Not sure if i should hijack a question meant for someone else but It's a reason to comment too. I got that impression too, it mostly comes from the fact that while his reasons to fix things in bet come from a need to survive and maybe a genuine desire to do good, helping the undersiders for example just comes off like wanting to hang out with the named characters.
He has no reason to interact with them on friendly terms: Like Grue, the idiot would rather be a tug than swallow his pride for his little sister, he deserves no sympathy for the trouble he gets himself into. Regent while in hiding still rather ruin someone's day than turn a complete new leaf it's only that he has to stay lowkey that doesn't end up with him doing far worse thing than he does. Rachel just doesn't give a fuck and Lisa deep down wishes she was Coil. They made their bed they know what they're getting into.
Anyways I may sound like i dislike it, I don't and I like many readers would like it. Hanging out with the characters of the story is part of the appeal too.
Not sure if i should hijack a question meant for someone else but It's a reason to comment too. I got that impression too, it mostly comes from the fact that while his reasons to fix things in bet come from a need to survive and maybe a genuine desire to do good, helping the undersiders for example just comes off like wanting to hang out with the named characters.
He has no reason to interact with them on friendly terms: Like Grue, the idiot would rather be a tug than swallow his pride for his little sister, he deserves no sympathy for the trouble he gets himself into. Regent while in hiding still rather ruin someone's day than turn a complete new leaf it's only that he has to stay lowkey that doesn't end up with him doing far worse thing than he does. Rachel just doesn't give a fuck and Lisa deep down wishes she was Coil. They made their bed they know what they're getting into.
Anyways I may sound like i dislike it, I don't and I like many readers would like it. Hanging out with the characters of the story is part of the appeal too.
To add to this, Kaiden deserves no sympathy either, mother or not, she killed and destroyed many families and innocent lifes even after "leaving" the E88.
To add to this, Kaiden deserves no sympathy either, mother or not, she killed and destroyed many families and innocent lifes even after "leaving" the E88.
So are you going with various transformations being alt-forms or is he stuck with them until something else changes him or that he learns to shapeshift?
I found his list funny. Everyone must die. Just jump elsewhere and let Scion kill most of them.
He should do some scouting. Verify if the locals match what he vaguely recalls from the source or fanfiction. You could have any sort of AU elements, and we wouldn't know until he runs smack into it.
Does he even need to show off his tinkering? He has his power armor. He doesn't have to show off anything else, does he? Just show off features of it that he doesn't mind anyone else in the city knowing.
If he really doesn't want to deal with locals, just show up at another branch to register. Just give them a line that your day job takes you all over, and you aren't sure where you'll be sent any given day/week. That'd be an excuse enough to roam about if you wanted it.
If he was going to show off tinkering, he should wait a bit. A week or two should be plenty of time to get a nice spread of perks.
I want to see him trip up on trying to blend in. He doesn't really have to interact much with the locals. His base is rather self-sufficient. He has almost any resources that he needs. The only reason that he needs to leave is to buy stuff that isn't currently provided. Food and anything for magical needs. Also helping folks.
I don't want to say he needs to steal from folks, but the classic steal from the gangs plan should work. He actually just needs one solid hit and presto he'll have all the cash that he could ever need. Sure, he could counterfeit, but it's more like a few thousand would really be all that he needs. If he gets a few hundred thousand? That's even better.
He still needs to somehow come up with a background ID for his civilian life. His next project will be getting a form of transport around town. Be it bike, motorcycle, or car.
Paying in cash means he won't need a loan. No need to go through a bank. He would still need it registered and some sort of address to go with it.
I was just wondering if he would be better off stealing Skidmark's car. Be funny if Skids reported it stolen. That'd be an issue with whatever car that he ended up with.
He needs an ID, address, and cash. The cash is actually the easiest one to solve.
Relationships are especially tricky with the Forge, when the most logical option seems to be just lying in bed and waiting for time to pass so you can solve all the problems in the world, characters are much more important than in other builds.
As in another story (which honestly I have already burned too many times) in which the protagonist is far above power in relation to his surroundings and the conflict only exists based on pure Deus Ex and other "allied" characters hindering.
What's stopping him from just rolling all the profits he can right now?
I don't recall any explanation for simply storing energy.
All the entertainment I get from Tinkers stories can be summed up in one sentence:
"It is not how big it is (your technological development capacity), but how you use it (effectively and not purely reactionary)."
I'm going to keep an eye on this, it seems ather fun with how things are working out. I do like the story, and am spoliering this bit below so that you can ignore it as you desire. I'm sure some of it will be adressed, or is able to be outright ignored depending on what's planned for the future, but it's an a review of bumps in the narrative that I think are worth noting.
With the list presented, it does feel too much like he's hitting the main cast and ignoring the world around him for what it is- almost as if he is treating them as characters rather then people in direct contrast to Luna's comment. Saving Taylor works out fine, although people will want to know why he was scanning the area in the first place given a school was involved, but that's easily written away. Seriously though, why does she need help at this point? The locker's done, she's been rescued, and CDC got involved. I doubt she needs subtle assisstance, and the Boat graveyard is a prickly issue that likely has lots of legaleese with it- like how it's probably a tourist attraction to make more income for the city given the inability to get rid of it.
The List feels more like a... Fannon Compulsion? I suppose, that's the best way to explain it. It's a workable list, but it feels far too centered on killing (which is a great joke, but rises the question of 'why not just leave and fuck off?'). I don't think the world can be saved through murdering people, as civilization is based on taking responisbilities for one's actions. He can be military, but killing is usually a last resort for people who you can't contain. Dealing with Coil deals with the Undersiders, and they frankly, don't really matter in the scheme of things (well, Lisa is useful, but he'd probably get better scanners then what she can deal with anyhow) with the Celestial Forge involved. There is no reason to pick a fight with Lung while in startup, even more so since Bakuda hasn't triggered, thus can be prevented from existing.
Living in the Bay itself is a decent deterrent to Coil, but one factor exists that hasn't even been mentioned- even more so since our protagonist just had proof that other fictional realms actually exist. How does he know he's in the "Main" Worm setting? He could be in a sub-setting or Fanfiction based one where Taylor triggered earlier, or with different powers, or any number of other divergences. He's making assumptions about his intel.
Purity or Kayden never actually decries the Natzi mindset within the story Worm itself from what I remember of it, so she probably subscribes to the ideal but hates her husband as a person. Taylor herself doesn't doesn't need help anymore. She's been saved- her school is shut down for who knows how long, Sophia is going to be investigated due to letting this happen in the first place, and a wide variety of other things are going to happen as the system's wheels start turning thanks to CDC and other .gov involement. If she triggered, then the Protagonist can act as a mentor, but she's not really needed to save the world. In fact, I'd hope she never gets put into that situation given it leads to Kephri's Identity decay towards the end.
Regardless of my points, I'm looking forwards to seeing how thing pan out and hope that the writting process is pleasant for you. You've a great start and this looks to be more then a little fun to read with the pacing so far, and the AI works wonderfully on keeping our protagonist outside of his head. I'd have liked to have actually read the conversation between Armsmaster and such rather then a review- but it also makes a perfect point to use for an interlude should you decide to do so.
So are you going with various transformations being alt-forms or is he stuck with them until something else changes him or that he learns to shapeshift?
Well, technically, as a Lunar, he can change shape almost at will.
The various transformations are generally considered as alt-forms after the Jump. So, I shouldn't have any problems... Although that yes, it is the easy way.
He should do some scouting. Verify if the locals match what he vaguely recalls from the source or fanfiction. You could have any sort of AU elements, and we wouldn't know until he runs smack into it.
Scouting? Yes. I also have my PDA which should be able to access the internet without too many problems as long as I don't hack or go for specific servers like the PRT.
It should. I'm just not sure which gang he should hit. The Merchants are rather a cliche. ABB has Lung... Could see him becoming the target instead of the Undersiders. E88 has too much clout to do it easily unless I go full stealth... which is something I can do easily now.
I'm unsure about his progression. I have a base and basic necessities and also a power armor that can go against most of the parahumans.
Trouble is, his opinion is that if he goes too strong and too fast, he would be in trouble with too many people. Powerful people. He can't solo powerful parahumans. Hell, if Victor surprises him, he's dead.
He feels lost, so he is cautious. One could say coward despite boasting he draw a line against the Simurgh.
I see... True all that. I'll see what I'll do later when I effectively meet them. Mind you the "must die" was intended as a joke. Well, it didn't work as I wanted. I'll do better in the next chapter.
I'd have liked to have actually read the conversation between Armsmaster and such rather then a review- but it also makes a perfect point to use for an interlude should you decide to do so.
Thank you. Your spoilers actually helped me into properly arranging a thing or two. The Celestial Forge played randomly is easily breaking the rhythm of the story. I really should focus on the end goal I wrote in my notes.
Er... About the dialogue... Well, I used a writer trick because I simply couldn't make a proper dialogue... Sorry.
Thank you. Your spoilers actually helped me into properly arranging a thing or two. The Celestial Forge played randomly is easily breaking the rhythm of the story. I really should focus on the end goal I wrote in my notes.
Er... About the dialogue... Well, I used a writer trick because I simply couldn't make a proper dialogue... Sorry.
hah, it's no worry! I have the same issues with my own writting. It's hard to write people, and I'm glad that my spoliered text was able to help arrange things any!
Hum... I don't know. I don't really understand cultivation. Not enough data on the net and too many mangas assumed the reader knowing WTF they're talking about. Recently found a thread with a proper explanation, so we'll see.
You know how a lot of magical systems have stat-buffs? It's kind of like that except that one of the stats you can buff effects your ability to buff stats and Cultivators are chaining that exploit infinitely. Kind of like that Fortify Enchantment/Alchemy loop in Skyrim except that it gets complicated at higher levels. Resource shortages and processing/storage/transportation bottlenecks and the like. Kind'a reminds me of Factorio come to think of it.
Well, this CF, amazingly quickly degraded to a primitive fixfik. Applause. Hmm, well, at least it looks like everything is moving in this direction.
But now it is clear how wise it was on the part of LordRoustabout not to make his MC as an insert.
And to be honest, even for a person with a hero complex - a list of goals, and the ways in which he plans to solve them - do not look very appropriate for his age. Not to mention all sorts of completely fantastic things like the cancellation of NEPEA-5, which in principle is impossible using heroic methods and while the government itself does not consist of parahumans.
Armsmaster immediately went into a relaxed posture that would enable him to quickly draw his halberd and Miss Militia's handgun morphed briefly into… a Light Anti-tank Weapon..? Well, I was taller than any of them, so…
Been reading the new perks from the current chapter, just wanted to check how you read the moon tattoos, cause to me it sounds like you just got immunity to Panacea. Now you could say that is a good thing, if she can't shape you she can't hurt you, but that would also mean she can't heal you. Any thoughts you mind giving @Baran3?
On an unrelated note, claw speak says you can read others tattoos, will we be seeing him comment on any future capes that show up with them?
Lastly there is one note missing from your list, if your saving people will he try to save Mouse Protector? I always forget when it happened but it's usually sometime after Canberra or before Leviathan that Bonesaw nabs her and Ravager in fanfictions.
More than that. Yes, I'm immune to Panacea unless I let her, it's at the end of the description of the perk.
In the same way, I'm now immune to any transformation and transmutation powers like most Bakuda bombs.
Lastly, IF we interpret the Simurgh song as micro-effect macro-scale range telekinesis, then I'm also immune to that since it's based on changing my biology.
Going through how the Mc thinks makes me feel like he's kind of a complete narcissist and whats his fixation on becoming a girl? It that gonna happen to him if he rolls a female specific perk like that girl witch one
@Alwaysnice2cu
Complete misinterpretation.
It's a joke, based on the cliche of having an Isekai male character becoming a young girl.
And narcissist? When did the character stay a long time before a mirror and think about his handsomeness?
Thank you. Your spoilers actually helped me into properly arranging a thing or two. The Celestial Forge played randomly is easily breaking the rhythm of the story. I really should focus on the end goal I wrote in my notes.
It might help if you apply DM's perogative; i.e. rolls people don't see can be fudged if it makes for a better story.
Basically, it might be best to roll true randomly a few times until a theme emerges, then start rerolling ones that don't match the theme or disrupt the story too much.
Going through how the Mc thinks makes me feel like he's kind of a complete narcissist and whats his fixation on becoming a girl? It that gonna happen to him if he rolls a female specific perk like that girl witch one
In just two days he's gone from an overweight middle-aged man, to a fit bishonen covered in intracate flowing tats with an eldritch lightbulb on his head. Wouldn't you be concerned by such a sudden change?
Basically, it might be best to roll true randomly a few times until a theme emerges, then start rerolling ones that don't match the theme or disrupt the story too much.
So make a few rolls, see the theme (and I have already a few ones: construction-like, power armor, and Exalted materials), and then re-roll a few to see if they can merge...
Let's say that if a roll completely disrupts my story and current plans, I'll reroll it, but for now, let's respect the premise of the Celestial Forge and roll randomly.
You know, this randomness is half the fun for such a story.
Notes: After much reflection, I decided to have one roll maximum on the Celestial Forge per chapter. More than that I'm hitting the Exposition wall rather hard according to my readers.
Free stuff is still determined by the rules of mandatory, usefulness, drama, and comedy.
Chapter 3: Lost into angst.
Wednesday, January 2011, the fifth.
The third day since I was on Earth Bet and the morning following my Exaltation was awkward. I found myself in my dog form at the foot of my bed… Awkward.
"You have powerful instincts amplified by the current Essence Fever as a newly Exalted. VIDA is recommending that you stay in this form for most of the day to drain the surplus of Essence from your organism and master the capabilities of the Spirit Shape."
If I wasn't in dog form I would have facepalmed. It was SO evident. Oh, dear Luna. What if I wanted to MARK my territory..?! And why was I calling upon Luna's name?! The clever and naughty girl, boy, whatever. He/she really made me his/her priest, so, of course, I was calling him/her.
There was also something nagging in my mind. I forgot something… But what? I shrugged and then went to discover the limitations of my dog form while doing my current daily schedule.
Exercising and eating weren't very difficult. Even meditating and reaching for my Magical Circuits and my Essence was relatively easy. But rapidly, the lack of any prehensile limbs made every routine gesture a hell to accomplish. Even using my surprisingly agile mouth didn't resolve everything.
Another surprise was the link between my Od and my Essence. Both would qualify as Magical Energy and thus were compatible and probably freely mixing within my being. Using Essence in my Magical Circuits didn't change anything, it was just another way of using energy. The same with Od as I could now evoke it and shape it like Essence outside my Magical Circuits. Huh, it seemed I just invalidated the whole "Origin Bullet" from Kiritsugu Emiya as his method of destroying/blocking Magical Circuits wouldn't work on me… Not that I wanted to test such a thing in any way.
I couldn't pilot my IS in my dog form, of course. But the scan I took of myself produced blueprints adapted to my morphology, including a new quadruped IS based on the StarKnight design. Eh, that was funny.
Spell research also went surprisingly fast. I supposed those spells were the basics for all the Magus because of their easiness to learn. It was time for an acid test.
I focus on a piece of paper, staring at it and noting all its particularities, then I focused on Structural Grasp to analyze the piece. Wow, now the whole paper felt… alive to my senses. I could see the texture of the wood pulp and all its tears and creases. I, very slowly, dripped magical energy in it until I felt some sort of resistance and then tried to tear it. I would have more chance trying that with a phone book. Success for Reinforcement!
I then deliberately dripped more energy in it and laughed when it spontaneously burned into cinders. Alright, later, I'll try to reinforce my own body, now for the next test.
I made an Alterra knife with its Titanium blade and Silicone Rubber handle then examined it with my mundane senses. I used Structural Grasp again so that I could identify this particular knife among a hundred. It reassured me that I didn't have the same skill as Shirou Emiya.
And now the instant of truth. Keeping in my mind what I knew about the knife, I summoned my magical energy into my hand and focused it into a structure copying my mental image of the knife. Gradation Air, the original spell that made Shirou what he was with his variation.
Suddenly, I held another solid Alterra knife in my hand. Success! I winced as I tested it on its original and the copy was destroyed after a few seconds of pressing both blades against each other. Partial success then. Well, that was what training was for.
I didn't touch the memory alteration-based spell for now… Apart from the dreaded Human Master label, I needed a living, sentient test subject for that. Yeah, absolutely not for a long time.
After the training, I went back to my list to do and winced. What the hell was I thinking when I wrote down that list!? I was probably channeling my "Chuunibyou" or perhaps the food from Subnautica was full of hallucinogens.
Even ignoring the damning fact that I had NO confirmation on my Meta-Knowledge, the "Must Die" was too much. If I intended to kill that many people, why didn't I decide to escape this whole planet, terraform Centauri Proxima b and let Scion destroy Earth Bet.
I sighed. Well, time to edit a few things. "Vida? Can you access the Internet from here without being identified and discovered?"
"Affirmative. But only the public access and none of the paying or private servers. VIDA reminds you that this data is redacted and thus unreliable."
"It's better than nothing and will help to see how much of my Meta-Knowledge I can trust. That reminds me, can I phone the PRT from here without compromising this base?"
"Affirmative. Unless they trigger a search. VIDA can detect such a search and cut off the contact. Do you wish to proceed first with your data search or make the appointment with the PRT?"
I decided that registering was more important than my wounded ego. Never procrastinate, it never ended well. It was rather easy: I identified myself as StarKnight, said that I was finally free of my obligations for registration, and obtained an appointment for tomorrow mid-morning. I asked if they preferred me coming with or without the power armor which flabbergasted the receptionist a little before he rallied and said his superiors would like to see the power armor during my power testing. I smiled at the obvious fishing for information and accepted nonetheless before ending the call.
"VIDA reminds you that the ENE PRT will try to enlist you directly into the Protectorate. They need the manpower and firepower. Also, Director Piggot will be suspicious of an unaffiliated Tinker without control in her city. There is a significant risk that the gangs will attempt to recruit you by strength or coercion and that could trigger a global gang war."
I nodded. "The best solution would be to play the game with them while staying free of their legal influence. As long as I show myself willing to listen, I should be good. Following all their rules and protocols, participating in their PR events, doing the courses they offer… Hum… It's going to be a difficult act to balance." I smirked. "It's great that "I know things"."
"VIDA reminds you that this perk can only work on facts and truths. You have to be completely sure of what you will talk about."
I sighed. "Well, hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Alright, now, the list."
Oh, Luna, it was worse than I thought.
Coil: As long as I stayed in Brockton Bay, and I wanted to stay, I was on a collision course with him. It was thus necessary to strike preemptively or he could rapidly find a way to eliminate me. Depending on when I was, I needed a situation where he would use his power from his hidden base. Trouble was that since the Undersiders were formed in July 2010, I missed the window opened by the "recruiting" of Lisa. The next window I was sure would be the abduction of Dinah Alcott on April 14th, 2011 and that was too far away, especially as relying on my knowledge of canon would degrade more and more with time.
Taylor and her family: I did what I should. There was no reason to even contact her except because she was the main protagonist of Worm. I helped her and the Internet confirmed she was out of danger. Still no rumors about the follow-up concerning her but with the CDC investigating that was normal. Principal Blackwell was named, read chosen as the main scapegoat, as the direct responsible for a bullying problem that build-up to bioterrorism. So unless I met Taylor under her Parahuman identity, that was that. Let us hope she'll have a better costume and a better name… If she called herself Khepri, I'll be out of this universe. Helping her father will have to wait for me to be able to help the whole city with the authorization of the town administration.
The Empire Eighty-Eight: They were a big gang but it could be whittled piece by piece. It would also be a war of ideology, but I could point at their lies and hypocrisies easily since I knew things. In war, the resources of the enemy should be the priority… Destroying their assets and ensuring the captured personnel wasn't freed should go a long way. My current firepower was enough to deal with them non-lethally as long as they didn't overwhelm or ambush me.
The ABB: Good news, Bakuda wasn't on the radar as Cornell University was still intact without a report about a bomber. It could require a direct intervention of me in power armor, or I could put an anonymous message to the local authorities to watch out but I didn't know when it would occur. I could deal with Oni Lee, but Lung was the linchpin. Until Armsmaster made his tranquilizers or I obtained a better perk, I would be limited to contain and flee while protecting the citizens… Or killing him in the first seconds of the fight. There was also the fact that I loathed the existence of their brothels. No way I was letting that shit go on any longer than I could. However, I needed more data before intervening.
The Merchants: They should be easier. I could deal with them almost immediately. There was a risk of gang war after their disappearance since the other gangs will try to grab as much as they could of their former territory so a need for better data, especially from the PRT. Also, scanning what Squealer had would be good. About the druggies… Apart from an eventual help to the medical services, I couldn't do much for now.
The Undersiders: I was an idiot. Dealing with Coil resolved the problem with them. Oh, true, I could help them more but they were a problem in themselves. No way any contact with a member wouldn't be a potential catastrophe. I was too focused on the image I had of them from the fictions I read that I forgot they weren't good people… Even counting the Shard compulsions and their dramatic background. After all, there was a good reason I wanted to avoid some of them and slapped the others.
The Slaughterhouse 9: Another collision course that should require a preemptive attack to avoid any innocent deaths. But, objectively, I wasn't sure I could save Riley and/or Burnscar without the help of other perks or abandoning them to the PRT. I could deal with most of them right now if I knew where they were. Only Crawler was out of my reach and the plague contingencies could be dealt with my multi-megawatt beam rifle. I just had to kill Manton first since my power armor didn't use any silicates and thus wasn't affected by Shatterbird. Jack Slash must die, no pun, to ensure Scion won't unleash Golden Morning at its canon time. I wasn't sure if Cherish was there now… An anonymous message to Mouse Protector about Ravager's idea to sell her to the S9 seemed a good idea so far.
Nilbog: I couldn't ensure his contingencies were blocked so no deal for now. Ensuring that Piggot have a hand in his destruction seemed still a good idea.
Heartbreaker: I simply loathed this kind of scum. He will die as soon as I can ensure his victims will be helped. I needed more data and contacting the Guild which would put me in contact with Dragon and dealing with the Dragonslayers at the same time. Narwhal should know what I must do to help. And killing him will also take care of most of the Heartbroken, including Cherish and a certain Jean-Paul Vasil.
Scion and the Endbringers: End goal, Nuff said.
The Teeth: Well, if the Butcher happened to meet me, I'll ensure he is properly buried. As soon as I had a way to do it. And now, I realized that I was mainly writing about North America threats and neglecting the world situation…
I stopped writing… What was I doing? I was again drawing plans on the comet. For survival, I needed to deal with the entire world situation or escape the planet. My eyes narrowed.
No… I was committed. It seemed stupid but I was serious when I said "give me liberty, or give me death". I wasn't about to abandon the people of Earth Bet and the trillions of their dimensional counterparts, but I might plan for migration on other planets or dimensions. Scion, or more exactly its species was the end goal. All the rest could be taken one day at a time. Like Superman discovered about his powers, he couldn't resolve all the problems so he let go of his guilt and made the most of his capabilities.
I continued to make alterations to my list, taking into account the little knowledge I had and the bias of my current resources. I also discovered what the Elites were… A long-term problem to deal with. I will update it whenever I'll obtain new data.
"VIDA will ensure that your list is properly updated. Your next priority is to see how Taylor Hebert is doing by approaching her discretely with your dog form. VIDA suggests that you use the opportunity to make some money by exchanging some gold at a pawn shop."
My eyes widened at the simplicity of the plan. I was really an idiot. Of course, I had gold, diamonds, and rubies… and a fucking Resource Generator. Why didn't I think about that sooner!? At least, I thought about buying a collar with the money gained to have a good disguise and avoid the dog pound.
The pawnshop owner was a thief and most probably a fence for the gangs. I barely obtain a quarter of the true value of my trinkets. At least I had money, enough to buy a dog collar and tag for my disguise. Just putting it in subspace and took it out in Spirit Shape and that was all… Still, it itched.
I purposely choose the early evening to approach the house as both of the Hebert should be here. So, a little shape-shifting, ensuring I hid my tattoos and here we go. An excellent occasion to test my training with Reinforcement and so I boosted my vision to Eagle Sight level.
I sighed in relief as I saw Taylor by the window of her bedroom and the father preparing the supper in the kitchen. The smells around the house didn't indicate any dangers although there was a significant amount of medical supplies used. When Taylor came into the living room to eat, I saw that she still had some light bandages here and there. She didn't look too bad and she was talking to her father who answered her with a smile, a very good sign in my opinion.
Well, I couldn't stay long or I risked being detected by her early insect network so… Wait a minute…
There was no obvious sign of insects acting under Taylor's control, like aerial patrols of flies and whatnot. I stared at her and suddenly realized that it was way too early. Due to the insects' senses interacting with her unprepared brain, Taylor should have stayed at the hospital for a full week, and here she was at home a mere two days after her ordeal.
No… Oh no, I finally found what was nagging in my mind this morning… I rapidly ran inside a nearby open garage that would hide both my shape-shifting and the summoning of my power armor. I then went promptly invisible and used my anti-gravity to fly silently to the house. What I was doing didn't sit well with me but I had to know. I aimed my hyper-sensor on Taylor and searched for…
No traces. Not even a hint of the Corona Pollentia and thus no Corona Gemma. Even her father didn't have a trace. Taylor Hebert wasn't a Parahuman and didn't trigger in the locker… Queen Administrator wasn't into play on this version of Earth Bet. I didn't have any safety net to ensure the death of Scion.
I didn't know how I managed to return to my base undetected but I awakened as I gazed at the cat poster: "Keep Calm"… How I wished that it could be so simple. At least, NOW I knew why I was here with the Celestial Forge. The chances of this Earth Bet survival had just plummeted and thus mine too. I realized that deep within me, I had been still counting on Taylor to resolve the problem with me just as a helpful secondary character… And I just graduated as Main Protagonist in a Grim-Dark setting.
I didn't scan for her Corona Gemma at school when I saved her, because I stupidly assumed she had triggered. I really made an ass out of me.
"So what… That doesn't change what I need to do. It just augments the pressure on me and makes this shit all too real." I felt like I was in a remake of Evangelion as a certain new male Eva pilot and wanted to kick or punch something or someone.
"VIDA reminds you that your survival is its first priority. The plans you made and the actions you have taken are unchanged. You are simply more aware of the situation and thus more prepared to deal with it. If you require allies, find them or build them."
I blinked. "And thus the importance of the Celestial Forge as a trump card in this conflict. Or the need to have a good relationship with most of the Cape Community." Still, Vida was right, nothing had changed only my perception of it. If Taylor wasn't a Parahuman then she wasn't a Parahuman. "The main advantage of the Forge is its capacity to build and build more." My eyes narrowed. "I just don't have that capacity, yet." There wasn't really a choice, I already acknowledged I was committed.
Do you wish to make a roll on the Celestial Forge?
Current charge: 9.716. Perk range: 450 CP.
Please, anyone who could hear me, help us. I crossed my fingers, mumbled a prayer to Luna, and heard the double-click of my mental mouse.
Current charge: 1.716. Perk range: 50 CP.
A complicated magic circle made of blue lines of energy manifested at the center of my room just in front of me. I felt a slight drain on my magical energy reserves and then she appeared in a burst of light particles.
She was a young Asian woman, a black-haired beauty slightly taller than me. The skin-tight clothing on her body, reminiscent of a ninja suit, did not hide her alabaster skin nor the ball joints on her metallic limbs. She wore a red scarf around her neck and had her long hair up in a ponytail. Her yellow eyes gazed into my Mako ones with interest.
And then she spoke to me. "Katou Danzou activated. Requesting input, Master. As Danzou is a Shinobi, I will obey any command."
My breath hitched in my throat. Katou Danzou, the Assassin class Servant from Fate Grand Order. This changed everything, I had a powerful ally.
I gulped. What do you say to a living legend coming from the Throne of Heroes? I awkwardly bowed to her. "Welcome, Katou-san. Welcome to Earth Bet and the Worm War."
She smiled. "Thank you, my Lord, but you don't have to bow to this modest Shinobi."
I did a Spock. "Modest? Katou-san, you're a hero. In your past life and as a Servant you did great things. It should be me to call you Lord."
She blushed. "This time it's different. My contract isn't through the Grail System with the Command Seals but with the Celestial Forge." She looked at herself. "This time, Danzou is no longer a half-broken Karakuri doll."
I blinked. "You're not a Servant?"
She shook her head, black hair flowing. "Danzou is a Servant Class Assassin. A Heroic Spirit asked by the Celestial Forge to be a loyal servant to your cause and Danzou accepted." She smiled at me. "I wouldn't be here in this form if I didn't want to, Master."
I point at a chair for her while sitting at my office desk. "Okay… What do you know about the current situation?"
She sat gracefully. "Only the necessities, Master. Enough to know about the technological level, what is the Worm setting, and the common knowledge for Earth Bet."
I chuckled. "Well, that's better than what I knew at the beginning." I sighed. "Katou-san, If you decide to stay at my side, I fear I'm going to heavily count on your support. I'm a little out of my depth here and you're an intelligent and experienced Servant."
She nodded to herself, rose, and knelt before me. I felt my eyes widen. "Please, input command, Master. I knew once what it means to help those I cherish and I want to rediscover that by your side."
I breathed deeply, got up from my chair, and presented her with my hand. "Then rise Katou-san and help me save the world from monsters."
She smirked as she grasped firmly my hand. "I do have quite the experience with that, my Lord."
My eyes widened and I couldn't but burst into laughter with her.
I pointed anew her chair and sat. "Alright, let us just see what you can do both for yourself and me, and then we'll see what I can do for you with my current capabilities." I gazed at her, making her blush a little. "If my memory is good, you're a Class Assassin Servant with physical capacities twenty or thirty times those of an average human. You're also more at ease with assassination and spying, which could become a liability in Brockton Bay with the Unwritten Rules. You're a very skilled ninja with a mystical Wind affinity and your clockwork artificial body is full of hidden mechanical weapons and contraptions powered by magical energy."
"Quite correct, my compliment Master. You just need to know that my agility is fifty times superior to a human and that while I like the wind, most of my mystical powers are based on a form of Genjutsu." She smiled. "But that was more what I was reduced to during the Chaldea Crisis when I was broken." She pointed at her head. "Danzou have complete databases about ALL martial techniques, even mystical and supernatural ones existing in my original universe, this universe and…" She pointed at me. "All the universes and settings from the Celestial Forge you currently have access to and will gain access to more as you gain new perks."
I blinked, frowned, and then, I realized what was implied. "Already including… The Marvel Comics and Exalted Martial Arts..?" She nodded. I was awed and flabbergasted. "And… you can teach them?"
"Danzou have all the knowledge necessary to teach even a complete amateur into a master-level practitioner in record time. While 6 months to a year are enough to teach the basics, I can help you reach complete mastery in any one form, even the most difficult and complex ones."
Okay… She just demonstrated that she was a game-changer by herself. Not counting her precious help in having information by spying on anyone as a Shinobi, Danzou could also teach me enough to be a lethal powerhouse outside my power armor. I hesitated to think about it, but she could also assassinate for me. Quite the soapy board… even if she could deal with Coil after I deal with his contingencies.
I took my PDA and looked at my current options for her. "Alright, you're a clockwork-based sentient artificial life-form. I'll give you a personal PDA that you'll have to name. It'll help you with the technological aspect of the world and will show you what I have and can do. Sorry in advance about its snark and my poor skill at planning when you'll read my list-to-do. I'm afraid I'm, at best, an armchair general and I cheat heavily when playing video games."
I tapped on my screen. "I'll make you a water-proof copy of your current attire but with a subspace pocket, stabproof and bulletproof defenses, hard radiation, and heat/cold resistances. I'll ask your permission to scan you so that I can have any spare parts you could require if you are damaged or simply to replenish your various ammo."
I nodded to myself. "I'll trust you with a key for my Cosmic Warehouse." I grabbed an Alterra knife and threw it at her. "This is a titanium-based weapon. I can easily scan your weapons and replace them with titanium versions if you feel they're better." I scratched my head. "It seems that I have fewer possibilities of outfitting you currently than I thought, Katou-san."
She shook her head as she examined the knife she caught easily and began to manipulate her PDA."You're doing your best with what you have, my lord. This is amply sufficient for now and I'll write my suggestions shortly."
"Very well." I rose. "In the meanwhile, I'm going to make a bedroom for you, and then I'll invite you to dine with me. Tomorrow will mark my debut with the Cape Community and yours as my teacher." I smirked. "Katou-sensei."
The Shinobi blushed heavily. "Please, don't tease me, Master, and call me Danzou."
It was the first time I felt genuinely smiling since I arrived on Earth Bet. I was still feeling lost but now I was no longer alone.
Notes: I promised better interaction with the people of Earth Bet and a combat scene… Well, it'll be for the next chapters.
Let us hope I wrote this chapter better and found a balance between exposition and development.
Of course, don't forget to write to me about this story.
Current charge: 2.358. Perk range: 100 CP.
Perk gained in this chapter:
Katou Sensei (Fate Legends: Land of the Rising Sun) (400CP)
An advanced combat doll, of the same make and potentially even the same appearance as Katou Danzou. A highly capable warrior and assassin, this doll is a loyal servant to your cause. But in truth, her real value is not in her physical form but the exhaustive database of martial, ninja, and even some related magi techniques that have been uploaded to her mind. Centuries of data and teachings on these subjects, enough to bring even a complete amateur to the level of a master with enough time spent. The doll is an exceptional teacher, able to teach in both theoretical and practical terms to any of her students. Oddly enough, the doll prefers to wear glasses while teaching too. In future worlds, similar information can be found in the doll's database on local martial and ninja techniques, excluding unique or particularly hard-to-find information.
Seems overpowered and ill fitting. Not sure if cultivation perks are there, but cultivators' breathing and the like count as martial arts, they just grant you progressive boosts. While not instant, it's still way to powerful to gain along with a servant. There likely are other 'godly' martial arts in various settings. Wouldn't it be better to "All the universes and settings from the Celestial Forge you currently have access to and will gain access to more as you gain new perks."
I will be incredibly disappointed if we don't have a scene in the form of dog and Bitch, I read it once in a crossover with Prototype and to this day I laugh just remembering it.
