the time being I am thinking of calling it The Saturn Limit."

"Appropriate if nothing else." Numberman huffed. "Have we been able to establish the vector for her return?"

"Without any additional information self resurrection seems to be the most probable, but it unknown if there was a third party and the Saturn Limit is covering up details." She shrugged.

"Could her anti-thinker power be responsible for all our problems with studying her?" He asked.

"Unlikely, there were no reported cases of the Saturn Limit before she revealed herself at the last Endbringer event and nothing before her return. It could be many things but I suspect that we didn't have enough data to work with. We have never been able to accurately replicate powers, and cloned hosts seem to be no exception. However, it wasn't all a waste of time, bringing in Blasto has yielded a great deal of additional information for my standard research."

He nodded and the two lapsed into silence for a few moments before Numberman spoke again. "With how much the Saturn Limit is affecting our intel are you certain that going forward is a good idea?" He asked voicing an uncharacteristic degree of worry.

The Doctor took her time answering. "Everything got lucky when the first entity was dealt with. Saturn proclaims to be a being capable of planetary destruction or greater. It might be worth the gamble to see if that is enough power."

"I wish I could get a proper calculation about all of this. You know some of the creators of the atomic bomb feared a potential chain reaction that would ignite the earth's atmosphere." Numberman muttered. "Perhaps this is what they felt like."

"Extreme risk, extreme reward." The Doctor said. "Regardless, Contessa has already begun pathing, she's having to cast a wide net but an encounter between Scion and Saturn is being arranged."

Numberman chuckled mirthlessly. "Cry havoc, and let slip the destroyers of worlds."

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Welcome to the Parahumans Online message boards.

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You have 1857 private messages. You have five infractions and two warnings. You were last banned on June 11th, 2011 [Ban Rescinded]. Your probationary status expires in 111 days, on September 07, 2011.

Topic: Saturn VS. Lung. FIGHT!

In: Boards Places America Brockton Bay Solo Capes

AllSeeingEye (Original Poster) (Unconfirmed Cape)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

I'm just going to leave this here. [Link] *smirk

(Showing page 1 of 20)

JonesIndi

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Wat! I was not prepared. I came here thinking that this was a standard VS. thread and was going to mention that it was in the wrong sub-category; nvm.

MentleGen94

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Oh my goddess! It looks like Saturn straight up beat the crap out of Lung and then decapitated him, execution style. Stone cold!

Battledroid666

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

@ AllSeeingEye How the hell did you get a hold of this video? I mean despite a bunch of Michael Bay shaky-cam going on its really good quality, this isn't from a cell phone. Whoever took it was able to keep up with both Lung and Saturn, both of whom look be moving at a pretty good speed.

SamuraiNinja (Veteran Member)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

This is face meltingly awesome!

FantasticLight

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Welp, Lung's dead. Seems pretty clear that the dragon-man fans on the VS boards were wrong.

WhiteFairy (Veteran Member)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

"@MentleGen94: I don't think that Saturn decapitated Lung, If you pause and zoom in it looks like she just hacked at that back of his neck before stopping.

@ AllSeeingEye: I seriously think that the Un part about your cape status needs to be changed. I beg you don't leave us hanging with just a video and a smirk

Black Mambo

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Wow, just wow. I if anything I am even more amazed about Saturn that I was before, and I didn't think that was possible.

Meatball Prime (Wikiwarrior)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Alright, lets take a moment to pick our jaws off the floor. Is it just me or is Saturn either getting stronger or does she have a different power set than before? I mean we've all probably watched her fight with Leviathan dozens of times but its seems she has new powers. The spiny weapon style seems the same but she's never shown force fields, and energy projectiles, or purple destruction AOEs before. This girl is looking like she might be pulling out more power's than Eidolon.

Diabolic Squirrel

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Do we have any news if Saturn is alright? She obviously won, but it also shows her taking a few good hits too. Please tell me she's fine and just has a bruise or two!

(Page 1, 2, 3, 4 of 20)

(Showing page 3 of 20)

BasementMaster

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Guys I analyzed the video enough that I was able to clear up the audio. Right before Saturn did that purple blast that wrecked the store and Lung both, it's faint but you can clearly hear Saturn yell "Silence Glaive Surprise." [Link]

0Right Phoenix0

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

I know that people have already gone over the whole Saturn is a legit magical girl thing. However, she totally went monster of the week all over Lung. The thing is that it's not really weekly. First time she wrecked Leviathan, about a month later and she hacks up Lung. If this Saturn show does monthly releases who's the next monster of the month? Ashbeast? Crawler? Beheamoth? I need to know!

CandyLand GodKing

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

You don't yell out "Surprise!" when you attack, it would ruin any chance of surprise.

GreyJ3di

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

@CandyLand GodKing: I don't know about that. I think Lung was pretty surprised I know for sure I was.

Carebear Cannon

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

@0Right Phoenix0: That idea is both so wrong and so right. I now blame you for why I now have an indescribable desire for Saturn to go to Ellisburg and forcing Nilbog to create beasts just so that she can record weekly videos of her wrecking monsters.

Newter (Confirmed Cape) (Fautline's Crew)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

I still volunteer to be Saturn's cute animal companion even if its been sufficiently argued that I'm not the best candidate for the job.

Vorpal Bunny (Moderator)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

@Newter: No! None of that now, shame on you. No warning but don't push it! Seriously though, this is not the thread for that. There is a link for a new cleaner Magical Girl Saturn, [Here]. Be warned that the former thread was locked because of all the offensive flaming on which case 53 would be best for animal side kick and the flood of furry posts.

ImhumminGandi

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Oh dang the mods are getting out the spray bottles up in here!

Bagrat (Veteran Member) (The Guy in the Know)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Okay guys update, I got info on what happened after the video. After Saturn wrecked Lung, Legend, Clockblocker, Vista and Assault and Battery showed up with a bunch of PRT agents. Lung was still alive when he was taken into custody so the rumors of Saturn executing Lung are unfounded, although my info tells me that Lung looks older or something; I'll get back to you when I know more.

Anyway, Legend, Vista, and Clockblocker piled into a van with Saturn and she was taken to the ENE PRT HQ. The majority of the younger New Wave members were seen entering the building a few minutes before the PRT van carrying Saturn arrived. My info has that after the fight Saturn looked a little frazzled and walked a little stiffly but seemed fine. Not sure why most of the younger New Wave members went to the PRT HQ but if Saturn needs any medical attention Panacea is sure to patch her up. I've started a new thread [Here] discussing what we know after the fight, and [Here] speculating whether Saturn might join the Wards or New Wave.

Rarehunter

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Glad to hear that Saturn is doing fine. I would think that it would be best for Saturn to join the Wards, although I'm not sure if anybody should really have Saturn on their team. Its kinda like only one country having the A-bomb, The Triumvirate is already crazy powerful, but Saturn is like a Big Red... Purple Button?

(Page 1, 2, 3)

(Showing page 5 of 20)

Key Mas7er

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

So Saturn showed off several powers that she's never shown off before. It still has that purple light effect but she didn't really do the same sort of things when fighting Leviathan. Do you guys think that its just a different use of her powers or is she getting stronger?

Bayonet Bud

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

@Key Mas7er: My first thought is "Does Saturn need to get any stronger?" But I actually would be alright with that I am fine with my cape fantasy waifu not having to die in exchange for killing an Endbringer.

XxVoid CowboyxX (Ban Scarred)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Hey guys I just got back from a crazy day at the PRT. Turns out Saturn had an even more crazy day than I did. Kinda sucks when the day started out pretty cool. Good news, I got Unbanned with an apology and a neat tag.

Silver Singer

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Saturn had to have been hitting Lung with some seriously dangerous powers/magical girl mumbo-jumbo. Hasn't Lung shrugged off stuff like missiles and heavy machine gun fire? I mean she's supposed to have some sort of death powers so, I would guess that would be some really scary stuff.

WhiteFairy (Veteran Member)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

@ XxVoid CowboyxX: Oh wow, didn't expect to see you again so soon, neat tag. I miss you when you're gone, I mean this in the kindest way possible I love to hate on most of your posts.

Saturn Priest 283

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Prophet you've returned!

Saturn Priest 667

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Tell us the will of the goddess, prophet!

Saturn High Priest

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

False priests and a false prophet! The goddess will judge you harshly!

User received an infraction for this post: Fanatical behavior.

Vorpal Bunny (Moderator)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

I don't want to have to shut down this thread, whether you believe Saturn is a goddess or just enjoy the humorous ideas, cool your jets. There's a line between respectable belief, and cultism

XxVoid CowboyxX (Ban Scarred)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Wow I didn't know what to think when my private messages was filled with people calling me prophet and asking about Saturn. I ran into her this morning took her to see her statue, and she did a bit of a mile long stare. Armsmaster and Gallent showed up and then I guess she got kidnapped or something. She didn't give me any divine messages!

(Page 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of 20)

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Topic: Saturn ask me anything.

In: Boards Places America Brockton Bay Solo Capes

Glory Girl (Original Poster) (Confirmed Cape) (New Wave)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

You read that right, serious thread here. Summary real quick, so Saturn, the ENE Wards and some of my family are hanging out for multiple reasons and with all the excitement even though everyone tired it doesn't seem anyone is going to get any sleep. Saturn's been asking what's been going on since she's been gone and the topic of living as a public cape comes up and since we in New Wave have to live that everyday I suggest that it would be a good idea to just pull the band-aid off and address everyone and release some of that fan pressure; you're welcome.

So with the help of an eager admin (thanks TinMother) we got Saturn an account and set everything up so that we can do this thread with as little issues as possible. A few rules before we start, nothing too personal remember she's underage. No questions about how she came back after killing Leviathan, she doesn't really know and doesn't want to talk about it. I don't know how long Saturn will be up to answering questions, and if she doesn't answer your questions sorry. Be kind and polite, those who aren't will be kicked from the thread and Mods are waiting with banhammers primed.

Chrome

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Oh dang this is real isn't it!? Wait not my question... Um are you planning on taking out the other Endbringers.

Saturn (Confirmed Cape) (EndSlayer)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

@ Chrome: Yes, this is real. GloryGirl talked me into it and I'm too tired to argue, and too wound up to sleep. I don't know what I am going to do about the other Endbringers, I guess I'll figure it out later.

Doe Eyed Jane

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

What was Lung doing at your house?

MiniJohn

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

What's your favorite food?

Chaosfaith

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Why is your cape name Saturn

Phantom Dan

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

I know this is going to be on the edge of too personal, but it's legal in some states so I gotta risk it. Will you marry me?!

User received a warning for this post: Keep it to legal in all states

Saturn (Confirmed Cape) (EndSlayer)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

@ Doe Eyed Jane: Lung wanted to recruit me, or else. I told him to leave, or else. Turns out, my or else was better.

@ MiniJohn: I really like Lasagna.

@ Chaosfaith: My power is connected to the Planet Saturn, In a odd either power or multidimensional way I'm the ruler of Saturn and all of it's moons.

@ Phantom Dan: All betrothal requests, have to be sent to my royal steward, but sadly for you I don't have one at the moment.

Primus (Veteran member)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Are you planning on joining the Wards or New Wave?

BlondBlueBest

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Why did you attack the empire? They

The rest of this post is redacted: User has been banned from this thread: Aggressive behavior.

DavyJonah

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

You're parents wouldn't happen to be Legend and Alexandria would they?

(1, 2, 3, 4)

(Showing page 2 of 4)

Saturn Priest 275

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Tell us your will goddess, we crave to know what are your tenets?!

Solar Seer

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

You can't own a planet, international treaty restricted anyone from claiming ownership of pretty much any extra terrestrial object.

Phantom Dan

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Wait, I didn't get a no, that wasn't a no was it? I mean I'll find you a steward.

User was banned from the thread: The first warning should have been enough.

Saturn (Confirmed Cape) (EndSlayer)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

@ Primus: I don't plan on joining anything or doing any substantial cape stuff till things settle down in my life.

@ DavyJonah: No they weren't my parents are non capes.

@ Saturn Priest 275: Alright so right off the bat, I'm not a goddess I don't need more complication in my life. But if that isn't good enough for you I want peace and prosperity for everyone. I have death powers so to bring balance I want my followers to promote life. There, is that good enough?

@ Solar Seer: Alright I know this sounds stupid and a big part of me feels really stupid for saying it, but I must stake my claim. I am the royal princess of Saturn, I'm the only person that has been there and I am pretty sure that my powers will let me terraform it. Its my planet!

RinTinTimmy

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Are you planning on going back to school? New Wave and I heard the Wards attend Arcadia, it would be great to see you there!

Procto the Unfortunate Tinker (Not a tinker)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

"Wait! Terraform Saturn, can I come?

Uber (Confirmed Cape)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Are you planning on forming your own cape group? If not would you like to do a video with us? If you do we'll turn from our nefarious ways, we've seen the (purple) light and it kicks ass.

Lethal Loli

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

How can you terraform a gas giant? I know your powers are S-class bull [Redacted] but that shouldn't be possible. Unless you're talking about Saturn's moons there's plenty of those.

Smexy in Scrubs

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

I see nothing wrong with the idea of you owning Saturn especially if you can terraform it. Awesome monarch, plenty of new space to expand, no Endbringers, and an excellent Endbringer deterrent. Is there an immigration form or something, I'm a registered nurse that's gotta be something you could use.

NoScopeNinja

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Why was the E88 fighting you at that store earlier? Seems suicidally stupid if you ask me.

(1, 2, 3, 4)

(Page 3 of 4)

Myrddin (Confirmed Cape) (Protectorate Chicago) (Unconfirmed Wizard)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Are you looking for a Court Wizard? I happen to be one of the few honorable practitioners on the planet.

Chrome

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

@Letha Loli: I guess it doesn't matter all that much, all of Saturn's moons are Princess Saturn's moons.

Boosher

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Myrddin and Magical Girl Saturn. I would pay good money to see that team up.

Saturn (Confirmed Cape) (EndSlayer)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

@RinTinTimmy: I really don't have any plans at all. I want to get me feet planted before I make any decisions Not going to school. No joining or forming any Hero groups and no being recruited by any gangs.

@ Procto the Unfortunate Tinker: I don't think I'm going to be doing any immigration any time soon. Since it's my planet I'm confident I can do it, not sure how long it's going to take.

@ Uber: Look above for your answer, but you should still turn away form crime. I would imagine for a cape duo one who can be great at anything and another that can make anything, you two would excel at making your own video game.

@ Myrddin: If I am in need of a wizard you will be the first on my list.

I'm sorry about this guys but I'm going to end the AMA here, Sitting on the very comfortable Wards couch with KidWin's laptop seems to have allowed me to relax and I'm very tired. Again sorry, perhaps I will do this again later.

Loyal

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

No wait, I didn't get to ask my question! Where does your outfit come from when you transform? Do you have hammer space?

User received a warning for this post: She said she was done, were lucky she agreed to this much.

L33T (Confirmed Cape)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Oh. My. Goddess! That is an inspired idea. Why the hell didn't we think of that Uber! I have so many idea going through my head right now, make sure I take breaks to eat please. This is going to be the best thing ever, thanks Saturn!

Tacos Rule

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Aww crap I got here too late!

Solar Seer

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Did nobody realize that Saturn said that she had been on the planet Saturn, that's not at all confusing. I don't care about the Princess Saturn stuff, how did she get to Saturn.

Glory Girl (Original Poster) (Confirmed Cape) (New Wave)

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

Sorry folks, she's gone she looked really tired and has had a really long day. I'll see if I can convince her to set up another one of these hopefully longer, because I honestly want to know this stuff just as much as you do.

BiggestBen

Posted on June 12th, 2011:

When can we expect more from Saturn? I don't want to seem ungrateful but she's the best.

@ Glory Girl: Ask Saturn if there's anyway we can support her, she seems like she just needs to feel a bit of normalcy for a bit. If so we all should give her that peace, but please don't make us wait too long.

(1, 2, 3, 4)

Private Message from AllSeeingEye

Oh wow I lucked out, and here I was thinking that I would have to hack the PRT servers again to get in contact with you. Even though it wouldn't be all that hard it would wast time I would rather not have to. So Princess is there a way to request asylum with you. I would go to the Heroes but that would be suicide.

Maybe I should explain that my cape name is TattleTale I'm sorta a minor villain that has been doing slowly bigger things recent (not by choice) Right now I want out but I can't go to the PRT because my boss (who recruited me at gunpoint btw) would use his moles in the PRT to either kill me or sneak me away and stick me in a dark room so that I could still use my power for him.

Any-who something recently got him very very concerned about you, so much so I don't think he's thinking rationally. He is very deeply connected to the local PRT and has hidden connections in all the local gangs. He has the Undersiders and the Travelers in his back pocket and I'm quite certain that he's the one that sent the travelers after you. It's also very likely that he pulled a few strings and helped Lung get into your house undetected. My boss isn't going to stop interfering in your life, whether that means you dead or something else I'm not completely sure but whatever it is it's bad news for you.

So why am I saying this, because I need something or someone big to get me out from under his thumb alive. I know his name and what his powers are, You will need to get at the man himself if you don't want to have to worry about either yourself or your dad from getting suddenly having an unfortunate accident or being randomly shot in the back.

Coil knows when your dad is coming in and I'll try to help out. Look for me there.

Last edited: Oct 28, 2019

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