2.5
"Hi Mom. It's been a while." I said, looking to the inscription on her memorial. "So much has happened recently. I think I even met you briefly in some bullshit supernatural dream. So I'm dead too, but still kicking. Dad seems to be taking it well, but I think he's just unable to cope with the reality of it all and putting up a front. So many things are suddenly so funny to me now when I suspect they really aren't, like people screaming in pain. I have a bunch of memories that aren't even mine. I really wish I could erase a few. Like all those times Lee used a public bath house. Too much information."
I sat down on the ground, trying to feel comforted by her memory and presence. "I killed a man yesterday. He wasn't an evil man, but he did a lot of bad things he had no real desire to do. He was someone who had lost all will to live. He never even thought to complain as I killed him. He was relieved. Suffering for so long, but unable to choose to end his own life... he was a sad man. Pitiable. He lost everything, home, family, heritage even his reason. Then I took away his life, to keep my own fake one. Because that is all I am, a false person. A monster wearing the shape and memories of Taylor. Nothing more. I'm sorry I had to become like this. I wanted so badly to make you proud of me, to be a hero. Then I heard about you and Lustrum... pretty funny, huh? Well I'm not really sure what I am any more, vigilante probably. Independent villain? Possibly. I've signed up with Lung to keep Dad safe. And I will kill anyone that hurts him again, I swear it to you."
Watching the clouds above us move I kept going. "Tonight I'm going to hurt people again. I'm probably going to enjoy it. They'll be Nazis, so not really a great loss to humanity if they die. I beat up one of their capes the other day, Cricket. She was broken out of her cell while I was at school today. I haven't seen Emma for a long time, she doesn't come to school any more. I keep wondering if I should go and see her. Then I remember what a bitch she is."
"I applied to go to Arcadia next year and my application was going to be pushed to the front of the cue. I know the Dallon sisters go there, so I may be able to make some cape friends and unmask with them. They seem nice. Even if Panacea is a little standoffish." I looked back at the grave marker and the name. "I saved a girl caught by the Teeth, I wonder how she is doing. I should check on PHO and talk to Browbeat too. Things are just so hectic being a vampire. You would think it would be a long, slow and boring existence. Instead it's loud and violent, all the time. As long as I want to see daylight, it always will be."
I got up slowly. "Thanks for listening. I'll drop by again soon. Bye. Love you, Mom."
*****
The trip home was almost over and uneventful.
I spent my time just watching the normal people walking around with their daily lives, as I lurked outside their awareness. Nothing more than a normal girl to a casual gaze. How much do we never realize, even as we see it?
We live our lives purposely blind to reality. Because in truth it is maddening to see all things as they really are.
Ah... dammit Lee you're making me all depressed and introspective again. Go back to thinking up a haiku. You already did your death poem, think happy thoughts... don't make me call you a ninja otaku again.
Sigh. Taking personalities from people and adding to your own is really tiring. I guess you get used to just ignoring the bad and the weird parts of it all if you do it long enough. At least Lee isn't a particularly invasive personality, he likes to just take in the little things. I will say that all things considered, I gained a heck of a lot from him. His skills are quite advanced in swordplay and knife use and he has a lot of experience with explosives, especially grenades. Of course he had no issues with supply, as he could make a duplicate a million times without sacrificing the original. Apparently he learned everything his clones did in their scant seconds of life, so his skills hit a peak quickly. In the worst case scenarios, I can access his secret stashes of supplies. He has quite a varied arsenal hidden in places accessible only to a teleporter.
I just feel bad I keep looking at the net gains of murdering him to live... I know it was kill or be killed...
Okay, I know Lee. My Father's life was in the balance. Stop, please. Just stop trying to excuse me for killing you. Shout at me, hate me, just stop trying to make me feel better. Goddammit Lee, I said stop that!
This is so weird, having the memories of a man I killed trying to help me.
Was it like this with you, Alucard?
[No, Taylor Hebert it was not. Mine was a petty man who longed for wealth and cursed me. He was easy to forget, to drown out.] Alucard replied, shocking me.
"You used my name!" I shouted in the middle of the crowded bus. I blushed and got off at the next stop, heading to a quiet place to continue the discussion.
"Say it again!" I whispered into my phone, pretending to take a call.
[Your name? Taylor Hebert.] He replied.
"You always call me Feisty Girl!" I complained. "What changed?!"
[You became a true vampire. I released you from our bond. I am no longer your Master, I am only your peer.] He answered. [You are worthy of your name being remembered. For as long as I live, I will never forget Taylor Hebert and who she was.]
"You gave up control over me?" I was surprised.
[Yes, you are strong enough to fight it even if it remained.] This was news to me. I knew I had changed radically, I just didn't realize it was this much. I'd never even been able to resist his orders before. [But bear in mind, you are not even close to your enemy.]
Right, Scion. The name alone sent shivers down my spine. Seeing footage of him punching Behemoth across cities was fucking terrifying. To know he was planning to kill every person Earth Aleph and Bet alone was worse. What could I do? I couldn't even match Lung.
Sigh. I'm going to have to kill people again aren't I? Capes.
[Oh, anyone will do. It is what their death means to you that truly makes the act have value.] Alucard answered. [I long ago lost any real care for mortals, until recently anyway. Then a person just appears in my presence that makes me notice... having a reason to live is what makes us human. You still hold it tightly to your chest, afraid it will slip away. Your fear is correct. All life is fleeting.]
"You're talking about my Father, aren't you?" I asked.
[I mean all of this, life is not a constant of the Universe. It will die. One day, nothing will live ever again. It will be very boring.] This... this was his greatest fear wasn't it? To live past the death of all life and be alone forever? [Do you understand why I need your aid, now? I loath boredom.]
"That has to be a very circular logic. Killing to save life?" I asked. "If only three creatures remained but two were boring and the third wanted to kill them and end all of them, would you let it?"
[Of course not, I'd simply keep it alive and toy with it until it died. Leave the others to reproduce in peace as I play.] He said that almost proudly.
Only you would consider long term torture a social experience and recreational activity.
[I may have mentioned this earlier, but I have had millions of personalities blended into mine. I am quite insane by any standard.] He countered.
He's got me there.
"How is Kitty Kat, by the way? I haven't heard from her since she went in there with you." I asked, changing the subject before he could gloat.
[Changed. You will see. Bring her out with you tonight, give her a second taste of your blood. She is bound to you and will improve as you do.] He's being helpful again... it's either very good or very bad. Probably both.
[Have I ever steered you wrong?] He asked with a laugh.
"There was that time with Shadow Stalker..." I pointed out.
[It was to make a point, one you ignored and look where that got you.] He was gloating now. Dammit. He's right too. He called it way back then. Now I'm stuck with Lung.
[After so many centuries, do you honestly think I don't know how to understand human motivations? I have seen almost everything.] He added. [It is usually only the little things that surprise me now.]
I rolled my eyes at the smug bastard basking in the back of my head. One of these days I'm going to catch you on the back foot. Just you wait...
In the mean time, I guess it's time to bite the bullet and see Dad again. We didn't really talk this morning, I just got him breakfast in bed and called in to work for him to tell them he wasn't well. He wanted to go to work, after seeing the doctor but I put my foot down and forbade him. He needs to rest after that beating.
Standing at the gate is a young Japanese student I've seen at Winslow before. We are in different classes and he obviously runs with the ABB so we don't have contact. It is kind of awkward, as he's cute and waiting for me. I have an idea why he's here.
As I step close he waits for me, bowing his head slightly in an unconscious gesture of respect. Or fear, perhaps. He looks nervous, so he heard about the jiangshi? I suppose I'd be scared if the person I had to meet killed Oni Lee and Lung let them live. Thankfully the only way I can ever meet myself is in a mirror.
The stories always said vampires didn't have reflections, but it seems to be an embellishment. Like most legends I imagine. I mean, when Alucard told me Unicorns were real, he decided to break my spirit immediately after that by explaining they were just Rhinos and Giraffes. Boo! Spoil sport! Leave me my illusions at least!
Anyway, I had left the poor guy stewing in his terror for a moment or two longer than was usual. Enough that I could smell him sweating. Not that I wanted to smell him sweating, although it wasn't an unpleasant development, exactly. He was cute after all. And terrified. Forgot that part. His sweat smelled of terror.
"So, Lung sent you?" I asked smirking at my own luck. I mean how often do I have cute guys forced to approach me? Since he's so nervous, I'll have to make the first move.
"Y,y,yes... here." He held out a gym bag, zipped up. Taking it I found it was heavyish. I mean, since I ate Lee I've been a lot stronger in the daytime. Brute 1 at least. So it wasn't too heavy now, but is should be. Inside was cash. Wads of money in rolls of twenties. Close to thirty thousand. Sitting on top of the money was Dad's phone. But still... all that money...
"Lung... sends his app...p...pologies. He wishes to pay your Father's medical bills." He explained in a wavering voice.
"Ah. And who are you? I have seen you around before. I wonder... how much do you know?" I asked, tilting my head, admiring his eyes... as they seemed to verge on tears. So cute.
"Me? I... am no one. Please forget about me!" He blurted out.
"No one eh? Surely someone will miss you if you don't go home tonight, right?" I asked, curiously. What kind of family doesn't care about some one like you? Your self worth needs work.
And that is the point where it became awkward, as he wet himself. Oh, come on! Am I really that scary? Apparently so, as he ran for his life as I tried to drag him inside to help dry him off. I stared at the torn piece of shirt in my hand, before shrugging and throwing it in the bin. Too late to salvage that train-wreck of an introduction. Try not to think about how it looked from the outside.
I just hope Lung doesn't take that the wrong way. Of course he could have sent the kid as an entrée, too for all I know. He doesn't strike me as a person with a high regard for morals, just respect for power. I accepted his gift and my property back. There shouldn't be a problem. Let's hope.
Please don't take offence, please don't take offence...
I'll use the cash in costume, say it was captured valuables. Should be safe. Vigilante laws allow the confiscation of illicit cash. Well at least if I go shopping with Vicky for a new costume I won't be using a bank card with my name on it. New Wave is one thing, I like my anonymity. While it lasts.
Far too many people are in the loop already.
The big question is can I still stay friends with Vicky if I actively work with him? Probably not. Maybe if I explain my circumstances? No, that won't work. Um... I'm being blackmailed? No, she'll fly in and try to beat him up.
Okay, lie through my teeth part two, the befriending. I mean friends lie to each other all the time, don't they? Oh wait, that's just Emma. My mistake.
Just avoid the issue unless it comes up in conversation. I'll try to act away from the ABB's forces when I can. Possibly in a different costume? Hmm. This could get complicated fast with multiple secret identities... I guess for now I'll use Jiangshi. Use a cloak or something and hide every part of skin I can. Maybe use my teleportation solely as Jiangshi? Aw... sprinting everywhere when I can just blink there if I can see it sucks.
Oh? Heh... now that is an idea. Nice. I don't have to run everywhere after all. I don't even need to leave the house if I don't want to. Kitty Kat can find a safe place for me to teleport to. I just can't use her when I'm Jiangshi.
"Taylor, you're home." Dad said, making me jump out of my daydream. I glanced around, realizing I stopped in the open front door.
"Oh, hi Dad. Feeling better?" I asked, deflecting from my embarrassment.
"Well aside from the throbbing headache and the fact I look like Marlon Brando from the Godfather with these swollen cheeks, not so bad. My hand wasn't cut very deeply, and the tendons weren't hurt. It was more to scare me. Too bad for that Stalker brat I've had really scary people try to intimidate me before, like Kaiser in person... this kind of stuff doesn't even qualify."
"Kaiser? Really? Just marched into the DWU head offices?" I asked honestly surprised.
"Actually, he had that fellow Stormtiger give me a flat tire on the way to work and lead me to a quiet place where he offered me a few options, which I turned down flat instead of reporting up the chain, simply because they were ridiculous. This was back a few years, before Lung showed up and the E88 were at their peak. Then Lung happened and we never really got to have a second little discussion because the Nazi bastards were too busy in open war with him." Danny explained.
Some time later, after Dad had finished his dinner I began to explain my intentions for the future.
"I've come to some decisions about what we should do." I told him. He nodded a little.
"Firstly, you will never follow me as I go out again. I love you but I don't want you to see me eating people or look at me like I'm a monster. Even if I am one." I stated. "There is no discussion. This is non negotiable. You risk my identity and your own safety doing stupid stuff like that. I'm a brute, for god's sake. You don't have to worry about me, it's the people I hit you should be worried about."
I ticked off on my fingers. "Secondly, I am going to keep the alliance running for as long as Lung honours it. He values his word, he won't be the first to act. He expects me to break it, by letting my urges for blood overpower my rational thought. Fortunately for me, it doesn't work like that. Hunger doesn't affect my rationality. I can go without if I have to, as long as I have my coffin to fall back on."
My third finger. "Thirdly, I plan to keep a second identity to use as Lung's ally. Jiangshi, literally Chinese for vampire. I'm going to kill people, mostly Nazis. Only when I'm pushed and only people I genuinely believe are better off dead. Don't hold it against me, as a vampire there is no better way to become stronger. I need to be stronger if I want to survive and keep you safe."
I raised my little finger. "Lastly I'll still be doing my hero thing, as Nocturne. I want to help people and I made friends last night, friends I want to keep. I can even go out in the day now, I'm brute level even in the sun, since Lee. Only barely, but between my healing and Kitty Kat I should be able to make a difference."
Dad sat there quietly for a while chewing it over.
"Okay. The first one is reasonable. I can't stop you. I'll just get myself killed..." Dad clenched his injured hand so hard I was scared he'd tear it open again. "I just hate that I let you go out to get hurt!"
"Dad, with Oni Lee's power they would be lucky to touch me. With my regeneration, they can't kill me." I whispered softly. "Don't make me use my powers on you. If it is for your own good I can have you living in blissful ignorance. I would hate myself, but to keep you safe I will do it."
"No, anything but that! I don't want to have you going out and killing people while I sit home watching TV ignorant of it all. Promise me! If you kill someone, you will tell me. Explain yourself, so that you know that even if the whole world thinks you're a monster I will know you are just the girl I raised. I trust you, I do. I just can't always keep myself under control." He was so angry. So incredibly angry. I could smell it. He was angry on my behalf...
"Okay Dad. I promise. I will tell you everything I do as a cape." It hurt, seeing him like this. Seeing him look so helpless.
We argued for another hour, before I was able to leave. I called Lung first, to find an appropriate target using his sources.
"This is the Dragon of Kyushu. Speak." The familiar voice answers. "If this is about changing my phone service again you will suffer. You have been warned once, this will be the last time. Your charred bones will be a warning to the rest."
Oh, my god. He's like this all the time, isn't he? No don't answer that Lee. I know. I already know.
Armsmaster's Master/Stranger Protocol Log Day 2
Personal Log
I have run out of paper for the fourth time, sketching my invention schematics. Run a total of twelve pens dry in the process. This seems inefficient. Look into either increasing the reservoir of a pen or decreasing the size of a notepad.
There seems to be some kind of fracas, the PRT are scrambling and even the guards on my door are talking about it. My stay in the cell is just as tedious as I recall from the last time I had the misfortune of being under suspicion. At least I have been promised that once I am fit for duty I will be given only a slap on the wrist for my actions, as unwitting as they were.
If it were any other person who caught my predicament I would be gracious, but since it is Clockblocker I'll assign him to console for a month.
I also plan to take apart my new armour system and...
"Greetings, I thought we needed to have a private chat." Subject B stated, present in my strictly secured cell under quarantine and constant surveillance. Within five seconds he should be noticed, reported and the alarms should be triggered in three, two, one... one... one... oh, dammit!
"The Villain Dr Frankenstein is in my cell!" I shouted at the guards.
"They can't hear you." The Man in Red answered. "But I do like the name and reference. A very close guess." He chuckled. "Villain is also quite correct. I do so enjoy playing the foil to heroes and villains alike."
"How are you doing this, you maniac!?" I snarled.
"I am everywhere and nowhere. In the head of every single living person. I come and go as I please. Right now I am here to simply give you a final warning. Taylor Hebert is beyond your control. I have seen your thoughts, little man. Confused by your power, you lack the ability to understand society. Since you do not understand pretty words, I gave you a taste of your future if you do not cease your investigation. If you keep up your tiresome attacks on her sanctum I will leave you the inventor of the largest, loudest and most explosive creations of all time. Even Squealer will be envious." He laughed at the heinous threat as if it was a great joke.
"I will have you caught you monster! I will personally drag you back to a cage!" I screamed.
"Oh? I don't mind that. Come for me with all you have. I will do the same. We will settle this like men." The tall man in the red suit seemed pleased. "Soon, I will contact you for our duel. Prepare your weapons and armour. Winner take all. I want your life."
He vanished suddenly, a form of teleportation. I ran over my check list for mental contamination, looking for further changes but discovered none. So I ran the list again, with more detail. When I was done I reported the stranger and delivered a second sketch of him to the guards.
Apparently I drew a picture of the Devil. Complete with horns and pitchfork.
FFFFUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKK!!!!!!
