Starlight's Lament 1.1
"Uh, what?" Annie asked as she finished brushing her teeth. She stared at her mother in slight confusion as the woman looked at her with some level of seriousness.
"Lamplighter's retired sweetie… you know how that goes when one of the Seven vacates their throne." Her mother then shrugs. "Maybe this time, they'll see your potential." An accompanying smile follows as Annie wipes her mouth from the excess foam.
"Mom… the chances of that happening are so small, we'd have more chances winning the lottery than me being invited as part of the Seven." Annie explained as she walked by her mother and started to fix herself through one of the mirrors near their living room. Her mother crossed her arms beside her as Annie began combing her hair.
"It's not that small of a chance. There's not much competition out there, to be honest. You fit quite well with the brackets and requirements that the Seven have. You're pretty, you're fairly strong… and best of all…" Annie feels her mother hugging her from her side. "…you're the kindest girl that world will ever know should you walk down that stage, with your name beside legends."
Annie's imagination allows her to see a world where she smiles next to her heroes…
That imagination drops a second later, far quicker than what she normally would have before. She simply sighs as she glances at her mother. She squeezes her mother's arms affectionately as a frown appears on her face.
"I… I don't know about that mom."
Annie feels her mother perk up in shock and confusion at her words as they release themselves from the embrace. She then walks towards their kitchen to fetch herself a drink of water as her mother stands there in complete silence.
"W-What do you mean, Annie?"
Her mother's question drives her to stop as Annie stares at the world outside through the window of the kitchen sink. Her reflection allows her to partially see her mother through the glass.
"I'm not sure if being in the Seven is something I want."
"But honey… it's the Seven. That's a grand opportunity, isn't that what you wanted all of your life? Isn't that what most people your age would salivate the simple thought of being near those heroes?"
Annie bites her lip. "Yeah, sure… it's my dream. It's always been my dream mom. B-But isn't being an actual hero better than just being a glorified celebrity?" She faces her mother completely now as the stunned woman stares at her.
"Where's this coming from?"
"Well, I've just been thinking about the state of things. Of the world… of everything. With how Lancer is trying her best to help people in need without the need to be in the attention of the media, I often wonder what's really one to do once you do get to become one of the Seven? When was the last time we've heard of any of them doing anything noble… and good for once?"
"Annie… don't tell me you're… siding or hell, even thinking about idolizing that woman? For Christ's sake, look at what she's wearing ninety percent of the time. She can't even hold a candle to what Homelander and the rest of the Seven do, I don't think I even-
"When has the Seven done anything in the last few months that actually mattered Mom?" Annie spat out, she did not want to interrupt her mother rudely, but the burgeoning feelings within her chest just needed to come out. Especially with how much her mother had been nagging her about Lamplighter's retirement these past few days.
Her words seemed to make the woman stop before she stared at Annie with a conflicted expression.
"… why are we suddenly having this talk?" her mother said with a sudden exhausted tone.
"Well… I can't help but feel like you're pushing me into this whole Seven business as if you know who they're picking to replace their empty spot."
Annie saw her mother's expression and despite how much he truly loved and cared about her mother, her expressions were far too easy to decipher.
"Annie… I'm just hoping for the best in your future. You know that."
She can't help but smile at her words. "I know Mom… but it's just, everywhere I go, when I see billboards, posters, TV shows, or even pictures of some of my favorite heroes and heroines, I just realize that some of them are just there for show. Sure, every single person worships them as if they're the most important thing in the world, but when you look into it deeper, they're just… that."
Annie stares at her hands. "I ask you, what makes The Deep any different from any famous handsome guy in Hollywood nowadays? When have you actually seen the Seven, actually do anything with the 'hero' part of their name?"
"They always do plenty, Annie… I'm sure the media just doesn't focus on it."
"And that's the point! Why… why are they just walking down award-season galas? Why are they just signing autographs, making movie deals, appearing, and acting as actors in their own damn movies? Why are they all so obsessed with showing up at these things… when they could be out there? Doing the right thing, like how heroes do?"
Her mother looked stunned, almost fidgeting in place. "I… I don't know Annie."
"Mom… I don't mind fame; I don't consider it as something that's bad. It's just… I look at Lancer, at Archer, and the many heroes out there that are actually making a difference without the need to be popular and I'm just standing here thinking about if the fame of being in the Seven is worth it."
There was a small silence between the mother and daughter as Annie sighed, heavily.
Her hands then glow as Annie laments about them.
"You once told me, that my powers were a gift. A tool to help people in the best of ways. I just… I just want to do my part in upholding it, and I can't help but feel that accepting myself to be part of the limelight is going to help me reach that ideal."
The silence continues and Annie simply decides that she needs some air. She walks outside of her home and leaves as her mother, not left alone in the house now sits in place, thinking about her daughter's words.
Annie walks ahead in civilian clothes. She would have loved to wear her costume and do some good around her neighborhood and the city she was near to, but she didn't want to attract attention. Especially with how heavy her thoughts were.
With how conflicted her entire perspective was on the ongoing debate about Olympia's heroes.
Despite that, even with her childish glee and love for the heroes that she was used to, she can't help but feel amazed at the now infamous Lancer. Essentially the symbol of all heroes and heroines alike as her amazing feats from her prime debut and even to this day just left many breathless. She was essentially the warrior woman archetype that everybody praised and loved to the high heavens.
No matter what people said about her brash, cocky exterior, the many things she heard about the woman caused her to think about her own career as Starlight. Because even though she had done so much for her community with her powers and the like, she was nothing to the full number of changes that Lancer and so many other new heroes have brought to the table. She almost felt embarrassed for herself when she heard about the heroine Archer, the green-haired one that Annie was most inspired by. From her feats of opening up and saving various children through her foundations and orphanages, she created a suitable life-bearing symbol of herself for the kindness and loving thought she persevered for everyone around the world. She may have idolized Lancer for how much she made female heroes relevant to the point that there was no longer a divide in how people view sexes in heroes, but Archer was just simply different.
She acted like a saint, one of the kindest ones that ever lived as she heard so many stories regarding her presence around the world.
Of course, there were a lot of naysayers when it came to Olympia's heroes.
Though they were a vocal minority as it seemed like each day, their reputation just grew and grew to the point that those naysayers had nothing to spout out in regard to the actual change they delivered.
Plus, they cared not for the popularity, the fame, or even the name that they built themselves with. Even the most infamous flashy ones, the one called Rider, the fastest hero on record had shown himself to be prudent in proving his worth as his initiative allowed a dozen of people to be saved when a hurricane hit Florida a month ago. The fact that he was present in all facets of that disaster's course allowed him to be a crowd favorite, more so now when he was willing to help rebuild all of the homes that were lost and with how there were practically no casualties with that entire event as a whole.
Plus, he was quite hot. Annie definitely did not buy illegal merch from him online, heh, like at all.
Anyway, most people would often argue who it was that had the most impact around the world when it came to how much they helped. Olympia for how quick their coverage was in making sure that it wasn't just first world countries that would be saved, was a conversational split between Lancer and Caster's effect on their relative stages of action. Lancer was much more direct in solving various crises big and small, even if controversial at times when it came to countries questioning their jurisdictions, and on the other hand, there was Caster who single-handedly changed medical science to a new frontier.
Caster had the biggest effect on the entire world. It was the reason most, if not all countries at this point were willing to allow Olympia some leeway in their operations on their own soils… because Caster was just far, far too important with the change he delivered.
The research and medicine he entailed practically helped curb the worst diseases that mankind was known to. The bigger ones, such as Cancer and the like were still in progress, but given that STDs, most genetic disorders, and even extreme ones even in their deadliest stage, such as rabies at their latter courses were almost wiped out overnight. People that had little possibility of living were healthy again, and while he may not have solved all of the world's medical problems overnight, he damn near pushed it to such a head start that many are still baffled by.
Add the fact that they did not stop his charity at important, key countries, he served to be the world's new, unofficial start to the renaissance in scientific knowledge. Annie did not hear much of how he acted outside of this venture of his, but she knew how important the man was, and what he meant for society… without even showing himself or bragging himself to any media for his accomplishments.
In fact, he was so reclusive that it felt like he was actively avoiding an interview outright.
There were many others of course, that were in Olympia's banner.
Berserker, strangely uncharacteristic of her name has become the motherly matriarch of Asia that seemed to be the West's equivalent of Archer.
There was also Saber, the blonde knight that Annie wished to meet, especially with how close their age was and how casual and easygoing she was around the people she met. She was friends with Lancer, to the point that some asked what their relationship was. Annie did not mind that debate, but she did find Saber cool… and well, she was straight, but she found her cute.
There were many others in the plethora of heroes that Olympia had that made real change and actual heroism for the world. So much so that it pushed some other heroes she knew, before the grand renaissance of Olympia's presence to now actually do shit.
Which is why she was at a complete impasse now…
Given what her mother said to her. Of course, she would want to be in the Seven… who wouldn't? But that meant being a hollow shell of what she actually wanted to be, and that was being a hero.
A real hero.
"Help! She stole my purse!" a voice called out as Annie saw a young girl, barely ten run down the street quickly after nabbing a woman's belongings.
A smile appeared on her face as she went into action, not as Annie, but as the hero Starlight…
Sans costume of course.
Annie followed the girl through a series of alleys.
She was nimble and very fast. She even thought she would lose the girl due to how quick she was, but she inevitably caught up to where the girl was heading. Panting, she stopped for a moment as she wished to shout to the girl. Hoping to stop her, she then watched as a man came out from a nearby door to a building and suddenly punched the girl across the face, hard. The girl fell to the floor, visibly bleeding from the hit as the man forcibly grabbed the bag that she stole.
Annie's world instantly slowed as rage entered her heart.
Her body then glowed partially as she zeroed in on the man.
"HEY! ASSHOLE!" she cursed as her fist glowed.
THUUM!
The man, not expecting company merely saw a glimpse of a glowing fist smashing him in the face before he crashed and broke the hinges of the door where he came from. A loud clang was heard from the entire ordeal as Annie smiled, not even noticing the blood on her fist.
The girl from earlier stared at her in fear as Annie immediately shook herself off from all the adrenaline in order to help the girl quickly. She knelt at her side and saw the awful bruise that was now manifesting on her cheek.
"How bad is the pain?" she asked as her first aid training kicked in; she inspected the girl who was still looking at her in fear as she tried to smile to alleviate the tension. The girl looked Asian with her features and lithe body. Though she wondered if it was because she was starving… or because she was simply like that. She didn't care to know as she looked at the girl with good faith despite her crime from earlier.
"You're going to be alright, okay?" Annie said as her enthusiasm and smile wavered after inspecting the girl for any injuries. Frankly speaking…
It was a lot. Disturbingly many.
From lacerations to scars, to bruises, and lingering unhealthy conditions….
Annie's frown became much more pronounced when there was a sheen of dry blood down between the girl's legs. A bit of rage consumed her heart as she thought about those implications. Especially with how much pain and suffering this little girl was forced into.
Her eyes, tearful, scared, and unsure dawned on Annie as she straightened herself out.
Now was not the time to show weakness. She had to act the part of being a hero, and she needed to show it to this child. "I'm going to get you out of here, safely alright? You don't need to be scared."
The girl nodded weakly as she reached out with her hand. Annie squeezed it for good measure and gave a lovely smile in return. "What's your name? I'm Starlight."
The girl looked at her for a second before feebly responding back. "A-Abbie."
Annie stroked her hair comfortably as the girl showed a slight smile. "You're going to be okay Abbie… I'll make sure of-
Gunfire suddenly raged behind her. Weapons, probably automatic in nature pelt her back like continuous painful nudges, but not enough to bruise or prick her skin. The girl in her arms screamed as Annie covered her. She allowed her free hand to glow and charge up until she looked at the girl who was innocently covering her ears from the assault.
"Close your eyes!" she shouted as she discharged her power behind her.
FWASH!
The gunfire stopped and Annie quickly sprang into action, only to stop suddenly when she saw the stunned gunman, about ten of them, holding weapons against the children's heads. A scream tore the air as Annie knew that despite her enhanced body and slightly enhanced speed, she would not be able to disarm all ten of them holding guns in these kids' heads. The risk was far too great as she kept both hands glowing as she shielded Abbie behind her.
The men, recovering from her onslaught started shouting in a language she did not know but based on their desperation, Annie knew they were threatening to kill those kids if she did not back off. She was unsure of what to do, given that she had no time to call for the police or backup of any kind as she was now forced into a horrible deadly stalemate.
Abbie cried behind her as she held the tattered remains of her jacket…
While the kids with the guns to their heads cried for her to help.
The shouting, angry tones of the men kept at it with her as the tensions rose.
Annie felt scared. She had a ton of experience with various crimes she busted through the years, but not a hostage situation this dense and problematic. She wondered what to do as the clock ticked down.
She closed her eyes briefly, praying that someone would help her…
Only to hear a loud, heavy sound.
THRUD!
Then there was a scream and a spurt of blood within a second. Annie saw the closest man's hand holding the gun, explode in bloody gore. Then, that same heavy thrum occurred again.
THRUD! THRUD! THRUD! THRUD! THRUD! THRUD! THRUD! THRUD! THRUD!
As a literal rain of what she could only identify as arrows, proficiently hit, and disabled every hostile on the scene, despite the quite narrow doorway that was open for whoever shooting those arrows would need. Annie embraced Abbie behind her as she heard a voice.
"Saber, clear the children!" It was a woman's voice. One that was all too familiar to Annie knowing that she idolized the person it belonged to. She opened her eyes and saw with such an amazing scenery, with the sun behind her back, was Archer. Her green hair and cat-like ears flowed through the wind as Annie felt her mouth open partially in awe.
"Wow." She was breathtaking, as the heroine jumped down her roost and onto the ground beside her as she stood tall and proud. Her face was fully impassive and serious as another person arrived beside her as if appearing out of thin air. Unfortunately, she couldn't tell if the blonde person was a male or a female, but regardless they were a beauty wearing that stylish hat and rapier.
And they called themself Saber? God… what was it with Olympia and their confusing names?
"Affimative, madame Archer." They also had a French accent.
Annie returned her gaze to Archer in awe and fascination as she returned herself to focus once more on what was happening. She stood up and saw that the woman was looking at her, almost as if wary and offended by her presence, but she glanced at Abbie still holding her hand and her face softened.
"You have done well. Saving the children was an honorable act on your part." Archer said.
Annie felt like her hair stood upright as she smiled innocently. Almost too shocked that it was true.
"Y-Yes… t-thank you ma'am." She said as Archer nodded with a small smile.
A moment later, Annie helped the remaining children held hostage earlier outside as Saber gathered the wounded gunman inside. Annie kept the children placated as Olympia's personnel and the local police were to arrive anytime soon…
She bid Saber to watch the kids for a moment as she went back inside to join Archer.
The place was a terrible thing to look at. It was clearly a trafficking den with all the nastiness attached to it as Annie watched the wounded, agonized gunman moan with their injuries in pain. Despite being mad at the entire thing she found the image quite justified even with her discomforted feeling towards the violence.
However, as soon as she noticed that all ten men were reduced to nine, Annie heard a loud cry of pain. The kind that made people flinch as an audible crack of broken bones was heard alongside it.
Annie then saw a sight that she would never forget.
"Scum… you, who terrorize and use children for your benefit don't deserve the honor of a painless death." Archer venomously said as she grabbed the man's head and bashed it against the nearest wall.
BRWASH!
The sound of labored breathing was heard as Annie saw a splat of blood in the aftermath.
Archer's aura was far too intimidating, far too deadly like a predator playing with its prey.
Even her eyes looked demonic.
A stark contrast to the woman that Annie knew and praised to the high heavens.
"Even Tartarus isn't fit for the likes of you."
BRWASH!
The splat became stickier this time as no breathing was present, a barely recognizable face was what remained afterward as a wheezing sound came from what was left of the mouth.
BRWASH! BRWASH! BRWASH!
There was nothing left of the man's head after as Annie stared in silence.
Completely shocked at the image as the matriarch of peace and children stood there with bloodied hands filled with remnants of gore.
Annie didn't know how to respond to that…
Even as Archer congratulated her in good faith despite her shock, and even as the children were now being cared for by Olympia's employees and first responders…
Annie couldn't help but feel as if her image of the people she idolized shattered.
One question kept rattling her head…
What the hell just happened?
It was the next day. The shock did not wear off.
Yet Annie was here, in one of the closest orphanages Archer had to her home as she was invited. She did not want to come at first, completely unsure of the image she just saw yesterday, but she was inclined because… well…
She was worried for Abbie and those kids.
She was worried about Archer.
W-Were… were the stories around her true? Was she really as kind as people made her out to be?
She was conflicted entirely last night, mostly because despite the fact that she loathed and hated those men, the act of violence Archer committed just… traumatized her. Even if it was justified, even if Annie found no wrong and believed Archer's actions were correct in some way…
She just… she just found it horrifying.
"…"
Now, she was sitting in the main office of this orphanage, wondering what would happen. Wondering what further discoveries, she would make to shake up her thoughts on her idols. Wondering if she was wrong to idolize a person such as her.
"Oh dear, I am very sorry for the wait!" a cheerful, motherly voice said as Annie turned her back and saw a beautiful blonde woman with a remarkable, royal-like white and red dress adorned with an accompanying golden crown. Her entire presence while overwhelming and overall striking to any person upfront, was completely overtaken by how kind, how… comforting her entire existence was.
Her aura, smile, and seemingly genuine and kind nature reminded Annie of her own mother.
Her brightness seemingly illuminated the shadow enrapturing her mindscape as she walked towards the desk and sat behind it. Her charming, friendly, and motherly smile made Annie feel better just by experiencing it.
"You must be Annie… it is delightful to meet another child of mine." The woman said.
Child? "Um… I think you're making a mistake? I don't think we're related, respectfully ma'am." Annie said with a softened expression of bewilderment.
The woman giggled softly. Her tone made Annie truly remember her mother. "Pardon me, I just consider all good boys and girls as my children. It's just a quirk you can say… an innocent quirk."
Annie noticed that her entire presence was just genuine all around. Her responses were innocent and had no subtle meaning behind them. She knew how to spot how people truly acted in their true selves quite well, and with her doubts on the Seven and Vought grew, she was good enough to know how genuine some people were. Well, for the most part after the whole Archer fiasco… but this woman? She was actually pure with her words…
Nothing seemed off. She was just that kind-hearted both in presence and personality.
"T-Thank you for inviting me. I was… I will admit I was a lot more hesitant to come at first.'
"Oh? Oh, forgive me for forgetting about the whole issue yesterday. Though yes, I do understand child, if you feel uncomfortable with the whole ordeal. It… it must have been terrible for you." The woman said as she stood up from her seat and walked to Annie's behind. She then started embracing her while stroking her head in a motherly fashion. "Don't worry, I'm here… and you are going to be safe in my arms."
It felt good. It was… amazing, Annie felt as she looked up at the woman.
"T-Thank you ma'am… I don't know what to say."
"Call me Europa, dear sweet child." The woman then kissed the top of her head as she withdrew from the hug and smiled at her. She then took the seat face-to-face with her as Annie, flustered, could only blush in response. "I am terribly sorry if the nastiness tainted your picture of my grandchild. She did not mean it you see… she's just terribly upset and bad people that hurt children."
"I see… b-but, w-wait… grandchild? Is… is Archer your grandchild, ma'am?" Annie said in shock.
"Oh, dear me, yes! She's the adopted child of my daughter, Artemis… poor Atalanta can be quite the serious child when it comes to how she deals with children. She loves them as if they are her own… more so if they are lost out there in the world. If anything, she even trumps me as a mother, with how dedicated she is… I'm proud of her. Truly. She is as blessed as my betrothed." The woman said with love in her words as Annie tried to digest the revelations.
Wait, did Europa say Archer's true name?
"May I ask, what is it you wish to know earlier? You seemed to ask me of something before you were interrupted by my reveal of Atalanta's name." the woman asked in slight curiosity.
Annie's demeanor then stiffened, and she went downtrodden again for a bit.
"I… I was going to ask if the stories around your… grandchild were true." She admitted unsure of what the woman would say in response. "…and I was scared for Abbie, I just wanted to make sure."
The woman smiled kindly at her. "Why don't you see it for yourself? Dear Atalanta is pure-hearted but she has her flaws. Artemis is no dedicated mother, but through her, she learned the value of children and what they are to the world in general. Their innocence, their grace, and their love are what drive my darling grandchild to be what she is. She may be extreme at times, but believe me when it comes to children… she dedicates her life one hundred percent at a time."
Annie nodded as the woman stood up. A bit of hope and light returned to her as she was offered a hand.
"Come, sweet Annie. Let us meet Abbie and her friends. I believe Atalanta is hosting a party for their arrival." Europa said as Annie took her hand.
It was truly beautiful and wonderful seeing the many children celebrating around her.
It was a full-blown party, with toys, confetti, food, and all as Annie smiled and cheered.
She watched as Atalanta, the symbol and idol she followed cheerfully made fun with the children around her as they played with her harmlessly. Some of the children they saved were already far healthier than yesterday and they were celebrating with cheerful smiles and tears around their welcome party.
Atalanta even allowed a child to ride her back as they sang a song that she did not recognize.
Europa and she joined in on the party as Annie felt so happy with this discovery that some parts of her doubt were whisked away…
Still, even as she stared at Atalanta, images of how she brutally killed that man yesterday still haunted her head. She tried to look away as the two shared a glance for a second before Annie heard Abbie calling out to her.
"Starlight!" the Asian girl shouted as she waved at her after what Annie assumed to be Artemis floating her into the air while the girl held a strangely living teddy bear in her arms.
Abbie squeezed the teddy bear who comically screamed as Artemis laughed.
The girl then threw the teddy bear into the crowd of children who seemingly raced to the ground to catch him first. The teddy bear was mobbed as he screamed funnily in the cacophony of celebrating children around them.
"ARTEMIS! GET ME OUT! PLEASE!"
Annie could not help but laugh at that entire image as the party continued on…
It was five hours later, she supposed. She enjoyed herself thoroughly.
Too much in fact.
Too much that there was an emotional whiplash when she was called back to the office from earlier and was now face-to-face with Atalanta who invited her to talk personally.
Annie felt a modicum of discomfort as she tried her best to look the woman in the eye…
Only to come out lacking.
She was embarrassed of course, though the uncertainty still lingered in her mind about all of this.
"You wished to meet me, Annie January…"
"Y-Yes…"
The woman then gave a friendly curt nod. "I believe we should clear the air then…"
AN: haha… the following will be interesting too.