A/N: Not dead
Alt Title: 3
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Dalan777: depends on what she does with that knowledge.
YeTianshi: This isn't Cauldron pushing her. It's Alexandria.
Brunoid: Not just yet.
A Dancing Leaf: I shall not stop writing! I was just warning the idiots.
Kitsu is pissed. But she's also had time to calm down from her last attempt. And yes, Kitsu is spiteful enough to flip the board, just not in her own home.
Yet.
Kaykaykaykayan: This isn't Cauldron. It's Alexandria going off script because Contessa is useless against Kitsu.
Ben Turner1: The reference is the location Missy and Vergil are at. It's called Ben' Turner Café.
cassnova5424: Holy crap! You didn't forget to write a review!
Teasing aside, I've made it very clear that I love tasteful misdirection.
Grimnosh: Just like the Kitsu being related plot twist. I make sure to sprinkle my acts in ahead of time.
Gogmazios: That she did, too bad she can't do it often!
Nuclear cat: You and several others as well. Don't worry, Alexandria will die. And Kitsu will kill her.
The die has been cast.
GideonBlackthorn: Kitsu, guilty conscience? Ha! Kitsu is a sociopath. Genuinely. Sure she plays nice with friends and family, but she doesn't really care too much about how others feel about her.
RadChaos897: I'm surprised, at how surprised people are.
I intend to return this story to its roots. 60% fluff, 20% plot and action, 20% whatever the hell I feel like.
I've already talked a decent bit about the story in the previous review responses. Soooo, sorry?
Other than that, Kitsu is a living foxgirl. She could've gotten a steady stream of people by just existing on a camera.
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
[Shard]
(Text)
Sounds/Actions*
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-Dallon's New House, Wednesday, Sep 1st, 10:20am-
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Kitsu POV
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'How, the hell is she here!?' I think to myself as I stare at the dead woman currently chatting with my mother in the living room. Handing her a red box as a housewarming gift.
"The PRT has our appreciation." Mom tells the woman curtly. Very clearly suspicious of the fact that one of the Triumvirate is here to wish us well on the PRT's behalf. "Though I fail to see why they'd see fit to send one of their best to extend their considerations."
At least someone sees the writing on the walls! As opposed to Missy, who is standing at attention and just, in awe with her superior here.
'If only you knew what she's done.' I think to myself. 'Then you'd probably ask me to kill her.'
Probably not. But, I've no doubt she wouldn't stop me so long as I wasn't cruel about it.
"Actually, they were originally going to send Vista and Miss Militia to extend our best wishes." Alexandria says, her tone and inflection, different enough from her civilian identity. "But, I was nearby and wished to satisfy a personal curiosity of mine."
'She's honestly rather cute when she's being serious.' I think to myself as I start conjuring up ways to mess with Missy. 'No! Bad Kitsu! Stay focused! Dead woman not dead in your living room who has a super illuminati just- oh.'
It just clicked in my head that she has body doubles. Of course she has body doubles. Why the heck wouldn't she have body doubles? She probably has oodles of body doubles!
Oodles!
"And what might that be?" Mom asks.
Alexandria then turns to me. And takes a few steps before crouching down to one knee. Meeting me at eye level.
"I actually wanted to talk to you." She says with a smile.
"A talk where her guardians are present, right?" Mom stresses as she walks around and crosses her arms.
"It's nothing malicious or anything of the such." Alexandria placates, looking to Mom, before looking back to me. "I just, wanted to see if you'd be capable of fixing my eye."
She then takes her left gauntlet off, and exposes her tanned hand. Offering it out to me so that I can use my biokinesis.
'Okay, what's the play here?' I think to myself as I enhance my perception to try and think my way out of this. 'What could she possibly want with me? Okay, there's a load of things she could want with me. Question is which one. Why the hand? Why expose herself to my biokinesis? What do I do!?'
I hate needing to be smart and reactive! I put people on the defensive! Not the other way around!
"Why me?" I ask, feigning calmness as I tilt my head curiously. "Wouldn't PanPan be better? She is a better biokinetic than me."
"Panacea has her limitations." Alexandria says with a soft shake of her head. "Most notably is the inability to manipulate the brain. Of which the eye is attached to. It's a limitation that you notably don't have."
As good an excuse as any. But excuse for what?
"Okay. But I want something in return." I say as I cross my arms.
"Kitsu!" Missy hisses off to the side.
"I'm willing to pay you if you can accomplish this." She says.
"You could have contacted me over this matter." Mom interjects. "I fail to see why you would do all this, just to acquire Kitsu's service."
"I did." Alexandria says. "I sent a letter in the mail. But you never got back to me. But, to the matter of payment."
"Um, Alexandria, ma'am." Missy says as she steps over and grabs my shoulders. "Just, a moment please."
Missy then wraps her arms around my waist and picks me up. Causing me to freeze in place as she trudges over with a bit of effort. Carrying me to the dining room and just around the corner out of sight before setting me down by the wall.
"What are you doing!?" Missy hisses in a whisper. "That's my boss in there."
"Um, no. Miss Militia and Piggot are your bosses. She's the head of the protectorate. Not the PRT." I say confidently.
"Kitsu, do you know the difference between Protectorate and PRT?" Missy asks, still whispering for some reason.
"Um, one's federal and the other's local?" I try.
And cue the face palm. Or, as close to one as she can get by rubbing her hands under her visor.
'Ooh, I did a dumb didn't I?' I think to myself.
"Kitsu." Missy groans into her hands. "The PRT, is the Parahuman Response Team. They are the system in place to respond to parahuman threats. Okay?"
"Okay?" I nod.
"The protectorate is a part of the PRT. Specifically the cape managed areas." Missy continues to explain. "I'm a cape, Alexandria is one of the heads of the Protectorate. Alexandria, is, my boss."
Oh.
"Oh, um." I start to feel awkward over my dumb, before remembering Alexandria is in my house! "Still, you never do something for free." I say as I cross my arms.
"You do things for free all the time." Missy argues.
"Yeah, for you and people I like." I stress as I try and come up with a reason for not liking Alexandria.
'Oh yeah!' I think to myself. 'Behemoth. She kinda forced me into that. That should be good enough in case anyone asks.'
"Kitsu just, please don't embarrass me?" Missy asks desperately. "I shouldn't even have to ask that."
"I didn't intend to." I defend, before getting a mischievous idea. "Though, now that you say something."
"No." Missy says as she grabs my shoulders roughly and stares me down. "Kitsu, you will not embarrass me in front of my boss, and you will be polite. Got it?"
'Holy crap she's hot when she takes charge!' I think to myself.
"Yes ma'am!" I agree.
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Missy "Vista" Biron POV
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First face to face we've had in how long? And Kitsu is trying to extort my boss! Well, not really. But this is humiliating and makes me look bad!
"Got it?" I ask seriously, shaking her shoulders a bit as I hold her against the wall.
Not, that I think I'm actually doing anything to her. She's indestructible and stronger than Vicky. I'm just trying to get across the point that I'm serious here.
"Yes ma'am." She says with a smile, meaning she's not being serious.
"Kitsu, I mean it." I say more seriously, hoping she gets the point.
"I understand." She says with a blush and, glancing down to her sides, I see her tail is wagging against the wall.
'Does, does she like this?' I think with, confusion? Excitement? Anxiety?
"I don't think you do." I say, putting a bit of a growl into my voice to test something. "What, are you not going to do?"
"E-embarrass you." She stutters with a shy smile and a growing blush.
I, don't even know what to think. I'm, is this okay? Is she okay? Why does that make me feel bad? And, weirdly good at the same time?
'Is there a class for relationships?' I think hopelessly. 'Because I could really use one.'
Deciding to, not deal with this for now. I let go of her shoulders.
"Okay, let's go." I say as I step back.
"Okay." She says meekly as she takes the lead.
'This girl is going to kill me.' I think tiredly as we walk through the main foyer to the living room where Mrs. Dallon and Alexandria are talking.
"Okay!" Kitsu says getting everyone's attention. "I'll do it on one condition!"
"Perfect." Alexandria says, turning to face the girl. "I hope you'll understand that I'll negotiate if it's something, unreasonable."
Kitsu just shrugs before pointing at her.
"I want your hat." She says, causing us to freeze as we contemplate what she said.
'Whhhhyyyyy!?' I mentally whine. 'Why do I find you adorable?'
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Kitsu POV
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"You mean, my helmet?" Alexandria asks.
Hey! I'm being reasonable here. No money, no absurd favors. And, I can say I took Alexandria's helmet!
And hopefully get the hardware to Wade. See if he can't get anything out of it.
"Your hat." I nod.
"You understand I can't give you that, correct?" She asks as she crosses her arms. "It has classified software and hardware installed that is not permissible for the public."
I tried.
"Just the hat." I say as I open my palm and make the gimme motion.
"Kitsu!" Missy hisses again.
"What?" I ask as I look to her in confusion. "She has spares! And it's not like I'm asking for the secret tech inside it. I just want the hat."
I haven't gotten distracted. Far from it. I'm doing all this, because it's what I'd do if I knew nothing.
Basically, I'm acting like nothing is wrong. So that I don't give Alexandria anymore ammo than she might already have. No ground given.
"Can I give it to you later?" She asks. "After I have it disassembled for any classified technology."
Hopefully she misses something. But, I don't think she will.
"So long as I get your hat." I nod.
"Deal." She says as she kneels and holds her hand out.
Touching it, I look in. And, I see it.
She's not the same woman I killed. And the smile she gives, shows she knows what I'm seeing. She knows I can see her genome, and that I know I'm recognizing her as someone other than the woman I killed.
That being said, her body is even more resistant. Like, I can't even move anything. Her body is in near perfect homeostasis. I couldn't really change anything if I wanted to.
Well, I could. But it'd take a lot of energy. And in case you haven't noticed. I like keeping my cards close to my chest.
And this, is a powerful one to hold onto.
"Dangit!" I stomp my foot as I let go of her hand, keeping up my façade. "Well, I got good news and bad. Good news is, you're just as impervious as ever. Bad news, I don't get a new hat."
Missy groans at my extraness in the background.
"That's, unfortunate." Alexandria sighs as she stands back up and slips her gauntlet back on.
It's now that I notice that she left a paper in my hand. One that, I have no clue how she managed to put there without me noticing it before now.
'A note?' I think as I illusion myself, over myself, to stash the note in my pocket without anyone noticing.
"If that's all." Mom says, her patience being expended by Alexandria's presence. "The PRT has my gratitude for their well wishes. And I assure you, we intend to keep working with you as we move forward."
"Of course." Alexandria says as she gestures to the red box. "Are you, not going to open it?"
Mom glares at the woman, clearly suspicious of the cape. Before glancing to me, and going to the coffee table and opening the box.
"This was actually picked out by the Chief Director." Alexandria says as Mom pulls out the wall clock. One of those fancy ones that has a button that makes it play music as it breaks apart and does a dance before collapsing back to a normal clock.
It's traditional Japanese themed. With images of yokai all over it. A kitsune being the centerpiece as the clock opens up.
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-Central District, on top of a sky scraper, 11pm-
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"I can hear you." I call out as I drop my invisibility and turn around to face the cape.
"Impressive." Alexandria says as she floats a few feet away. "So, I take it you're willing to be reasonable now?"
'I was willing to be reasonable before.' I think bitterly.
[False]
'Ooh!' I remark internally. 'Haven't heard from you in a while. How've ya been?'
[Iteration: Well enough]
'That's good.' I think back as I return my focus to the task in front of me.
"I'm willing to hear you out so long as you don't try my patience." I correct her as I cross my arms. "Which means if I say we're done, we're done."
Her stance shows that she doesn't appreciate my answer. Immediately going on guard as she speaks to me.
"I'd be careful, you don't think I don't have insurance?" She says as she crosses her arms as well. "I did last time."
"Last time you intentionally baited me, trying to call my bluff." I try to sus out. "Now you know I'm being serious."
"We have video footage of-"
"Doesn't matter." I cut her off before illusioning myself to look and sound like her. "I have illusions. I can make my own video footage. Release whatever you think will hurt me, and I'll release a flood of counters. Throwing doubt on everything that gets leaked." I say before I dispel the illusions. "Release a video of me killing someone when there's no physical evidence? I'll release a video of you in your civilian identity going R. Kelly on a dog. Or punching a baby. Depends on my mood."
That seems to trip her up a bit. As she pauses to think of something.
She gave me a whole day to prepare for this. That may seem like a short amount of time to go against someone with perfect memory, inexhaustible resources, and the best cold reading ever in a game of words and politics. But, she gave someone who can enhance how fast they think, time to plan.
"Do, do you not care?" She asks in a more, genuine tone.
"Depends on what we're talking about." I answer honestly. "If you think you can intimidate or blackmail me, think again. Then think a third time because I know you're thinking of a way to make the blackmail work."
Alexandria is silent for a moment longer. Unmoving as she thinks of what to do or say next. Before eventually shaking her head.
"Fine, I just have a few questions." She says. "First, the Endbringers. You said that Eidolon's agent was the one activating them. Explain."
I am, so tempted to get her to beg. But, at this point I just want her gone. And playing along, seems to be the best option.
For now.
"David, yes I know his name moving on, the Agent you gave him? It's the administrating core of the dead entity." I say, watching her freeze as she holds her breath. "Yeah, each piece of the extradimensional woman has a purpose. That particular piece of the entity, was responsible for allocating other agents and for controlling the independent variables."
I watch as she stoically contemplates everything I just said. Not, really. The helmet and stock still image she's projecting is making it impossible to read her.
"Independent variables?" She asks in a soft, almost fearful voice.
"The Endbringers." I say simply. "They're meant to shake things up. Break the mold and keep things from getting stale. And they're now attached to David's subconscious. Working on his subconscious desires and needs."
"That's absurd." Alexandria accuses. "I've known him for decades and he'd never want anything like the Endbringers."
"Oh really?" I challenge, raising my eyebrows and leaning to one side. "Willing to put your life on that claim? Because I can satisfy that bet."
She's here off script. She's rogue as far as Cauldron is concerned in this. How else could she be asking me about this, without Eidolon knowing?
Unless all of Cauldron is going behind his back, like they are with Legend. Which is very possible.
I will say, her silence in response to my challenge is rather telling.
"What, could possibly cause Eidolon to be unconsciously activating the Endbringers?" Alexandria asks plainly, likely hoping to see if I'm being genuine, or pulling stuff out of my fluffy tail.
"The need to be the best." I answer. "Look at every instance of Endbringer attacks, and you'll start to see the pattern. Rising stars."
"What?" Alexandria asks, sounding numb.
"Every time there's a rising star, the next Alexandria, or, the new Hero, or someone to rival Eidolon. An Endbringer shows up not too long after. Eidolon, needs to feel important, and needed. While also feeling as though he's earning it." I explain. "Don't believe me? Oh well, now leave. I'm tired and it's past my bedtime."
I turn around and prepare to jump, intent on getting home and getting some sleep before tomorrow.
"Wait!" Alexandria shouts, flying around to post up in front of me. "How do you even know this?"
This will take a bit of acting on my part to really sell. Because she remembers personal ticks. And I don't have a good enough memory to recall if I've directly lied in her presence before.
"Ever wonder how I know anything? How I know your identity, and your weakness? What type of precog am I?" I start to lead her on.
It takes her a moment. But she finally speaks up.
"Precognitive memory." She says finally. "It's speculated that you receive memories of alternate versions of yourself at random. Allowing you too predict the future with a certain degree of accuracy."
"Close enough." I shrug.
"What do you mean clos-"
"Shut up." I tell her.
"Excuse me?" She says in a low tone.
"I said, shut, up." I say as I launch forward and grab the edge of her helm's visor and pull us down before activating my immovable state. Locking us in place and keeping her from taking off. And she tries.
"Again, you have no power here." I say as I turn my eyes red and glowing. "The only reason you live, is because you had a double last time, so you might be one as well. And I'd hate to be wrong twice."
I've also calmed down a bit since then. I had a very stressful day and Alexandria Fake was pushing my buttons.
"Now, we're done here. Got it?" I say. "Because if not, we're taking another trip to the bay."
"Very well." She says stoically. "I'll leave you and your family be. But I still have questions I'd like answered in the future."
"Too bad." I say and pat the side of her helm before letting go. "Now go already. I've got an eight o'clock stream and I need my sleep."
I then leave without another word. Turning invisible as I drop down on an invisible saucer and fly off back home.
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Rebecca "Alexandria" Costa-Brown POV
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'That was, certainly illuminating.' I think to myself as I adjust my helm.
It really is me this time. No brainwashed case fifty three or doppleganger. I needed it to be me. To confirm whether or not Kitsu's biokinesis could effect me. And in a situation where she'd be forced to play nice and not try to pull anything or risk losing her family.
Her, unusual demand actually confirmed her inability to effect me. There's no doubt in mind that she'd jump at the opportunity to hold something petty over me.
That was one goal. The other was this talk. And it was admittedly even more risky. But, I needed to do it in person. There could be no room for error in confirming Dav- Eidolon's connection.
I know David's deep seeded issues with self esteem and self worth. Issues that have only redoubled as he gets older, and older.
Issues that started, around the same time Behemoth first showed up.
I can't do anything yet though. I need to confirm this first. David, is one of my only friends.
I, know what might need to be done. But, I need to be absolutely certain it is what needs to be done.
"Door me, Las Angeles." I say and fly through the portal, back to my city.
It also makes me think. She used rather, specific terminology. Administrator, Independent Variables. And the way she said Agent, it's like she was mocking the term.
Could it be possible, that she has the entity's memories? Could that explain how she knows of the Endbringer's and their weaknesses, yet isn't willing to fight them?
Is she, if what she said is true. David's Agent is the administrator. Then, is she the memory unit?
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-Dallon's New House, Thursday, Sep 2nd, 8am-
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"Showtime people!" I shout as I turn on the screen.
That's my tag line. I don't know why, it just came to me. And Eric told me one of the keys to being successful is being recognizable. You want to be able to play a single clip, and people just know it's you.
It's dumb, but that's what I'm going for. Lovably stupid.
120,392 watching
Also, turns out my debut was a massive success. Mostly because, in Eric's own words.
I'm a living fox girl. I could've just stared at the screen the whole time and got thousands to tune in.
"Okay, as you can see, still got the blanket." I say as I turn around and gesture to the thing I'm using as a background. "Insurance is being slow so, the place is pretty bare boned."
I turn back and watch the chat go off.
"Why?" I ask aloud, for those who are just listening in or just not following the chat. "Well, it's this fun little thing called paperwork that- oh, what happened? My last house burned down. Yeah, we got att-"
I pause as my phone starts going off on my desk. I have it set so that only a handful of people can call me during streams.
"Hang on." I say as I pick up the phone and see that Mom is calling me. "Mom? What's up? I'm in the middle of stream."
"I know, stop talking about the house burning down." She says.
"Why?" I ask.
"Because the insurance is still going through and anything you say can be used against us in any claims." She explains in that, you should know this, voice mom's have when their kids are being dumb.
"Oh." I respond simply. "Sorry."
"Just don't talk about anything that involves me doing paperwork." Mom says. "That should be a good rule of thumb."
That, sounds about right. She is the lawyer.
"Okay, I gotta go back to my stream. I love you, I'll try not to get into too much trouble." I say quickly.
"I doubt that. See you at lunch." She says and hangs up.
"Well folks." I say as I swivel back to face the screen. "The Momma Fox just called and put the ban hammer on talking about anything to do with paperwork! So, no homework!" I throw my arms up and illusion confetti all around.
154,730 watching
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Carol "Brandish" Dallon POV
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'And that was, the third.' I think as I sort through the papers the insurance sent as I keep Kitsu's stream open on my laptop next to me.
She insists that this'll be profitable. And pointed towards Eric as an example of it. I'm not sure how. But she gets money by allowing advertisements to play on her stream. After she gets popular.
According to Sarah, Eric pulls in about six to eight hundred a month on advertisement for his streams. And a little bit more from Youtube for ads.
"Oh! Oh he looks cute. Better than the last guy." Kitsu smirks as she starts playing a game called Assassin's Creed 2. "Oh I love that accent." She says as she sets the controller down and puts her head in hands as she stares at the screen.
Not liking the sound of that title. I switch over to another window and look it up.
Doing a quick read through. I realize it's not what I was thinking. I thought it was some sort of assassination simulator. But from what I'm reading, it's mostly a historic fantasy game.
"Hey! Don't break his nose!" Kitsu whines as the cutscene plays. "He was so cute! Now he's ruined! You ruined him, you broke his face, his career, his love life, and his sense of self worth." She pauses as she sighs dramatically before gesturing back to the game. "You basically turned him into a retail worker!"
Rolling my eyes, I turn back to the papers as I figure out where the dated forms are.
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-Fortress Constructions Base, Friday, Sep 3rd, 11am-
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Thomas "Coil" Calvert POV
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This is it. I'm on my last legs.
My back up resources are at their limits, exasperated by the damned savage in the basement. Thomas Calvert is assumed dead, and his wife is now the sole owner of his assets.
Of which she's squandering! I still have my information network mostly in tact. And I've found out she's been liquidating everything.
Completely against the instructions I have set for her in case I ever died! Or, faked my death.
'This is what you get for marrying a failed actor who dropped out of middle school to pursue her sure fire career.' I think bitterly to myself.
I never had faith in her intelligence. It's one of the reasons I married her. Maintain a cover, and she tended to play along well enough so long as I fed her shopping addiction.
Most of what she bought I just had sold back or returned. She was too dumb to really notice. But still, for as idiotic as she is.
"Even a fucking dog knows how to obey instructions." I growl as I rest my head in my hands.
Her good looks were not worth this current headache.
One week. I have, one week of supplies left. Most of my men have left already, sensing the drought that is their money well drying up.
"I, have no other options." I think bitterly as I lean back in my seat. "I, I can come back from it. I'm sure, it's, it's just a set back."
Taking a deep breath. I utter the words I've been dreading I may one day need.
"Door me, Cauldron." I say, and watch with resignation as the portal opens, and Alexandria steps through.
"Mr. Calvert." She addresses me. "It seems you've found yourself in dire straights."
I can come back from this. I still have time, I just need to keep trying.
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-25 minutes later,
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Kitsu POV
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"Thank you sweetie!" I smile at Missy as I set the potted plants down in my room.
"This feels like an abuse of power." Chris says as he sits on his hover board.
Oh yeah, they're both on patrol with Pinky.
"Tell that to, literally everyone who ever had powers." I say as I set the final potted plant down.
"You know, I'm starting to feel like you're taking advantage of me for my powers." Missy accuses as she crosses her arms.
"What?" I ask, snapping back to her. "Why would you think that?"
Nope! No more problems! No more issues that require me to adult! I'm nipping this in the bud!
"You literally called me just to ask me to do this and save you a trip." She says, and I imagine a glare being leveled at me.
"Well, you could've said no." I defend weakly, before adding. "If, if it's that bad. You could always take advantage of me." I offer shyly as I pivot a foot into the ground.
Yes, I did that intentionally. Mostly to diffuse some of the tension before I can come up with an actual reassurance.
Partly because I like making her blush.
"Pffft!" Pinky spits out her drink, not on Chris or anything. As funny as that would've been.
"Kitsu, that's not." Missy stutters before taking a breath. "That's not the point."
"I just don't see the issue." I protest before grinning mischievously. "It's not like I only call you for this. Or did you forget the selfies I sent you?"
"Wait, what kind of selfies?" Chris asks suddenly, earning a slap on the shoulder from Pinky. "What?"
"That's, not, Kitsu you just." Missy starts stammering as I see her face turn beat red. "Okay you've proven your point!"
I smile victoriously at her. Humming a small tune in victory before noticing that, my bedroom is currently on the boardwalk.
Like, it just hit me how surreal that is.
"What?" Missy asks as she notices me looking from the boardwalk to my bedroom.
"Bedroom." I say as I point to my bedroom, currently attached to the boardwalk using Missy's powers of space tomfoolery. "Boardwalk."
"Okay?" Chris cuts in.
I step into my room through the distorted window, then step back onto the boardwalk. Then, start hopping between the two.
"Bedroom boardwalk bedroom boardwalk bedroom boardwalk." I say as I bounce between the two. "Ooh it tickles!"
It genuinely does. Probably because I'm technically swapping between two different elevations very rapidly.
"You, you goof." Missy sighs with a small chuckle in her voice.
I'm about to ask her to join in the ticklish violation of Newton's laws. Or, whoever made the laws of spatial physics. When we all freeze at the sound of a large explosion. One that shakes the ground beneath us all.
"What was that!?" Mom asks from downstairs.
"I don't know!" I shout back. "It sounded like a building collapsing!"
"From the second story!?" Mom shouts.
Oooh, right. She doesn't know about this. But I should be fine, she said I could get some plants for my room! Not that I couldn't rape physics with a rubber chicken in the process.
And she's heading up the stairs.
"Kid Win, Vista." I hear Missy and Chris's comms go off. "We're getting numerous reports of a building collapsing seven blocks from City Hall. We need protectorate first response now, and you're the closest and most mobile."
"On it!" Chris says into his comms before hopping up on his board, looking to Vista and nodding in the direction of the sound.
Just in time for Mom to open my door and do a double take as she notices the warped window leading to the boardwalk.
"What the hell?" Mom sighs as she sees us.
"Um, I just want it on record. You never said I couldn't." I say after raising a finger in my defense.
"Can't talk Mrs. Dallon!" Missy says as she picks me up and moves me into my room before undoing the warp. Not before giving me a quick kiss on my forehead though.
Leaving me here, staring out my open window as I see the ocean.
"For the record, no warping the house." Mom says as she closes the door.
"Shouldn't even have to be a rule." I hear her say in the background.
…
'Well that was interesting.' I think to myself as I turn around, leaving my room and heading over to Amy's.
"PanPan!" I shout as I burst into her room, causing her to look up from her phone with wide eyes as she slams it onto her bed. Which she is laying on, under the covers.
"Wanna play with some plants?" I ask, ignoring her blush as I was probably a few minutes from catching her doing something dirty.
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-Meanwhile, Fortress Constructions-
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Missy "Vista" Biron POV
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I warp to a nearby rooftop with Pinky in tow as I and Kid Win survey the area. It looks like a building collapsed in the middle of the block. The rubble and debris having caused structural damage to the nearby buildings as well and forcing them to collapse towards the main building. The block being covered in debris and small fires as the dust is starting to settle.
"Vista to console, I'm here at the site as first response." I say into my comms. "It looks like a building collapse, several injured and presumed dead."
"How many dead?" I hear Sophia say.
Why the heck did I have to get her of all people on the line?
"I can't tell." I answer. "Send EMS and evac support. I'm turning on my tracker for precise location."
"Kay." Sophia says before cutting the call.
'God I hate that girl.' I think to myself as I turn to Pinky and Chris.
"Alright, spread out to the nearby buildings and see if you can find anyone who needs help." I tell Chris and Pinky. "Chris use your sonar to find structural instability, Pinky use your acid to try and safely dislodge any civilians trapped in the rubble."
"Right!" Pinky says.
"Who made you leader?" Chris challenges.
'Seriously?' I think to myself as I feel my temper start to flare. 'Now of all times!?'
"No one from my reckon'n." We hear from above as we see the armored flight tinker, Falcon, touch down next to us. "But a plan is a plan little man. Stop question'n when you can be save'n lives. Less you got a better one."
'Finally!' I think to myself as I look to the New Wave Cape. 'Some recognition!'
Why is it that the only other capes who seem to listen are New Wave? And they have Vicky!
"Yes sir!" Chris says as Pinky sits on the back of his board while he takes off.
"Thank you." I say as I turn to the red and silver armored man.
"No problem." He says with a smile. "Sometimes people forget age, don't equal aptitude. Now, what are you doing little lady?"
"I'm going to focus on my power and see if there isn't anyone trapped that Kid Win's sonar system won't pick up through the rubble." I say as I start to do just that.
Meanwhile, sirens can be heard in the background as emergency responders arrive to the scene.
"Sounds good, call on me if you get any that need a medical flight evac." He says as he tosses me a small button and flies off to get an overhead view.
Focusing on the task at hand, I close my eyes as I start pinpointing fields of inaccessible matter. Or, living organic matter in my case.
The whole time I call over comms. Directing the others to locations as more heroes show up to help. Gully, who's helping by excavating the debris. Firebreather, who'd acting as additional muscle and flight. Shielder, who's using his shields to hold up debris as people are evacuated. Mr. Incredible, who's paired with his son FastTrack, getting people out and to the ambulances. Assault, Dauntless and Armsmaster who are coordinating different sections of the process.
About twenty minutes into the evac, and I notice something in my field, just at the edge.
"Armsmaster, quick intel request." I ask over the comms.
"Is it relevant to the current situation?" He asks.
"Possibly, what is the main building that collapsed and how many sublevels did it have?" I ask, before quickly adding. "And do the main sewer lines run under this building?"
It takes a few seconds. But he gives me my answer.
"The main building was Fortress Constructions, it has a single sublevel basement and no, the main sewer lines are not near this block." He says. "What is the relevancy of this question?"
And thus, we have our culprit, or our main victim.
"Because I sense a living person underneath." I relay. "Large, and trapped about five stories below."
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-20 minutes later-
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Kitsu POV
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"So, this is your wonder tree?" Amy asks as I manage to, mostly remake it.
"Not really." I say as I stare at the small blue leafed tree growing strawberries and kiwis. "It's supposed to glow and have blue bananas."
"I'm not making the blue bananas." Amy says immediately.
"Well I can't go to Florida for them!" I whine as I turn to her. "Missy is already upset I called her to help me get the plants here, and I can't run to Florida and back that fast without breaking several laws."
"Since when did you care about breaking the law?" Amy side eyes me suspiciously.
"I don't." I cross my arms. "I care about getting caught and grounded."
Amy turns to fully face me. Crossing her arms as well as she looks down and gives her best resting bitch face.
"You have so many issues." She says.
"You really need to stop projecting." I say as I uncross my arms and smile. "It's really bad for your mental health."
She rolls her eyes and places her hand back on the tree, right as my phone goes off.
Checking the caller I.D. I see it's my kissy Missy!
"Missy!" I say excitedly into the phone, and have to hold it back as I hear the sound of gunfire going off in the background.
"Kitsu we need your help!" Missy shouts. "There was someone under the ground, he was big, and angry, and green! Armsmaster tried to talk to him and now he's out cold!"
"On my way." I say as I hang up and turn towards my window.
"Where are you going?" Amy asks.
"Apparently the Hulk is in Brockton Bay and I need to go save my girlfriend." I say as I jump out of the window. "Tell Mom I'll be back for dinner!"
I am so glad I don't have to worry about a secret identity. Makes things so much easier.
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Bonus
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-The Rig-
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Sat in the director's office, the Case 53, Lyra, is being coached on how to handle her debut as Director Piggot watches.
"And if someone bares their teeth like this." Her councilor says, smiling wide for the girl. "What does that mean?"
"They're not about to hit me." Lyra says after a second of thought.
"Good!" The lady nods. Dropping her smile to not agitate the girl further. "And if they look you right in your eyes?"
"They're just looking at me." Lyra says.
"Very good." She affirms. "Now, what do you do if someone approaches you while keeping their eyes locked on you."
"Stay still, and wait to see if they stop or slow down." She says. "If they don't, I can defend myself so long as they stay alive and in one piece."
"I'm not convinced." Piggot says as she turns to the councilor. "All it'll take is one incident and the scandal will not only ruin her, but her chances as well."
The lady turns back to face the director.
"Director Piggot, with all due respect. Unless we begin introducing and acclimating her to society as a whole, she'll remain stunted and possibly regress as a result of the isolation."
Lyra pays attention to what they say, but doesn't quite understand. She gets that her handler is advocating for her to be a Ward and go out to help people. And the Director doesn't want that because she's afraid she'll hurt people.
But that's about it. She doesn't know, and doesn't care for the specifics. She just wants to go back outside to the parks and alleys where she can run and be free. The Rig is nice, much better than any other place she's stayed at in recent memory.
But it's just a large kennel.
"And I still need more to be convinced." Piggot says. "What assurance do I have that she'll behave?"
It's then, that Lyra gets a thought.
What would Kitsu do?
She'd talk her way through it. Make a deal they can't refuse, and get what she wants.
But how would that work here? They see her as a troublesome pup when she's a hound.
"A collar." Lyra offers, stopping the director and councilor's debate.
"What?" Piggot asks.
"Don't trust me, put me on a leash." Lyra says, not fully understanding what she's saying. "You have non-lethal stuff like that, right?"
"You're suggesting, a shock collar?" Piggot asks dubiously.
The idea sends a quick flash of white hot rage through Lyra. The idea of using one on her dogs, but a single thought stops her.
This isn't for her dogs, it's for her, for her dogs. If she can get them to agree, they can go out again. Smell the fresh air, run through larger spaces than a cramped training room.
"Lyra, don't you think that would be, demeaning?" Her councilor asks. "To let them put a collar on you?"
"So?" She asks plainly. "Dogs wear collars all the time."
"You're not a dog though, you're a girl." Her councilor tries to reason with the girl.
"I'm both." Lyra persists. "And I want to go outside, if you need to collar me to let me out, do it."
"You understand you'll be painfully reprimanded for any violations. Correct?" Director Piggot challenges.
"I've been through worse." Lyra counters.
Piggot stares in contemplation. Weighing the pros and cons of allowing such an arrangement. On the one hand, everyone gets what they want. On the other, it'd be a PR nightmare if anyone ever found out they collared a teenage Case 53.
But, Lyra can only remain here for so long. Capes are known to get, mentally unwell when restricted from action. And Lyra having an episode is the last thing anyone wants.
"I suppose you have." Piggot finally says.
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A/N
Again, I find it funny that some people still haven't figured out that Kitsu is a sociopath.
Like, genuinely. She lacks empathy and sympathy for anything she doesn't care for. And doesn't think about long term consequence. She is ruled, 90% by her emotions. And tends to have a general disregard for other people.
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I opening questions back up!
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FOR KITSU!
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FOR NEWB!
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Gimme all da comments! All of them! Om nom nom!
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Find me in newb's-grotto at the discord!
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Link to the discord: discord. gg/DarkWolfShiro