Outsider Chronicles: Innovate Dream

Traumatic events have a nasty habit of knocking things loose. On Earth Bet, that includes superpowers. In my case, it also included some existential knowledge I really could have done without. Now I find myself in an unfamiliar city with powers strong enough to put me on everyones watchlist. What is with little girls and having space bending powers anyway?

And we're back. Before we begin, I've done a bit of rewriting to allow for a potential idea I might use down the road. I'm not 100% sure if I'll actually do it, but it'll be fun if I do. The rewrite is minor, only changing Dorothy's mother from being Annettes sister to Danny's. Thats all for now, enjoy!

Chapter 3

Lisa Wilbourn didn't bother hiding her smirk as she picked up the Bug girls' arrival. She wasn't as subtle as she thought she was considering the sheer number of oddly acting bugs around the Undersiders, although to be fair, most people probably wouldn't notice. Of course, the fact she'd come in costume and thus, won her the best certainly didn't dampen her mood.

The Thinker watched as the tall girl crested the staircase onto the roof and her smile faded slightly as her power poked her. Something had changed. In the space of just a couple of days, the formerly suicidal girl had balanced out somewhat. The issues had not disappeared completely, that would be silly, but something had changed to make her much less likely to do something stupid. A new relationship? Improvements at home for some reason? Not sure, more data needed.

Lisa quickly plastered her smile back to full blast and refocused. She could figure out what had changed later, for now, she had business to do.

"And she arrives," she crowed, "Pay up."

Alec's scowl deepened for a second, and he fished in his pocket for a wad of bills, which he forked over to her.

"You bet on whether I would show up?" Bug asked, sounding defensive.

Suspicious, worried that this is a trap of some sort.

"We bet on whether you would come in costume," said Lisa, "and I won."

"Again," muttered Alec.

"It's your own fault for taking the bet in the first place," said Brian, "Even if it wasn't Tattle, it was a sucker bet. Showing up in costume makes too much sense. It's what I would do."

He extended his hand to Bug.

"Hey, I'm Brian."

The two shook hands

"You can call me Monarch," she said.

Name taken at suggestion of someone else. Likes it, but feels its a little too ostentatious. Still thinks its better than others suggested.

Lisa's smile became more fixed. Apparently, whoever it was who had helped start putting this girl back together was closer to her than she thought if they were helping the bug user come up with Cape names.

"Cool," said Brian.

"Lisa," said Lisa, not really paying attention as her power continued to work away in the back of her mind.

"I'm Alec," said Alec in a bored tone, "And Bitch is Rachel."

"Rachel is sitting this one out," said Brian, "She didn't agree with the aim of our meeting, here."

"Which raises the question, what is the aim of this meeting?" said Monarch, "I'm a little weirded out with you guys revealing your secret identities like this, or at least, pretending to."

"Sorry," said Brian, "That was my idea. I thought we would make a token show of trust."

Lisa narrowed her eyes as the girls head shifted slightly, then widened as her power came to a final conclusion.

Stabilising influence is a Cape. Family member, recently met, already become close due to subconscious desire for closeness on both ends. Cape encouraged Monarch to come. Is also here. Above.

Lisa looked up and quickly zeroed in on a small speck floating above the roof.

"Huh, I wasn't expecting that," she said, "Why don't you call in your backup since we've established that this is a peaceful meeting?"

Brain started, but Lisa shook her head at him. There was no indication that this was more than logical caution when it came to a new Cape meeting a villain team. So long as those two didn't start anything, the Undersiders wouldn't either.

Monarch stared at Lisa for a moment, then glanced up. A moment later, the speck zipped down and came to a stop next to Monarch, resolving into a small, blonde girl sitting side-saddle on a staff that resembled a giant key with a purple gem in the head. She was wearing a frilled white minidress with a lilac diamond motif under a black and purple coat that exposed her shoulders and black and purple boots. Finishing of her look was a black and purple witches hat with a purple flower decoration around the rim. Her eyes were covered by a black mask that had seven purple cross shapes across the forehead.

"Hiya, I'm Road," said the girl with a friendly wave.

Lisa put a hand on Brian's shoulder as the team leader tensed.

"You didn't have to hide her, you know," she said, "This is a friendly meeting."

"Thats what I said," said Road with a shrug, "But sissy insisted."

Not actually sisters, cousins, ruse intended to add a layer of separation. Knows that you will know this. Knows that you know. Knows that you…

Lisa hid a scowl and gave her power a mental kick to get it out of the loop.

Knows about Coil, knows about the Undersiders, knows far more than she should. Thinker? No, something else. Knows what you intend. Doesn't intend to let Monarch become a Villain. Happy to help with Coil, but won't hesitate to kill if anything happens to Monarch or her family.

Lisa's eyes widened slightly and she shot the younger blonde a look. It was rather uncommon to find someone who would actually be willing to kill outright unless pushed a long way. Despite what it might appear, people generally didn't have it in them to actually go for the kill unless they were particularly broken and certainly never came up in children. That said, protecting family members were something that Lisa had no real problems with. She would make damn sure not to piss off the Witch themed Cape, but that was just sensible for most Capes.

Road noticed her look and smiled at Lisa. The moment she did, the Thinker suddenly got the uncomfortable impression of something very big and very powerful looking at her. She froze, a cold sweat breaking out over her body. Then, before she could truly react, it was gone, leaving her with a distinct impression that this girl might be the most dangerous person in the city.

Yeah, no way she wanted whatever THAT was mad at her.

However, she didn't really have time to break down now, she still had a job to do. Weirdly, it looked like no one had noticed her sudden fear, so she took advantage of that and got the meeting back on track so she could get away from the pint sized terror.

"Anyway, pint sized backup aside, this is for you," she said, handing Monarch the money filled Alexandria lunchbox, "All yours, no strings attached."

The bug Master took the box and turned it over in her hands, confusion evident, even without Lisa's powers.

"Open it," she said with a roll of her eyes.

She undid the latches and opened it and Lisa could practically see her eyes widen behind that creepy mask. Road floated up and peered over her partners shoulder.

"Huh, not a bad haul," she said.

"Two grand," said Lisa, "As thanks for saving our ass from Lung."

Monarch swallowed and closed the box, carefully redoing the clasps.

"I can't help but think that fighting Dragons usually has a bigger reward," said Road, "Although that is usually for KILLING the things and I'm not sure how to translate gold into dollars."

Alec let out a snort.

"Nerd," he muttered.

Road grinned at him.

"And proud," she said, "Wanna see my dice bag?"

Lisa quickly spoke up before Alec could say something lewd to the 12 year old.

"Anyway, I think that that makes our business here done," she said, waving for Brian to be quiet, "I realise that we are probably going to be enemies at some point in the future, so I hope you remember this."

She gave a foxy grin.

"With any luck, you'll let us go as thanks?"

"I thought this made us even?" asked Monarch.

"Oh, it does, but it doesn't hurt for us bottom feeders to make nice with the heroes if we can," said Lisa, "Compared with the Empire and ABB, we're just a nuisance. If we can convince the Heroes to ignore our heists, all the better."

Monarch didn't respond, just looked at her with those creepy lenses.

"We'll see," she said, "Lets go Road."

"Okee dokee!" chirped the little Blonde and waved a hand.

With a dull thump, a pink door shot out of the ground and opened, revealing a dark void on the other side. Monarch nodded at the Undersiders and marched through, leaving Road to give a cheery wave and follow. The moment the tails of the little Witches coat were through, the door slammed shut and vanished.

Once the Heroes were gone, Brian rounded on her.

"What the hell Lisa?" he demanded, "I thought the plan was to recruit her? And where did the kid come from?"

"The kid was why I decided not to," said Lisa, sitting down on the edge of the wall with a sigh, "I don't know exactly WHAT she is, but I don't want her near me any more than I absolutely have to."

Alec raised an eyebrow.

"That little brat?" he asked, "Whats so scary about her?"

"I…have absolutely no idea," admitted Lisa.

Brian scowled and crossed his arms.

"I need more than that Lisa," he said, "Is she dangerous?"

Lisa hesitated.

"No, I don't think so," she said, "At least, not under normal circumstances. I think…as long as we keep going as we are, we'll be fine, even if we have to fight her."

"Well, THATS reassuring," said Alec, before wandering off in the direction of the fire escape of the building, already losing interest.

"I really hope your right about this Lisa," said Brian, "Otherwise, it could end badly."

Lisa took a deep breath and shook herself.

"I'm sure I am," she said, "She wants to be a hero, so shes not going to do anything unless someone crosses the line. If they do though…"

She trailed off meaningfully.

"Lets make sure we don't do that then," said Brain and followed Alec off the roof.

Lisa remained where she was for a moment, idly wondering how long it would take before Coil got interested. And whether or not she'd survive the inevitable fallout.

Sooo, this has been sitting in my docs for a while, unfinished before I was struck by sudden inspiration and came back to it, only to discover that this is…basically done. I have no idea why I never posted it. Probably because I intended to do more. Oh, before I forget, if you're reading this in the Vault, the rewrite changes are on the doc versions, but the posted versions have not been updated because I can't be bothered to do it for something only meant to gauge interest and get the ideas out. Now thats done, moving right along.

I have no idea how accurate giving Taylor someone to care about would effect her mentality, but this is fiction and I certainly am not a psychologist. She isnt totally cured, but having the ball of sunshine that is Dorethy around had made Taylor significantly less suicidal.

So, what provided the inspiration was the release of The Herta. Her original costume was based on Road Kamalot from D-Grayman, who was actually one of the original inspirations for the character and her interaction with her powers. Now its a mix of Herta's puppet form and her true form, with her staff, boots and hat from the latter and the rest from the former. Because Madam Herta is the most beautiful, graceful, magnanimous, brilliant and amazing person there is!

Ahem, anyway, scary preteen is scary for people who can figure out she is more than capable of being rather bloodthirsty.

And with that, I think I'm done. Don't forget to leave a review on the way out!