Firebird, a Worm AU/Xover?

[chibipoe]

It's that time again, folks. Wildfire is currently on hiatus as I sort some details out, so here's something else to tide you over. No idea whether this will go as fast as Acceleration did, but we'll see..

Important note: The Nine are dead. They will not feature in this story in any way.
However, without further ado... I give you...

Firebird
​

Table of Contents:

Slumber
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, Interlude: Sophia & Madison, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, Three Lines

Dreaming
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, Lost Angles

Dream Eater
3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, Three Glimpses

Sleep Walking
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6

Side Arc - Evolution
Act I - Relocation

Timeline of events(in-progress)
Artsy things from people:

This is likely Taylor's costume, eventually by @Auberan

Fanart of Rockshow by @Sasha

Fanart of Hanabi by @Sasha

Lineart of Trainwreck(WIP) by @Sasha

Nazis can't catch you by @Sasha

Credit to @Auberan for photoshop efforts for the picture.

Omake:

Crack by @Seclorum
Splits by @Galeiam
Frank's no good damn dirty bad week by @Seclorum
I did a thing by @Franklymydear
Insight by @Galeiam
Retcon by @OverReactionGuy
The Shipping Chart(sigh) starts to invade by @Sasha
The Shipping Chart 2: The Reshippening by @Sasha
I expect you to die, my dear by @Seclorum
How Taylor made it to the hospital by @Seclorum
Invisible House 1 by @OverReactionGuy
Invisible House 2 by @Seclorum

Omake on SB:
The Monkeywrench Factory by Nikas

Beta credits to: @Noxturne90, @Parselmaster, @SpiralAK, @landcollector, @Seclorum (in no particular order)

Word count as of 4.4: 215705​

 

[chibipoe]

1.1
Winslow High School.

I hated this place. Even now, after they were supposed to crack down on the bullying and ensure that no further incidents happened, they still did. It was every bit as virulent as before. They had just become better at making sure their actions weren't obvious.

I hated this place. I hated them.

But it didn't matter. I hadn't figured out the reason behind it, but I had power now.

Or rather, powers. Several smaller abilities. Precognition, minor telekinesis.

Which confused me. My brief research into- I paused in my thoughts and leaned to the side slightly as a spitball soared past me harmlessly. It struck the student sitting in front of me, someone whose name I didn't know or care to know. He twisted in his seat to glare, first at me, then beyond me toward its source.

A moment later, he gave me a disgusted look and turned back around.

"Mr. G, Taylor just hit someone with a spitball!" Madison's voice said sweetly. I suppressed a groan and began gathering my books, already knowing what would happen. I could see it clear as day, unfolding before me. He would ask her a question:

"And how do you know that, Madison?"

And she would answer:

"I just saw her flick it into Ronald's hair," she would reply. I didn't even need to turn to know she was giving him a completely honest expression, looking for all the world like she was completely innocent in the whole affair. And then:

"Is this true, Ronald?" Mr. Gladly would ask. "Did Taylor hit you with a spitball?"

To which Ronald would say:

"I was hit with a spitball, Mr. Gladly," he answered, not turning to look at me. "I didn't see where it came from."

Then:

"Well, Taylor, what do you have to say for yourself?" he asked, his determination of my guilt already set in stone.

"Your class sucks," I replied, closing the flap on my bag. "You can go ahead and send me to the office or whatever, since you've made up your mind." And, like the other times, the next moments unfolded before me as I stared off to a spot past his shoulder as if he wasn't there.

Mr. Gladly's face turned red as my words fell into a sudden silence, heard by the entire room. "That sort of disrespect is completely unacceptable, Ms. Hebert."

"So is the treatment I'm getting here," I said flippantly. "What's your point?"

"That's it!" he said, reaching toward me. "We're going to the principal's office right now."

I stood before he could grab my arm, moving just past his attempt to corral me with what appeared effortless ease. My bag swung around, blocking his arm by hitting the wrist as I strode forward through the opening that gave me. Three steps and I calmly skipped over the outstretched foot that would have tripped me, clearing the aisle of desks in seconds.

"I know the way," I said as I left the room, ignoring his shouts to stop. Even as the door swung shut, I felt eyes on my back and I knew who they belonged to. Sophia.

I kept walking though. Whatever her problem was now, I didn't care.

Behind me, I heard the door open and Mr. Gladly shout my name, but I kept walking, heading for the principal's office. Distantly, I hoped this would be different from my other visits, but I knew better. Still, unlike my other visits, maybe I could...

A smile crossed my lips as I thought about that, feeling the beginnings of a slight headache as I pushed that aspect of my powers to see what Principal Blackwell would say during our conversation. That could be entertaining, at least. I kept going toward the office, ignoring Mr. Gladly's attempts to rein me in.

"Ms. Hebert!"

I stop, turning slightly. "What?"

"Where do you think you're going?" he demanded, red-faced.

"To the office?" I asked, my tone indicating that this was a stupid question. "I didn't see any need for you to leave the class unattended when I know the way there?"

"This sort of behavior is entirely unacceptable-" he began.

"Unacceptable is actually you determining that I was firing spitballs without any evidence to support that fact aside from the word of someone who hates me," I countered. "Was there anything else? I really have places to be."

"Ronald said you did it!" he raised his voice.

"No, Ronald said he didn't see where they came from," I corrected. "You didn't ask me if I had done it, or do anything beyond take Madison's word that I was responsible. That's completely unacceptable to me and I'm removing myself from that environment."

"You're going to the principal's office, is what you're doing," he growled, reaching an arm toward me. I stepped back easily, leaving him grasping air.

"I think I've changed my mind," I announced. "I think I'll just leave, instead."

"You can't!" he shouted.

"I can't?" I mocked, wondering in the back of my head what was sparking this defiance. Realization struck a moment later. I had powers, I was special in a way no one else was. I didn't know how I knew this or even why, but I knew it was true. "Can't isn't something that applies to me, Mr. Gladly. So here's what is going to happen now. You're going to leave me alone, go back to your classroom and annoy them. I'm done here." His eyes met mine and I could almost feel our wills clashing. I felt a pulse of heat and his eyes lost focus and he turned, nodding.

"Yes," he was saying to himself. "I have to teach class. Run along to the office, Ms. Hebert."

I watched him go, frowning. What had just happened? I had told him to go and he had obeyed. Mind control? For a moment, I had felt as if he had been trying to resist me, but I was stronger and he failed.

As was right.

I frowned again and then shrugged. Whatever. I was done here.

I walked out without bothering to go to Blackwell's office. Dad would probably badger me, but I simply didn't care.

I didn't know why my powers were different from everyone else's, but some instinct said that they were and the few things I could do now were just the beginning. I would grow stronger. Stronger than the Triumvirate. Stronger than Scion. This world would love me.

Or it would burn.

--

 

[chibipoe]

1.2

The mood in the room was somber as Armsmaster strode in, then stood, the attention of various Directors focused on him.

"I trust you have a report for us?" Assistant Director Tagg said, his expression irritable. Armsmaster didn't respond, his suit's internal displays advising him of this man's position and authority. Handled Assistant duties in Bismarck, as well as former operations lead on a Simurgh containment zone.

Instead, Armsmaster turned his attention to the Chief Director, Rebecca Costa-Brown. "At approximately 1400 hours on January 5th, a manifestation graced the skies over Brockton Bay, centered above Winslow High School. The manifestation appeared as an avian construct made of fire and held its position, wings spread, for exactly ten minutes before dissipating. No one within the school witnessed anything. However, due to its unknown nature, one relatively new agent panicked and sounded the Alert, resulting in the students being filed out as per standard evacuation procedures."

He paused to order his thoughts. "At that time, Protectorate assets arrived on site accompanied by PRT agents and established a cordon, checking over the students for any signs of injury as well as discreetly taking a head count against the attendance rolls."

He stepped forward and activated the room's holographic systems, bringing up an image of a teenage girl, with long, curly hair. "It was quickly determined that the only student we could not account for as either present or absent due to illness or such, was one Taylor Hebert. Age 15. Upon review, we considered that Ms. Hebert may have been the recipient of a Trigger Event, and awakened as a parahuman."

Armsmaster paused a moment as the image changed, to reflect the results of their medical testing. "Myself, accompanied by Velocity, Dauntless, and Miss Militia entered the facility and conducted a thorough search. Our reasoning was such that we believed Ms. Hebert might still be within in the building somewhere, potentially distressed."

His jaw tightened into a grimace. "We found Ms. Hebert comatose and trapped within a locker filled with feminine biological waste products."

Several of the directors looked disgusted but said nothing. "We extracted her and arranged for transport to Brockton Bay Memorial. She remained unresponsive for two days, during which time I authorized the appropriate scans under the Rogers-Banner Act to ascertain if she was a parahuman."

"The tests showed as negative. Upon awakening, we questioned Ms. Hebert and though she had her belief as to who had incarcerated her within the locker, she had not seen them as they shoved her from behind. An inquiry to the staff and student body returned nothing conclusive and that matter was turned over to the Brockton Bay Police Department." Armsmaster paused again as the image switched to a video file, showing the bird of fire as it erupted into the sky.

"Unfortunately, the Rogers-Banner Act does not provide the latitude to conduct scans on the entire student body," he resumed. "Discreet surveillance has been assigned to Ms. Hebert, but she has displayed no signs of parahuman ability. The source of the avian fire construct remains a mystery at present."

"Why aren't you putting eyes on all the students?" Tagg demanded.

"At present, we lack the manpower to place surveillance on the entire student body and staff of Winslow," he said urbanely. "To say nothing that such a widespread action would undoubtedly be noticed. I submit that your suggested course of action would be ill-advised and prove more of a hindrance than aid."

"Armsmaster," Director Costa-Brown said, cutting off what reply Tagg had been about to make. "Have you considered the possibility that Ms. Hebert was the one responsible? That she may be occluding her status as a parahuman in some fashion? The appearance of this avian fire construct, as you described, did coincide with the worldwide disruption of every precognitive Thinker ability that we are aware of. Certainly, it must be considered that she could disrupt the readings of the tests as well."

"Considered and dismissed, Ma'am," he said politely. "Being trapped within the locker would more than qualify as a Trigger event, when considered with the other details she provided us. However, the instances were a parahuman newly awoken to their powers would have such a degree of fine control, especially while comatose, is so unlikely as to be astronomically impossible."

He straightened, letting his gaze room across the directors. "However, with no other leads to pursue, I have taken initiative to see what I can learn. The simple fact is, we lack any other concrete source as to the origin of this entity. The panic of the one PRT agent aside, further study has dismissed the Endbringer possibility. With that fact in place, I will be conducting an on-site initiative at Winslow High to determine precisely what occurred there and if Ms. Hebert is a parahuman and if she was responsible for the manifestation of the flaming bird."

Armsmaster allowed himself a small smile in his thoughts, noting how many of the Directors cracked grins at his choice of words. Success. Director Costa-Brown remained as stoic as ever, he thought, but he was sure that the corner of her lips twitched slightly.

"How do you plan to do this?" Tagg interjected, apparently still displeased over something. Unsurprising, the man seemed to be in a permanently foul mood, from what Armsmaster knew of him.

"As the abilities of this parahuman are at present unknown, I am maintaining departmental protocols and classifying the exact details of my operation so that it is only accessible by myself and those I either grant clearance to, or are possessed of a higher clearance than my own. With respect, Mr. Tagg, you are neither of those, so I am afraid I cannot answer your questions."

He shifted, his manner brusk now. "What information that is available, I have submitted to your personal accounts according to your clearance level. With your permission, Chief Director, I have arrangements to make. Recent developments at Winslow have provided me an opening to initiate my research."

"Dismissed, Armsmaster," she said. He inclined his head and turned on his heel, exiting the room sharply.

~~~~~~~~​

His suit's helmet sat in place atop the display system where he kept it when not in use, with over half of his armor accompanying it. He made adjustments, packing away one of his gauntlets into the case on his workspace. This was a system he had been working on, for rapid deployment of his gear in the event he was off-duty. He had not had occasion to test it fully, but he had full confidence that it would work.

The door to his lab slid open and he didn't bother to turn around, knowing who was there.

"You aren't talking me out of this," he said.

"I wouldn't dream of it," Hannah said. "But why?"

"Primus, I want to find out what the hell is going on at that hellhole. Secundus, I want to find the parahuman responsible for that little display and ascertain if they are a danger." He paused. "Those are not necessarily in order."

"Granted, but this... Colin... are you sure? This is unlike you." Hannah said.

"I'm fully qualified, I'll have you know," he said. "I completed all the appropriate courses and keep my accreditation renewed every year. It can hardly be more difficult than facing down Kaiser or Lung."

"And you want me to handle field operations in your... absence?" she asked.

"Armsmaster will still be operating as a member of the Protectorate in the field, but for the moment, officially, you are assuming Protectorate leadership here in Brockton Bay while he is devoting his efforts to a joint project with Dragon." he said. "In truth, however, Professor Colin Singer will be assuming the position of Parahuman Social Studies at Winslow High."

"Won't it seem odd to have a Professor teaching at a High School?" Hannah observed.

"Hmm? Oh, no. Unfortunately, Professor Singer is persona non-grata at the universities at the moment, due to an indelicate liaison with a colleague that was happened upon by the Dean. He's something of a rogue, you see." He glanced toward a mirror and frowned, rubbing his chin.

"I might want to shave this while I'm undercover," he mused.

"Armsmaster's known for having a beard though." Hannah pointed out.

"Dragon developed an aftershave that promotes hair growth quickly," Colin said with a shrug. "It'll allow further separation between Colin Singer and Armsmaster if anyone should penetrate my disguise. It is rather unlikely that anyone will, however as my work in this was flawless."

"Well, Professor," Hannah said. "Best of luck." He finished packing away the pieces of his suit, watching as the case's interface began disassembling the pieces, integrating them with its own make-up. Everything seemed to be in order then.

"I won't need that," he said. "But all the same, thank you." He closed the case and hefted it. Weight was well within tolerances and it appeared as nothing more than a briefcase. He raised his other hand in a brief salute and left his lab, with Hannah following him out. A moment's work, and the room was sealed and he was off to begin his investigation into Winslow and Taylor Hebert.

--

 

[chibipoe]

1.3

I wasn't sure why I kept coming back to Winslow. I had pressed the limits of my power so much that one day, I had passed out on my bed with a nosebleed and everything I had seen told me that nothing was going to change here. The Principal was apologetic when I complained, but always fell back to that without evidence, there was nothing she could do. If I pressed, she would just turn it back on me by insinuating that I was making things up in a plea for attention.

Mr. Gladly had left or been fired for some reason and there was a new teacher in school. He seemed determined to alleviate any issues I had during his class, but that just meant they tried three times harder outside of it. Attempts to trip or push me down the stairs, whispered remarks as they passed in the hallway, things shoved into my locker or taken from my bag when I wasn't looking.

I had a headache constantly now, from keeping my power running just so I could protect my things and myself. I was getting tired of it, tired of this school and the administration's refusal to do anything. I had powers now. I could change things. Become a hero...

And why should I support them?

On the one hand, the Protectorate had pulled me out of the locker. Or so I am told. I wasn't awake for that and other than some questions from a PRT agent inquiring about whether or not I had powers, which I managed to lie my way through using the very abilities I claimed not to have. They apparently were looking for a parahuman who had created some sort of construct in the sky over the school the same day I had been stuffed in the locker.

Whatever that had been, I didn't believe it was me. I had tried to make a giant bird of fire appear several times and nothing had happened except that I felt increasingly stupid. Maybe some other student got shoved in a locker and got powers and they missed them? I didn't know, but the closest thing I had to that was a heat aura that rippled the air while not giving off any actual heat. I'm not even sure heat aura is the right term for it, but that's what it seemed to resemble, the way the air ripples when you see heat rising off a surface.

Slowly, I stood up and backed away from the roof, heading toward the stairwell. I suppose the least I could do is give this new teacher a bit more of my attention. Maybe he really was different. But I doubted it. He would show that he was as bad as the rest in the end.

I took two steps on the stairs, then moved slightly to the right, continuing downward as a hand met air and its owner stumbled at the lack of contact. I didn't even look at the person, as I knew who it was. Somehow, they caught themselves before taking a tumble down the stairs.

"Should watch yourself," I remarked as I kept going. "You might fall down the stairs like that."

"Hebert..." my would-be assailant growled. I just kept walking and slipped into the hallway to reach my next class, avoiding some of the other flunkies to my tormentors and entered the classroom just ahead of the bell. I was calmly settled at my desk, which was thankfully devoid of any infantile stunts like glue or juice, when Sophia stalked in, turning a glare toward me that I would have flinched at or looked away from, before.

Now I just returned a bored look, thoroughly unimpressed. A moment later and the new teacher entered, Professor Singer. He had insisted on being addressed in that fashion. I turned my head slightly to look outside, watching clouds beginning to gather. Was it going to rain?

When my power told me no, I flipped open my notebook and began doodling while half-paying attention to the teacher. There likely wasn't anything I would learn in this anyway, so I kept enough attention on the possibilities so that I could look attentive while doing things more productive.

"..so with that in mind, I want some input from each of you regarding your thoughts on the development of parahuman abilities and their impact on society. In particular, how do you think the increasing number of people with parahuman powers affects those without and what they feel about that." He looked around the room, passing over me before stepping from behind his desk. "You are free to use any sources you might wish for this, but I expect you to cite them, if you please. Three pages, minimum and I would like it turned on by next Friday."

I blinked once, reviewing what he had said in my mind so I had an idea of where to begin. Unbidden, my eyes drifted to what I had been drawing, widening at the almost completed sketch of a costume. I looked it over critically, from the top to the bottom, eyeing the boots, the sash belted at the waist below the sigil etched across the torso. Gloves completed the ensemble, almost opera glove like and I frowned at the outfit.

It wasn't entirely practical. Those boots would hinder movement and the gloves were likely to reduce dexterity. The sash, too, was something that could be grabbed and used against you. Why would someone wear this? Why had I even thought it up? The questions were answered by a flash of realization as I gathered up my books.

Because they were so powerful that they could wear whatever they wanted. I left the class with a slight smile at that. What would it be like to have that sort of power? My musing and my smile quickly evaporated as I found my way blocked as I turned down the hall. Emma and her cronies, trapping me against the lockers.

"Can you believe her?" One of them said. "Coming into class and sitting there, thinking we want her here?"

"I heard she's turning tricks for the Merchants for a fix," another said. It faded into background noise. More meaningless drivel from meaningless gnats. None of this mattered, not them, not Emma's absurd fixation on tearing me down. Jealousy. That was all it was.

"What's the matter, Taylor?" Emma began, stepping forward with a cruel smile dancing on her lips. "Going to-"

I held up a hand and she blinked, caught off guard by the sudden misstep in the usual song and dance they were doing. I already knew what she was going to say and I didn't want to hear it. If she said them, I could see what would happen. An instant's searching and I had an alternative. "Yes, Emma. I cried for a week when my mother died. When she died. If that were to happen to you, I wonder what you would do? Or you? Or you?" I focused on her flunkies each in turn and saw them reel, looking uncomfortable.

"It's called grief, you stupid bitch," I snarled. "And the fact that you would try to use that, something I told you in confidence, as a weapon makes you even less of a person that I thought. Pitiful."

Emma reeled and then hate appeared on her face. "Big talk from someone-"

"Are you done?" I interrupted again. I couldn't let her gain any ground. "Because this really isn't worth my time. You aren't worth my time."

I could have avoided the slap. I chose not to. It made what would happen next more satisfying.

"Ms. Barnes, Ms. Hebert, the rest of you," Professor Singer's voice cut in and the girls all turned stunned expressions toward him. "You're to accompany me to the Principal's office. Assaulting another student is entirely unacceptable."

"Did you hear what she-"

"I did, and the comments from you and your circle of accomplices here before that," he cut her off. "Judging from your complete lack of denial when Ms. Hebert elaborated on what you intended to say, I'd judge her comments rather apt. However, as the victim here, she'll need to provide an accounting when we all go have a nice chat with the Principal."

"Wasting your time," I said, remembering other attempts to report things to the Principal. "She'll just slap them on the wrist, if she does anything."

His expression was hard. "I can be quite persuasive, you'll find. Now, all of you, move. And Ms. Barnes? You and your companions are advised to keep your mouths shut. I'm aware of your little whisper campaign to Ms. Hebert." She said nothing, but her expression was ugly as he directed us all to Prinicpal Blackwell's office.

~~~~~~~~​

"And what exactly is it that I am supposed to do, Mr. Singer?" Principal Blackwell said. "Suspend them for a heated conversation?"

"Oddly enough," he rumbled. "Surrounding one student and proceeding to insult and belittle her while pretending to be talking to each other like she wasn't there isn't heated conversation. It's bullying. That's without even bringing up the fact that Ms. Hebert was physically assaulted."

"I've heard the account," Blackwell said stiffly. "Ms. Barnes was clearly provoked."

"Standing up for yourself is provocation, then?" he countered. "I've observed more than sufficient provocation from Ms. Barnes and her cohorts that Ms. Hebert's response was subdued. That she restrained herself to only verbal replies speaks well of her."

"Unfortunately, I have several accounts here that they were talking only to themselves and not bothering Ms. Hebert at all when she began verbally assaulting Ms. Barnes, ther-" Principal Blackwell began.

"Are you calling me a liar, Principal Blackwell?" Professor Singer's voice was like iron, unyielding and the stare he was directing at her made her shift awkwardly.

"Not at all, but you were not present for the-"

"Ms. Barnes will be suspended for a week and her cohorts will face detention every day with me for their antics," he interrupted, leaning forward just a touch so he was looming over her at her desk. "I was witness to the entire exchange from when Ms. Hebert was penned in by them to her retorts to their sniping. I stated as much in my report. I don't know what sort of nonsense prompts your refusal to do your job and rein in this sort of behavior, but it's entirely unacceptable. Good lord, you had a girl stuffed in a locker with biological waste and someone else who may have become a parahuman, based on that manifestation over the school. And you're still condoning this sort of behavior by your inaction?"

"We had no witnesses to tha-"

"Don't," he cut her off again, "try that line of tripe with me. I'm fully aware of what they found Ms. Hebert locked within."

"You seem to be under the impression that you have some authority here," Blackwell retorted, her ire rising. "But I, you'll acknowledge, am the Principal here. You work for me."

"I work for the City of Brockton Bay," he corrected. "And you'll either do your job or I will be bringing your abysmal behavior to the Board of Education. I'm sure Superintendent Morris will be quite interested in the sort of behavior you're allowing to slide here. He has a daughter around Ms. Hebert's age, if memory serves."

Principal Blackwell stared at him for a moment before looking away. "Very well. Ms. Barnes will have a week's suspension for assaulting another student, and her companions will have detention. You, however, can explain this to Mr. Barnes when he comes protesting this."

"It would be my pleasure," Professor Singer said, nodding. "I will inform them."

"Just get out of my office," she said.

~~~~~~~~​

I didn't know what to think of this. Emma was being suspended and the others were facing detention. There was still Sophia and whatever she would cook up in retaliation, but I had avoided her for the most part since gaining these powers. I allowed a pleased smile to cross my lips as I waited for the bus. After a moment, I flipped open my notebook to the costume I had drawn. It really was hideously unpractical. I didn't have the first idea how to start on making such a thing either. But, maybe if I made some changes, I could do something more with my powers aside from avoiding bullies.

I dug out my pencils and began making modifications, my mind alight with ideas. It would need a mask of some sort, for starters...

---

 

[chibipoe]

Totally.

Offhand, if I may be so bold to ask, what are Taylor's current level of Phoenix Force powers? I know we (from the original discussions from awhile back) discussed them awhile back and boiled it down to a grab bag of what she would have, but you're doing stuff different and I am interested both from a reading standpoint and from a mechanical one.

Click to shrink...

Currently, she has precog of a very short duration, along with a force field of sorts that can absorb impacts(and resembles an aura like heat waves/ripples in the air, but doesn't presently produce any actual heat that she has observed. There are no manifestations of gigantic flaming birds that she can do just yet.

 

[Yanslana]

Yesssss! Colin Singer is on a thread to stay!

Sooo happy to see this no longer in snippets in the ideas thread. Though I wonder how he kicked Gladly out of the picture. Anyway, my knowledge on X-Men is fairly general, but given that Taylor has the Phoenix's power, and Colin just took over a professor's post... I guess he'll have to be the Professor Xavier expy? I wonder if he'll be up for the task or not, I seem to recall in the 90s cartoon he had some major role to play to help Jean when Dark Phoenix was taking over?

 

[chibipoe]

Yesssss! Colin Singer is on a thread to stay!

Sooo happy to see this no longer in snippets in the ideas thread. Though I wonder how he kicked Gladly out of the picture. Anyway, my knowledge on X-Men is fairly general, but given that Taylor has the Phoenix's power, and Colin just took over a professor's post... I guess he'll have to be the Professor Xavier expy? I wonder if he'll be up for the task or not, I seem to recall in the 90s cartoon he had some major role to play to help Jean when Dark Phoenix was taking over?

Click to shrink...

In the Dark Phoenix arc, he engaged Dark Phoenix in psychic combat and subdued her, letting Jean regain control. Unfortunately, this was, in the murky beginnings of The Phoenix, the stage where there wasn't really a Phoenix entity, simply that Jean had become That Powerful that she was a cosmic being. There was retconing/adjustments later to reveal that Phoenix was a separate being so they could revive Jean Grey. Armsy will not be engaging The Phoenix and/or Taylor in psychic combat, however.

On a more centrally focused topic:

Glady... well, he took an indefinite leave of absence for health reasons.

 

[FinalPyre]

"I did, and the comments from you and your circle of accomplices here before that,"

Click to shrink...

I'm imagining Schoolmaster gleefully hiding around the corner, head poking out, thinking he's getting a big break already. He spent the morning going around the halls like a ninja (whispering "sha-sha-sha" to himself while changing hiding places) so that he could eavesdrop on anyone that looked suspicious.

Soon students will get used to pausing mid conversation, and then looking to see Schoolmaster quickly pull his head back over the top of the lockers, move the ceiling tile back in place, or pull the branches of the potted plant back in front of him.

 

[Noxturne90]

Currently, she has precog of a very short duration, along with a force field of sorts that can absorb impacts(and resembles an aura like heat waves/ripples in the air, but doesn't presently produce any actual heat that she has observed. There are no manifestations of gigantic flaming birds that she can do just yet.

Click to shrink...

Hmm. That is a fairly low-notice powerset to start off with. Also a bit of mental compulsion if the thing with Gladly is any hint?

 

[CV12Hornet]

You just gave Taylor the motherfucking Phoenix Force. Good lord, I'm not sure how long Earth Bet is going to survive now.

also, can I just say that I really love the way you write Armsmaster?

 

[chibipoe]

Hmm. That is a fairly low-notice powerset to start off with. Also a bit of mental compulsion if the thing with Gladly is any hint?

Click to shrink...

To start with, yes, fairly low... but it will ramp up. At what rate? We'll see...

Also, the precognition can be forced to greater levels, at the cost of a headache/nosebleeds(as she pushed it enough in a bad moment to try and see if there was ANY path to change what went on at Winslow. Her starting point only included facts she herself knew, however, so was flawed. (She is currently working from a flawed assumption on how it works and it hasn't quite registered to her on its exact function)

You just gave Taylor the motherfucking Phoenix Force. Good lord, I'm not sure how long Earth Bet is going to survive now.

also, can I just say that I really love the way you write Armsmaster?

Click to shrink...

How long will Earth Bet survive? Hm. I gave a teenage girl with emotional issues related to grief and an extended bullying campaign targeting her access to a cosmic power.... This cannot possibly go wrong, now can it?

 

[Noxturne90]

To start with, yes, fairly low... but it will ramp up. At what rate? We'll see...

Also, the precognition can be forced to greater levels, at the cost of a headache/nosebleeds(as she pushed it enough in a bad moment to try and see if there was ANY path to change what went on at Winslow. Her starting point only included facts she herself knew, however, so was flawed. (She is currently working from a flawed assumption on how it works and it hasn't quite registered to her on its exact function)

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Makes sense. This is non-active PF as of right now if I am not mistaken. Jean Grey didn't show much of anything at first, beside the odd surge in her mental powers from time to time. That Taylor can Force-Field, Pre-Cog, and use Jedi Mind Trick speaks that she managed to pull a lucky draw. That, or she is one of those one-in-a-existence people who are compatible with the PF.

How long will Earth Bet survive? Hm. I gave a teenage girl with emotional issues related to grief and an extended bullying campaign targeting her access to a cosmic power.... This cannot possibly go wrong, now can it?

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My guess is that Brockton survives till someone really makes her angry. The PF and whoever the current Phoenix is have a bad history of being Wrath Incarnate/The Women Scorned. It's generally a bad idea to piss them off in any way, shape, or form.

 

[Metroidvania]

Hoo boy, this could get real bad, real fast.

Taylor ever gets out of hand/snaps, with no native psychics in Worm-verse, and we're going to run into problems real quick. Granted, if she's using her minor pre-cog to avoid this sort of things, she may be more stable than Jean, but if she gets locked into a situation where Lisa is a combatant, or if Danny comes under fire....

On the other hand, undercover Armsy is hilarious, and I'll be looking forward to seeing him behind the scenes, looking for information about the thinker who simultaneously shorted out every other thinker.

Curious as to whether the Phoenix Force appeared to help Taylor, or if it was just time to start eating again, and it felt like a host.

 

[chibipoe]

Makes sense. This is non-active PF as of right now if I am not mistaken. Jean Grey didn't show much of anything at first, beside the odd surge in her mental powers from time to time. That Taylor can Force-Field, Pre-Cog, and use Jedi Mind Trick speaks that she managed to pull a lucky draw. That, or she is one of those one-in-a-existence people who are compatible with the PF.



My guess is that Brockton survives till someone really makes her angry. The PF and whoever the current Phoenix is have a bad history of being Wrath Incarnate/The Women Scorned. It's generally a bad idea to piss them off in any way, shape, or form.

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She doesn't quite realize that she mindpushed him into going along with her, but she did get a decent set of abilities, yes.

At the moment, the Phoenix slumbers.

As to the last. Rails? What are those?

 

[Daniel Estacado]

Great Taylor has the Phoenix Force. Should we add a death counter?

 

[Noxturne90]

She doesn't quite realize that she mindpushed him into going along with her, but she did get a decent set of abilities, yes.

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Quite acceptable. I can't wait to see how you have them evolve.

At the moment, the Phoenix slumbers.

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For some strange reason, this makes me think of The Hall of the Mountain King....

As to the last. Rails? What are those?

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Those are molten lines of slag about a few dozen miles ago.

Great Taylor has the Phoenix Force. Should we add a death counter?

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Silly Daniel.

She has the Phoenix Force.

You die only when she lets you.....

 

[Chojomeka]

Hmm how long 'til someone gets optic energy blasts?

 

[chibipoe]

Hmm how long 'til someone gets optic energy blasts?

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Mystical 8-Ball says: Negative time, as in never.

 

[Ridtom]

Never really been a fan of X-Men (except for Jubilee and Kitty Pryde), and I usually find the Phoenix Force to be yawn inducing (doesn't help that the writers have no idea how use it and often contradict each other) and Jean to be only slightly more interesting.

But this is some good writing and I like Armsmaster as a teacher here.

It'd be pretty funny if Scion recognized the Avatar of Destruction and Rebirth and has a total fanboy moment. Because honestly, Entity Cycles are practically what the Phoenix Force does all the time. Entities just do it at a bigger scale (always weird to realize that.)

 

[chibipoe]

Great Taylor has the Phoenix Force. Should we add a death counter?

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You know, that isn't a bad idea...

Quite acceptable. I can't wait to see how you have them evolve.



For some strange reason, this makes me think of The Hall of the Mountain King....


Those are molten lines of slag about a few dozen miles ago.



Silly Daniel.

She has the Phoenix Force.

You die only when she lets you.....

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Many thoughts on the abilities. Ok if I pm you for input?

Mmm. Not bad. I'm thinking something more straight instrumental for Phoenix though. If vocal, it's likely some chant or another in the background.

Mmm. Slag.

And... You only die when she lets you? Hm. That actually is kind of ominous. *ninjas for a tag line just cause*

 

[Drakind]

Mystical 8-Ball says: Negative time, as in never.

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So optic energy blast. Opposite that would be shroud energy dampening.

Taylor/Grue confirmed?

 

[chibipoe]

Never really been a fan of X-Men (except for Jubilee and Kitty Pryde), and I usually find the Phoenix Force to be yawn inducing (doesn't help that the writers have no idea how use it and often contradict each other) and Jean to be only slightly more interesting.

But this is some good writing and I like Armsmaster as a teacher here.

It'd be pretty funny if Scion recognized the Avatar of Destruction and Rebirth and has a total fanboy moment. Because honestly, Entity Cycles are practically what the Phoenix Force does all the time. Entities just do it at a bigger scale (always weird to realize that.)

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Kitty, Illyana and probably Rachel tend to be my favorites. Illyana would be my absolute favorite(insert unhappy muttering over writers not having 1 Damn Clue how to write her after her miniseries waaaaay back when).

As to the Phoenix. I have some thoughts, which I will work to develop into something. I see the end goal, after a fashion. The steps along the way are a bit blurry at the moment, though.

 

[Noxturne90]

Many thoughts on the abilities. Ok if I pm you for input?

Mmm. Not bad. I'm thinking something more straight instrumental for Phoenix though. If vocal, it's likely some chant or another in the background.

Mmm. Slag.

And... You only die when she lets you? Hm. That actually is kind of ominous. *ninjas for a tag line just cause*

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Feel free. I have at least eight more hours before I am allowed to drop into a dead sleep.

Well, let me see if I can find something more suitable.

Indeed. Nothing like the smell of fresh, molten metal in the morning/day/night.

And, well, it's true. The Phoenix Force is the Incarnation of All Life that ever has existed, does exist, or will exist in all the cosmos across all creation and realities. One of it's stated abilities is that it can reach into the time stream, and cut off the life-force of anything that has yet to be born, or will be born, past/present/future preventing something that pisses it off from ever existing in the first place.

 

[Yanslana]

As to the Phoenix. I have some thoughts, which I will work to develop into something. I see the end goal, after a fashion. The steps along the way are a bit blurry at the moment, though.

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Bird eats worm!

Nomnom Scion!

 

[Ridtom]

Kitty, Illyana and probably Rachel tend to be my favorites. Illyana would be my absolute favorite(insert unhappy muttering over writers not having 1 Damn Clue how to write her after her miniseries waaaaay back when).

As to the Phoenix. I have some thoughts, which I will work to develop into something. I see the end goal, after a fashion. The steps along the way are a bit blurry at the moment, though.

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The Paths are blurry?

You must have a bad case of Mantellum.