Chapter 18

A vast landscape like a carefully cultivated garden spread out around me. Beautiful and alive. This wasn't anywhere I was familiar with. It was warm and bright, nothing like the cold void of the Grimoire, warmed only by the light of distant stars.

"You should have been more careful." The voice was soft and melodious, but unfamiliar.

Who?

"You silly child. You wielded the very powers of creation and quite nearly burnt out your soul."

No, I meant who… are you?

"How endearing, you ask about me rather than your own condition. Or perhaps that is just prudent, when seeing an unknown entity within your soulscape. Well if you must know, I am known as-"
/

I woke up with a start, a stray tear falling down one cheek, though I couldn't say why. I dismissed it as a dream, it had happened before. I sat up with a grimace and small grunt of pain as a dozen aches and pains made themselves known throughout my body. The worst was the bone deep weariness that I somehow knew no amount of medicines would heal. Only time and rest. I slowly stood to my feet, my surroundings smelling of antiseptic and blood. I was in a sheeted off area, so once I had secured my mask, I cautiously peeked out.

Doctors and nurses were going about, putting equipment away and preparing for a departure by the look of things. I recognized them as the volunteers from the medical tent, so it was easy to guess we were still in Canberra. I was the only patient in the place.

Right outside my impromptu 'room' was Dauntless. The hoplite themed hero gave me a small nod of acknowledgement. "We weren't sure you were going to wake up before it was time to head back. Search and rescue efforts are just about concluded. A small team is staying to help with reconstruction, though I don't think you'll be with them considering your condition."

I wanted to help, I really did, but I grimaced and nodded in agreement. "Too much power, too fast. I won't be able to help with anything largescale like that for a while."

"Gotta know your limits. Besides, you've done more than enough for now," he stood and gestured for me to follow.

"So I'm guessing I made a lot of enemies with that stunt I pulled? I mean, that's why you're here guarding me, right?" I asked.

"I wasn't here to guard you. I was here to make sure you weren't mobbed by your adoring crowd."

Outside the medical tent were milling dozens of capes, heroes and villains alike. They let out a cheer as I exited and I had to blink in amazement as they began to congratulate or even worse, thank me. Unfamiliar faces clapped me on the back or shook my hand eagerly. Some of them were vaguely familiar, capes that I had managed to save before the Vestments of Balance kicked in, but others were completely new.

Why? I sent you to your deaths. I gave you false hope. Numbers barely mean anything against an Endbringer. I should have sent you to safety with the civilians.

From the crowds, strode Legend. The Protectorate's leader shook my hand with a winning smile. "Glad to see you up and about, Magus. As you can see, there was a lot of concern after you collapsed."

"Some of them tried to insist that Strider fetch Panacea," Alexandria added as she drifted down from the sky and landed next to her comrade. "But they were persuaded that you were only exhausted from your efforts."

"Glad to hear it," I said, still dumbfounded. "And ah… Thank you guys and Eidolon for everything you've done." I made sure my voice was amplified ever so slightly. "You three have done far more good over the years than any single battle like this could match. I hope I can live up to your example."

Alexandria's smile told me that she noticed exactly what I'd been doing and trying to accomplish.

"You're well on your way there," Legend said. "But we should let you get back home. You still look dead on your feet."

Home… I suppose Brockton Bay is home now. For better or worse.

Oh who was I kidding, it was obviously for the worse.

"That sounds like a nice idea," I said. My soul felt exhausted and a nice glass of whiskey followed by sleeping for the next twenty-four hours sounded divine. I lowered my voice and erected a sound baffle for good measure. "Is he okay?"

Alexandria's smile took on a pained edge. I think. She was hard to read. "We're still trying to determine the accuracy of your statement, but given your other abilities, we're assuming you are correct. And more than that… The words you chose seemed to strike Eidolon very close to home. Like once you said it, it just… clicked. Why?"

I scratched my jaw to hide my nervousness, but chose to tell her. "I saw a version of the final battle. During it, Eidolon rose back to his prime once more, like I showed him how to do today. He battled the enemy," I didn't dare say the actual name. I didn't want to trigger Gold Morning early, "and was doing well for himself. However, our enemy possesses an ability you are familiar with, but even stronger. A guarantee of victory." Alexandria's mouth parted in shocked understanding for a moment. "So he simply said: 'You needed worthy opponents' and in the ensuing moment of shock, our foe killed him, leaving his passenger to be harvested by the Faerie Queen."

"That potential future… Did we win?" She asked.

"Through great sacrifice and the damning of our future, yes." She seemed confused, so I continued to explain. I hadn't read Ward, but I had some bits and pieces of lore. I was hoping I was being accurate. "When our enemy was killed in that future, he unleashed a death cry to the entire cosmos. An entire swarm of others like him were potentially descending on Earth. Considering the time scales and distances involved, it might have been in decades or centuries, but considering how much effort it took to kill two? Humanity would have been screwed."

"So then what choice do we have? Just sit back and pray he doesn't try to kill us all?" Bitterness and anger laced her voice.

"Or kill him so quickly he can't send out his signal. It's a slippery slope, but it's feasible. It took a convoluted Simurgh scheme to kill him in that vision, hopefully properly coordinated people could do it quicker and easier."

She stood silently for a moment longer and then she placed a hand on my shoulder. Normally not exactly a comforting gesture coming from a Brute like her, but it somehow was. "Thank you for trusting us with this. I have one more thing to ask…" She took a deep breath and seemed to gather herself as she let her hand drop. "Was… was what we did necessary? Was it worth it?"

Ah. Cauldron. All of their… actions. "I know you've done a lot of harm. And a lot of it was unnecessary. The Case 53s. The Nemesis Program. Continuing to allow the existence of the Slaughterhouse Nine. Some might call it hubris or idiocy, though I think it's more due to how young you all were when you were first dragged into this mess and sheer desperation. But that being said… Some of it was invaluable. The creation of Doormaker and Clairvoyant specifically. Keeping parts of the world relatively stable despite the existence of parahumans was no doubt thanks to you all. The Triumvirate. All of those deeds helped make the world better. And for that, I can't judge you, because ultimately, the one who did slay our enemy in the end, couldn't have done it without the road that you paved in blood."

Her smile turned a shade genuine, though pain lingered. "I think you would have gotten along well with Hero. He was always the most hopeful of us all, but still rational. Things seemed to get worse after he died. Horrible decisions became… not easier, but more easily justified perhaps."

"Then do better. Be better. It's not too late and the world still needs your organization. Just don't be dicks when you don't have to be."

That earned a bark of laughter from the normally stoic hero. "Definitely would have gotten along with him. I'll keep your words in mind and take them to my superiors. Thank you for taking the time to speak to me." She offered her hand. I took it after only a moment's hesitation. Strange, knowing that it was probably taking her a large amount of self restraint to keep from accidentally ripping my arm off. "Things will get worse in the Bay, before they can get better. The Empire and ABB won't go down without a fight."

I bared my teeth in a grim smile. "No. They won't."
/

I accepted a few more congratulatory handshakes and introductions to some of the present capes (mostly heroes, though a local villain or two offered their thanks for protecting their city) and then gathered with the rest of the Protectorate ENE.

"Are we ready to go home?" I asked everyone.

"Of course, but Strider or another teleporter won't be available for another-" Armsmaster's words were cut short as my coat materialized about my shoulders. "You just woke up from what the doctors called a 'mini-coma', are you sure you should be using your powers so soon?"

"Sure," I said. "Not like I'm moving a city again, just a small group of us. It'll be fine." I called forth just a speck of my power and debated how to move us all. I had many options now, ranging from instant translocation to warping space, to creating a portal. Ultimately, I leaned upon already existing knowledge, the ability to Shadow Jump, but boosted by my newfound power. With a thought, darkness wrapped around all of us and instantly whisked us back to the rooftop of the Rig. In the hours we'd been gone, night had fallen. "So do we just go back to normal now that the attack is over?" I asked Colin.

He shook his head even as he removed his helmet and wiped at his forehead with a rag pulled from somewhere on his toolbelt. Looks like AC wasn't part of his armor's systems. "No, as the Endbringer Truce stands, we should have a few more days of quiet from the villains before they get back to any open conflict. I'd recommend using it to rest and recover. Have a drink, sleep-in, have an expensive dinner, but just relax for a bit before we're needed again."

I smirked slightly. "Didn't think you'd actually encourage something like that."

Colin looked mildly irritated, but quickly pulled his face into a more neutral expression. "I dislike how much of my time is taken up by maintaining my physical health and prefer to use as much time as possible to work, true, but I understand in concept that others are not as… driven as I am and need to blow off steam. I try not to impose my personal preferences and ethics upon others."

"Well look at that, our fearless leader is finding his humanity," Assault joked, only for Battery to smack him upside the head. "Ow! Domestic violence!"

"Don't be a jackass," Battery said. "Boss, we're headed out for the rest of the day. Ziz interrupted date night."

"And you know what that means- Hey!"

"No being a perv either!"

The duo meandered off, still bickering good naturedly while I shook my head with amusement. "Those two have an interesting relationship."

"Ethan simply enjoys annoying Sam," Miss Militia said fondly. "And I believe she finds it endearing in it's own way."

"That's kinda sweet." I felt a pang of longing in my chest. I had always been a bit of a romantic, but when you combine self esteem issues with incredible shyness well… I could talk to girls easily enough, but getting into any kind of relationship was damned difficult. My last girlfriend, things hadn't ended on the best of terms. I still felt a tad guilty.

Colin grunted something that might have been an agreement or just an acknowledgement that someone else had spoken. "I'm going to go do some tinkering. Everyone is officially relieved for the next 48-hours." He turned and left in the same direction as the married couple.

Dauntless rolled his shoulders and then began to drift up into the air. "I should go let my family know that I'm alive. See you all later." He took off into the sky in his strange running on air motion.

Triumph didn't say anything, just giving a respectful nod and departing.

Velocity gave me a grin and clapped me on the shoulder. "You did good today, kid. Keep it up and they'll be selling action figures of you by the hundred." He shifted into his Breaker state and vanished in a blur.

I stood slightly awkwardly with Miss Militia. "And what does the famous Miss Militia do after an Endbringer battle?"

"I drink, then I sleep," she said with a small smile. "And yes, I am a Noctis cape, but I still can sleep if I feel like it."

"That actually sounds really nice," I popped the knuckles on one hand and looked out at the city. From on top of the Rig, you could forget that Brockton Bay was kind of a cesspit, if you were just staring at the cluster of highrises and skyscrapers that made up downtown. "I think I'll go do something similar. Catch you later, Hannah."

"Mak?"

I paused as I stepped toward the railing. "Yeah?"

"I know that we've had our differences in regards to how we carry out our duty as heroes, but… You did incredible work today and you saved many lives, capes and civilians both." She extended a hand. "Thank you for choosing to join us."

I smiled and grasped her hand. "We can't all be Lawful Good, but I swear, I just want to help however I can."

"I can tell. Take care. And do what Colin suggested. We'll be needed again soon." She gave me a warm smile and patted my arm as she left.

I felt a small sense of relief. That was one hatchet buried at least. I stared at the lights of the city and then finally took out my phone and sent three texts, all confirming that I had survived. Then I allowed the shadows to take me into the lobby of the Overlook.

The concierge gave me a warm smile and a shallow bow. "Welcome back, sir. Was your visit to Australia productive?"

I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

"Very much so," I said. "Have things been quiet here in the city?"

"Indeed they have. While the Endbringer Truce serves as a shield, New Wave and the Wards still served as a deterrent from any overt hostility. Nothing of note has happened as far as I am aware."

"Thank you for keeping me informed. Have a nice evening." Be polite to the magical spirit. Or whatever the hell he was.

"You as well, sir."

I got to my room and very gratefully stripped off my grimy and blood covered Magus outfit and tossed it into a corner to be cleaned later. Then I slipped into the fancy bathtub that the old fashioned (and probably haunted) hotel suite boasted and scrubbed away the worst of it that stained my skin before draining the water and refilling it for a clean soak. In the background, I telekinetically maneuvered a nice bottle of bourbon into pouring a glass and then pulled said glass to my waiting hand. I sipped and enjoyed the small burn as it traveled down my throat. Then I just leaned back and sighed in contentment. Once I'd finished the glass, I threw on a shirt and some shorts and proceeded to crash.

Thursday, February 24, 2011
I glared death at my phone as it belted out the annoying default ringtone that I hadn't yet changed. I debated throwing it across the room, then sighed as I scooped it up. "What?" I growled, trying and failing to hide my irritation.

"What are you doing still sleeping at noon?" Lisa's annoyingly cheerful voice greeted me.

"I fought an Endbringer yesterday. Bite me." I grumbled, but sat up from my bed. "What's up?"

"What's up? What's up, is you sent me a really scary message and then said you were off to fight an Endbringer. You didn't even have the decency to call." Heat entered her voice. "We're friends, Mak. You don't run off toward near certain death without at least a phone call."

I winced at her tone and the fact she was right. "I'm sorry. I…" How to put it into words that didn't make me sound like a wuss?

"You didn't want me to hear you start crying?" Lisa's tone was disbelieving and mirthful at the same time. "You're such a baby."

I felt a prickle of annoyance. "Oi, I'm just emotional, okay? I would've gotten all blubbery and it would have been an awkward goodbye."

"And why is that, oh mighty battler of Endbringers?" She drawled playfully. "Do you care that much about lil old me and how I view you?"

"Seeing as you're one of the first friends I ever made in Brockton Bay, yes. I take my friendships very seriously."

"...Wuss."

"Screw you." I hung up even as I heard her laughing on the other end. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. My phone rang again. "I swear, Lisa, I just got done fighting the Simurgh, I don't need more of your teasing." I answered, still annoyed.

Silence. "Who's Lisa?"

Shitshitshit.

"Oh hey, Crystal. Sorry, I was just on the phone with my annoying little sister. Thought you were her calling again," I lied awkwardly. It wouldn't look good for a twenty-four year old to be too familiar with a teenager, let alone a supervillain one. Not that it would be easy to link the two identities, but better safe than sorry. "It was a long day yesterday, I just woke up."

"No kidding. They don't have a ton of footage thanks to the whole 'teleporting a city' thing you pulled, but they're already calling you the Savior of Canberra. Australia's Prime Minister is talking about awarding you some kind of medal and there's rumors of the Queen giving you a knighthood." Crystal's tone was amused.

"Huh. Neat."

"True words of wisdom," she replied, completely deadpan. "Are you busy on Saturday? I've got classes and patrols today and tomorrow, but I'm free that night."

What was she- I felt the palms of hands break into spontaneous sweat and my heart began beating rapidly as I remembered. Right. Date. "W-well I have only a guaranteed 48-hour break period, but I'm sure I can work something out."

"Cool. Do you own a car yet?"

"No?"

"Hm… No way in hell I'm picking you up in mine." Heh, right, the Beetle. "How about you meet me at my place and we fly down together? You can fly now, right?"

"Yeah, that sounds awesome." I felt a smile forming. "It's a date. Does six work?"

"Sounds like a plan. Do you want to come in civies or as Magus?"

"Civies is fine. Illusions and all that."

"Awesome. See you then. Oh and stop by the hospital or something to see Amy. She was worried about you too."

She hung up before I could reply, but I had a bit of a goofy grin on my face. Then the panic hit me.

Hell, I had a date.

I dialed a still unfamiliar number.

"Hello?" The voice was equally as groggy as my own had been a few minutes ago.

"Ethan? It's Mak. I need some advice."