The brainrot got me, the plot bunnies multiplied, and the thread just spun until I snapped. I guess this will continue.
Fiddling both nervously and excitedly, Taylor looked left and right of the large room where her power would be tested in depth. Not only it was spacious in length, but the ceiling was quite high as well, certainly to better test whatever flying cape came in. She would have liked to fly, but unfortunately it wasn't something her power seemed keen on granting her. Her monsters did have wings and a lot of them were flying when she summoned them, but… she wasn't sure she wanted to be any closer when her opponent would destroy them. She could still feel the phantom aches where Lung's dragon burned her. Thank God for Panacea… Taylor focused back on Armsmaster, who stood a sizeable distance away.
"As by your own admission your understanding of your power is lacking, we will address as many variables as possible."
Well, it was true, but it didn't help with the embarrassment. Before her first time with Lung, she simply didn't know how her power would actually manifest beside the basics. Had she known she could be burned to a crisp by her opponent's effect damage, she would have brought a fire extinguisher somehow!
"The room here is limited; you will restrain from calling forth large creatures." She couldn't help but wince, remembering the absolutely gigantic size of her Invincible Atlas. More than one building had been damaged when it appeared, a fact the Director hammered when they met. She wasn't sure she liked that woman. "Now, deploy your Shaker field."
Duelling field, she corrected inwardly. "Armsmaster, I, Khepri, challenge you to a Duel!" She did not squeak when she said it. She was excited that one of her favorite heroes took his time to have her power tested, but she didn't squeak! The field blazed into existence and the cards materialized. It was all the exact same as before. Except her starting hand looked a lot worse.
"Confirmation that Khepri's power application comes with an influx of knowledge related to the rules of the confrontation. By my own impression, it is similar to Tinker inspiration." Voiced Armsmaster for the sake of the PRT scientists standing nearby. "Now measuring the size of the Shaker field."
With measured steps, the armored hero paced back and forth until he hit the "barrier" surrounding the Duelling field, verifying he couldn't get out. It quickly appeared the space allowed for the duellists to move in wasn't as narrow as Taylor first thought, but they definitely couldn't move close enough to the Spell/Trap zones to touch it.
"Armsmaster, one of us must play!" She suddenly blurted. Despite his helmet, she could almost feel his disapproving gaze on her and she elaborated quickly. "It's like a timer. I feel if we do nothing, my power will stop working. Or worse." She added hesitantly.
"… True." She sighed in relief he didn't accuse her of trying to impede the testing or something. "I will take the first turn."
Armsmaster: 8000 LP — Hand: 5
Khepri: 8000 LP — Hand: 5
"I normal summon Tech Genus Tank Grub."
An insectoid machine with blue plates carapace appeared on the field, rolling on its tracks and pointing its two side canons… which would have been intimidating if it wasn't the size of a rodent.
Tech Genus Tank Grub — EARTH/Insect/Level 1/Tuner/Effect: 0/0
"Tuner…" Mumbled Taylor.
"Preliminary scanning indicates the summoned minions have a physical biology and structure, consistent with first encounter." Noted Armsmaster. "Kephri, what is the state of the 'timer'?"
"Oh, uh, it extended but not by much. If you take too long to make your next move, I think I could forcibly end your turn and start my own."
"True." Stated Armsmaster once again as the scientists were busying themselves with all sorts of tools to try to penetrate the Duelling Field. "I have a Tech Genus monster on the field, so I special Summon Tech Genus Drill Fish."
A small ray manta with a literal drill for a nose jumped out of nowhere to appear on the field. It was barely bigger than the previous monster, but she knew appearance were deceptive.
Tech Genus Drill Fish — WATER/Fish/Level 1/Effect: 100/800
"Note: I feel compelled to vocalize my actions. Further testing necessary." Added the hero. "I tune Drill Fish with Tank Grub to Synchro Summon Tech Genus Mighty Striker."
The ray manta dissolved into a brilliant mote of light before nesting in the centre of the green ring the insectoid grub morphed into. The small shining star erupted into light, and from that light jumped a man covered in futuristic armor. Taylor's heart jumped in her chest. Just like before, when Lung summoned the wounded dragon, it was the same indescribable feeling. As if that monster was as close to Armsmaster as it could be.
Tech Genus Mighty Striker — EARTH/Machine/Level 2/Tuner/Effect: 1800/0
"Sir, we are receiving a different kind of energy signature than the ones you forwarded. It is also far lesser in intensity." Signalled one of the scientists manning what looked like a large scanner.
"I see." Acknowledged the hero. "I activate Mighty Striker's effect and chain Tank Grub's effect. Resolving in chain order, Tank Grub; I create a Tech Genus Token, and Mighty Striker; I add a Tech Genus Spell or Trap from my Deck to my hand."
Tech Genus Token — EARTH/Machine/Level 1/Token: 0/0
A silver-colored version of the insectoid robot appeared on the field. At the same time the applicable cards from Armsmaster's deck appeared before him.
"Are the cards details visible on your end?" He asked to the scientists on the sidelines.
One of them shook his head. "Eyesight vision does not change no matter the angles, and our cameras only pick up statics. We are trying for more of the spectrum, but so far the result is the same."
"This means a Stranger rating. Likely a build-in ability to prevent cheating." Mused Armsmaster. "I add the Continuous Spell Tech Genus All Clear to my hand." The rest of the cards disappeared, the deck shuffling by itself. "I activate it. With it on the field, I can normal summon or set a Tech Genus monster in addition to my usual normal summon. I normal summon Tech Genus Screw Serpent."
A blue serpentine creature unfurled its mechanical body, small wings adorned with propellers deployed as it hissed.
Tech Genus Screw Serpent — WATER/Sea Serpent/Level 4/Effect/Tuner/Effect: 1300/500
"Screw Serpent's Effect: I special summon Tank Grub from my graveyard with its effects negated." The robot came back, although visibly lacking in energy. "I tune my token with Screw Serpent to synchro summon Tech Genus Hyper Librarian."
The serpent dissolved into four green rings surrounding the token transformed into a tiny star. A man in black and white robe wearing a crimson cape, holding a what looked like an advanced tablet in hand. One of the scientists nodded and wrote something on his notepad while the others stopped trying to inject some sort of gas in the Duelling field.
Tech Genus Hyper Librarian — DARK/Spellcaster/Synchro/Level 5/Effect: 2400/1800
"All Clear second effect: I destroy Mighty Striker to add a Tech Genus monster with a different name from my deck to my hand." The armored man dissolved in what looked like floating bits of 0 and 1. "I add Tech Genus Warwolf. Mighty Striker's effect: I send Tech Genus Metal Skeleton from my deck to the graveyard."
Taylor really regretted not having Maxx C or Contact C right now. Or at least the former, as Contact C would likely be used as Synchro material on the spot with Armsmaster field apparently never lacking a tuner. On the other hand, he seemed to have barely started assembling his field!
"I special summon Tech Genus Booster Raptor from my hand. Additionally, since I special summoned a level 4 or lower monster, I can special summon Warwolf from my hand."
A small avian with metallic wings and reactors on its back flew down on the shoulder of a much more menacing werewolf with robotic claws for feet and left arms, its bionic eye starring right at her.
Tech Genus Booster Raptor — WIND/Dinosaur/Level 1/Effect: 400/300
Tech Genus Warwolf — DARK/Beast-Warrior/Level 3/Effect: 1200/0
"Screw Serpent second effect: I banish it from the graveyard to increase Tank Grub's level by 1. I tune Warwolf with Tank Grub to synchro summon Tech Genus Over Dragonar."
Two green rings encircled three dotted stars before a draconic figure emerged, a purple robot holding a large sword and shield made of energy.
Tech Genus Over Dragonar — DARK/Dragon/Synchro/Level 5/Effect: 2100/1900
"Over Dragonar and Hyper Librarian effect, in that order." The dragon brandished his gleaming weapon. "Hyper Librarian allow me to draw 1 whenever I synchro summon. When synchro summoned, Over Dragonar allow me to special summon as many Tech Genus monsters from my graveyard as I want. I special summon Warwolf and Mighty Striker."
The two monsters jumped from the light within the mechanical dragon's sword, reappearing on the field as if they never left.
"I tune Warwolf with Mighty Striker to synchro summon Tech Genus Star Guardian in Defense position."
A man in futuristic white armor dashed from the summoning light, a shield connected to what looked like a massive wheel in one hand and a lightsaber in the other.
Tech Genus Star Guardian — LIGHT/Warrior/Synchro/Tuner/Effect: 100/2200
"Star Guardian's and Hyper Librarian's effects. I draw 1 card, then add Warwolf from my graveyard to my hand. Star Guardian's second effect: I special summon Warwolf to my field."
Okay how many times did that mutt came back already? She was starting to really dislike how it looked at her like she was a bloody piece of meat!
"I tune Over Dragonar with Star Guardian to synchro summon Shooting Star Dragon Tech Genus EX."
The child of a fighter jet and a dragon roared from both engine and mouth as it materialized above the field. Despite an attack power superior to Invincible Atlas', it was comparatively small, only taking the majority of the testing ground space in length. Yet again, a strange feeling coursed through Taylor. That this monster... wasn't just Armsmaster's.
Shooting Star Dragon Tech Genus EX — WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Level 10/Effect: 3300/2500
"Khepri, is there something wrong?" She suddenly returned to Earth when a scientist on her side of the testing ground startled her.
"No! I mean…" Oh God, how long had she been staring? She was red all over under that mask. Don't stutter, don't stammer, keep it together. Powers are weird, right? She could say it, even if it felt very weird. "It's just that… sometimes, I feel like a monster means something. Like, with Lung, the dragons he used were all like him. But one of them felt… more like Lung than the others. Like it was more true to him."
"Which one was it?" Asked Armsmaster. Did he have a video of the fight playing his is helmet?
"The one who was wounded. He was missing a wing and an arm, crouched to the ground." Recalled Taylor.
"And you felt similarly with this new summon?"
"Not exactly. Mighty Striker felt the closest to you so far. This one is different, it feels like…" How to say it without sounding ridiculous? "It doesn't feel like it's just you. Like it also belongs to someone else. Or maybe that it was made with someone else's help." Didn't Armsmaster collaborate with Dragon, according to the press? Her instinct was telling her that was it, and she relayed that supposition nervously. She tried to not fidget as Armsmaster stayed silent for a moment, before speaking up.
"A Thinker rating will be added to your profile. Moving on: Hyper Librarian's effect: I draw a card."
He still wasn't done? It was only supposed to be a test, and he was going at it like he wanted to personally end her!
"By reducing Warwolf's ATK by 1000, I special summon Tech Genus Zombie from my hand. I set Zombie, Raptor and Warwolf in the link markers to link summon Tech Genus Trident Launcher."
A link summon as well? She watched as the circuit appeared the monsters became streams of light before converging in the three bottom arrows. Just like when she did it, the circuit was illuminated and pulsed before something emerged: a man in pure white power armor swinging a technological trident in his hands.
Tech Genus Trident Launcher — EARTH/Machine/Link/Link 3/↙↓ ↘/Effect: 2200
"Trident Launcher's effect; I special summon 3 Tech Genus monsters in the zones Trident Launcher's arrows point to. One from hand, one from graveyard, one from deck. In that order, I special summon another Raptor, Mighty Striker and Screw Serpent."
The trident stopped swinging and the monster stuck it in the ground. From each tip of the weapon a portal opened, from which the monsters jumped on the field. Taylor was floored, his field was full again?
"I tune Raptor with Screw Serpent to synchro summon Tech Genus Power Gladiator."
The monster appeared swinging his axe wildly, looking like a primitive barbarian completely at odd with the technologically augmented monsters by his side at first glance. If not for the fact that all of his limbs were made of metal, she would have thought the creature to be an casting error.
Tech Genus Power Gladiator — EARTH/Warrior/Synchro/Level 5/Effect: 2300/1000
"Hyper Librarian's effect: I draw a card." Taylor shivered. Even with his helmet, she knew Armsmaster was smiling, his voice was a smiling voice. "I use my Skill, Hybrid Technology, to allow me to treat Star Guardian as a non-tuner."
What?" Blurted Taylor, stunned. Skill? Her power suddenly filled her in. A special ability outside of the cards themselves that her opponents could use… what the hell, power? That her opponents could use? What of her? Why didn't she get a Skill? Hey, power, say something!
"I tune Power Gladiator and Star Guardian with Mighty Striker!"
Even knowing this was a test and not a real duel, even knowing it wasn't a Shadow Game, even knowing it was the first turn and her opponent couldn't attack, Taylor shrunk from the ungodly pressure emanating from the rings of light where the monster was being summoned.
"Clad yourself in the fruit of your labors and bring order to a world fallen into chaos. Come! Tech Genus Glaive Blaster!"
It wasn't even that big. It was much smaller than the mechanical dragon, barely twice the size of Armsmaster himself. And yet… clad in a red and orange battlesuit with black reactors on its back, a massive glaive held in both hand whose edge was shining azure, the monster walked imperiously from the blinding light that accompanied his summon. With a single look, Taylor could tell how powerful that monster was. For all of his height and weapons, her Invincible Atlas stood no chance against it.
Tech Genus Glaive Blaster — EARTH/Machine/Synchro/Level 12/Effect: 4000/4000
"Hyper Librarian's effect; I draw a card. I set three cards and end my turn."
Armsmaster: 8000 LP — Hand: 1 — Field: T.G. Trident Launcher, Shooting Star Dragon T. G. EX, T.G. Glaive Blaster, T.G. All Clear, 3 Set Spell/Trap.
Khepri: 8000 LP — Hand: 5
"It's the ideal version of Armsmaster." She whispered in awe before almost biting her tongue. When did she became such a chatterbox again? God, please make it so no one heard that.
"Do you confirm this monster is the most representative of Armsmaster?" Asked the scientist by her side of the Duelling field, wording it a bit more diplomatically.
"Yes! Yes, it's that one." She stammered. How was he not affected by the sheer pressure this monster emitted? "It's like Lung's dragon."
"Thank you. We have confirmed your Shaker effect prevents almost everything save for mundane sound, light, and non-toxic air to pass through. What's the next item on the list?"
"Interference." Answered one of his colleagues, eyes fixated on the screen of one of the many pieces of machinery they brought.
"Right. We will try to have another enter your Shaker field with the intent of participating in your, 'Duel'. I'll be first." The scientist put his hand on the invisible surface of the field and pushed, to no avail. "Now Khepri, try to make me participant by yourself."
Taylor focused, trying to imagine the man entering the field and joining the Duel… before shaking her head.
"Sorry. It's like my power don't recognize you as a valid participant. Also, my turn, I draw."
Khepri: 8000 LP — Hand: 6
"The timer, right." Nodded another scientist. "Let's try with a Parahuman then. Kid Win, if you would."
Taylor tried very hard to not let it show that in the middle of her excitement over Armsmaster, she completely forgot the presence of her future teammate. The boy in red and gold armor moved forward and immediately, Taylor knew he would be able to enter. Before she could voice the sudden knowledge she received, the Ward penetrated the Duelling field without resistance.
Transition from Duel to Battle Royale.
The field changed to accommodate the presence of a third participant; right as foreboding words echoed in Taylor's mind.
Intrusion Penalty: -4000 LP
Kid Win gasped as what looked like lightning briefly coursed through his body. His cards appeared right after, leaving him worse for wear but not defenceless.
Kid Win: 4000 LP — Hand: 5
"Are you alright?" Taylor was starting to panic. "I didn't know it would happen, the Duel changed when you came in...!"
"I'm ok!" Placated the Ward nervously. "That hurt, but it's gone now. What was that about?"
"It's because you came in." She repeated, wanting very strongly to be as small as an insect right now. "If someone else joins an ongoing Duel, it becomes a Battle Royale. Anyone except the original participants suffers a penalty of half their starting Life Points when they intrude."
"I suppose you were not aware until the situation happened." Armsmaster's words made her want to disappear, but she still nodded. "What else?"
"Uh, in a Battle Royale, only players that have already taken a turn can be attacked. But they can be targeted by card effects normally. And, I think it's possible to have a Tag Duel where the participants start in teams, but it must be done from the start. If not, it automatically becomes a Battle Royale where anyone can target anyone." Dammit, the timer! "I normal summon Beetrooper Scout Buggy!"
The monster appeared, valiantly brandishing his spear despite being both smaller and much weaker than anything Armsmaster had on his field.
Beetrooper Scout Buggy – WIND/Insect/Level 3/Effect: 1000/300
"All true." Stated the hero. "It will be added to the debrief. Kid Win, have you obtained the rules?"
"Uh, yes. It's like you said, sir, it feels like it came like a Tinker idea." The scientists scribbled something down as the Ward confirmed his mentor's description.
"Good. Khepri, play your turn normally. Remember: the room is limited in size."
"Alright." Breath, Taylor. It was just power testing. She didn't need to beat Armsmaster. Not that she had any idea how she would get through that field, especially without using her big monsters. Why did they had to be so big? But she could at least try. "Scout Buggy's effect! When he is normal or special summoned, I can special summon another Beetrooper Scout Buggy from my hand, Deck or graveyard! I will summon one from my Deck!"
Another Scout Buggy appeared, just as insignificant as his comrade before the towering monsters in front of them.
"I activate the effect of Battlewasp - Twinbow the Attacker from my hand to special summon it."
A large wasp with two metallic darts buzzed on the field, joining the other insects of her board.
Battlewasp - Twinbow the Attacker — WIND/Insect/Level 3/Effect: 1000/500
"I use a Scout Buggy and Twinbow the Attacker to link summon Beetrooper Armor Horn!"
The ground cracked and exploded outward, revealing a large rhinoceros beetle in white and green armor and its horn armed with metallic pincers. Its rider, an ant in a samurai armor matching color with its mount, let out a skittering war cry. To Taylor's relief, the hole on the ground disappeared immediately after it crawled out, as if it never existed.
Beetrooper Armor Horn — EARTH/Insect/Link/Link 2/↑↓/Effect: 1000
"I activate Armor Horn's effect. I can normal summon an Insect monster from my hand…" Her words were interrupted by Armsmaster.
"I use Infinite Impermanence." A trap card depicting a mechanic dragon being blown to pieces by a lightning storm arose from his field. "Armor Horn's effect is negated for the turn."
Okay, no additional normal summon. She still had a plan B.
"I activate the spell Multiplication of Ants! I will tribute my second Scout Buggy to…" The spell fizzled and crackled, its effect refusing to apply. What was going on?
"Infinite Impermanence. Until end of turn, Spell and Traps activated in the same column it was in are negated." Explained Armsmaster as her spell exploded and went to the graveyard.
Taylor's heart fell down her chest. With a single card, two of her own had been neutralized.
"I use Armor Horn and my second Scout Buggy as link material to link summon Seraphim Papillion!"
The two monsters were set in the markers, Armor Horn taking two markers at once thanks to him being a Link 2 monsters. From the circuit above descended a white and gold butterfly with beautiful blue wings.
Seraphim Papillion — WIND/Insect/Link/Link 3/ ↙↑ ↘/Effect: 2100
"When he is summoned, I put a counter on him for each Insect monster used as material, and he gains 200 ATK for each counter."
Seraphim Papillion — WIND/Insect/Link/Link 3/ ↙↑ ↘/Effect: 2500
"I activate Armor Horn's other effect! By banishing 3 Insect monsters from my graveyard, I can special summon it from the graveyard. I banish my two Scout Buggy and Twinbow the Attacker."
The monster reappeared. She was about to summon her strongest monster available… when she remembered the exact size of Invincible Atlas, then looked at the monster she wanted to summon. It was too similar to try.
"I can't summon other monsters that can fit in the room." She said disappointed. "Battle. Seraphim Papillion attacks your Trident Launcher."
The blue butterfly wings shed a cloud of golden spores in the direction of Armsmaster's link monster... only to be dispersed by the detonation of a small rocket from the massive dragon jet.
"Shooting Star Dragon Tech Genus EX's effect. I negate your attack."
Put out by her lack of feasible options, Taylor sighed. "I set a card and end my turn."
Khepri: 8000 LP — Hand: 1
Field: Seraphim Papillion, Armor Horn, 1 set Spell/Trap.
"I command your restraint. Less responsible capes would have let themselves be carried over." Said Armsmaster, the compliment somewhat rising her spirit.
"So, uh, should I do something, or?" Asked Kid Win.
"Play a turn as well. If Khepri becomes your teammate, you must learn to take advantage of her power." Commanded the senior hero.
"Alright. I'll try…" The Ward studied his hand, not very confident. "I guess I'll activate the Spell Sky Striker Mobilize – Engage! To add Sky Striker Ace – Ray from my Deck to my hand. Then… I'll summon Sky Striker Ace - Ray."
A young girl with pale blonde hair holding a red and black curved blade manifested, her eyes full of determination… wait, she was as young as them, wasn't she? Instantly, she knew this monster was representing Kid Win himself. Perhaps the age was another factor into that?
Sky Striker Ace - Ray — DARK/Warrior/Level 4/Effect: 1500/1500
"Next… I'll use Ray as material to link summon Sky Striker Ace – Hayate."
The circuit appeared, and to Taylor's surprise the girl jumping through instead of going to the link marker, disappearing… coming back an instant later clad in a green suit of powered armor with a heavy dorsal reactor and side shields, holding a long green energy rifle.
Sky Striker Ace – Hayate — WIND/Warrior/Link/Link 1/↙/Effect: 1500
"I go into Battle Phase. Hayate attacks Armsmaster directly."
"Shooting Star Dragon Tech Genus EX's effect. I negate your attack." A vent opened under the dragon to reveal missile launchers just as the girl turned on the reactors of her armor.
"I activate a Quick-Play Spell, Sky Striker Mecha - Widow Anchor, to negate your monster's effect." A compartment in the power armor opened to reveal a futuristic capture device the girl threw at Armsmaster's monster.
"I use Sonic Stun." Another trap card was revealed on the Protectorate Hero's field. "Your attack will be negated, and I will special summon a Tech Genus monster from the hand or Deck."
"Wait, I activate Sky Striker Mecha - Eagle Booster, making Hayate unaffected by other card effects tis turn!"
The reactors on the girl's back opened further, revealing two additional vents starting to ignite.
"I activate Blade Blaster's effect!" The massive armed monster jumped forward, blade ready. "I target a monster summoned from the Extra Deck and banish it, I choose Hayate!"
It all happened so fast Taylor was getting dizzy, there were already five different effects on the chain and as she saw Kid Win choose another card in his hand, it was still going!
"I activate my Counter Trap, Beetrooper Fly and Sting!" They all looked at her, clearly not expecting her intervention. "Since I control a Beetrooper monster, I negate the activation of Blade Blaster's effect and destroy it!"
She was certain that this monster was by far the most dangerous. Neutralizing it would considerably improve her chance to make a comeback.
"I activate my own Counter Trap, Tech Genus Close!" The last set card on Armsmaster's field was unveiled. "Since I control a Machine type Tech Genus monster, I negate the activation of your trap and destroy it!"
That was bad, even if Kid Win had another Quick Spell in hand, it couldn't be used to chain to a Counter Trap!
"I use my Skill! Modular Technology!" Frantically shouted Kid Win. "I send a Sky Striker Spell I control to the graveyard and negate its effects to activate another from my Deck with a different name from those I control and in my graveyard! I send Eagle Booster to the graveyard to activate Sky Striker Mobilize - Linkage! I will send Hayate to the graveyard to special summon another Sky Striker Ace from my Extra Deck!" The reactors of Hayate's armor stopped igniting before their entire surface lit up, and a blue-green energy circuit similar to the one in Link Summons appeared behind her. "Since have a total of 3 or more Sky Striker Spells on my field and in my graveyard, cards and effects cannot be activated in response to that Spell!
The 8 effects chain finally resolved. The circuit surrounded Kid Win's monster and her suit completely transformed into red and gold samurai-like armor, swinging a flaming sword instead of a railgun.
Sky Striker Ace – Kagari — FIRE/Machine/Link/Link 1/↖/Effect: 1500
The rest of the effect went off. Taylor's counter trap was destroyed, Blade Blaster's effect had no more target, and neither did Sonic Stun, while Eagle Booster had been negated by Kid Win himself. Armsmaster's dragon on the other hand was still struck by the Widow Anchor, the device looking like it created massive short-circuits in the machine to force it to power down.
"Kagari's effect." Said Kid Win, his voice sounding weird. "I add a Sky Striker Spell from my graveyard to my hand… I choose Engage…" The card was added back, but his head seemed completely elsewhere and his hands… dismantling his own gun?
"Khepri, power down your Shaker effect." Commanded Armsmaster.
"I can't. By myself, I mean." She immediately clarified "All players must collectively agree to end on a draw. I do."
"True. I do as well." The Tinker turned to his junior. "Kid Win." His voice seemed to bring back some attention. "The testing is over."
"Oh? Uh, right, yes, I'm okay with stopping here."
To Taylor's relief, that seemed to be enough for her power. The monsters vanished, then the field, leaving no traces anything happened at all. She let out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding as Armsmaster walked closer and exchanged some words with Kid Win, who quickly nodded before bolting out of the room.
"What was that about?" Please don't say it's her fault or a side effect of her power…
"Kid Win gained a better understanding of his Tinkertech." Simply said the hero.
"That's right, he had problems figuring it out." Commented one of the scientists, approaching with a notepad completely covered in small writings. "Given how only Parahumans seems to be able to participate, we suppose the Skill is how their power can be expressed within the confine of the engagement you force upon them. That and their 'deck." He pointed out something among his scribblings. "Armsmaster and Kid Win are both Tinkers and used technological based cards, but they were very different in application and concept. Given how Lung used dragons, we can theorize that each Parahuman will have different cards corresponding to their power, with potential variations according to their individuality."
"I see…" Mumbled Taylor. Dammit power, why did can't you give me something like a list of all the cards? It would be very useful to at least prepare for what the opponent might be using!
"More tests will be needed. Coordination will be vital if we find ourselves in a position where Khepri's power is the more favorable option." The Tinker turned to face her, making Taylor instinctively shrink. "Supporting Kid Win with your own resource was good. I am pleased to see you open to cooperation." She glowered at that praise and mumbled a thanks. "You will be accompanied to the entrance."
As she was sent to the PRT Headquarter's entrance, Taylor felt as if she was on some sort of cloud. Armsmaster was still going to ask her to join the Ward, and the reveal that her power did nothing to unpowered people did put a damper on her idea of staying independent, but maybe she could find a way to only intervene when she knew a cape was present. Just like with Lung, but except this time, she would be more prepared, more effective. And this time, it would be a victory that was all her, one the newspapers would give to her. She was going to be a hero.