WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING
READ THIS MESSAGE. READ THIS MESSAGE. READ THIS MESSAGE. READ THIS MESSAGE.
I have completely scrapped chapter 10 and the story will now go in a completely different direction. As of now, the plotline of chapter 10 will be irrelevant. THIS IS NOT A REWRITE of CHAPTER 10 but an entirely new chapter with entirely new scenes.
If you want to read the old version of Chapter 10, it is in Spacebattles - Devil Amongst Worm - Sidestories.
"Who's a good girl? Who's a good girl? Yes! It's you! It's you!"
Angelica barked in obvious delight, her tail wagging franticly as the woman's finger worked their magic. The digits struck all the right spots behind her ears with astonishing accuracy as the terrier's eyes collapsed in pure bliss. Lost in a world of pleasure, Angelica's legs gave under her, no longer able to hold her weight. She rolled onto the ground, her legs pointing at the sky as she panted and whined for more.
The woman obliged, much to her happiness as the hands shifted their attention onto the abdomen, massaging the entire area in a belly rub. The strength and speed were neither too great to be discomforting nor too soft to be boring. It was just right.
"Awww… Is the doggy happy? Is she the happiest doggy in the world?" The woman cooed and fawned over the crippled canine, showering her with love and attention as Angelica's barks of approval echoed throughout the shelter. It was a happy time for the Terrier, but unfortunately, her siblings sought to steal her piece of Heaven.
Judas and Brutus paced around the woman, eagerly awaiting their turn as they pitifully whined. In mere minutes, their patience ran thin, and they were no longer content with simply watching on the sidelines. The two worked together in well-practiced coordination as they nipped and tugged on the woman's sleeves and pants, trying to drag her away from their sister and guide the happiness-giving hands onto their fur.
Angelica growled in irritation at her siblings while whimpering piteously at the woman. But it was to no avail. The woman was forced to surrender when Judas dug himself under her arm while Brutus plunged into her side. The Terrier's ears drooped at the sad realization that she had been sidelined for her other two siblings as the woman showered them with the same affection she had monopolized moments before.
"Oh, don't you worry! There's enough ruff for everyone!"
Three sets of tails wagged in excitement, filling the shelter with barks and laughter. But Rachel was far from amused or even delighted at what could be taken for a harmonious sight.
Her hands trembled as she watched, fingers digging into her sides in trepidation. She wanted nothing more than to rip away her dogs from the intruder and bring them to safety. While the woman gently caressed their fur with surprising tenderness, she had seen those same hands rip apart the flesh of an Endbringer. The knowledge that her dogs could be pulped into a mass of flesh with even the slightest effort filled her with unease.
Only the fact that she was afraid to startle the woman kept her silent.
Nevertheless, she kept her eyes fixed on her dogs, ready to fight and die if the woman tried hurting them. It was a stupid thought that passed the line of suicidal ideation. But she would rather lose her teeth before her pride, her pride before her life, and her life before her family.
So she remained at heel but was ready to tear and fight at the moment's notice … Ready to fight Makima.
When the woman first came, Rachel was partly surprised she had recognized her fast enough to stop herself from ordering an attack. If someone had shown her the picture of any celebrity, she would have been clueless about their identities.
But even she recognized this person despite her usual obliviousness to anything that did not relate to dogs. How could she not? Her face was plastered everywhere in the city, and she even knew her name. After all, it would be difficult not to when she heard it from the lips of her overly talkative teammate three dozen times a day.
To be fair, Makima knew what she was doing. She treated the dogs with a loving consideration that Rachel had rarely seen in another. She would have been pleased if the woman was someone other than the Endbringer slayer.
But she was not.
She was not some random pedestrian or tourist.
Makima was the world's most beloved hero.
And Rachel was a criminal—a villain.
She was not in costume, but her public identity and face were no secret. While she felt like the others were overzealous in keeping their identities a secret, she had never regretted or even cared that her civilian persona was out in the open.
Until now…
She did not know how the hero had found her sanctuary. But it did not take a genius to see what would happen once Makima grew bored of her dogs. Part of her hoped this was just some coincidence, but when had the world ever been that kind?
After what felt like hours, Makima stood and turned as her attention shifted from the dogs to the only other human in the shelter.
Rachel knew what was coming next as she awaited the inevitable confrontation.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she remained frozen like a deer in headlights. Her instincts screamed at her to run, but logic came hammering down. Even an Endbringer had failed to escape from this Hero's grasp, and she doubted that she would perform any better.
Nevertheless, plans came and went in the short time it took for Makima to turn.
Empowering her dogs would take precious seconds. An insignificantly short time that was long enough for her to be killed a dozen times over.
Her mind flickered around the idea of bludgeoning the woman from behind, but she quickly dismissed the idea. Even if she was fast enough, Makima had withstood blows from Leviathan and had emerged unscathed.
She could try calling her team, but that would be no different from sending them to a collective grave if they even deigned to show up. Rachel's nails dug into her flesh as her frustration grew, drawing blood. But the overwhelming helplessness she had not felt since childhood washed away whatever pain was inflicted.
Logically speaking, a hero wouldn't murder. But it was not her life she was concerned about. Even heroes wouldn't think twice if they killed a dog by accident. Even if she surrendered peacefully, what would happen to the dogs without her to provide for them? She couldn't afford to fight, but that didn't give her the luxury of surrendering.
Thoughts and plans came and went until a voice broke her out of her thoughts.
"Mood is shared across company," Makima began in a quiet but authoritative voice that commanded attention. Her amber-ringed eyes met Rachel's, locking onto them with an almost unnerving intensity. The Undersider nearly snarled in response out of instinct before halting. "It's difficult to relax when someone else is so tense. I'm not here to fight if that's what you're afraid of."
Rachel's narrowed eyes continued to meet the woman's soft gaze in a contest of wills. She refused to back down, much less respond, even knowing any escalation would end badly for her.
"Please," she continued softly. "I am not here on behalf of the PRT or Public Safety. Even if I were, it wouldn't be to arrest you."
The villain scoffed in disbelief. "You expect me to trust you?"
"I am not so arrogant to expect anything yet earned. You have no reason to trust me but consider that I have not initiated hostilities.
"Yet."
Makima smiled as if amused by Rachel's defiance. "Perhaps, but hopefully never. I will ask again. Relax. If not for yourself, do it for your dogs. They can sense when their owners are upset."
Rachel glanced at her sides, finally noticing the growing agitation among her family. The tension was infectious, like a virus running rampant in a community saturated with contamination. Her instincts screamed at her to remain on guard despite the futility, but her family's whines and pitiful barks softened her heart.
"Why are you here?" Rachel asked, finally submitting out of weary acceptance.
Rather than answering, the Endslayer bent over, bringing herself closer to Angelica, who had raised herself on her hind legs while resting her front paws on Makima's legs in search of head pats. Makima obliged, gently scratching the Terrier between the ears as she pressed herself against her affectionately.
"Wonderful beasts, aren't they? So stupid… Yet so loyal and attentive to the ones they love. This world would be kinder if those traits were more commonly shared," Makima muttered softly.
"Why the fuck are you here?" Rachel asked once more, anger creeping up her throat at being ignored.
"A person goes to the market for food, the pharmacy for medicine, and the school to learn. For what other reason would I be at the animal shelter other than to adopt a dog?"
Rachel raised her eyebrow in doubt. "You?"
She wasn't wrong. This building was, in fact, an animal shelter. Or what remained of one
But the thought of the Endslayer visiting this part of town to adopt a dog was simply incongruous with the image that the woman had built.
Rachel herself had taken over this shelter when the previous workers no longer bothered to show, too busy struggling to survive in this ruined city to be reminded of the animals they had left behind. But while the number of workers had dropped to one, the number of dogs abandoned in the streets had skyrocketed even as the number of people seeking to adopt had plummeted.
"Me," Makima agreed as she continued to rub Angelica under her chin. "Before I came to this… City… I had raised half a dozen. I've meant to adopt a few pups for a while, but I've always been short on time. But now that I've settled into this new world, I couldn't help but notice that my home feels empty without these furred creatures. Tell me, what are their names?"
Rachel hesitated before finally answering, "Angelica, Brutus, and Judas."
"The traitors? Curious, I was told you were uneducated, but- Oh, a husky!" Makima said, her eyes brightening slightly at the sight of the pup. In no time, the said infant canine was cradled in her arms like a smiling babe.
The puppy yelped in delight as he kissed the hands that held him.
Makima smiled dotingly as she tickled his tummy. "Aren't you the sweetest! What's this one's name?"
Rachel hesitated before answering, "Twinkie."
The red-headed woman paused in brief surprise as her lips curled in amusement. "I do not believe in fate, but this seems almost pre-ordained. I'll take this little one. How much?"
"She's not for sale."
The woman's smile did not falter at the rejection. If she was upset, she hid it well.
"I'm sure we could come to an agreement."
"She's not for sale," Rachel repeated stubbornly, refusing to budge an inch.
"One thousand."
"She's not for sale."
"Ten thousand."
Rachel gritted her teeth in irritation. "If you want him, take him. I don't care as long as you treat him right. But he's not a thing to be sold or bought."
For a moment, the woman was silent. Her face was unmoving from the same soft smile that adorned her face that seemed more like an accessory than a natural expression.
"I see, then I apologize for my rudeness. But it does not feel right to take without giving. Twinkie here is fond of you just as you are of her. Severing such a bond would be cruel and not something that can be compensated for money… How about an alternative payment?"
"Just get out," Rachel growled.
"Now, just hear me out," Makima placated. "You've done well with what resources you've had, but I am not unfamiliar with the costs that come with raising another life. How about a donation? You can go far for these children with a bit more supplies and medication."
"They're not for sale."
"This is not a purchase but a donation for your family's well-being."
"Get the fuck out."
Makima sighed in amusement, her smile never once leaving her lips. "Very well then. At the very least, I can promise he will be well cared for and want nothing."
"You better," Rachel promised, her words bordering a threat. "If you're done, leave."
"So eager to kick me out," Makima mused. "But unfortunately, I wasn't entirely truthful about why I was here."
Rachel could not even say she was surprised. She had long since expected an ulterior motive. Rather than tensing, she relaxed at the revelation. It would have been more suspicious if Makima had left without another word, taking only Twinkie. Tattletale would have spent a week pondering for hidden motives and being even more insufferable than usual.
This way, at the very least, Makima's intentions would be made clear. Would she make threats? Force her to reveal information on her team? Manipulate her through words? Whatever it was, she was ready to bite through whatever scheme that came her way.
"I would like to hand you an invitation to join Public Safety," Makima proposed with an uncomfortable amount of nonchalance.
"…What?" Rachel asked, taken aback. A recruitment offer wasn't that strange, but it was the last thing she had expected. Makima was a hero; why would she try to recruit a known villain? Especially one that had a kill count… It wasn't as if her power was anything valuable. Unless…
"I am inviting you to join-."
"I heard what you fucking said," Rachel snapped, baring her teeth and interrupting the red-haired woman mid-speech. Tattletale would have been aghast at her behavior in front of someone who could have murdered her without consequence. But at this moment, she was far too enraged to care. "The hell are you up to?"
"I am up to many things, but this offer is genuine despite what you may think."
"Get. Out. Do you think I'm stupid? That I can't fucking see what you are trying to do?" Rachel growled. "Arrest me, kill me. I don't give a fuck. But don't think you can trick me into betraying-."
"Taylor," Makima interrupted.
"… What?"
"Brian… Alec… Lisa..."
Rachel fell silent, her eyes widening further at the utterance of each additional name. Her anger rapidly dissipated as a sense of horror filled her gut. While she did not give a single shit about separating her cape and civilian identity, she understood how much it meant to her team.
"Would you like me to continue?" Makima gently questioned, as if it was not apparent that the names were threats. "Daniel? Ayesha? Should I talk about their homes, neighbors and friends?"
"The unwritten rules…." Rachel stuttered, uncertain of how to respond to this disaster.
"Ah yes… The code of honor among Heroes and Villians preventing total war. I could certainly see the appeal."
"If you go after their civilian identities, you'll be blacklisted. You'll turn every Hero and Villain into an enemy. No one will be willing to even work with you," Rachel threatened, trying to regain control in the face of a nightmare.
Her threat was empty. The villains may be incentivized, but she doubted the Heroes would care enough to act. Some may grumble and frown, but the violation of the Rules wasn't sufficient for the Protectorate as a whole to ostracize her. Any experienced cape would have realized this.
But Makima was supposed to be from another world. That meant there was a good chance she was unaware of the attitudes among capes towards the Rules or their actual significance.
She wouldn't be fooled for long, even if her threat worked. But at the very least, it would buy her team enough time to think of a plan.
"Even if you get rid of me, Tattletale is a Thinker, and she'll know and make sure that the entire world knows you broke the rules," Rachel swore with confidence she did not feel.
"You underestimate the willingness of humans to turn the other eye in exchange for salvation. Many would contract Devils if it means that their wish comes within reach," Makima said. "But nevertheless, you may be right. It could certainly lead to unpleasant problems I would rather avoid."
Rachel sighed in relief. Her plan had worked. Now it was time to figure out how to escape this mess. "Then-."
"But I do not care."
Horror wormed into her mind, wiping away any and all momentary relief at an exponential speed.
"While being loved has its uses, I prefer being feared," Makima explained as she began to pace around her. "But most of all, nothing is worth entertaining this idiocy that is the de facto culture of this world."
"… Why are you doing this?"
Why her? Why her team? The Undersiders were hardly a threat compared to the Merchants and the Empire. In the grand scheme of things, their team did not matter. They did not control territory. They did not sell drugs like the Merchants, murder minorities like the Empire, or rape and enslave like the ABB. They were just a pack of hit-and-run thieves. What the hell would make Makima go after them in this manner?
"That's the problem, isn't it? Why do these so-called Heroes, Villains, and Rouges do anything?"
"…."
"I find parahumans to be quite droll. Their motives are childish. Wants inconsequential," Makima scoffed in derision. "Engaging in ritualized combat while pretending to be something greater than they are. Utterly ridiculous. The society that supports the lunacy even more so."
"Get to the fucking point," Rachel growled, her patience stretching its limits as despair and anger threatened to engulf her simultaneously.
"The point is that you are a victim of a failed system. The world is not a comic book; its people are more than two-dimensional personalities that can be categorized into two nouns. That is why I wish to help you."
At this point, she was not ashamed to admit she no longer had a clue as to what this woman was getting at. Just seconds earlier, Makima had seemed like she was a single bad day from joining the Nine. A glance at those amber-ringed eyes was enough to instill fear deep into her marrows, and even the slightest movement was enough to make her flinch.
But now… She seemed… Kind?
Rachel almost felt whiplash from the sudden, drastic change.
Makima paced toward her, stepping deep into her guard. She was far too close to be comfortable, yet Rachel did not attempt to stop her. There was no way she would have allowed anyone to be so close that it would leave her vulnerable… But something about Makima was…
"Rachel. You have every right to doubt. But suspicion must be balanced with logic, or it becomes paranoia. My offer is not a trap or a convoluted attempt to extract information. I truly do wish for you to join me."
"You threatened me. You THREATENED my family!" Rachel nearly screamed, sheer rage snapping her out of whatever trance she was in at the audacity of those words. Her fist clenched at her side, turning pale from lack of blood flow as the temptation to sock this woman across the chin almost overloaded her logic. "You expect me to fucking believe you?"
"Yes," Makima answered frankly and succinctly with such confidence that it felt like no explanation was needed. The answer was so simple and direct that Rachel once more knocked off balance.
"You-."
"I understand that my words may have come off as threats, but I assure you that was not my intention."
"Then what the hell is?!"
"To lay down my cards. To show you that my invitation is not a trap," Makima promised.
Thus far, her words had always been calm and cool, as if they were regurgitated by a machine. But now, Rachel could detect faint hints of stress as if something was troubling her. It was, by far, the most emotion that she had shown.
"I already possess all the cards. I have no need for deceit if I wish to capture your team, nor do I have any desire to coerce you into my service. Control gained through threats is meaningless but, most of all, dangerous. I am not foolish enough to point daggers toward my back with my own hand."
"Tattletale can-."
"Your faith in your family is admirable, but all schemes become meaningless in the face of overwhelming power. While your friend is skilled, do you truly think she can make a difference against me?"
She was right. While Rachel hated to admit it, the Undersiders could do nothing against Makima but flee. She had defeated an Endbringer, sniped him into another planet hard enough that one shattered upon impact. Against that kind of power, what could Tattletale do? What could Skitter? Grue? Regent? Makima already knew their names, so escape was not an option. She probably also had their addresses, considering she managed to find her in the shelter.
Rachel could not think of a single reason for Makima to devise such a convoluted plan to set up a trap for her team when she could have arrested them all yesterday.
But one thing still bothered her… Far more than she liked to admit. Just like how she couldn't see any reason for Makima to lay a trap for her, she also failed to see why she would try to recruit her.
"Why…" She began. "Why do you even want me? Plenty of independents worldwide would gladly join your team if you had asked. Why bother with me?"
"Public Safety was an organization that existed in my previous world. Its purpose was in its name. As a member of the Bureau, it was my duty to protect humanity, often from their own actions. When I see you, Rachel Lindt, I see a girl who had been wronged. Unfairly treated by events beyond her control. I wish to right those injustices."
Makima stared silently, a brief quiet engulfing the two. Even the dogs seemed to respect the silence, as not a single yip or bark interrupted it. Her gaze was one Rachel had confronted multiple times in the brief minutes, but this time, her gaze seemed gentle, almost sad.
"Did you know?" Makima continued. "If you had killed your stepmother with a rock instead of a parahuman power when she tried to drown your dog, you would have been pardoned from the consequences. Any lawyer could have defended such a crime as being under duress. Yet, because you were parahuman, the only thing that mattered was that power was used, not the circumstances behind the death. Thus, Rachel Lindt became a villain to the world."
Rachel did not know. She had honestly never thought about it. That piece of her past was a memory she would never forget, yet one she had always chosen to ignore. Her life had always been harrowing. For the first years following her trigger event, she had been too focused on keeping herself and her family alive to worry about anything else.
"What are you getting at? Even if you're right, it doesn't matter," she said. Her words weren't just empty bravado. She honestly did not care whether she was wronged or not. The only thing that mattered to her was her family. The past could rot and die for all she cared.
"Not to me," Makima said, her slight smile falling. "While others may deem you as wild or even savage. But I say that you are far more human than most. Your motives, while simple, are understandable. You fight to protect your family and what you love, and that alone makes you more human than the rest of your fellow parahumans. But above all, you do not pretend to be someone you are not. You are who you are, whether as Rachel Lindt or Hellhound. And that is why I want to help you."
"I don't need your help," Rachel rebutted, but not harshly. "I can survive on my own just fine."
"It is one thing to survive and another to thrive. You are a city mouse that is playing at being in the country. How many dogs can you support as you are? Ten? Twenty? More? But this city must have hundreds of stray dogs after Leviathan's attack. How many do you think are dying? Starving in the streets? With my help, you could do so much. All I ask is for you to help me better this city, not just for its people but also for the dogs that have been abandoned."
"I…" The offer was tempting. Far more than she would like to admit. The temptation wasn't just in the details. The way Makima spoke, her tone, and down to her diction seemed seductive and entrancing. It made her want to listen.
"Shh," Makima interrupted softly, a finger pressing against her lips. "Don't answer. Just consider. And when we meet again, give me a yes."
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