The (_) Must Not Step Out of Her Throne
It's funny... the Bay a few months ago spread around is like a jigsaw puzzle. Territories stamped around as different 'organizations' invest in territories and vie for different kinds of interests than all of them combined in such a powder keg that any moment can explode into oblivion. And it did.
The isolationist, Asian inclined ABB first fell.
The outcasts, the ones who gave up or has been vomited by the world, the Archer Street Merchants have been decapitated when its head was hilariously incarcerated.
The bigot and racist E88 got almost wiped out before any ideas of starting WWIII fully commenced with their 'allies'.
Minor organizations rise and fell after each of the trifecta deciding the fates of the fair little place got dethroned. Even the PRT, while still existing, has been more or less turned into a watch tower by the outside world as they wonder if the most powerful woman, who did the unthinkable and her court stayed on her throne while ignoring whatever accolades she would have.
Different methods, different ways, and somehow, someway... they heard the news,
And they where far from amused.
"Yo mi familia!" A hispanic man said as he approached his drinking buddies in their usual spot. Empty beer bottles rolled in the floor, cigarette smoke in the air and on the table some opened bottles of booze and food were scattered.
"What the hell do you want Ramirez?" One drunkard said, swigging the bottle in his hand as he chugged a few gulps. "I don't have any money right now for ya to borrow!"
"Nononono~ chill out chica," Ramirez said and wrapped one of his arm on one of the drunkard's and snatched one of the bottles and took a sip. "got some interestingly bad news, Little Reina bad news."
That sobered up everyone in the group and sharply looked at the grim looking hispanic man.
"Who's the dumb fuck this time who pissed off Nexus?" One redneck said as he grabbed his stool and moved a little closer.
"Heard from Arnold, that guy who's a little runner for Trainwreck that some estúpido got a bright idea to make one little chica stab her eye out infront of her and apologize to Nexus as... some kinda fucked up love letter." Ramirez's answer brought out a plethora of cursing from everyone as they bustled in action, some pulling out phones, other's running out to call people, and some cleaning up their stuff.
"So a fucked up Master is the one who poked our little queen and gave her some bloody flower oi?" One man said, his one stern looking eye gazed at Ramirez who started calling someone in a phone, the sharp cut in that blind eye of his made his rugged face more menacing. "No idea on how the fuck uses his power?"
"No, faceless quarterbacks took the girl into their custody." Was Ramirez only reply. A frown formed on the one eyed man as he closed his working eye, pulled off one cigarette and lit it up with his lighter.
"If its some uppity fuck's bright idea to grab some attention, it worked spectacularly and either this bastard is an idiot... a smart guy, or a crazy one." Another guy commented from the man's side, his missing teeth made the savage grin and the laughing lines on his face a bit comical to look at.
"What's worse if its all of the above..." The one eyed man said, opening his eye and made a loud cough, that made the activity in the place pause for a second to look at him.
"Usual thing, spread the word but add in to be more careful, we don't know how this fuck's power works or how they use it, so don't let someone, especially some crazy looking fuck touch you if its touch based, no eye contact or even some idiot sneezes at you, avoid the fuck out," He paused, taking a drag at his cancer stick. "We don't know if its only one idiot, or they have some buddies of their own, so always bring a buddy or two when going around," His stern eye looked at each people listening to him. "Don't be a fucking hero and bail the fuck out quickly if you notice something freaky going on and either pass it to the big guys out there like Trainwreck... or pass the message quickly if you can't do it."
"And if it's one of the locos?" Ramirez asked. The one eyed man only put his arm behind his back and pulled out a knife and stab it in the table. A blurry Strider barely readable near the hilt of the blade.
"We're no capes, the system failed us, while the old landlords here had prance around being hypocritical fucks while we snatch the pieces, the opportunities off their feet which they used to trample everything, peddling petty crimes or some shitty part time job," He said grimacing, memories swam on everyone's faces as their composure briefly broke. "It took a darn kid nearly dying for us to even properly have the idea of a future. Cell's only a room, if it's one of the screwed up fucks, a bullet or a knife if you have a chance, only if you have the chance or don't have a choice."
Accord's expressive mask frowned as he listened to the report of one of his men who eloquently passed on the news.
"Call in the PRT and some of our contacts. It will be troublesome if this Master or whomever is behind their actions got a hold of Nexus' chaotic power."
"What will you do sir?"
"Plans... I'm planning to make some plans..." The well clothed Thinker, mused, mind racing as his power started churning.
They had feared when Onna-Musha and her savage Ronin destroyed the tyrant Ryuu's rule, her actions justified, yet they feared its consequences.
Their people felt chaotic, mixed feelings when the E88 attacked and her pivotal actions helped them, saving them from being forced under heel of a much more bigoted and evil tyrants.
They called her Miko, when they noticed in the dark corners... when Youkai and demons lurked in the night striking fear on them aside from those who carry her ofudas.
They called her Susannoo's Chosen when they learnt of the Simurgh's death, for they know its brother, the evil water serpent will be next.
They heard the actions of one of her suitors.
They know their powerless to help.
So they watched, they listened, they whisper.
Even a little help if they can manage, to pay a future debt and the current ones.
They smell, they hear, they see, they feel the fear in the air.
It is intoxicating, it is beautiful, and it is a warning.
The little fairies, the spirits, the land spread the word.
The Miko is disturbed.
They don't want the Miko to be disturbed. Or her shikigamis, especially the powerful ones might fully notice, and take drastic, lethal actions.
It paused on feasting on the meal in their nest, the carcass of one of the recently dead stray dog, their fanged mouth in its neck. It did not want to touch the live and healthy ones right now, especially when one pawed and slapped it with strange powerful strength benign of its frame and with weird form.
"Oh dear, hmm... you would do little beast," A tinkling and soft feminine voice said, the smell of seawater and the splashing of calm waves was heard in the dark alley. Crisp steps of delicate feet sounded out, alongside the pitter patter of water dropping on the ground as puddles fromed. "Your no barghest or one of the lesser fae, but your ability to track with your prey's scent, your familiarity in this dark alleys, being bigger than the rest and especially your territory being near the demigod Nexus's influence would do you well... what was it you were called here on this land little beast?"
A whimper and a snap of a finger was heard in the alley.
"Ah, I see... then bloodsucking Beast of Bladenboro was it? Do be a dear and find and search for this men would you?" A delicate whisper, a flash of light and the beast has a memory seared on its head. "Oh, and don't worry, you don't need to do much, just find them and leave little pieces, little clues around for others to pick. My boon should give you enough intelligence and idea for that, no?"
The beast understood, fearfully nodded and scampered away. It might need some of the little prey lurking in the corners for help, its greed for the clarity they are experiencing made them think She will grant her more. Silence overwhelmed the alley, yet the fae stood on her position for a few moments before letting out a sigh.
"You've been watching."
A caw of a raven was heard.
"Yes, yes I know old voyeur and pervert, this little thing should be only the human's business, not of our side, and with that eye and big brain of yours, you could perceive the result, even I can casually just commence a Wild Hunt from our numbers currently to take them out as trash in its path."
...
"True... the humans as a whole are slowly noticing our side. Sooner and later they and us would wind up and be involved."
...
"... You got me there old man... Yes, its primarily because my little knight's human education might get disturbed especially with their twisted mind seems more inclined to attack those who are powerless to grab Miss Hebert's attention. But, what was that human word again... Ah! Peeh-Ar! Shouldn't a good Peeh-Ar be a much better entrance from our little side of the world if we took action even a little bit? It does not mean we are fully embracing a hands on approach anyways, and some of us have... monstrous looks that they might not like us a bit. The little beast should be a... test run so to say."
...
"... Why are you lau-W-wait what do you mean!?"
"Yo Über!" L33t, said stumbling in the room. One of their old rooms, one of the many boltholes they have in Brockton Bay.
"What!? Can't you see I'm making this sweet combos with Nero here!?" Über said, as he played in his controller, the sound of demons screeching their death sounds music to the ears for the two gamer-themed villains.
"Not the time! I think temporarily postponing that might be a bit of a great idea right now." L33t said between busy catching some air.
"Wait, you mean that!?" Über exclaimed, quickly pausing the game. "What do you mean pausing our great big show?"
"Well... remember Miller from PRT, HR? That nerd fan of ours?" L33t said, Über nodded. "The thing is, the guy managed to spill to me that M/S protocol got slammed by the big wigs. Nothing super paranoid lockdown yet, but he heard from some troopers got a Mastered girl in their custody."
"Aaand~? What's our dig on that? Yeah possible some new triggered Master got a bright idea and they are still out there but that ain't our probl-"
"She came from Nexus' castle."
"Wait, seriously?"
"Yep."
"... I think we might need to change some of our plans brother..."
"Good idea."
...
"Still going to do it?"
"Definitely would, just... a little bit of changes."
"Amen to that."
"Hmm... thank you Aspirant." Miss Kim said, bowing at their Master. The young man genially nodded and dismissed her. Walking out, she was cornered by her sisters instantly and the gossip started. Then the frowns, and then the simmering anger.
"Peace, calm down girls," Miss Kim said, "We need to tighten our patrols, her Angels might help us give us more eyes to see any problems but we need to be more alert. Arm yourselves, nothing lethal, just blunt objects, this pervert might be too dangerous for us but if we can protect our people, Her people, the opportunity she have promised us might be done in earnest if we do our work well."
"Training begins on dawn, eyes open and be vigilant girls, even to ourselves. We don't know when this pervert will strike next."
He does not have no name yet. He only have a role, being one of Her messengers to Her Angels. So he trained, to be better, observed her subject's actions to be more. To have and be bestowed a name.
He heard what an evil man had done to their creator, he spread it to the flock. They were angry, they were wary, the Tunnel Wars had taught them much, no enemy, monstrous, smaller, bigger, ignorant or with cunning mind than them are still dangers that they as her Angels must be wary yet ready to confront.
So they trained, and he did his best to train too. They remained vigilant, much tighter and much sharper as they observed and guarded.
A flap, the squall of winds surrounded the area of his ascent in an instant. Glass shards, his training weapons as they flung to the air in time with his ascent, one of the sharp and long pieces got snatched in the air by his beak. A thrust here, a thrust there, he swung and used the glass shard like a knife similar to those burly humans in the jungles he saw in the media. He used his claws and wings as he avoided, parried, destroyed the falling objects he purposely used, enough weight to be light and enough to hurt when they drop.
He desired to be one of the Aces, but a part of him got strangely attached to those who worked and blended with the environment and kill their enemies with their bodies and one sharp object and with the tools available around the field.
Clang
The last training object dropped in the ground. He wearily cooed as he's tired body felt the batter of old blunt hits from the recent trainings he had done.
He must, improve, for a name, for Her, for The Mission.
For he and his kin are her swords, her bulwarks, Her Angels.
"Troublesome..." Sere muttered as he put his burner phone in the pocket of one of his costumes. Learning from one of the Thinker indies he's friends with that some crazy Master just egged Nexus by making one of her old bullies into a love letter made just his supposedly good and heroic day highly unpleasant.
A groan disturbed his thoughts from wandering as he saw the goons he tied with tubes filled with water groaned in pain, an idea he got when he saw Parian fight. Old E88 offshoots, nothing troublesome like what he'd just learned.
A sigh, and he heard the police sirens approaching his position.
... It's painful... super painful to think about, but it seems temporarily going under might be a good idea right now, especially if he might wake up in the future getting smacked by Nexus for being Mastered. With his situation and his skillset, he is too vulnerable and he might get nabbed by whomever the crazy guy is... Which will be likely to happen given he have too few experience on dealing with such type of Masters.
Its a bit surreal, a few months ago the Bay would have like every Tuesday or Friday it would go off into flames as E88 and ABB got into a slug fest, the PRT attempts to duct tape the situation as they can as the carrions like the Merchants or some intrepid confident people pick up the scraps and he either bolts under and hide, or act as a human sized fire extinguisher where Lung's warpath tends to leave flaming wreck and houses around.
Now he, for first time in a month or two is going to do that, and its because he don't want to avoid being a statistic this time from the single woman responsible with the new status quo. Not whomever dumb idiot being the perpetrator, but the riposte of a possibly angry Nexus.
Especially if the little Queen of Brockton Bay got pissed enough to pull off the restraints this time. He saw the videos, he don't want to get hit by hundreds of energy bolts per second that are stray shots, even if her accuracy is apparently startling big.
A/N: Got a 'make Bowler Hat Guy
EDIT: Thanks DragonGrimoire for the edits, made use of your ideas and added more context in the omake,