Well, I have a good new. I had trouble thinking exactly where to go for a while. As I said in the previous chapter's notes, there is such a thing as choice paralysis when there is so many options. But now, I have a solid direction in mind and the duels for the next two chapters are decided. Just have to write them good. Hoping you like this chapter here.
"You can't be serious!"
Taylor was both confused and angry, staring at the unperturbed Miss Militia on the other side of the hospital room. Two days. She had been out for two whole days courtesy of Menja's last attack, given a concussion that Panacea could do nothing about beside treating her other injuries. And now that she finally woke up, it was to hear that!
"Your power has caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damages alone. The Director cannot allow it to happen again."
"It was Fenja and Menja who did that! And they would have done worse if not for me! The nazis wouldn't have retreated without me!" Retorted Taylor.
"The Director disagrees. As things stand, you can either join the Wards and let the Protectorate take charge for the fallout or let yourself be taken in custody." Plainly stated the heroine.
"This is insane. Bakuda and the Empire are at each other's throat, and you're trying to arrest me? I should be out there and helping!"
The door opened and Taylor instantly eyed the two troopers about to come in. They were refusing to hear her. The Protectorate was trying to pigeonhole her into the Wards no matter what!
"I challenge you, Miss Militia!"
The troopers about to enter the room stopped. No, they couldn't move towards her anymore.
"If I win, you will let me go and not let anyone else stop me. If you win, I'll stay in your custody." She had no intention to lose. She won't join the Wards or get arrested. Not like this. Never.
The silence stretched for an interminable instant before the heroine curtly nodded.
"We will fight on the hospital roof." Finally declared Miss Militia with Taylor's quick agreement. The room was far too small for any but the tiniest creature.
To her relief, it seemed the Shaker effect that prevented interruptions in the duels also forced the troopers to get out of their ways as they climbed the stairs. Barely anyone looked at them on the way: there were too many injured people to worry about already, and two capes going to the roof to speak privately was certainly not something unusual. The two troopers followed, keeping their distance as they couldn't do anything.
"Duel!" She declared under the setting sun.
Khepri 8000 LP, Hand: 5
Miss Militia: 8000 LP, Hand 5
"My turn." She allowed Miss Militia to take the initiative. Her previous experience has shown that clearly, her Deck was much better at going after the opponent. "I normal summon Magical Musketeer Starfire."
A woman appeared on the hospital roof from nowhere, curtsying theatrically. To Taylor's surprise, given the name, the monster was wearing a long blue bottom dress leaving the navel and back naked, as well as a heavily gilded bra top decorated with red ribbons and gold pieces. Two details breaking that ensemble were the pair of heavy leather boots and the large red wing attached to her right arm. She was also holding a small red derringer gun in her hand, almost unnoticeable and yet no less dangerous.
Magical Musketeer Starfire – LIGHT/Fiend/Level 4/Effect: 1300/1700
"I then activate Double Summon, which let me have an additional normal summon this turn. Activating a Spell or Trap in the same column as Starfire activates her effect, letting me special summon a Magical Musketeer from my Deck in Defense position. I choose Magical Musketeer Caspar."
A blonde man in an armored cowboy outfit materialized with a dramatic spin. Like the other, his right arm sported a large red wing and he was holding a firearm: a sinister looking, massive handgun with adorned with bones, eyes and spikes. Taylor noticed at a second glance the arm was an unnaturally pale blue, and the hand ended in bestial claws.
Magical Musketeer Caspar – LIGHT/Fiend/Level 3/Effect: 1200/2000
"With my additional normal summon, I call for Magical Musketeer Kidbrave."
This one was visibly younger, though it also followed the cowboy aesthetic and sported the same red wing upon his right arm. Twirling a deformed revolver, it looked something between bored and annoyed compared to the rest. His armed hand too was menacingly clawed, with that same pale blue and wrinkled skin coursing over the arm. There was something significant here.
Magical Musketeer Kidbrave – LIGHT/Fiend/Level 3/Effect: 1600/200
"I end my turn."
Miss Militia: 8000 LP — Hand: 2 — Field: Magical Musketeer Starfire, Caspar and Kidbrave.
Khepri: 8000 LP — Hand: 6
Taylor did not believe for an instant Miss Militia would simply play three weak monsters and call it a day. The first monster she summoned gained an effect when a Spell or Trap was activated in the same column. Also, the Protectorate heroine never specified only her Spells or Traps would do that. If this effect was shared with all monsters of that archetype, then perhaps her opponent was planning on Taylor carelessly using her own Spells or Traps to further her plays… but it didn't feel like what she researched of Miss Militia. Did she truly opened a terrible hand with only monsters and a single Spell, that she had no choice but to leave her back row empty? Something was amiss.
"Since I control no monsters, I special summon Mother Spider Splitter!"
The monstrous arachnid emerged from the roof of the hospital with a screech.
Mother Spider Splitter — DARK/Insect/Level 5/Effect: 0/2300
"From my hand, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Magical Musket — Desperado." Taylor's suspicions were confirmed when Miss Militia used a card she shouldn't have been able to activate from her hand like this. "Magical Muskeeter monsters allow me to activate Magical Musket Spells and Traps from my hand during either player's turn. Desperado destroys your Mother Spider."
Quick as lightning, Kidbrave spun the barrel of his revolver before unloading six shots in the insect, blowing it to pieces.
"Kidbrave effect. When a Spell or Trap is activated in his column, I can discard a card to draw two. I discard Magical Musketeer Calamity and draw."
Which meant Miss Militia may have two new ways to disrupt her plays, but Taylor had to push on. Mother Spider Splitter was only the first opener in her hand.
"I normal summon Dragonbite."
A large insect covered in grey chitin imitating the texture of reptilian scales descended on the flied, flapping its wings menacingly.
Dragonbite – DARK/Insect/Level 4/Tuner/Effect: 1000/1000
"With its effect, I can special summon a level 4 or lower Insect monster from my hand—"
"I chain Magical Musket — Cross Domination." Interrupted Miss Milita with another Quick-Play Spell. "I negate the effect of your monster and reduce its ATK and DEF to 0 until end of turn."
Caspar took aim before shooting a bluish projectile. The impact sent what appeared like electric currents through her creature and it fell on the ground, twitching incoherently.
Dragonbite – DARK/Insect/Level 4/Tuner/Effect: 0/0
"I activated a Spell or Trap in Starfire's column. With her effect, I special summon Magical Musketeer Doc from my Deck."
True to the name, the monster appearing was a middle-aged man wearing a torn lab coat. If not for the demonic arm holding a massive sniper rifle and the red cape above his coat, he would have looked ordinary next to the others.
Magical Musketeer Doc – LIGHT/Fiend/Level 3/Effect: 1400/1200
Miss Militia's field was almost full now, but all of her monsters were extremely weak. Taylor only had to power through her remaining interruptions to gain the upper hand.
"I discard Ragnaraika Wicked Butterfly to activate her effect, allowing me to special summon Resonance Insect from my hand."
Resonance Insect – EARTH/Insect/Level 4/Effect: 1000/700
The cricket-like creature with teal-coloured wings arrived buzzing at her words.
"I activate the spell Multiplication of Ants." She made sure to activate it in the only column where none of Miss Militia's monster were presents. "I tribute my Resonance Insect to special summon two "Army Ant Tokens" on my side of the field."
Army Ant Token – EARTH/Insect/Level 4/Token: 500/1200
"When Resonance Insect is sent to the graveyard, I can add a level 5 or higher Insect monster from my Deck to my hand!" She quickly evaluated her options. The monster best suited for the situation was already in her hand. What could Miss Militia still have in reserve? No destruction or bounce effect for sure. She would have used it on Resonance Insect before Multiplication of Ant resolved. A trap perhaps? A negation kept in reserve for just the right moment wouldn't be too unlikely. She wasn't going to bet on a dead card.
"I add Heavy Beetrooper Mighty Neptune to my hand." She finally said. "Then I tune the level 4 Dragonbite with the level 2 Army Ant Token to synchro summon Underground Arachnid!"
Just like it happened with Armsmaster's monsters, the Dragonbite dissolved into rings of light circling around the stars the Ant Token morphed into. Light erupted and from that light emerged a dark blue, large centaur-like spider with a humanoid torso sprouting from above the insectoid neck.
Underground Arachnid — DARK/Insect/Synchro/Level 6/Effect: 2400/1200
"I activate the effect of Underground Arachnid!" She needed to find out what exactly Miss Militia had in her hand before making her next move. "I target one of your monsters and it will become an Equip Spell attached to my monster! I target Magical Musketeer Doc!"
The synchro monster let out a stream of webbing that wrapped themselves around the man in a lab coat before bringing him to Taylor's Spell/Trap zone. Still nothing. Either the Protectorate heroine had nothing or her card was useless in that specific case. In any case, Taylor couldn't push back her next move.
"I banish Resonance Insect, Ragnaraika Wicked Butterfly and Mother Spider Splitter to special summon Beargram, Shelled Emperor of the Forest Crown!"
A shadow covered the hospital. Winds picked up as a gigantic form descended from the sky. With a thunderous rumble, the scarab creature landed with its six legs on the street, easily towering as tall as Invincible Atlas and far above the hospital. Like Underground Arachnid a humanoid torso sprouted from the insectoid body, except this one was holding in his hand a blade as tall as a house.
Beargram, Shelled Emperor of the Forest Crown – EARTH/Insect/Level 9/Effect: 3400/2900
"Wicked Butterfly and Resonance Insect activate in chain when they are banished! Resonance Insect allows me to send an Insect monster from my Deck to the graveyard, and I choose Gokipole! Wicked Butterfly let me draw a card!" The card was almost perfect, she just needed one more monster… "Gokipole effect! Since it was sent to the graveyard, I add a level 4 Insect monster from my Deck to my hand! I choose Beetrooper Assault Roller!"
"Khepri, this is going too far. Your creature is going to spread panic." Warned Miss Militia.
"Then stop fighting me!" Protested Taylor. "I activate Beargram's effect to destroy all monsters on the field except Insect monsters!" The giant monster readied its blade…
"I activate Magical Muskeet — Fiendish Deal!" A Continuous Trap materialized on Miss Milita's field, the last card of her hand finally revealed. "My Magical Muskeeter can't be destroyed by card effect as long as I control this card."
The strike of the sword the immensely huge monster was about to deal was stopped dead in its track by a strange vibration in the air, and the faintest outline of a winged creature that quickly dissipated. The two troopers let out audible sigh of relief.
"Caspar effect, as Fiendish Deal was activated in its column; I add a Magical Musket card from my deck to my hand. I add Magical Musket — Last Stand." Miss Militia's gaze was stern. "Khepri, you must calm down."
"I'm not going to let myself be arrested when the city is in danger! I activate the fusion spell Beetrooper Landing!"
"I activate the Counter Trap Magical Musket — Last Stand to negate your spell and destroy it!" Countered Miss Militia, but all of her monsters' effects were seemingly exhausted as she didn't follow up with any.
"Fine! I return the banished Wicked Butterfly, Resonance Insect and Mother Spider to my Deck to special summon Heavy Beetrooper Mighty Neptune!"
On the other side of the hospital, between the buildings, appeared a gigantic creature bearing many resemblances to Invincible Atlas. A Neptune Beetle of enormous proportions topped by fortifications upon the carapace, two insectoid soldiers standing on the towers of the fort brandishing green banners of war.
Heavy Beetrooper Mighty Neptune – EARTH/Insect/Level 8/Effect: 3000/3000
"I also banish Dragonbite from my graveyard to special summon Beetrooper Assault Roller!" The dung beetle dropped from the back of Mighty Neptune, usinghis massive Pill Bug encased in metal plates as a landing pad.
Beetrooper Assault Roller – EARTH/Insect/Level 4/Effect: 1600/1400
"I use Beetrooper Assault Roller and my last Army Ant Token as mateial to Link Summon Shinobi Insect Hagakuremino!"
The two monsters took their place on the circuit before the new arrival popped from the light. A green mantis-like insect wearing a crimson scarf, surrounded by heavy winds.
Shinobi Insect Hagakuremino – WIND/Insect/Link 2/ /︎ /Link/Effect: 1000
"Battle!..."
"Khepri! If you order an attack, you will destroy the hospital and everyone inside!"
Taylor froze at Miss Militia's words, the brutal reminder of the damages her monsters could inflict. She couldn't deny it. She had no idea how to reign in her creatures, and the memory of Fenja's arm on the ground… She didn't want to destroy the hospital, she only wanted to not get arrested for being a hero!
"We know you only want to help. But what you are doing is not the right way to go. Even if you somehow escape, any more property damage and the Protectorate will have no other choice than to officially classify you as a villain."
"The whole city is threatened by a mad bomber and I'm the villain? I keep telling you, I'm doing what's right! I can help out there!" Said Taylor indignantly.
"There are rules and ways to do the proper thing for a reason. If you charge in alone you may be killed before even reaching Bakuda or any other villain. Even if you reach her, who is to say she may not unleash even more destruction with your power?" Miss Militia tapped the muzzle of her power-generated handgun."Stands down, Khepri. I can assure you the Protectorate will treat your case fairly."
"Fairly? Fairly? Like hell you will!"
It was obvious how it would turn out. The Director would just slap her down with everything the nazis have done as if it was her fault no matter if she accepted the deal or not. She would be kept in the back and in line, unable to do anything as the system would just bind her hands! Even if Armsmaster or Assault tried to support her, it was obvious the Director had obviously a bone to pick and would not be swayed! Just like at school, just like everywhere else!
"Battle! Beargram, Shelled Emperor of the Forest Crown, attack—"
"I forfeit the duel!"
Miss Militia's declaration took her completely by surprise. Beargram's motion, barely started, was halted in its track, the gigantic insect warrior lowering his weapon almost disappointingly.
Miss Militia — SURRENDER
Khepri — 8000 LP
KHEPRI WINS!
The monsters on Miss Militia's field instantly disappeared. Her own monsters started to fade away. Even through her mixed stupor and anger, Taylor immediately came to the conclusion she should be going right now. But right as she was about to make her way out, she realized the troopers were already blocking the way to the stairs down.
"Sorry girl." Said one of the two in an infuriatingly apologetic tone as he approached. "We can't really let you go like that."
No! That wasn't fair, she had won, she had to escape. She took a step back, then another. The trooper simply followed calmly, aware she could do nothing to him… until it abruptly stopped, looking up. Spurred by something she didn't quite understand, Khepri looked behind her. A hand. Enormous and covered in crimson chitin, so large multiple person could easily fit in it. To her absolute shock, while everything else had already disappeared, the half-faded Beargram was not yet entirely gone, its hand extended in invitation.
"Oh no you!…" Exclaimed the trooper before a sharp detonation rung out, stopping him dead in his tracks.
Miss Militia. With a measured and assured movement, and topping every single surprise Taylor thought she could see today, Miss Militia put herself between the trooper and her. She had shot the ground between her and the trooper with her gun, a small curl of smoke the only indication it came from her gun. Something, Taylor half-consciously noted, the heroine must have made on purpose to show she was the one who shot.
"I cannot let you do that, Charlie." Said Miss Militia with a calm resolve. "I gave my word I would let her go."
The trooper quickly snapped back to action and speaking in what was likely an earpiece. "Master situation. I repeat, Miss Militia has been mastered by Khepri. Standing by."
"What?" Cried Taylor, her eyes going from Miss Militia's back to the trooper. Mastered. Did she really mastered Miss Militia? How did it…the conditions she set at the start of the duel…
"Go, Khepri. Next time we meet, I hope you make the right choice and let us help you."
Miss Militia's words spurred Taylor into action as she climbed in Beargram's almost transparent hand. The monster immediately took her away from the hospital roof, keeping her safe in his palm before lowering its arm to the ground, using its immense size to place her far away in the street. Without looking back as the monster finished disappearing, Taylor started to run, the curfew in place because of the bombing campaign and gang war playing in her favour as no one was out to stop her. She needed to run. To find her way to her house. What was her father thinking with her having disappeared for so long? Was he aware? Did the Protectorate looked under the mask? She didn't know the streets here well, she had no phone, she needed a way to go further and faster, she had no idea if there wasn't already a patrol on her tracks… A massive shadow landed in the street before her. No, several. Dogs. Large dogs, big enough to carry several persons, yet tiny compared to the creatures she had summoned in her duels. And from above, on one of these dogs, someone who was obviously a cape stood up and waved.
"Need a ride?" Asked the girl with a tone that was as helpful as it was mocking, the domino mask and obscurity hiding nothing of the smartass smile she sported.
Miss Militia sat on the bed of the containment cell, thinking. While she could sleep away the duration of her stay, she preferred to stay awake thanks to her power and think on how to progress afterward, idly checking her power-generated handgun's mechanism.
"Miss Militia." Armsmaster's voice, from the other side of the door.
"Armsmaster." She greeted back. "There is still three hours until I am considered cleared."
"I need your personal account on the events at the hospital." Unsurprising. Even with her report being as precise as she could make it, the Tinker would always aim the most in depth understanding. "How would you describe the transition from the end of the ''duel'' and Khepri's escape?"
"Seamless." It came to her own surprise how normal everything had felt. "After forfeiting the battle with Khepri, I could not find either a motivation or a reason to attempt to seize or neutralize her. When trooper Charlie attempted to restrain her, I moved in to prevent that action in the exact same way I would have in another situation. At no point did I feel a disconnect between my previous train of thoughts and my actions until one minute and thirteen second after Khepri left. I submitted myself to custody Master-Stranger protocol afterward."
A moment of silence punctuated her explanation as the leader of the Protectorate team undoubtedly analysed it all concisely.
"Thank you. With your testimony, we can definitely conclude Lung has been under Master influence since his defeat at the hand of Khepri." That was something she had suspected from the start, and certainly Armsmaster as well. For the leader of the ABB to remain mentally defeated after such a length of time went contrary to all psychological profiles made of the criminal. "Analysis of the camera and audio records confirms Khepri herself was certainly unaware of that aspect of her ability."
"Have you found a trace?"
"Not yet. But it doesn't matter." Said Armsmaster. "Our profiling shows she is far too reckless and driven to stay hidden. We will find her again soon enough."
"I hope she doesn't end up killed before we can catch her. She is defenceless facing normal people." Her handgun morphed into a copy of the one she saw wielded by the monster she summoned in the duel, the strange contraption having sparked curiosity in her.
"It would be a waste. Khepri's potential for capture operations is remarkable." She heard a shifting. Some element of his amour, probably. "Her new threat rating has been approved. Wards and Protectorate parahumans are to avoid interacting directly due to the combination of Shaker and Master component of Khepri's power, and instead request PRT assistance."
"I see."
With some luck, Khepri would be apprehended without incidents. Beyond the utility of her power, Hannah was persuaded the girl needed a firm guiding hand to become a good hero. For now, she was blind to both the consequences of her actions and the repercussions for her own future.
"Could you have won had you truly tried? You have not used your Skill in the duel." The question surprised her. Armsmaster must have studied the battle in greater detail than she expected.
"I am not sure." She answered honestly. "I could have stopped her attacks were it not for the potential collateral damage. What troubles me is the extent she can push her resources. I do not know how much she could have recovered despite my efforts."
A minute of silence passed. He was certainly struggling to find the words to say in the situation, as usual.
"I will return to the field soon. Don't forget to sleep, Colin."
"… I will." Agreed her friend after an instant of hesitation.
Work was never truly over.