Chapter 6

Monday, February 7, 2011

I hate Mondays. The beginning of a work week, the end of the weekend, truly the worst of days. As I dragged myself out of bed and helped myself to some ambrosia of life (coffee), I at least comforted myself with the knowledge that I was making a difference, being a superhero.

At least I would be if I didn't have goddamn homework and meetings with Image. I was more than a little annoyed with both those things, though I knew the importance of them intellectually. I wanted to be out there, exploring my new powers and taking down criminals. My mood was further soured as the Grimoire filled my soul with power: Only for said power to be rejected. The potential to weave spells with the ease of the High Elves, to become a mage powerful enough to teach magic to others. But my growth, while still going strong, wasn't as explosive as the first few days and I didn't have enough power built up to select it. The second power that was offered was the ability to basically… be granted unlimited stamina, as long as I was being flashy and putting on a show? Weird, but also worth too many points for me to pick up this time around. The third power was a sword, one made of dragonbone. A powerful weapon, to be sure, but I already had reinforcement magecraft and I knew how the PRT liked to play nice and a sword was a weapon made for killing. I regretfully let the power drift back off into the void. Three powers, all of them either too costly or not worth it in the end. The plus side was that the abilities that were too costly left me a small chunk of power each, filling me near to bursting with energy just waiting to be used. Even then, I didn't have enough strength to tap into the one that was still resting in my soul.

One day I would have that power, or so I hoped anyway.

For the moment, I sat at my coffee table and reviewed the handbook I'd been given some more until my eyes were burning. Even some more blessed coffee didn't improve my mood. Just a repetitive cycle of studying, note taking, and general drudgery that I hadn't done in years and hoped to never do again, yet there I was.

Finally my alarm went off and I shot to my feet and headed out the door. I wove my normal illusion around myself to appear as a different person, then used my shadow jumping power, sending myself hurtling through icy darkness before reappearing in an alley near, but not exactly right next to, the PRT HQ. I took a minute to stop at a nearby cafe and grab a snack (having money again felt wonderful) and then headed into the building.

Even on a Monday, the PRT HQ was bustling with tourists and their guides, the gift shop constantly pumping out merchandise for local heroes as well as for the more nationally famous heroes such as the Triumvirate or Myrddin. I walked up to one of the information desks, the one I had been specifically told via email to go to.

"It's a great day for fishing," I said conversationally.

"Yes, but what terrible weather for the rest of us," the man behind the desk replied.

"Can't be any worse than in Connecticut."

"Well then we'll have to go for a drive then." The PRT agent nodded discreetly toward an unassuming door marked 'staff'. I gave him a small smile in thanks and then headed through the door once the small light on the panel next to it turned green, paying careful attention to make sure no civilian saw me enter.

Once through the doorway, I was greeted by a pair of fully armored troopers. "I.D?"

"I don't seem to have one yet, can you show me the way?"

"Sure, but have you seen any purple giraffes?"

"Not since I was in L.A."

Both relaxed visibly and then ushered me onward. I was surprised when a pair of women suddenly ambushed me, both red haired and short, one with glasses and one without.

"You must be Magus! You're right on time, we're so happy to see you here!" Glasses said enthusiastically, pumping my hand up and down vigorously.

No-Glasses had a tape measure in hand and tried to use it on my legs, only to scowl as her hand went through the illusion I was projecting. "You're inside headquarters and we already know your real name. You can drop the disguise."

"You guys must be the Image department?" I hedged carefully, dropping the illusion around everything except my face.

"Yup! I'm Gwen, this is my sister Stacy," Glasses introduced. "We're part of Image for ENE. I know you've probably already heard horror stories from the Wards, but we promise that we just want to help."

I let out a short chuckle at the introduction. "Your parents must have had a sense of humor."

Gwen gave me a blank stare, bubbly smile still fixed in place. "What do you mean?"

"Gwen and Stacy, like Spider-Man's… Oh never mind, it's an Earth-Aleph comic thing," I sighed at the lack of comprehension on their faces.

Although technically those comics did still exist here, the point of divergence wasn't that far back, they'd unfortunately lost popularity as real superheroes appeared. Maybe their parents were comic geeks or something?

"Well regardless, we're oh so happy to have you joining us, please, step into our office," Gwen hustled me through the building much to the bemusement of the employees we passed, many of them giving me looks of pity or understanding. "It's our job to make sure you look as amazing as a hero as possible. Stacy handles the more practical side of things, namely your costume and general theme, but I'm here to help you with naming, brand recognition, and of course marketing!"

I was led into a room that was basically a tailor's wet dream crossed with a toy store, racks of different fabrics lining the walls, measuring tools, mirrors, changing stalls, a stack of comics themed around the heroes of the Protectorate, small toys, props, you name it.

"Look, I don't wanna be rude, but isn't designing a costume kind of redundant for me? I can make illusions to appear however I want and-"

Stacy scowled at me full force as she yanked me up onto a platform surrounded by mirrors and started holding up different colored swatches of fabric near my face. "There have been several heroes through the years with similar thoughts and abilities. The ones who tried what you're suggesting ended up screwed when their powers gave out and suddenly had their identities broadcast. Plus, there's always the chance you'll need a body double and having a real physical costume will help with that. Now drop the face illusion, we already know your name and I need to make sure the costume works when I make sketches."

I complied, albeit somewhat reluctantly, and Stacy kept up her steady stream of measuring and judging colors. Gwen meanwhile approached with a notepad. "Here's a list of names we came up with and got approval for from Glenn Chambers, the ultimate head of Image through the whole PRT."

"I can't just use 'Magus'?" I asked tentatively. It's not like I was super attached to the name, but it was easy and simple.

Gwen hesitated, her smile faltering for a moment. "You could as there isn't a hero currently using that name, but it's rather plain and well…"

"Most heroes don't want to be associated with Myrddin and his magic schtick," Stacy explained more bluntly.

"Myrddin is a great hero and very well liked, but the fact that he believes his powers to be magic makes him a bit of a joke unfortunately," Gwen agreed. "That's not even getting started with Haven and those other heroes who think their powers are actual gifts from God." Her expression shifted. "Not that there's anything wrong with such beliefs, if that's how you-"

"Relax," I raised my hand with an easy laugh. "I doubt powers are magic or God-given, we're still figuring out where they come from. Can I see that list?"

Gwen handed over the clipboard and I looked over the list of names. It made me want to sigh at the very unimaginative 'Dark Dodger', 'Shade', 'Ranger', 'Leap-Frog' and a variety of other names and themes that all revolved around my jumping and illusions. There were a couple halfway decent ones, but all in all it was a large case of 'mid' to put it mildly.

"None of these really capture the kind of hero I want to be," I said honestly, but hoping to be tactful about it. "Are there any other ideas?"

Gwen hummed thoughtfully. "We could go for a stage magician theme?"

"Absolutely not," I denied immediately.

"Any particular reason?"

"I hate tuxedos," I lied, mostly thinking of a character a friend of mine had created…

"Alright, then how about…"

That went on for a couple of hours, Stacy doing sketches to go along with themes and names that Gwen and I would come up with, though sometimes I'd get vetoed right away or I would do the same to one of Gwen's ideas. I even tried dipping into some of my favorite fictional magic users, but the were deemed too silly (Doctor Strange) too ostentatious (Doctor Fate), too much like Eidolon (Doctor Doom) or too casual (John Constantine and Harry Dresden). I could tell that I was starting to get on the two Image consultants' nerves with my pickiness, but dammit, this was going to be the start of my actual superhero career, I needed to make a good first impression to the world!

"Alright, alright, how about this for an outfit?" I raked a hand through my hair and then projected an illusion out in front of me for Gwen and Stacy to comb over.

"It's certainly dignified…" Stacy muttered, examining the proposed costume from every angle.

"What sort of mask would you be using?" Gwen asked.

"Simple as can be, a padded dominoe mask that would alter the contours of my face and make it harder, if not outright impossible, to identify me properly, not to mention I can still project an illusion to make people question my actual hair and eye color, even rotating it daily if need be" I explained.

"This is a very well detailed outfit. Earth-Aleph inspired?" Stacy guessed.

"Ehhhh… Something like that…" I somehow doubted that anyone in either Earth-Aleph or Bet knew who Kischur Zeltrech was and I wasn't about to go admitting my sources.

"Let me snap a few photos," Stacy decided, taking a number of shots with her work tablet from a variety of angles. "I'll run it up the chain and see if Mr. Chambers approves."

"We still need a name too," Gwen reminded me.

"Can we just… stick with Magus for now?" I sighed, not wanting to keep the rather generic moniker, but not having anything better. "It's what I used during my first outing and all that."

"A first outing that ended with you being beaten up by the joke villains of Brockton Bay," Stacy said dryly.

"It's still mine," I said stubbornly.

The two sisters looked at each other and had one of those telepathic conversations that only siblings could have, then Gwen gave me a nod. "Alright then, we'll place your copyright under that name and begin the merchandizing procedures, but I expect Glenn might have something to say about a magic-based name and theme."

Best not to tell them that the costume is a derivtive of a True Magician then… Or that I can use magic myself for that matter.

"I'm sorry if I'm being difficult, this is all just… really new to me," I apologized to the sisters. "Public relations isn't something I was considering very strongly when I signed up to be a hero," I lied.

"You're a lot more cooperative than some have been and you're willing to work with us rather than fight us at every opportunity," Gwen said reassuringly with a pat on my arm.

"Like who?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"Well I really shouldn't-" Gwen began.

"Vista for one," Stacy said drolly. "Girl hates us. Called us 'useless bitches who just want to get her killed in the field'."

I blinked in surprise. "Does Vista not realize that Wards aren't meant to be a combat team?"

Stacy scoffed while Gwen winced. "While that is true of most other cities, Brockton Bay is a little different. With the lack of heroes compared to villains, the Wards here are usually in more precarious situations than generally approved in other more… balanced cities."

That was deeply depressing and concerning, especially because we were talking about a girl who was only twelve. What the hell had that girl been through to make her so concerned about field work?

Was it fanon or canon that Vista had fought Hookwolf on her own? I couldn't remember, couldn't parse the memories of what I'd actually read and what I only thought I had and besides that, the line between it all had blurred and decayed when this world had ceased to be fiction and become my reality.

"Well regardless, I'll do my best to work with the Image Department as a whole. You guys do important work, even if some capes don't recognize it as they should."

Gwen gave me a beaming smile and even Stacy looked marginally more pleased. "We'll give you a call when we have a prototype costume. Director Piggot will want to get you in the field as soon as possible too, which will involve a big reveal event and such."

I made sure to shake both their hands and give them my warmest smile before booking it out of there. Just because I understood the necessity of their job, didn't mean I liked having to try and brainstorm names, costumes, and themes.

I was ambushed by Cole almost immediately. The dark skinned man was flanked by a shorter white man, both showing me their identifications and giving the Master-Stranger codes for the day. "This is Smith, my partner," Cole introduced.

"Eddie Smith, pleasure to meet ya." Smith gave me a rather upbeat smile and shook my hand eagerly. The two were a study in contrast it seemed.

"Nice to meet you as well. What are you gentlemen doing here?" I asked.

"Heard you'd be stopping in today to meet with Image. Figured it might be a good chance to introduce you to some of the Wards, since you're here and all," Eddie explained.

"Not all of them, obviously," Cole put in. "Patrols, not to mention scheduling, but Vista, Aegis, and Gallant are all present right now if you'd like to meet them."

"Already met Aegis, but it would be good to meet the other two. Lead on!" I pointed dramatically, making Cole roll his eyes and Smith give me a good natured grin as they led me through the building and to the Wards' part of the building.

A series of more twisting corridors, which I could only assume were designed that way to confuse infiltrators or outright attackers and we then arrived at the large sealed doors where the Wards were usually stationed when not on patrol. An alarm sounded, giving them time to don their masks, and then they parted to reveal the initial lounge/ meeting area where even tour groups were allowed to see. Part of that area included the Console seat, a multi-purpose terminal with multiple monitors that allowed one of the Wards to basically act as C&C for the rest of the team. The Protectorate had their own Console that was manned by multiple trained PRT agents or a full Protectorate member as needed, but the Wards' version basically allowed them to practice and get a feel for such a position or fill in during an emergency.

My trooper escort left themselves outside as I walked in to find Aegis already costumed up and manning the Console, while two people who I could only assume to be Gallant and Vista sat on one of the couches. Both wore basic domino masks to hide their identities.

There was a moment of tense silence before I removed my mask and illusion and gave the three Wards a friendly smile. "Hey there! I'm Magus, but please just call me Mak."

All three relaxed and Gallant approached and offered his hand. "Gallant, but the Director says you already know our civilian names, right?"

"Ah, I didn't think she'd tell you guys that. Yeah, sorry, just a consequence of my power," I apologized. "Dean, right?"

He smiled slightly and removed the mask, revealing a handsome blond guy in his late teens. "That'd be me. Nice to meet you uh… sir?" He guessed.

I let out a small huff and shook my head. "You can just call me Mak or Magus, you all have way more experience than me, there's no need for formalities."

Across the room, Aegis waved. "Glad to hear it man! We could use more of that."

I chuckled and then glanced at Vista as she took off her mask. I felt like I'd been sucker punched in the gut. Between her eyes and hair I was immediately reminded of my first half-sister who in this reality…

I couldn't even finish the thought before Gallant stepped up and hooked an arm around my shoulders, leading me toward the kitchen area while covertly motioning at Vista. "Let's grab you a drink real quick! No booze, but we've got soda, tea, coffee-"

"I'll take some tea. Too late in the day for coffee. Mint if you have it," I forced out with my best fake smile.

Gallant nodded and began preparing it. "So if you know about my identity does that mean-"

"I know about your real powers. Empathy sight and emotional blasts," I confirmed. "Was I looking that bad?"

"You had so much pain and anger pouring off of you for a moment that I was worried the others might see it," Dean confirmed. "If you don't mind me saying, that's the kind of thing I only see when it relates to things like trigger events…"

Nosy son of a-

I put a stopper on my temper even as he poked what was now an open wound. Having the original Mak's memories didn't usually have a true effect on me, but something that visceral and close to home…

Dean, to his credit, noticed the flare of my temper and offered me the steaming mug of tea. I took the thing and poured a metric ton of sugar into it before downing it in one go, a brief usage of Magecraft serving to cool the thing just a hair. "Sorry, I didn't mean to pry, I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't be a problem if-"

I held up my hand to make him stop. "Drop it. Just… Vista looks a lot like my kid sister. She died."

A sympathetic look passed over his face. "I'm sorry to hear that. Was it the Empire?"

I snorted and shook my head. "Nah, she was their ideal. Half-sister, so she was all caucasian, had blonde hair and was cute as a button. She'd be about Vista's age now… if the Slaughterhouse Nine hadn't paid my dad's town a visit when she was a toddler."

Dean paled and opened his mouth, only for it to close again. I patted his shoulder with a grim smile and then approached Vista again, who had thrown her mask back on and was flipping through channels on the t.v.

"Hey, sorry about that," I greeted her. "Since Dean will probably fill everyone in anyway, I'll just let you know right now that you look like my dead sister. If I ever act too condescending or treat you like a kid, that's probably why. I respect that you're a capable superhero in your own right though and hope that we can work well together in the future." I rambled out, just trying to power through the awkwardness, then turned on my heel and walked out as quickly as I could.

I ignored Cole and Smith as I breezed past them, turned myself invisible the moment I was out of their sightline and then shadow jumped straight to the Protectorate training room that was on the Rig. It might cause questions further down the line, but I was so distraught at that point that I couldn't have cared less. I walked over to some training dummies that were set up specifically for Strikers like Assault and began wailing on them with my fists, utilizing reinforcement magecraft combined with Hero Punch to begin working off some steam. If I was going to be upset and have my day thrown off, I was going to do my best to use that time productively.

After a while, as I was laid out on my back and using some basic healing magecraft on my now bruised knuckles, I heard a small laugh from above.

I craned my neck up to see Miss Militia standing over me, somehow doing that weird eye-smile thing that I'd read about. It looked exactly how I pictured it really. "Hi there MM. Sorry if I don't get up, I'm a little exhausted at the moment."

"You're fine. And please, just call me Hannah when we're off duty." She gave me a questioning look. "You should know that it's standard procedure for high level Movers and Strangers to at least alert Console when they enter the building."

I felt a spike of alarm and tried to rush to my feet, only to groan in pain from sore muscles and nearly keel over.

Miss Militia clucked her tongue at me. "You trained too hard. It's commendable to want to improve, but you can't push yourself too far."

"You forget that I'm a healer," I managed to grit out, then began the process of soothing sore muscles, one group at a time. Healing was definitely going to be my best long term purchase. "Besides, some of you have been heroes for decades. I have to catch up. Have to be better."

I need to prove myself…

"There's no rush-" Miss Militia stopped herself. "No, that's a lie. Truth be told, we need all the help we can get, especially if we want to break the current deadlock, but it's been this way for a while and we have time. Don't push yourself too hard and burn out, I've seen it happen to others before." She kneeled down and offered a bottle of water that she'd been holding. "Here. Sensors went off as soon as you appeared without prior knowledge, but once we figured out that it was just you, everything was fine. Just alert us next time."

"I will. Sorry, there was just… Something happened at HQ and I just had to come get some training in," I apologized.

"On the subject of your mysterious appearance here…" Hannah glanced around and made sure it was just us. "I happened to be on Console today and Armsmaster asked me to speak to you on this subject. We've confirmed that what you told us about Coil appears to be true, seeing as Thomas Calvert hasn't come back into work since you've joined us. We placed covert recon on his home as well and he doesn't appear to have been there in a while either. It must have taken a lot of trust on your part to come to us, despite knowing how compromised the PRT as a whole was. So it's understandable if you haven't told us the full scope of your abilities as insurance against such a dangerous threat." I opened my mouth to reply, but Hannah held a finger up. "That being said, we are due for an Endbringer soon. I don't expect you to participate, but if you do, know that Armsmaster and the Director have both expressed their expectation that you will use the full scope of your abilities against them. Holding back when you believe yourself to be stepping into the lion's den or on day to day patrols is one thing, the Endbringers or similar S-class threats are entirely different." She fixed me with a hard stare. "Do you understand?"

"Yes ma'am," I replied almost reflexively. "I won't disappoint you if it comes to that."

The hard stare dropped and became friendly again. "I told you, it's just Hannah." She stood and offered me a hand up.

I accepted and was going to ask if we could spar together, when a wave of power hit me. Knowledge flew into my mind, making my eyes go wide. "Sorrygottagobye!" I shouted quickly as I all but flew out the door and sprinted towards Armsmaster's lab.

I slowed to a halt and knocked politely, all but jumping in anticipation.

Armsmaster opened the door to the lab and gave me a questioning look. "Magus, was there something I can help you with?"

"I can build tinker-tech!" I said excitedly.

He blinked at me in surprise, then nodded with just the faintest hint of a smirk.

"Show me."
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A/N: Sorry this is a little late, was driving back to Oregon all day Saturday so a good chunk of this was written just today. Gonna use this next week to get my backlog back into decent shape. Ended this chapter here because its too good of a line not to use. Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.