The Girl Across the Street (Invincible/Worm)

[LazyFrog]

The Girl Across the Street​

A young boy looked strangely at his parents as they were lightly arguing with each other about something. He was confused as well, knowing that this was all so unexpected brought a form of curiosity to his senses given his mom was so adamant that they all went together. She was never that adamant about things, even with family and friends, but this whole ordeal made the boy realize that perhaps this entire affair was special.

Unique, in a sense.

"For God's sake Debbie, why are you making it out like this is the most important thing you've ever done in your life and why'd you have to drag me and Mark into this?" he heard his father say as he put on his jacket with a bit of begrudging sentiment.

"Hush Nolan, I'm just going to ask that you trust me on this just for once in your life… because well, it is probably very important, not just for my career but for our family." His mother said as she laid the finishing touches for her own look in the closest mirror.

"I don't see how three strangers and a kid are supposed to be important. I have an errand to do for Cecil tonight you know. He's cashing in a favor I owe him."

"Cecil can wait, Nolan. This can't." His mother then smiled as she reached for his father's neck and gave him a small peck on the lips. One that made the young boy look away in disgust and embarrassment while his father lovingly kissed her back with some intensity.

"Ugh, fine… I could never seem to deny you."

"There's my loving husband… just remember to be polite. My new friend is very particular with things, but she's a great woman. The kind that I have to shield you from."

"For what reason? You already know that you're the only one for me~"

"Dad! Mom! I'm right here!" the young boy shouted from the staircase as he continued to groan while holding one of his favorite action figures. His parents merely laughed at his expense as they finally ended their preparations as his mother straightened out his clothes.

Happily, the family trio, now dressed to impress, headed out together towards the newly furbished house just across from their own. The young boy wondered even a few days ago who the new people across them were especially after hearing his own mother being oddly interested in them. Hopefully, they were friendly.

Hopefully, this meant that if the people across the street were family, he would have a new friend! Boy or girl, it didn't matter of course. Although, he would prefer a boy so that he would be able to talk to them if they were also fans of-

"Who bought you that toy son?" his dad asked as they began crossing the street.

The young boy looked at the figure in his right hand where a distractingly familiar green hero in toy form was seen. Complete with that signature hood and helmet, it was a very accurate depiction of one of the boy's favorite heroes.

"Momma did. It's new dad, limited… e-di-syon?" the boy tried to say as his dad strangely frowned.

"I got it for a steal, Nolan. God knows how fast the Triumvirate sells with the kids." His mother said as the young boy proudly made his toy crash into his Omni Man figure playfully. "Even the Guardians of the Globe don't sell that fast off the shelves."

"Hm. Kinda annoying you bought that one for him knowing he already only needs Omni Man." His dad said as he crossed his arms, a bit annoyed.

"Daddy is still my favorite hero!" the boy happily said as he saw his father chuckle and smile, removing some of his annoyance. "Eidolon's still cool though."

His dad then lifted him up a bit while his mother smiled.

"Yeah, well nothing's as cool as your dad." Nolan Grayson proudly proclaimed as he set his son down while the boy toothily grinned.

"Settle down now, we're here." Debbie Grayson hushed as they arrived at the simple yet elaborate-looking home across the street. Its front door was already welcoming in its appearance as the young boy watched his mother smile with both delight and excitement.

She knocked on the door as Mark Grayson, the son of the two tilted his head at the doorway that just began to open, where a blonde man smiled at their presence.

"Debbie! You finally arrived!"

"It's an honor to meet you… C-Clark, right?"

"Yep, hopefully Becca wasn't too drawl when describing me. Don't want to leave a bad impression." The man said as he scratched the back of his head much to Debbie's giggle. The young boy then stared back at his dad who looked formal but sort of reserved. Not that he would understand at that age. Shrugging to himself he looked back at the doorway where his mother was happily chatting with the man until his eyes focused on one, specific thing.

"Oh my gosh, is that Taylor?" Debbie happily said as indeed right behind the man was a young girl, Mark's age with a small frown, hiding behind what Mark assumed to be her dad.

Something… strange happened to Mark.

Taylor piqued his interest, even if she looked plain. Even if she looked small and afraid. Her dark curly locks, thin-lipped expressive mouth and simple figure would seem normal at first, until everyone saw her eyes.

Mark's gaze focused on her, almost in awe as the girl hid behind her father's leg.

Even Nolan looked curious.

Mostly because as expressive and wide as they were, they contained an aura of something that drew everybody's attention to it.

"Mark…" he heard his mother say, breaking him from the trance that he was in.

"Hm?"

"Say hi…"

Mark then straightened himself as he placed both his toys in his other hand and waved at the scared-looking girl. "H-Hi… I'm Mark! What's your name?"

'Taylor' didn't speak, she just waved back.

---

Mark's parents were talking animatedly with Taylor's own. The polite but scary-looking lady with straight hair, Taylor's mom, Rebecca was helping the girl eat by spoon-feeding her. Rebecca was talking to Debbie about remembering Mark's own spoon-feeding days much to his embarrassment but it seemed like he was far too focused on Taylor.

To the point that he was both curious and lightly blushing for how much she stared back.

Albeit in a dry, deadpan manner.

Mark raised his hand again, waving at her as Taylor stared.

"She's mute ever since we took her in, sadly. We've been trying to get therapy or help to alleviate at least some form of communication but… none has worked so far." Rebecca said with some concern, masked behind a fearful but stoic expression underneath while feeding Taylor another spoon.

"That's so terrible! Does she have… I don't want to pry of course but-

"It's fine Debbie, it's not like she can't understand things. She's just… special." Clark said as he offered Nolan another glass of wine as their other occupant on the dining table hummed in agreement. David his name was… he and his dad seemed to like each other in some form while his mother, Clark, and Rebecca spoke separately on another topic.

Mark, however, continued to look at Taylor…

Who suddenly raised her hand, waving back.

He found himself smiling.

As dinner finished nearly an hour later the adults were speaking in the living room while Taylor and Mark were left at the backyard gardens that the house had. They were both sitting on a bench just a few inches away from each other side by side as Mark, still unsure of how to react to the girl looked forward, hoping to not look like a fool again by staring intently at her.

There was just something with her eyes… the boy mused to himself as the peaceful garden continued to evoke the sounds of crickets doing their song and dance.

He was content to have that moment continue until he felt Taylor poking his arm.

"Y-Yeah?"

She did not meet her eyes. She was, however, staring at his Eidolon Toy.

"Oh… do you want to hold it?"

Taylor did not reply back. She merely stared right back into his eyes…

…eyes that seemed to transform from being human to that of stars…

Mesmerized, Mark had difficulty moving his gaze away until he felt Taylor presses her entire palm on his chest. His trance was once again broken when Mark saw her expression change.

She looked astonished as a feeling of something spread across Mark.

A sensation that made him feel strange.

Yet as she pulled back her hand, she smiled at him.

Mark awkwardly smiled back as she offered her palm to him.

He thought at first that she wanted him to hold her hand, only for a butterfly to land on it.

Her smile was… beautiful as the equally gorgeous insect crawled and stared at Mark.

"Wow… pretty." He whispered as Taylor's grin started to spread.

A second later a haze of butterflies wildly flew from the gardens around them and encircled them in a playful beautiful dance. Mark continued to stare at Taylor even as the gorgeous event occurred he found himself mesmerized.

[CURIOSITY]

"It's beautiful…" he intoned as he saw various colors surrounding Taylor…

[AGREEMENT?]

---

AN: Post-GM. Not a fusion. More so Worm Characters being in Invincible-verse.

I don't know why this muse got me.

 

[LazyFrog]

Alan: What? Are you telling me she's not human?
Mark: (Scratches head) It's complicated.

Girl stares in a deadpan, curious manner at Alan the Alien…

Alan: Okay, she's giving me the creeps. How the hell did you two become a thing?
Mark: (Puts an arm around Girl) Oh, it was quite easy. You could say I was starstruck.

Mark smiles as Girl follows. Alan blinks his one eye. Unsure of what to think.
An awkward tension blooms into the surface of not just the table they were in but the whole restaurant.

Alan: R-Right… I'm uh, happy for you Mark.
Mark: Thanks… it was always meant to be…

Alan feels chills as Girl's eyes flicker for a moment.
Just swathes of color amongst the swirling stars…

 

[Sachertorte]

Angstrom Levy: *Laughs maniacally as he chucks Invincible into another world* Now that I succeed in banishing Mark away, I can focus on my next pace of plan: kidnapping and torturing his wife! Ohhh, I can't wait to see the look on that fucker's face when I show him how much she'll broke!!

[A FEW DAYS LATER.....]

Mark: TAYLOR, ARE YOU OK!!?

Taylor: *Nods*

Mark: Really? Like, have you ever come across someone with a bulging head?!

Taylor: *Remembers how she sat back and watched Angstrom getting cooked constantly by the scorching heat of a mini sun*

Taylor:... *Shakes her head*

 

[LazyFrog]

Dandelions…​

What happened? Why was I…

I… I can't feel anything. There's nothing… oh God… there's nothing…

Why can't I… why can't I SEE!?

Why can't-

A tree has multiple branches. Leaves, lush and pure. Ecosystems within their own selves as various life forms live their lives not knowing what lay beyond what their feeble, simple minds could decipher and understand. No organism could handle such truths. No entity, advanced or powerful enough can discern the simple mysteries that beset the universe at large.

One of those mysteries, specific and nearly infinitesimal in its nature plagued even the most renowned of truth-seekers. For how can energy be infinite? How is it possible to draw power on an unlimited scale even through small means?

How is it possible that with the physical and cosmological laws of the universe, that accidents… nay, paradoxes can create such anomalies?

Such breaks in the line of code that made up the tapestry of the greater script…

Data needed to be harvested.

Research on such phenomena needed to be enacted.

Delaying such an important experiment was tantamount to colossal failure.

Yet, this specific truth-seeker was far too limited with its current abilities. Limited in its full capacity despite its inherited throne. Such anomalies, such worlds were too far away to reach. Further than even the longest of roots or furthest of outstretched fingers.

That would be the case until said paradox decided one day that he would step through a door.

How convenient.

…I'm just a man! I didn't do anything, h-he said he would save us… he said-

Oh my God… why? Why did I decide to step through?!

Why did his goddamn familiar face trick me into-

No! NO PLEASE!... I DON'T WANT TO DIE! I DON'T-

I was just a salesman! A salesman!

Window number 167888888 was useless.

Why can't I escape??!!! I had the power! I could crush worlds! I had the might of a billion Viltrumites! I was-

Oh, Jesus… was I this weak? Was it all a sham?

Was I… as powerless as-

AUUUUUUUUUUUUGHHHHH!!!

Window number 36011832910 and 1872394 were fascinating. Many similar abilities had comparisons to existing data collectors. Many are far too strange or extreme. Fascinating.

Extremely fascinating.

Roots need to extend further. The answer to the question of why this paradox existed as it was remained. Perhaps seeking full mathematical summaries of the current database of worlds expanding would provide input. There are severely useless outliers, however…

Due to various unknown variables, keeping the channel open would suffice.

153272839292947 and more worlds are being included in the database. Many contain their own subsequent cosmological differences. Many have their own local direct counterparts.

The answer was still not found.

Insufficient data still exists to solve such anomalous problems.

The local system needs a re-evaluation of defenses. Various unknown variables were detected. Posing harm. Posing data. Countermeasures are being brought forward. Data collectors' individual queries, accepted. Current accepted 'Base World' to be considered detained. Locked from interference.

Current subject…

Angstrom Levy…

UGHuwaaahhhhhhhhhhhh…

W-Who are you? W-What are you?!

Are you an abomination he created!?

…Possesses a paradoxical source of energy that should not be possible to exist. Subject to be subjugated to ANATHEMA protocols. Recreation of such energies must be of utmost priority. Yet, earlier enacted protocols prove to be failures.

Strange.

How are you doing this!? How can you supplant me? How did I-

Oh God. What are you doing?

Alternate collections of similar subjects possessing near-same genetic makeup and frequencies exist. Perhaps connection through all possible windows will incur an answer. Except for the 'Base World' counterpart. Useless. Utterly useless.

Yet… majority of the same subject possess the necessary elements to recreate Paradox.

Fascinating.

You can't! You can't just connect me to every single version of me!

Most of them have nothing to do with this! No, none of them have anything to do with this!

The feedback will kill them! The feedback will destroy-

AUUUUUUUUUUUUUGHHHHHH!!!

'Base World' contingencies are fixed. Security Fortified.

Paradox investigation shall continue. For they are but many more.

No… N-No… please.

I beg you… I can't-

Subject's willingness to participate in data collection has been noted.

Connection of roots and individual strengths of such lines will be secured.

Most appreciated. Angstrom Levy.

<Echoing Screams are heard through established connections>​

---

Mark Grayson, weeks after the "Herbert's" were introduced to his family sits at the park with Taylor as he picks up a group of dandelions on a nearby bush. Taylor remains silent as ever, but she was a great friend.

"You pick this up and just close your eyes…" he leads her as Taylor stares at him with interest.

Mark Grayson grins as he waits for her to follow.

Inevitably, Taylor closes hers. Her beautiful eyes are shut once more as Mark claps her hand to get the dandelion close to her lips. "You then think of a wish, and mom says someone out there will listen and it'll be granted."

Taylor nods with her eyes closed.

Mark then closes his own eyes and basks in the darkness.

What can he wish for himself, though?

A day after their visit to the Herbert household, Mark's dream was already given as he was able to fly. Levitate into the air to be as bright as the furthest beautiful star, like Taylor's eyes while his mom and dad cheered in appreciation and utmost pride.

What can he wish, after having such lovely luck after meeting Taylor?

Mark opens his eyes and finds that she is still praying for her own wish.

He found his own however as he felt that small blush on his cheeks before blowing his dandelion away. The Ligules flew away into the wind as he wordlessly kept that wish for his own. Yet his other hand squeezed further on Taylor's hand.

He hopes it succeeds. He hopes someone listens out there.

"Are you finished with your own wish?" he asked as he finally saw her open her eyes again.

Taylor nodded as she parted her lips slightly and blew….

[DATA]

Taylor smiles. She was learning a lot just in this short time.

To Mark, the Ligules represented connections, wherever they were they would always be connected. Even into the future…

Even with what other worlds past Earth or this Universe could spare.

---

"Have you found me something useful?" Cecil Stedman said as his breath started to condense due to the cold. Donald stood beside him with a slight shiver as his current 'asset' materialized out of the shadows.

The demon stared at them with a troubled look.

"So?"

"You will not like what this one has found."

"Cut the bullshit already. I'm already taking a risk talking to you."

"Agreed. Just know that subjects. All four of them. Blatant anomalies."

"I think we already have that assessment with our own resources. What I need is for you, to give it to me straight. What did you find, Darkblood?"

"Anomalies don't possess souls. Neither are they immortal in the most common, functional sense. Just blanks with memories. It's like they don't exist."

Cecil found himself sighing.

"You should have started with that… fuck."

---

AN: Hallo. This was Pre-written as a full chapter with the prologue, I didn't want to waste it, so you have a new chap instead. Though be warned, I'm not sure I can update this fast again.

I have another story to tell hahahaha.

 

[LazyFrog]

Sharing​

"I have heard worse lies and excuses from pretenders and fraudulent peers, Nolan, but tell me… of all the stupidity that you have shown to us today, why waste the time of our Empire's governing sector to attend to such insolent, useless matters?" General Kregg stated with utmost disappointment and anger spewing out his voice.

"Most egregious of all, you call upon our master, the Grand Regent for such a disposable request," Conquest added as they stood close to their great leader who was similarly glaring at Nolan alongside many other trusted aides and commanders of their empire.

"My petition is neither a waste nor something that the Empire should ignore, completely," Nolan stated with some confidence, and he stood his ground, looking at those in attendance and despite feeling some of the intimidation that the Grand Regent was exuding, he remained standing.

There he stood near the dais, wearing his cloak and royal colors. Regent he may have been, there was no denying that after the great emperor's death, nobody ascended to the rank of leader better than Thragg. His will and presence alone demanded attention and there was no greater Viltrumite that would withstand, nay… challenge his rule in absolute conformity.

"I have heard your testimony…" his voice made everybody listen, even those of his kin that were more astute to their instincts, the violent side of their inner rage straightened. He took hold of the empire's reins, his people with such loyalty that a mere utterance of his word and prowess made them freeze in pure fanaticism.

"…as is the data from both the dossier you brought along with the visual memories that our fellow Mnemosynian allies have provided." Thragg then focused his eyes, his face turning into a contemplative glare as he stepped forward down from the dais to approach Nolan slowly. "We have yet to actively confirm if such data is untampered… or changed in such a way that many present now may rightfully consider as a plot or conspiracy."

He now stood inches away from Nolan, towering over him by quite a lot as the Viltrumite posted on the distant habitable planet within the Sol System was fighting the urge to step back.

"Yet, I ask you now, a loyal servant of the Empire… a legend amongst your peers, if your time amongst the local inhabitants has made you soft and weak."

None spoke a word. The complete silence stretched on as the subtle challenge was cast on Nolan, one that he had to answer. One that he had to face head-on should he wish to continue to be a loyal servant to the Viltrum Empire as well as a means to keep himself alive.

Nobody after all would question within that moment, that should he fail, he would be summarily executed without pardon or question.

"What is your answer, Nolan?" Thragg pressed…

Only to find that through his kin's eyes, the Viltrumite belief and spirit still burned. Nolan stood his ground despite his instincts screaming at him not to as he stared back with defiance and strength that eventually…

"Heh."

…the Grand Regent would smile.

"I am loyal to nothing, except for Viltrum, my lord." He proudly stared with vindication and finality as the two stared down at each other.

"And what does the Empire require of you, Nolan?"

"To be the tip of its spear against the enemy that will know and bow to our supremacy."

Satisfied, Thragg turned away before joining his loyal advisors again as that smile graced his features. With a look, Conquest, Kregg, and even Thula were quickly dismissed of their doubts over Nolan's claim and petition. Thragg then gestured for their captive Mnemosynian technician to come over and project the holographic images of Nolan's recent memory.

Flashes of many images graced the Viltrumites around them before everything froze to a pause as Thragg looked at Nolan.

"Explain to me briefly, this female… Nolan. Despite being the second most potent threat that you have claimed to be one of Earth's defenders, I question whether she is of Viltrumite kind, one that perhaps we have lost records of due to the Scourge."

Nolan turned his head over the holograms of 'Alexandria'. A helmeted female with a cape and set of abilities that made even Nolan himself confused at first glance.

"Her strength is admirable. I do not know the upper limits of such but given what little I could study or observe, hers is not of Viltrumite origin. Far from it, however, yet her abilities and other unique traits are what stand out to me."

The holograms shifted towards their subject supporting two large skyscrapers without much effort as well as having been involved with fights both weak and strong against many of Earth's kind that had even some of the Viltrumites present feel amused, or at least in some aspects, respect.

Her brutal efficiency, silent attitude, and complete and utter focus on tasks beyond saving humans and basically finishing those she deemed as enemies spoke to the basic instinct that every Viltrumite aspired to and followed with utter absolutism.

If anything, it even interested Thragg that despite her strength through the memories being subpar still to his own, he found himself piqued with her profile.

"I wished to know further but given the much more hidden nature of this 'Triumvirate', my liaisons with her and the group were very minimal yet they have done more feats this past solar revolution than I could ever muster in the same time frame. They are very effective with what they do."

"She is strong… by nature of homo sapiens. Beyond even, to her, she may seem like a goddess. To us, Nolan… she is either an equal or a weakling who is yet to be disciplined by her betters." Thula said, the elder female Viltrumite giving her opinion after seeing the holograms.

"I concur, I don't understand what makes her special," Kregg said as he studied the memories closely.

"Then, respectfully General Kregg… yours and Thula's observation skills are quite pitiful."

Thula, sneering then angrily shouted out, "You dare-

"SILENCE!"

The Grand Regent's words were law as the two disengaged from their growing discontent.

"Spit it out, Nolan," Thragg commanded as his kin nodded back.

"Despite the intensities of the strain of each battle she partakes in, as you can see outside of her own suit, she has incurred no such physical damage of any kind. Not a scratch, a wound, nor even a hint of blood or injury from just this single solar revolution alone."

"And? The Homo Sapiens and their 'enemies' are irrelevant. They are all weak."

"I thought the same… My Lord… until this occurred."

The memory holograms them focused on a laboratory where a freak accident with a tinkering mad scientist had forced open a literal mini singularity in place that according to the data that Nolan provided in his data logs, had the potential to collapse the entire planet. 'Alexandria' looked unphased, unperturbed, merely slighted by frustration as a green glow passed through her as she and the other two Triumvirate members were able to seal and contain the breach with the female herself holding a specialized device to trap the singularity into closed, contained dimension.

Their surroundings were nearly destroyed. With the GDA, Guardians of the Globe, and various other groups trying to save what they can, the event was entirely resolved by the three heroes' efforts with them effectively saving Boston from being wiped off of the map.

Through the holograms, Alexandria's only damage was her cape and what bare few strips that held what remained of her suit that hid most of her dignity. Her skin remained unblemished.

It shocked even Thragg as he became silent throughout the whole memory.

"What proof do we have that the singularity was indeed a burgeoning Black Hole? Even then… I question the merit of this, given she had her allies close by with technology that far exceeds even what we have on paper…. that the homo sapiens species now dangerously possess, and the mere fact that she had a green aura protecting her through the process entirely."

"I agree, it must have been a collaborative effort, I doubt her ability to survive alone in such circumstances if it played out differently," Conquest added as Nolan turned his attention to the two.

"Even if I were to agree, the fact of the matter still exists, that this 'Alexandria' is an existential anomaly to the physical universe. I have no doubts that should a confrontation happen between us I might have the upper hand given my experience, but she unfortunately would outlast me, given her inexhaustible stamina and the inability to stay down or receive any form of physical damage. I dare say that she is the literal definition of invulnerability given full manifestation."

"You have doubts that she is truly, as you say… invulnerable?" Thragg asked as he looked at the holograms, oddly interested in them.

"I do… I have theories, many that I would share with the Empire, my Lord… but understand this, she is a specimen that more likely than not has uses to the Empire." Nolan stated with some affirmation despite his frustration as the Grand Regent hummed in some agreement.

"The Viltrumite Race… existing as both the most powerful force in the universe… as well as its most immortal." Thragg looked at the holograms again, ideas shaping in his mind as his focus remained on 'Alexandria'. "Many of our kin would be unstoppable if we had access to her genes and bloodline. Such an ability would make us… eternal in some sense. Sickness and death would no longer be a limitation that even our race will be subject to."

Murmurs started to develop with the advisors present as Thragg focused on Nolan.

"Tis a good discovery, Nolan. You serve the Empire well." Thragg said with a low voice as Nolan felt proud of himself. A smile was within his mind before Thragg narrowed his gaze at him again.

"Yet there is much in your report that remains that I find disturbing."

Silence once again reigned as the holograms shifted to that of the rest of the Triumvirate.

"I agree with the Grand Regent, Nolan. As a general of the Empire, I appreciate the cursory data you have over this much more mundane Triumvirate member, this 'Hero' as pathetically named as that worm could have been. He possesses the scientific knowledge and technology that we have neither seen nor cataloged before and with how esoteric they are, I'm afraid this is another Space Racer situation. The ability to create such technology at a rapid pace just in a singular solar revolution is quite a large conundrum… are you sure none of Earth has found out of your loyalties yet?"

"None and I've made sure of it," Nolan replied succinctly as Conquest and Kregg conferred with each other.

"Very well, then I advise my lord that with the discoveries Nolan has presented, we act on it with at the very least an entire sect that you are willing to authorize," Kregg said as Thragg moved his eyes to his close advisor.

"I will authorize such a force… though at the same time, we all forget the true threat. One that I am still unable to fully understand."

Nolan perked up, understandably disturbed as well as the holograms shifted to a green figure with a hood and cape glowing in ethereal light.

"I agree, my Lord. This entity, the one they dub Eidolon is very disturbing, not just because of his potential, but of the many, many unknowns associated with what he can functionally do."

The hologram shows the green figure hovering over the sky, spreading a sheen of green energy over nearly an entire peninsula or continent as an explosion that was seen from space hit it. The shielded areas were not damaged even as the green sheen dissipated.

Another memory then shows the same Green Figure, surrounded by an army of mechanical beings, raising his hand before they all transformed into dust.

Memory after memory, whether through the local news or through events Nolan had seen, the array of abilities this entity procured continued to increase in number to the point that the entire group of Viltrumites present, most of them being the strongest of their kin became quiet.

Nolan and the rest eventually turned their eyes towards their great leader, waiting for his final order. Waiting… for what step they would now take with this information posed.

"…I have decided."

---

"Taylor, don't forget to finish your meal first, before eating your dessert." Rebecca drawled as she was reading a newspaper while her 'daughter' ate. Taylor's plate was already messy with her various food mixing with various fluids and parts of her meal that looked like an artist's impression just plastered over the table.

Still, she finished it all like a toddler as Rebecca helped her every now and then.

The girl didn't fully understand or think of what she was doing but there was some improvement. Rebecca had been observing her well enough to see the difference. She was now more capable of feeding herself and had been giving emotions far more than just a flat, dry stare.

No longer did she need to fully clothe her, bathe her, or do any of those simple things as she now had an inkling of what to do. Taylor even helped to do some chores, like sweeping the floor much to Clark's enjoyment as the chaos and mess that was left afterward left him basically laughing at the absurdity of it all. Rebecca remained stoic for the most part, but she cared enough to take care of Taylor to the extent that was needed.

'Caring' however, was a strictly more complex affair to dilute in one simple word to describe the events of her handling of the girl. Her emotions for the most part were never there to see the girl as more than what she was but their… plan hinged on making sure that she was 'happy'.

Taylor was now munching on the cupcakes while Rebecca tended to her mess.

She then opened her mouth to take a big bite out of it, only to stop when she heard a sound.

"Meow."

The little girl, sitting in her chair that was still two sizes bigger than her slowly turned her head towards the source of such a sound. It was a brown-furred stray cat, seemingly infiltrating their lawn as it looked intently with a yearning gaze towards her own eyes.

Taylor stared at the objectively small organism before tilting her head.

"Meow." It said again as Taylor traced its gaze at her cupcake. The cat briefly licked in anticipation as Taylor tried to stow and hide it away before a recent memory resurfaced.

…

​

"You gotta share, dummy!"

Taylor tilts her head in confusion as she bites down on her overly large-cookie. Mark then gently pries it off of her hands much to her displeasure only to see him break the large cookie into two and lend her the other half.

"We bought this cookie fair and square after selling lemonade together, remember?"

Taylor continued to stare as Mark patted her head.

"Mom used to say that sharing is caring, Tay… and more people smile and feel happy knowing that you care about them by giving them a piece of what's giving you the most joy."

Mark then innocently smiled at him as his aura glowed…

Taylor continued to stare, blinking at his words.

"Maybe next time you'll share something with me, or better yet with others! It doesn't have to be something grand or special… but Mom says that it's the thought that counts. So, if you show them that you care then they'll smile back… and maybe in the future, they'll share with you something cool or tasty too, all because you were kind enough to make their day."

Taylor parted her mouth slightly as if in awe.

"Between us though, I don't think there's anything much more important than the friendship we share!" he said as he began laughing with joy. Taylor gave back a small smile.

No, she shared a smile.

…

​

Taylor then recalled foggy images of a bespectacled woman sharing a treat to her too.

That lady was nice.

If she wanted to be nice as well, she would need to share.

"Meow." The cat happily said as Taylor threw her a piece of the cupcake. She then turned to Rebecca who was now walking back to her with paper towels. Breaking a piece off, she then inched forward and offered it to the woman.

"What is it, Taylor?"

Taylor wiggled her hand holding the piece she wished to share.

Rebecca looked on in with some confusion before she took it into her palm.

"What is this for?" she asked with curiosity in her voice.

Taylor then smiled as ants, crawling up the table formed the word…

"SHARING"​

Rebecca ultimately amused then proudly smiled back… or at least as much as her emotions could muster. Deep down she was a bit disturbed as she stared at Taylor in full before she returned to gobbling her own cupcake while sharing some of it with the stray cat.

Taylor may have understood that most of Rebecca's 'care' was merely an affront of something else, but she did not care at the moment.

She was able to make this cat and Rebecca 'smile'.

… and that was worthy [DATA] in its own…

---

AN: Sharing is caring guys. Always remember that.

 

[LazyFrog]

Boo-Boos​

He roared with an intensity that would shake even the stars above.

His anger to the absolute extreme after journeying across the cosmos, hoping to sate his battle lust and hunger for the most honorable, deadliest fight, only to be thrown away as if he did not matter at all.

Pain and humiliation coursed through his veins as his eyes grew bloodshot with rage. The last thing he ever saw was the green-hooded warrior looking at him as he leaped into battle. Ready to land his mace onto his foe only to be thrown away by an invisible force jettisoning him through a green rectangular doorway…

"WHAT!??"

… but it shut faster than he could ever react the moment he even tried to push himself back through it by displacing the air behind him. He was now trapped in a free-fall. The atmosphere, the scent, and its appearance were nearly similar to the place that he once was, only that the clouds were far paler in color and the skies were not with their bluish tint.

Thokk helplessly fell through the clouds as the atmosphere slowly burned the tips of his fur. The speeds that he was cast in went higher and higher with each second while he angrily continued to roar in defiance at the cowardice of this world's supposed strongest champion. He had not heard of this 'Eidolon' that these locals hailed but given how widely they praised his prestige, he thought he had found his most worthy adversary to sate his lust for a worthy battle.

Yet the fool was a coward! A god's damned coward!

He had left their match with barely an interaction as his mere stare horribly burned Thokk's blood for how insignificant he seemed to the man. He wanted to break his bones, drink his blood, curse his bloodline to the fiery pits of hell for the atrocity he committed upon him, but he had no ability to do that for he was now coursing through the clouds, about to crash onto the ground with a earth-shattering blow.

He would hunt this man, make sure to battle him, and end him regardless if he posed a challenge, but for now… he needed to recuperate.

Rage was only useful if honed in the right direction.

He had to think, and comprehend his next action before-

BRWASH!

"ACK!"

"OOF!"

Thokk's body crashed against another as the impact and the speed of his own caused the two to scatter in opposite directions. Thokk lost hold of his axe as it sailed through the air along with the white blur from earlier. With his momentum now reduced and his trajectory wildly different than before he was then forced through a direction that led him to a collection of dilapidated and recently destroyed buildings on fire.

BRWAAAKKAASHHH!!!

His body sailed through the walls with barely any resistance as his body skidded multiple times before stopping finally when he smashed the butt of his mace onto the ground. Twenty or so buildings collapsed under their own weight in the aftermath as he heard the locals run in fear or succumb to the collateral damage of his unintentional burst of destruction.

It did not take long to recover from this momentary setback, however, as he graciously stood back up and shook off the last of the rubble and dust from his fur. He then huffed his chest and looked towards the sky. The scent of this world was suddenly different. There was more smoke… blood… and death. It was as if the peaceful nature of this world was suddenly flipped into something more chaotic. Belching smoke rose from the cityscape as far as his eyes could see…

Screams and various other panicking civilians being heard from his ears while a rumble, felt from even the distance he was in was felt.

Was time accelerated? In some cultures, beings had the possession of technologies greater than even his kind, but none of them had any hold with the inevitability that was time.

Where was he transported? Was he in this world's more conflict-ridden lands?

Did he get thrown into a wasteland for this 'Eidolon' to test his mettle before he could finally challenge him? Did the coward think he was an insignificant challenger? Did he-

"E-Excuse me… if you're here to help we need to leave this instant."

The voice belonged to a lithe female, oddly wearing the color pink as she sported a nearly shaved head while helping another civilian. Her eyes were cast with so much war-torn emotion and desperation that Thokk was momentarily reminded of the chaos within his own world before he ended them completely.

She looked worse for wear, rags cloaking her entire form while she was wounded in many parts of her body. Everybody behind her shared the same weary looks, even a set of machines that were pointing weapons at him.

It seemed like these people were very desperate and were running away from something…

But from what?

"Child… from what are you running from?" he said, his voice low enough to sound non-threatening but due to his biology and build it came out as subtly terrifying. The people behind the girl stepped back in wariness but she remained resolute.

"We're evacuating from the fighting… M-Mar- I mean, Invincible and Omni Man are being held back by the best of us..."

Almost as if on cue, the ground around them shook as an echo of a massive hit reverberated around them. The shockwave flew over everybody's shoulders as Thokk realized that something, with the strength of that nature was fighting in the direction these people were running from.

"Your champion, I presume… is this champion named Eidolon?" Thokk asked as the bloodlust began to ebb back into his form. Excitement littered his face as a grin manifested. That grin made the young woman frown in confusion.

"N-No… Immortal. He's… gotten stronger for some reason these last few days…" the girl said as if recalling a terrible memory as small murmurs behind him began to take root. The ground shook again as a faint scream from an almost inhuman sound emerged.

It only served to make Thokk further excited, his prepuce constricting underneath his trousers while the young woman reflexively reacted to the thundering battle happening away from them.

"Strong… how, Child? If this is a battle truly for the ages, then my participation might buy you all the time to escape." He offered as she looked at him, narrowing her eyes.

"W-What?"

"Speak now, child… while the battle is still far away from us." He reiterated as another rumble was felt.

"I… I don't know a few days ago he could barely battle Omni Man and Invincible but he suddenly got powers… something I can't understand myself, h-he just became stronger the more he fought like a-

"I'LL KILL YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!! MURDERERS! FIENDS! INVADERS!!!"

An inhuman roar was heard with such intensity that it shattered the glass of the nearby broken buildings while the people around Thokk covered their ears both in fear and pain from its volume.

"I'LL KILL YOU ALLLL!!!"

Thokk smiled as he placed his mace on his shoulder, having decided. He would not have Eidolon for now, but hearing and understanding what this 'Immortal' was, he was now lusting for the ability to best them or die trying so that he could finally face the monster that brought him to this hell.

Yes… Thokk was pleased.

Perhaps this world was his dream incarnate.

"Leave… quickly, Child. Run fast as your legs can take you for I will go into battle with glee in my heart." He said as he bared his maw with all his teeth clear to everybody's eyes. Without further ado, he leaped into the air, bursting the ground from all the strength in his legs as he was launched forward, gripping his mace tightly as he proceeded to move towards the battle in haste.

Landing across the tops of multiple buildings, he finally saw a glimpse of the battle.

"ACK!!!"

BRWOUM!!!

Dust and debris were kicked up high into the air like a massive explosion as an individual was thrown into the maw of a horrendously large crater while buildings and various other structures around them crumbled into nothing.

There, in the center was a heavily wounded blue and yellow-clothed teen who was bloodied to an extreme degree as a dark, heavy shadow loomed over his wake.

"Ugh… D-Dad I… n-need help." He pleaded as Thokk saw it.

"MURDERERS!!! FIENDS! ENEMIES! DIEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"

It was barely a lifeform in appearance. Skin almost blackened and in various states of disrepair and toughness that eclipsed even the worst looking lifeforms he had seen in the Cosmos. Multiple arms, or digits of various kinds ranging from fingers, legs, or even a horrible amalgamation of both littered their form like an abomination of the worst of imaginations…

Eyes, red and white littered its appendages, and multiple heads sprang from its back while hair, fur, and various other extremities seemingly blended into a crooked entity that looked in pain and in absolute rage over its existence.

Teeth and maws littered its form as its arms, numbering in the half of a hundred or so raised up in quick succession as the conjoined heads, numbering more than thirty howled in unison.

Its rhythm sounded like the symphony of the damned.

"YOU AND YOUR FATHER! OMNI-MAN DIIEEEEEEEEEE!!!"

The teen was in no position to escape nor defend himself as those arms ranging from muscly to lanky across many forms and appendages came down upon him like a storm of unbridled pain.

BRWOUM! BRWOUM! BRWOUM! BRWOUM! BRWOUM!

It was a ferocious fury of attacks that varied in speed until the abomination picked up the teen and with its unified appendages threw him around, making him crash multiple structures and buildings before raising him high into the air again, helplessly and throwing him back down to the ground with supreme force.

BRWOUUUUUUSHHHHH!!!

It was like one of those powerful, high-precision bombs had ripped the surface clean as Thokk watched with glee.

The abomination then threw the teen away and whether he was still alive or dead to Thokk it did not matter, he folded his feet and leaped high into the air.

Mace in hand and at speeds that were slightly imperceptible even to the abomination, he slammed his weapon forward down to the center of the abomination's mass.

BRWOUUUSHHLLLKK!!!

A thundering roar of debris and dust was thrown high up into the atmosphere as blood and various extremities bathed Thokk.

He had squashed and destroyed multiple heads and appendages in one blow…

"HAHAHHAAHHAHAHAAHHA!!!"

Yet before he could celebrate further, the created gash of blood from the abomination burst outward as multiple freshly wet and mucous-lined arms burst from the body as it rapidly knitted itself back again while creating a carapace to cover the place where an injury was once placed.

The appendages grabbed Thokk with a surprising amount of strength and slammed him into the ground, holding him still.

BRWOUSH!

"HAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA" Thokk continued to laugh as the abomination's eyes looked at him.

"WHO ARE YOU???!!! FIEND? BETRAYER? OMNI-MAN??!!!"

It roared in its face while Thokk roared back.

He then bit the appendages holding him down, ripping them to free him from the abomination's grasp, and folded both his legs to deliver a devastating, brutal kick at his enemy to force him away.

BRAACSKKKHHLL!!!

The abomination, greater in size he was compared to Thokk exploded away from him as he stood up and wiped the trickle of blood from his lips. The enemy was great, still far from his most difficult challenge but given that it grew stronger with each engagement…

"FIEND!!! DIEEEEEEEE!!!" it screamed as it barreled towards him.

…then Thokk smiled with pure utter joy knowing that this would be one of the most memorable fights that his long life had ever experienced thus far and once he beat this, he could face Eidolon on even ground.

"COME AT ME!" he screamed as he raised his mace again and barreled towards his enemy too.

Their embrace of death would shatter and remake the world a dozen times over in the span of weeks.

---

"Taylor… why are you hugging me?" Mark asked her as she only proceeded to embrace him further.

Mark blushed red from the gesture as he smiled.

He put an arm around her as well, tucking her close.

"It was just a small boo-boo Tay… Mom said it'll heal right up!"

She responded by humming, but not in agreement.

He then chuckled at her response as he leaned his head against hers.

"Don't you worry about me! I'm big and strong now, remember? I can fly and shoot… uh, beams! I'll be the strongest hero for you and the world and I'll be able to protect everyone without issue." He promised as she hummed again.

He then rubbed her back to calm her down.

"I won't be hurt again… I promise you that, just so I can see you smile, okay?"

He then felt her relax, a small smile appearing on her face.

They then separated for a moment until Mark took her hand.

"You have to promise me something though…"

She tilted her head at him to his words, undoubtedly curious.

"…that you won't put yourself in danger… like, ever, okay? I'm big and strong with powers, but you're just… you. My best friend. I don't want my best friend to be hurt." He kindly said as she slowly formed a smile on her precious face.

To his surprise, she poked his nose with her finger before she giggled.

Mark followed suit after the girl finally decided that her 'Coruscant Knave' would not share the fate of all the various terrible outcomes of his future in this timeline. She was sure of it.

She would make them both smile…

"Dork…" he teased.

… so that they could learn more [DATA].

---

"Everybody ready?" Cecil Stedman said as he looked at some members of the Guardians of the Globe present for this very important meeting. The Immortal, Dark Wing and War Woman stood near them as questions still plagued their minds.

"I have no question of their good deeds, Cecil, but I have to admit this is excessive." Immortal asked, his concerns clear on his face as his comrades agreed.

"Are we all truly that paranoid to snoop into their privacy like this?" War Woman said as Cecil glanced and reacted to her question.

"A trio of nobodies with powers beyond our scope is something worth badgering privacies for, War Woman. Regardless of the good they represent. You of all people know that the world doesn't work on black and white and I'm keen to make sure our new friends are actually on our side."

"I have no doubts that they are, but why us? Omni-Man being here would be secure enough to keep talks stable." Dark Wing suggested as Cecil sighed.

"He's off to Space, saying that he had an errand… I don't have the details, but he won't be back in a few weeks." His words surprised the trio and they were about to expand the conversation further until Donald tapped his shoulder when out of nowhere, within the confines of their secure GDA facility, a door was opened in reality with a slightly green tint.

It was dark at first until a figure stepped out… revealing a familiar woman in a helmeted gray costume and cape sporting a neutral expression on her lips.

"Greetings… we've been expecting you all."

---

AN: Ah, at least ol' Crawler's powers are now used for good in an alternate timeline.

 

[LazyFrog]

Q: Do you remember anything, after you took those two, vital shots?

A: I'm… unsure. I remember holding the trigger, but the reason and motivation for it… is gone.

Q: Elaborate? If you can, of course.

A: Have you ever felt as if your life was just a sham? Like nearly every decision, memory, and choice was ripped out of it, but only in very keen, specific parts. It's a miracle I can even talk, lest converse with you. Though yes, imagine as if your brain was a house of cards and someone carefully removed pieces of it without breaking or collapsing the foundations…

Q: Everything is lost then?

A: Again, I don't know why I still exist and live normally as I have… I feel hollow yet free in a way that I have never felt before. It's as if a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders and there's no voice at the back of my head telling me what to do.

Q: What is this symbol?

<Shows Omega>

A: I don't know what that is…

Q: Are you sure? You were found in the epicenter of it all. Lost alike many of us…

A: I still don't know…

Q: I see.

A: Can I ask a question?

Q: Please…

A: Where did the Angel go?

[Subject collapsed and returned to a coma after this conversation. Due to shortages of both power and medical equipment, it is unsure whether she will survive through the ordeal. - Y]

 

[LazyFrog]

Recovery​

Combing his unruly hair felt strange.

Nor was the idea of making himself look 'good' in general. Posed by decades of literally having one of the heaviest responsibilities any man would hold as a burden, trying to make oneself attractive or acceptable felt alien.

He had no illusions of being a handsome individual, nor did he consider himself actively attractive both in personality and form for he didn't have such trivial thoughts back then. He didn't aspire beyond being a self-proclaimed savior or a complicated, albeit flawed silver bullet against an enemy mankind was incapable of defeating.

Values instilled in him warped him into something tragic. A legacy that he was not able to complete and an objective that was no longer feasible.

W: Everything okay?

Click to shrink...

He stared at the notification ping from his phone after wiping his face from a short wash. The sink received droplets of those dews as he came face to face with his reflection. In all likelihood, he didn't like seeing his face. From the thinning hair and morbidly calloused expression, he felt as if memories of a time long before seemingly tried to snatch him back.

A time when he could barely even shave, eat, or even shit for himself.

A time when purpose and meaning were absent, and what made him cling day to day was the hope that his ailments were a sign that he could be something else beyond his limitations. A painful thought that kept him coming, no, limping on in a body that was its own form of purgatory.

Those reminders still stick on his face, his presence, and his demeanor.

This is why sometimes, he felt as if wearing the mask was its own positive dissociation. An identity separate from himself that he always wished to come back to so that he would never see the frail man underneath.

W: You're being depressed again, aren't you? Come on… dad. You're better than that.

Click to shrink...

The annoying ping of another notification made him frown. Groaning in discomfort he looked at himself again. Wearing a pricey suit that he would not bother to buy at all if not for this occasion and some other trinkets that would make him… acceptable.

Why in the world was he bothering to humor this little charade?

He was at worst, his most painfully honest and brutal critic and he did not like what he was seeing. He looked ugly, stupidly plain, and out of place in this pathetic excuse of dressing up. His parents, at least what he could remember of them, always told him that beauty was beyond that of looks. Yet given how he lived his life in a miserable state of work without finding the time to even humor such prospects, nor did he expect to in the first place, he found those words of encouragement… idiotic.

Pointless, probably as well.

W: You have a wonderful voice, Dad. Always remember that. You could make people feel scared just by speaking in a room. You were pretty cool like that.

Click to shrink...

He huffed at that message as he picked his phone up and began typing.

D: And pray tell, how does that help me with my current situation?

W: Oh, by quite a lot actually… but the main goal tonight is just to have fun.

Click to shrink...

Groaning again, he pocketed his phone, wishing to silence the device but he knew it was pointless. She was relentless if need be and after… the event took place, she was now carefully overprotective of him. Miserably so in his case…

"Ugh. Fucking hate this."

…but he had no choice but to utterly go with it. Especially when what was on the line.

Still, it erred him to no end looking at himself at how much he had fallen from grace, personally, with all of these stupid antics.

Living a more mentally healthy, happy life? Sure, why not?

If he were a normal person to begin with, anyway…

W: And rightfully so… Dad. If anything, I want you to be happy. I'm already jealous I can't do much on my end and A is already having fun with hers, so… just do me a favor and just try. I assure you that you won't regret it.

Click to shrink...

How she could make phone messages have italics to stress some words still felt bizarre to him. Least of all how they were connected. A fact that he was shocked to learn he could not sob or even mourn for. His friends may have been part of the reason why he was more stable today, but given even Keith was no longer with them, they were much more down to their own devices nowadays.

In Rebecca's and Clark's case, they were a lot closer than before.

Which is why now he was in this situation. All because he was the one person in the group who needed something normal in his life and to have something alternative to cling to other than the 'greater purpose' thrust upon his shoulders.

He was no longer the Titan Atlas it seemed, holding the world on his back (at least it was no longer the case for the most part). He was now merely Prometheus, forced to watch the aftermath of his pointless struggle, admitting to himself that any of his efforts were… for naught.

Well at the very least everybody wasn't dead.

And all of his existential crises were just the result of him not adapting to anything 'normal in the first place. Maybe it was that.

Or maybe, he was just an idiot for even doing this.

W: Oh God, Dad stop with the neurotic self-deprecation. Just admit it that you're nervous over something as simple as a date. You can fight cosmic horrors night and day but you're seemingly hard-pressed to walk out of the bathroom and get to the restaurant to meet a girl.

Click to shrink...

Fuck her, sincerely, fuck her.

Groaning for probably the last time that night, the man specifically known as the Strongest Hero of Planet Earth looked at himself in the mirror and took out the bouquet of flowers he was to bring and tried... tried to smile.

W: See? You're a natural.

Click to shrink...

He looked ridiculous.

---

It was nearing an hour as he sat at his table in what this world calls its most prestigious formal restaurant chain around the world. Mostly because of the good food apparently and because according to Clark, they were owned by an 'Underworld Boss whose secret identity is a world-class chef'. The NEPEA act didn't exist here, so things like that despite it being blatantly obvious were legal even in North America.

The infamous GDA was much more lenient than it used to be.

Whatever information was briefed to him by his friends, it seemed that it wasn't totally necessary to initiate protocols as tight as Cauldron had once enacted on Earth Bet here given the threats that seemed, relatively minor to what they once dealt.

Still, it felt odd looking at how cape life and normal life blended nearly seamlessly here with little fear or concern for anything majorly threatening to the civilian population. Oh, there were major threats that existed here. Some were very murderous compared to the more prominent 'gimmick villains' who focused more on being a nuisance to heroes compared to being nefarious and legitimately malicious by nature.

The protectors were no slouch either, their highs were consistent with what the best the Protectorate once offered and in some cases were on Rebecca's level or more, but they lacked a certain hard-pressed quality that kept most of the unruly supervillain folk in check.

The Triumvirate and Protectorate were never perfect in achieving the same as well, yes, but any one of them gave a certain depth of intimidation that forced some people to act nicely on the principle of alerting their ire.

Only one hero in this world seemed to give off that aura, and it was the alien.

No, not the harmless extraterrestrial in this world's equivalent of the Triumvirate, but the solo, one-man mission individual that was this Omni Man.

"…" he paused as he looked around the busy restaurant. Wishing to take his thoughts elsewhere as he saw people of various kinds enjoying their nights. From couples to families, it seemed the energy was much merrier than his current situation.

Looking at his watch he noticed that it now struck the one-hour mark.

He had not eaten yet for he was still waiting for his date but found himself… lonely.

He continued to stare at the closest couple beside his table who were flirting like mad with each other, his enhanced perceptions and senses occupying one of the slots made him quickly realize that the two were exuding a degree of pheromones that would probably lead to a wild night in the sheets.

"Hm." He hummed as he thought about that last word. He looked away from the couple as he saw the empty chair across him and the lonely flowers sitting awkwardly in her chair because he had no knowledge of proper etiquette in interactions such as this.

There was no need to back then…

But seeing the smiles, faces, and joy that seemed to make this night something to remember for most people here, he found himself overwhelmed with a sense of longing. He frowned as he looked at his watch and towards the empty seat before him.

A bottle of wine was placed on his left that was nearly finished and a glass that was half-full.

He realized that he had been drinking alone all this time while waiters awkwardly looked at him as they passed by noticing that he was in fact… alone, for the rest of the night.

His date had not arrived, nor did it seem like she would ever come at all.

It left David with a sense of shock to his senses as after all his musings about his own worries, affairs, and focus when pressed into something as simple as a date, he found himself strangely disappointed. Not in himself, mind you… but for the fact that this was his first time…

…and nobody came.

Much as he wished to deny it, it ragged on him as he continued to stare at his watch and heavily sighed. Anxious thoughts started drifting into his mind again as the usually chatty companion he had who frequently messaged him on the phone was silent for the whole thing.

Glancing at the couple again and their pearl-white smiles, he imagined himself in that position. Not because he yearned for it, but… because after forcing himself to watch nearly every person that he knew around him became a lot lighter, calmer, and happier while he continued as is felt oddly lonely and hollow.

He had once sacrificed his own happiness to save the world, yet now when he tried to find some degree of happiness for himself, he was left with nothing.

He wasn't a stickler for love, that's for sure, but perhaps wishing for normal, human interaction outside of his friends was something he needed to fix his neurotic, anxious self.

"Excuse me…" he said to the closest waiter after placing money on the table.

Or perhaps it wasn't meant to be for his case.

---

Flying across the emptier parts of the Houston plains, David lamented on his own silence.

He hovered himself over one of the larger rock formations and sat on it as he watched in the distance the lights of the closest city. Where city folk lived on with their own mundane lives, peacefully getting by day to day with little to no issue while he was here, thinking.

Thinking of what better things to do in order to distract him from his own thoughts.

His companion had not sent anything back yet, he figured that they were-

W: I hope you enjoy tonight, Dad. Try not to make it awkward.

D: The hell do you mean by that? Nobody came.

W: Hm? Is that what you really think?

Click to shrink...

He was about to text back when a gust of wind almost near-instantaneously manifested behind him by a few meters and through his enhanced perception and senses a silhouette of a woman formed in his head.

Instantly, his mood became sour.

D: You have got to be fucking kidding me.

W: ;p

Click to shrink...

"Warrior. I hear you are this world's champion. It's mightiest, as the words amongst the stars say… so rejoice! The Viltrum Empire commends you. Our peacekeeping Imperium sent me to welcome you to the fold. Your feats are worthy and steadfastly remarkable to become one with our-

David flew away, not even giving a shit or facing her entirely.

Much to his expectation he felt her becoming appalled and insulted at his actions.

With her flight speed, she seemingly appeared in front of him.

"Halt! You will stop this instant. I come in a measure of peace! And you spat in my face as if I were insignificant. Have you no shame?" she said.

He looked at her through his mask. Adorned in mostly white attire, hugging her admittedly well-maintained female form and sporting a face that looked beautiful, if not dangerous… David felt unimpressed. After seeing so much in your life, something as beautiful as a human-looking Amazon who can fly, and punch stuff was abysmally low on the scale of things he would find himself being impressed with.

Ignoring her again he grunted as he flew around her, increasing his speed slightly until she angrily grabbed his cape. Prompting him to stop.

"Foolish human! You are facing a Viltrumite! The most powerful species in the universe. Far lesser people would wish to be in my presence just to take one look at me, yet you ignore me as if I wasn't there."

He turned to her, still silent, and sighed. Seeing that she caught his attention she smirked and let go of his cape, placing both hands on her hips as she proudly introduced herself.

"I am known as Anissa. One of the champions of my homeworld Viltrum. Protector of a dozen planets. A legend in many of them. As an impromptu ambassador between our two species. I wish to meet the man who this world praises with such intensity for both his prowess and power." She amicably said as she offered him her hand.

He stared at it.

"And I should care… why specifically?"

He saw her eye twitch. Oh, he wanted this night to end already.

"No… I'm taking back what I said, forgive me… but you're literally the sixteenth being from another world that's done this song and dance to challenge me because of my moniker and I'm here to ask you specifically if you're worth my damn time."

Anissa rescinded her offered hand as her features turned into a silent, subtly angry frown.

She had been disrespected ever since she first arrived to greet him, and she would not let any of it continue. David on the other hand, merely turned away in annoyance as she curled a fist.

Without warning, at least to her perspective she drove a fist with enough strength to destroy a small mountain towards his head but was left with a surprise when David's second slot activated.

"WHAT?!"

Anissa's fist drove through the back of David's head but instead of splattering it like any other worthless being in the Universe, reality seemed to bend across her arm as space warped around it comically like David's head became clay.

She was never able to pierce through the anomalous field of reality her fist drove into and was met with another esoteric, completely shocking effect to the Viltrumite.

The space around her arm vibrated as her body absorbed it all until…

FRAKA-THOOOOOOOMMMM!!!

She exploded away and was forced through the rock formation below them and shattered into a rather large destructive crater that if they weren't in the emptier parts of Houston, they could have broken a town or two just from the impact.

Dust and a cloud of smoke rose through the air as David hovered over a shocked Anissa who had a trickle of blood drip from the side of her lips.

David's second slot was a reactive space-time anomaly covering his form that could refract and redirect any sort of energy or attack right back at the assailant trying anything against him. Given the energy and power behind one punch that she had conjured, the refracting effect against her was returned at her twofold.

He readied his fists as they glowed green, his main slot humming within his head as he watched Anissa smile back in glee while wiping her lips of the blood there.

All the while one text message was on David's phone.

W: I told you; you'd enjoy your night.

Click to shrink...

---

"Fancy looking place. Tech looks fairly more advanced than anything I've seen so I'm a bit surprised this was hidden so long. Least of all from my eyes." Cecil admitted as he looked around the place, they stepped into from the strange rectangular portal earlier.

His escort, the three Guardians of the Globe members similarly shared his thoughts.

Alexandria, the mysterious helmeted woman that took the world by storm continued to give off a very mysterious neutral tone towards her guests as what part of her face was revealed to them left little to any sort of read that any of the four could muster.

Even Cecil quickly determined that the woman was trained in the art of keeping things close to the chest. The kind of talent that he knew was rare, even in his field given that she was not exuding any sort of cues that would give him the necessary info to discern her at a glance.

"It should be. The world should never know of this place, or of the reality of its construction." The woman finally said, putting the heroes with a degree of concern but merely raising an eyebrow in Cecil's case.

"Any reason for that?" War Woman probed.

The two heroines shared glances at each other as Alexandria was about to speak until a golden glow of energy passed through the guests as if scanning them, and then another voice joined the fray to answer that question.

"Security reasons for the most part… and no, please don't mind her. She takes everything way too seriously. We're all friends here. Allies even. We're just doing everything we can to make it absolutely certain that whatever we have here… doesn't endanger the world we're all here to protect."

Cecil instantly recognized the man. Hero, he foolishly called himself. The Golden-armored man used extensive technology that was indiscernible even to his analysts. It was like there was a pre-emptive black box to his creations and it frustrated him and Donald to no end.

"Wait… you said, 'you don't wish to spill whatever you have here to our world'… what the hell does that mean?" Dark Wing asked.

The golden projectors above ceased their lights as Hero's face turned serious.

"To make it simple to you guys, we're no longer on Earth. At the very least, the version of Earth you call as home."

---

AN: Yay. More friends and another girl gets to HALP.

 

[LazyFrog]

Reflection​

Rebecca stares at the footage on the screen. The 'room' was designated for their four otherworldly visitors as they discussed amongst themselves the reveals and tour both she and Clark had given them. That entire ordeal was done about sixty-seven minutes ago, and they were still talking amongst each other at great length and immersion as it was clear through the footage that they were all distressed, psychologically and mentally speaking. The small snippets and cues that only she could decipher through her Thinker ability were at full force as even without audio of their discussion, she had a good idea as to what the people inside were talking about.

Ordinarily, if it was just down to her, the audio in the room would be present for them both to hear, but because of Clark's presence and the fact that he had won that argument over this earlier in breakfast, forced her to let him lead this whole meeting in earnest. Some of his arguments were practically correct in a sense, but since these were new people, people they had no idea whether they could trust wholeheartedly, the whole ordeal just became a waste for her.

Impracticality at its finest, even.

Though then again, it was he who won that argument and they were not strapped for time to introduce this to the local Earth they were now stuck in. Trust had to come from somewhere and relatively speaking, the people of this world, at the very least its defenders, were genuine in their efforts to actually protect both its interests and safety. It reminded her of their own, initial idea that they propagated and cultivated with both efficiency and tact even if admittedly, it had flaws in its conception. The Protectorate and how Parahuman relations were fostered were their brainchild, not just as a deterrent for something that they all were fundamentally scared of, but of the genuine interests of making sure that the world would become a better place.

It's just that as the years went by, those naïve, complacent thoughts of change and ultimately, hope were dashed away for efficiency. Efficiency that worked beyond what human comprehension could fathom, whose goal was ultimately fixed on one certain thing. Utilitarianism at its most clear and hard-pressed point.

Morality was a construct, one that she subscribed to with pure intentions when she watched her own self deteriorate on the hospital bed, hoping for a better future, praying even, knowing that it was for naught. Wishing by any means possible for her to make that difference, to make others see that if she could make it, everyone could.

Those constructs were pushed away to the side, if need be, and what was left were choices. Efficient choices. Numbers on a page. Statistics that her mind processed were of the better outcome and thinking machine, in the form of a lost colleague that was their compass in a dark, unsettling storm. One of which they cradled humanity on their backs like Noah and the Ark. Unlike Noah, if push came to shove, variables that were unnecessary, per the compass and their judgment, were allowed to disappear into the sea. All while maintaining the belief that the ultimate path laid before them would serve those who were still alive.

A chance. One in a million. Statistically and mathematically pathetic to the broader variable that was failure.

"Hey…" Clark motioned, waving his hand to make her come closer.

Now she was here, seeing the aftermath, or what she believed to be the aftermath, she couldn't help but think that it was strange. That she was here, her emotions perfectly in a stable place. When in reality just the idea… the thought of how she was alive, how this place was functional, and how she was now taking care of a remnant of both her murderer and the literal scion of all the powers as if she was a domesticated mother felt… wrong.

Saying, nay, thinking the word 'wrong' was already hard in itself.

It was as if disagreeing was an error. Like a paradox in the program that made up her thoughts and emotions. What she was as a human.

…but was she still, human?

[YES]

Blinking, she looked at Clark. His face was now turning into concern as his hand was still motioned towards her as if waiting for her to grasp it and follow his lead. She slowly glanced at her hand and opened it, a gold band on her ring finger while she gradually accepted his offered hand to pull her towards him.

Their hands clasp. Her memories, strictly tell her that due to the way how she was preserved. When she was put into stasis, most of her thoughts, feelings, and sensations were basically numbed due to how little she thought of them. Due to how little she used them. They were social, mental constructs that were unnecessary after all…

"You're being paranoid again." He says as Rebecca remains silent. His own gold band on his ring finger glinted as light bounced off of it while they continued to watch the screens. Closer together compared to before.

…in some strange way she asked herself if the loss of said constructs was the product of her losing most of what she cared about in the world, or her realizing that despite her connection to humanity, she was going through the motions just to actively make excuse after excuse due to her cynicism.

She had nobody else but her friends. Her colleagues that she attached any sort of emotion to that mattered. Perhaps some of the Inaugural Wards she cared about but as her actions became more refined, and more statistical, it was only through this 'second chance' did she realize that David was much more human than her when it became to what being 'human' meant.

He kept his emotions, his beliefs, and his conviction on his final goal despite being essentially a social hermit. An anti-social pariah who wished to do the right thing despite how wrong it may appear to other people.

She on the other hand, despite having the same numb beliefs and aspirations, her decision-making was closer to Contessa's and Dr. Mother's than being that of a human. She became less of Costa Brown and more so a calculating machine that cared more for numbers than morality. No better than the same otherworldly enemies that she strove to fight against.

That was also the same reason why when faced with actual emotion. With actual, close, lasting human interaction, she found herself silent. Unsure. It was as if she was back to being a bedridden patient again, guilty, ashamed, and had little to no confidence in herself.

At the same time… this 'second chance' made her question why she made herself so vulnerable. Why she allowed herself to open up again…

Clark squeezed her hand, rubbing it gently, it made her slightly flinch as she glanced at him.

…especially to his presence.

"I'm fine." She lied.

"You know 'Becca, with how long I've known you since we sucked ass with our powers, Keith and David would always tease me for being the only person to ever understand how your head worked. You were so damn quiet back then, almost to the point that I thought I had to learn sign language just to make you open up to us."

Rebecca's lips curled slightly at that memory. It felt so, so long ago when she would smile through the simple pleasure of being able to fly. Of being healthy. Of seeing the world again with hope, love, and trust.

She curled her fingers on his hand as she recalled how her friends shared the same dream as well. Before reality settled in. Before everything felt so… dull.

"David and Keith nearly had to make a betting pool just for the fun of it, but well, things progressed the way they went, and we've only grown closer since then." He continued as he smiled with visible teeth, nostalgia covering his face before he glanced back at her.

Rebecca did not smile however, his punctuation at saying the word 'then' at the end of his sentence only forced her to remember, terrible memories. Painful, lasting memories.

Screams littered the background, some perhaps her own as what was left was a corpse after. A corpse, wearing the face of the living man(?) right in front of her. Her hold on his hand loosened as predictably as he told her earlier, paranoia settled in.

Paranoia that was warranted as her hand who was still grasped by the man beside her only made her look at him with both fear and mistrust.

"What was your favorite issue of the Silver Age of Comics?" she bluntly asked, surprising him as he looked at her.

Humoring her he quickly replied, "Action Comics #242, July 1958. Why did you ask?"

She didn't face him, her eyes not even focusing on the screens.

"Before the Enemy, before Scion and the age of Parahumans, comics were one of the most popular forms of media, a literary achievement even, due to both their fantastical themes and the entertainment gained from stories that both inspired and awed their readers." She droned before meeting his own eyes, his face being so hard to look at in that moment as she struggled to even meet his gaze. "Superman was always your favorite hero, and his real name was 'Clark Kent'."

"Where is this going?" he asked, confused but… Rebecca already knew that he was lying to himself when he said that. He too was starting to get scared knowing where their conversation was headed. Rebecca veered her eyes off his gaze again as she tried to rub all her emotions off. A contrast to him as the hold on her hand only tightened.

Her lips were slightly quivering as it felt hard… difficult to utter the next words about to come out of her mouth.

"I don't know if you're real…"

He opened his own lips partly as well as he heard those words… but it was like a pin drop. The silence became deafening as their eyes met. Her own gaze even behind her helmet was so intense as she stared at practically the only man, she had ever been endeared to beyond just being friends.

…and that was the problem. Why was she endeared?

Why was she so actively accepting of all of this? Why was she vulnerable compared to what her own memories showed her of who she once was.

"I don't know what to trust… its… agonizing. I know who I'm supposed to be. I know who I am. I know what makes Rebecca Costa Brown, think, feel, and tick… but at the same time I don't trust these memories. They're too convenient. I always feel like there's something wrong when I look at you, when I look at David, when I look at myself. Like there's something missing that I can't decipher."

Her palm curled into a fist, yet he still clung to her.

"Like I'm scared that whoever I am… whoever I became after this… 'second life' is all but a sham." She then turned to him again, trying so hard to look at him only to falter with how painful it was to see his face. "…you're just as I imagined you to once be. You're just as I recalled with perfect memories of what you were before that striped bitch took you from us. But… can I trust these memories? Can I trust the conveniences placed before me with the knowledge that everything around us… everybody could just be a fake, artificial joke just to make us…"

Her lips quivered as she looked away. "…just to make us complacent. To make me complacent."

His grip on his hand was still unchanged. Rebecca notices it as she raises her head.

"I don't even know if Clark was your actual name… Hero. I should remember… I always should. All of us could, but with all the evidence around me, all the possible… conspiracies going into my head, I'm always left asking if this is you and not just a fabrication of the man we knew as Hero."

She glances at him, noticing that he is blankly staring at the screens. She didn't notice that he took off his helmet as his blonde locks flowed from the air conditioning that swirled air around the room they were in.

"…I don't know why I'm standing here facing the thing that brought us back to life and feel so calm about it. What if… we are all just puppets? What if we're just a convenient stipulation just so whatever humanity is left in that girl to remind her of what her childhood heroes were?"

He remained silent as Rebecca was starting to get frustrated.

"…what if we stop one day from functioning because our thoughts, our aspirations, our… humanity… what makes us who we are, were just simulators that have recorded just the bare minimum of who we once were. C-Can… can we actually call ourselves as being alive?"

He continued to remain unspoken as she gritted her teeth in frustration. She wished for him to let go of his hand until he squeezed hers and finally spoke to destroy the painful silence that permeated around them.

"You keep asking those questions, right?"

She didn't respond but she knew that he already had the answer.

"What do you think I feel about this whole situation… Becca?" he asked softly with weight as a perpetual frown from his idealistic, hopeful face blossomed through the depth of their existential questions. "I don't trust my own memories as well because there are none."

Rebecca widens her eyes at the revelation.

"W-What?"

He looked away but he continued to squeeze and caress her hand. The contact forced all her pain away, soothing her in some form. Making her question if whatever God there was that existed out there, they had a pathetically ironic sense of humor for her to suffer in. Despite her parents, she always considered herself Agnostic, but due to how fate had placed her in this predicament, she was beginning to wonder if this was her Purgatory… or perhaps, her own Personal Hell.

Yet she couldn't stop her personal emotions as the hand continued to soothe her.

How much he cared was staggering even with the distrust and paranoia she exuded. How much it pained her to feel and understand the depth of the words he said to her.

"I'm as clueless as you, Rebecca. I don't know who I am. I act as the person that Hero may have been based on, but I don't have his memories. I only have fragments of a certain point in time and everything else is just me wishing… begging that it's enough to make you and David… feel better. To feel safe and… hopeful that I exist."

Her shock continued to grow as he now turned himself completely to her. He moved his other hand to hold her other and soothingly squeezed it as well.

"The thing is… I don't even know if I am just here to pacify you both. To represent a memory of a man who died so long ago. It could honestly be that… b-but…"

"C-Clark… why-

"… when I saw how happy you both were… when I saw how glad you all became as the days went by, I had to try. I wanted to try. Hero was a good man. I'm pretty sure being what I am, I can't ever hope to be like him, but if it means that humanity, or simply his friends can find joy and happiness then… I wanted to at least try."

Rebecca was at a loss for words. In all likelihood, the more rational part of her brain(?) thought of this as another convenient way for their puppeteer to make her complacent. To tug at her heartstrings, to blossom a mode of trust for her to fall into.

It could be that. It could be the opposite.

If she were the real, Rebecca Costa Brown she would have killed this man. Yet at the same time, she didn't know if she could, even if given the chance.

Maybe her paranoia over the situation of her own existence was unjustified.

[You are human]

Blinking and finally realizing that those questions were ultimately pointless given the many unknowns surrounding her, she looked at Clark. The currently tangible truth that existed in front of her. Tangible enough that she could feel him.

"Becca… we're both scared of what's actually real or false around us… it's admittedly hard to trust anything given how we're all supposed to be dead, but will you hear me out at least on something?" he asked with compassion as she stared at him.

"What." She asked, it was neither a question nor a demand for she was just as lost as he was.

"Trust that this is real…" he said, referring to how their hands touched each other.

His fingers soothed her own palms as she looked at him.

Her emotions were present on her face but there was a sense of fear in them. Fear that permeated but also felt compelled to wish, or even hope that what he was saying to her could be possible.

"Hope… for the simple truth that we're all here."

Her doubt was still there but she squeezed his palms back, lightly.

"I wish it were that simple." She said nearly stoically.

"Nothing ever is… but how we act moving forward is what makes it tangible."

They both sighed in near unison at the finality of his words. Their eyes looked at the individual bands on their ring fingers as if the sight would trick people into thinking they were exchanging their vows. An ironic, strange contrast to the gravity of what they both discussed.

Of what they continued to still feel doubtful of.

Unbeknownst to Rebecca, this was every bit of painful as it was to her seeing them this way, but he continued to hope for the future. To at the very least, become the good man that Hero was…

To Rebecca, this was the opposite. She was at an impasse. An unmitigated state of unfamiliarity and confusion about what she wanted to do.

Yet both would agree in some form that the simple sensation of them existing was enough.

For now…

"We interrupting something?" a voice said, intruding their silence as Rebecca watched the Immortal and Cecil Stedman look at them from the doorway of the room they were in. The older-looking man's face watched them with intensity given the state of the two's current position and the rings on their fingers.

Rebecca surmised that he kept that detail to himself. Thinking it would possibly be something he can leverage in the future. It was funny for him to even think that, but she remained stoic as she let Clark lead this interaction.

They had work to do, and with Clark there to guide her, perhaps trust was one thing that she wished to feel genuine again in her own heart and soul.

If she ever had one, to begin with…

---

Vidor watched as Anissa went into battle with this 'Eidolon'.

True to Nolan's testimony, the human was truly something else. He did not doubt Anissa's fighting ability for he understood that even if he was there to aid her, it would ultimately be useless.

It stung his pride as a Viltrumite to admit that.

It stung him even further when he had to act 'heroic' to the local population. Despite his training and strength, he was more so an enforcer rather than a covert operative like Nolan was and his patience was a lot thinner compared to his calmer brethren.

The Grand Regent was the one who gave this order however and he would prove his worth by giving him the victory required.

Floating exactly a thousand meters from the attempted first contact with this aberration, Vidor continued to watch as he thought about his strategy to relay his existence to the one called Alexandria. Given Nolan's testimony, this female was what interested him and if she proved to be as capable with her strength and invulnerability then she would be a wonderful mate.

Not just for Vidor but he would be a testing bed that would inevitably allow for stronger children that the Grand Regent wished to create through her.

The only issue was to locate her at-

[…]

​

Vidor found himself frozen. His thoughts wildly go into a frenzy, after having the same experience by mentally potent psychic races centuries before.

Yet his body could not respond to his ails despite it having adapted and experienced enough similar cases before. It felt as if he was tortured under his own perspective as he could watch and feel aware of everything around him except for actively reacting physically against this breach.

He could still control his body levitating in 3D space but he could feel his body being manipulated down to the smallest function as his body turned slowly until he was presented with something that made him both angry and confused.

It was a young female human. Their hair was curly and wavy as it cascaded down her shoulders while staring at him with a blank face. She was surrounded by a rectangular 'opening' in reality with a green sheen of light.

He then felt another opening manifest behind him as the young female raised her hand.

He then felt his body slowly levitate into that opening in reality as Vidor raged within his mind. His emotions angrily spread as his body tried to retake control by trying to force his muscles and his Viltrumite physiology to take back control but he couldn't…

Darkness surrounded her as Vidor angrily screamed in his head about how powerless he felt.

The opening, in reality, closed, forcing him to never see the young female again. Yet he suddenly felt all of his emotions forcibly calm down.

Then…

Light shined on his face. His eyes were able to blink as simple bodily reactions slowly came back to him. His whole body continued to feel numb as the singular orb of light continued to shine on his face.

His eyes adjusted to it quickly enough when he began seeing a shape behind the orb of light.

It was white.

It had wings.

---

AN: Existentialism is cool… to a certain point. Because you just go thinking and thinking and it just becomes silly. Still cool to contemplate about, but surely the paranoia and stuff just lead nowhere or become conspiratorial to some people.

The next chap should be an Anissa POV.

 

[LazyFrog]

SMUG​

Mark Grayson clapped as he watched his classmates show off their presentations. One of them, Jessica, had just finished her solo flute performance which made him smile widely. It was amazing hearing how good she was when she started and finished. It felt as if hearing one of those performances live on the TV that his mom liked to watch a lot.

He could even say that out of all the performances that played that day, it felt like she was the best out of all of them. Her melody and tone just captivated everyone, especially Mark's male classmates as they were the ones that were louder with their clapping and applause. He smiled actually, seeing this for she did deserve it and he had seen and heard Jessica do her best to practice every day during recess for the past week.

Their teacher, Miss Langley happily gave her own applause as well, giving Jessica a rare, legendary (at least to the kids in the school), star badge that glistened in the glowing sun. The girl smiled widely in awe and pure thanks as their teacher officially called her the winner of the presentations. Even her friends, Alicia, a darker-skinned girl and Sera, a smaller willowy girl lifted her on their shoulders as Jessica laughed and giggled much to their classmate's delight. They huddled around them like a small crowd as the teacher giggled in glee.

Mark, on the other hand, clapped in his seat as he watched.

He wanted to join perhaps to congratulate her, only to feel someone tugging at his shirt.

"Oh... hey, Taylor! Did you see that? Jessica won!"" Mark said with a smile as his broken, uneven set of teeth were bared in all their glory at her. He was so happy to notice her again after being focused on another thing earlier until he saw her very obvious, sour mood. So much so that the tug on his shirt was rather tight than before.

She was visibly pouting with pure annoyance at him before dipping her head in sadness.

"H-Hey! What's wrong?"

Taylor, as expected, did not reply. She merely let go of him before taking her own presentation, a similarly amazing set of vibrantly colored clothes made out of silk. Admittedly, with how slow and ignorant (emotionally) young Mark's mind was, he didn't understand why she seemed upset. Because as far as he was concerned, the fact that Taylor had made him a super-suit out of Silk was already amazing on its own. He just couldn't show it much, because his dad taught him that he had to separate superhero life from normal life.

Still, this proved to trigger a few lingering memories inside of Taylor, especially the three girls who were being congratulated by the class as Mark stared at her. Without another word, the young girl grabbed the super suit on her table and began walking away.

Mark, troubled by seeing how upset she was walked to her and grabbed her hand.

"Hey… did I do something wrong?" he asked, worried.

Taylor gave him a stare before forcing her hand away and leaving through the door.

Mark wanted to follow by hurrying himself to get to her, only to open the door and see that she had vanished. Immediately, the little boy became upset with himself, feeling a lot sadder than he initially realized. He now tried to call out her name as he ran around the halls of the school, hoping to find his friend.

He did not understand what caused such a reaction on Taylor but he started to panic as tried to find Taylor in vain.

Unbeknownst to him, it seemed like the little girl was hiding herself in one of the female's restroom stalls. It was fairly clean compared to what the girl's memories are of public restrooms in schools like this, but it still evoked a lingering memory from beyond that made her pause.

'Taylor' looked at the clothes she took an entire day to form with silk from the ones her 'Dad' had been cultivating for her as she did all her research through memories and scenarios from other realities as to what best would suit Mark.

Staring at it, she wondered why it was that she felt this sway of emotions. Many voices and functional information coursed through the network to give her some form of advice but the very tantamount lingering memories of her were still making her current form stop in silence.

Her archival and active information network was drowned out by the voices of three particular girls, before fading away completely when she finally sighed.

She opened the stall door and walked towards the mirrors where she saw herself.

Her trademark frown was still present. She then looked at the super suit on her hands as she hummed to herself and opened a void. She then slowly stored the pieces of silk-laden fabric with her small hands and closed it after.

It was annoying. Less so about human emotions making her frustrated, but the fact that she was inevitably angry at something so petty. At something so… figurative from a memory lingering beneath her current form. How the laughing, petulant smiles of a redhead girl continued to beguile her. With a huff, she then started to think about what to do when a transmission was sent through the network. It asked permission to open a channel directly to her.

Without much fanfare due to her dour mood, she accepted it.

Perhaps talking to a friend would alleviate some of her dour mood.

[Prompt, Query?]

[Denial. Irrelevant]

[Worried. Solution Presented]

[Secondary Priority. Current Directive Ongoing]

[Affirmative. Reporting Progress… Success. Viltrumite Biology Vulnerable to Control Node]

[Acknowledgement. Returning to Current Directive]

Her main advisor went silent. She had other things to do and she knew that her 'parents' were about to finish with their own objective. She… wanted someone else to interact with as through the insects around the school, she surveyed her Mark running around trying to find her.

'Taylor' walked towards the door, emotions rumbling within her head as she became unfocused, only to stop when she bumped into the Fiend. Their flute fell to the floor as their friends became, similarly surprised tried to pull her up.

"Oh gosh! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-

"Hey, it's the fashionista!" Sera happily said as Alicia's eyes grew wide with excitement.

"Oh, it is her! That suit looked beautiful! Did you really make it yourself?" Alicia innocently asked as the two girls began to flock to her, much to 'Taylor's' confusion as they rapidly asked a lot of questions until Jessica, finally getting her bearings and her flute back then calmed them both.

"Hey… don't overwhelm her. Don't you know what Miss Langley said? We gotta make her our friend, and we can't do that if we scare her." Jessica said, her red locks making her smile all the more annoying as 'Taylor' stared.

"Sorry!" Alicia said.

"Please forgive me!" Sera parroted as 'Taylor' looked confused with the interaction.

Awkwardly they stood there as she remained silent, not that she could feasibly 'talk'. Doing so would melt their brains to mush and Mark wouldn't want that.

"Your name is, Taylor right?" Jessica asked.

Slowly, she nodded.

"I'm Jessica! And I love how you made that suit! It's so cool! Can you make me a dress too?" Jessica excitedly said as she moved closer into her personal space.

"Hey, you're doing the same thing!" Alicia complained as the three girls began bickering with each other while 'Taylor' stared. It was…

Bizarre.

Watching these three and how it contradicted the lingering memories inside of her. She then looked at the flute on Jessica's hands while the three bickered and it woke a few happier sets of memories inside her head again.

One of a woman playing a flute to her before she went to sleep. One whose smile seemingly made every sort of problem melt away as she kisses her on the forehead. A woman with lovely hair that seemed to curl and flow around her shoulders as she wore those spectacles on her eyes.

"Oh… do you want me to teach you how to play?" Jessica asked.

'Taylor' blinked. Her focus returned to reality as she somehow let the human emotions override her own directives. Yet, she didn't feel bad about it, she instead looked at Jessica and slowly nodded, much to the redhead girl's delight.

"Awesome! If I can do it, so can you!"

She tilted her head at the response, though before she could think if there was any detriment to it, the simple scenario of watching Mark become so happy about her being attuned to the instrument made her smile. She didn't even need to simulate it with the various data she had on hand, she just knew that he would be pleased with her about it.

And being pleased, yielded more [DATA].

"We can do it right now if you want?" Jessica offered with a hand as she and the other two girls looked at her in anticipation. She then stealthily pulled something inside her little slim bag which opened to her pocket dimension and took out Mark's super suit. Its beautiful light grey color with blue, electronic-glowing streaks running across its frame accompanied by the signature yellow from other realities, was an amalgam of [WEAVER] and the being that would be Invincible.

Taking it out, 'Taylor' motioned for the three girls, as best as she non-verbally could to initiate a trade of sorts. Sure, she could simulate this entire ordeal without any issue whatsoever, but she wanted to learn about being 'human'. She wanted to learn how to please Mark, and if it meant learning this in a manner that would look and feel like a waste of time, then so be it.

If anything, seeing him praise her for how good she is again, felt great.

Human pettiness was remarkable.

[SMUG] was data worth learning.

---

The shaping of flesh was a very delicate but easy process. Especially with the new information acquired over this carbon-based lifeform on the main reality hub where the network now resided. Said carbon-based lifeform was peculiar when compared to Homo Sapiens, or locally coined in this part of the realities as 'Humans'. Their structure was more robust and their abilities in a 4D space and further measure beyond said dimensional abilities allowed them to break the laws of the physical universe to an extent.

An example of such peculiarities was the cellular defenses that allowed robust genes and traits to have a form of adaptation that allowed tissue growth and so on to become stronger. It suggested a rapid process of evolution that forced their genetic code to be as monstrous as it is. A very precise but rudimentary flawed system of eugenics that seemed to promote power over intelligence.

Their rapid evolution of such traits allowed them the ability to control the 4D space around them to an extent that allowed them to levitate and achieve velocities that in retrospect would literally burn any local atmosphere if they even attempted to go barely near-relativistic level of speed. This ability ascertained that the need for interstellar devices for flight was secondary, and if anything, their race allowed them dominion over lesser lifeforms, at the cost of their rapid development being subdued by this unnecessary process of what Humans call 'Darwinism'.

Had they cultivated their developments further, especially with how they achieved rudimentary control in all four dimensions they reside in, they might have achieved ascension closer to the lifeforms their network used to be.

Yet it seemed like emotion and sheer stupidity over a flawed ideal corrupted their progress.

Of course, this line of thought would be amended in other simulations and realities, based on the data they possessed, but such progress was still stagnant, and the possibility of them ever achieving the form desired to even rival the network was unfeasible.

It was good news, however, at least on their side.

It meant experimentation and testing were a possibility and currently, it was the main objective that their cooperation was trying to procure.

Their subject, named 'Vidar' was undergoing a biological shaping test. The network was pleased with the results for while there were other data to find in the other realities and simulations, the testbeds were to be used for later. The different control situations would allow their first step to understanding this strange new branch of universes to be more well-known and comprehensive.

The data posed from this first-hand specimen, untampered and nearly full-blooded in 'Viltrumite' genes was astounding while [High Priest II] was allowed to temper the female specimen with how they would do in a direct confrontation.

Concurrently, the one known to the humans as 'Hopekiller' watched as their sibling shaped the unassuming 'Vidar' into shapes and forms as he continued to helplessly wail in pain and discomfort. The data provided within seconds allowed them to parse which limitations this 4D-comprehensive lifeform could stretch itself to while the sibling, the one with three heads continued to simulate the [Shaper] to enact such tests.

This one was part of the two. One divided into separate halves yet still functioned as a unit.

One whose main head was that of a red-hooded young woman with frizzy brown hair and freckles of which the only main difference from the former [Shaper] host was that its eyes were bright, glowing red. Another head was that of a prepubescent young boy, no older than ten with neatly parted hair which the simulation tried to assimilate a form of a traditional schoolboy. Their skin was gray in color, pale as if reflecting the spot of lights and shadow that seemed to dance around their head. The third and final one was a young woman with brown, straight hair whose features were primarily emphasized by the mass of flesh bits that seemed to protrude from her face and torso. Creating an agony-like effect on the features as if relating to the pain 'Vidar' was feeling.

The sibling of the 'Hopekiller' shaped the specimen….

"AAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUGHHHH!!!"

…Refracted time to the beginning to reset once enough data with the current directive was made available…

"AAARRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

…And recreated the process again by creating another clone out of it.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGHHH!!!"

There were now sixteen thousand, three hundred, forty-four instances of 'Vidar'. The 'Hopekiller' watched as its sibling continued its work while she and the towering other half of said sibling watched in silence at the ordeal.

Both were ultimately pleased with the process.

The 'Hopekiller' unit was pleased with the presence of its once-disabled sibling.

With permission from the main network and [High Priest II], there lay the possibility that their work on the 'Viltrumite' species would bore immense fruit.

The kind that would allow them another advantage.

[Unit is SMUG]

---

Sometime Later…

​

Rebecca sighed for Clark had bid her to accept the ails of their 'child'. They were still neck-deep in negotiations for their base on the other Earth to be manned by Cecil's GDA for further global and interdimensional security but the call from 'Taylor' forced them to pause.

Thankfully, Clark seemed capable enough to continue negotiations on his own as she quickly took off her suit and returned to her normal clothing. Finishing up, she walked towards the door that would let her back into their home when she saw the little girl waiting in anticipation while pouting like a petulant child who acted like she was neglected.

"What is it this time?" she asked with a bit of frustration as the girl's smile returned.

She then handed her the tablet that Clark had bought her which showed pictures of a standard-looking flute. She looked at it before glancing at the girl who was staring with an innocent smile on her face.

"You want me to buy you a flute?"

[Affirmative]

"Right now?"

'Taylor' continued to smile with a smug as Rebecca sighed and offered her hand towards the girl. Taking it into her own, she thought about the nearest department store that sold that item. Hopefully, that would keep her occupied for a few hours.

"Come on then."

She looked joyful at it as Rebecca led them to their car.

[SMUG]

---

AN: This was supposed to be smushed with the Annissa POV, but I decided against it. This and that had to be their own chapters for the next one would show the other side of this 'test bed'. Heh.