Behind the Hero Special: Justice Unlimited
By SolarGemX
Horizon, what can be said about Horizon? Some people see it as one of the metahuman capitals of the world, easily having a staggering amount of Metahuman in comparison to many other locations on the planet. Others probably consider it a hotbed for both Heroic groups like New Dawn, more money aligned teams like the Powers, newcomers like Crusade (interesting team name…) or other less "favorable" teams like The Demon Flamez. Finally, many more would call Horizon, in their own words "The city that's near two eldritch monstrosities and is still somehow standing." Here in Behind the Hero, we talk a lot about different heroic teams, their stories, their victories, and defeats, and of course; any controversy that may have surrounded them. Some may consider it easy money, talking about incidents or the bones in many a team's closet. But that's what many of us reporters and interviewers (At least the respectable ones) do. We seek the truth; we seek to share our love of heroes to the masses, and we hope to see them act better as a result. You may be asking where I'm going with this. Well today's team is one of the most famous teams in Horizon, who VERY recently has entered into quite the controversy. Yes, today we speak about Justice Unlimited, a team with a long history of heroics and who I can easily assume is being hounded for answers to their secrets ever since the faithful event in Praça do Orixá on December 25, 2067.
For those that somehow have avoided all forms of media in the last few weeks, let me catch you all up on the events. On December 25, a new joint-venture between Dominion Security Concerns and Ọsanyìn Conglomerated Industries was announced to the world, among the various speakers like the current CEO of Allied Global Logistics; General Oliver Bringham, a new hero movement was announced: Crusade. This team was formed using members of several factions including Global Justice, Powers, and members of the elite hero team of Elysium Station, The Horae Guard. This new team was led by an armored figure, eerily familiar to another hero, Valiant Red. The hero named Valiant Red, White, and Blue then proceeds to reveal the "Truth" of the Leviathan movement that had taken the lives of countless heroes in the QZ, Justice Unlimited. He announced the supposed cause of the Movement being the result of Valiant Silver's Armor being a psionic siphon, using the Leviathan itself as a source of power. Some members of the audience including New Dawn Member Dreamcatcher, spoke in Valiant Silver's defense, denoting that the Leviathan eventually ended its movement, After the heroine joined the fray. But they were immediately brought to silence after Valiant Justice (People thought the name was a mouthful, I don't blame them) brought video evidence of Uiara mentioning that Valiant Silver was experimenting on the Leviathan, further damning was the fact that some heroes in the audience found no tampering in the video, even calling out the Hero Wolong out on it.
The debut probably would have led to a massive discussion if not for the timely and loud arrival of perhaps the most famous known living member of JU, Mona Merola-Morales, or Black Swan. A Hero that fought and defeated one the most powerful heroes in Horizon, Scarlet Maturity. She declared that she didn't believe anything shown, and outright told Valiant Justice that the armor he wore did not belong to him, which cause a rapid deterioration to his composure, outright snarling at the heroine, who remained calm and collected throughout the entire conversation, before flying off.
That's the long and short of it. Crusade has outright stated that Justice Unlimited has caused what can be better described as a natural disaster and have taken a vow to unearth every secret they have, including an apparently secret project, only known as Prometheus. I know most hero teams can have bitter rivalries and even spies among their workers, but if you allow me to give my own opinion, as someone who is probably VERY unaware about everything involved with information networks, I have to wonder how Crusade even got access to said information. I'm no Super Spy, but its easy to assume if a team like Justice Unlimited had secret projects like probably any hero team, and had LADY LEIZI aka Miss "If you as much as Breath I will Know about it", they would keep this information under lock, key, and several mounted turrets. To find any information on a supposed "Secret Project" is probably the thing of Spy Thrillers everywhere.
So, it makes you wonder how that information was leaked… I suppose we wont ever get a straight answer for a long while, if ever. I wont lie and say that I'm not curious, its human nature after all, but I assume all heroes have their own secrets, and here on BtH we try to not let ourselves be swallowed by the tide of "Needing to know everything," and this is not because a lot of us here are JU fans, me included. In the advent of such events, we need to take a calmer approach and see all possible angles. Also, we can't forget that this is a HERO team, one that has done visible good in Horizon and like many have pointed out, have lost members to the movement just like everyone else, even the so call "perpetrator" of the incident died, stopping the Leviathan, not only that, even if she were guilty of everything, it doesn't mean ALL members were aware of it. Almost all heroes that went to the QZ died protecting those they hold dear, and that needs to be respected. Here's hoping things get cleared up soon, especially with many more things occurring in the city.
Hmm… Kinda heavy huh? But it needed to be said, but for now; let's talk about some of the members of Justice Unlimited, both old and New. Lets us start with the known fallen members of the organization, then we will take a look at the new leader of the team, some of the accomplishments they have under their belt and finally the newest members.
Starting out as a satellite team to the hero team New Dawn under the codename NuGen (Insert old Statement by the hero Steelheart) the original JU started out with three members to its name: including Uiara, Lady Leizi and Valiant Silver herself. Following this debut, following members to join where the Metallic hero Adamant, The Red Huntress, Radiant Silvergirl, The AI Moon River and Apiary, a potent mix of brawn, brains, and publicity all in one. Of the 7 members plus AI, that were around Pre- Movement, only the Lightning Martial Artist Lady Leizi remains, making her the oldest member of the team (seniority wise) and its current leader. Lets us make a brief introduction of each member and what we know of them:
The first of the Pre- Movement metahumans is the incredible and reputable Uiara. Many would consider this metahuman as the "face" of Justice Unlimited, known not only for her incredible hydrokinetic ability, Uiara was a well-beloved figure in the Horizon Landscape and from what we could tell was one of the first heroes that marched towards the Leviathan in an effort to stop its "awakening" saving the city and quite possibly the world.
Next, we have the armor bound super heroine, Valiant Silver, or Nora Kim. Before the incident with the Leviathan, Ms. Kim became a public figure when she outed herself as a metahuman in order to save her university and classmates from a villain attack, an act that would eventually lead to her being one of the founding members of Justice Unlimited. An incredible inventor and Leader of JU, Valiant Silver, and her "legally distinct enough" armor paved the way to many heroics. Another fun fact is that she was a known writer of …well "Peak Fiction" on her free time or when she was with her apparent paramour Uiara. However, recent events have painted the hero in a negative light, putting the fallen hero's reputation in an all-time low, with nobody being sure who is right or wrong. But we already talked enough of that in the previous section, so let us move on. Another thing of note was the AI she created Moon River, but its more than likely that the piece of technology was destroyed alongside its master during The Movement.
Another face that was quite known by the public was The Red Huntress, a "Jack of all trades master of none" and stout ally of Uiara and Valiant Silver. A smiling face alongside her fellow heroes, The Red Huntress from what people have managed to figure out had a variety of powers centered around the concept of "predation," making her the "hunter" as it were of the team, even though her powers were far lesser than that of her compatriots.
Next in our heroic gallery of Pre movement JU was the Metal Bound Hero Adamant. Mr. Adamant was known as the day-to-day commander of the team and work tirelessly in order to maintain order in his team and to help Horizon. From what we know, Adamant used his abilities with great precision, and in order to protect his teammates. From witness testimonies, when they saw the hero enter the field, he was seen as stoic and slightly unapproachable, but still did his due in order to save the day. Some less… "favorable" rumors surrounding the hero was the fact that many people like to call Justice Unlimited as "Adamant's Harem," due to the fact that he was the only male in the group. You know, ignoring the fact some of the other members where in an open relationship, and gay, or probably had paramours outside of work hours, or just didn't care for relationships, or… I was going somewhere with this… OH RIGHT! *Ahem* sorry about that, the internet Am I Right?
Latest Update: Was Apparently engaged with Lady Leizi!? Lightning Rod is Real? There's going to be so much fanfiction…
Anyway, next are the two dysmorphic members of the team, Radiant Silver Girl, and Apiary. RSG joined after the death of Apiary was best described as living Black/White hole and was probably one of, if not, the most powerful metahuman in Horizon. Her skin taking a coloration akin to silver glass, Radiant Silver Girl cut an astonishing look, although sadly from what we can figure from some witness testimonies who managed to speak with the girl, she was seen as rather "blunt" and not really a "people person." A shame since I can admit she was really pretty to look at. Apiary on the other hand had a far more Serious Dysmorphic appearance and she resembled a large, four-armed, bipedal insect, not unlike a honeybee. She had vestigial wings and a full insectoid abdomen. One of the Strongest Pre- Movement members, back when they were known as NuGen, and she perished at the conclusion of what is now known as the "The Defiance Unit saga," dying at the hands of Scarlet Maturity. From many accounts, the Heroine was really beloved by her team and from a quick search you can see that, considering the multiple memorials in her honor and the fact their main base of operations was named after her.
Finally, we have the last living member of the Pre movement team and one of the better-known members, Lady Leizi. A Chinese woman and one of the lesser-known members of Justice Unlimited, till recent events have put her in more in the limelight. Voted one of the top metahumans people want to be stepped on by… why is this in here? Really? C'mon people, I mean yes, she's hot, and I say that knowing full well my fiancée agrees, but there's a time and place! *Ahem* Anyway, known as a martial arts prodigy, from what footage we have scrounged up, Lady Leizi uses her martial mastery alongside her ability to control electricity in order to land devastating blows. Not only that its pretty much an open secret that she has a rather potent information ring, its pretty much a given that, if you do something in Horizon, Lady Leizi will know. The metahuman leader of the Current JU has not come out and talked much about the organization until recent events, but some of the confirmed accomplishments her team has performed include: Slaying a few behemoths including a gold rank and a Named Behemoth, known as Floating Venom Morpheme. Although some of her more noteworthy actions were her incredible speech during the Memorial for those that fell during the Movement, and her verbal "spar" with the Members of Crusade, including Valiant Justice and White Hawk, who almost seemed to try his best to find out anything about Justice Unlimited secrets. To no avail. Heck, they even revealed some of their own theories about what Justice Unlimited is "hiding," although the Heroine and her allies easily countered anything the trough out and even began questioning where Crusade even got the idea that they had a "Secret Project" which they gave an "excuse" as to "protect" their sources. Lady Leizi is quickly becoming one of the pillars of Justice Unlimited, and it shows.
With that out of the way next on the list are the newest members of Justice Unlimited or the Post- Movement JU as it were. Mona- Merola Morales, otherwise known as Black Swan, Menagerie Witch, Handy Man, Chatelet, Doctor Silver and Valiant Gold. These members made their debut during the Memorial service for those that lost their lives during the movement, which was interrupted by the Supervillain Monarch and her Crew (Including the fact that there's a little girl among them, with some even saying she is Monarch's Daughter? What the hell…) or during a rather intense interview section during a section of "Hero Talk" at the Ọ̀sanyìn Central Network with Takanashi Chihiro, an ace reporter of great esteem, and who may have just quit her job after punching Juan Bonfim (You go Girl!) in his face, if the rumors are to believed. So let us start with…
Mona Merola Morales, or the JU media Darling, Black Swan! Perhaps the most well-known member of the Newest Justice Unlimited, Black Swan was a trainee recruited into the JU fold several years ago in order to train her incredible power, sadly before she could officially join the roster the Movement happened, leaving her as quite possibly the only living member of Justice Unlimited after Lady Leizi. But the Super Heroine apparently did not falter against such odds, and has taken the Hero Scene by storm! With some confirmed sightings ranging from a mention from Earthen Owl of the Powers, Hunting of a Named Behemoth (Most likely contributed a lot towards its defeat), a joint operation with New Dawn Members against Monarch's forces, her appearance during Crusade's Debut, her appearance during the memorial AND her Interview. Black Swan's name is almost synonymous with Justice Unlimited, now we just need an Action Figure, and she will truly be a full-blown hero.
Our next Hero that joined the new roster, considering the series of events, was Menagerie Witch. A young heroine with the ability to make shadowy clones of animals, if the shadowy cat that appeared during her interview is any inclination, also may have a flair for the dramatic, if the apparently back and forth with Black Swan is any indication. Menagerie Witch's story is not kind, as it was revealed during her interview after a rather un-called for question by an individual that goes by "Bodyinabag," The Petit Prince had caused the death of all of Menageries Witch's family, including her mother, and almost all other individuals that lives inside of an apartment complex called Third North Tower. The villain wanted to recruit the heroine into his "Court" and attempted to take control of her. She ended up holding out, alone, for weeks, with nothing but her animal companions and her power. In which part involved the creation of hundreds of clones of those animals—who promptly went berserk in an attempt to protect her life. This action, unknown to her, let to the injuries of several individuals and 3 confirmed deaths, whose knowledge continue to torment the heroine till the present day. *Sigh* Its events like these that just show that Hero work is a Dangerous business. I feel for the young Hero, and truly hope she can continue working in order to reach her goals, be it to save lives in the future, or kill Le' Petit Prince.
Our next member Justice Unlimited, who apparently joined after the Movement is Handyman. An individual best described as a "Strangely muscular and attractive Clay man."
…ok. Who apparently worked as one of Lady Leizi's agents, before joining the superhero scene. Sources mention that his most likely official appearance occurred during the Memorial, where some witnesses mention that he apparently fought against a member of Monarch's team, knowns as Heracles, and later during his interview. We even got to witness some of his abilities during his interview with Valiant Gold, showing him as a type of jokester when among friends, although that interview immediately went south in short order. More in the Valiant gold Segment.
Next on the block is the Newest member who has made quite the re-brand. Opale Houdin-Reyes, formerly known as Hiver of Les Quatre Saison's, now known as the superheroine Châtelet, and I must say I love her new looks, good for her. A potent heroine in her own right, Châtelet ability to create barriers and manipulate gravity to a degree, makes for a potent member of the new JU, although apparently, she may be also in charge of their finances if what she mentioned during her interview with Doctor Silver is anything to go by, an act we silently salute her for… nobody wants to deal with paperwork…nobody. Additionally, she seemed to have been engaged to a member of The Slayers, Abigail, otherwise known as The Giant Slayer.
Not only that apparently she was nearly killed by her cousin and husband!? I'm with Chihiro with this one what the fuck? There's an ENTIRE story behind that statement, and I'm not sure I want know…
Moving on… Next on the block is the rather toned, Doctor Silver.
…I guess were mentioning the attractive attributes of all the adults huh…
*Ahem* Anyway, Doctor Silver is a new face among the JU scene, an apparent long-time researcher of Justice Unlimited, The good Doctor has joined the Hero life thanks to the use of Technology, even while not being a Metahuman! All thanks to a set of next generation shield generators designed by Valiant Silver, whom he later finished himself. Rathe potent shield generators, but extremely expensive, if Châtelet's "inner Darkness" is anything to go by.
Finally, we reach quite possibly the most interesting member of the new JU roster, Valiant Gold. A member who made her first appearance during the Memorial service where she confronted Monarchs Forces, alongside other members of Justice Unlimited and Valiant Justice of Crusade. Frankly, that entire sequence of events could be best described as a fustercluck, the superheroine alongside her fellow heroes made a stand against Monarch, there would have probably been a mayor confrontation if not for the intervention of Scarlet Maturity, who witnesses say he may have confronted Crusade? What is even going on anymore? This all came to a boil, when Valiant Gold discovered that Seraph, a member of Crusade, was using their powers against the members of Justic Unlimited, which frankly and quite justifiably, infuriated her. This discovery led to Lady Leizi and White Hawk pretty much having a verbal spar on live television, which was, "extremely tense, as if one wrong move would end up in a fight," if my coworkers are to be believed. Thankfully, it did not come to blows and both parties, left the scene after their discussion, with Justice Unlimited looking better for ware.
And that's it. Justice Unlimited, an extremely famous hero group that has miraculously been reborn like a phoenix, from the flames of tragedy. This new generation of heroes now hold the reins of the organizations future, the safety of the masses and much, much more. We have seen the previous generation, we have spoken of the good and the bad, and we have seen the potential future. Its not often we get to talk about established hero organizations with so much history behind them, and hopefully all those that have watched todays episode, will be able to understand it as well. This has been Behind the Hero, and please, take care.
Author's Note: FINALLY!!! HAHAHAHA!!! I've done it! Leviathans blood, this has been in the back burner for ages! For context I made a promise to make a 12-episode set of BTH "Episodes" after Bitterman mentioned it in the story, so I went and made them. Justice Unlimited was meant to be the Season finale, but as more chapters were made and new characters were added, plus the fact that not everyone was known by the public yet, it cause me to delay the omake. "Episode" 11 the Healing Hands was on October 6, since we had a confirmation, we were going to have a public debut of the team later, I caved and other omakes and eventually made the Board Breakers for Episode 12. But thanks to finishing the memorial and the interview, I finally finished the JU episode, labeled BtH Special. Hopefully, it looks good. And with that the wait to see what the hell is happening with the Yara mission begins. That's for making such a great quest Bitterman.
♦Topic: Heroic Merch & Memorabilia (Edit: Please don't get to heated over bidding wars)
In: Boards ► Extra
Page 200
►icarus527 (Original Poster)
Posted on January 17, 2068:
Man unlimited Justice is leaving money on table not merchandising any of the new members. Because as it stands I am thinking of grabbing up those Lawfulness Neverending figures because it's cheaper to try and kitbash them to almost being the new heroes.
►Takanashi_Chihiro (Official)
Posted on January 17, 2068:
God those are so bad why not try and pick up some of the 3rd edition of the fourth Anniversary figures they are plentiful enough and that way JU gets the money instead of the people making rip offs. Especially with how great they were at the speeches today
►icarus527 (Original Poster)
Posted on January 17, 2068:
Well besides the fact I was able to grab a set of 3rd Anniversary figures and they are close enough I can't justify buying em because I ordered the Rerun of the Iron man vs Red Valiant statue, the Wonder Woman & Uiara figure from fusion series Daedalus Toys are doing after they bought out MacFarlane last year. Also the bishoujo Scarlet Maturity party because I lost a bet against @fakeearthowls
►blackbirdmmm
Posted on January 17, 2068:
@Goldskull#1fan you can't do this to me again you fudge I neeeeeeeeed that First Edition of Sliver Valiant Fourth Anniversary Commemorative Figure with the wrong-colored scarf. You can't keep scoping me like this
►Goldskull#1fan
Posted on January 17, 2068:
Mis disculpas mirlo but I need it for my cabinet of curiosities, she looks fantastic between the dinosaur skull and Aztec jade mask pics later. Now I just need the blonde Lady Leizi from that same set and I am golden til they finally make merchandise of the menagerie of the pequeña bruja
►blackbirdmmm
Posted on January 17, 2068:
If your dog chews it up I am going to GET YOU.
►Goldskull#1fan
Posted on January 17, 2068:
mijo Cucuí don't chew like that no more he's a big boy
Places Even P13 Heroes Fear to Tread — spiderhellian (99% canon)
It was past midnight in the Apiary. The halls were quiet. The air was still. Most of its many denizens were asleep, but one sentient black hole was not.
Mona sat on a comfy chair in a darkened alcove, her laptop on her thighs. Her body's light was a little dimmer than usual, her teeth were worrying her lip, and every so often she peeked up above the screen to see if anyone was walking the empty corridors.
She wasn't doing anything wrong! She wasn't! In fact, she was almost certain that one of the Apiary's previous residents had indulged this guilty pleasure tons of times before! Way more than she ever did!
It wouldn't be a guilty pleasure if you didn't feel guilty about it. But it was fine.
Her fingers fluttered over the keys, and pulled up Archive of Osanyin.
The bright white Home Screen lit up Mona's and the wall behind her, and she quickly dimmed her screen. She could read the replies to her latest string of reviews. She could continue that amazing Valiant Silver/Uiara coffeeshop AU she had stumbled on the other day.
She knew she wasn't actually going to do any of that.
She moved her cursor to her most-visited tab — and then froze in her tracks.
Everyone in the Apiary was asleep. But what about the Apiary itself? Was it watching her? Would it know what she was doing?
Her eyes widened, and she held her breath for a second, before she released it in a huff.
What would it do if it was? Demote her to provisional provisional member? It couldn't bring her any lower.
Plus, plus, what she was doing wasn't even wrong! It was good, actually! What was Mr. Rhys always saying, about "Always pay attention" and "You never know what information will pay off down the road"? She was — uh, how would Lady Leizi put it — she was doing reconnaissance on an information channel other sources wouldn't even consider tapping into!
So there. With her earlier guilt replaced by pride that she was going to do her part in ensuring Justice Unlimited was fully aware of how people perceived it — and another guilty peek over her computer screen — she clicked the RPF - Metahumans - Justice Unlimited category.
Wow. People were really going wild with that engagement reveal. You'd… you'd have to be very careful about that. When you delivered your report. As you were going to do, as part of the espionage mission you're taking on right now.
That doesn't stop you from opening a half-dozen stories in tabs to read later.
You continue scrolling, and then freeze at the next story you see. Oh no.
You swallow against the sudden butterflies in your stomach, and you click the pairing it involved. Just to see how many of these there were!
Oh NO.
Ellie was going to kill you. She was going to kill you! She'd probably pop dynamite for the first time to do it!
First you totally make an absolute fool of yourself in the interview — and what was that, you were supposed to be JU's star, and a good-for-nothing "hero" who just came from Elysium messed you up almost as much as Scarlet Maturity? — and then you're so messed up she has to literally carry you home when you know she likes to end each day re-reading manuals…
If she ever finds out that because you were so weak and she had to be so strong, now people are writing these stories about you two…
She already hates you, she's going to super-duper-double-plus-hate you! You'll know why, at least, but that's not going to help!
She cannot be in the room when you deliver your report. Preferably not in the building. Ideally she'll be out of the city.
Even then you'd still be scared.
You read the summary in front of you. You do not like how it makes you feel. The butterflies in your stomach are so intense they must be Scarlet Maturity-empowered at this point.
Seeking any way away from this, this — this incriminating evidence, you click the first other tag you see.
And your eyes go wide.
Eyes Like Arrows
By: Sweetwoman
"Now, tell us what powers your armor."
The biting words are already on his tongue. He needs to say them. He's the leader. He doesn't have any other choice.
So he lets them loose, and hopes they can drown out the truth he wishes he could have said.
The same thing that's powering my heart. You.
Silvio is on a new team. He has a new set of power armor. He's being Valiant.
After so much tragedy, things are finally going right.
And then she comes onto the scene. She's part of a newly rebirthed team. She's got an even more impressive set of power armor. She's being Valiant.
He should hate her. He doesn't even know her!
So why can't he get the sight of her dark brown eyes out of his head?
Tags: Valiant Gold/Valiant Justice, Enemies to Lovers, Enemies to Lovers to Enemies to Lovers, Slow burn, I mean slooooow burn, comments are not a place for arguing
The Leviathan is moving, and a woman named Caroline is running home in a panic before Justiciar's edict takes hold.
She has no powers. She can't do anything to help. Her life is going to change irrevocably.
One of those sentences is true.
Things go from bad to worse when she collides face first with a hero — a hero — running the other way.
Then she sees that he's been knocked unconscious from the blow, and it's clear the universe really has it out for her.
But if things can't get worse from here… Maybe they can only get better?
Tags: Valiant Gold and Valiant Justice, Valiant Gold/Valiant Justice, Alternate Universe, For Want of a Nail, NOT Crusade!VG, Things are going to be very different, I promise, When the Armour Comes Off, This isn't doxxing, Idk why I chose Caroline, Who cares
Why did Valiant Silver commission so much NSFW fanart of Uiara, and write so much of the same?
Some people think it's because she was horny. Some think she was just obsessed with her girlfriend. Some think she was simply the world's greatest poet, and compelled to share her masterpieces.
They're all right, and they're all wrong.
Valiant Silver could power her creations with psychic energy. What she didn't say was that they needed a particular kind of psychic energy.
This night in Horizon, two heroes are about to find that out first-hand.
Tags: Valiant Gold/Valiant Justice, Enemies AND Lovers, PWP, Doing it in power armour, Doing it out of power armour, Doing it partially in and partially out of power armour
The last one is enough to make you slam your laptop screen shut. Ew. Ewwwwwww. That is so gross. Screw Lady Leizi's network, you are not telling anyone about this. You don't even want to think of Ellie like that.
Arg, what be of the Silver X Stockpile shippers? Have they begun to emerge on their armored ferries? We mustn't lose caution lest they take our fair vessel by surprise!
Silvio likes to think that he's learned a lot, being a hero. He tried to learn from every member of Global Justice, and would go back over every conversation he had with Justiciar to make sure there wasn't some pearl of wisdom he had missed. Every day he studied, he practiced, he questioned, he learned.
Today, as the minutes drag on, and the computer screen he's looking at remains unchanging, he's starting to realize there's something he missed.
He never learned what it was like to fail.
Oh, not every mission was a perfect success. Though Global Justice was largely uncontested in the Foot of the Ladder, ventures outside had their risk, which could or could not pay off. There were villains they sometimes defeated, and some times couldn't catch. Still, they didn't always win -- but they never truly lost. Until that fateful day, where they lost everything.
He shudders, thinking again of Justiciar's voice as she told him, ordered him, not to come. That too is a conversation he's gone over again and again. But even the Movement -- he lost so many of those he loved, but it wasn't he who failed. He hadn't even been permitted to try!
It's a blessing -- or perhaps, he thinks now, part of the curse -- of being an Algernon-type hero. If you set your mind to something, you can achieve it. Whatever in the world -- or out-of-this-world idea -- it may be. There will be a price to pay, but success is always there in front of you, you just need to reach out and take it.
He has set his mind to a task, the past few weeks. He tried every channel he could think of, many that he doubted had even a chance at success, and a few truly bizarre ways to send a message. (No, Lady Leizi isn't getting signals from the auction-price of rare sunglasses, what was he even thinking?)
He tried. He tried so hard. He put everything he had out on the line, quite literally, and it wasn't enough.
The inbox in front of him, which patiently waits for precisely one person's reply, remains blank.
He's failed. Truly, truly, failed.
It tastes like ashes in his mouth.
Y'know that classic line, "He who writes strange ideas for fanfic might take care lest he thereby actually write the strange fanfic. And if you gaze for long into a foe, the foe gazes also into you."?
Ugh, I think I'm a Silvio fan now.
His story feels like a tragedy, in a way I'm not sure we see with any other character (at least not yet). For the few that come to mind: Yellow Qilin is at the end of her tragedy (or maybe I should give her more credit), Lady Leizi is moving on from hers, and Nora -- well, even a vague semblance of life is more than we expected for her!
But Silvio's tragedy has happened concurrent with this story's. And it's not over yet. We could have stopped it -- but look at us, and look at the votes -- we weren't going to. He is who he is, LL is who she is, the forces that govern this world are what they are... and it all adds up to tragedy. It feels inexorable, and all the more tragic for it.
Also yes, as I'm sure you're wondering, this was originally meant as the start of an exploration of various timelines where Silvio and Ellie meet and/or team up. Of course. But then I realized it might just work better as a character piece and I can always build off of it later as originally intended. God what have I done to myself and my muse.
Right, here's my attempt at mapping all of the power overlaps
ERRATA:
Eastwood has Mental Manipulation, not Elemental Manipulation, so their circle should extend to the left instead of up.
"Nepythys" is properly spelled Nephthys.
Kind of broke down at the end but it does help me visualize. Hope you like it
And I do read, by the way, I see every time Leizi thinks "We can be more". It is a good message. It's just, do we really have to be more every single time? At this level of stakes?
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Truth, Justice and the Horizon Way {AKA. Stockpile Quest} — Temes1066
Truth, Justice and the Horizon Way {AKA. Stockpile Quest}
"Sweetwoman" said:
The Current Justice Unlimited Roster
Lady Leizi (Founding Member) (Leader) (Ex-Con) (Half-Sister of Yellow Qillin {Leader of the Ghost Dragon Triad})(Former Chief Intelligence Officer of Justice Unlimited) B-Rank
Châtelet (Formerly Hiver of Les Quatre Saisons) (Current Second-in-Command and Chief Financial Officer) B-Rank
Black Swan (The Heir Apparent) (Real name: Mona Melora-Morales) (Defeated Scarlet Maturity one-on-one!) S-Rank
Valiant Gold(The other Heir Apparent) (Valiant Claimant) (Seems to know a lot about power armour and pyschic fields considing she is not apparantly an Alegeron-Type) (Favourite Hero is oddly enough Heavenly Astrologian) S-Rank
Menagerie Witch (The team's chief form of transportation) (Wants to kill Le Petit Prince) (has accidently killed a few people) A-Rank
Handyman (Seems to be living clay) (use to one of Lady Leizi's spies) A-Rank
Doctor Silver (Use to work as of Valiant Silver's lab monkeys) (Not a Metahuman instead relies on Expertimental Shield Tech devloped by Valiant Silver) C-Rank
I'm with Gaslight Griffith on this, Justice Unlimited seem to be extraordinary lucky in rebuilding their team so quickly. Meanwhile, we have had allow that misogynistic coward Joules to back into our life, put up with that Transphobic bitch Été, allow former members of Powers (who are only in the hero buisness for the money) to join us and recuit Gaslight Griffith (who continues to undermind us) and his friends on the Horae Guard (who are just making things harder for us), to bring us to a reasonable about of "heroes". How is Leizi doing this?
I find it discintly odd that a pair of B-Rankers are in charge of the team. With their combined powers surely Valiant Gold and Black Swan could overthrow their leaders.
If Black Swan is the Heir Apparent of Justice Unlimited, why is Châtelet second in command, surely the position should go to Black Swan or Valiant Gold?
Lady Leizi's view on the matter is that while Black Swan & Valiant Gold may one day lead Justice Unlimited, they still lacks proper seasoning. Meanwhile Châtelet is a more experienced heroine, who knows what she is doing.
Well the current leader of New Dawn; Wolong felt the whole rivalry was silly and all the fault of Novalight. Now had one of Novalight's followers in been in charge you would probably have New Dawn backing you (as long as you had fuffiled the presquite mission.)
Novalight hates Justice Unlimited (or those traitors as she always called them) but she wouldn't do anything about it unless it was her idea and she gets all the credit.
The only member of the current New Dawn roster, you stand even a very slim chance of recuiting is Palisade (and only because she used to date Adamant, before she was dumped in favour of Lady Leizi).
If I remeber correct you're the person who swung the vote towards Global Justice because you thought that the things that Justice Unlimited where reticent about would get us killed
Ten Kilometers off the coast of Marajo, Land of Leviathan's Rest
Upon a fair sea vessel, armed with an assortment of cannonry and stuffed to the gills with many a crew member, each of the crew rushed diligently to direct the ship along the charted path their beloved captain had set.
One such soul, sat in the crows nest of the Kraken's Foil, gazed out into the waters with a deceptively normal spyglass, seeking out something within the waves of the mother ocean below.
With a twitch of their eye, Junior Seaman Markus snapped their attention towards a portion of the calm waves that surrounded the vessel, squinting as they rotated a segment on the tool in front of their open eye-
With shock, the new recruit to the Kraken's Foil's staff turned on a dime, rushing to open the hatch below and clabber down the main mast of the sea faring vessel.
Reaching near the bottom, with an inhaling of their lungs, Markus screamed with all of his might over the ruckus of the rest of the crew.
"CAPTAIN!!!"
Near the helm of the vessel, a large individual perked up at the call, stepping away from his helmsman to look down at the deck below.
Boot sat on the edge of the raised surface, the soul who searched the deck for the member of his crew who called for his attention was older in the years, head clear of hat nor hair as aged sun kissed skin glistened in the fiery ball's rays.
Their body muscular, their form pressing against the open blue captain's vest draped upon their body. Golden plating, reflecting shining light, sat etched upon the coat, sat upon the captain's shoulders, scratches and blemishes to show their scars in the many voyages the elder man had taken.
His pecks pressed out from the basic white under shirt that laid beneath the captain's coat. Beige shorts sat wrapped around their waist, several tools to aid them in their trade connected to their belt shadowed by the great vest they wore.
His boots, deep brown in color, pressed down on the wood of his vessel, shaking the harpoon gun connected by strap, resting on the seafarer's back for the next skirmish with the monsters of the deep.
Eyes locking onto the young soul who called for him, a scowl appeared on their aged bearded face.
"Aye, ain't it the greenblood. Why do you call me when you should be up top within the crows nest, searching for our next hunt to pay back for trashing last night's dinner?"
"It's just that cap'tin, a bloody Behemoth is off the starboard side, about fifty clicks out. Looks like the last bloody thing we hunted too. Second Mate Joanna's theory of their being hive out in sea of the things may be true."
The Kraken's Foil's Captain hummed, slotting away the young seaman's words, "Aye, as the beasty noticed us then laddie?"
"No Cap'tin, the monster seems to be as blind as a bloody bad. Last I checked it danced along the waves as if it was in a playground."
The Captain patted the smaller man on the back, despite him being of average height, forcing Markus to let out a breath of air.
"Good work Markus, now head back up there and keep your eyes trained on the bastard. Oh and next time laddy, simply scream from the nest up above! I may be getting on in the years but these old ears are as sharp as ever!"
With words said and his balance regained, the fresh recruit rushed back to his post, following his captain's instructions without doubt and only sheer determination, the flower of trust in the Captain beginning to bloom in his chest like the rest of this band of beast hunters.
With a loud call, one strong enough to reach every listening ear on the deck above, the Captain made his announcement known to the men and women who placed their lives under his command.
"LADIES AND BASTARDS, READY THOSE BLOODY SAILS AND DISABLE THE MOTORS, WE'VE GOT GAME TO HUNT!"
With a roaring shout, the crew of the Kraken's Foil rushed to ready their fair vessel for a more stealthy means of traversal.
"Let's see if ye will lead us to your kin oh damnable beast," The Captain spoke, eyes trained out into the ocean towards the direction his crew had signaled, a beating in his heart arriving as the promise of a hunt sang in his ears.
-----
In a secluded section of the sea, across the horizon did a ship rise.
A large vessel, from sight alone one would wager was crafted from wood and bolts.
Its brown boards crashed against the mighty sea's waves, tailing its mark with endless patience and grit, almost losing the large, sea lion-like Behemoth as it swam along several times.
The crew worked meticulously upon the deck, securing luggage with ropes and tether and preparing for what was to come.
Cannons began to be rolled out from the vessels sides, poking further out of their ports, each cannoneer making sure their aim was flexible and true.
Gatling guns were set up to their lines of ammunition, chambers cleaned and checked for any cracks.
Up on the deck above an assortment of large harpoons were ready and loaded, yearning to reel in a catch.
In the floors below, as the lovingly named Kraken's Foil swayed and turned, in spite of its wooden appearance outside was spaces clean and modern, crew stationed to set to the armorer, donning on gear to aid in the depths and harpoons to pierce monster flesh.
At the bottom of the fair vessel sat a bay, the lower door ready to be opened at a moment's notice. Pilots for the two subsea combat vehicles loaded inside, along with crew to aid in their operation.
And all of this happened as the fair Captain looked out from above, letting the winds dance with his coattail, his grin wide and menacing, a seemingly old anchor sat to the elder's side, almost as tall as he.
Oh how he loved the look of an olde crew, just like it was in days of yore. His best mates, and more importantly his sub captains for his other vessels, all tended to push back when the old coot wanted to 'stylize' their weaponry and inventions more.
Oh how they made him crack up, such silly ideas. Making his favorite toy look like something else?
Bah! The old thing as been through thick 'nd thin, and how else should he send fear into the underwater beasties twisted hearts but with an anchor fit for a king's royal fleet!
"Captain!" His first mate called from his side, looking out to sea, "I've gotten word that our radar has picked up a nest! It seems Joanna was right, there really is a nest!"
The lad wore a trench coat like the captain liked to, yet colored red and black. His glasses thin and wired, reflecting light off of them that tended to hide his blue eyes. His red hair was something dyed, something the Captain had only allowed if he had kept some of the short strands his natural black. The belt he wore that kept his chalky grey britches high had clipped to them two revolvers, stylized to the shape of those flintlock pistols from decades ago, when the age of wooden vessels and pirates existed across the seas.
"Aye, have the beasts noticed us than Micheal? Those wee bastards may be the size of a man but a group of them may be a bit of trouble for this fair vessel."
Micheal looked at his Captain with an exasperated look, "Aye, only a little bit of trouble like you say… but no."
He turned his body around to face his Captain with sturdy facts, "It seems to be like the last one we fought, unresponsive to the waves currents and blind to our vessel. It and its nest should only react when we begin our opening salvo."
The good Captain tilted his head, "If they're like the last bastard, keep our men out of the seas if the fates permit. The wailing is a bit of an earache, so I'd rather them not become distracted with the hunt by a bit of pathetic screams."
Micheal sighed, "As you order Captain, yet maybe take these monsters a bit more seriously?"
"I'm giving them all they worry their worth my boy!" The Captain exclaimed, raising his hands and beginning to pace, "You and your fellow officers need to lighten up! It's not as if we fight the giant space squid itself."
"Yes Captain," Micheal monotonously said, knowing no sane words would get through his Captain's maddened mind.
"Oi! You two stop bumming around! It's time for a hunt, and I won't be giving you any free shots should you keep yapping!"
Micheal and the Captain both looked over to the stairs that lead to the deck below, the feminine yet primal voice marking the sound's owner far before she appeared.
The lass wore bandages across her darkened chest, her arms and belly exposed, the black tattoos on them, like dancing waves they looked, clear for all to see. The lass's skin, dark and freckled, contrasted against the beige lower shorts she wore, loose in all but her waist and where they ended around her tattooed calves. White bandages also wrapped around her hands and lower legs, the latter slowing into simple shoes fit for seafaring. The girl's hair was braided and compact into a single tail, its black color doing well to highlight her green eyes.
The cutlass on the woman's side swung as she walked up the stairs, giving her Captain and First Mate a demeaning look, "And this time if any of you dare to complain you didn't get any shot at these vermin, I will have your heads!"
"Aye, Joanna," The Captain spoke with hurt, "Is that anyway to speak to your beloved Captain?"
"It is you old fool!" She snapped back, "For you simply couldn't help commissioning another vessel! How am I going to have worthy people to duel if you keep taking them to other crews?!"
"Is the duels really what you're worried about?" Micheal asked tiredly, "Cause I really don't think the company will stay in the green with that purchase-"
"Bah! Green and profit! Who gives a damn when there are monsters to be slayed and civilians to save? But less about that you two," The Captain bellowed with mirth, "What took you so long in the radar room Joanna? You complain about us being unready for the hunt yet there you were, fucking around in that room instead of helping on deck."
"I was planning our hunt ancient goat! Optimal firing range and clearance is needed should our opening salvo work to cull the weak! I wish for only worthy opponents today!"
A crew member ran up from the deck, calling out and catching the upper officer's attention, "Captain, First and Second Mates! We're in position and set! Give us the word and the anchor will be lowered and we'll begin the opening assault!"
The Captain's eyes grew wide with glee, "Then lower the anchor and ready to fire! You all will fire on my call!"
Many of the crew on the deck gave a resounding "AYE!" in response, moving to man the weapons and spread the word.
The iconic vibration of the anchor lowering echoed throughout the ship's hull as it lowered into the sea and found purchase.
Looking out to the ocean, where the creatures no doubt swam in peace, beings that spat in the natural laws of their world, the Captain let a moment of silence fill the air…
Before raising and lowering his hand down in a chop, screaming "FIRE!"
It was the harpoon on the top deck which heard the call first, sending out their payloads into the air, tethered by long thin black ropes, sinking into the deep sea where their prey swam free.
Next came the cannons, locking onto the same spot and firing round orbs akin to cannon balls splashing into the depths, only to be followed seconds later by the flashing of blue lighting.
Harpoons began to reel in, bringing up to the surface the bodies of large mutated sea lions, each of them shaking and struggling, many of them limited by electricity shocking their systems.
Those that could move freely and harpooned attempted to claw at the objects in their flesh, yet the black ropes that kept the metal in place resistant to their attempts.
As harpoons reeled in and cannons reloaded, those Behemoths that escaped the harpoons rose to the surface and raced towards the ship.
The gatiling guns roared to life, sending soaring metal bits towards the charging beats, maiming a killing the rushing monsters in waves.
Down below, in the vehicle bay, the bottom gates opened and down dived two subs, both equipped with torpedoes and drills to take the fight to the sea, cutting off the monsters that sought to come at the vessel from below.
Still, even with that firepower, eventually the warped monsters found themselves at the side of the ship, to attack and damage its hull.
Yet as they clawed and scrapped, what seemed to be wood endured the onslaught, its substance a specially made alloy crafted to resist their powerful blows.
Crew leaded over the side of the vessel, aiming harpoons down and hitting true, piercing flesh and eyes, protecting the ship they stood upon.
Yet many had to duck and cover, the monsters beginning to shoot up waves of sonic energy towards the sky, attacks that could rupture a grown man's ears with a single strike.
Onwards the battle raged, all as the Captain looked out to sea. Where the monsters came began to turn a large whirlpool, out from its center rising what seemed to be the creator of these abominations.
Large claws and tails, its body ripped and mutated far beyond that of what a sea lion should seem, its mouth unhinged and sucking in air to its lungs, no doubt ready to scream fatally at his crew.
Yet no fear existed in the Captain's eyes, and instead with a motion he grabbed his trusty weapon, the anchor he had killed countless beasts with before.
Its body glowed blue, power from within growing far faster than the large Behemoth could giant its air.
With a swing, the Captain soared, through the air and right to the monsters throat-
And with a mighty swing!
He crashed it into the throat, and an impact saturated in blue echoed through the air, sending the monster tumbling into the waves!
As the Captain fell towards the ocean, marks- no Tattoos! Tattoos on his body began to glow a soft ocean blue, a feral grin crept onto his face as he dove into the depths below to chase after his prey.
-----
Name: Captain Elliot Galleon Tolerance: Unknown Stats: HIT 7, ESPIONAGE 5, REPUTATION 9, OPERATIONS 7 Chaucer's notes: This is one of the Captains for the mercenary group known as the Ocean Guard, a set of currently four crews that operate mostly within the oceans around Horizon to keep seafaring Behemoths in check. While their equipment is old fashioned, they have been a great aid in keeping the ocean's safe. Impressive when you take into account that many of their members aren't Meta-Humans. I'm surprised this is here, Lady Leizi, is there a reason this is here?
Lady Leizi's Notes: His true name is Elliot Galleon, and not only is he a Captain for the Ocean Guard, but he is also its founder and owner of its parent corporation Aqua-Ingenuity. Aqua-Ingenuity is a private organization with murky beginnings I won't get into here, but when Elliot came into ownership of it, it was turned around to be used for good. Every single person in the Ocean Guard is an employee of his company, and my reports find that there is a sense of comradery and trust that they all have for their leader, though it's common for them to be, and I quote "Seasick over his whims."
The Captain has put his company and their technology into the shadows, but with digging into their past dealing before Aqua-Ingenuity fell into Elliot's hands, reports of alloys that can resist behemoths and electric bombs fell into my hands. Eye witnesses have even noted how many of their higher members have tattoos which when cross-referencing seem to be a sort of body modification. In truth, I highly doubt Ocean Guard's Meta-Human count to be higher than single digits. With Elliot's eccentricities in mind, it's no doubt the man has people like Ibis working under him, expanding their base of technology.
This file is placed here to keep in mind that a partnership with the Ocean Guard is an option not only to receive a sponsor, but to allow us a strong ally and a supply of candidates for the Project. While I cannot trust the Captain at this time, all signs point to him and his people being heroes, who would work alongside us instead of stab us in the back.
Captain Elliot Galleon's Abilities and Equipment (That LL May or May not Know):
Enhancement Tattoos: A type of enhancement that enhances the strength of a normal human, allowing them to reach strength that would be considered in the realm of Meta-Human, as well as offering a higher durability to attacks.
"His Favorite Toy": A large anchor refitted with Aqua-Ingenuity technology, using shockwaves and stored power to allow for both leaping movements and devastating impacts.
Aqua-Harpoon V3: A harpoon gun enhanced by Aqua-Ingenuity technology, able to pierce with the power of the modern gun and sharpened and treated to be especially effective against Behemoth type enemies.
A Captain's Presence: Using his natural charm and aura of authority, Elliot may re-roll a failed REP check based around Negotiation once a scene, adding a plus +5 to the roll. Of course, the good Captain must be physically present for this to work.
City of Horizon, 2 Months Before the Leviathan's Movement
The city of Horizon, one of the most metahuman dense cities in the world. This fine land is home to a huge variety of metahumans of all kinds of dispositions, from the Heroic Justic Unlimited, New Dawn, or Global Justice, To the Mercenary Powers to the malicious, like many of the villains that currently reside in the Nigh unbreakable Wonderland. Horizon is a city where some of the brightest and darkest metahumans in the world live. But we aren't here to talk about them. Like many would assume, since Horizon is probably the most Metahuman Dense location in the world, there would be a lot of Hero/Villain Metas running around, and I'm not talking about Vigilantes, but the everyday man. Those that don't have the insane levels of power like Radiant Silver Girl, Scarlet Maturity, Valiant Silver, etc… The great majority of the Metahumans in Horizon are more than happy to carry on their lives without getting involved with the Hero business, finding ways to use their powers in their daily lives. Be it entertainment, Gardening, Cooking; among others. Although there are the rare exceptions, some of the lower power metahumans do take more hero inclined job from time to time, just look at Hero for Hire, and Todays case is no different. Why don't we take a look over… there!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Uni district, City of Horizon
Ah yes, the Uni district, one of the many sections that Compose the City of Horizon. There's quite a number of individuals that live in this section of the City. Most of them are normal everyday joes and janes, but today is a special day. You see, one of the individuals in this section is having a birthday. Let's see, a yes one Mariana Gonzalez, 16 years old, white skin, pink hair (Oh my someone is daring) and…Black make up. Huh, a proper bubblegum goth, although it seems she is very friendly at least, just has her own taste in fashion.
Anyway, Mariana's Birthday seems like a simple affair, there's the cake, the present, Plenty of food and games; pretty decent. But what the Birthday Girl doesn't expect is that her parents decided to splurge a little and hired a… unique individual in order to finish the birthday, an individual that is just about to start his fun.
Mariana: Hehehe, no way! You have to be kidding Jazmine, there is no way that really happen.
Jazmin: On my Mama's grave Mari! He took one look at the guy, and without braking eye contact, said "Bet". And Chugged it all in one sitting. He screamed Booyah and fell blackout drunk, we had to carry him all the way back to his house, all the while he was waxing poetically about everything he saw on the way, he even began to talk about a Silver Water fic that he found one day, which to be fair sounded awesome, but not exactly the best time. Especially since his girlfriend was not even 2 feet away from him, laughing her butt off. He is never going to lived that down, Wildest get together of my life.
Mariana: *Snort* I… oh… cant... breathe… HAHAHA. Ok… ok… *Inhale and Exhale* I'm good. Oh I need to bring that up next time I see him, he will totally try to make a story up to make himself look better.
Jazmine: Oh totally. Anyway we should go back to the party, I heard your folks have one last surprise for ya.
Mariana: Oh? That's a surprise. I thought everything was already given during the gift part of the party, what could they possibly…
That's when they heard a slow low beat emanating from all around them. The beat was low and rhythmic. Like a pair of… Maracas? As the music continued to play eventually the Birthday Girl, and her guest managed to pinpoint the origin of the sound. Over in a corner of expansive back yard stood a figure. About 5'8 in height and covered head to toe in what could only be described as a… interesting. A pair of shoes that seemed like the Hybrid between Dance Shoes and Boots, A rather Snazzy Black suit with white Vertical Stripes, Covered in what seemed like a Dark Purple Cloak, a pair of dark gloves with a purple skull covering them, A Skull mask whit as snow covering his face, and the most striking feature? A Giant Swaying Black Afro moving to frow to frow, to the individual's (A metahuman? Has to be, thought Mariana for but a moment) movement. And as all eyes fell on them… The Music Crescendo's. And everyone feels it in their Bones!
The feeling is small at first but as the music continues to flow all the Guest's can feel their Bodies begin to subconsciously move to an invisible beat. And whit a smile the Figure spoke.
???: Man I get invited to a party and what do I find? No music! What the heck amigos!? That's no way to have some fun, let ol' Necrodancer show you how its done. HIT IT!
And with the sudden change of the music as the las one began to fade, the guest started to feel the effects of the music once more begin to take control. As the beat began to truly take control, Mariana took one look at what was occurring and began to move, moving and dancing towards Necrodancer in accordance to the beat, A determined grin plastered in her face.
Necrodancer: Ayeeeeee! It seems the Birthday girl gets it! C'mon niña, Show me what you got!
As the two individuals began to battle fiercely in the field of dance, and as many others began to follow suit, only one thing was in the young Teenagers mind.
Author's Note: Soooo yeah, here's a little omake. From Yours's truly. And it's a DNA submission this time. Shocker I know, first time I done this, hopefully I've done this right. Obviously up to Bitterman Approval and Rework. Was mostly inspired by the pokemon Move Trick Room and a some Rhythm games.
Name: Necrodancer, Juan Benjamin Rodríguez
Keywords: Mental Manipulation, Ally Empowerment (Well technically), Energy Manipulation (?)
Faction: Independent
Potency: 1-5
Creator: SolarGemX Ibis' Notes: ~Ah do you, oh do you, want to dance~, ~Oh do you, oh do you take the chance~Bah! And here I thought that the Mr. Hunch Commercial was an earworm. I don't have time to waste precious brain space with jingles! There's Science to do, and I want to spend it with my daughter!
Ahem, Necrodancer was an independent that specialized in dancing services during various activities like birthdays and so. His power involved creating a purplish energy in his hand that he would then shoot upwards in order to create a "room" where his power would manifest. This "room", which would expand anywhere from 2-5 feet from the epicenter of the shot, had a unique effect that made anyone and anything within it follow an established "rule", that is to dance. Anybody inside the field would be force to shimmy, waltz or shake their bodies to the beat of whatever song Necrodancer was playing at the moment, which would emanated from all directions, but mostly from his own body, which made many assume he add the ability to amplify sound, or in this case music. Those that did not follow the beat would find their movement haltered, tumbling and sometimes even struggling to move at all. In fact even projectiles were affected by the "rooms" effect moving to the beat of the song as well, and somehow staying afloat for far longer than they had any right to, sometime dissipating once they came into contact with the "rooms" walls or if they were more potent, bouncing from them in a completely different direction. From what I can tell this little bit of information came to light when Necrodancer, was hired for a party with paintball as one of the activities, the child that ended up winning the event used the walls of the "Room" to bounce his shots in all directions, creating a grid of pellets that was extremely hard to dodge. You would think than ability like this would be useful, if unorthodox, for hero work, but anybody that was within the "room" would subconsciously know how to dance and maintain a constant beat, be it ally or enemy, making those that new what they were doing, potentially in a better situation than what they started on, and that's not counting the fact that anybody outside the "room" was unaffected, plus Some more potent Metahumans have been capable of ignoring or powering through the effects of Necrodancers Powers. It seems the independent met his end during the movement ensnaring several behemoth's in his power in order to hamper their movement's, but was eventually overwhelmed by the onslaught.
[X] Plan: Basics
-[X] Give a shield generator to Menagerie Witch, Lady Leizi, Doctor Silver, and have Lady Leizi hold onto the fourth shield generator and symbiote to give to Yara and/or her bodyguard if necessary.
Horizon, City of Leviathan's Rest–The Apiary– January 26, 2068
You don't often remember your dreams, but, tonight, the visions in your sleep are especially vivid.
Your body is weightless as you float in the past, a passenger to events as they play out before you. You see yourself back at the Bastion, all those years ago. It was a tiny base, barely large enough for the original seven of you. And that was including Eve, who had no physical presence.
Your "conference room" back then was a circular table Rakeem and Nora had crammed into the basement. It didn't quite fit, so Nora had sawed off the lower third of it so you could position it such that you could all comfortably sit around it.
You see a much younger version of yourself, lounging and laughing while everyone else looks uncomfortable. You remember this day—it was the day after Ronin had destroyed the last stronghold of the Ghost Dragon Triad and killed your father. You had breezily announced his passing earlier that morning, and that afternoon Nora had called a mandatory meeting.
You see your best friend sitting at the head of the table, opposite the flat end. She looks unusually grave. Rosemary looks nervous, while Rakeem is unreadable as always. Harper gossips with Eve, while Yazmin doesn't take her eyes off you, her gaze firm.
You see the younger-you roll your eyes at Yazmin. You hadn't cared for her at first. Her idealism grated on you; her instance of what a "hero" was felt insincere and naive. She not only grew up with money, but was the heiress to the largest megacorportaion in the world. Her life was an endless series of her own preferences. How could she possibly understand how the world worked?
How little you knew.
"Alright," Nora says, rubbing her face, "You're probably wondering why I called this meeting. Well, Ronin finally fucking did it—the Ghost Dragon Triad is dead. And their leader with it."
". . . yay?" Eve offers, bored.
"Their leader was Zixuan's dad."
"Oh fuck."
"Zixuan," Rosemary says, turning to you. Her compound eyes are filled with sympathy. "I'm so sorry."
"Oh, don't be," you laugh, unable to contain your mirth, "I've had the celebratory party planned for a week now. Naturally, you're all invited"
She tilts her head in confusion. "You . . . what?"
"She knew he was going to die," Yazmin says, still looking at you, "Because she's the one who hired Ronin to kill him."
"As if, darling," you scoff, "Dear Akane was more than happy to do it pro bono. I merely facilitated the interaction."
"You . . . got your dad killed?" Rosemary says, hesitantly, "That's . . ."
"A problem," Uiara finishes, "That's not how we do things here. We don't kill people. We're not assassins."
She scowls and shakes her head at you.
"I'm disappointed, Zixuan. I thought you left this sort of thing behind you. I thought you were really a hero. Now . . . I'm not so sure."
Your younger self flinches. You would have rather died than admit it, but Yazmin's words cut deep that day.
"My word, the theatrics!" you shout, "Does the great Uiara disapprove of eliminating an entire organized criminal enterprise in one fell swoop? I'll inform the masses freed from menace of the Triad that they should be upset about their change in circumstances. The poor dears must mistakenly believe this to be a good thing!"
You let out a mocking laugh and look around the table for support. Rakeem's gaze is hard and he shakes his head. Rosemary is clasping her four hands together. Harper is watching the disapproving Uiara, while Eve seems uninterested.
You turn to Nora, who you know must understand. But your leader just runs her hand through her hair before addressing you.
"This is your one, Zi. This is it."
"I haven't the faintest what you mean—"
"Don't fuck around," Nora says, cutting you off, "Your dad was a shitbag? You knew for certain he needed to go? Fine. You've known him your whole life. I'll trust your judgement on that. But this is it."
She leans forward. Now, you can see how much saying these words hurt her. How much she hated talking to you like this. But, back then, it felt like a betrayal of the highest order.
"But you will never be able to be that certain that someone needs to die again. No more killing. Whether you hold the knife or not. If you do, you're off NuGen. Am I clear?"
Your cheeks flush. Your jaw drops in shock. She . . . she's threatening to make you leave? Now? Over this?
"You can't—"
"Am I clear or not, Lady Leizi?"
You feel moisture bead in the corners of your eyes and then feel a true, deep sense of humiliation as you realize how much Nora's ultimatum scares you. You stand up quickly.
"As a bell," and you stiffly turn to leave.
"Zixuan," Yazmin calls after you.
"Oh, I believe I've heard quite enough from you," you snarl.
Back then, it felt like everyone was against you. Just as you were beginning to belong, just as you were starting to feel safe, just as you started to feel something inside your chest but fear and pain, they threatened to take it away from you.
"Curious. I saw Nora's mouth moving, but I heard Uiara's words," you continue, "My, did you crawl into her bed just to put her up to this? Seems like you've gotten over your most recent spat rather quickly. Why, I wonder?"
Uiara's jaw tightens, but her gaze doesn't waiver.
"Why so concerned, anyway? Are you afraid I'll get caught? Afraid I'll tarnish Uiara's sterling reputation by association, hmmm? Afraid—"
"I'm afraid it's too easy," Yazmin says, "I'm afraid it's a simple, quick way to make problems go away."
There's a loud silence in the room.
You clear your throat to hide your unease at her words. "Sounds all like positives to me! Easy, quick, efficient—"
"And permanent, Zixuan," Yazmin says levelly, "You kill somebody, and that's the end of it. Their past, their mistakes, their future? The book's closed. And there's no taking it back."
"Again, a virtue!" you protest, "It sounds like a roadmap for all of NuGen's future operations!"
"Then you would be dead!"
Yazmin is on her feet now, her words vibrating through the room.
"None of us knew who you were when we first met. You were a crime lord involved in the drug trade, for crying out loud! You looked like a monster! If that's how we operated, we would have just killed you."
She shakes her head, very slowly, eyes still boring holes in you. Her voice is tight.
"We never would have known who you are. That you could be more," She swallows, hard. "We wouldn't even have known how much to regret it."
She breaks eye contact and swallows again. Now, as the woman you are, it's so obvious how badly she wants to reach you. How much the thought of never having met you tears her up inside. How were you ever so blind that you couldn't see it?
"Heroes don't do the easy thing. We do the right thing. Because, no matter how hard it is, the right thing is always the best thing in the long run."
You didn't understand those words that day. You . . . you're still not sure you fully do. But you can see the wisdom in them now, born of one woman's innate goodness. You want to tell Yazmin she's right and that you understand why this happened. That you're upset now, but you can see how she's upset too. That she's only doing this because she loves you.
But you can't say anything, because, even as you try to form the words to speak in your dream, the scene dissolves before your eyes.
Suddenly, it's months later. There's an emergency call in the Uni District, and you and Yazmin are the only two available to respond.
The scene is tense when you arrive. An office building downtown has been turned into a whirling kaleidoscope of painted color. Attempts to enter are met with daggers of red and orange, as the dozens of injured individuals can attest. Yet, apparently, there are even more trapped inside.
Man o' War is already there, four extra arms sprouting out of his body. He sports a bloodthirsty grin.
"Oh, good. The children are here," he scoffs, "Leave. I'm about to have some fun, and I don't need Arc in my ear if you get in the way and get hurt."
"What's the sitrep?" Yazmin askes, unphased.
"Tch," he scoffs again, rolling his eyes, "Some loon got fired and went postal. Apparently, he was a metahuman. He's got hostages in there, and no one can get close. But, don't worry. I'm just ramping up. Once I'm ready, I'll be more than happy to solve the problem."
"Ah, well have at it then," you say with a dismissive wave of your hands. This situation was not well-suited to your talents. But, as you turn to go, you see Uiara staring at the building.
"He was fired . . ." she murmurs under her breath, "This is an English-McLeod office, isn't it?"
"I believe it is. So?" you ask, impatiently.
She gives you a small smile, "The great Lady Leizi doesn't already know something? Today is a special day then."
You fume, but she goes back to building.
"English-McLeod is mostly construction and real estate. A lot of their jobs include housing, complete with furnishing, as part of the compensation. But it's contingent on staying employed with them . . ."
". . . so if this man was fired, then he's likely lost everything," you finish.
". . . yeah," she says with her eyes closed, "Probably thinks the world is ending."
"Well, if our multi-armed friend has anything to say about it, he'll only need to feel that way for a few minutes longer."
Yazmin wets her lips. "Lady Leizi . . . can you go on overwatch for me?"
"Darling, what exactly are you planning?" you say, incredulous, "No one can even approach that building."
She walks forward with her hand raised. A strand of red shots out and pierces her palm, but fails to break her super-durable skin.
"I think . . . I think the colors react to emotion. His emotions. I just need to convince him I'm not a threat, and I can get through."
"Or he could just kill you faster," you say, "Please do not make me explain to Valiant Silver later why her lover is now a pincushion!"
Yazmin looks back at you and smiles again. "Oh, you didn't hear? We broke up."
Then she walks into the building.
"Again?!" you shout after her, but she's already gone. All you can do is watch her through her camera.
The colors are even more vibrant in the building, a swirling mass of constantly shifting light and pigment. A spike of red, larger than you are, falls from the ceiling and bites deep into Yazmin's collarbone, drawing blood.
"I'm . . . not going to hurt you," she says out loud, "I promise. No matter what you do to me, I won't hurt you."
She grabs the red, pulls it out of her, and marches forward.
More colors strike her, jagged reds, swirling blues, spiraling greens, each digging deeper wounds and drawing more blood. But Yazmin is undeterred, her face calm. She never raises a hand in protest, never calls a flood to strike her foe.
She will not hurt him.
The colors frenzy, hitting Yazmin over and over again, until she resembles little more than hamburger meat. But still, she does not fight back.
And then . . . they slow down. The attacks become less frequent, and then stop. Yazmin marches up several flights of stairs, and finds herself in a sea of cubicles.
There, in the middle, sits a crying man covered in paint. He's cowering under his desk. Yazmin limps over and crouches down.
"Hello," she says gently, "I'm Uiara."
". . . I'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorry—"
"Shh. Shhhh. It's okay. It's all going to be okay."
"It's not!" he shrieks and the colors go wild, "I didn't mean it! I l-liked my job! I came to work, everyone l-left me alone, and t-then I could go home to p-paint!"
"I see," Yazmin says looking around at the furious colors, "You're very good. You must practice a lot."
"E-everyday . . ." he stutters, "I . . . I can't talk to people. They d-don't understand me. They don't hear me. But when I paint . . . it's like I can let everyone know how I feel."
He looks around at the melting world around him.
"Then one day, I realized I could make the colors leave the canvas. They could really tell people how I felt! I-It was my secret for so long, but I was so happy . . . but now it's a curse."
"What happened?" Yazmin says softly.
"Ms. Fitzpatrick . . . she said my department was 'r-redundant'. A-asked why I thought I should keep my job. I tried to tell her . . . but I couldn't explain it right. So she fired me. Then I thought, m-maybe if I can't say it with words, I can show her? I-I brought the paint to work and made the colors, but then she just started screaming. S-she called security and they started h-hiting me. So I p-panicked."
"And then this happened," Yazmin finishes, "The colors reflect your feelings. All of them."
"I-I hurt people!" he wails, "I'm so sorry! I . . . I'm a bad guy. P–please, get everyone out of here."
"Okay," Yazmin agrees, "But what about you?"
"I can't go to Wonderland. I can't. J-just get everyone out of here and . . . I'll take care of myself."
"I see," Yazmin says, "No."
"N-no?!"
"No," she repeats," I can't let you do that. And I won't let you go to Wonderland either."
She looks around, at the colors around her.
"You have a gift. I can see how you feel right now, how much pain you're in. I'm so sorry no one came to help you sooner."
She looks at him.
"And, it's going to be hard—so hard—but you can come back from this. You have to pay your dues for what you did, but a person isn't defined by who they are at rock bottom so long as they are willing to climb back up."
"I-I . . ."
"Hey, can I ask a favor?"
"Y-yeah?"
"Can I give you a hug?"
It would be an hour later, once the colors had all faded away and the terrified workers excavated, that you would find the man sobbing into the wounded Yazmin's costume.
She was as good as her word too. He did five years in an Ọsanyin detention facility, but he did eventually get out. Whatever became of him, you wonder—?
The scene shifts again. It's a week later.
You had never seen Yazmin so seriously injured before. Of all your teammates, only Adamant with his metal form and Rosemary with her multiple bodies were more resistant to harm. Punching Yazmin was like punching an old tire—you might be doing something, but it was imperceptible to your senses.
Yet, there she lay in the infirmary, body swaddled in bandages. She and Nora made up in record time; a fact you all learned when you all walked in on Nora on top of Yazmin in her sick bed, both half-naked.
The woman who was Valiant Silver fussed like a mother hen until Yazmin scolded her for neglecting her duties, and then life at the Bastion largely returned to normal. For everyone, that is, except The Red Huntress.
Harper has always struck you as an airhead. A bubbly, sheltered child with fluff between her ears. With her vapid disposition and lackluster power, you assumed she was only allowed to join NuGen because of her connection to Yazmin. But, as they say, still waters ran deep.
With Yazmin injured, Harper's sunny smile disappeared. She slowly started to grow irritable and defensive over any perceived slight. She wouldn't leave her room for days at a time, and she would demand you answer a series of increasingly complicated and invasive personal questions before she would even so much as have a conversation with you.
It was, as Nora so eloquently put it after an incident where the feline heroine blew up at Eve, fucking daffy. So much so, that you decided to start digging into Harper's past. Clearly, there was something you had missed.
Now, it's the very night after you started asking around about one Harper English. You awake in your bed to a sharp stinging sensation on your chest. You fumble for the light, and, once it clicks on, you see a symbol made of three claw marks tattooed on your breast.
Harper stands above you in the room.
"Zixuan, s-stop asking questions, okay? Okay?" she says, her eyes panicked. She looks terrible. Her hair is lank and unwashed, her face is devoid of any of her usual cosmetics, there are deep bags under her eyes, "Stop it! You don't understand what you're doing. Y-you're going to ruin everything!"
"What is this?!" you demand, swiping at the mark on your chest, "What are you doing in here?"
How had she even gotten in? You lock your door at night, unless . . . was she waiting here, invisible, for you this whole time?!
"It's just until I'm sure you're not looking anymore, okay? Okay?!" she shouts, eyes wild, "Please. I-I'm finally happy. I'm finally safe. Don't keep looking!"
"Or what?" you say, unable to resist the implied challenge in her voice.
". . . that's what the mark is for."
And with that, she disappears from sight. You don't sleep the rest of the night, carefully inspecting every inch of your room for Harper's presence. Even when you find nothing over and over again, you remain on guard.
You consider going to Nora with your issue—surely, if she would threaten you with expulsion over your indiscretion, this would be enough to remove that lunatic—before discarding the idea. You are no child, hiding behind your mother's skirts. However, there is one person who might be able to give you insight to your new foe.
Which is why you find yourself outside Yazmin's room in the infirmary. You knock on it and let yourself in.
"Oh . . . Zixuan" she says, admirably hiding her confusion. You hadn't been to see her since she initially woke up, after all.
"Explain why your mad best friend stuck this on my chest," you say, exposing the mark, "And why I shouldn't just erase her."
Yazmin tries to sit up before wincing in pain and falling back. "She put that on you? Why?"
"Because I asked some questions about her childhood," you shout, "Now, what is it?!"
Yazmin lets out a shaky breath. "Her power. You know she's normally super agile, can turn invisible, has better senses than normal people, right? Well, that mark is her main power. She can put it on a target and then she'll always know where they are. And . . . she gets more powerful based on how strong the person she's tagged is."
". . . excuse me?!"
"It's fine, it's fine!" Yazmin tries to reassure you, "I'll talk to her. She'll take it off."
"I'm more concerned about why she put it on me in the first place," you spit. Then, as an afterthought, "And why was I not made aware of the true nature of her powers?"
". . . because no one except me knows," Uiara says, putting her head in her hands, "Including Nora. Shit."
You can see how your younger self is mollified at the idea of having been given secret information. Leviathan's Blood, were you truly that simple to win over?
Yazmin gestures to a chair next to the bed. You graciously sit.
"What I'm about to tell you can't leave this room, okay? Promise me, Zixuan."
"I promise."
"Promise me and mean it," she growls, "I'm betraying a friend's trust. The least you could do is take this seriously."
You frown and look at her, consideringly.
"Very well," you say, mostly meaning it, "I will keep it confidential for now."
Yazmin sits back and blows air out of her nose. "Fine, I guess that's the best I'm going to get. Okay, I've known Harper since we were . . . nine? Ten? We met at one of the million little social galas our parents expected us to attend."
"Ah, so 'Harper English' is one of those Englishs then?"
"English-McLeod, yeah," Yazmin confirms, "I think . . . her great-uncle owns half the company? Her parents are small-time players in the family, but they still go with the rest of the clan to charity balls and the like. Anyway, that's where I met Harper."
Yazmin looks up, lost in memory. "She was the only kid who wasn't trying to cosy up to me because of my last name. So, naturally, we became best friends. She taught me how to put on make-up, we started eating lunch together at school, having sleepovers, everything kids do. I was shocked at how much she ate for lunch, and she practically lived at my house with how often she spent the night. Then . . . I went over to dinner at her place."
Yazmin's brow furrows. "She never had me over before. There was always some kind of excuse. But one day her driver was sick and so her mother had to pick her up from school herself . . . so I invited myself over."
She shrugs. "I was curious."
You hate that you can relate to that feeling.
"So, I get over there and, immediately, something is off. Her parents are normal for all of five minutes before going blank and hardly acknowledging us. They went back to normal when it was time for dinner . . . but that was odd too. Harper spent the whole day saying she wasn't hungry and begging not to eat, but her mom grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to the table."
You get a sinking feeling in your stomach.
"Then, the food came out. It was rotten. All of it. The smell was unbearable."
Yazmin scrunches her face at the memory.
"But her parents didn't even react to it. They gave the plates of the disgusting food to Harper and told her to 'eat every bite'. I was a little freaked out and tried to tell them that it had gone bad. But they didn't get it . . . it was like the concept wasn't registering with them."
Yazmin's expression turns stormy. "Harper started crying and begging to skip dinner 'just for tonight'. So, her dad walked over and slapped her so hard she fell out of her chair."
Your breath hitches. This is hitting too close to home for you.
"I went ballistic. I . . . kind of had a temper. Have a temper. Whatever. I tackled her dad, punched him in the face, and grabbed Harper and we ran as fast as we could outside. Eventually, I called my avó to come get us. I didn't let Harper go home that night, or for the next month."
Yazmin looks at her hand, clenching and unclenching it.
"That was apparently normal for her. It's why she always gorged herself during the day; because she wasn't being fed edible food at home. It's also why she knew about make-up. She had to hide the bruises. She told me not to ask any questions and let it go, but . . . I couldn't. I went to Avó, told her what was happening, and begged if we could get someone to investigate Harper's parents. But, as soon as we did, their behavior changed."
She looks up at you.
"They came and apologized. Said things would be different. They were still stiff and creepy and weird, but things did get better for Harper. She started to gain weight at least. And she kept pleading with me to let it go. She wouldn't say why except, 'Mom and Dad weren't always like this'. She was so, so terrified I gave her my word. And I'd promised I'd be there for her."
You don't say anything. You feel sick in your stomach.
"It was a relief when she turned out to be a metahuman too. She could always be by my side and I could keep my promise. But, now that we're in NuGen she's . . . she's getting better. She doesn't freak out if I'm not around, she's making friends, she's happy. I think she finally feels safe."
Yazmin turns to you with burning eyes, and you know you'll agree to whatever she asks next of you.
"So, please. I'll take care of it. Just let it go, and don't make Harper leave. I'll bear the responsibility. Please?"
You consider her words for a long movement and then let out a long breath.
". . . so you've just let this dark secret in her past go unexamined then? And you want me to do the same."
"Yes," she says, guilelessly, "She'll come to us when she's ready. Have faith. So . . .?"
You close your eyes. You can't believe you're going to say this, but, ". . . very well. But this mark comes off, now."
"Of course. And, um, please let me tell Nora what I told you? She's going to be pissed I kept this from her, but it will be better coming from me."
"Just get the mark off, Uiara!"
"Yes, yes, of course!"
The mark did come off. And Yazmin did talk with Harper who, though never exactly apologized, was careful to not offend you. Her behavior did get better, less erratic, and you honestly . . . felt bad for her.
You understood the pain one's parent's could cause.
But now, you know that it wasn't really her parents at all, was it? They were likely clones, made by her sister. Had Socialite Butterfly created them and ordered them to treat Harper that way? Why? If so, it was easy to understand why Harper acted the way she did—how could she be certain the person she was talking to wouldn't be replaced by a copy who hated her?
You try to tell your younger self this—you try to take control of the dream—but there is a burning light behind your eyes growing brighter. You feel like your vision is simultaneously blurring and growing sharper. You squeeze your eyes shut, open them—
—and wake up.
You sit up in your bed, the blankets pooling around your nude form. It has been some time since you've had a dream that vivid about the past. You supposed it's because of what you have planned today:
Meeting Yazmin's little sister. And possibly fighting Harper's older sister.
* * *
Your morning routine gives you ample time to organize your thoughts. As you quickly show and take care of hygiene, you think about the task in front of you.
Yazmin's final wish was that you protect her sister. Her sister, who now owned a tenth of the largest megacorporation in the world. Her sister, who's shares were the last piece her father needed to take control of said megacorporation. And her sister, who's father is one of the major backers of Crusade. Crusade, who's veneer of "impartial heroism" grows thinner by the day.
Honestly, you would probably have a vested interest in her safety even if she wasn't related to one of your departed friends. As is, however, you have little idea what to expect.
You know next to nothing about her. Yazmin spoke about her all of three times while you knew her, one of which was her posthumous video. You don't even know what the relationship between the two of them was like.
Clearly the woman who was Uiara cared enough about her sister to name herself after her, to hire metahumans to protect her, and to beg you to watch after her. But then, why did she never bring her to the Apiary? Even for a visit? Did she at least send birthday presents? Christmas cards? You simply don't know.
You do know from Gabriel that she appeared to have a sweet, meek disposition and wanted to know more about her sister. You suppose you'll have to work with that. At least she agreed to the meeting readily enough.
You grumpily stare at yourself in the mirror and are pleasantly surprised by what you see. You're recovered from your injuries after the Movement splendidly. You've regained your old form—no, you're in better shape than you've ever been before. You flex your hand and lightning crackles across your knuckles.
You smile. Frequent use of your powers has always agreed with you.
You get dressed and review what you've done so far to prepare for this meeting. The first order of business was to ensure no one knew you were coming. Should Jair learn you were meeting with his daughter, he no doubt would put two and two together and realize that his opportunity is slipping through his fingers. Crusade would almost certainly invent another casus belli and find an excuse to oppose you.
So, they couldn't know you were coming.
DC 15 - 3 (You are Lady Leizi) = DC 12.
Stat Check: ESPIONAGE 35. Justice Unlimited has a collective ESPIONAGE 40.
You rolled: 10.
10 + 2 = 12. Success!
You considered having Ronin feed them bad information, but you risked blowing her cover by playing that particular card too often. Instead, you tapped the newest member of your staff: Chihiro.
She booked Justice Unlimited for eight different speaking engagements, all scheduled to happen at the same time in different parts of Horizon. She then called each engagement and excoriated them for booking Justice Unlimited at a time where you were already engaged to speak elsewhere. She then hired a number of sockpuppet accounts to report seeing various members of your team on patrol in different parts of the city.
The end result was that someone trying to track your movement would have too many leads to try to follow. You were hiding in the noise, as it were. You can't help but be impressed; the plan was professional, elegant, and worthy of Justice Unlimited. Hiring Chihiro has already paid dividends.
The fact that OCN has been inundated with angry letters from viewers for "insulting and pushing out their blazing star"—including a series of very angry, very public voicemails from Warpstar of all people—is merely a bonus.
However, Jair was not your only concern. Or even your primary concern.
Belle Sabreuse told Wolong that a number of people had tried to abduct Yara, on multiple occasions. Including some low-level metahumans. The would-be abductors were simple, unable to easily improvise, and seemingly unemotive. Additionally, Belle Sabreuse seemed certain she had killed one man, only for him to reappear, unharmed, during the next attempt. It was as if he were a disposable product, replaced as soon as he broke.
As if he were a clone.
You can't help the shiver that runs down your spine. You haven't felt a sense of foreboding this strong since you willingly walked into an ambush by Scarlet Maturity.
A power copier. Socialite Butterfly is a power copier. She could create clones of other people, including metahumans and their powers.
And she has been active, undetected, for years.
Harper was . . . thirty-two when she died? Just about. Her sister was twelve years older than her. Assuming her powers first developed around eighteen, that was twenty-six years she was active. God knows whose powers she had access too and what kind of connections she had. And, as vile and spiteful though she may be, she was smart to remain incognito this whole time.
Yes, Socialite Butterfly is who scares you. Which was why it was vital you find some inkling of her movements and conceal your own from her.
DC 15.
Stat Check: ESPIONAGE 55. Justice Unlimited has a collective ESPIONAGE 40.
You rolled: 3.
3 - 7 = -4. Critical Failure!
But unfortunately she appeared to be a ghost. You could find no trace of her existence, no hint of her agents, not even the smallest lead. If it weren't for Belle Sabreuse describing the exact kind of agent that Harper said her sister created, you might be tempted to conclude that your teammate was simply insane and she had no evil power-copying, older sister.
How simple that would be.
No, you would simply have to assume that Socialite Butterfly existed and would be behind any further attacks on Yara.
Which is why everyone was coming to lunch. Everyone.
* * *
Horizon, City of Leviathan's Rest–Somewhere in the Foot– January 26, 2068
As you travel to the arranged rendezvous point in the Foot, you realize that Justice Unlimited is back to the size it was before the Movement: seven metahumans. That is not even counting Dr. Ibis or Mendicant, who were affiliates and non-combatants.
It's a strange feeling. You, Black Swan, Menagerie Witch, Handyman, Châtelet, Doctor Silver, and Valiant Gold were a formidable force and was a match for the old roster of Valiant Silver, Uiara, yourself, The Red Huntress, Adamant, Moon River, and Radiant Silvergirl.
True, you lacked a true Algernon-type like Nora—Dr. Ibis notwithstanding—but pound-for-pound your current roster was mightier than the original line up. Only Radiant Silvergirl or Nora in her EXCEED armor could hope to match Black Swan and Valiant Gold, and that was without factoring in the defensive capabilities of Châtelet and Doctor Silver, the infinite flexibility of Handyman, and Menagerie Witch's hoards.
. . . the only constant was that you were the weak link on both incarnations. You really must take John Henry up on his offer to build you a weapon.
You arrive at the spot, a few miles from Yara's current residence, and find an old man reading a newspaper waiting for you. His skin is the color of dried coffee, but he gives you a crooked grin and whistles the tune you and Handyman agreed upon earlier that day.
You sit down next to him.
"Hehe, didn't think I'd be the first to arrive," Handyman says, his voice withered, "Usually you're punctual to a fault Double L."
"I had to spend some time picking out my outfit," you say dryly.
And you did, actually. You're not wearing your usual costume. Instead, you're in a black pencil skirt and sleeveless, white blouse.
Seven metahumans all traveling together in costume would be much too noticeable. Instead, you're all traveling in smaller groups in casual outfits, save Handyman who can change his appearance at will.
The two of you wait, and, after just a few minutes, a sedan pulls up to the curb, driven by a white-knuckled Châtelet.
She gets out of the car green faced, mumbling. "I hate driving, I hate driving, I hate driving, I especially hate driving with John Henry in the car."
"You needed to go slow; I told you!" he shouts from the passenger seat. A large crockpot sits in his lap and two more pots sit at his feet. "Sandra made jerk chicken, oxtail, and curry goat! She will skin me alive if it all spills before we eat it!"
"It wasn't going to spill, you were holding it!"
"You don't know that! You can't be cautious enough—where is the rice and peas and the callaloo?!"
"Right here, Doctor R!" Black Swan calls from the back seat, "Maddie's got them. And I've got my mom's lasagna!"
You can't help but laugh at John Henry's worry. Since you weren't sure how to approach this lunch, you decided to treat it as, well, a lunch. And, since you didn't want to leave a trail of restaurant orders for anyone to follow, your only solution was to provide the food yourself. Something Sandra treated as a personal challenge.
Black Swan begins to float out the car before an overburdened Menagerie Witch grabs her shirt and pulls her down. Two massive containers of hot food sit in her lap.
"Mona, ix-nay the owers-pay!" the summoner hisses while Barkavious woofs in agreement. Mittens meows irritably from a pet carrier, and Nevermore caws from the top of the car. You can't see the rest of her pets, but you know Apep and Shelob are somewhere.
"Sorry! I keep forgetting! How did I ever walk everywhere?! It's—holy poop.
Black Swan's jaw drops as there's a loud whine as Valiant Gold pulls up on a borrowed motorcycle. She pulls her helmet off, and her wavy hair bounces free. She kicks the kickstand and gets up, stretching her arms as far as they'll go in her black leather jacket.
"Wow. Wow. Wow. Ohmigosh. Ohmigosh."
"Guys, we broke Mona," Menagerie Witch calls, "Cool jacket, Ellie!"
"Ohimgosh,I'm so totally bi."
"Thank you . . ." Valiant Gold says, blinking, "But you're the one who gave it to me to wear?"
"And I was totally right to do so. See I told you! You're a natural for the rocker-chick look. Right, Mona?"
"I can't breathe."
"Wow, sweet hog, Ellie!" Handyman calls in his regular voice, "Where'd you get it?"
"It's Uncle Gabriel's . . . he's ridden it maybe once? There's less than a hundred miles on the odometer. And it's a motorcycle, not a pig?"
"'Hog' means 'motorcycle', VG," Handyman says.
"I see. I have much to learn," she says with a gleam in her eye.
She reaches into the cycle's storage bag and pulls out a large box of food. "Egg rolls. My mom and I used to make them. We're close enough to the Spring Festival that it felt appropriate."
"It seems we were of a mind," you say, pulling out your own soup dumplings, "Though, mine are purchased. I'm not much of a cook."
". . . this is going to be the weirdest potluck, "Châtelet sighs. She has a large bowl of salad with her, "Wait, Rhys, what did you bring?"
"The most important thing!" he says with a grin. He reaches down and slaps a large cooler next to him.
"I bought the drinks!"
* * *
Yara's current home was a modest house on a hill, surrounded by foliage and overlooking the Foot proper. Given what you know about property values in the area, it was probably worth more money than what you've invested into Project Prometheus to date. The trek is a pleasant walk uphill, and you find a suitably secluded area for everyone to change.
Doctor Silver erects opaque barriers for everyone to change behind, but Handyman merely transforms into his base state and Valiant Gold dons the EXCEED-BEYOND in an instant. While you help Châtelet with the straps of her armor, they go to scout ahead.
DC 12.
Stat Check: OPERATIONS 10. Valiant Gold and Handyman have a combined OPERATIONS 12.
?????? uses ?????????? ????????????
AUTO-FAIL
By the time everyone else is in costume, the two of them return.
"All clear," Handyman says, "Looks like all this sneaking around paid off."
"Excellent," you say, adjusting your coat on your shoulders. Then, you frown, "Valiant Gold, what's wrong?"
Said heroine is still staring into trees. ". . . sorry. Handyman's right, there's nothing ahead. It's just . . ."
"Yes? What is it?" you ask.
". . . instinct. Something is tingling at the back of my skull, but I don't know what."
"Well, that's fucking ominous," Menageire Witch growls," I'll get a few clones ready."
"Not yet!" Châtelet yelps, "We're coming as guests! Don't do anything that might freak them out or make them think we're a threat."
"Châtelet is right," you agree, "But keep your menagerie close."
It is a tense group that walks the remaining distance to the hill, save for Doctor Silver who is still fussing over his wife's food. However, just as you arrive, his head snaps up.
"Someone's behind that tree. And there are trip wires all around the house. Some are connected to . . . is that C-4?!"
"Impressive," a quiet voice calls from behind the tree. A woman in a costume and wielding a sword walks out, "But how exactly do you know all that, I wonder?"
"Ah, you must be Belle Sabreuse. You're just as Wolong described you," you saw walking forward. But, just as you're nearly in arms reach, Belle Sabreuse moves. She draws her sword and, in a flash, has it pointing directly at your neck. You remain perfectly still as you feel the point touch the hollow of your throat.
"What is your name?" she demands.
"Fuckin' really, lady? A sword?" an irate Handyman demands, "Black Swan can level buildings!"
Barkavious lets out a low growl. You answer her question. "Lady Leizi. I believe I was expected."
"Yes," she says, "The leftover scraps of Justice Unlimited. The criminal. I told my charge it was better to avoid a creature like you, no matter your fortunate connection to her sister. Coal and diamonds are both made of carbon, but only one gets you filthy."
"Hey!" Black Swan shouts, while everyone else flinches. You remain calm.
"It's going to take more than that to upset me, darling. I've been unfavorably compared to Yazmin since I became a hero. It used to make her feel so terrible that she would buy me lunch. And I have very expensive tastes when I'm insulted."
You give her a haughty smirk. As you do, she relaxes, sheathes her blade, and gives a quick bow.
"Lady Leizi," she says, "My apologies for my words just now. But, we've had all manner of uninvited guests recently. Provoking an emotional reaction is the only way to be sure that you're not one of . . . them."
"Think nothing of it," you say, putting your hand on her shoulder, "I've heard all about your recent pest problem."
She gives you a small smile. "Then you can't imagine how happy I am that you're here. But first, forgive my manners. There's no need to stand out here with all this wonder . . . is that food?!"
For a second, her cool demeanor slips and you see her eyes sparkle. She wets her lips before catching herself.
"Yes, well. We must get these inside immediately."
You hide a smile as she quickly herds everyone towards the two-story, three bedroom home. It has a lovely little patio out front and a carefully-tended garden. You all climb onto the deck just as the door is swung open by an eager girl. You would put her around Black Swan and Valiant Gold's age.
Yara Oliveira is immediately recognizable as Yazmin's sibling. It's in their shared complexion, their wavy hair, the shape of their nose.
But she's also as different as can be. Yazmin was an Amazonian woman, standing at six feet tall with broad, muscular shoulders and arms from her days as an Olympic swimming hopeful. Yara, is slightly shorter than you—around Black Swan's height—and has the soft hands of someone unused to physical activity. While Yazmin stood proud and had a burning fire in her eyes, Yara is unassuming with a soothing, gentle smile.
But, most of all, while Yazmin was constantly looking at you with a challenge—a demand that you, and everyone else, be better—Yara gazes at you with something of undisguised awe. It's strange seeing it come from a face that looks so much like your old teammate's.
She sees the disgruntled expressions still on the faces of a few members of your team and freezes. Then, she huffs.
"Belle!" she shouts, "You insulted them, didn't you?"
"I had to," Belle Sabreuse says gently, "You know we have to check everyone."
"But it's Justice Unlimited!" she protests, "There's no way they're . . ."
She trails off and sighs.
"That's why we have to check them, isn't it? We'd never suspect until it's too late. Especially if we were expecting them."
"Exactly," Belle Sabreuse with another small smile. She whispers to you, "She's a quick study."
"That's wonderful and all," Menagerie Witch says, "But I can't feel my arms anymore. Is there any place we can put this food down or . . .?"
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Yara says, running to take the containers out of Menagerie Witch's arms, "Come right in! Umm, we have a dining table that should be enough? I think? We've never used it . . ."
Her voice trails off as she traipses inside, followed by your chattering team.
"Wow, look at this pad!"
". . . this is the kind of house Abs and I wanted."
"I've never been in a house before! Do you have one of those little car-houses too?!"
". . . garages, Black Swan. They're called garages."
"Don't bother, she isn't listening. She never is. Also, how come you're suddenly cool with the fumbler here?"
"Okay, Ms. Yara. Yara? Anyway, I have specific instructions on how to plate all this and I need to take a picture to prove I did it right this time . . ."
You linger outside watching your team with a fond smile. Belle Sabreuse stays with you.
"Thank you," she says softly, "I haven't seen her this lively in months."
You examine her out of the corner of your eye and say, carefully, "I understand you've had your share of difficulties."
Minor Success: DC 5. Moderate Success: DC 10. Major Success: DC 15.
Stat Check: ESPIONAGE 5. Lady Leizi has ESPIONAGE 8.
You rolled: 17.
17 + 1 = 18. Major Success!
Belle Sabreuse lets out a pained laugh. "That's putting it mildly, yes."
You raise your eyebrow at her.
"They say a trouble shared is a trouble halved. And I would like to know what I'm potentially walking my team into."
"You're here to offer her sanctuary then?" Belle Sabreuse says, eyes sharp.
"If she wishes it," you say, slowly, "I have no desire to force her to do anything."
Belle Sabreuse lets out another breath. ". . . I apologize again. As you've said, it's been a troubled time."
You patiently wait for her to continue. After a moment, she does.
"The attacks began a month or so after the Movement. I originally thought this would be a simple job. Who would possibly wish—and be able—to harm Jair Oliveira's remaining daughter? I assumed Uiara had hired us to prevent Yara's father from intimidating her."
"Us?" you say with a raised eyebrow.
"There were originally three of us. Myself, the Shadow Slayer, and Danger Russ. Both of my cohorts feld after the first attack."
"Wonderful," you growl, "I suppose the number of metahumans willing to accept a contingent assignment that might never come to fruition was few indeed. Still, one would wish for some professionalism from those willing to take Yazmin's coin."
Belle Sabreuse sighs, "Mercenaries have no loyalty but to their wallets. And since Uiara paid in advance . . ."
She shrugs.
"Not that I blame them. Twenty armed men with tactical armor and automatic weapons can steal the courage from anyone."
"Twenty?" you say, surprised, "How in the world did you survive that?"
"My power makes me particularly resistant to bullets," she explains. You see her worry at her lip and then sigh, "I suppose I'll elaborate. I can change the density of whatever I touch. At a thought, my clothing becomes more resistant to harm than the strongest body armor. And my sword—"
She taps her blade.
"Cuts with the weight of a singularity. Still, if those men had a modicum of sense in their minds, I wouldn't have survived."
"They were . . . ?"
"Simple. Rigid. Like they were acting out a play and couldn't improvise when I refused to match their lines. They weren't expecting any metahumans, and the presence of three seemed to confuse them so badly they hardly resisted as I cut them down. I thought that would be the end of it . . ."
"But they came back," you finish.
"Yes. They did. Over and over. At first it was the same story—intimidating numbers and equipment, but lackluster tactics. Then, they started to get smarter. They brought teargas and peppery spray to get around my defenses. But each time I adjusted to counter them, they fell apart. So long as I could stay a step ahead, they would eventually fall."
She clenches the hilt of her sword, her grip knuckle-white.
"Then, one day, I saw one's face as I defeated him. The very next day, he returned, totally uninjured. Despite the fact I . . . despite the fact I separated his head from his shoulders. It was then I realized they would never stop coming."
She fiddles with the brim of her hat, pulling it low over her eyes.
"Yara and I have been on the move constantly since then. No more than two nights in the same location. It's been . . . taxing. It's no way to live. But that girl never complains. Never cries. She is more concerned if I am okay."
"Are you?" you ask.
She closes her eyes shut. ". . . I haven't been okay since well before I met Yara. If anything, she has given me strength."
"Is that why you've stayed?"
"I've been retained to protect her," she says, evasively, "It is my duty to stay."
"And yet, the other two paid to do the same have fled. But you remain," you saw, eyes sharp, "You either have an ironclad sense of responsibility, or there is some other reason."
She gives another quiet laugh. "I see your reputation was not exaggerated. Very well, Lady Leizi. You are correct."
She looks up, into the distance. "Yara reminds me of myself. I once was alone, betrayed by someone who was like blood, my true family taken from me. No one came for that little girl begging for salvation."
She looks up, and you follow her gaze. It takes a second for it to click, but then it hits you: she's looking at Ladder. This close, it looks so large that your mind almost couldn't recognize it as it fades into the sky.
"For her, I wanted to be the person whom I had wished had come for me."
That's . . . an excellent reason. One that implies a degree of heartbreak into which a polite person normally wouldn't inquire further. You feel the urge to leave it alone yourself, but . . .
Belle Sabreuse is an enigma. As soon as Gabriel gave you her name, you devoted not-inconsiderable resources to learn everything about her that you could.
And you learned almost nothing.
She appeared on the metahuman scene around a year ago, taking work off Hero for Hire. Her record was sterling, with all of her former clients speaking very highly of her. She was not involved in any of the more unsavory work one could find on that mercenary application, despite it paying better. She appeared to be a model here.
She just had no past. You could find no records of her existing before a year ago, anywhere. She maintained no permanent address, preferring to move from temporary lodging to temporary lodging, and she spoke very little about herself.
It was extraordinarily unusual to say the least. Even the most private of metahumans had some history. Your working theory had been that she was a refugee from the mainland, but, now, seeing how she looked at the Ladder . . .
"What was the Elysium Station like?" you ask matter-of-factly.
She leaps back like she's seen a ghost, her face suddenly pale. You gaze at her impassively, not wishing to push the issue if she was unwilling to share.
That, oddly enough, seems to be what gets her to answer you.
". . . I never saw the Station until right before I came to Horizon," she admits "I am what the Station-residents call 'rung-trash'; an orphaned child living in the empty spaces in the middle part of the Ladder. We're little more than workers to perform dangerous labor to them."
"We?" you ask, not missing that slip.
She looks away. ". . . I was an orphan, true, but I did have family. A band of other children with whom I lived with for as long as I can remember. We all dreamed of one day living in Elysium-proper.."
She closes her eyes in agony.
"They're all gone now."
Her pain is so real and evident that you place a hand on her shoulder. She wipes at her eyes through her mask and then collects herself.
"I'm sorry," you say softly, "I understand something of loss."
"I've heard," Belle Sabreuse says, "Yara has spoken of little else for days now. It's done her good, to have something to look forward to."
"Yes, about that," you say, reaching into your coat. You pull out a shield generator and one of Mendicant's symbiotes stored in a vial. You press them into Belle Sabreuse's hands.
"What are these?" she says warily.
"In case of emergency," you say, "The metal disk will block one blow for you or Yara. The vial contains a symbiote. Only use it if the alternative is death."
She gives you a concerned look. "Are you expecting something?"
". . . maybe," you admit, "But I've also been called over-cautious in the past."
There's a tense second while Belle Sabreuse considers what you've given her, before she nods and tucks them away.
"Yes, well, shall we join everyone for lunch?" she says, changing the subject, "My stomach will not forgive me if I miss my first opportunity in months to eat food that hasn't come out of a package."
"Of course," you say. You follow her inside.
Yara's home is tastefully decorated, if a tad sterile. You can see how this is only a temporary abode, given the pristine furniture and lack of personal touches. It feels like a house you might see in an advertisement rather than somewhere where someone lives.
But any port in a storm, you suppose. And the available space is sinfully luxurious, with light pouring in from the large windows. Belle Sabreuse leads you to a small dining room where you are greeted by positively heavenly smells.
Someone has pushed the dining table against the wall, where your team's offerings have been arranged buffet-style. Doctor Silver fusses over the location of the plates while everyone else is crowded together on the other side of the room. Yara stands between Handyman and Châtelet, her eyes nearly bulging out of her head at the sight of all the food.
"Doc, come on!" Handyman whines, "We're starvin' here!"
"One second, one second! I have to take a picture to prove I did it right! This is my chance to redeem myself for our last barbeque!"
"Does everyone who gets married get this whipped?" Menagerie Witch mutters.
"If they're lucky . . ." Châtelet sighs.
Doctor Silver fiddles with his screen and snaps several pictures. "Okay, okay, I think I got it!"
"Doctor Silver . . ." you start, "You realize you can never show anyone those pictures, lest you risk leaking Yara's safehouse, yes?"
"B-but, my redemption!"
"Is not coming today," Menagerie Witch says, grabbing a plate, "Now, eat."
That's all it takes for everyone to line up and begin ladening their plates with food. You don't miss how Yara and Belle Sabreuse take a little of everything and stack their plates high.
There's no table anymore, so everyone grabs a seat where they can find one and digs in. You have a moment where you worry the food will be lacking—that would be rather embarrassing after all the build up . . .
Minor Success: DC 5. Moderate Success: DC 10. Major Success: DC 15.
Stat Check: REPUTATION 32 . Justice Unlimited has a collective REPUTATION 43.
You rolled: 9.
The Audience has granted you +1 on this roll.
9 + 5 + 1 = 15. Major Success!
Sandra and Marisa are really good cooks.
. . . but thankfully, the food proves superlative.
"Holy shit, Doc, if I wasn't gay and she wasn't already taken, I'd marry your wife just to eat like this everyday," Handyman says between bites, "This oxtail?! The meat is falling off the bone!"
"I like these dumplings, but they squirt every time I bite into them!" Black Swan complains.
"Black Swan, you're supposed to nibble a piece off and then drink the soup out of it," Châtelet says, watching her eating habits in horror.
"Now you tell me!"
Meanwhile, Valiant Gold and Menagerie Witch mechanically demolish the food in front of them.
"Uhh, Menagerie Witch, VG?" Doctor Silver says, eyes wide, "You gotta remember to chew."
"Can't help it, the food tastes too good," Valiant Gold says intently, "You can take having food made for you for granted. I've been cooking my own meals since I was twelve. You treasure your wife."
"Need food. Need to grow," Menagerie Witch growls, "Tired of being asked if I want a kid's menu at restaurants."
"But Menagerie Witch, you love chicken tendies!"
"Shut up, Black Swan!"
Yara watches the byplay between your team with wide eyes. She tries to swallow a truly prodigious bite of food, before gagging and coughing.
You offer her a glass of water, which she drinks gratefully.
"How's the food, darling?" you ask.
"It's amazing," she says with a smile, "Thank you. I can't imagine a better meal. Everything is so good, especially the egg rolls!"
"Really?" Black Swan says, wrinkling her nose. There's a barely nibbled-on egg roll on her plate. "The egg rolls are the only thing I don't like! They're soggy and weird-tasting."
". . . I made those," Valiant Gold mutters. At which, Black Swan sits up, shoves the whole thing in her mouth, and starts to choke.
"Black Swan, you don't actually need to breathe!" Châtelet shouts. Then she murmurs, "No one likes the salad."
"I do," Belle Sabruse says, eating daintily, "Regular access to fresh produce is something I have learned to not take for granted."
Belle Sabreuse and Châtelet begin chatting amicably, while everyone else watches Black Swan make a spectacle of herself. You notice Yara's plate is now empty, and you see her eye the remaining food on the buffet table and bite her lip.
"By all means," you say, "Get another helping."
"Oh n-no, I don't want to be gluttonous—"
"No higher compliment for a chef!" Doctor Silver calls.
Yara bites her lip again before slowly approaching the table. "Well . . . if you insist . . ."
She scurries to the table to begin layering food high on her plate.
"Ha! Now there's a girl with a healthy appetite!" Doctor Silver laughs, "Ever had Caribbean food before?"
"No, but I've been missing out!" Yara says, sitting back down with a truly impressive amount of food, "What meat is this?"
"That's goat! You see, curry goat is . . ."
Doctor Silver brags about his wife's cooking as chatter breaks out among your team, the worst of their hunger blunted.
Minor Success: DC 5. Moderate Success: DC 10. Major Success: DC 15.
Stat Check: REPUTATION 35. Justice Unlimited has a collective REPUTATION 43.
You rolled: 6.
The Audience has granted you +2 on this roll.
6 + 4 + 3 (Treating a Lunch like Lunch) + 2 = 15. Major Success!
Sometimes it's the slow moments that show someone that they can trust you.
"So Valiant Gold," Menagerie Witch says, apropos of nothing, "Would you rather fight a horse-sized duck, or twenty duck-size horses?"
Valiant Gold frowns. "With or without my armor?"
"You can wear it, but none of the modules work."
". . . so it's just slowing me down."
Across the room, Black Swan talks to Châtelet while Belle Sabreuse observes their byplay.
". . . paid way too much, but I finally got Umibōzu's figure. Now I just need Millions Minefield and I'll have all of Denial. But they're soooooo rare."
"Huh," Châtelet says, stopping a fork full of salad midway to her lips, "They finally made Russel an action figure, huh? I remember he got so mad when production was delayed."
"Wait!" Black Swan says, jerking up, "You knew him?!"
"Well . . . yeah. I've been an active hero for a little over a decade now? I used to run into Denial a lot. They were pretty easy to talk to, when Gwen wasn't screaming at them."
". . . ohimgosh, you've been an active hero for over a decade! What was Millions Minefield like?! Why did he dress like a riverboat gambler?! Were Umibōzu and Nephthys really a thing?! Tell meeeeeeeeeeee!"
"I mean, they weren't a thing without Hydrocity? The three of them were sort of a poly-package deal . . ."
Next to you, Doctor Silver has finished extolling the virtues of island food, and is arguing with Handyman about sports. Yara watches the back and forth like a dutiful child observing her uncles at a family gathering.
"Look, I'm not saying the Metas won't make some noise, but who's better than the Knicks right now?" Handyman demands.
"The Knicks don't have size in the front court! They're going to get killed on the glass, Handyman."
"Dale Dauterive is the best rebounding shooting guard in the league and—"
"I'm sorry. My team can be a tad overwhelming," you whisper to Yara, "It's been a stressful time, and I'm afraid they tend to seize any opportunity to cut loose with both hands."
"No, no!" Yara protests through a mouthful of curry goat. She quickly swallows. "This is wonderful. I've never been to a dinner where everyone likes each other before."
She winces.
"That's . . . pretty sad, isn't it?"
"A little bit," you reluctantly agree.
"Well . . . if it's always like this, I'm envious," she says, "Do you always eat together?"
"Not usually," you say, "But any kind of full-team gathering we have inevitably turns into something like this. Now that you mention it, perhaps a few snacks during meetings wouldn't go amiss . . ."
Handyman and Doctor Silver grow more animated in their discussion.
"Jalen Brunson is top five, all time!"
"All time?!"
"All time! All time, Doc! Name five players better than him!"
"M.J."
"Well, duh."
"LeBron."
"Yeah, fine, whatever."
"Benteke. Rookie of the Year in 2048, MVP in '49, '50, and '51."
"I could argue that! But I'll give it to you, fine."
"Kobe—"
"Bullshit, 'Kobe was better'. Bruson has two MVPs, three Finals MVPs, and the same number of rings. And he didn't need Shaq to do it! The only thing Kobe has more of is missed shots and credible sexual assault allegations!"
"Okay, not Kobe. But Kareem—"
"Bullshit, Kareem—well, maybe . . ."
Meanwhile, Châtelet and Black Swan have drawn Belle Sabreuse into their gossip.
"So your name is 'Belle'?" Black Swan asks.
"Black Swan . . .," Châtelet says, "A 'belle sabreuse' is a formal name for a female fencer."
Black Swan gasps. "You do construction?!"
Belle Sabreuse laughs. "Well, once upon a time, I did. But no longer—"
Her anecdote is drowned out by the sound of Valiant Gold and Menagerie Witch.
". . . seriously underestimating the fragility of horses. One broken leg and the horse is finished. And with my armor, they lack a way to harm me, even if they do 'swarm'. The answer is clear."
Valiant Gold nods decisively.
"I'm with VG, ducks are one step removed from geese, and those things are evil," Handyman says, having overheard the conversation.
"Ditto," Doctor Silver agrees, "Though, think of all the meat you would get off the duck if you beat it. You could make roast duck, duck confit, cassoulet, duck ragu, Peking duck . . ."
"If you beat it."
"Dammit, Valiant Gold!" Menagerie Witch growls, "You ruined it by having a real answer!"
She crosses her arms and sulks for a second before a devilish smile spreads across her face. You feel a chill run down your spine.
"Hey, Black Swan," she says, "Unlock your screen and give it to me."
"Why?" Black Swan says, turning around.
"'Cuz, I want it."
"Well, okasies!" Black Swan shrugs, unlocks her screen, and gives it to Menagerie Witch.
You sense impending doom. Black Swan, you fool! You open your mouth to stop what's about to happen, but you're too slow to stop the verbal grenade Menagerie Witch lobs.
"Hey, Valiant Gold, did you know you've gotten really popular online? So popular that the shipping has started."
Valiant Gold blinks. "'Shipping?' Like merchandise? We don't have any of me, although Ms. Takanashi has—"
"No, 'shipping' as in people are writing stories about you fucking."
". . . what?"
"Yeah, check out Archive of Ọsanyin." Menagerie Witch switches Black Swan's screen to display mode and pulls up AO2. "The most popular tag in the last week has been Valiant Justice/Valiant Gold. They're calling it 'JustGold'."
". . .what?!"
Menagerie Witch starts scrolling through the fanfiction as everyone crowds around to see. Valiant Gold is still as a statue, while Black Swan is silently screaming into her hand.
"Oooh, check out this one from the author of 'My Dad is a Lawyer, My Mom is the Demon Lord, and I'm Not Sure Who's More Evil!'. It's called 'Eyes Like Arrows':
"Now, tell us what powers your armor."
The biting words are already on his tongue. He needs to say them. He's the leader. He doesn't have any other choice.
So he lets them loose, and hopes they can drown out the truth he wishes he could have said.
The same thing that's powering my heart. You.
"Holy. Shit," Handyman says, cackling, "Look at this schmaltzy crap!"
Châtelet pats the frozen Valiant Gold on the shoulder. "Hey, I know how uncomfortable this is. Just be glad they're not shipping you with your cousin and her husband. Or, even worse, your baby cousin."
"Why. Are. You. Reading this trash?!" Valiant Gold manages to hiss out, like steam boiling out of a kettle.
Menagerie Witch gives a shrug. "Hey, don't look at me. This is Black Swan's account. She has all this stuff bookmarked."
"It was for a mission! A mission!" Black Swan cries, flying into the holographic display and trying to hide it with her body, "I was gathering information on the public perception of Justice Unlimited!"
"How is thisa mission Black Swan?!"
"Wow, look at everything you have saved!" Yara says, taking control of the display from Menagerie Witch. You're thrown off for a second; you hadn't noticed her walk over. But now she's looking through Black Swan's bookmarks, a delighted expression on her face
"Almost all of these feature Valiant Gold!" she giggles to herself, "And a lot of them have her paired up with you! Hey . . are you two dating?"
"No."
"N-no way!" Black Swan sputters, "Fanfiction is the closest she'll ever get to dating me."
Everyone winces and Handyman sucks his breath. "Ouch."
"Aww, well I think you two are cute together!" Yara says, continuing to scroll, "Oh, what's this one? 'I Have Two Hands for a Reason'? Let's see . . . Valiant Justice/Valiant Gold/Black Swan . . . it's only ten words long? Huh?"
"Usually that means it's art or some medium other than writing, Yara," Belle Sabreuse calls.
Everyone turns to look at her, and she shrugs. "I need a way to pass time during the long nights on guard."
"Oh, well I'll open it then—"
"Yara, no!" Black Swan screeches,
"What is it? It's just—wow."
"Menagerie Witch, don't look!" Châtelet says, clapping her hands over Menagerie Witch's eyes.
"Leviathan's Blood, Bone, and Brain, what are the youth doing these days?" Doctor Silver says in horror.
"Wow," Handyman says, looking at the images, "Now that is some porno."
Black Swan is making choking sounds while Valiant Gold has gone still again.
"I don't know, I kind of like it," Yara chirps, scrolling through it, "Wow! Some of these are really creative!"
A silence falls and Yara's smile fades as she realizes everyone is looking at her. "Umm, w-what is it?"
"Dang," Handyman says, "You kinda freaky, ain't ya kid?"
Yara flushes and looks like she wants the floor to swallow her, her good mood evaporated.
Well, that won't do.
"So it's Black Swan, apparently," you sigh, "And I can't believe I have to revive this old team rule, but: No pornography at mealtimes!"
"Lady, Leizi, why?!"
"That's enough Black Swan," you say tartly. You look over your sunglasses at her. "And I look forward to hearing a full report of your 'mission' during our next general meeting."
"Noooooooooooooo!"
That gets a laugh out of everyone, even Yara, and the awkward moment passes. You go back to an excellent plate of jerk chicken, when you see Yara sit next to you.
"Thank you, Lady Leizi," she says softly.
"Think nothing of it, darling," you say, "But I don't believe Handyman meant any ill will. He was just swept up in the moment and was over-familiar."
"No, it's fine!" she says quickly, "Like I said, this is the most fun I've had in . . . well, forever."
"I'm glad," you say smiling. But there's still something in her expression, a hesitancy. She wants to say something to you.
You gesture with your hand. "Well, don't keep me on pins and needles. I can tell there's something on your mind. Please, speak freely."
Yara jumps before biting her lip again. She struggles for a moment before blurting out, "What was my sister like? Did she ever mention me?"
DC 8.
Stat Check: ESPIONAGE 2. Lady Leizi has ESPIONAGE 8.
You rolled: 6.
6 + 3 = 9. Success!
Yara's desires are written plainly on her face: she desperately wants the answer to be 'yes'. She wants to hear that her sister spoke of her often, even fondly, but . . . she strongly suspects Yazmin did not. You're her last hope—the last living person who really knew her sister. She's willing to treat whatever you say as gospel, especially after this wonderful lunch and especially if you tell her what she wants to hear.
You can almost feel Yara's future resting in the palms of your hands. It would be easy, so easy, to paint a picture of Yazmin that matches what Yara's always dreamed. You could tell her that Yazmin thought the world of her, desperately missed her, was only kept away by circumstance, and wanted Yara to follow in her footsteps. Yara would blindly, happily, follow you back to the Apiary, join Project Prometheus, and give you control of her shares.
And think of what you could do with ten percent of Ọsanyin Conglomerated Industries at your command. And all it would take is a little white lie that Yara wants to hear.
A little white lie. That's all it would take. A little white lie to condemn Yara to a lifetime of chasing a vision of her sister that never existed.
You could do that. Or you could tell her the truth. It would hurt her, but it would also set her free.
You can be more.
You know what Yazmin would do in this situation.
"No," you say, softly, "I'm sorry, but Yazmin never really talked about you. Or, if she did, she did not discuss you with me. She was reticent when it came to her past."
You put your plate down and sigh.
". . . we all were. Maybe that's why we worked as a team: we knew where not to push each other."
"O-oh." Yara looks stricken, but not surprised. She looks away to hide the tears in her eyes. The room is silent, and you can feel everyone watching you even as they pretend not to.
"Yazmin was a contradiction in many ways," you continue, politely allowing Yara to collect herself without commenting on it, "She was open with her opinions and as subtle as a brick to the face, but she was also closed off and withdrawn. I don't know if anyone—save maybe Nora or Harper—knew all of her."
Yara sniffles and dabs at her eyes with a handkerchief, but she's listening to you.
"She's very much thought of as the epitome of heroism: striking, bold, always ready to resist injustice. But in reality, she had a foul temper, she was terribly stubborn, and she tended to not think things through."
Yara's eyes go wide.
"She was also constantly clogging the shower drain back when we were all at the Bastion. There were two bathrooms for seven people, and they were segregated by gender. But our team had six girls and only one boy! I swear, sometimes I think I started sleeping with Rakeem just so I could have hot water in the morning and use a bathroom that wasn't littered with your sister's hair!"
A sea of confused faces look back at you. Only Belle Sabreuse gives you a small, approving smile.
"And do not get me started on the constant theatrics that was her and Nora's relationship. My word, they would 'break up' over the smallest spat and then be pawing at each other like animals within the day! Both of them acted like children; like they felt their emotions so much deeper than everyone else! And if you're amused by Black Swan's indiscretions, you would have loved inadvertently learning about their sexual escapades from what they left lying around on the kitchen table—"
Châtelet coughs into her hand. "Lady Leizi—"
"Oh, and self-righteousness! You couldn't so much as double-park without inviting some lecture about civic responsibility and 'setting the right example'. As if Yazmin was a paragon of courtesy! We all ate on that kitchen table!"
You don't remember leaping to your feet, but it feels very, very right. Yara wrinkles her nose. "Leviathan's Blood—"
"Leviathan's Blood is right!" you shout, "You sister was the most pig-headed, arrogant, sanctimonious person I have ever had the misfortune to be buried alive with for thirty-six hours! She used to drive me to drink! And I . . . I . . . I—!"
You suddenly can't speak around the lump in your throat. You sit back down, feeling exhausted all of the sudden.
". . . I miss her every day." Yara offers you her handkerchief, but you find you don't need it. You've shed so many tears over your teammates, that you find you don't have any left. Truly, the wound has begun to scab over.
You look over at Yara. Goodness, she truly is a kind girl. You see sympathy in her eyes, mixed with just a little splash of envy.
She clutches her hands together, squeezing them tight. Then, in a tighter voice, she says, "Why . . . why did she leave me alone? Why didn't . . . why didn't she send for me? I would have come. I would have lived in the Apiary. I wanted nothing more."
You close your eyes, and exhale. You barely know this girl, but you feel her heartbreak all too keenly.
"I don't know," you admit, "I'm sorry."
You think of the heroine Uiara and the woman Yazmin, and you try to reconcile the contradiction between the two of them in your mind. Uiara would never leave someone—let alone someone she loved—to stay in an abusive situation. Even if it was just emotionally abusive, as it appears to have been for Yara.
But Yazmin did.
You find you have the same question as Yara: Why?
Minor Success: DC 5. Moderate Success: DC 10. Major Success: DC 15.
Stat Check: OPERATIONS 12. Lady Leizi has OPERATIONS 5.
You rolled: 6.
The Audience has granted you +4 on this roll.
6 - 3 + 3 (You Spent Ten Years with Her) + 4. Moderate Success!
Think. You knew her better than you think you did.
You speak slowly, trying to reason it out loud.
"Yazmin never hesitated to put herself in harm's way. Even if Rakeem was more impervious than her. Even if Nora's shields could survive the hit. It always had to be her in the front. It used to drive us mad, but she insisted she could do no less."
She insisted that a lot, now that you think about it.
"She was, in most ways, our moral compass. Every time there was a choice and we were tempted to take the 'easier' path rather than the 'right' path, there was Yazmin refusing to let us compromise. It's why we took a stand with the Defiance Unit after all . . ."
A choice that led to the end of the heroine Apiary. At the time, you had partially blamed Yazmin for Rosemary's death. You weren't alone in that either; Nora had too and it had been the source of their first true break up. A thought that has never occurred to you before strikes: had Yazmin felt the same? Did she blame herself for what happened to Rosemary?
You keep speaking, mind awhirl.
"But as relentless as she was on all of us, she was even harsher on herself," you say, seeing your old friend in a new light, "She refused to allow herself any grace, every mistake had to be owned up to and apologized for . . . she tormented herself."
Yara looks confused. "Why? She was . . . Uiara!"
"Yes, but she was also Yazmin Oliveira," you say, "And I think . . . she thought badly of herself. Do you know what some of her final words to me were? 'Protect my sister', 'Keep Ọsanyin out of my father's hands', and 'I'm not a good person'. She genuinely believed that about herself."
You look at Yara and part of it snaps into place.
". . . I think it's because she was ashamed. Being 'Uiara' was her penance. Her penance for abandoning you."
That surely can't be all it was, can it? Perhaps not, but the words at least feel true when you say them. Yara looks down, her eyes wet again. When she speaks, her voice warbles.
"I thought . . . I thought Yazmin was just waiting for me to get powers. That, once if I turned out to be a metahuman, she could use that as an excuse to get me away from our father like she did. Her name . . . I thought it was a message."
"It was," you say softly, "At the very least, she wanted to let you know she hadn't forgotten you."
"Fat load of good that did me," she sniffles, "I still lived under our father's thumb. He decided what tutors I could have, what people I could associate with, what I wore. It was like he was determined to make sure his remaining daughter was loyal to him and nothing else."
"I know the feeling," you say sadly.
"You do . . . don't you?" Yara says, "But you got away. I just kept waiting, hoping for powers to come. But they never did. And they never will, will they? Just like my sister was never going to come for me."
Tears flowed freely down her face.
"I didn't want to be remembered. I wanted to matter. I wanted her to care enough about me to save me."
Her muffled cries echo in the room. Black Swan looks devastated, while Menagerie Witch looks uncomfortable. Valiant Gold is unreadable through her armor, while Handyman, Doctor Silver, and Châtelet look like they want to comfort the poor girl.
Belle Sabreuse meets your gaze. There's sadness there, but also understanding. She needed to hear this.
And you? You say the only thing you can in this situation.
"I recommend saving yourself, darling. Less waiting that way."
Yara wipes her eyes and looks at you. "W-what?"
"Save yourself. I think that's what your sister would have wanted from you. Not to try to be like her—someone she despised—but to be yourself."
"Be . . . myself?" Yara repeats, wondering.
"Yes. And, for what it's worth, you did matter to her. She made her last will and testament about protecting you, and she hired three metahumans—one reliable one—to protect you."
Yara gives Belle Sabreuse a look, who nods. "It is true. You know that's how I first came into your employ."
"Y-yeah, but—"
"Only you, Yara, can decide what your future looks like," you say, "But, if you need a safe place to rest while you make that decision, Justice Unlimited's doors will always be open to you."
"What do you mean?" she asks, hope in her eyes.
"Must I say it plainly? Come with us. You can reside in the Apiary until you decide otherwise. It's as safe a stronghold as exists in Horizon."
Minor Success: DC 5. Moderate Success: DC 10. Major Success: DC 15.
Stat Check: REPUTATION 5 . Lady Leizi has REPUTATION 6.
You rolled: 14.
14 + 0 + 3 (Her Sister Truly Cared About Her) + 3 (You Can be More) = 21. Major Success! Critical Success!
Yara looks around at your team, your wonderful team, and sees people, heroes, who honestly care.
"No pressure, kid. But the Apiary's gettn' real fancy now. We have a food court and a movie theater!"
"Hey, you like this food? You're welcome to come over every night and eat my wife's cooking. Just, uh, don't tell her that you're single. She thinks she's a matchmaker now . . ."
". . . the Apiary is the first place I was able to feel completely safe since I lost my fiancee. I hope you can feel that way there too."
"Waaaaaaaah! You should come with usssssssss! Wahahahahahah! This is all so sad!"
"I'll be real: it would be nice to have another girl around who isn't part-Batman or has rocks for brains."
"We'll keep you safe. I promise."
Yara looks at Belle Sabreuse, who gives a sheepish smile and rubs her ribs.
"It would be nice to be able to stay in one place, for a time. I don't know how much more of this we can both handle."
"Are you—?" Yara jumps to her feet and rushes over to Belle Sabreuse's side.
"I am alright, Yara. Just tired, I think."
"You'd be free to leave at any time," you reiterate, "I make this offer because I see a person in need, not because I seek anything in return."
Yara, standing by Belle Sabreuse's side, looks down, her face hidden by her hair. She thinks for a long time, before looking up with a shy, hopeful expression. She squeezes Belle Sabreuse's hand and speaks.
"I want to—"
Her words are cut off by the sound of three loud bangs coming from the front door, followed by the sound of a most unwelcome voice.
"Ms. Oliveira! Please, open up! I am Valiant Justice of Crusade. We have reason to believe you are in imminent danger!"
Handyman stretches his neck out a window and then quickly retracts it.
"Ah, fuck, Crusade's here. I hate those guys."
You all race to the front of the house, but as you get there the door is knocked off its hinges by a pimply-faced boy in brass-colored power armor. Stockpile, Joules, Été, and The Brass Shield rush into the living room, followed by Sunlight Knight, Seraph, and White Hawk.
Belle Sabreuse freezes, lets out of a sharp gasp, and pulls Yara behind her. You don't miss how she doesn't take her wild eyes off White Hawk, nor how her hand trembles as it grasps the hilt of her sword.
Été similarly locks in place, and looks at Châtelet with a mixture of shame and longing, while your second tries in vain to pretend she doesn't see her.
"Well, well, well!" Joules says dramatically, his arms outstretched. You can't help but notice he's in the process of growing his goatee out into a full beard. "Would ya look at this? The informant was right on the money! Justice Unlimited, caught red-handed."
"Hey, get this! I'm checking the guest-list to this function aaaaaand . . .," Handyman runs a finger down his other hand, which he has transformed into a clipboard, ". . . ya not on it!"
Stockpile doesn't rise to the mockery. He stares you down.
". . . I almost didn't believe it. I thought you meant the things you said at the interview. And yet, here you are, attempting to abduct the heiress to 11% of Ọsanyin."
"They're not trying to abduct me!" Yara says, looking between the two of you quickly, "We were having lunch."
"It's true," you say, "You missed the oxtail, darling. I do believe there's still some lasagna if you're hungry."
"Stop playing games," Stockpile growls, "We know what's going on."
DC 15.
Stat Check: OPERATIONS 30. Justice Unlimited has OPERATIONS 42.
?????? uses ?????????? ????????????
AUTO-FAIL
"Someone leaked us Justice Unlimited finances. Not all of them, but enough to see that you're flat broke with bills coming due. That same person tipped us off that you were meeting with Ms. Oliveira today."
Your finances?! Who? You don't even have a full accounting of all of your spending and income, despite Châtelet's heroic efforts. The only way anyone could is if they were carefully tracking all of your money coming in and tracing every purchase you made.
But that would be nearly impossible, and who would make the effort?
"It's very neat, isn't it?" Stockpile says, "11% of Ọsanyin could fund you indefinitely. You, and all of your projects."
"We have no such plans," you say, meeting his gaze, "Or is Crusade telling on itself again? You seem awfully fond of accusing others of what you have planned yourself."
He shakes his head. "You're not wriggling out of this one. If you had no ulterior motives, then why go through the effort of feeding us false information with your 'PR consultant'? And why have Perspective, Plasticity, and Ronin been waylaid on their way here by attacks from assailants with the same powers as Miss Naught and Gentleman James? Don't think we haven't noticed the emerging alliance between New Dawn and Justice Unlimited."
He surveys your team.
"And why is all of Justice Unlimited here in full-combat gear? Were you expecting some kind of fight today?"
Yes, you think, But not with you.
Stockpile reaches back and pulls off his helmet. His head is now shaven, his cheeks gaunt, but his eyes burn. He extends a hand to Yara.
"Ms. Oliveira, you cannot trust them. Please, come with us. I swear on the graves of my comrades, we will keep you safe."
"Yes, do come with us," White Hawk says, but not to Yara. He's looking at Belle Sabreuse. There's a peculiar gleam to his eyes, and his smile makes him look cherubic, almost boyish. "Beatrice, tell her to come along. You used to follow my lead so long ago, and you can do so again. It will be just like old times."
"No!" Belle Sabreuse shouts, fully trembling, "Never again. Yara, you cannot go with them. Especially him."
But even as she says that, you see her knees buckle. As if she wants nothing more than to walk over there and return to a bygone past. She's yet to take her eyes off White Hawk.
Yara gazes back into Stockpile's eyes, matching his gaze. She searches him for a long, long time, like a jeweler examining a gem for flaws. She picks him apart, seemingly without words.
DC 18.
Stat Check: REPUTATION 40. Justice Unlimited has REPUTATION 43.
You rolled: 8.
8 + 5 (Her Sworn-Sword Said No) + 5 (A Good Lunch with Good People) + 5 (Why Not Save Yourself?) = 23. Critical Success!
"I know how I'm feeling, thank you," she says, "I appreciate your concern. I even believe that you believe what you say. But, I'm capable of making my own decisions. I will be joining Lady Leizi at the Apiary."
"Please, reconsider—"
"She said 'no'," Valiant Gold says, stepping forward, "I know he doesn't understand what that means—"
She points to Joules who has been leering at Black Swan and Belle Sabreuse.
"—but surely you do? Besides, your word is worthless."
"My word is my bond!" Stockpile snarls, getting in Valiant Gold's face.
"Then what happened to indefinite suspension?!" she demands, pointing at Seraph. You can feel the barely-restrained violence wafting off her.
". . . this was an emergency," Stockpile admits.
"Wow. So 'your word is your bond' unless it's inconvenient," a pale Menagerie Witch says, "Fuck you, poser."
"I'm afraid it's not Valiant Red, White, and Blue's credibility that is at issue here," White Hawk says, his eyes still on the woman he called 'Beatrice', "Justice Unlimited cannot be trusted. We are not leaving here without both of them."
Sunlight Knight sighs, and a layer of flaming energy surrounds his armor.
"My, giving the game away, aren't you?" you say, "You can't bully everyone into doing what you want, so you're using force?"
"No!" Stockpile snarls, looking back, "That's not how we're doing things!"
"Then why don't we all try to calm down?" you say, seizing the opportunity to avoid a fight.
DC 12.
Stat Check: OPERATIONS 40. Justice Unlimited has OPERATIONS 42.
?????? uses ?????????? ????????????
AUTO-FAIL
It is at that precise moment that a million little things go wrong.
First is something you hadn't even considered: the placement of everyone in the room is exactly wrong to be conducive to keeping a cool head. Crusade and Justice Unlimited stand opposite of each other, but the furniture is such that Été is right next to Châtelet. The gravitational mistress is steadfastly ignoring her cousin, but it's taking away from her focus. Where she would normally be joining your call for peace, she's stone-faced.
Joules is right by Black Swan and Handyman, where his appreciative gaze is making your nineteen-year old blaster uncomfortable, and setting Handyman on edge.
Menagerie Witch is in the back and too short to see anything except Seraph who is floating slightly off the ground. While she pretends otherwise, her encounter with the telepath left her shaken.
The sheer number of people has Doctor Silver distracted for just a moment, long enough to miss movement at the far end of his range.
And White Hawk can see Belle Sabreuse unobstructed, a possessive look in his eyes.
Just then something jostles Joules into Handyman.
"Hey, watch it!" he shouts, pushing the former member of Global Justice back.
Just then, there's a telepathic scream in all of your ears, making you wince. A red aura springs to life around Valiant Gold as she snarls at Seraph.
"You!"
"It wasn't me! It wasn't me!" she protests telepathically, but that only incenses everyone further.
"Stay out of our heads, Shiloh!" Menagerie Witch screams.
The Brass Shield tries to maneuver around in his power armor, but a blue pane of light appears and he smashes his face into it as he turns around.
"Justish Unlimited is attac'ing!" he shouts through a broken nose.
"Aggression, from Justice Unlimited!" White Hawk declares.
"That wasn't one of mine!" Doctor Silver says, looking around wildly. His head snaps out toward the window. "Wait, who's that—"
A chain appears, connected to Yara's blouse and quickly retracts, trying to drag her through a nearby window. Belle Sabreuse just misses grabbing her and lets out a cry.
"Yara!"
But Doctor Silver is equal to the task. A force field appears around the chain, stationary in the air. Yara smashes into it, her blouse tears, but she falls to the ground, free. Belle Sabreuse is there in a second, covering her body with her own.
Yara takes one injury level! Superficial injury!
You nearly miss it, but you then see a beam of light come in through the window, pass over Black Swan's head, and curve to hit Stockpile.
It's there only for a split second, but you see a bullseye on his chest. Then, it's gone.
He goes flying back into The Brass Shield, and that is enough straw to break the camel's back.
"JU's making their move!" Joules cries, "Start swinging!"
A whip made of plasma coils around his wrist, and he snaps it at you.
Minor Success: DC 5. Moderate Success: DC 10. Major Success: DC 15.
Stat Check: HIT 45. Justice Unlimited has a collective HIT 49.
You rolled: 20.
20 + 3 (Reach Heaven Through Violence) = 23. Major Success! Natural Crit!
You parry the blow easily, your lightning deflecting his plasma, and sweep Joules' legs out from under him. But the damage is done. A fight is inevitable.
White Hawk zips into the air and flies at Yara, only for Handyman to catch him with an enlarged hand and redirect his momentum out the window. Handyman holds on and follows him outside, but White Hawk manages to break free. He tries to grab Handyman's head to crush it, but he cannot secure a grip on Handyman's amorphous form.
Sunlight Knight manifests a steed, but Châtelet hits him, Été, a rising Joules, and The Brass Shield all with a large barrier. A crackle of bronze light surrounds the Brass Shield, leaving him unmoved, but Sunlight Knight is pushed back and Été and Joules are sent flying. The three of them end up in the front yard.
Menagerie Witch is creating clones as fast as she can, and Black Swan and Doctor Silver are providing cover for Belle Sabreuse and Yara.
You turn to Valiant Gold, just as she makes her move.
DC 13.
Stat Check: OPERATIONS 8. Valiant Gold has OPERATIONS 9.
You rolled: 6.
6 + 0 = 6
Valiant Gold explodes forward, tackling Seraph and throwing her out of the house. But as she does, you see Stockpile's armor cracking with blue light. Valiant Gold's eyes go wide as she shouts.
"No! Doc, Mona, get away from him!"
Her warning is the only thing that prevents utter catastrophe. A blue light explodes out of Stockpile's body, and fills the room. You feel something tingle in the back of your skull, and your vision temporarily blurs. You see that everyone but Valiant Gold and Crusade is similarly affected.
But that's nothing compared to Doctor Silver and Black Swan.
Doctor Silver falls to one knee, clutching his head and gritting his teeth in agony.
Doctor Silver takes one injury level! Superficial injury!
Black Swan flew out of the house as fast as she could as soon as she heard Valiant Gold's warning, but she is still caught in the tail end of the light. The effect is profound. Her whole construct body flickers, revealing her core for a second, and she lets out a blood-curdling scream that chills you to the bone.
Black Swan takes one injury level! Superficial injury!
Black Swan takes one injury level! Severe injury!
Black Swan takes one injury level! Critical injury!
She somehow finds the strength to keep flying and get out of the house. Before you can even ask her for her status, Valiant Gold is upon Stockpile.
"I'm going to kill you," she says, cold as The Frozen Throne.
She grabs Stockpile by the shoulder and leg and throws him through the front wall of the house and into the yard with the rest of his team. But, before he hits the ground, his form blinks and he reappears on the ground, on his feet.
Valiant Gold races forward, surrounded by a blazing red aura, and swings a psychic blade from her wrist. Stockpile's forearm glows as he matches the strike, cutting through the energy with a blade as his own. They clash, push each other back, and stare each other down.
You are with her in an instant. "Valiant Gold, report!"
"It's his armor. He's powering it right now by draining our psychic fields," she says, voice tight, "The EXCEED-BEYOND makes me immune to it, and it will take some time for you to start feeling the effects, but Doctor Silver is hurt and it could have taken Mona out entirely."
She curses under her breath again, eyes never leaving Stockpile.
"I should have knocked him away. Seraph was the decoy. Stupid. Stupid."
"Focus. How do we stop him from using it again?"
"We can't. It's still active; it's a persistent field. We need to disable his armor now before everyone starts taking damage."
Valiant Justice is using his armor to siphon your team's psychic fields and enhance his own HIT. Unless disabled, after three HIT checks, everyone within 50 ft of him will take one injury level and Valiant Justice will power up. If in range, Doctor Silver will take two injury levels and Black Swan will take four. Injury levels from the PREVAIL armor will disregard shield generators and Doctor Silver's shields.
You take a quick stock of the battlefield. You, Valiant Gold, and Handyman are in the front yard with Valiant Justice, Été, and Joules. Black Swan is in the sky with Seraph, Sunlight Knight, and White Hawk. Yara, Belle Sabreuse, Menagerie Witch, Châtelet, and Doctor Silver are still in the house with The Brass Shield.
If Valiant Gold is right, you're on a timer. Stockpile thinks the worst of you, and White Hawk seemed to be looking for a fight. You don't think there will be any talking them down.
Someone provoked this fight. You suspect you know who. Socialite Butterfly lurks somewhere in the background, waiting for you and Crusade to pick each other apart.
What do you do?
Currently:
Yara has one injury level.
Doctor Silver has one injury level.
Black Swan has three injury levels.
Doctor Silver, Lady Leizi, and Menagerie Witch all have one shield generator.
Belle Sabreuse has one shield generator and one healing symbiote. Unless directed otherwise, she will give both to Yara.
Menagerie Witch has no active Chimeras.
Doctor Silver has 3 charges of his shields remaining. He has not applied the Hustle to anything.
What are your orders? Bonuses will be awarded for good plans.
If we were playing Stockpile this fight would look even worse for us.
Imagine:
Valiant Gold: You (Stockpile) need to engage and keep her at bay, otherwise she will instantly delete anyone squishier than himself and White Hawk from the battlefield (she might not... or will she?)
Black Swan: Top 5 superhumans on the planet. You have only one shot at taking her out - Seraph.
Lady Leizi: Not the biggest threat, but you aren't confident Joules and Ete can take her. She's squishy, but-
Chatelet and Doctor Silver: The other team has two supports. Even if you have more flyers, battlefield control isn't looking great. It'll be hard to even land a solid hit on the other team with so many shields.
Handyman: A shapeshifter who's strong enough to hold off White Hawk. If he backs up Leizi, Joules and Ete are done for. If he backs up VG, you're going to have a really hard time.
Menagerie Witch: A minion-master hiding in the backlines. You've heard she can create hundreds of shadow minions that can fly. She could just grab Yara and fly her away at any time. You need to take care of the frontliners quickly before she swarms you all.
Belle Sabreuse: You don't know much, but she's strong enough to have been protecting Yara all this time. Brass Shield might be able to take her, but he's already injured.
(Y) Plan: Why can't they see I'm right?
- Activate Psychic Siphon. You need to survive three turns against VG plus maybe Handyman or LL. If Ete or Joules roll bad, you might get 1v3ed quickly.
- Seraph tries to get another hit on BS. If she goes down, you're toast.
- WH and SK distract BS as long as she's in the fight. They also need to protect Seraph from MW's creatures, Chatelet or anyone else who tries to target her.
- Brass Shield (is screwed). Hopefully he can last long enough for WH and SK to help him. In the meantime, he tries to distract MW or DS.
