Missy snuck out her bedroom window the second that she heard her parents shouting at each other again. Granted her room was on the second floor but it wasn't hard for her to jump out and get Theia to catch her on the way down. She wasn't surprised either to find Morgana on the ground waiting for her patiently. He quickly turned for her to follow and together they headed next door.
Shinji had already opened the door and let them in.
"I should be helping," Missy muttered as she sat on their couch. Even if she agreed that she wouldn't fight an Endbringer… yet, it didn't mean she couldn't complain.
Morgana leapt onto Missy's lap so she began stroking his fur. It was a bit calming, actually petting a cat. Made her relax a little.
"You will after the giant death machines have gone away," Minako told her. "I'm not saying you won't fight them, eventually. But you've only had your Personas for a few months now."
"Felt a lot longer than that," Missy replied.
"I know, but you only have one life. Don't throw it away jumping into something too soon."
"Alright." Missy leaned back on the couch and gave Morgana some neck scratches. "Do cats actually have nine lives?"
"I'm special… and I can tell you no," Morgana said between purrs. "He's right you know. A Phantom Thief should always go into every encounter prepared. Going off like that will put you in needless danger."
"Fine," Missy conceded, though she did stop scratching his neck. "How long do you think until I go there to help?"
"Probably a day or two," Shinji explained. "Behemoth leaves a lot radiation so even after the fighting they have quarantine areas and make sure the rescue isn't getting irradiated when they come in,"
"Great," Missy replied impatiently. Days of people just dying or losing everything they've ever had. "I guess you would know cause Kyushu?"
"Wouldn't. Weren't even there when Leviathan struck," Shinji replied.
"Cause you guys were overseas?"
"… You know how there are alternate worlds?" Minako asked.
"Well yea. Ever since Haywire and- oh fuck!" Missy immediately stood up, inadvertently threw Morgana off her lap, and looked at the two of them in awe. "You guys are from another Earth. Morgana too! It makes so much fucking sense!"
"Language!" Shinji scolded.
"You are right though," Morgana admitted.
"Does your Earth even have Capes, or are Persona users your version of them?" Missy asked.
"No to both questions, Persona users are their own thing," Minako explained.
"Then how did you guys end up on Earth-Bet?"
"It's a complicated story, Velvet Room was involved. Honestly you're better off just asking Igor about it. Even we're not sure how it worked."
"Morgana, do you know anything?" Missy asked.
Morgana shook his head. "Igor created me but I've spent most of my life among humans. Didn't really take the time to ask and figure that weird stuff out."
"Okay. Okay." Missy sat back down on the couch. "Anything else I should know about?"
Minako shook her head. "Not for now. Just rest up while you can Missy. It'll be a very long day for you soon."
It was only after Missy had received a message that Behemoth had fled that she finally was allowed to make her way to the gathering point with an escort. Even with the Endbringer Truce in effect no one wanted to send her out by herself so she needed people with her. Vicky ended up volunteering along with Brandish the second that those two knew Missy was going to help out.
Even Ja- er Fang ended up coming along, already costumed up with his Power.
"Not much I can do eh?" Fang said to Missy. "Compared to you at least. Can still help lift something heavy at least."
"Who are you?" Vicky asked.
"A friend of hers. Owe her a lot so she knows to call me if she needs help."
Carol looked at him in suspicion but otherwise didn't do much else as they finally arrived at the gathering point. There weren't many Heroes there, many already having gone to participate in the previous battle.
"Good to see you," Clockblocker said. He wasn't cracking jokes for once so… yea. The situation was just that serious.
"Yea," Missy nodded to him and then Aegis. "No one else is coming?"
"No one else with permission. Even for the aftermath," Aegis explained.
Yea. Missy had a feeling Rory's father wouldn't let him anywhere near the site of an Endbringer attack. Neither would Dinah for that matter if she had known his identity.
Missy looked down at the barrage of messages she got on her civilian phone, and only a portion of them were likely from Dinah. The rest were likely from kids at her school that had gotten her number after it had spread around. Yea she really needed to get another phone, again.
Missy simply focused on sending messages to the people she was friends with when the teleporter finally appeared and sent them to Lagos, Nigeria.
It took less than the time it took to blink for her surroundings to change completely and to find herself on another building altogether. This one overlooking the ruins of a destroyed city, large sections of it cordoned off likely due to radioactive fallout. There was a good amount of it still standing at least, that wasn't quarantined even, so maybe it was one of those better days?
Not a good day though. Never a good day with Endbringers involved.
Soon those that arrived were quickly approached by organizers and asked for their Powers and Specialties
Vicky and Fang were quickly sent on Search and Rescue while Carol simply stuck being an escort for Missy. Then it was Missy's own turn to answer.
"Trump. I have Pers- Projections that can do different things. Brutes, Movers, Healers, the whole array. I can help with Search and Rescue if you have enough healers."
The man assigning her snorted. "Never enough healers. No Mask or Costume?"
"Open Cape and uh this is my costume."
He gave her a strange look. "Alright. Healer tents then. We'll have someone show you where."
"Just point in the direction I can find and get to it easy enough."
Once she got the needed directions Missy pulled out her Evoker and pointed it to her head. Predictably everyone jumped to stop her but by then it was too late. "Theia!"
Missy's Persona emerged and the man who had just given her directions could only stand and stare at her, his arms still outstretched from trying to grab the Evoker from her hand
"That's uh. How I summon them," Missy explained as she holstered her Evoker.
"Warn… Everyone. Next time. People are jittery about guns," the man chastised her before sending her off. "Especially when kids are shooting themselves."
With Theia around it didn't take long for Brandish and Missy to get to the one of the few remaining hospitals in the city. The building was relatively intact, some shattered windows but the walls were still standing at least. There were many people inside the building, Capes and civilians, that were looking curiously at Missy as she walked among them.
"What's a little girl doing here?" one of the Capes there asked as she approached. They had a very villainous looking costume, though thankfully the Truce was in effect.
"She's here to heal," Carol replied as she stepped in front of Missy protectively.
"Without a mask?"
"She's an Open Cape."
"Psh. Dumb as fuck. And no costume?"
"Shade stop fucking with them and hold this one down," a cape with a Heroic looking costume shouted as he tried to hold down a patient that was starting to have a seizure on a nearby trolley.
Shade apparently did, her shadow enlarging and connecting with other shadows to wrap around the patient and restrict their movements. Missy took this as her chance to walk up to the writing patient and take her Evoker out.
"I'm going to shoot myself with a fake gun. Please don't freak out," she shouted loudly so that everyone around her could hear. She then pointed her Evoker to her head. "Pixie! Diarama!"
Through her Persona, green light would envelope the patient quickly stopping their seizures and mend their more visible wounds.
"They got Brain damage?" Missy asked the Hero.
"We assumed. They took a nasty fall in the fight."
"Too much for me to heal completely. Don't know how bad he'll be when he wakes up but-"
"Gave him a fighting chance and he's not causing a mess now. Good enough," Shade interrupted them. "Now help with rest."
Missy didn't need to be told that now that the patient was being rolled away. She walked to as far as the center of room as she could without getting in anyone's way. "Media!"
Her range didn't cover everyone in the area and it would only the minor wounds at best, but it would inform her of the most badly wounded among them and those that she could help the most.
"Alright time to see how hard healing a bunch of broken ribs is," Missy muttered as she approached her next patient. The nurse hovering over them quickly stepped away,
"Diarama!"
Missy lost track of time as she continued to heal patient after patient, as she worked in the ER and brought room to room where her next patient would be waiting. Oftentimes she had to be conservative about the amount of healing she gave to each person, because there were just so many of them. She simply didn't have the time or energy to heal them all.
And there were so many who were hurt, sick, or dying. The hospital was completely overfilled and the efforts of all the doctors, nurses, and other Capes simply wasn't enough. Among the injured were people where nothing could be done to save them. No matter how much she wished otherwise.
Missy popped a pill into her mouth as she continued to stand over her patient that had been rolled into the ER just minutes ago.
"Cmon. Cmon," she begged.
The man, Villain or Hero she didn't care, wasn't stabilizing even after the second Diarama she used on him. He needed to stabilize if she was going to close that gaping chest wound he had.
"No! no!" Missy shouted as the monitor reading his heart became erratic. The third Diarama wasn't enough and he began to flatline.
She used her Evoker again. "Pixie! Zio!"
The fairy would shock the man with brief pulses of electricity. Over and over. Anything to get his heart started again.
"Zio!"
The monitor continued to shriek and the man's body remained still. There was nothing. Nothing left for her to do. Nothing that was left.
Maybe if she just-… just…
"Missy, that's enough," Carol said as she grabbed her shoulder. "You did what you could. There are others that need your help."
Missy finally lowered her Evoker, even as the man's monitor continued letting a loud continuous beep until someone finally unplugged and dragged it to be used on someone else. She gulped and took one last look at the body before turning away. Before she could move on to her next patient though, Carol had already kneeled down to wipe her face with a napkin.
Oh... Missy was crying. When did she start crying?
"You need to be strong. Present yourself as unshakable even in moments like this. You're a Hero right?" Carol asked.
A good number of people had already seen Missy's outburst… but Carol was right. She had to be strong, or at least act like it.
Missy wiped away the rest of her tears and put on a confident face as she made her way to her next patient. This one had a ruptured liver. The next needed to have skin mended and replaced over serious 3rd-Degree burns. Another suffered from radiation sickness. The radiation Missy was able to cleanse but the long term effects of being exposed to it for so long… she wasn't certain what would happen to them.
Okay… next patient. Missy stepped forward, or at least tried to. When she tried to lift her foot it felt like something had tied it to the ground. She looked down and saw the shadow that had wrapped itself around her ankle.
Huh…
While Missy was too tired to react, Brandish had already summoned a weapon and pointed it at Shade's face.
"Let her go," Brandish demanded.
"Kid needs a break," Shade replied, staring Brandish in the eyes.
The shadow wrapped around Missy's leg let go, but Missy didn't move. She just looked up at the Villian.
"But my shift-"
"There are no shifts and you've been working harder than everyone else. Get some food and take a goddamn nap," the Villain demanded.
Carol dismissed her weapon and stared at the Villian in contempt before grabbing Missy by the shoulder and leading her away. Missy was eventually brought to a break area where she was provided with a cot to rest on, a blanket to wrap up with, and food and drinks to consume. They had given her everything she needed and everything that they could've provided considering the situation. Also it wasn't hard for Missy to notice that they had given her more pillows and thicker blankets compared to other people resting.
"Take your time alright?" one of the few other healers said to Missy as they finished with their break. "Can't have you doing all our work."
There were many other comments like that from passing personnel, Heroes, and even Villains. Praising her for her hard work, asking if there was anything she needed, treating her gently and carefully. Like she was a kid.
But… she was still a kid wasn't she? Sans a costume and mask, it was easy for people to think of her as a child, easy for her to do the same for herself. She did feel like a kid who was dealing with things way out of her league.
"Phew. Rough day."
Missy looked up and noticed Fang approaching them. His costume faded along with his weapon until just his mask remained. He took a seat next to Missy, though Carol made it so that he didn't sit too close.
"Spent all day trying to carry buildings off people," he told her. "Only a few still alive. How many you help out while I was gone?"
"I… didn't count."
"Ah, too many huh? Always a real overachiever, aren't you?"
"I could do more…"
"And leave nothing for the rest of us to do?" Fang gasped dramatically. "Ah Menina, you'll put us all out of work at this rate. Don't you think so Brandish?"
"There's always more to be done… but you've done enough. You can be proud of that," Carol conceded.
"Just recently got my Persona and suddenly you're putting me out of work Missy," Fang moaned. "I'm destitute. Going to be out on the streets trying to find another job."
Missy couldn't help but feel her lips rise a little at Fang's antics.
"Should I call Stranger Danger?" Shade asked as she approached them.
Missy couldn't help but chuckle at that.
Brandish glared at the woman. "We don't need help from you."
"Hey. Truce is still in effect," Shade raised her arms and held her hands out. "Not dumb enough to try anything. Know that the two of you are Open Capes and Heroes. What about you?" she asked Fang.
"Hero I guess," Fang replied. "According to the definition of America at least."
"How is it different in other countries?" Missy asked, curious.
"Why if I was still in Brazil I'd probably be a Villain," Fang proclaimed proudly.
"What?" Missy's eyes widened while Carol's narrowed. "Why would you be a Villain?"
"You know Missy as much as I complain about being ignored, being ignored can be a blessing. You know how the Cops in the Bay are in the Empire's pocket?" Fang asked.
Missy nodded.
"Now imagine that but all those people have Powers and are endorsed by the government."
Missy did. And it was terrible, almost impossible to think of.
"Anybody with any bit of principle would probably be labeled a Villain," Fang further clarified. "Me. You. Even Brandish over there."
"I am a Hero," Brandish replied sternly. "And if an institution is corrupt you fight within the law to change it."
Shade scoffed while Fang smiled.
"Ah. I would agree. But fighting corruption legally is how I ended up in America in the first place. Lost everything fighting them… my fault mostly trying to go in guns blazing. Always got to go about it smarter."
"Fight smarter, not harder. Can agree to that," Shade replied.
"Safe to say you're a Villain?" Fang asked the woman.
"What I'm called for stealing from the Gangs, rich, and corrupt."
"Ah, a real life Robin Hood!" Fang clapped his hands. "Do you also give your plunder to the poor?"
"I donate some of it to charity."
"You see Brandish?" Fang turned to Carol. "We're all fighting real evil in our own way. Don't need labels for that."
"I fight within the law," Carol replied as she put a hand on Missy's shoulder. "She chooses to break it. And I won't have Missy corrupted by your influence."
"Carol, it's fine," Missy said before she could be dragged away. "I can think for myself… and I'm tired. Can I take a break?"
The woman's eyes softened when she looked at Missy. In fact… it did every time she looked at her. "Fine, but you two watch how you speak around her."
"Alright," Shade agreed. "Change of subject. How many crazy groupies have you all dealt with trying to get your autograph?"
"Dear Scion, every day, all the time," Missy moaned.
"Theia!"
Missy's Persona manipulated space and worked along several other Capes, including Myrddin of all people, to create a large tunnel within the rubble. Said tunnel allowed the rescue workers access to the Shelter doors.
"Alright hold it!" one of the men shouted as they quickly began to work on opening them.
It was a miracle that the Shelter had still remained intact and functioning in the middle of all this destruction. It was also a miracle that they had found it and that they had the right combination of Capes to be able to get the people trapped within.
It was why Missy had quickly volunteered to gather up the Capes needed and help out with this task, if only to have a break from the monotony of healing.
"How much longer?" one of the telekinetic Capes asked as he began to shake from the strain.
Missy looked up at Theia who nodded at her. "You're good to drop it! Theia can hold it in place."
Several of the Capes did. Once Missy was shown to be telling the truth the rest of them followed suit.
"Your Personas are powerful," Myrddin commented. "And versatile. I heard you did good work at the hospital."
"Well you're pretty cool too," Missy blushed under the praise of such a well-renowned Hero. There were actually rumors that he was considered to be chosen to join the Triumvirate and for good reason. "Manipulating pocket dimensions sounds awesome."
"It took time to figure out the applications of my Magic, and I am still finding new ways to use it. In fact your Persona, watching it is giving me a few ideas."
Oh yea he did have a thing about calling his Powers magic. Missy wasn't sure that if that was just his brand, he had a power based compulsion/belief, or if he genuinely did know magic. Still, Myrddin was one of the few heroes actually willing to acknowledge her Personas as Personas so she was willing to humor him about his magic..
"Theia can manipulate Space and hold it for a while," Missy explained. "Just takes time to twist it in the first place and I need to see what I'm doing."
"A common limitation for Shakers and a similar one I used to have with my magic. At least in terms of speed. Practice helps, especially sparring with a fast opponent," Myrddin replied. "I can give you a few tips. Perhaps even mentor you if you were willing to join the Chicago Wards?"
Wow that was… Missy was genuinely happy for the offer. "Thanks but, I'll think I'll stick in Brockton Bay. It's my home, ya know."
"Fair enough. There's a spot open for you in Chicago though if you ever need it…" Myrddin turned back toward the rescue workers. "Any progress on those doors?"
A rescue worker shook their head. "Door malfunctioned. Not responding to any codes. Circuitry must've shorted out."
"Couldn't we just get Alexandria here or something to break it down?" One Cape suggested.
"Shelter's roof collapsed, but barely stayed up there because a pillar got caught in the way. We try to break through, we bring all the rubble down on them."
"Myrddin, can you hold the rubble up for me?" Missy asked.
The robed Hero nodded and slammed his staff down. Dimensional pockets would appear all around the tunnels, creating space for her.
"Thanks," Missy said as she ran inside the tunnel and joined the rescue workers. "Is there any way you guys can open it a little? Even just drill a small hole I can see through or something?"
"Doors and walls were meant to handle Endbringers. Nothing we have could break through those."
Missy turned back toward the others. "Can you guys get a Cape, any Cape that can make a hole or let me see inside?"
Someone flew off and Missy waited. It didn't take long for Legend of all people to come down in front of them.
"I can melt through the door," Legend said. "Probably want to get out of there first."
Missy nodded and quickly followed all the Rescue Workers out so that Legend had room to approach the door. Light and heat gathered into a small point in front of his hands that he then began to use to cut through it like an improvised blowtorch. Eventually he melted a large fist sized hole through the doors
"You want to do the rest?" Legend turned back to Missy and asked her.
Missy nodded eagerly and pulled out her Evoker. "Theia!"
The hole expanded, becoming large enough for a car to drive through. The rescue workers immediately ran inside to drag the people within out. It didn't take long before everyone was evacuated and the tunnels and shelter were finally allowed to collapse on themselves.
"Good job. You saved a lot of people today." Legend praised Missy.
"C-couldn't have done it with the others," Missy replied, trying not to blush in front of one of her idols.
"Well working with like-minded Heroes is the reason why the Protectorate was created in the first place-"
"I-I'm fine. Thank you for the offer though."
Legend nodded. Accepting her refusal. "I've heard some good things about you."
"You did?"
"Most of New York did. You're growing quite the reputation for the work you've been doing for your city."
"Well I try my best."
The smile Legend gave Missy almost made her squeal. "Well let me know if you're ever in New York. We'll make sure to have a place for you," he told her before flying away.
Myrddin simply shook his head as he left. "Really?"
All Missy could do was nod dumbly before moving onto her next task.
Rescue efforts took place for a day or two before eventually most of the Capes would be sent home, apart from those who had lived in Lagos before Behemoth struck. It was an enlightening if not sobering experience working at the site of an Endbringer attack and had been tolling. Both mentally and physically.
Missy was guilty that she was still leaving so much destruction and death behind for others to deal with but also relieved that she could finally go home. Prepare herself for when she would have to repeat this all again in a few months.
She stepped into the waiting area for transport and froze at the man standing in front of him.
"Yo Brat."
"Hookwolf," Missy growled as she glared at the Villian. Her hand firmly on her Evoker. She had been aware that the Empire participated in Endbringer fights. It was part of their PR, why their existence was tolerated probably, but she had never really given it much thought. Never prepared herself for the chance that this might happen.
The Villain didn't seem very threatened. In fact, he smirked. "Heh. Got some teeth in you now."
"What do you want?" Missy asked, not caring about the commotion she was creating. She was just too pissed for this right now, and that was ignoring the headache she currently had. Even the pills Armsmaster gave her had limits.
"Just see ya for myself. Truce and all that."
"Afraid of me?"
"Hah. You ain't hot shit yet brat. Just had to keep my head down."
"What? No other helpless principals for you to beat up?"
"Think you and I both know that Chink is anything but helpless."
"Don't call her a Chink!"
Hookwolf rolled his eyes. "Oriental. That good for you, brat?"
"What's good for you is seeing you in jail."
"Get in line. Lotsa people want that. Plenty failed."
"People you killed."
The man had the gall to shrug. "Don't swing if you can't take it."
Like all those innocent people, minorities, he was known for slaughtering could've ever taken it. "I'm coming for you. You know that right?" Missy told him.
"Heh. Already told ya, Get in Line."
"Perhaps you shouldn't rile her up." Krieg walked between the two. "Mein Fräulein here's had a long day. Helping plenty of the good people I see."
Ew. His voice and that dumb accent just wanted Missy to… bleh. "I saved whoever needed it. I don't care about how people look."
"It is not just looks but genetics. Aren't those like us predisposed to be great? To be superior?"
"Fuck off." Missy turned away, refusing to interact with that Nazi anymore, before noticing the other members of the Empire nearby in their own group. They were watching everything, particularly staring at her way too much.
You know what? Fuck all this too. They weren't worth it.
Missy flipped them all off with both her hands as she walked away, ignoring the chuckle she got out of Hookwolf. No way she was ever going to join those bastards.
"Should've given them more than the finger," Vicky muttered as she floated next to her.
"Truce. Once we get back we'll stick it to them," Missy muttered.
Vicky coughed. "Language."
"Huh?"
