Author's Note: For anyone interested, there are three advance chapters for Thunder of the Gods available on my : p-atreon/ SkySage24

The rest of the day passed by in a blur. It was mostly quiet, save for a few minor incidents, such as preventing a car crash or two, but they didn't run into any more crimes.

According to Victoria and Crystal, this wasn't surprising. While the criminal underworld was always at work, criminals were generally not stupid enough to work in broad daylight.

As the day continued, Taylor found herself liking Laserdream and Glory Girl very much. They were fun, they were nice, and they knew a lot more about cape work than she did.

It was only after they had rescued a family from a fire caused by a gas leak that Taylor spotted the setting Sun and realized how late it was.

"Sorry, I've got to go," She apologized to the other girls. "I've got, um, obligations." It felt awkward to conceal her identity from the two given she knew their real names, but Taylor couldn't bring herself to share that just yet.

(And, a part of her mind whispered, that just because Crystal and Victoria liked the ridiculously powerful new cape who had taken out Hookwolfdidn't mean they'd like plain old Taylor Hebert.)

"It's all good," Victoria said, waving a hand. "You should hang out with us again, though! Wanna meet tomorrow?"

Taylor hesitated for a moment, but… "Sure. What time?"

"Say… noon tomorrow?" Crystal suggested. "We have plans to go school shopping in the morning, but we can hang out after. We could meet on top of the skyscraper where we had that chat earlier."

School. Taylor had almost forgotten that summer vacation was nearing its end. School was only two weeks away.

It felt so strange and silly to go back to school after a summer running around being a cape, but it wasn't like she could just skip it.

At least she'd get to hang out with Emma every day again.

"Sounds good." She told Crystal and Victoria. "See you tomorrow!"

Waving goodbye, Taylor took off, flying across the city. As she flew, the gleaming skyscrapers of downtown were replaced by the shorter, more worn-down buildings of her neighbourhood.

She was halfway home when she remembered Armsmaster talking about how he'd gotten reports of lightning bolts falling from the sky. If she did it too often near her home, that was probably a clue that would lead people to her.

Grimacing, Taylor circled away, briefly floating over the Boardwalk. Cast a speculative eye downwards, wondering if she should try to find a quiet place to switch forms down there before deciding against it.

In the early evening, at the height of summer, the Boardwalk was brimming with people. Tourists visiting the city, people doing their shopping. It wasn't worth the trouble. Someone was bound to see a bolt of lightning from an otherwise cloudless sky.

Instead, Taylor found a quiet street some ways off from the Boardwalk and dropped down into an alley.

Within walking distance of her home, but hopefully not too close.

Again, detransforming felt…disheartening. Tiring. The power flowed out of her, leaving her as just another teenage girl.

Not even one like Emma, just…just Taylor.

There were times when Taylor wished she just didn't have to change back.

That she could just stay transformed forever.

"Champion."

Taylor spun, her heart wildly thumping in her chest as she began to speak "Sha-"

She trailed off as she saw it was just Tawny in his cat form, perched on top of a wall, peering down at her.

"Goddamnit," She breathed, trying to relax. She didn't swear often, but her heart was hammering in her chest. "Don't scare me like that."

"My apologies, Champion," Tawny said, his tail flicking slightly in embarrassment, "I did not mean to startle you."

"It's okay," Taylor replied, forcing her breathing to slow. "Where have you been all day? You vanished when Victoria-er, Glory Girl showed up."

"I thought it best to avoid meeting with others without getting their measure first," Tawny explained, leaping down from the wall. "Humans, I have found, do not tend to react well to that which is…different."

Taylor winced. Living in a city that was sometimes called 'the Nazi capital of America' by its own populace, she couldn't exactly dispute the claim.

"I don't think Victoria would be like that," She said instead, kneeling down to speak to Tawny on a more even level. "She was nice. No pressure, though."

Tawny folded his paws. "I am glad to hear it, Champion. Perhaps in time, I will meet her as myself."

"No pressure," Taylor assured him, her eyes drifting across Tawny's soft orange fur. "This is going to sound weird, but…Can I touch you?" She ventured.

Tawny blinked at her in a distinctly non-cat-like way which still wasn't human, his golden eyes bemused. "Touch me?"

"It's just…your fur looks really soft," Taylor admitted sheepishly.

The tiger in the cat's form radiated amusement, but fortunately, he didn't seem to take any offense. "Certainly, then."

Taylor reached out, tentatively touching the fur, and finding to her delight that it was soft as it looked. So soft that couldn't resist the urge to softly stroke Tawny's back.

The tiger purred in pleasure, before speaking again. "Now, since our lesson earlier was interrupted, I believe we should resume tomorrow. Though perhaps in a different, less…conspicuous location this time."

Taylor blushed. "Yeah, sorry."

"It is of no consequence, I should have thought of it as well," Tawny told her firmly. "That said…I think the Rock of Eternity would be the best place to practice. Even if my old friend does not have the time to tutor you himself right now, I am sure he will not mind giving us a spare room or two."

"Oh!" Taylor perked up. She'd found the Rock rather spooky the first time she'd visited it, but after the second time…she was kind of curious about what else was there except the Wizard's throne room and the kitchen. "You really think so?"

"I am certain," Tawny said. It occurred to Taylor that maybe she should have been put off by the deep masculine voice coming from a cat's body, but it just…didn't seem worth remarking on that, after what she'd seen this past month. "But that is a matter for tomorrow. For now, I believe is it time for you to return home. Your father should be returning shortly, I believe."

"Oh, right!" Taylor hissed, standing up. She'd forgotten all about her dad.

Maybe if she hurried home, she'd be able to get there before him.

She sprinted down the streets, and by the time she reached the house, Taylor was panting heavily.

Ignoring the ache in her legs, Taylor made her way up the stairs, fumbling with her keys to open the door…and saw that none of the lights were on. There was no sound, the house completely and totally quiet.

Nobody was home.

Dad must be working again.

A mixture of relief and disappointment flooded through her as Taylor shut the door behind her. She was glad that she wouldn't have to explain herself to her father, but…

"Is your father not home, Champion?" Taylor looked down to see Tawny had entered the house with her, his paws padding softly, almost noiselessly across the floor of the house. Though unlike her, he seemed entirely unwinded.

"Doesn't seem like it." She admitted quietly.

Tawny frowned slightly (and god, how could Taylor tell that the cat was frowning?). "Should he not be home by now?"

"Uh, yeah. But, well, his work keeps him late sometimes." A lot of the time, if she was being honest.

She couldn't remember the last time she and Dad had talked outside of dinner and breakfast. He was always hurrying off to work.

Taylor knew the PRT work was essential and that he was making a lot more money now, without having to constantly worry about whether or not he was going to lose his job, but…Taylor missed how things had been before…before mom died.

Tawny made a noise that Taylor didn't quite understand. "I see. How do you plan to feed yourself?"

"I'll make myself something," Taylor shrugged. "Or order from a nearby place. Dad has a tab with some of the takeout places nearby, they'll deliver now and let him pay later."

"It has been a long day, Taylor," Tawny said, calling her by her name for once. "Would you like to me cook for you?"

"You can cook?" Taylor asked, baffled. The idea had never even occurred to her.

Tawny swelled in size, standing up on his hind legs as he did so, his clothes appearing in a flash of shimmering green light until he was once more the smartly dressed humanoid tiger she had met at the Rock of Eternity.

"Of course, I can," Tawny said, smiling down at her. Despite his bared fangs, Taylor didn't feel afraid. If anything, it was…oddly comforting. "What self-respecting adult cannot? Now, let us see what there is in your kitchen, hm?"

The following day, Taylor was awoken by the sunlight streaming in through her window.

For a moment, she just lay there. For the first time in a long time, she just felt…okay.

The meal Tawny had whipped up last night had been delicious. He had taken a few vegetables and some chicken from the fridge to make a stew that would have made five-star chefs jealous in something like half an hour. Taylor had no idea if he had used magic or if he was just that good, but it had been the best meal of her life. She had eaten until she couldn't eat anymore and had been on the verge of falling asleep.

Tawny had left through her bedroom window after wishing her a good knight and Taylor had gone to sleep, feeling full and comfortable.

She had almost forgotten what it felt like.

"Taylor?"

She started, turning in bed to see her father opening the door, and looking in. Danny Hebert looked exhausted, with bags under his eyes, still wearing the rumpled clothes he had been wearing yesterday.

"Hey kiddo," He said quietly. "I'm sorry I missed dinner last night, a lot of work suddenly came up. Were you okay?"

Taylor sat up, smiling at her father. "Hey, Dad. And yeah, I was fine, I made some stew."

Danny gave her a tired smile. "Glad to hear it. How about I make us breakfast before I go, huh?"

"Huh? But it's Saturday today, Dad! Don't you have the day off?"

Danny shook his head. "Sorry, kiddo, there's a big project going on and they've asked me to put in overtime."

"Oh," Taylor said, disappointed. "Okay."

"It should be done soon," Danny tried to reassure her. "Then I'll take a few days off. Maybe we'll take a vacation after that, huh? I've got some money saved up now."

Taylor wasn't sure she believed him, but she nodded anyway. A vacation would be fun at least, in theory. "Sounds good, Dad."

The rest of the morning passed by quickly, with Danny departing after he had deposited a plate of toast and eggs in front of Taylor. He didn't even wait until she was done, kissing the top of her head and hugging her, before disappearing out of the door with a promise to be back before dinner tonight.

Taylor ate her breakfast, but she couldn't help but feel lonely. Eating alone at home was nothing like her dinner with Tawny last night or the hot chocolate she'd had with the Wizard in his kitchen, with the old man's kind eyes and warm advice.

She polished off her breakfast quickly, cleaning the plate in the basin and putting it away before she wondered what to do next.

It was only 9:00 AM, three hours to go before she was scheduled to meet Victoria and Crystal.

Maybe she could go back to the Rock of Eternity? Tawny had discussed giving her lessons there.

Or maybe…she could check in on Emma, and see how she was feeling this morning.

The sleepover they'd had the other night was good, but they hadn't talked since. And Emma had still been quieter, sadder than Taylor was used to.

Not the vibrant, upbeat girl she had been before the attack.

A quick check-in couldn't hurt, Taylor decided, pulling on her shoes and heading out of the house.

Magic lessons could wait, she needed to see how her best friend was doing.