Missy fidgeted on the chair in the spartan room the PRT had detained her in. There really wasn't much there apart from the bed and an attached bathroom. She had been there for hours now, responding to stimuli and questions they gave her. Many of them very unpleasant.

Unpleasant but necessary. It was either this for half a day or spend several of them under observation. The crazy thing was that it could've been worse. The PRT already had a basic psych evaluation and baseline for her personality, and it still took this long to test for Mastering. Imagine regular people having to be screened without any past records to work on.

"What is this?" a speaker from the ceiling asked. The television built securely into the wall would light up and show-

"That's my Evoker," Missy replied. Her hand drifted to her side, even though her Evoker wasn't there. They didn't let her keep the holster or her vest over fears of her hiding something in them. All she had now were the clothes on her back, which still made her feel a bit naked with how vulnerable she was now.

Nowadays she brought it with her everywhere. Under her pillow when she was sleeping and even in the bathroom once she realized it was made to be quite waterproof.

"And this?"

"A pistol," Missy replied impatiently. It was actually designed similarly to her Evoker but there were some small differences, like how smooth that groove at the underside of the barrel was, that immediately set it apart. "Can I have my Evoker back?"

"Why did you stab them?" the voice asked, ignoring her question.

"Because she was Mastering me!?"

"That wasn't the only person you stabbed."

"I healed them." Missy bit back.

The voice went silent for a moment before asking her a bunch of innocuous questions. Her favorite color, favorite things to eat, how the weather was. All random questions that were apparently part of the Master-Stranger Protocols.

Had to make sure she still wasn't Mastered even though she had assured them that Pixie already dealt with that. At some point it had gotten so boring that answering their questions had become a routine. She had even got off the chair and began laying on the bed so she was comfortable.

"No, I don't listen to Bad Canary," Missy replied after another round of questions. Rest of her class was crazy about it though.

"Please look at the screen."

Missy rolled her eyes, turned her head, and-

She jumped up, nearly falling out of bed in the process.

"What the fu-"

The screen shut off but the damage had been done. Missy was tempted to scream, but just barely held herself back.

How the fuck was she supposed to be okay after they showed her a car completely crushed in an accident?

"You okay?"

Missy let out a deep breath, still a little shaken from the ordeal, before looking up at her… father. She had wished it had been Minako or Shinji to pick her up but neither of them were technically her legal guardian. Yet at least.

"Where's mom?" Missy asked. The woman was surprisingly absent.

"Told her you were spending the day with Dinah." A distasteful expression appeared on the man's face. "Building connections with her family thinking about your future. At least that's the story we're giving her."

"Why?" Missy asked

"Carol explained things to me. How Master-Stranger protocols work. If you were fine, then no point in having her stress you out after you got out."

Missy's eyes widened. That was surprisingly reasonable. "Thanks… dad."

"Just make sure not to tell your mother about this."

"I won't," Missy replied. For once she didn't mind it when he put a hand on her shoulder and guided her to the conference room

Missy and her father took a seat in the room where Miss Militia and Director Piggot were waiting for them. There was also this fat man in the corner with just the ugliest shirt imaginable, but apparently he belonged there judging by how Piggot nor Miss Militia simply nodded when Missy gestured in his direction.

"Sorry you had to go through that," Miss Militia said, regret clear in her eyes. "Master-Stranger protocols can be unsettling, especially for your first time"

"It's fine. Masters are dangerous," Missy looked around and confirmed that they were the only ones in the room. "Where's Aegis?"

"Sent home to recover."

"Was it that bad for him?"

"No. He's simply worked past the hours normally allocated to Wards outside of an emergency."

"Youth Guard?"

Miss Militia nodded. "Youth Guard. I can understand the sentiment about limiting the hours Wards work and encouraging them to have lives outside of their costumes, but sometimes the restrictions they place can be strict."

Good intentions but not enough to fix things. Geez, where had Missy heard that before.

"Well glad he's okay," Missy muttered. "Fucking Masters."

"Missy. Language."

"Sorry dad."

"You're a Master too, aren't you?" Piggot finally spoke.

"I mean… I have Personas that can make people sleepy or confuse them," Missy admitted, even though she could swear she had already let them know about this. "Suzaku can Charm them I guess, but all of those spells wear off quickly if I'm not actively refreshing them or I'm not in range. Even harder to mess with the heads of people with strong minds, at least not if I don't tire or stress them out first."

"You'll have to go through another round of Power Testing before you leave," Piggot replied curtly.

"But I already did that like last week."

"That was before you apparently developed a Power to cure victims of Masters."

"Oh… yea." Missy began fidgeting in her seat, "Can I have my Evoker now?"

The Director wordlessly gestured toward Miss Militia who took out the Evoker and set it down. It was still too far for Missy to reach it though, not unless she leaped onto the table.

"Your ability to cure Mastering and make yourself immune to Masters makes you their natural enemy," Piggot replied as she grabbed the Evoker and set it down in front of her. "And then we have the other multitude of Powers you've been developing. Healing alone makes you an asset."

"Yea I get it. I'm a target. I'll be more careful," Missy replied impatiently.

"Can you protect yourself from Masters right now? Or any other Capes for that matter?"

"Not until I have my Evoker," Missy bit back.

"And what happens if this is lost or destroyed?" Piggot asked.

"I… get a new one," Missy replied. She really hoped that didn't happen. It wouldn't be the same Evoker that had belonged to Minako. The one that Minako had passed down to her.

"How would you get a new one?"

"I have spares." Or at least Shinji and Minako had some. "And more can be made."

Piggot raised an eye. "Isn't this Evoker tied to your Powers? How would someone make copies?"

"I don't know. They just can." Shinji knew or at least knew someone who did.

"And who would make these?"

"I can't say." Missy glared at the Director. "Why are you asking me so many questions? Just give my Evoker back."

Piggot deftly slid the Evoker across the table so that Missy could grab it. "The PRT would be willing to create and supply you with more Evokers. Even construct alternative tools for your use if we were informed of how they could be made."

Missy quickly stuffed her Evoker back in her holster. Her hand rested comfortably on the handle of her beloved tool. "Thanks, but no thanks."

"You're too valuable a Cape to not take precautions. The Empire is out to recruit you. Capes you develop counters for will see you as threats. Anyone with a sick relative might try to kidnap you just for healing."

Missy sighed. "I appreciate the offer but the only reason I have all these Powers is because I'm out there. Doing things. Fighting Villains. Helping people." And it still wasn't enough. "If I'm in Wards I would rarely do any of those things." And that would make her truly useless.

"Wards are still allowed to patrol," Miss Militia offered.

"I'm too young," Missy admitted. "My hours would be limited, and I would be heavily restricted and monitored. I like having the freedom to do things I need to do on my own time and I like being productive."

"What about your friend?" Piggot asked. "A bit hypocritical of you being fine with her joining the Wards without you."

Missy winced. That was a sore spot. A very sore spot. "She's a Tinker. She's vulnerable."

"So are you. And she could use a familiar face. Wouldn't you be helping her that way?"

No. If anything, staying independent was what was going to help Clara. If only so that they had the opportunity to hunt down Squealer when they finally found her.

Piggot crossed her hands. "So as usual you're refusing to join the Wards."

Missy nodded.

Piggot turned to Missy's father. "And what's your opinion about this?"

"My daughter knows more about this than I do, and Mrs. Dallon has given me the reassurance I need. I trust their judgement over my own," Missy's father replied. It was actually reassuring for Missy to hear that. To know at least one of her parents was listening to her and respected her opinion.

The Director continued to look stern but not annoyed. In fact it almost seemed like she expected this. "As you can see Mr. Chambers, the Birons have declined our offer again. Our hands are tied, there is nothing else we can do currently."

"You weren't even trying, one of the worst recruitment attempts I've ever seen. Need to stop being so hard-handed Piggot and think out of the box a little," the man in the terrible shirt finally deigned to speak. He waved a hand. "I'll talk with her."

"Fine. I wash my hands of this and I'm too busy to humor you anymore Chambers. Do what you want. Goodbye Mr and Ms Biron." Piggot stood up and walked out of the room though Miss Militia remained.

"Um… who are you?" Missy asked.

"Glenn Chambers. Head of the PR department for the PRT and Protectorate. We manage the image of all Capes across the country." The man stood up and offered a hand to Missy which she took. She winced from the pressure he was putting on her hand. "And you need a better handshake"

"And why is a PR director here?" Missy's father asked as he shook his hand too, this time with a much firmer grip compared to Missy.

"There we go. Learn to shake hands from your father Aeon," Glenn commented before he took a seat.

"Aeon?"

"Provisional Cape name the PRT assigned to you after you refused to take one yourself. Never caught on though. Can tell why."

"Huh."

Oh yea. She had never actually gotten around to figuring out her Cape name. Everyone just called her Missy out in the field and left it to that.

"Horizon? Vista?" Missy mused to herself. Would represent her Theia's ability to manipulate space but that didn't quite describe anything she did. Maybe something about her Personas short of naming herself Persona? "Guise? Anima? Avatar?"

"As for why I'm here, your daughter is a Cape," Chambers explained.

"I'm not part of the Protectorate," Missy replied.

"You are still a self-declared Hero-"

"Self-declared? I am a-"

"Self-declared Hero whose actions affect the image of all Capes in this country."

"I don't think I'm that important."

Chambers and even Missy's own father shot her a deadpan look before the former pulled out an electronic tablet and pushed it towards her. On it were images of Missy where she was… oh. There was blood not just on her clothes but on a good chunk of her face. That and the manic, almost panicked, look that she had with her katanas in her hands kinda made her look a bit psycho.

"Missy..." Her father sounded very concerned.

She flicked the screen and watched the next video.

So apparently someone had recorded her in that fight against Chorus and well it didn't put her in the best light. Yes she was cutting people down with real swords, yes that was real blood getting splattered all over her clothes, and yes that was her throwing a sword into a woman's stomach. But all those things could be solved with some healing, a bath, and a quick trip to the Laundromat!

Cape fights were violent and bloody. What'd you expect? They hardly made exceptions for kids once they got involved.

"You've been quite viral since your Trigger but this is a recent development," Chambers informed them. "Now tell me, what do people think when they see these pictures?"

"Uh… that I'm awesome?" Missy replied.

"Melissa…" Ooh now her father was using her full name. That wasn't good.

"You are, and I quote, 'Jack Slash's' little protégé," Chambers told them.

"What!?" Missy slammed her hand on the table and shouted. "I'm a Hero! Who's comparing me to the Slaughterhouse Nine!?"

"A vocal minority. A very small minority but still there and with the potential to grow," Chambers informed her. "There is certainly a resemblance. Your abilities to Warp Space allows you to perform similar feats as to what Jack is seen doing with his Powers."

"I'm nothing like him." Though now that she thought about it she could see the resemblance. Jack Slash could essentially project his knife to strike as far as he'd like and she did use her powers to increase the range of her blades, albeit at a much slower pace. That wasn't the only thing she did though, so the comparisons were just unfair.

"The people seeing these pictures don't know that." Chambers used his finger to flick to the comments. Apparently, people were making a fuss about how a "cute young girl" was being raised to be such a violent individual.

"Okay it's kinda bad," Missy admitted to herself.

"And here's you helping at that fire the first time you ever went out. See the difference?"

Wow, that was a callback. Seeing that all again brought surprisingly pleasant memories back to Missy's head. "Yea… I guess."

It was easy to see how people responded better to that.

"You are an inspiration. You could be the darling child of young girls and women across the country. A shining beacon of hope and the potential of the next generation of Heroes." He flicked to a video of her healing in a hospital. "You could be the Magical Girl of love and healing, providing aid and succor to the sick. Just as you have the potential to give Hope you can also bring fear and what you do affects how people in this country see all Capes."

"I don't have to be a Ward or affiliated with the PRT to be relevant to your job," Missy grudgingly admitted. She had been aware of her growing fame but only how it affected herself. She didn't think about how it affected others and especially Cape Society as a whole. "I do things and it can mess things up for you."

"Exactly. Glad you caught on quick." Glenn looked a bit smug as he said that. "It's refreshing, you'd be surprised how hard headed Capes can be. Now are the katanas necessary?"

"Yes, I need them to defend myself."

"They're basically just big knives. Like Jack-"

"Knives can also be used to cook. People still use them even though the S9 are around."

"Then either replace them with a more image friendly tool that serves a similar purpose or make them more aesthetically pleasing. Color them up, put on some accessories, and we might be able to make them a focal point of your image like Armsmaster and his halberd."

"What about my Evoker?" Missy loved her katanas, but her Evoker was her most beloved tool.

"There is a reason why most Heroes don't use guns unless it's an integral part or requirement for their Powers."

Missy gestured toward the Protectorate Hero that was still in the room. "Miss Militia is literally all the guns, and everyone loves her!"

"She's an older woman-"

"Ahem," Miss Militia coughed.

"A young adult. And does she ever point those guns at her own head?"

"I'm not committing suicide!" Missy argued. She even pointed her Evoker in the air and pressed the trigger a few times to prove a point, though she did shoot an apologetic look to Miss Militia over the complete disregard of basic gun safety. "I have to feel like my life is on the line to use my Personas and the Evoker simulates that. If anything, by forcing myself to be aware of my impending and eventual mortality I am reminding not just to live but to live well."

"And that is difficult for most people who live normal lives to understand," Chambers explained plainly. "Or rather they could understand but they choose not to. All they see in your case is a little girl with a Deathwish. And are they wrong with how often you get into trouble?"

"Trouble finds me!" Missy replied, exasperated.

"Melissa even before you got Powers you were trouble," Missy's father said. "It was the reason your mother and I sent you to Immaculata."

Missy looked at her father as if he had grown a second head. "Wait, that was why you sent me there!?"

"Whether or not this is your own fault, how you deal with said trouble is the issue," Chambers said.
"You're a girl, you're very young, and you don't have a proper costume. People aren't as willing to excuse things for you as they would an adult Cape."

"Proper-"Missy gestured to her outfit. "It's an awesome outfit! Had it custom made from Parian!"

"You looked like you walked out of a military hardware store. Even Miss Militia's outfit which is stylistically distinct to separate her from regular soldiers. The only sense of flair you have is the blue poncho and skort combo."

That admittedly was Minako's idea otherwise Missy would've just gone for a pair of camouflage or cargo pants. Not that either would've been an issue.

"What ideas do you have then? And it better be appropriate," Missy's father said.

"Dad!?"

"Humor him a little."

"Well, the vest. Practical and functional so keep but get one that's dyed a brighter color," Chambers started. "It could be silver to represent some sort of medieval knight or a shade of pink for femininity. Frills can also work if we attach them to the end of your sleeves and skirt. You could also do a large jacket on top so that the vest doesn't stand out as much. Also holsters built in the seam so you can keep your Evoker out of sight but still available."

Huh. Apart from the frills those weren't terrible ideas.

"We can also lengthen and adjust your poncho so that it can also be used to cover your neck and mouth." He waved her off. "Yes I'm aware you're an Open Cape, but partially concealing your face is a way to remind people that you are a Cape and not a normal child. Also how do you feel about dresses? Like the one you wore to that Gala for Medhall."

"Good for a party, not for a fight," Missy replied. "I do like the dress though."

"So does the public. Honestly if we were to replace your current costume with an adjusted version of that dress we'd be solving so many issues. Loose fitting enough to insert pads and armor underneath, hidden pockets to be hidden among the frills. Parian makes your outfits? I'll have to talk with her."

"Hey! That's my tailor!"

"Not just yours. What we do on our own time is none of your business while you're still an Independent. Speaking of…"

Missy left the conference room even more exhausted than she had felt before. Glenn Chambers was a force of nature and though she hadn't promised anything, the fact that he actually got her to consider some of his crazier ideas was enough to be cautious around him. No way she was making any changes to her costume now, but it might be something to think about once she outgrew her current outfit.

"I can't believe you made me stay," Missy muttered to her father.

"You don't have to follow through with anything he says. But getting an outside opinion helps provide… perspective."

"Perspective? On what?" Missy scoffed. "How to drive me crazy?"

"Perspective on things you might've missed. On mistakes you're constantly making."

Missy rolled her eyes. She was a fuck-up, but she wasn't making the same mistakes over and over again. Just a different one each time.

"Whatever," Missy muttered. She was just about to call it a day and take a long nap at home when her phone rang.

She picked it up. "Hello?"

"All hands-on deck Menina," Jack said over the line. "Found the Merchants but they're about to roll out something soon. Something big that could wreck a good chunk of the city if it gets out."

"Shit."

"Language!"

"Not now," Missy bit back. She already knew how much damage Squealer could do with a Monster Truck. If that damn bitch had something now that even had Jack worried… "I'm in the PRT building. I'll let them know and call New Wave."

"Already did that Menina," Jack informed her.

"You have Carol's number?"

"Glory Girl's actually. She asked to trade contacts."

"… Does Carol know you have her daughter's number?"

Jack chuckled. It sounded almost mischievous. "Nope. I think she'll be quite mad when she finds out."

"… Good luck with that. And try to stay alive," Missy said as she hung up and shook her head. It was only when she turned her head that she noticed Clara, Armsmaster, and Father, all standing nearby. They all clearly overheard the phone call, with Clara's eyes being a bit too excited for comfort.

"They found Squealer!" Clara shouted as she jumped in place. "Let's go-"

"You will stay," Father replied, immediately shutting Clara down and providing a lot of relief for Missy's stress. "I will pursue."

"But daddy-"

"There is no logical reason for you to be out there and risk being exposed. The PRT building is secure."

"I agree with his assessment," Armsmaster as he tapped on his helmet, likely sending off messages to the Protectorate.

"But you're invading a Tinker's base!" Clara argued. "You're going to need Tinkers to figure things out and disarm the traps and it's better if I'm in person to do that!"

"I will be enough," Armsmaster replied. He didn't even sound cocky, that was just a true statement for him.

"You can watch and give instructions through my feed as necessary," Father replied.

Clara pouted but thankfully seemed willing to concede. "Fine but you have to promise me to get rid of Squealer."

"The majority of my processes will be devoted to dispatching the target."

"That's not a promise!"

"I can't say that the task will be completed with certainty."

"I'll make sure we got the job done," Missy reassured her friend as she double-checked her gear. Thankfully the PRT had made an effort to clean up and perform maintenance on her stuff while she had been locked up.

Tch. The katana could use a bit more sharpening though. Just by testing it with her finger she could tell that it was getting dull.

"Missy you're tired," Missy's father said, concerned.

Whatever exhaustion she felt was gone now that she got that phone call from Jack. "I'm fine."

"You need a break."

"You heard Jack it's all hands-on deck," Missy replied before turning to Armsmaster. "Who can we expect?"

"Miss Militia, Dauntless, and me," Armsmaster informed her.

"That's it?"

"The rest are out of the city. Only Velocity can make it here in time to assist."

"The Wards?"

He shook his head. "Too dangerous. Protocol won't let them go into a hostile environment like that. They'll be helping with evacuations and crowd control as needed but don't expect them to assist with breaking into Squealer's base."

Damn. It was just another constant reminder of how thinly stretched the PRT ENE was with how little Heroes they could call at any one emergency.

"What about the other Heroes?" Missy asked. "I know I'm not the only Independent in the city."

Armsmaster grimaced. "Already sent the word out but don't expect much. Some won't show up, others are unreliable, and the rest have difficulty coordinating with us."

"Melissa."

Missy felt a hand on her shoulder. It only took her a second to realize it was her father's before she moved out of his grip. "I'm going. Just stay here with Clara where it's safe."

She then took out her phone and made another call. There were still a few people out there she could reach.

"Mona, any idea what we're getting into?" Missy asked over the phone.

"Infiltrating as deep as I can bu-" Mona suddenly let out an annoyed hiss. "Why throw junk at a random cat!? Jerks. Have to find another route."

"Anything you can tell us?"

"Merchants running rampant East of your location. Big mess, New Wave's trying to clean up and it looks like everyone's starting to go there now."

"A likely diversion," Father commented as Missy rode on one his arms. Turns out the dude could run surprisingly fast for a giant robot, so riding on him was quickest to move while she and Theia focused on creating a path for them.

It had barely been fifteen minutes after Jack's warning before the Merchants had decided to go wild. And if that wasn't enough they were also actively picking fights with Chorus, ABB, Empire, and even Coil's mercenaries. It wasn't a citywide crisis but there was enough scattered chaos going around that there were barely any people trying to break into Squealer's base itself. Just Armsmaster on his own if you didn't count the PRT troopers with him.

He would definitely get through eventually, but eventually wasn't fast enough which was why Missy and Father were trying to group up with Jack. Once Squealer started running with whatever she built it would be up to them to stop or at least stall her.

"Hey Jack," Missy replied as they arrived at the meeting point where Jack was. She jumped off Father's arm and stretched her limbs.

"Bout time you got here Menina," Jack said as he looked at Father carefully.

"Not going to ask about him?"

"You brought him. I assume we trust him in a fight," Jack replied as he used his shotgun to point to point in the direction where some fighting was already happening. "New Wave's already gone and made a distraction. Not going deep into Squealer's base, at least not until we have some Tinkers."

"Already sent Armsmaster there to help. And someone else who can infiltrate deeply."

Jack raised an eye. "A Cape or like us?"

"Like us. Mona's very good at what he does. We should get some news from him soon."

"Uh… Missy. You ever watched Kamen Rider?" Mona suddenly asked on the line.

Ah great timing. Also, What?

"Minako showed me a few episodes. Why?" Missy asked. She never really got into the series despite Minako's efforts.

"I'm pretty sure Squealer just finished building a Mecha."

It took a few seconds for Missy to process that. And even then, it was hard to construct a proper reply.

"What?" she eventually eloquently asked.

"It's like halfway between a humanoid and a vehicle. Really big thing on wheels." Missy could suddenly hear a rumbling over the line. "And it's moving now."

The sound of an explosion followed by Mona quickly shouting the address was all that Missy needed to act.

"Squealer's on the move. We're intercepting!" she shouted on the line to all the Heroes available before she and Theia moved their group as quickly as they could. It took a bit of space warping, skydiving, and a mild bit of nausea on Jack's before they landed on a roof with a view of their target.

The machine was halfway between humanoid and vehicle like Mona described. Some sort of excavator you'd find at a construction site, only with large tank treads, mechanical arms, and even a tail made of cables. Also it was huge. Not Endbringer big but at least a couple of Monster Trucks large and strong enough to steadily tear its way through the local Junkyard.

"We're going to need some backup here," Missy said over the line.

"Enemy spotted," Father commented.

"Meu Deus! Of course there's an enemy. They're right there!" Jack shouted.

"Combat mode initiated."

"Combat mode better be initiated!"

"Would you two just focus!" Missy shouted as she pointed her Evoker to her head and summoned Berith.

"The majority of my programming is already devoted to-"

"Not now!"

"What's the plan Menina?" Jack asked.

Missy put her Evoker back in its holster. "Hit and run tactics. You guys hit hard and Theia will keep us all moving. We survive and stall till we find a weakness, or reinforcements come. Easy."

This was not going to be easy.

"Clara is watching. She will inform us if she sees any weaknesses in this construct," Father told them.

"That'll do." Missy gulped before she had Theia flex her Powers and trap Squealer's vehicle in an encircled area. The machine paused for a second before turning around and giving a clear view of the Cape sitting within the cockpit. Said Cape glared furiously at Missy before quickly accelerating her vehicle at them.

Jack took out his great sword, Father's body expanded to reveal several missile systems installed in his body, and Missy drew her blades before jumping into battle.