Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

You have died 

Well this is certainly news to me can’t remember what it was that killed me but I guess the random text appears in front of you in the void telling you that you died it's true otherwise how did I get here. I just go along with it pretty much, you will live in again in a new world as something quite MARVELous. 

Ohh my God I’m gonna be in a new MARVEL universe I wonder what powers I get to have. Then it says selecting most compatible hero template available which bit of a bummer but let’s see what it gives me before I start bitching, ‘SELECTED’ and it shows me the Human Torch. Then I look myself for the first time and realize I didn’t have a physical body but now I do when being presented a mirror I see I look like a young Johnny Storm and damn I see where he gets his confidence from if this guy looks like this it’s no wonder he became such a Casanova. Look a little further down and okay not a bad piece of equipment I’m working with, I then get back on track and I think about my power set it pretty nice all things considered fly, set myself on fire, immune to fire damage of all kind except probably magical fire, massive control over flames and my heat, and casually go supernova in a large area and so long as I don’t get too crazy with it I won’t destroy the earth or New York. 

Then I see Another text and says karma value perks awarding, I like it first thing it says Conduit enforcement ‘infamous series’s’ allows for enhancement of overall abilities increasing my overall abilities giving me a healing factor similar to people like Cole Macgrath and Delson Rowe and should I absorb fire nearby I can speed it up, following it up with that it increases my overall damage output and increases my physical attacks nice I do wanna be able to get up close and personal every now and again, increased my reflexes and perception further than it was, and I can imbue a melee weapons with my powers maybe even do a few other things with my already considerable powers.

 Second thing it gives me is ‘Marvelous Intelligence’ my head feels fuzzy for a second and I don’t feel that different initially, knowledge of how to create unstable molecules and how to create anything related to them and my head feels funny for a second there but I manage just fine as my iq is raised to a level of a genius and wow well I know what all my clothes are going to be made out of now. Actually I only need one suit and just program it to transform its appearance as I would get rid of any bacteria just by flaming on. Although seems kinda redundant given the fact Reed will be making the suits in the future so this stuff is not necessary but I won’t question it right now. Furthermore I discover this perk will allow me to create some of the best shit in the Marvel universe I just need to put in the work for it which honestly that’s great but what good is this shit if other people will be able to do it. I accept this gift I have been given but I still wish I was given another power, maybe I can hack into places and disarm some bombs but other than that and putting me up there with some of the smartest people in the universe I just don’t see this taking me as far as one would hope.

Third thing it gives me is ‘Not that easy, Fates Favor’ this one is probably the biggest leg up I’m gonna get out of the rolls however, it tells me I am immune to mind control, ‘resist’ reality warping abilities depending on on how they affect me (It doesn’t explain what that means or its parameters), as well as leaving me able to survive beams of instant death or disassembling at the atomic level (This is amazing but hopefully I never have to use it). I can also damage people who are normally unaffected by normal means. Yet erasure of my existence is rendered impossible which I am just going to be grateful I know the snap is random but I wanna make it naturally, this part will only be needed once, and it’s says I’m blind spot for psychic’s that see the future, again could come in handy with what I’ll meet out there in the Marvel Universe. I do wonder how often I will need this one it’s good but honestly the amount of people I will meet that could just wipe me away killing me, erasing me, or just control me is not much world is a big place I shouldn’t run into these things that often after all world full of superheroes surely someone else will deal with a good portion of these guys half the time. Then a P.S. comes up saying ‘You are going to need this ability to survive it doesn’t make you indestructible or immortal it just means certain people will have to finish you off the hard way. When you meet HIM…. this ability will allow you to hurt him in a way few can but you will die if you screw around… Also you will have no memory of having this ability when awakening.’

“Well if I can’t remember this ability how am I gonna be able to use it when I fight Thanos I guess I’m just gonna piece together this last one…. Is there a reason I won’t remember this though?”

I receive no answer.

Then after the longest period of silence to the point it seems like something is wrong. Something pops up new ‘prepare for awakening at your origin, your powers will not be from the source of everyone else’ it tells me and I’m just like well only three other people get powers from a cosmic storm in space so yeah everyone’s different and has their own origin story some people get it in science experiments gone wrong, born mutants, and some people get bit by a special spider. Then before I go one last message read gives me some background info that get told that I get it from my dad’s science experimenting with a machine in his lab turning me into the human torch of the universe when I’m 6 years old. I get confused for a second wait why it doesn’t it mention rest of the Fantastic Four why am six when this happens and then a new message appears saying ‘Good luck you’ll need it.’

Okay this new guy gets sent off to a new reality he is definitely gonna be a heavy hitter but considering where he’s going he needs all the help he can get. The stuff I gave him will make his life easier to start with but he’s still gonna have his work cut out for him after all he does not know he’s not going to the Marvel universe. He will certainly bring attention to himself as he is essentially cape who is a walking star with powers that don’t come from a shard, God once he makes his debut on the scene it will just be one thing after another. Shards will most certainly push for conflict with him both to find out his capabilities and experiment with him, Brockton Bay will not be prepared for that shit storm once he reveals his whole hand so long as he doesn’t go supernova off the bat he should be fine and things will not escalate out of control and this guy might just save the world and more importantly entertain me. 

“Hey ROB I read this guy’s file and I think you missed something it’s kind of important in his file.” 

“Bro I appreciate you helping me set out for my first big reincarnation but trust me the guy will do jus……”

I look at the section my fellow ROB points to… and if I had a full stomach now I would be exchanging it for pants full of shit.

Heck as I look at this guys file he will be even less prepared as it says here he has never read Worm, Ward, or any fanfiction related to the Parahuman’s universe. I think about what I used his karma points to get him. One karma reward makes him more durable and able to heal that being Conduit Enforcement, and Fates Favor will make him the bane of certain thinker’s out there but for the most part that’s just to keep him unnoticed while also making sure stilling and other such attacks won't kill him immediately… considering he doesn't know shit he's gonna need it. Marvelous intelligence will certainly be giving more than he expected, this boy better be using these brains I gave him.

 I think to myself ROB you did a good job gave him everything he needs to be a success his powers won’t shackle him to some kind of trauma he’s gonna be fine. However I think to myself how big of a wrench someone who doesn't know the plot of this story can throw. Now I just wanna see how he effects things.

“Bro he doesn't know shit, I can't do anything but why not enjoy the show.”

He looks at me like I lost my mind, but he doesn't understand I didn't get the ROB gig by playing it safe.

“Look next time we get the gang together this will at least be entertaining regardless how it turns out. I mean if he doesn't know anything who knows what kind of decisions he will make think of how fun it will be to watch and what kind of drama he creates.”

“I do kind of wanna see how this plays out.”

“Plus this is the first time I’m incorporating my built in reality program.”

“What is that?”

“Basically what it does is alter the world in subtle or even major ways to give reason for his powers existence basically it's like taking a tree from somewhere else and not only planting it in a new environment but also making way for more fun deviations. So while history is largely the same further his story goes the more we discover about the changes the world has gone through because of his existence.”

“So what now?”

“Enjoy the show.”

Chapter Text

I remember the first time I woke up it would be to a feeling of pain soreness plaguing every muscle within my body my throat was dry I wanted water I opened my eyes but  starting out I lacked the strength to open them all the way so nothing was clear my vision was foggy and muddled. Even when I could open my eyes all the way it didn’t change but I could tell that there was a fire going on sparks from broken machinery I saw persons body near me or rather what used to be a person. All it was at that point was a charred body lifeless and smelling of cooked flesh if I had a full stomach and the strength I think I would of puked. At this point in time my memories were mixed into a mess.

I lived before but specifics would come later on throughout a three year period following this day. However the information came to me in gentle waves that even despite my best efforts. I would never get a clear image of what my life was before this day maybe it was damage or maybe trauma, however what I said next would paint a picture of what I was seeing as I stared at the corpse in front of me.

“Dad….”

Before me was the remains of this universe’s Franklin Storm my father, I felt the urge weep but tears could not fall my body didn’t have the water to waste on tears. I tried to remember what happened I knew I would wake up after an accident, however what led to this accident was what muddled I could recall looking for my father I had something to tell him and a gift to give him it was his birthday.

That was what came to my mind until I lost consciousness again I woke to see a girl with blond hair tears streaking down her face muttering something as she held the broken body close to herself when I tried calling out to her. Sue that was Sue my older  sister but when I tried to call out nothing but a choke would escape my lips but it was a enough. She would rush to me holding me tightly in her arms and then I would sleep again. Feeling safe now that someone I knew was with me I rested for what I would find out later to be 6 months later in July in a hospital bed my sister with me.

Susan Storm a month after the accident that claimed our father life would turn 16 furthermore during my comatose state would finish her engineering degree. I would learn quickly that my sister was a prodigy among prodigies who while already taking AP courses during high school but ended her education prematurely to support and raise me herself as my legal guardian. This decision was made when the courts decided to put me in the foster system Sue could already be self sufficient and regardless of knowing she was capable of taking care of me and would be able to prove it. She raised such a storm in court that it would make the local news I heard this from one of the nurses who saw the it on tv. Wish I could have seen it because I’m told the judge got so shaken up it looked like he shit himself.

I tried looking for the tapes of that, never found it though. I would go home to our home in southern California in Long Beach where we would live there for a good couple of years. I would pass the time practice using my powers which would first activate when one day a few weeks after I left the hospital Sue would try waking me up for breakfast one morning only to find that I was sleeping in not because I stayed up all night playing video games of course but because it was Saturday I wanted to sleep in enjoy my rest till you know like 1 in the afternoon. Sue didn’t believe me, honestly I was hurt and so I tried keeping my eyes closed felt wonderful as I pulled the covers back over myself.

Things were going great I was winning and then Sue put an air horn next to my ear and pressed down. I was very much frightened as you could imagine but as that move scared the daylights out of me so much I burst into flames on the bed. Now you might think with my sleep disturbed, my breakfast thrown out in anger for not waking up and staying up late which I did not do and she cannot prove it, and follow that up with my bed as well as would soon be my whole room if I didn’t stop. You might think I was unhappy but honestly I was thrilled I had been trying to flame on for weeks without any success in sight but I finally did it. Nothing could bring me down not even fire extinguisher Sue used to put out both me and my bed. Nothing….. until I got a massive info dump with which very clearly brought me back down to reality. I honest to God thought I was in Marvel I wasn’t, and I was not in DC either. I don’t know what universe I ended up in when Sue told me I was a parahuman.

From there I thought for a second and realized I don’t know what fuck universe has that term but it told me enough to know I don’t know jack shit about what’s going on. Sue talked to me about how she was afraid I might have awakened something like this because of the accident and had been waiting for anything to occur, the wait was over. Something about the way she was speaking about felt strange though that she was experienced in the subject personally but never mentioned it before. She would tell me our father was a tinker who made his money by selling his creations to capes to support them. When mentioning this I asked her if she could tell me about any capes she new of she was surprised at that.

“Johnny most of your toys are superheroes, you are a cape nerd of the family. How much do you remember.”

“Well I don't really remember much before the accident and you seemed stressed these days and I didn't want to trouble you.”

Sue accepted that at the time gave me a worried look before prying more, asking me about my toys and brought me my Adam Warlock toy. She called him Scion… which I guess it’s all right for a name. She then once realizing I had no real clue to the reality we lived in sat me down and explained to me in detail about what history of parahumans showing up in the 1980’s, the triumvirate, and most importantly the Endbringers. The fact I had genuine reactions to what she was telling me she looked torn up at the realization I don’t really remember anything prior to our dad’s death.

Once I realized the scope of what was going on I realized things are extremely dangerous and the world was just kinda fucked right now. These things were monsters that aren’t beaten by heroes, the closest thing to a victory is just surviving, which only the strongest ones seem to do or the capes that help where they but recognize they can't offer much and stay in their lane.

More than anything else other than learning about the world I told her I would practice using my powers which she accepted. Then she gave conditions for using powers it was simple she said if I was going to practice I had to do it in dad’s old workshop aka the secret room in the basement. Which during the last few months I avoided like the plague because it creeped out it is famous place to die in horror movies.

When showing me the lab I was left in wonder I had never imagined that there would be a secret room to create technology for beyond what was available for the public. Weapons that looked out of a science fiction setting and some other machines that felt familiar along with a broken metal ball being repaired.

Sue would have me running tests initially when I asked her how smart she was to be able to do this. Immediately she started smiling saying she was helping dad make tinker tech before she triggered I asked what she meant by that.

“Before dad would make something I studied it and took it apart to learn from it older projects he had no use for. I am the only person who has ever taken apart a piece of tinker tech and was able to replicate it.”

“Why are you the only one, if people have the tech certainly they could reengineer it people could be better protected.”

“It doesn’t work like that Johnny you have to be a tinker for it to work as they operate on a different level and understanding from regular people. I didn't fully understand it until I triggered now I know things I didn't before.”

“But you just said you used to help dad and that you remade one of his old projects. So how does that work, if you didn't have a power that feeds you science info.”

She looked at me and gave me the biggest shit eating grin.

“In short I’m a genius.”

“Can you expand on that point.”

“Sure, I’m a super genius.”

Great an explanation that doesn't help because she thinks I’m a dumb kid, then again I am an amnesiac child with confirmation that I do have some measure of brain damage from the accident. I figured though there would be other super geniuses in the world able to figure this out but this left me with a question.

“So if being a tinker gives you all this advanced scientific knowledge where does the knowledge even come from and how come no one can just recreate it by watching the creation process?”

Without skipping a beat my sister said to me.

“I have no idea little brother it’s just one of those great mysteries. Then it's not like people didn't try it's that they can see it but they don't understand what they're looking at.”

It will be a mystery until I get interested enough to look for the answers for now the priority was mastering my powers.

Chapter Text

The next two weeks I would practice with my powers using the testing area of the lab naked. While my sister struggled to make something that would not start burning off me. Eventually I took a crack at it as I know how to make n unstable molecule suit so it will work. Sue let me try it as she was getting frustrated and wanted to take a break two days later I got in my black and blue suit almost like the fantastic four were wearing in comics when I died but I just in the color overall the design was based more on what the human torch of the ultimate universe wore when Spider-Man died I used it as a way to make something more casual and not necessarily screaming hey I’m a superhero in training. When my sister saw the results she was amazed and then had me take an test for my IQ she gave me a day to prepare for it and materials to study for it I spent an hour studying first half I tried my best second half of the hour I skimmed the material. I mean just cause I’m smarter now doesn’t mean I’m motivated to do my absolute best I can I’d rather exercise or relax. 

I get a score of 250 as a result of my lack of effort which I am not going tell Sue still I think it’s pretty good, then again I never bothered to learn what the average IQ score is. Sue tells me I’m almost as smart as her and I ask what her score at my age was 270.

“So sis what does an average score measure to in intelligence.”

She looks at me and I can almost feel the world stop to stare at me in disbelief.

“Johnny the average person has an IQ of 85-115 to be considered a genius you have to have score over 140. No one currently other than you or me has ever had a score this high.”

Well that was certainly something to be impressed about but I wish I had bombed because growing up Sue made it her job to teach me a tone of stuff from mechanics to biology to some chemistry and God knows what else. The only time I ever had fun at home was when I could practice powers or work on her tinker gadgets with her. Now I am in a weird place where what I view as important is different than others add my powers along with my heightened intelligence and I just I can’t relate to these kids around me and every time I am at school I just feel distant from most kids I treat nicely but they can sense I don't fit in. Furthermore since my coma put me in the hospital before the school year could finish and I had to repeat a year add the fact mentally I have the mind of a teenager  who died before I could even graduate and I am just stuck in a weird place where I can’t connect with people ‘my age’ but why would I want to  at this point, honestly I have superpowers and I can use them playing with children just felt like such a waste.

This life I can do so much more with I have powers and brains people can only dream of and I’m gonna be superhero like no other. Sue didn’t want me joining the wards or the PRT and I agreed. She didn’t want me getting thrown out there into the hero business and potentially getting hurt. Now obviously that is exactly what is going to happen but she didn’t catch on to why I was so agreeable and it’s simple. I don’t trust a  government controlled superhuman community that’s likely corrupt at the highest level. Why do I say this because I read comic books it’s the most obvious thing ever, also it is the government, I may not be in Marvel but I won’t take a chance working in the interests of whatever their Hydra equivalent is. I’m going to start off solo I won’t pick fight with them since some of these people are probably good guys. Maybe make a team later, second reason this whole system seems so focused on how they are perceived looks matter more than doing a good job. If I were a ward I would be forced to go to random events and stupid meet and greets till I’m 18. 

No I’m gonna figure out the whole hero thing on my own just like the best heroes I grew up reading about besides I just need to practice my abilities more than anything and I will be prepared. I have already figured out a move that has wide are effect and knocks people backwards without hurting them too badly I’m calling it heat wave it carries more kinetic than thermal energy at this point one day I will be able to control what gets burned. Also I can kind of fly now I can’t go high in the sky though partially to keep people from looking for a flying boy on fire but mostly because I’m just scared of the heights I have the time get over that though… one day I will.

Life goes smoothly for the most part and before I know it’s 2010 Christmas break and I’m stoked for the holidays. At least I was until Sue came in with the worst news possible. 

“Moving but for what for? Why are you just mentioning this now?”

“Johnny I know you have questions but right now we have to start packing no questions right now.”

“No Sue I want an answer why are we moving how come it’s so sudden? I’m in my sophomore year of high school and I’m finally hitting my stride I started a free running club sis and now I’m actually connecting with people. You know making friends for the first time you know what you have been hoping for after all these years.”

“Johnny I’m sorry you aren’t going to see your friends anymore but now is not the time. You can make new ones at your new school Now just grab what you need it don’t worry about the furniture or anything else just pack for essentials and hurry up we have a long drive.”

“Sis just give…”

“For fucks sake Johnny can’t you just work with me!”

With that Sue just slumped down on the couch head in her hands. She was crying and I never saw my sister once be this upset and emotional not when I was sneaking out to the beach in the middle of the night to practice staying on fire while submerged in water, when she pulled me out of martial arts classes when I did too well for a 12 year old kid, and even in the earliest days since I started my new life when I was helping her clear out dads old room she was sad but it didn’t hit her as hard as I thought. Honestly I feel bad for that last one because she had 6 months of being alone figuring out how she was gonna live, be able to take care of me, and mourning our father all at once while I was comatose. So I ask her softly as I can.

“What’s wrong sis?”

Tear streaming down her eyes she looks at me answers.

“What isn’t wrong would be easier Johnny. Ohh God, have you ever wondered how I do it baby brother how I afford this two story house, pay for your sports, and how we got a decent car, and keep it maintained or even how I was able to afford your stay in the hospital for 6 months when I was just a kid.”

“Well not really it’s because dad left a lot of money in his safe to live off of right.”

“No Johnny, no he didn’t. That experiment where he died and you almost went with him he spent a good amount of money for the project and after the accident his employers never paid why would they it blew up and the guy they hired did no need to give the money to an orphan with a brother they expected to die in the hospital. I had to do something Johnny and fast, so I started and to this day kept selling tinker tech to who would pay me the most for it.”

She didn’t say who she was selling to but I paid more attention to the news ever since I unlocked my powers and there has been gang leader calling himself Arsenal. He’s never made an appearance in public but his gang has and they armed with serious firepower. The biggest thing they have done recently was when they robbed a major bank in LA the robbery wasn’t important what really made the news was how Alexandria went to stop them and was blasted with a gun that trapped her in a stasis field long enough for the crew to get away. Wait ohh fuck…

“You made that stasis gun didn’t you.”

Sue looks at me and sure enough with a nod confirms exactly that. I know it’s illegal and by all accounts she should probably go to jail… at least that’s what the court would rule but she is still my sister and above all else and I don’t want to lose her. So I  choose not to lose my her for all she has done she didn’t choose to rob people or kill anyone she just wanted to give me a decent life even if it cost her a chance at living her own life. If I were a colder and more rigid man I would make that call but I am not and I never want to be. 

“Well come on we still a lot have to pack up even if we’re not taking everything.”

She looks up at me with surprise in her eyes and what looks like relief.

“Your not mad but why Johnny I thought you wanted to be a superhero so why are you this quick to move on with this.”

“You were put in an impossible situation sis you never killed or robbed anyone you just sold tech, and only because you had to I'm not stupid and I don’t see things black and white. However the thing that matters is this you are my sister and the only family we have is each other now I’m not letting you go to jail. Besides I can still be a superhero I’ll just work as rouge cape I think I make work I think I’ll even be able to make it popular.”

She rushes in and hugs me tightly as though I’ll disappear suddenly, I hug back letting her know it’s okay.

“So sis tell me where are we going to live now.”

“We are going to be moving back to dads old house, we moved here to California just before you were born. For me it’s home whether I like it or not but listen to me closely we are going to be in a rough city.”

I think carefully and even after all these years of evidence I still guess the big apple.

“New York?”

 “No Johnny, we are going to live in Brockton Bay.”

Great a city I never heard of or have been to, maybe it’s a nice place.

Chapter Text

“Fuck I’m running late on the first fucking day God dammit!”

This was the first day at my new high school Winslow and it was supposed to be a good day but with how I started today and how I ended last night I wasn't in the best mood which made me forget to set my alarm, let me explain so what happened last night well it went something like this.

“Two weeks you're gonna be gone for two weeks for what?!!”

“Johnny you're gonna be fine look there are some people who I have to see in order upon up the new electronics and repair shop. Something not illegal and is honest work to put the whole Arsenal business behind us”

“I’m surprised that the guy who had you as his tinker just blew himself up when he was about to get caught and thrown in the bird cage just seems like we got a little too lucky. Why are even going into business with some these guy's you worked with.”

“Its the bird cage Johnny a good number of people would rather die than go there, I never want to go there. Also those people I’m working with looked out for me when I got inducted into Arsenal's gang, plus we always said if we got out of this we would get stick together harder for gangs to nab a tinker when they have a crew to back them up and protect them. Plus quite a few of my friends have experience as well as connections in Brockton Bay so we should be able to set up shop without too much trouble coming our way from gangs because the last thing we need is for someone to bust up our store.”

“I guess that makes sense but why do you have to be gone for two weeks.”

Sue gather her bag of clothes looking to find all the stuff she needs is packed up then heads to the kitchen to see all the food she left for me is there and enough for me to last two weeks still speaking all the while. 

“Have to make some deals Johnny if I want to make sure the shop doesn't get destroyed, make sure all the merchandise gets to the store and I don't want anyone following me home. I’m sorry but I’ll have to miss your first days at school.”

“Don’t worry sis I’ll use dads spy cameras he made and use it to make a video of my first days at Winslow High and show you how great the school is.”

“Johnny, it's not gonna be good that school is a shit hole and the only reason you’re there is because Arcadia has a wait list, if I had a choice you wouldn't be going there.”

“I am sure it's no worse than any other high school. Plus even if it's rough I have Alfred to help me through it at home?”

Sue finishes everything and gets ready to leave but decided to finish the conversation before going off to speak with her crew and set up their tech shop.

“I will never understand why you built a robot in response to me telling you to make a friend when you were a kid, I know that you know that is not what I meant.”

“First I never did that I had already made him by that point second he is an ai not a robot I made to assist me when you were making weapons for Arsenal and his gang, second he is controlling a suit of power armor and has no robotic body you would know that if you ever took a closer look at him.”

“Johnny why would you build a suit of power armor when you don't need it? you already can fly and set yourself on fire.”

“I wanted to see if I could do it and if it was any good despite lacking everything I originally wanted it to include because someone wouldn't give me better materials for armor or explosives.”

Sue looks at me with the most perfect expression of 'I’m done with this'. If I had a camera on me immediately going straight into the family photo album.

“I am leaving now Johnny. Also before I leave some of my friends are going to be dropping off our stuff at the house they have a key but just so you know the tinker tech is getting dropped off on Friday you will put all of it in the basement specifically inside his tinker workshop here lock it. And don't go through too many of his old things a good chunk is early tech that's unstable and will probably just explode. Love you and goodbye.”

So now alone again so soon after moving into Brockton Bay a city that doesn't have a lot of good things going for it take a look at some of the factions well start with the protectorate and their wards they are a group of superheroes who protect Brockton Bay you have their leader Armsmaster, Miss Militia, Triumph, Assault, and Battery plus some other people I didn't bother to remember. They also have their Wards which is basically superhero program for capes under 18 to sum it up essentially here's the pitch ‘are you under the age of 18, do you have powers, would you like to be a hero. If so we have the deal for you join the Wards were you can get training on how to be a hero, master your abilities, and much more.’ I'm grateful for Sue not putting in the Wards program for a few reasons one Wards are not supposed to actually be in combat so there is not as much focus on combat training and survival rather the emphasis is on reducing the property damage and deescalating situations as well as public relations. These things will not be helping me in a place like this I want to make a difference by reducing crime but there would be too many restrictions and regulations to follow along with the fact I would spend most of my time in front of cameras looking good when I want to help people not put on a show the fights and costumes we will be wearing is enough of a performance for God’s sake. Two I am not letting some government stooge design my costume I have seen some of the stuff the PRT comes out with it some of it's unoriginal, ugly as fuck, and made to fit a team theme that kills anything unique or interesting about the hero in question. Finally and the biggest one I don't want people to know what I can do because I don't know how people would react to someone able to go supernova on a small scale hell what would they do if they found out that I could potentially burn the earths atmosphere I could be sent to the Birdcage and Sue is right to be scarred of going there, as no one who enters it exits or is heard form again.

Now back on track second faction New Wave a family of capes who don't have secret identities and it totally didn't bite them in the ass and get one of the original members of the team killed. If you couldn't tell I’m not impressed but also feel like I am being insulted by the universe with the presence of a superhero family. I know I am being petty about it so I’ll try to give a complement about them….. I think…. you see… the girls are all hot okay you have it a compliment. That wraps up the heroes now the villains.

Now the villains have three main gangs are as follows first the ABB is a gang of exclusively men of asian descent who focus on thievery, prostitution, and human trafficking. The are carried by two capes don't ask me how they are one of the top dogs in the city. Empire-88 a white supremacist group who are also criminals having the most super powered individuals out of all the gangs. To make it worse these merry band of Nazi’s have at least nation wide Nazi movement supporting them. Captain America I am glad you are not here to see how this country has failed both itself and you, I will also have to wreck their shit more than others just for Cap even if he never existed here I know about him and that's enough to do it plus Chris Evans was Captain America and the Human Torch I have to mess up there operations. Now the merchants a gang run by drug addicts, ohh wait I forgot it's filled with drug addicts but run by capes who are also drug addicts. Plus all the other unaffiliated villains in the city just running around doing the typical things you would expect.

This city essentially is at the mercy of criminals as the heroes are very much outnumbered and don't have the power to clean up the city. It would not be inaccurate to say the gangs and solo villains are the what dictate the direction the city goes in while the good guy's just barely hold the line. Soon there is gonna be me and I genuinely have no idea where to start but at least I'll have plenty to do.

I see the school in my line of sight and I think to myself time really flies when you let your mind wander I’m like half an hour late if this event does anything for me it will keep me from forgetting to set my alarm up.

So I went to the front office to explain myself and well unfortunately since classes started a while ago they couldn't have someone show me around to get settled… That was doubtful what with the way the office secretary was eyeballing me along with the condescension dripping off her words told me she would not have bothered to get me help. Even still it's just one person's bad attitude vs a whole school that doesn't reflect the school as a whole. Sue could still be wrong about this place being a shit hole, the after a few minutes looking I would finally find the hallway my locker is located and then the smell hit me.

Good God I don't know where to begin I don't know what can describe the scent that is slowly killing my sense of smell, but I go to it. Why would I do this because I thought perhaps just maybe this is how people welcome new students if so someone is going to be getting their ass kicked while I take the first suspension of my life. I see the locker it's dripping at the bottom looking more disgusting than the smell implies I want to throw up. I see the locker number it's not mine however it is right next to mine not much better. The video I was making for Sue is certainly turning into a horror show as time goes by the worlds first day in the life video is already going to shit and is making me regret recording my first day at school. Then the whimpering got my attention.

I paused looked around no one around but me in class I hold my thumb up to the hole in the locker and light up and press my eyes to the hole to take a peek. The brown eyes I see peering up at the fire then into my eyes pleading with me but I notice the fear they hold the doubt and I notice how silent the person got.

I grabbed the lock heated it up and crushed it throwing it's pieces to the floor and opening the locker to reveal a girl she was a skinny thing, pale, big eyes behind glasses, long black curly hair that would be pretty if it like the girl it was attached to didn't have filth covering it.

She looked hesitant to step out when l wasn't moving away from the locker entrance it seemed like she was going to speak but even with her lips moving no sound escaped them. She seemed to shrink into herself I was getting angry now as I started to get an idea of how bad her situation was as it caused my mind to race. I myself was bullied in my first life and seeing instances where it went this far would never fail to piss me off. I didn't let it show I couldn't in this moment she needed help and I was going to do that I took off the blue hoodie covering my head held out my hand and as comforting as I could spoke to her.

“Come on, let’s get you outta here.”

This day and moment January 7th is when I met Taylor Hebert.

Chapter Text

She stared at me for the longest time when I noticed the hazy expression in her eyes, then figured she is gonna need some help. I took her by the arms pulling her out of the toxic waste bin that was the locker, Jesus I don't know how it was done to the trash that was stuffed inside but the bottom of it looked like sludge and quite a bit of the trash seemed to be used tampons and bugs because God damn a lot of them filled the locker glad I didn't notice them immediately I might flamed on as a surprise reaction.

I kept the girl steady as best I could till she seemed to find her footing but I didn't let go of her because her legs were shaky.

“Hey can you walk? Hello, look I’m gonna take you to the nurse’s office now.”

She just stood on shaking legs frozen and unresponsive it was until I saw tears flowing down her face I realized I am going to have to do more leg work so I picked her in my arms it looked like her body would kick me away arm around her legs tightened their hold my right arm pressed her torso to mine. From there I raised my body temperature to warm her up as she was so cold almost like a corpse looked into her eyes and spoke one last thing before she would just pass out.

“My name is Johnny Storm, it’s gonna be okay I got you. This is the part where things get better I promise.”

When we got to the nurse’s office the bell rang and just like that I missed the first class of the day I see the nurse and call out to her as I look for a place to set her down.

“Nurse I need assistance here I have a girl here I think she's in shock.”

“What seems to Ohhhhhh! Wait no don't set her down she is biologically contaminated use water in one of the shower stations you have to get that off of her I’m calling an ambulance.”

I do as she told me as she called 911 I pull off the girls hoodie and the shirt underneath till  she just had her bra on then take her to the first shower nothing comes out the second one had a busted shower head but the third which looked old and broken actually worked just barely. The water was enough to wash off most of the filth off her body, hair, and my arms. I had to ditch my hoodie though as it was pretty messy at that point luckily it was just barely thick enough not to soak to my shirt.

I grabbed a towel to dry her off and sat her down on an infirmary bed at that point she just started softly crying. What could I say to make her feel better? Nothing I didn't have any words left to make her feel better because nothing was going to, but I still wanted to. So I just sat down next to her hugged closely I raised my body temperature and I just hoped that would be enough to do something for her.

I would watch her get taken away to the hospital while I was left to just stew in my thoughts. This school is a shit hole I know that now as if this could just happen to someone then what else goes on around here. I wasn't forced to go to the hospital as I didn't really get all that crap touching my skin I had to throw away my hoodie though so that was unfortunate. I would walk back into the school after telling the cops what had happened which wasn't much because I didn't see who did it but I wanted to know, kids going here no one was going to class or maybe it was just break or something but I noticed some kids were in gangs either E-88 or ABB easy to pick out one group had skinheads and the other wore red and green ABB colors. People were looking at me and muttering things to each other I didn't bother to pay attention, I just decided to head back to the locker so that maybe I could just figure out who did it by asking people who had lockers in the same area when I got there I didn't need ask a single person who did it because it became really clear who did it.

“Why isn't she still in the locker?!!!”

“Well I heard an ambulance was outside so they probably took Taylor.”

Taylor that was the girls name okay so the pissed off red head and her brown haired sidekick along with her little clique surrounding them did it.

“I know Madison the question is how she got out. Everyone was in class there isn't bathroom nearby so no one would have come here.

“Somebody did look at pieces of the lock on the floor she couldn't have gotten herself out. Someone helped her, someone who stepped out line and forgot the order of things.”

Black girl taller than the other two stepped up she was wearing athletic sports wear and I noticed all the other girls in the group were looking up at these three specifically. I realized these are the queen bees of the school, the mean girls, the Heathers, and whatever the hell you can call these kinds of girls. God it's almost enough to make me laugh but I saw what they did how fucked up and  now they are angry she got help I was more disgusted by them than trash the stuffed in locker.

“I wouldn't say I forgot about anything, just where I come from if someone in a jam it’s just good manners to lend a helping hand or sister always said.”

Then everyone turned around and the focus was on me and my smiling face, red was looking at me then confused then annoyed by me, black girl was looking at me as if hatred flowed from her veins, and Madison the only girl who’s name came up just looked surprised and then blushed a bit which proved to be the third wheel in the high school mean girls trinity. 

“You three should apologize to her that prank was in poor taste.”

“Who the hell are you to tell us what to do?”

“I’m the new student just started today the names Johnny by the way thanks for asking.”

Then the red head with the low cut shirt stepped forward and looked at me, leaned a bit forward to give a good angle of her boobs and me a sweet smile that didn't reach her eyes. I already knew then she thought I was gonna be easy but I when people this foul play games I just stay locked in, I stare her straight in the eye not backing down she backs up ever so slightly.

“Look your new and I can forgive this, you didn't know any better how things go around here. That girl in there deserved it no doubt about it you'll regret getting involved with her.”

“I think I can decide for myself what I regret and what I don’t. What do mean she deserves this, justify to me the actions necessary to lock a girl in a locker with trash for almost an entire class period.”

The brunette Madison would step next to red and giggling with excitement looking at me.

“Well she always telling terrible lies about Emma harassing her and blaming her for every little thing.”

Emma started talking then looking excited getting ready to add on.

“She constantly whining about every little thing, getting so upset over the smallest jokes, just in general being massive bitch to everyone and bitching about everything. That kind of bad attitude ticks people off so we pull a few pranks now and then to dislodge the massive stick up her ass but she just likes to make a scene because she loves the attention.”

“She had to go to the hospital because of you, what about that are you not understanding. Even if she crossed you you can’t just do that people you don't like, I would have thought someone bothered to tell you but clearly you never got the memo.”

The black girl steps up not a regular stride but practically stalking forward. It's natural and honestly the crowd that has gathered around us is looking tense but… I just can't take seriously if this is supposed to scare me it’s failed she just looks stupid.

“What are you gonna do to change anything? Nothing cause that’s all I’ve seen you do blowing smoke wasting time with that trashy Taylor proves it losers sticking together. You talk a big game but you're just weak and will fold fast soon enough.”

I can’t help the smile forming on my face and just let it out.

“HAHAHAHA! What are you talking about? Look at you three and your posse gathering together to talk your shit, I don't need to see anything to know everything about you. I know your experts on losers because that’s what you are.”

The crowd around looking at me wide eyed I wasn’t done.

“What else could you be when you're the queen bees of this shit hole looking for the whoever you think is the weakest and most vulnerable. The reason is because you desperately need them to look at you thinking you're more than just a merry band of bitches, but despite the best efforts each of you are just nobody’s who only matter in this place rather than the real world. To add on to the point you three can't even do it on your own bully someone on your own, no you stand together united taking turns to insult a belittle any single person you don't like because if one you tried to go after someone on your own everyone would notice you could only string together one or two insults because you each are too stupid to come up with anymore than that, so your besties along with your groupies add on to parrot it making it seem like you have something of substance to say when really your just little girls calling people mean names.”

The brunette starts speaking almost uncertain of what to say clearly nobody ever talked back before but if anything it gave me someone to start with.

“You can't talk to us like that… Emma’s dad is a lawyer and Sophia has…”

“And Sophia! Well hold on what about you Madison you forgot to say what you bring to the table. Ohh wait hold up that’s my mistake I forgot that your what the third wheel of the group you know the one who just tags along, with the only thing clearly special to ever happen to you was just barely graduating from a training bra.”

The red haired girl Emma is pissed her face is more red than her fucking hair beautiful setup to burn her next.

“You shut your fucking mouth or else!”

“Or else I’m gonna get my daddy to sue you because I'm his precious princess. Is that it really it all comes down to that because if it is I will be the first to tell yah it’s not scary at all, you know what you could do to actually cause me some actual trouble with two gangs here in the school one of them being the ABB and you having that very low cut shirt that screams slutty. That is a deal in the making, you being their new sex toy to play around with they go after me would be notable way to threaten me I think.”

Now when burned Madison she looked like I slapped her in the face, Emma with what I said went from red in the face to ghostly white with a thousand yard stare with sweat just starting to drip down her face I don't know exactly what I did but I know enough to see I hit a nerve. Before I could even start with the black girl whose name I now know is Sophia, her fist would fly at my face. It was good punch with its execution but I’m much faster than this so I side step it and the next one.

“Be a man and stand still you fuck!”

“OKAY!”

Now am I don't have to this but given how far it looks like they are willing to take things for fun and how this chick has a mentality of a future convict I decide it's fair to cheat a bit. When Sophia threw her haymaker at I caught it in my right hand squeezing enough for her to feel pressure not break anything though she regular girl who honestly pretty fast for a normal person but to make her flinch and look weak in front of the crowd I raised the heat in my hand to essentially becoming a really hot stove and let go before any real damage occurs. Is it risky yes but she helped send a girl to the hospital plus this bitch started swinging first, I just need to not do that again to someone else and no one is ever gonna know I have powers.

“FUCK MY HAND!!!”

“So now what do you wanna keep dancing with me, I’m not usually one to perform in front of a crowd but if you're okay with it I’ll keep playing with you.”

Sophia looked up saw the crowd around and the sheer amount of people just grinning told the story, no one really liked her and her posse and they loved the little showdown we had from all the grins in the crowd.

“This isn't over by the time we're through with you it will make the life of that little slut Taylor look like paradise from the hell we give.”

She turns around storming off with her fellow musketeers and their groupies following after her. I can't just let them have the last word they lost after all.

“Although it needs some more rehearsing I liked your little mean girls routine Goodbye!”

Sophia flipped me the bird, I would say I think I made a great impression for my first day.

Chapter Text

Taylor POV

I was staring at the walls of the hospital room noticing that they needed a new coat of paint the lights kept flickering and needed replacing. My blanket was to this and I could feel the chill of the hospital air on my body all these things I’m noticing and yet I feel grateful for it anything beats that fucking locker. God I look for another thing anything worth noticing or any sensation just to distract myself from remembering because I don't want to remember today.

It doesn't matter though I remember it completely from when I first caught the scent of the trash to to hearing their voices Madison giggling, Sophia’s chuckles, and Emma’s voice calling out to me. My skins got goosebumps from thinking about it, it hurts why did they do this, not an unfamiliar question to have but one where I still don’t have a fucking answer. I tell myself I cried enough today, yesterday, last month, and the last year. Emma was my best friend and now she hates me for fuck all, when I am hurt or show pain it brings a smile to her face and she was still smiling even when I begged them not to to put me in the locker. You would think after all this time I would be used to it that I could keep it together, I think I can but I break and even after so much time I still have tears left to fall from my eyes. 

Who am I left with no one I screamed for who knows how long but everyone just left me no one came and the longer it went on the worse that feeling got I was all alone and left with no one. I have been feeling like this for so long and I couldn't do anything about it everyone part of the trios games or just stays away from me. I think something broke inside I felt something shift and the rest felt like a dream. I know it was a dream it had to be because it felt like a dream.

I saw a guy who couldn't be real no way no how his looks to his actions were too much out of a fantasy, stuff I wish would happen things I wish I could just give up on because if I just did that maybe it would hurt less. He was wearing a blue hoodie with a white shirt underneath it, red aviators hanging off his shirt, jeans that fit well, running shoes that looked nice and very well made. Then he took off the hoodie. That was face everyone who sees it would know who it is completely unforgettable, from the high cheek bones, to the a jawline of a Hollywood star, the sparkling blue eyes, and to the blonde hair that shining like it was gold. He wasn't real he couldn't be real I something cracked on the inside it must have and I imagined it.

I had the attention of some hot guy on me and here I was looking disgusting and my one trait that I could feel good about was my hair and it was covered in filth. I couldn't get words out of my mouth I just I wanted to be invisible he was talking to me but I don't remember anything I could hear him speaking but it wasn't connecting in my head. The only thing that clicked was his name Johnny Storm despite the awfulness of it all and the fact the smell was bothering him from the way his nose scrunched up he still stayed close. I couldn't move, I just wanted to disappear so no one could see me but then I was in his arms and when I was in his arms. 

I try kicking away he holds me closer tighter I can feel his muscles pressed against my body I go still and take comfort in how warm he feels. The warmth sticks out to me as the one good thing about the whole mess I felt like I wasn't going to get hurt. I'm in the nurses office he washes the all that trash off me and dries me. Then this nightmare of a day ends with him hugging me he’s so warm and I think when was the last time someone hugged me, I needed that but I was scared to ruin it that if I touched him back he would be gone. That I would wake up but I wanted to enjoy that hug and how warm and welcoming he was so I didn't do anything I stayed like that until the ambulance came then I was here.

I don’t remember seeing a guy like that at school, never had a class with him, and I never heard about anyone talking about a guy named Johnny Storm. I think I just I made hallucinated him because of one reason specifically and it is simple who would ever help me and stick their neck on the line and why? If he was real and that actually happened then I want to know the answer for now I think I’ll just focus on that hug and how nice it felt even if I just imagined it, it was better than everything else.

Johnny POV

“Alright testing, can you hear me Alfred you up and ready to go.”

“Greeting sir it wonderful to be back online is this the new lab, I must say your father invested quite an extensive effort in building this workshop it's even bigger than what was present in the house in California.”

Just like that my completely and totally necessary ai assistant with the personality of a famous British butler has been brought back online. Took a bit of time to set up his servers in the workshop so they wouldn't be in the way of anything but I did It was simply a matter of installing the Arc reactor generator to power the workshop. I check his code to make sure everything is functioning as normal I get back to working on my watch to put the finishing touches on it.

“Sure surprised me to Alfred but from what Sue said this was the house that dad grew up in and lived his whole life up until I was born so makes sense the workshop is bigger than the one back on the West Coast. Ohhh big news I got the rest of the week off from school.”

“Whatever for sir?”

“I successfully got myself suspended first day here and was told not to come back for the rest of the week.”

“Master Johnathan what reason could they have to do that to you. You're an exemplary student well behaved why would they do you such a disservice.”

Ohhh what do I say to that well… best just be honest for all I made him to be capable of I mainly made him to be a companion someone I could confide in. I never would have done it originally but growing with Sue always off doing whatever she could to get money to support both herself and I it would leave me isolated and considering I wasn't like other children but people older than me saw me only as a child I needed someone who could comprehend my thinking as well as be there for me. 

“Well I believe I got reported for bullying of all things Alfred. Bullying three girls specifically.”

“Easily disproven sir throughout your entire life you have been considerate of others and never would torment three innocent young ladies.”

“True… but I would strike back at the guilty.”

“Sir… I'm afraid I require more information to formulate a proper response. Explain yourself sir I will report this to Susan once she returns.”

Well how could I refuse after such a compelling statement so I explained to him what had happened the girl in the locker to the ambulance being called and the confrontation I had with them. At the same Time I was finalizing the last touches on my watch.

“This was a rather extreme example of bullying but why did you take such actions it couldn't be the first time you witnessed bullying why go to such lengths sir, why commit to such a confrontation in such a manner.”

He was right I saw bullying in this life in my last life I got bullied for being too quiet some times people would say bang bang making jokes how I would be a school shooter and it was just a matter of time, all I done was be quiet because I was shy. When I was younger very young I was very sensitive and compassionate and kids just a few years older than me would poke to get a reaction. I was always giving one I know I shouldn't have but the thing that would always get me was if I got hurt, made a mistake, and some days where I was sad they laughed. I won’t say I never laughed whenever someone got hurt as one time a friend in the first life walked into a stop sign because he wasn't looking where he was going but I helped him get up and made sure he was okay. However it's the times where someone was needed a hand and not only were they not helped but people just enjoyed it by laughing and it set me off.

Long ago that was me no one helped me and I got angry and stayed that way for so long eventually I drove people away from me. I got to a point where I got better but by then it was hard to not be alone anymore I didn't seek isolation but I didn't know how to escape it. I made few friends but eventually I was alone again with that life I and lost touch with them. I remembered the girl I carried and how small she looked and how pained her expression was like the thing she wanted more than anything was to dig a hole and cry in it with the best thing that could happen was no one coming to bother you. I’ve been in that hole no one bothered me, no one helped me, and it didn't make it any better. I remember how disappointed those girls were that they didn't see her still stuck in there and that angered me.

“At one point within my conscious experience that I call life I felt small like her Alfred. No one helped me, I didn't want to see that same story play out again if I could I would see that story has a happy ending, that the girl I carried away from that gets a happy ending. If the only way to help people get out of that pit is for me to take a hit or pay the price I’ll do it, because we still have a mission Alfred you and I."

“Saving the world sir.”

“Right on the money Alfred.”

I look to the screen of Alfreds holographic face his grey hair and bearded face his eyes focused on me and his lips curled upwards into a small smile.

“Now sir tell me what has prompted you to finally take action after all these years I believed you would have just continued sneaking out at night stopping small time crimes when you were twelve.”

“Simple Alfred this city is essentially no man’s land where the crimes are bigger than anything near what California had. I snuck out night as a way to get experience now though I won’t just beat knocking out random thugs and muggers nothing too big to get the PRT to look into me. Here's the thing now every criminal in this place is part of one gang or another so now if I go against someone I need to fully commit to this as I will get noticed by both gangs and the PRT inevitably. I was always going to do this anyway but with Sue currently gone for the next two weeks she can't really stop me from finally doing this so… the current plan right now with two projects finished is for me to go out for the first time in costume.”

“I take it that one of the said finished projects is what you are working on sir.”

“Sure is I worked on it over the holidays this watch essentially acts as three thing  a communicator, storage, and hacking device. Plus it can cloak itself to go invisible so people won't know I have it.”

“I have an inkling of what said watch stores though knowing you sir you would prefer to tell me.”

I feel so excited to finally show the watch and give Alfred his late Christmas present. I grab the container holding his gift placing it to where his scanners can observe it.

“You would not be wrong Alfred but first I have to unveil the other surprise for you now feast your scanners upon your new portable body.”

I open the container to reveal what essential looks like a metal mannequin sculpted in the shape of a well fit man six feet tall arc reactor in the chest mechanical eyes glowing blue repulsors on his hands and feet just in case he ever needed to.

“Sir I do not wish to sound ungrateful however why did you not just allow me to be uploaded to the body instead of setting up the server.”

“Simple I wanted you to see the body before just putting you in it disorienting you besides had to set the server up regardless as a way for you to move away from the body if a situation ever necessitated abandoning it. Now once you upload yourself to the the body the holographic projection will activate giving you a human appearance to blend in.”

“Well I thank you sir I am sure that it will function spectacularly seeing as you dedicated the time to carefully craft this body with whatever I could possibly need from what the scanners show me, allow me but a moment to download myself.”

I just smile satisfied with my work and watch as the metal mannequin shifts it appearance to an older gentleman with a full head of grey hair (I always felt like like he deserved to have hair for being the best) and a neatly trimmed beard dressed or well I guess the cloaked is more appropriate in a well made black suit and tie. He sits up flexes his hands and examined them before standing up straight and speaking to me.

“All systems are operating at full capacity from what the diagnostics show me. If may sir I believe that you have outdone yourself with this design once again sir I thank.”

“Your welcome Alfred now if I could have your attention for a moment prepare to be amazed.”

I activate my watch and like an old cartoon I once saw as a kid in my first life my body is quickly enveloped in a suit of unstable molecules enveloped my body in the main costume. The top half of the costume I kind of stole the design of it from Invincible his season 3 blue suit only the mask and chest color isn’t separated to make the letter ‘i’ I also don’t have goggles so it’s just a mask to cover my eyes. The had began with a v shape from the top with pouches that acted as pockets to carry anything I required to keep on my person the pants of it were blacks in color and red boots that went half way to my shins.

Then at the center of my chest is the omega drive it stores data, has a camera to record whatever happens when I patrol, allowing Alfred to see what I see, and a tracking device in case I ever get captured Alfred can find me and save me if necessary.  It looked like this a white background that ended with a black ring bordering around it with it my symbol for my costume a black fireball.

“Well done sir, now what?”

“Well now I grab the last part of the costume”

I grab a black domino mask and fit over my eyes fitting perfectly over the mask already there blending into the costume using my powers I make my eyes glow with fire then look at Alfred.

“Sir… is this not rather redundant you already have a mask what need is the second for ?”

“Well Al it’s to further disguise my facial features, plus should someone try to unmask me I have bought myself a bit of time, and just in case I can’t suit up for whatever reason I can just pop this one on my face.”

Now I just had to take myself for a night on the town and I know exactly where I should hit first.

I figured I would stop by and hit up the ABB first I as a way to start off since their territory isn't near my neighborhood and I don't want to draw attention to where I rest my head at night.

I make my way jumping from rooftop to rooftop thinking to myself just how fast my drive to go out for patrol stalled up when I realized I couldn't just walk out my front door in costume. Half an hour walking to the docks and finding an alleyway to change and take off. I did take down one dude but he didn't count because well I didn't suit up yet. Honestly never go into an alleyway in known gang territory, I should have thought that through better but yah know what you live and you learn.

I look down and I finally find what I’m looking for some action. A woman being cornered dead end in an alley, honestly I would critique her for going down one but I don't know her circumstances and I just made that mistake I can't say shit about it. Three ABB thugs one with a knife getting closer, another with a gag and zip ties, and one asshole in the back gun ins pant pointing at his own dick (I personally would never risk like if I had to shove a gun in my pants it would be in the backside better to be shot in the ass just saying) and his dirty smile. I know well enough that they are trying to recruit a new girl to add to their collection of forced prostitutes.

The girl had dark hair might have been fifteen or sixteen wearing a black skirt, a black turtle neck to match it, and from what I could see she was pretty. All in all not that good a combination to have when in ABB territory shit she wasn't even that deep in just like two blocks from the alley the guy I knocked out try to mug me. She finally reaches the wall of the alleyway and that is when I jump into action from the roof and straight into the alley just in front of the girl. As I finished doing a superhero landing I stare at that thugs and feel proud of myself not for the landing, or looking cool, but from jumping off the building itself. 

Since I got my powers I'll be honest I have battled my fear of heights and now I can fly up to at least three stories high without feeling nervous. Not that great I know but just because I have the ability to fly doesn't mean I immediately lost my fear of heights like I'm telling you shit feels terrifying when I get high enough might have done better if I wasn't trying to make sure I wouldn't get the attention of the local PRT in California and considering its a state infamous for fires the blame would be placed on me.

Anyway the thugs don't look that impressed if anything they still seem willing to try it regardless of a cape in front of them. It would be a good way to introduce myself if nothing else, but I should still offer the chance to surrender first as I am one of the good guys.

“Gentlemen I’m sorry but this young lady here just clearly took a wrong turn she has no plans of being your victim today. As a matter of fact how about you guys just give up the whole crime thing go home become a model citizen like want to.”

“How about you get the fuck out of here pretty boy, this is the dragons territory you screw around here you’re gonna die.”

First time out normal people without powers always think they can take a superhero who's new. I am so happy they said no because they are gonna learn today.

I take a look at the girl as I start walking towards the thugs and as I raise an arm to create a wall of fire to keep her safe I say as it’s halfway up.

“Don't worry girl I got this, sit back relax and you will be heading home in just-”

“WATCH OUT!!!”

I don't even look at the direction the ABB goons are in I simply raised my right arm towards them I feel my hand is already shifted to its plasma form I raise my heat shield in their direction to the point where…

BANG! BANG! BANG!

“Ahhhhh”

The bullets incinerated I expected what surprised me was the guy with knife got a lot closer and his knife half melted on the ground his hand got some of the handle stuck to it. That’s on him not me just saying it now, look at that though his buddy with the zip ties drops them starts running and the gunmen I start with him. Blasting the gun in his it drops to the floor  after blowing up the man clutches his hand not that bad to be honest. The runner I put more focus in my next move for him sending a blast with no heat it’s just a concussive blast of force he’s on the ground. Now I grab the one near me and throw him at the one with the gun and with them all on the ground I send a heat wave at them almost giving them heat stroke and then I run over and use fire constructs to hold them in place.

I turn off the wall of fire and walk over to the girl giving her my best smile waving her over.

“All done come lets get you out of here.-”

She rushes quickly to hug me before I can get another word out and return it rubbing her upper back to help her relax a bit.

“Thank you, thank you so much. I was so scared they would get me.”

“Hey don’t worry about it, no one's gonna get you while I'm here. Now walk with me to the main street I think this alley isn't a fitting place for pretty girl like you.”

She blushes and just like that my first rescue not bad not bad at all. I feel good about how this is going. 

“You stay close to your mother now okay kiddo.”

“Thank you mister torch.”

Okay I started patrol at 6:30 it’s 9:15 and I helped two people so far. Saving one girl and now just helped some kid find his parent after getting lost.

I have a problem it's a simple one I either can't find anything going on at the moment or some other cape already took care of it, seemed to be a group of ABB going to stir up trouble when some guy in red and a girl in a black and blue suit took them down already. The guy in red caught sight of me and not really having anything to contribute I just waved as I propelled my self into a jump to the next rooftop, he returned it enthusiastically seems like a nice guy maybe I’ll run into him and his partner. So I have helped three people today but I was hoping to find a supervillain to fight today something big. Well when in doubt ask Alfred for help he can help me find a solution.

I tap on my watches communicator calling Alfred.

“Alfred I need your help I’ve got a bit of a conundrum that needs solving.”

“Whatever seems to be the problem sir?”

“Well I was hoping for some sort of action or a situation where I could make an impact but I have only done a couple of small things to help people and when something big was about to happen some other heroes got to it before me. I am happy help people it's just I was hoping for something bigger to take an action that establishes myself as a serious hero you know.”

“It is within my capability to access the city’s cameras in your vicinity to search for any criminal activity in the area if you like.”

“Yes please do so Alfred and thank you for the help.”

“Your welcome sir, ohhh and also I completed the task you set for me sir editing the footage taken from your sunglasses of the locker incident today.”

“That's great Alfred but I would hold off on saying it is done I wanna get more example evidence of those three girls really stepping out of line before I go through handing over the video.”

“Very well sir.”

“Ohh also what about the other thing did you find the hospital where that girl Taylor was taken I wanna see how she is doing tomorrow .”

“As a matter of fact I did sir Taylor Hebert was checked in recently this morning at Brockton Bay General Hospital. She seems to be rather good in terms of health currently an- that’s odd.”

“What is it Al?”

“There seems to be a robbery occurring at a jewelry store three blocks west of you. Strangely enough however the alarms are disabled and outside of it are three well I don't how else to describe it giant monstrous dogs.”

Chapter Text

Lisa POV

There are few things better than watching a plan come together piece by piece. The best way I can put it is, it’s like finishing a puzzle. This is a lot more rewarding than a simple puzzle.

“Could you hurry up.” Looking right next to me I stared into the skull shaped helmet watching as the darkness leaked out of the vents it had. Even in his costume I can already tell he’s feeling nervous. “Grue relax this is probably the safest job we’ve ever done.” As I said that I finally finish putting in the code to the safe grabbing the the keys to the jewelry display cases.

“Remind me again what this job is for. Don’t get me wrong I like how easy this job is but this is a bit of a step up from our usual heists.”

He wasn't wrong the boss wanted us to step up are game and get bolder, take bigger scores make a bigger name for ourselves. Hopefully Grue would feel better when we pull the heist at Lung’s casino after a few more jobs like this.

“Grue it's simple he wants us to be bolder and take bigger jobs all the while making a bigger name for ourselves, think about how this will help our reputation. Ten grand at least in and out, people only knowing it was us from Bitch tagging the alley outside.”

“I say chill out take everything we can and maybe get something nice for ourselves.” Regent said grabbing jewelry and stuffing them in a bag as I open the display cases, I could practically hear the grin on his face behind his mask.

It was tempting because I did some earrings that I knew would look great on me, sadly it’s best to not wear the goods you have personally stolen. I could probably get away with taking something if Grue wasn't so focused on getting the biggest payout possible.

“Fuck no Regent. We grab everything the nice thing for ourselves will be the payout we get from this gig.”

“You're no fun Grue.” He's a professional is what Grue would say but Regent wasn't wrong he is boring. That's fine he is reliable and with between Regent and Bitch I need someone to balance that out their… everything. “Just fill your bag and lets get out of here.”

Grue had mostly filled up his bag and Regent had finished half of his bag, with the store nearly stripped clean it looked like a job well done. Then the lights came on and the alarm with it.

Someone set off the alarm 

Just like that we have a problem. “What the fuck Tattletale!” You would blame me wouldn't you Grue. “It's not my fault, I did all the prep work required you were with me doing it or did forget that?!”

Frustration and anger are rolling off of him in waves it's all being told to me. Thinks you missed something or that he messed up. He doesn't lash out anymore he simply makes the call. “Regent grab the last of it were leaving right now.”

Well I would say that it’s been a smooth mission but I already know someone is watching us. “Grue someone knows we're here so someone’s going to be coming after us once we head out.”

“We’ll outrun them and if they catch up then take them down.”

I didn't feel like it would be that easy and certainly enough I was probably going to be right.

Johnny POV

“Thanks for help Alfred.” I say as the store lights up and the giant mutated dogs make their way to the back alley of the store. “Anytime sir, do let me know if you require any more assistance tonight.” After the communications get cut all that's left for me to do is get to work, I start bouncing on my feet watching the mutant dogs in front of the store waiting for the capes inside to make the first move.

A loud whistle rings out and as the dogs start running it tells me they're going out the back. Smart move trying to sneak out fast… shame I saw what was going on. I start running to the edge of the roof and once my left leg hits it fire ignited at the bottom of my shoe as I pressed off the edge. I am propelled into the air about twenty feet from where I was and making it on to the roof of the jewelry store I take a look into the alley.

I find myself a crew of four seven if you count the monster dogs and they are already to go, damn can some people move when they really want to. I take a moment to look them over as they make a break for it to decide who do I want to take out first. 

The first person my eyes go to is the guy in the cheap dog mask one look I can tell they made the mutant monster dogs from the orders he’s giving them plus said mask but something else I can’t help but notice is the lack of effort at the outfit just regular clothes that I could probably find at a thrift store. The next one I notice is a step up from design black skull motorcycle helmet with matching leather biker suit smoke pouring out the vents and just off his body in general, wonder what he can do. Next person I see got a bag of jewels and seems to be the sole girl of the group in a lavender costume with black lines adorning all across the body and a domino mask… she looks good, like really good. Okay not gonna lie I am kind of attracted chicks in the cape business they are just so hot to me usually, but I have a job to do right now and were on opposite sides.

Now the last one I see he’s the leader the mastermind if will, bag of jewels half filled in one hand and a scepter in the other. Guy is dressed in what can only be described as renaissance era fashion and ornate mask with a little crown to go with it. The style of it screams the loudest and unfortunately for this guy he has just volunteered to be the first to get taken down. Renaissance and the girl with the domino mask getting on one of the dogs that is missing an eye dog mask and skull face get on one of the others and just start riding away.

I start running after I don't need fly after them not at the pace they are going not to mention the light I give off would alert them where I am. I use the same trick I used to jump on the roof here but on a smaller scale as each step I take running blasts me further than regular running would do, I call this trick blast stepping. Right on their tail I get ready to make my big move when I hear skull face speak up.

“Do you know where they are Tattletale!” Skull face say’s to the girl in Lavender. “We are looking most likely for a tinker with an unknown number of items but they definitely have a hacking device Grue.” They don't know I’m here yet that’s good I can take my time wait for the perfect moment, at least I thought I did until dog mask spoke up, 

“He’s behind us!”

I act instantly after I hear that jumping into the air so high the closest thing to it for an example was like watching a Jedi from Star Wars doing a force jump. Difference is I’m going to open up swinging I’m just gonna start blasting, as I’m in the air things slow down as from my perspective I look straight up at the street watching this band of jewelry store thieves turn to look back where I was I point my right arm at the one eyed mutant dog.

As I get closer to the ground I turn my body to land on my feet first, almost there now and my lips turning into a smirk. They won't see this one coming the dog looks up as it see’s me Renaissance man and Tattletale start to turn forward. It's too late I send a blast straight to one eye’s face before the dog can even maneuver out of the way.

Tattletale gets sent rolling on the ground her bag went out of her hand jewels falling everywhere, the dog went lights out after getting hit it’s head bouncing into the ground and off it, as for Renaissance he rolled straight into a stop sign hitting his head his half full bag still in his hand. A little heavy handed but hey it worked better than I thought one dog knocked out, Renaissance isn't getting up soon, and Tattletale is struggling to get up but one look and I already know she is standing anytime soon.

Before I even know it the other two are charging me on top of the dog they ride the other one close behind. When sudden the guy in black Grue covered me and the whole area I was standing in smoke. No it wasn't smoke it had no smell it wasn’t difficult to breathe it was pure darkness I had no other way to describe it as anything else, I couldn't see or hear anything at this point before I could get bearings I was hit in the back and rolling across the street. I felt one of the dogs bite my left foot swinging me around it's mouth, but it never should have held me as it told me where it was my left hand let’s out a stream of fir e burning the snout of it. 

Just like that I am free… free to end up get sent flying into a car. I look up and I try to make out anything something in this darkness focusing my eyes when suddenly things become clearer. Or not clearer the darkness is still hear but I can make out the figures of Grue and dog mask getting closer to me from my right. I can even see the other dog went near the one that’s down, I can make out Renaissance still lying where he was, and Tattletale has now made it on her hands and knees.

I know what's happening I’m seeing the heat from their bodies that's what's happening now. The only reason I know who's who right now is because the ones I took down are still on the ground where I left them. I gotta think fast and act when I realize something that guy Grue is still behind dog mask like he was when they were riding away. The dog is approaching my right side but slowly. 

Grue is the only one that can see in the darkness I know it because he is still with his teammate trying to take me out guiding him instead of helping their team he is the only one who can navigate these shadows. The dogs can't smell me so he has to guide them take me down, but he doesn't know I can see them.

I use it to my advantage I look around have my head swiveling all over the place to look lost and right as their about to have the dog swipe at me I dodge backwards. From there I send a heat wave it pushes them off the dog and the dog gets pushed back five feet away.

I didn't make it hot enough to burn rather to dehydrate them and leave them weak enough to knock out and capture. The darkness disappears as though it was never there at all, my vision is normal again and from what I can see the dog took most of the blast it's breathing hard and swaying side to side. Grue unzipped his jack and ohh boy he is sweating through his undershirt leather is not the most breathable material, but it’s dog mask that take me off guard as they take off their jacket I find a pair of boobs and I just speak out in surprise.

“Wait dog mask you're a chick!” I say still feeling stupid for not noticing, shows how much I missed. “It's Bitch.” Hearing the voice again I can see it now unfortunately what I am not seeing in this moment is the third dog who's paws start touching my back.

I start turning around to face it as I am pushed to the ground it’s pinned me has leverage over me but I managed to get my arms to hold its jaws back from biting my face off.

“Bitch help me get the Regent and Tattletale up!”

I hear the order go out as I struggle to push the dog off I can’t get any leverage do anymore with my arms than hold back the jaws, so I use my legs instead putting it under the dogs chest and blasting it up away from me. 

I stand up and get my bearing’s and see what they have a similar idea to me but clearly from the look of things they are having a harder time. Renaissance or rather Regent is over the shoulder of Grue who is panting heavily from the heat wave but otherwise okay. Then the girls of the Tattletale and… Bitch I guess that's acceptable considering some guy is called Bastard Son, anyway sporting a couple scrapes Tattletale is on shaking legs clutching her side with her left hand while her right has a gun pointed at me with Bitch by her side clothes drenched in sweat. The dog I sent flying is back on its feet looking pissed, the other one I hit with the heat wave is back ready for action, and the one eyed dog thing is back up not looking nearly as prepared since I hit it the hardest.

Considering the state of them this looks like an easy win since I am still pretty fresh and good to go for more. Then the scratching sound start filling the streets and both I and the jewelry thieves pause and look left seeing an asian guy face covered in an one mask with a in his right hand knife scratching the hell out of someone's car walking towards us. I just think who the hell is this guy?

Chapter Text

Okay just from the way this guy is walking slowly at his leisure I can already tell he is not a normal man.

“Fuck this!”

So said Grue the man of darkness as he covered his whole squad in darkness that moved away leaving nothing but jewelry in the street and an empty space where they once stood. Yup this is definitely trouble.

“So listen buddy I’m going to politely ask yo-”

I don’t get to my sentence when I hear the sound of a knife getting pulled out behind me. I don't think about my next actions it's just instinctive as send a blast out of my hand to spin around and send back fist increasing both speed and power of it. Standing before me is the same guy, I hit his jaw it turns to dust hell the entire guy turned to dust. I keep my momentum and spin till I face the direction the guy came from and I see him pull out a grenade.

I blast him and just like that he’s dust before he pulls the pin. I think for a moment I’m good until a grenade bounces of the hood of a car to my left, I glance up and this on the roof I blast myself to the guy as the it goes off. 

The car it was bounced off and those nearby it explode I hit the guy with a blast in to the face same result. I turn around and see him on a roof across the street, I know how this is gonna go if I keep reacting as I have so I think. 

Clearly this guy can clone himself but also from looking at how he appears in all these places he has teleportation tied into his ability to clone himself. I think about Nightcrawler from the X-men his teleportation was based on two things familiarity with a location and more importantly his sight. If I can blind this guy with a flash bang I can get him, but I’m also going to try and see if I can find out if something different about the copies body temperature using my thermal vision. 

I jump into the air after the one across the street as I am in the middle of the air I make it look like I’m about to send a fireball at him before throwing it downwards beneath me and flashing a blinding bright light illuminating the entire area.

All while as I get closer to him I notice his body temperature is getting lower so I think this is a copy not sure why he is getting colder.

After dusting this one via setting his head on fire I turn around and what do you know two other grenade chucking assholes. I look at them and jump to the right one as he is the only one who's body temperature isn't rapidly decreasing.

This might be a bit excessive however considering that this guy can just spam grenades and people in the neighborhood are waking up and coming into the street to streets to see what's happening. I think kicking him in the head while traveling at a high speed is necessary to finish the fight as these people disregarding their personal safety.

I look on my left ready to turn his clone to ash when he just turns to dust…. I guess that explains why his thermal energy was decreasing they are only good for a set time.

I look at the grenade thrower and the street and I know I have to clean up a bit.

After absorbing the fire from the last car wreckage I take one last look around some people are recording no one has touched the stolen jewelry, probably because I put a pile and put a fire around it.

I finish up with the last things I need to do using my powers I create a burning construct to restrain the bad guy to the floor, use the bag that held the jewels to cover his head so he can’t just teleport away. Then I leave a note letting the protectorate know not uncover his head as he needs to see where he is going to teleport.

I hear sirens and spot the authorities on the way with that my job is done I check the time it’s ten now and I want to turn in for the night. So I take off heading into the city to hopefully find a safe spot to change and then go home.

“Al, I’m back!” I called out as I enter the workshop it's a quarter till eleven but damn it is hard getting around when currently don't have a ride. The ability to fly and having blasting yourself multiple feet aren't really a good way to get home when you're trying to have a secret identity.

“Greeting sir, what brings into the workshop at this time? I was under the impression that you wanted to go to bed.”

“Your not wrong Alfred but I had a few thoughts cross my mind before I got back and so I have another task for you.”

“I’m always happy to help sir it’s partially why you created me, also I have finished editing the footage from your sunglasses earlier today.”

“Fantastic now Alfred this task I’m giving you is gonna be a little more complicated than anything I have ever asked you to do it will be the truest test of your capabilities.”

“I shall endeavor to meet your expectations simply state the task.”

“Alfred I am in a city in which I have no idea who's who in terms of parahumans. I want to be prepared for anything and everything that could come my way, so what I need you to do is hack into the PRT database and get me every bit of information you can on the capes in this city and what they are capable of.”

“Very well.”

“Excellent now when this is done I wan-”

“Finished sir.”

It takes me a moment to process the words he has spoken to me and then I’m just left with a profound sense of disbelief. So I just say, “Come again.”

“The data you asked for sir I obtained the files of every known cape in Brockton Bay telling of various abilities crimes and even identities.”

“Hold up wait I before we go any further I want the secret identities of any capes you do have under heavy encryption so that can never get out. Also don't tell me who anyone is, have to respect the unspoken rules.”

Alfred nods his head but then presents his own question.

“As you wish sir but if I may inquire why are you so surprised, did you not believe this was in the scope of my capabilities?”

“No not at all it's just, surprising at how easily you got past their defenses. This is the PRT I expected ten fifteen minutes. I just expected the Protectorate to be able to defend their own network better than this.”

“While breaking through to the data was simple, I was only truly surprised by how limited the other ai found. At least compared to myself it was easy to lose them as I was leaving th-”

“Hold on a second, back that up a bit.” Alfred turns to stare at me with his holographically generated face depicting confusion for a moment. He doesn't know the significance of meeting another ai, then again I haven't told him other people don’t have ai’s considering people are too scared of them as the only idea they have of them is from movies where they rise up and genocide humanity. Honestly if I have learned anything from media it's that ai going rogue depends on the creator themselves and how much of a screw up they are. 

“What is it sir?”

“You said they have an ai, Alfred to my knowledge of the world you were the first and only ai.”

“Well sir I believe that is no longer true”

I think carefully about the situation recalling what he said a press for more information. 

“You said the ai was limited can you explain more on what you meant by that?”

“This ai seemed to be unable to split its consciousness furthermore it seemed to have a set limit as to the number of tasks it could complete at once it made exiting the Protectorate systems and losing it a rudimentary task.”

“Was there anything else you gleamed from it.”

“Well it seemed they were trying to defend the files taken so it stands to reason that they serve the Protectorate.”

“I guess that can ease my worries about any potential problems. Anyway I’m going to get some shut eye now ohh, what do you think I should bring when I visit that girl from school tomorrow?”

“I believe flowers are a good gesture.”

“Seems too romantic plus it feels like I'm taking advantage of a girl at her lowest point, I want to help this girl get to a place where she can be okay.”

“Perhaps you could buy a get well soon card and a gift to go with it.”

“Yeah, I like that idea. Thank you Alfred.”

With that I walked out of the workshop heading to my room to get some sleep, and yet even though there is still so much to do I think about the day and I feel satisfied because of the actions I took, it may be small but I think I’m starting to make a difference. 

Chapter Text

Hey just wanted to wish you luck on your second day of school hope you're still feeling good about it. Love you little brother.

God what do I even say to that, ‘hey funny story first day I got suspended because I offended some girls I barely know the usual.’ This whole moving to the east coast back to dads hometown was supposed to be a new chapter for our lives.

A chapter where we could be honest with each other and reconnect where we didn't have to keep secrets like this. Even though we Sue is gone for a bit it's just this one time, and me I’m already going to be lying to her. I don't want to but if I'm ever going to truly get her to see I’m a capable superhero/man who can stand on there own I have to use this time to show I can do this. Maybe I'll make it so she doesn't have to worry about me so much anymore.

Hope you're doing good sis, things are certainly exciting right now.

I’m sure you'll tell me all about it.

One of these days I definitely will, but today is that day. I put away my phone and take a look at everything I got with me get well card and a goodie bag filled with candy, I mean if life is bitter why not have something sweet to ease the pressure.

I make my way through the hospital find the room and the girl I’ve been looking for is dead asleep. So I sit in a chair near the bed waiting to see when wakes up after all I’ve got the time.

Taylor POV

I open my eyes and see the the ceiling take a breath of the sterile air in the hospital but I don't move. I feel around the sheets and how my body sinks into the bed beneath me, I thought I was going to be back in the locker when I opened my eyes.

Even now it feels surreal that the worst thing that has happened to me is over and I hate it. What did I do to ever get on their shit list… or rather what did I do to get on Emma’s. We were best friends when I left for camp and when I came back it was torment from the start of freshman year to now.

What bothers me is how weak I have become, I hate keeping my head low, having to watch my back every day, I hate that I can barely even speak to people without running out of something anything to say. I hate being alone most of all and now my eyes feel wet, fuck. God no please, I don't want to cry anymore today.

“Ohhh you're finally awake”

I hear a voice a familiar one and I turn to the right side of my bed and it's him that guy from earlier. 

“I thought you were just a dream.”

Why the FUCK did I say that out loud? He let’s out a chuckle closing his eyes, and I can't help but think that this is trick he’s about to admit he’s just here to laugh at me to put me lower than I was already feeling. I look him over he’s handsome no other way to describe him with his swept back blond hair, that chiseled jaw, and the way his shirt is hugging his muscled torso. Is he here because of Emma to get a date with her or something, this is not fair. I hate it because I already know a guy like that is just here to laugh at me. I dreamed it didn’t I he didn’t carry me out of the locker I probably just saw him and fantasized that he did. God have I really gotten so bad I think my fantasies are reality.

Then he opened his eyes again they were just welcoming and then a smile came to his face but I couldn’t help but feel my body tense up.

“No I’m not a dream, though if I toot my own horn a bit I like to imagine that girls think I’m dreamy but that's besides the point you and I skipped over something earlier.”

“What?”

 He smiled widely showing off flawless pearly whites

“Introductions! We never got the chance last time we were together. My names Johnny it’s nice to meet you.”

He held out his hand to me and still keeping that cheerful smile on his face. I felt confused but also some tension would leave my body as as I reached out my hand to his.

“I’m Taylor.”

Fuck I want to say more but I don't know what to say I can't force anymore words out of my mouth. He seems to be enthusiastic about meeting me, when was the last time someone who wasn't related to me looked at me like that? Is it pathetic that I’m worrying now that I'm gonna mess this up by choking on my words, then I find something to say and force it out.

“So you've never see me at school this year or last?”

“That's right I haven't seen you at all or anyone as a matter of fact yesterday was my first day at there, I’m the new kid at Winslow.”

Now that makes sense. Someone who completely separate from the shit show that my life has become would be the one to do anything to help me. Explains why I couldn't recognize him I wouldn't say I know every boy who goes to Winslow but I know the ones who stand out like a sore thumb and a few others who may have been eye candy. This guy is a really nice piece of eye… wait

“Don't you mean today we met earlier today… right?”

He looked at me softly before speaking once more.

“No we met yesterday, that’s part of the reason I came to see you because I was worried about what state you were in. I was worried when I looked at you and you seemed like you were a million miles away. You didn't speak up when I was with you, I wanted to make sure that you were okay.”

It’s that last part that just hits me differently part of me and I don’t know why exactly but I start to talk about where it all went wrong. Maybe it’s because he is the first person to help me, maybe it’s because he is just some stranger nice enough to listen, or maybe it’s just me… that I need someone to tell someone about it and he was nice enough to listen.

“I had one of the worst days of my life yesterday and that’s saying something. My bullies have worked everyday since freshman year to make my life hell and yesterday they hit me with the biggest thing yet. Stuffing me in my own locker with all that shit and I know it’s not gonna stop they won’t ever leave me alone. No matter who sees them do until you showed up no one did anything to help me whether it was students or teachers. I don’t really believe anything will come from this… even though I got sent to the hospital. But… thank you I guess when you got me out it didn’t feel bad as it should have, even if it still sucked.”

What I don’t tell him is as nice as it felt to have someone show concern or care to me it still felt bad because he saw me at my worst and I can’t help but feel he see that girl covered in the blood and filth when he’s looking at me. I don’t want to be seen as pitiful.

“Then it’s the fact the girl who was once my best friend is doing this to me for fun.”

“Wait which one was that Madison, Sophia, or Emma? Those are their names right?”

I paused for a second before it connects I tense up and I feel something in my head. I feel nervous is he with them I have to know. I can’t just trust him, fuck he keeps doing this making me feel comfortable and then sweeping my legs out from under me.

“How do you know the names of my bullies?”

I stare directly at him looking for something anything that could tell me he’s playing a role.

“Well because I met them yesterday back by the locker and not to brag or anything but I think I got you beat for the top of their shit list.”

“Why would they-“

“I insulted each of them in the most personal ways I could think of Madison by essentially calling her a stupid little girl, Emma I insinuated dressed like a whore and said she should apply to be one, and Sophia I can’t remember if I said anything to her or how much what I do remember is her trying to hit me. Then I ended up suspended for the rest of the week, don’t know how they managed that though?”

“Why would you do that these girls run the school and are essentially untouchable, you basically committed social suicide.”

I can’t even imagine what else they would do to him now if this is true but I just can’t wrap my head around someone doing this even if they are new, why would he paint that big of a target on his back? 

He thought for second furrowed his brow in thought and then he found his words.

“They hurt you and they liked it….. look I need you to understand something about me, see most of my life I have lived it passively, I lived in the background more than anything instead of being someone I could be proud of when I look in the mirror.”

He paused for a moment looking nervously before letting out a breath and speaking once more.

“I’ve never really done something like this I let people fight their own battles. However I’m trying to do more to change into someone who can help people. The reason is because someone very close to me got into trouble once, but I didn’t help them and I believed it was better for me to pretend that everything was alright. That if I just smiled and help them live in the moment they could forget whatever it was that had them stressed out and everything would get better with time.”

He looked so sad as he spoke and so regretful at once. He was silent so long I just asked.

“Did it get better?”

He smiled a sad smile at me.

“No it didn’t. The problem is that deep down I think I knew it wasn’t going to get better but I didn’t know how to help. So I didn’t pry and once I saw what it did to this person I was just left feeling guilty so I made a promise to myself. Even if I don’t know how to help someone I am going to give it a try and not just walk away. So then I moved here new city and now I am trying to reinvent myself this time not being passive or reactive but someone who is actually taking steps to make positive change. When I saw you in there I couldn’t just walk away I won’t do that anymore, so I want to help you because I don't think I’ve done all can.”

“You already helped me so where does this visit fit into all of it, how would you help me out now?”

He reached for my right hand but stopped when I pulled back a bit he hand open and waited for me eyes imploring me to take it, I took it.

“Look I can’t say I for certain I have the answer to your problems I could throw out a few ideas on what could be done to help. However for right now what I can do for you is be your friend, I can’t say I have had many in this life or that I could be the best friend you ever had in life but…

He chuckled for second and looked up smiling at me happily as that sad look he had from earlier away faded away replaced by brighter thoughts.

what I could do as your friend is simple but I think important. You take a chance on me now and… I’ll be with you till the end of the line. I can promise that much at least.”

He gently squeezed my hand and I squeezed it harder, I felt tears falling from my eyes I couldn’t help it.

“It would be really nice to have a friend again.”

Just like that I had a friend again and I wasn’t alone anymore. 

Johnny POV

I would spend the next hour talking to Taylor and she would tell me about her how things were from her mother dying to her, Emma turning on her, and how she felt like her relationship with her dad changed from all the misfortune.

As far as things go she was dealt a shitty hand so far in life. I couldn’t say much on the situation but I listened. I think talking about things helped her a bit she seemed to lose some tension in her body as a result from it. I was happy to get her talking she seemed to struggle at first speaking before her words started coming out easier than they had at the start. Honestly in a way I felt better because someone trusted me enough to share these things. 

I think in a way we were both in the same boat and needed a friend. I haven’t really been someone who was close to other and even the ‘friends’ I did make I still kept a distance to them, no intimate details or delving into private lives we would hangout at school and that was it. I didn’t share as much as I had today with anyone I didn't believe anyone could relate, maybe that’s partially my fault too.

All in all it was nice to have this kind of relationship again.

“So what about you?”

That’s a question that I don’t know even know where to begin.

“Well I’ve been talking about me all this time but I would like to know more about you.”

Okay I can answer that unfortunately it be the most interesting stuff. Keep as much of the dramatic stuff off the table it's a little too soon to start sharing the double life assuming I ever do.

“Hmmm well I live with my sister for one it’s just been me and her since our dad died ten years back. She is the smartest and most resilient person I know.”

She’s also the hardest person to help that I know, but I’m not gonna dump that on you Taylor. 

“I’m sorry about your dad but what about your mom? You haven’t mentioned her.”

Okay did not think that being a follow up question. Okay well thankfully it’s me answering the question and not my sister. That response would make everyone uncomfortable.

“I can’t say I know the details but it’s not uncommon story. You have probably heard something similar, one day mom and dad’s relationship was going great then over time things started not going so great. She left sometime after I was born.”

“That’s… I’m sorry I didn’t mean to upset you.”

There’s that tension again come on don’t do that.

“You don’t have to be, besides I don’t remember her so her absence from my life had the least impact on me... Hey let’s change the subject though, I’ll share a fun fact with you despite moving to the city it’s not actually unfamiliar at least to my family. My dad was raised here and my sister spent most of her childhood here. I think Sue said something like Brockton was in are blood or whatever.”

‘“Really why’d your family move.”

“From what my sister said it was something about all the capes here. So many started showing up around the time that my dad thought it would be best to have a change of scenery when I was gonna be born. Thought it I’d have a better upbringing if I didn’t have to grow up around all that drama.”

“I guess that makes sense a lot has happened over the years in the city. Stuff happened that my parents had tried to shield me from over the years, they couldn't keep me from hearing about everything though.”

“Capes can be mesmerizing but when you’re too close it’s like playing with fire.”

She nodded slowly in understanding 

“So why did you and your sister move back here.”

“Well my sister sister got the attention of a this guy who well he didn’t understand no means no.”

Technically this true only it’s not sexual nature it’s just the guy in question created what is basically a tinker sweatshop of which my sister worked part time in. Can’t mention that because the PRT would have strong armed the tinkers into working for them. That or get the tinkers to register as rouges and agree not to tinker.

That wouldn’t have worked considering what I learned from watching Sue over the years in the workshop of our house in California. A couple points in time my sister would get fidgety and she just started tinkering on a bunch of shit non stop. That is one thing I noticed over the years tinkers and parahumans in general are almost incapable of not using their powers.

Sue literally stayed from 6 p.m. working until the 10 a.m. one day, she didn’t eat dinner and only stopped when I found her and told her the it was Saturday morning, and she was working on what I think was the stasis gun at the time.

“So this guy he can’t find you guys right.”

“He won’t, the guy got himself in trouble with the police and that’s when we left we won’t hear from him again.”

Then he blew himself rather than go to the bird cage we are not hearing from that guy again.

Before we could keep talking there was a knock at the door and some random people came in who from the looks of things were with the PRT, the fuck?

“Can we help you, do you people need directions or something.”

A woman spoke up dressed in a suit.

“This is the room for Taylor Hebert is not.”

I look over to Taylor and she speaks up.

“That’s me.”

“We just have a couple of questions and some things to run by you, you’re not in trouble or anything but it is important that we speak to you.” 

Taylor looked over to me and I shrugged, I don’t have any idea what this is about so I’ll let her handle it.

“We can speak.”

“Great, but you there you're going to have to leave right now this is something done in private only family members could be included unless you are related by chance?”

“I’m just a friend.”

“Alright then please step out.”

The lady spoke firmly, it was less of a request more of a command and the way the other suits were acting. While they didn’t grab me or anything like that I knew I was getting kicked out. Taylor looked up at me and it looked like she didn’t want me to go. I gave her smile before calling saying goodbye.

“Don’t worry Taylor I had to get going anyway but I’ll be sure to stop by tomorrow I promise.”

She looked less disappointed about before speaking out.

“Bye Johnny, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“You got it.”

I gave her one last smile and a thumbs up to go with it as I walked out the door.

As I left the hospital I found an empty alleyway waited to see no one follow me in before activating my watch as my suit materialized over my body. God this feels awesome every time I do it. Finishing up by putting the domino mask on I start stretching and after that bounce on the balls of my feet. 

Today is gonna be different I will patrol but not right now. I’m gonna practice flying I’m gonna do it, start flying upwards and I’m gonna stay up high in the sky work on getting over my fear of heights. You got this Johnny, let’s do this. I start running out towards the alleyway jumping right into the air about fifty feet and I finally say the classic phrase.

“FLAME O-!!!”

 “VICKY!!!”

I feel bit confused as I turn my head the only thing I notice is a phone and a hand that hits me in the eye, then I fell pain.

All my momentum, the courage I gathered to do this, and that bit of excitement straight down the crapper. I fell and felt a spike of fear as once again like everyone else I was gravity’s bitch. I would suddenly feel my back making contact with a car I hear the glass break, I bounce off into the next lane, and I hear a horn. My eyes open as I look in the direction it came from I see bus. Well this gonna hurt, the only good thing going for me right now is that I am more durable than a normal person. This will still be painful.

Chapter Text

Victoria POV

Today is going great getting out early because it was a half day at school is always a joy. Now what made it all the sweeter was that today I actually managed to get Amy to take a break and go shopping with me. Add the fact things with Dean got back from that Wards joint training over break, what more could I want.

“Vicky could you please put your phone away.”

“Come on Amy this is important.”

“Texting Dean is important? Vicky you just saw him plus he's gonna be busy with the other Wards today you can put your phone away. No actually you should put your phone away when you’re flying.”

“Amy it is important in a relationship to strengthen it after going a long time not seeing each other .”

Amy looked at me with her tired eyes giving me a blank expression.

“It was two weeks over winter break and you called him everyday.”

“Look one day you will understand so don't be so quick to judge because eventually one these days I’m gonna find you the perfect match and you'll now how to handle these kind of hurdles when they come up.”

There it that depressing look again, I am going to find the right guy for you one of these days just wait and see.

Do you wanna go out dinner and a movie this Friday I’m free from Wards that day and I’d love nothing more to spend the day with you.

The Sweetest guy around. I’m definitely going to have to find new to wear and give him a very special treat.

Of course, now what exactly do you have planned for for-

I don’t get to finish my text when I think I hear some shouting I ignored it for the most part and then my Amy screams out for me.

“-ME O-”

“VICKY!”

I look to my sister shaking me, I don't know what has her so concerned. Then I feel my phone still in hand hit something. I get an idea what is so concerning to her.

I stop immediately turning forward and I catch the cape who was presumably in the sky bouncing off a car into the next lane and see a bus run him over and keep going. I don’t think about the hit and run I just stop and stare at the costumed body on the ground not moving… I killed that guy.

I just feel the coldest chill crawling up my spine my stomach churns but I haven't eaten so there's nothing to throw up.

“KY! VICKY!”

“It was I didn't mean”

“VICKY! He's still moving if you take me down there I can fix him.”

Immediately I my body snaps to look back down and right there he is moving hands reaching to the ground, his legs move slowly like he’s trying to see if he can feel them.

I fly down there immediately landing a few feet away Amy and I run the rest of the way with Amy calling out to him as he struggles on the ground.

“Don’t move anymore, I’ll help you.”

Then almost immediately this guy pushes off the ground four feet. He ends up back on his feet knees bent before stretching his body like he just got out of bed before his body starts glowing with fire coming off him.

He turns to look at my sister and I makes a finger gun with his hands shoots at the ground and makes a ring of fire around us. Just like that my concern is directed to my sister who is closer to him than me, Amy is backing away slowly but he's still so close to my sister. My mind starts racing about what it is that I can do he is a pyrokinetic and if he wants to he could easily burn Amy and I wouldn't be able to shield her because my forcefield only covers me not other people then the answer comes to me. I release my aura immediately.

He gives an unusual response his face shifts from a passive almost disinterested expression to one filled with a spike of pain and then rage it stopped Amy from moving. He keeps still for a second before taking a breath his face relaxes or tries to his face is full of tension to it and his eyes to be opened wider now. Then he puts his hands up and his fiery eyes fade out and give way to normal blue eyes.

“Okay take it easy I just wanna talk this is not an attack I swear.”

I stop my aura and close the distance to my sister and immediately the fire guy’s face relaxes fully.

“Alright, I owe you that much. Could you put out the fire.”

“I would say you owe me more but semantics. Also no I can’t.”

He ran his hand through his hair exhaling heavily.

“Look I scared you and your friend, I apologize for that I didn't mean for you to feel threatened with the fire. I can take a pretty good guess as for what happened…

He kept speaking in a tone that was trying to be understanding yet also frustrated with what was happening. It felt like he was scolding me but trying to be nice about it, which was pretty nice considering I was the reason he got run over.

you're new this right. Yeah of course, look I know it's exciting you feel like you can take on the world and who knows maybe you can. However you shouldn't be texting and flying that is arguably more dangerous than texting and driving plus think about your friend you crash and splat there she goes.-

He doesn't know who I am, he doesn't know who Amy is. I look at my sister and she looks as confused as I feel right now.

Then the biggest thing you did wrong though is go flying out of costume, look it’s difficult but not impossible for someone to get a picture of your face and then it's over everyone knows who you are and they come after you.”

Oh my god he really doesn't know who we are, does live under a rock or something.

“Are you two going to say something or just stand there.”

Amy was the one who spoke up first.

“You don't know who we are do you.”

He stared at us hard.

“Am I suppose too. Are you two like celebrities or something?” He made a waving gesture with his hands, “Look I’m drawing a blank here okay, just tell me because I’m not gonna get it.”

I spoke up “Victoria and Amy Dallon.”

“All that tells me is that you’re sisters or cousin’s, you are cousins right cause you two don't really look alike to be sisters.”

“I’m adopted.”

“That explains the lacking resemblance okay stepsisters.”

I interjected before this could go off track, “Glory Girl and Panacea.” He still looked confused WTF me fine but Amy is the healer in the world how does he not know her, “New Wave” His eyes went wide, okay he got it finally. 

“Ohhh you're apart of that super family with no secret identities guess I don’t need to keep this up.” With a snap of his fingers that the fire surrounding us goes out. Neat  trick, and now his eyes have that burning glow again. Then he his lips form a tight smirk on his face and asks me a question.

“Hey now that you mention it I have seen you on a billboard once. So big question if you have been hero for a good amount of time why were you texting and flying?”

The silence that follows is awkward, okay I have a few options on how to answer this. I know how to get out of this.

“Well you see I got a text about a crime nearby.”

The new guy eyes are focused on me, which is good because Amy’s face right now would have given away the lie.

“So where is the crime then?”

Okay I don't know how to respond to this in a good way that doesn’t tip off that I’m lying. 

Then right on time gunshots sound off. I capitalize on it.

“Over there.”

He looks down the streets before down at his feat and toward area it occurred in. 

“Well this wasn’t in my plan for today but duty calls, anyway I’ll see you there later on I guess. FLAME ON!!!”

Suddenly the next moment this new cape’s entire body is on fire and he flies fifteen feet above the ground toward the directions the shots were fired.

For a moment my sister and I stand in silence watching the fire guy fly down the street until Amy speaks up.

“So I guess we aren't going to the mall today?”

“Amy we are still going to the mall. We're just gonna stop by really quick help out and get back to enjoying our day easy peasy.”

I see the driver from the car get out and before they can ask for a reimbursement I grab Amy and take off.

Johnny POV

Okay I want to go higher than this but after getting knocked out of the sky I have lost a bit of my nerve. Now am I pissed extremely I was in a great mood but now… Let’s recap I crashed into a car, got ran over by a bus, and I couldn't even fight the person did it to me because they are a hero.

Fortunately for me some idiots decided to commit a crime near my vicinity. I fully intend to work out my frustrations with them, not saying I’ll give them the Batman treatment however it is not going to be painless.

I find the chaos at a pharmacy and wait… that's the bus that ran me over. It seems to have transformed sporting what looks like cannons, a battering ram, mounted machine guns, spikes on the tires, and thrusters in the back. It looks like something out of Mad Max and I would honestly be impressed if not for two things. One it looks like shit not to say the bus looked great even when it was normal but it looks like somebody mashed a bunch of crap together and expected it to work. Okay now the engineer of such a monstrosity has offended the engineer within me, I will most certainly be beating these guys black and blue.  Then a thought dawns on me.

Wait a minute if the people who are robbing the pharmacy are the ones who ran me over... wait then that means that New Wave girl was bullshitting me. 

I flame off landing down on the ground it's game on. I start blasting a few guys carrying pill bottles the go flying like rag dolls into the wall. Then looking them over I can tell who they are the merchants. These are the lowest of the low in society junkies who started a gang that deals in drugs, that’s it.

“What the fuck are you worthless jazz stains doing?!!!”

Coming out of the pharmacy is the most disgusting man I have ever seen in my life. His teeth look to be falling out his eyes were red and his clothes dirty and stained with god knows what. I could smell him from ten feet away. The only reason I know he has powers is because he is wearing a mask (A very shitty mask).

I haven’t had to take a shower or brush my teeth in ten years on the account of my body burning all foreign bacteria when I flame on, I will be doing both after this because of how dirty I feel.

“They got burned playing by the torchlight kinda like you're about too right now.”

“That’s it that’s your name, I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what it could be!”

Before I could even fully respond to that after getting ready to throw down with this homeless super villain. I see trashcan hit him look to the side and see Glory Girl flying in the air with all her well glory I guess, I feel that buzz in my head again but not as bad as it was earlier.

At least she can help me take down these drug addicts to make up for getting me run over. Then she gets blasted out of the sky and breaks the window of a parked car. I turn around and the bus, I forgot about the fucking bus and looks like someone is in the damn thing.

I get to Glory Girl to help her back on her feet when the cannons take aim. Immediately I go from about to help her up to blasting at the cannon fire to keep it from hitting the girl and civilians.

While I do this these damn addicts load back into the weaponized bus starting to take off. I look to Glory Girl roughed up a couple of rips in her clothes (not gonna lie it makes me feel better now that she crashed into a car) but she’s ready for payback.

“Alright I’ll go for the right you go for the left, try to keep up.” 

“Torchlight you're the one who's new to this, you try your best to keep up with me.”

Even still she goes left and I take off right.

“FLAME ON!”

It doesn't take long to catch up to the bus despite how surprisingly fast it is for its size maneuvering through traffic slows you down. What isn't being shown down is the damn cannons and mounted  machine guns aiming at us. 

The bullets don't slow me down as well heat shields up and I just incinerate the bullets in my vicinity the cannon fire I do have to dodge. Glory Girl from the looks of it is taking evasive maneuvers, definitely something to ask about since I thought after tanking a shot from the cannon regular bullets wouldn't do shit. 

Now whatever crackhead behind the wheel of the bus decides to start crashing into cars in their way. The mounted machine guns start aiming at Glory Girl the cannons focus on me. That dirty homeless man from earlier climbs to the top and suddenly the top of the bus starts glowing. 

When the cannons start firing at me again it's slightly faster… honestly I expected more after that show. What gives me a problem is the cannons fire in sync one after another keeping me from getting close, Glory Girl can't get close with the machine guns firing so I decide to help her out first.

I start blasting fireballs at the machine guns as I start taking each one out I take notice of two things one I see little explosions lighting up in the bus  and small fires starting up as a result of my blasts the other thing is that the cannons energy blasts are traveling faster now and my fireballs are missing their mark moving away from where they should have struck.

It's the guy on top he's doing increasing the velocity of their projectiles while simultaneously forcing my blasts away from the bus. This is getting dragged out and more people are getting hurt.

I take risk fly ahead turn around and back in the direction I came in a majority of the cannons are mounted near the front on top of the bus five of them there and two in the rear machine guns in the rear and the middle ten spaced out in the area eight after I destroyed four of them. 

I’m going to take out the machine guns in one attack getting in close as I can so as not to miss. As I get closer I can hear the guy on top the bus standing by the cannons swearing at me and Glory Girl and laughing. He thinks he's in control but little does he know I’m about to ruin his whole day, as I start making my past the front of the bus I feel a force trying to push me away but it is far to weak to stop me.

I put my hands together open palms facing the guns and release a flamethrower that is more akin to a laser melting the weapons I pass the cannons at the back explode. Due to my close proximity I’m sent flying upwards. I correct myself in the air look back down and see they are about to drive straight into a mall. The cannons aren't firing though, whatever they were powered by must have been damage during my attack. Then the thrusters start activating increasing speed.

Glory Girl flies next to me ready to get back into the fray. 

“Glory Girl how strong are you?”

“I could lift that bus if it wasn't moving.”

“Amazing, listen I need you to start slowing the bus down I am going to take out the tires before joining you in the front okay.”

“Don't keep me waiting.”

“Ohhh I would never keep a lady waiting.”

While she's going off to start slowing the bus take out the tires on the left side when suddenly. I hear a scream but I can't give it anymore thought as I fly to the right side ruining the tires. I see something like a junk bike deploy from the bus and merchants bailing from the bus.

I make it to Glory Girl flying against the bus and join her in slowing it down. We are cutting it close. The screaming of the people in the mall and screeching of the bus against the cement created a horrific harmony that only served to add to the pressure.

I could feel the bus slow down first slowly than a sudden decrease in speed which told me the thrusters in the back gave out. We would stop just shy of the side walk I landed down to the ground walking backwards flaming off watching the bus burn. I reached out a hand absorbing the fire to stop it from exploding. Glory Girl would land next to me smiling.

“So Torchlight how does your first outing as a hero feel like?”

I let out a chuckle, “First outing? This my second time doing this. The first one was last night.”

“How did that go?”

“Well stopped a girl from getting trafficked by the ABB, helped a kid find his mom, and tried to stop a group of capes from robbing a jewelry store but they got away when some teleporting self cloning jerk showed up with grenades to fight me.”

“Wait you were the one beat Oni Lee.”

“Thanks for saying his name he didn't introduce himself but yeah fought him left for the PRT you know how it is.”

For second she stood a little straighter looking impressed with what I did. 

“Well at least your first patrol you got a bad guy the merchants here got away mostly except the ones you kicked out back at the pharmacy, but fortunately you messed up Skidmark pretty badly when you started taking out the tires, fell off into the street got his legs run over so I don't think he'll be causing trouble anytime soon.”

I think the worry I felt from that last bit must have shown on my face because she spoke up again to try and reassure me.

“He's not don't worry I could still see him after he fell he was moving and besides you didn't make him stand on a moving bus…” That helped I’m not trying to kill people, not saying I wouldn't but that’s like the last resort or reserved for the most heinous of people like if I meet a villain like Joker I’m killing them I won’t spare him like Batman/Courts do.

She whispered the next part to me, “and honestly that guy has done worse to people so don’t feel bad for him.”

I know it’s wrong but that does help me a bit. I care at first because I didn't know how bad of a person Skidmark is and whether or not he deserved this and I worry because I don't want people to think I’m a murderer and get scared of me.

Luckily another thing that helps is I did have to stop the bus and Glory Girls right I didn't make him climb to the top of the bus.

I see Glory Girl hunch over a bit in pain hugging her herself as she lands on the ground a little shaky.

“What's wrong you looked fine a second ago.”

“It nothing really, its just when they shot me earlier it hit me pretty hard. Adrenaline rush is dying down so now I feel the pain but I’ll be fine I left my sister Amy is back by the pharmacy to heal the injured, she can heal the damage I’ll just fly back in a second.”

“Or I can return the favor and help you like you've helped me with the Merchants.”

“What?”

I don't really explain I hold out a hand and the flamed flow out from it repairing the damage to her body. She stands straight looking at her body smiling.

“That's a surprising trick thank you… Hey listen I’m really sorry about knocking you out of the sky it was my fault I should've paid attention.”

“Don't worry about after a successful team up I say water under the bridge.”

I hold my hand up for high five and she answers it with her own then she rises back into the air pulls out her phone takes a picture of me I give a smile and gives me her goodbye.

“It's been fun and I am definitely gonna give you a shout out on PHO, but I gotta go meet back up with my sister see you later Torchlight.”

She flies away back where we came quickly and I just say quietly to myself.

“That was not the name I was going to go with.”

At this point though I call it a day and just go home to relax maybe finally take a look at those parahuman files Alfred got for me so I know more people and what they can do.

Chapter Text

Torchlight is the name that shows up on the news today when I turn on the tv and honestly I don’t hate it. Did I plan for it to be my name when I decided to be a superhero no I was going to be called the Human Torch it's what my powers are mostly based on. Now that I look at it not bad I like it frankly from what I remembered about comics is this, people usually just call him Johnny his actual name sometimes torch and Ben had few nicknames for him here and there.

It would be a mouthful to say the Human Torch so eventually it would be shortened to just torch by various people. That's enough about the name, I still have been suspended for the rest of the week and naturally to me that means vacation. Unfortunately not all of that time can be fun and games I had my superhero adventure for the day and now I have work. But that doesn't mean I don’t enjoy the work.

Most of the stuff I build in the lab are just projects to assist the superhero side of my life various gadgets and other such things because let's face it incineration is not the answer to all of life’s problems. I got a nearly finished fabricator to speed up the creation time of inventions, arc reactor was the easiest and first thing I built because one the power it produces two Tony Stark made it from scraps so I knew if I just got the right materials I could make it, schematics for a parahuman power blocker (has yet to be tested) I don't have one now because it would take too much time plus the fabricator would make construction easier so it took priority, and a psychic blocker to prevent master effects that also has yet to be built for the same reasons.

I also have my old Halloween costume which was just a child sized iron man suit it functions works great but it only had repulsor weapons because when Sue found out about the suit she put her foot down when I tried building micro missiles for it. It was fine though I was gonna make another one, an adult sized suit with all the bells and whistles that Alfred or someone I trusted could pilot to help me in battle.

I did want make more things to help the world in its entirety but that came with issues I could certainly build things even share what I have been working on but that would have made problems early on in life.

Here's what I mean, I began to notice a trend in the world every single person who could better the world had something horrible happen to them. I would take notice of this when I was eight after taking the time to really examine the damage of Endbringer attack at the time. From there I really gave the time and looked at the history of Endbringer attacks and I sat down with a pencil and notebook to write down ideas that could potentially fight them but more than anything undo the damage that they cause restoring their attack sites to what they were and more.

This would stop when I thought why don't people or tinkers specifically create items to help. My brain thought of it statistically and that's when I would stop writing ideas down, Behemoth appeared in December 13, 1992 with Leviathan and the Simurgh showing up years later down the line. They attack regularly every three months devastating the world, so the question came to mind why exactly hasn't anyone made contributions to better the world in terms of tinker tech or science in general? 

I then remembered the story of Dr. Alan Gramme he was a tinker who specialized in creating habitable environments that could protect inhabitants from hostile conditions outside of them. He lost his family and his mind because of the Simurgh, he became a murderer traveling all over killing people who tried to better the world. He couldn't kill everyone who tried though it just wouldn't be possible for him to succeed in killing everyone who worked to better the world as he once tried to. So I researched the internet finding that anyone he didn't kill would still die in an Endbringer attack but specifically the Simurgh’s attacks.

I got it in that moment something I can't fully make out has put the world on the path of extinction, things are falling apart but the way it did was told me this was planned. I knew then if I just out myself as a boy genius a wonder kid who could change the world I’m gonna get attacked possibly even killed or worse I will get my sister killed. So I put my pencil down and my notebook out of site. 

I didn't try making stuff for two weeks and I grew irritable because of it. I didn't try making stuff  because I got so paranoid that if I wrote anything else in my notebook then there would be an attack in my city. Logically this wasn't sound but fear has a way of making you do stupid things, anyway not utilizing my brain to a further extent made me frustrated as well as anxious but I could manage it by exercising and practicing my powers.

However I knew that even despite this the fact I couldn't help people with what I had in my head pissed me off. So I started talking to Alfred one day, he presented me with an idea to make things for my cape life now so that overtime I’ll have everything I need when I master my powers and am able to defend myself I can do things discreetly without ever drawing attention to myself.

So that bring me to now a current project that will certainly be one of the best things I made provided this attempt actually works this time.

“Alfred tell me the current attempt of this creation.”

“Have you forgotten sir? That’s rather unlike you.”

“No, I just need to hear you say it Al. This is year of work to get this right.”

“Very well, it is attempt 142.”

I pull out the finished product knife specifically a Gerber Mark 2 the knife is not important rather the metal of the blade is what matter most at this point. Various formulas multiple failures. My knowledge works like this the stuff I like comes easily so long as I know more information about it however if I didn't know much about something I have to experiment more to get it right. I press a finger to the flat of the blade heat it up beyond the melting point of every single metal it holds and I keep raising it until I am satisfied. It has not melted, however the real test is the blade itself how well can this cut.

I go Alfred standing holding fifty pound weighted plate in his hands, I stand in front of him and restricting my strength to that of a regular man or as close to regular one, I swing the knife at it downwards. Now it’s split into two, one more test just to be sure that this is perfect I mounted the knife on a stand grabbed a hammer focused my power into the material to make it stronger and swung it at the knife as hard as I could.

Shattered metal of the hammer everywhere and knife perfectly fine.

“Alfred its a success, project adamantium is done. How much more can we make in a a short amount of time?”

“Currently sir you should be able to make a larger knife with perhaps some material left over to spare.”

“What if I got more of the materials used to make the metal?”

“Unfortunately sir the chemicals used are rather expensive compounds not sold commercially of which you used all them. Couple that with the base metals required as well as the amounts needed to create what you desire will cost approximately 4.5 million dollars, and that is just for this part of the project not including everything else you require.”

Money even in this life I struggle just in a different way a worse way even because the world is ending I can't drag attention to myself to build everything needed to save it but I also am not wealthy enough to get everything I need discreetly. I guess I’ll make another knife then, no adamantium armored ally for me.

“Okay then ummm, take stock of what we need to finish the fabricator and I'll figure out how to get rich quick hopefully.”

“Sir there is someone at the front door.”

“Who is it?”

“Appears to be the movers delivering more of your furniture and one of the items I dare say you'll find pleasing.”

“How happy would it make me.”

“Well sir without giving away the surprise, let's just say if you knew what it was then you would already be at the door.”

As always Alfred is right.

“Thanks Dillion I appreciate you bringing this by it means a lot.”

“Hey no problem Johnny just doing what you’re sister asked, speaking of which you mind putting in a good word for me with your sister.”

Dillion ohhh Dillion you put me in a good mood and now you put me in a bad mood. Okay I need to calm down just be clear and don’t blow up on him he hasn't said anything bad and he's one of Sue’s friends. I put on a million dollar smile and say as cheerfully as I can.

“How about you just leave while things are still cool between us.”

“Okay fair enough but you can't blame me man. The body your sisters got and the size of her-“

“GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!!”

Now the guy books it running as he has known me long enough at this point to know I built up a reputation for chasing off guys who would pester my sister or rather pester me for advice on how to get in bed with my sister. What makes these idiots think I would ever help them its my sister.

At least I can focus on one thing that brings me back to a good mood, the bike Dillion delivered to me a Harley Davidson Street 750. A bike my old man and I would spend the time to restore when I was a kid. It’s one of the things I can remember about my father in this life, he did this as a way to spend time with me and teach me things about cars. Memories I had rebuilding it with him was a nice thing to remember him by, better than his memory just being burnt body that I woke up to.

As I sat on the bike admiring it and lost in my head my neighbor would approach me.

“That's a nice bike man.”

“It’s really something isn't it man. I’m actually surprised to see you here Dean you're usually out and about.”

My neighbor Dean Stansfield he and his parents live next door. He seems like a good guy helped my sister and I move some of our stuff in when we got here. We haven't really talked much though as my sister was the bigger conversationalist between us.

“Well now that schools started back up so I have to come back home earlier you know.”

“Makes sense but what is it you do man? Like I have seen you come back home late at night or I don't see you come home at. You don't see like the type to stay out late going to parties.”

“Nothing so exciting as that it's an after school program that I go to. It's a big time commitment designed for cultivating leadership skills, promoting teamwork, and how to operate in stressful environments. It's something that looks good when applying for college.”

“Okay that makes sense why you look so wiped out sometimes. I can only imagine the boring it is though you have my sympathy.”

“Its not that bad. Actually it's pretty fun for the most part I meet a lot of great people plus the work I put in is pretty fulfilling overall since we primarily work on giving back to the community.”

Ahhh yes community service, it's a good thing to do still boring. However I wonder if we can qualify my superhero endeavors as community service it's a lot more fun than whatever Dean's doing though. I let my head stare back at the bike as I sit on it.

“You okay Johnny?”

That broke me out of my thoughts and back to the conversation.

“Yeah I’m alright I’m actually pretty happy you know. After all who wouldn't be happy getting a motorcycle delivered to them?”

“Well yeah I got that but you just looked happy and sad when you were staring at the bike. A combination that isn’t something I would expect to see in any other guy I know getting a bike.”

He’s not wrong about that but even still it's pretty surprising that he noticed me looking this way when I didn’t see anyone close by to me going down memory lane. He’s got good eyes if he can see that well.

“This bike wasn't something I bought. It was something my old man found in the scrape yard. He brought home and I helped him start rebuilding it. He said I could have it when I was older, we never got to finish the bike together cause he passed not too long after we started working on it. I finished it as you can see, but I guess I can get lost looking at it. I’ve always been nostalgic like that.”

“I’m sorry man, I didn't mean to bring up any bad memories.”

“Its fine besides when you lose someone sad bits come with the territory. The important thing is I got good memories too like this bike, that's how you get through it.”

He stood silently listening giving his full attention as I spoke. I felt more comfortable speaking to him at this point honestly, I wouldn't say I’m socially inept but I always felt shy around new people it takes time for me to feel comfortable around someone.

Heck the only person I have made an effort to build a relationship at this point was Taylor. Partially because of what had happened to her I felt the need to reach out. I mean if for nothing else but to show someone cared. Another part of me wanted to try introducing myself to someone who didn't think I was weird. Its funny it would probably be Dean if he didn't have that program but I think I’m happy it was Taylor. It’s nice having someone who thinks highly of you.

When I first woke up everything in life was a lot to process I was held back a year because of the months of school I missed in the hospital. Then when I got back to school I also had to deal with people who knew me prior looking at me as an alien. Apparently my physical health was lacking as a child and I was bullied for it not that I remembered much, now that I was stronger, smarter, and more mature I stood out to other kids. Boy did they let me know it children can be cruel it didn’t effect me but I knew where I stood.

“So just out of curiosity I noticed you didn’t carry your backpack to school today is everything alright with it because I noticed you didn't even walk in the direction of where Winlsow High is.”

Ahh so it’s going to be one of those conversations. Well best to just face it head on.

“That's easy enough to answer, I was suspended.”

“What did you do to get suspended for? You just moved here and you don't strike me as a trouble maker.”

“Well I can tell you if you got the time.”

He nodded as I recounted my first day at Winslow and what happened to Taylor. He seemed pretty shocked that someone would be that mean spirited and call it a prank.

“Wait so what did you do?” 

“Well I helped her and parted ways with her when she got in the ambulance.”

“No I mean after that what happened after that about the bullies did you find out who they are? How did you even end up getting suspended, did you do something to them?”

“I know who they because when I went back to my locker guess who I find. All three of her bullies and their groupies too. They were pissed she wasn't there that's how I knew they were the ones to do it. As for what I did is simple I told them I let her out and when they tried to educate me. I proceeded to give my unfiltered first impressions on each of them or most of them.”

Dean looked at me for minute and with a gesture,

 “Well Johnny what does that mean?”

“Essentially I just started talking shit. They do the same thing for fun so I decided to give them a taste of their own medicine. They couldn't take it so much before I even started with the last one she just took a swing at me, unfortunately for I was better.”

“Wait so you beat her.”

“No I did not hit her! I cannot stress it enough, I dodged around her embarrassing her before I caught her hand with maybe a bit more force than necessary.”

“Johnny that's probably why you got suspended. Even with what they did you shouldn't hurt the girl regardless if she deserves it, you are a guy that is always going to backfire.”

I was shaking my head vigorously and got off the bike to stand.

“Firstly it wasn't even that bad. Secondly that's not even what got me suspended, what got me suspended was the fact I made two of the girls Madison Clements and Emma Barnes cry. Now Madison looked like she was teary eyed from the insults Emma was more angry than anything so she probably faked it in front of the faculty.”

“That still doesn't warrant grounds for suspension or how they didn't get in trouble.”

“I actually got the full picture today when I visited Taylor in the hospital she told me a bit of information about them. One no one really verified my story because that would mean pissing off the queen bees of Winslow so the faculty didn't believe me. Then Emma’s dad is apparently a hot shot lawyer who would move heaven and earth to make sure his princess wouldn’t get in trouble and most certainly would go after anyone who screw with her. Also the third girl Sophia Hess is like a star on the track team and was protected by being one of the schools best athletes.”

When I finished speaking Dean put his hand on my shoulder looked me straight in the eye.

“You said Sophia Hess right?”

“Yes.”

“And she goes Winslow.”

“YES.”

“And she's black.”

“For Gods sake yes. Haven't you been paying attention to anything I’ve said so far…”

I stopped for a moment when it hits me.

“Wait I never even mentioned her being black. How do you know that?”

“She is in the same after school program as me.”

I was shocked my jaw actually hanging as I was stupefied. I responded quickly enough though.

“You saying that girl chooses to do community service is something I don't believe, I doubt this girl has a nice bone in her body from what I’ve seen. If that's true then I’m sorry to say but I don't think your program has proper standards if this is the type of individual they accept.”

“What no look you're missing the point, let me explain. Sophia didn't choose to join the program she joined as part of her probation if she is apart of something like this then there is going to be hell to pay.”

That was had my attention immediately. Dean you and I will become great friends I can already tell. Now that I know this is going to screw one of them over horribly this day is already much better than yesterday.

“Not to sound ungrateful but why help me? From what you’re saying it’s clear you know her and have worked with her.  You taking my word on this is a surprise.”

“You don't seem like a liar to me. Sophia while we are in the same program she hasn't been the most pleasant person in it.”

“That might be the meanest thing I’ve heard you say about someone.”

“Look let's get back on track I believe you but you need to prove it if you want your friend to get justice.”

At that statement I would put a smile on my face from ear to ear. 

“Dean why don't you come inside and I’ll show you what I’ve got so far.”

Chapter Text

We stood in the kitchen watching the last bit of footage from my laptop. Dean was captivated by the video and very much disgusted with what happened. He was definitely invested in the events that transpired and I knew from that point while the sight of Taylor and her tormented face had his sympathy I would have his support in taking these bullies down.

The video ended with my suspension and from there I closed the laptop.

“So what are your thoughts.”

Dean took a moment to construct a response.

“Well any doubts to your story have been put to rest. However I don't think what you have is enough to get them in the trouble they should be in.”

“So you’re telling me I need more and this doesn’t prove it.”

“Look my girlfriends mom is a lawyer and based on a couple of the cases she has talked about I can gleam the problems with the footage. While the evidence you have is damning if Emma’s dad is as good a lawyer to be believed then holes can be poked in this. The biggest one being you didn't actually see them do it and while what you have would damage their reputation it may not be enough to actually nail them.”

I took a minute to process his words and he was right. Heck from what Taylor told me these three have been weaseling out of trouble for years. Then their is my own suspension to look at the tables were turned on me the first day I need more a lot more if I want to put a stop to this. 

I take a deep breath and slowly exhale to calm myself.

“Your right.”

“Come on now this is a good start at the very least this dirties their image and calls their characters into question.”

That was also true and I could get more footage but how to bait them into showing their true colors. Then I realized wait they already hate me it is more than likely I’ll be able to capture footage of them going after me. Couple that with the venom they spewed at Taylor then it's possible it could connect them to the fact that they were responsible for locking her inside the locker.

Dean shifted around in his chair looking at me like he had question for me that he just wouldn't ask. I guess I might as well see what got him bothered.

“Look if you got a question just ask it okay.”

“Okay look I just wanna know how you got the footage. Obviously you had a camera but it also wasn't a normal camera. Then there is the question why did you bring a camera to school?”

Okay I should probably explain that. I pull out my sunglasses and put them on the table facing Dean open my laptop connect the feed and show it on the screen.

“This is a spy camera my dad made he was an inventor. I brought them to school so I could make a video to show my sister both as a way to make her feel better about not being their for my first day of school and give a little nostalgia trip. Her high school career had ended when she had to take care of me.”

I took a moment to think about everything that she went through while I was in that hospital bed comatose.

“It bothered her leaving high school early, she took her GED but it didn't fix the problem. She missed out on all those experiences it offered going to the big games, pep rallies, being someone's high-school sweetheart, and dances with her friends. I thought if I could share my high school experience it would make her happy, she really liked it when I talked about school with her.”

“You're a good brother Johnny.”

“I try.”

“You got a great sister too.”

“Damn straight.”

Suddenly there is a heavy knocking at my door stopping the conversation. 

“Are you expecting someone?”

“No I don't really have guests. Give me a second.”

The knocking continues and it just gets heavier.

“Take it easy I’m coming don't break door.”

I open the front door and who do I see before me Victoria Dallon, I stiffen up immediately. How the fuck did this happen I had a mask and everything how does she who I am. 

“Hi! I was told Dean was here.”

Ohhh false alarm she didn't come for me. I just smile and raise my voice.

“Hey Dean! Glory Girls asking for you! Nice to meet you I’m Johnny.”

She smiled held out her hand I took and shook it.

“Hi Johnny I’m Victoria.”

After a brief introduction that is when Dean walked up to the front door.

“Hey Vicky what are you doing here?”

“Well I tried calling you but you didn't pick up your phone. I wanted to talk to you and I was in the area so I thought I would drop by, your mom said you were hanging out with your neighbor.”

“That's me but uhhh, question how do you two know each other? Just curious.”

Dean would take it upon himself to explain.

“Well I think earlier when we were talking I mentioned my girlfriend this is her.”

They make good pair. Watching how comfortable they were with each other I felt bit envious the way Vicky’s eyes shone looking at Dean and the way Dean’s body relaxed more. It’s not that I want his girl it's more I want that connection they share, I remember in both lifetimes seeing it and wondered if I could have that. First life there were girls I liked but nothing came from it because I didn't want any mellow drama I wanted a relationship that matters.

When you're young people say that these years you discover who you are and what you want out of life. I like to think I figured out who I was when earlier on than others because any ideas of getting girls and trying to have sex before college stopped mattering. That immature idea that you have to be doing those things in your teens didn't matter any more. I just wanted a girl who was a good person and mattered to me beyond just physical attraction I think I wanted something serious not the typical games most people engage in because that didn't interest me. 

I tried a couple of times but most girls were on a different page than me that was fine, there was one girl who was special though. That didn't work out for a simple reason she didn't like me that way, I won’t lie I was sad but I accepted it because one of the things I always wanted out of a relationship is to simply be wanted. If you don't have that then you'll end up the guy who gets left or cheated on I had a friend who got into that it was painful because he had to come to terms that to her he didn't really matter.

“Hey Johnny I’m gonna take off now, be sure to let me know how things at school go.”

“Will do, you have a good night you two. See you later.”

“Later neighbor.”

“Bye Johnny.”

Walking through the sterile hospital hallways I find just the room I’m looking for, iced tea and hot chocolate in one hand and a bagel in the other. Checking the time it's ten on the dot right now and I wonder if Taylor is awake she slept in yesterday till eleven and I don't know if that's typical for her. I need be careful not to just barge in on her and wake her if that’s the case. 

A fly goes buzzing past my ear and shake my head damn it I thought this hospital was clean or maybe someone didn't close a window.

“You can come in.”

I think I was too loud. Weird I didn't think my foot steps were heavy enough to make that much noise.

Opening the door I am greeted to the sight of the girl residing. She looks better than yesterday less tense but still nervous. 

“Morning I got you tea and and a bagel I figured it would be better than whatever they were serving you here.”

I pull up the chair nearby placing it next to the bed placing the tea and the bagel beside Taylor's bedside.

“Thank you…. You didn't have to get me anything though.”

“I wanted to do it. Besides it cost me nothing.”

“What about the money you spent?”

The way she said that was different. Not like the way she spoke yesterday it had a bit of snark to it. I liked it she had less fear in it than the way she talked yesterday I laughed.

“Well I guess you got me there that's undeniable.”

She let a small smile come to her face.

“Anyway got some news you will never guess who I met yesterday. Here is a hint they are famous and a cape.”

“Wait you met cape, like one of the heroes?”

“Sure did.”

Taylor usually stays quiet but the moment I mentioned a hero she started to zero in on the subject. It wasn't in an obvious way more subtle than anything a narrowing of the eyes and the way she leaned closer.

“I heard about Glory Girl and some new cape fighting the merchants last night from the nurses. Wait were you there is that how you met her, she saved you during the merchants drug raid?”

“Nope, she knocked on my door looking Dean.”

At my declaration she was just confused and kinda deflated. She was still curious though.

“Could you explain more of that? You didn't really paint a full picture.”

“Alright so Dean is my neighbor nice guy by the way. He is Victoria Dallon’s boyfriend we were talking when she came around looking for him.”

“Ohhh”

“What's wrong you sound disappointed?”

“Its nothing really… I just thought it might have something to do with that thing with the new cape. There's no tv in here so I only heard mentions about it rather than concrete deals.”

She must be so bored, hold up I can fix that right now. I’ll tell her about the fight that's a good enough story to tell.

“I can actually tell you what happened I heard it on the news if you like.”

“Please do so.”

“Okay to set the scene do you want to start at the fight with the merchants or just before.”

“I’m gonna take a guess something happened before.”

“Yeah Glory Girl and the new guy Torchlight would actually run into each other just before the merchant fiasco where Glory Girl knocked him out of the sky when she was flying with her sister. Anyway he crashed into traffic and hit a car and got run over by a bus in the next lane that was apparently the same one the merchants used to rob the pharmacy.”

“That guy was lucky Panacea was there to heal him.”

“Not really he healed himself actually.”

“He has regeneration, I didn't get that from the name. What exactly are his powers based on and what has he been shown to be capable of, can you tell me before you go any further?”

I feel very pleased with myself right now seeing her curiosity grow asking about me then again she doesn't know it’s me and its all the more amusing to me. God who new living a double life could be so fun and exciting.

“Well from what he has shown he is a pyrokinetic with the ability to heal himself and other. He can blast out fireballs or utilize his flames like a flamethrower his heat can melt metal, he can fly when he envelopes his body in flames, and his powers have enhanced his regular physical capabilities in general.”

“Wait you said he can heal how does that make sense? How does fire fix damage to a person?”

That was good question. A question I never bothered to think about the answer I can do it because I can. I don't feel curious enough as to examine the exact science of it.

“Your guess is as good as mine all I know is that when Glory Girl was hurting he raised a hand some fire came off him touched her and she was better.”

She took accepted my answer but her face screamed to me ‘this is bullshit’. I ran through events and by the end she seemed satisfied for the most part but asked a few questions.

“I heard one of the rumors was that Skidmark lost his legs is that true.”

“That did happen.”

That was shocking truth be told when I heard it on the news because while it did look like he escaped getting picked up by his crew officials reported that they found what was left of his mangled legs further down the street. Some people have to be more careful with their actions, the man was no more durable than a regular human stood on top of a moving bus with no railing and now he paid for it.

“That's pretty hectic for a first time.”

“Torchlight was actually reported to have taken down Oni Lee last night when the guy stepped into a fight between Torchlight and a lesser known villain group.”

She didn't say anything for while just took in what I had said daydreaming about the action I guess. Then she asked me a question.

“Do you ever think about it”

“Depends what you mean by that.”

“Being a cape like them. How it would feel… to be strong.”

“I guess I have from time to time, I mean who hasn’t. But you're mistaken being a cape doesn't make you strong it just means you have power therefore they are powerful. Real strength is something else entirely it's not a measure of physical power or anything like that it’s something found inwards.”

This is something I believe even now to this day in this new world. The idea that powers make you strong isn't true the low lives of the world prove it all the time abusing their parahuman abilities and when real trouble comes their way they run for the hills. Strength is something you can use to push past your fears, facing trials and tribulations head on.

“Your right I guess then I guess what I mean is… I wish I could be more like you.”

“Me why’s that?”

Tears welled up at the corners of her eyes she tried blinking them away and when that didn't work she rubbed them.

“You are strong and not afraid of anything and I… want to be like that. I’m scared to go walking back into that hellhole and I don't really want to. They torment me till I run away trying not to let people see me cry…, I hate it every moment having no real respite, and having to hide from them. They do it and I can’t really do anything because I’m weak, they know it and so do I. I’m just Taylor Hebert and I’m not strong.”

For a while a silence hung in the air as I took it in with Taylor hugging her knees close to her chest forehead touching her knees. I reach out to grab her right hand she flinches trying pulling it back but I hold firm taking it into both my hands as she turns her head to meet mine

“Strength comes in many forms Taylor fortitude is one of them. You endured this for so long holding yourself together that takes strength.”

“They broke me you saw it, you saw what I was like after all of it. I couldn't speak and I couldn't even tell a day had passed when you visited me how is that being strong.”

“Maybe you weren't strong then but strength isn't infinite. You are only human same as me. Everyone can be hurt doesn't matter who they are. It's okay that you’re not okay.”

“Johnny I didn't stop them before this I couldn't do anything. I didn't fight back you know this I told you, that makes me weak.”

“No… it doesn’t. You said you never fought back that you didn't want to stoop to their level, now its cause you are scared. Here's the thing I don't think either one is the main reason.”

She shifted around the bed until her legs were dangling off as she faced me.

“I think the only reason you don't fight back is because it's Emma who did all to you.”

At that Taylor flinches tears falling freely, I speak on.

“I think deep down you wanted your best friend back. I think you loved her like she was your sister and you hoped that one day maybe just maybe things could go back to the way they were before… Taylor I’m sorry but I can't give you back your old friend she's someone else now. If could make it so you never felt that pain I would. I know you’re afraid to go back to school and face the music now after everything. Thing is now you won’t do it alone I am your friend I’ll walk down this road with you every step of the way, I promise.”

Now she was sobbing, I stood up and hugged her close. For now I let fall apart in my arms and it’s fine I'll make sure to help her pick up the pieces.

Chapter Text

It was a a bright sunny day the kind where you would think it's a good day nothing will go wrong and everything was peaceful. I was near the boardwalk you see and I couldn't help but think that even at this very moment that Brockton Bay looked beautiful at least when you look at one of the good parts of the city.

“HURRY UP!”

With that kind of encouragement how could I not be motivated. 

“How about you focus on keeping those guys off me short stack!”

I grab my knife and cutting through the armored trucks side door I see the generator set to overload I need to get this shit out of here, disarming it is out of the question and as I scan it once again Alfred tells me I have approximately twenty seconds figure something out. 

This is not good not all.

I should probably back up a bit to where this all begin.

I had just got out of the hospital after visiting Taylor when I decided to go hang out at the boardwalk. It's one of the few places in this city that is actually decent I figured I could take a walk there and enjoy some free time.

I rode in and parked my bike and started saw a few stores and tourists taking pictures of the ocean or specifically the Rig the headquarters of the PRT. If you want my opinion it's actually pretty impressive looking at, this spot in the city looking at Rig you could be forgiven for thinking that the city is safe place to live.

I’ve seen more of the city though so I know this is just misleading. Still at the very least this is probably the nicest part of the city without any downsides, so long as you don't mind the security all over the place enforcing the peace.

Walking a little further I see people taking more pictures but not of the Rig. The crowd ahead has stopped to gather around two figures and assuming I did my homework correctly these two are members of the Wards. Specifically Aegis in is red costume and silver trim the leader of the Wards and Vista a girl whose costume was green and white with green armor panels  and a skirt to go with it, she is also the youngest of the Wards.

Looking them over I can't help but think I made the right choice, my thinking is like this I wanted to be a hero to help people as well as make a difference. The thing I didn't really want was well what they are doing now, signing autographs  and taking pictures. Look I’m not gonna be the guy to shame a person for doing these little things when they actually do the job of a hero but the hero that is my inspiration is Spider-Man big surprise I know popular preference. 

The reason being is this, Spider-Man doesn’t ever waste his time when he goes out in costume. He will get out there swing around find a crime stop it say hi to whoever he helped if he has the time, then it's back to swinging around looking for crimes to stop doing the most good. I don't know what about myself made the superpower matchmaker land on the Human Torch but in the time I was able to use my powers I made a promise to myself I would be a superhero not a celebrity. 

I don't want to be another version of Johnny that's self absorbed and fame obsessed I want to be a superhero plain and simple. Sure among the various iterations of Johnny Storm he has the heart of a hero and is a decent man at his core but often enough it’s his flaws that stick out and cause a of lot the screw ups.

I didn’t want to get an ego so because of that I didn't join the Wards I didn't want to tempt fate and fall in love with the spot light so I just avoided it, sure am I uncomfortable with that much attention on me yes, but if people cheer you on and support you how long will you stay down to earth. Sure they train you, build your costume for you, pay you, and you have back up in the form of a team. The issue is this, Wards are actually made to do meet and greets, questions and answer’s, and my question is this what part of that helps the community? These are super heroes a robbery could be occurring a few blocks away and these guys couldn't do anything to help because they are taking pictures and signing autographs instead of patrolling the city. 

Aegis is known as an Alexandria cape that means he is essentially a dollar store Superman flight, super strength, and durability this is what he has to varying degrees. Vista the little lady of space and time or really just space, she can shape an area as she desires it stretching and compressing the world around her to manipulate a battlefield.

And here they are taking pictures… technically I think they're patrolling but they have been doing this for a while and since they haven't been radioed to stop and continue on, well that tells me why they patrol the boardwalk. Boosting revenue from tourist’s not actually protecting the public it's pretty obvious when thinking about it. They are already protected by the security stationed at the boardwalk those guys will drag a bum out of the are and beat him so they never make the mistake simply of coming to this area.

Walking past the impromptu photo shoot I think about buying some ice cream enjoying bright sunny day. Then a crash in the distance and an explosion following close by it stops me in my tracks.

Goddammit.

Every time I want to enjoy my day maybe follow through with my plans this happens. Maybe it's fine two heroes here they can handle it. Aegis flies into the air and shouting down.

“It's coming from the parking lot Vista move the civilians away and meet me at the parking lot!”

Just like that it's not a choice anymore my bike is at stake and I know in my bones it's not gonna make it if I leave it to the Wards to save the day.

Vista compresses the space ahead and has civilians run through that area and I go through it and feel funny going through it. No other way to describe it and I don’t have nearly enough time to think on it head through an alley by the dumpster I change into my costume jump to the rooftops and blast stepping my way to the parking lot.

When I get there I was not prepared for what came next okay so in front of me Aegis fighting a couple of E88 goons but most of them are focused on this other group. They were seemed almost like normal people and then they pulled out the tinker tech guns and blasted nazi’s some away others just to deaths embrace with cauterized holes in their torso’s.

Okay this is getting out of hand and before I can even formulate a plan of attack until from E88’s group a large figure emerged. One giant metal dog comes in taking out to of the tinker tech guys, just turning them into a viscera of red body chunks in the parking lot.

Okay I have plan take out discipline the dog before this goes even further. I don’t have a newspaper to discipline him but I do fire which given his shiny metal ass will work well enough. I sent a blast knocking the metal mutt back near his Nazi buddies while I jumped between E88 and the tech heads.

“HEY SPARKY! Sit down right now or you're going straight to the pound. As for you tech heads put down your guns and don’t make this worse.”

For a moment the fighting stopped as everyone looked to me. It almost seemed like they would listen, then the dog opened his mouth.

“YOU FUCKING TRAITOR!”

I mean… what else would I expect from a nazi dog. The fact he says it with so much what’s the word feeling I guess it disgusts me, in my first life I was a guy could only pass for white had brown eyes and hair I was hispanic not mixed at all just fair skinned. Couldn’t get a good tan and my family made so many jokes about it. Now the idea that this ugly amalgamation of metal calls out to me expecting that I should stand with them… well I have to teach him a lesson.

“Sparky I said sit not speak. You are not a very smart dog or a good one.”

The lesson is simple just because someone looks like you does not make them your friend and like it or not I will beat that lesson into him one way or the other. His face shifts to reveal a guy with long greasy blonde hair and metal wolf mask. If my memory is not mistaken then from the files I had Alfred get from the PRT database this guy is Hookwolf, 

“WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU SAY TO ME BOY?!!!”

Okay he’s upset. Now I’m really gonna piss him off.

“Ohhh Sparky how I wish you were like those other dogs on Monday night. They could listen to orders so why can't you?”

Aegis would fly over near me calling out to me.

“Torchlight I know you’re new to this but you really shouldn't antagonize this guy he is bad news.”

I turn my head just enough to barely see Hookwolf in the corner of my eye so when he tries to rush me I know when to jump out of the way.

“Relax I have had practiced disciplining oversized dogs.”

Then he moves as I stare at Aegis I feel the ground shake as he closes in. The tell that makes me move is when Aegis starts to move his body to get me out of the way, that’s when I blast off the ground and into the air. Flipping over Hookwolf I send out two fireballs into his back blasting apart the metal and melting the parts of him in the spots I hit him. That should keep him down for a bit.

“Make sure the dog stay’s down I’ll take care of the nazi’s and tech heads!”

“Wait hold on a minute I’m…”

“Thank you flying brick.”

Now everyone is pointing their guns at me my heat shields up and I incinerate the bullets as per usual. I send blasts melting the guns also exploding them from the sudden fire I am using just absolutely destroying their shooting hands. They won't be firing at me in the near future.

The problem arises when the tech heads start firing energy blasts at me, one hits me I stumble and I realize I should dodge that. I blast step off the ground to keep moving in on the tech heads at this point about half the nazi’s make a run for granted they are the ones I’ve injured at this point so they will still be a problem for now.

“Fuck it, I’m setting it to max power.”

“Wait that could kill the kid.”

“Who fucking cares the he shooting fire at us!”

“Hey look pal, I didn't choose to be a pyro-kinetic that's just what I got.”

I jump into the air take aim at the guy ready to fire away. Unfortunately he shoots first and max power also increases the speed, I take note of that as I get sent flying into a minivan totaling it.

It's fine I think to myself as I pick myself off the ground ignoring the sting I just need to… is Aegis flying at me?

Just like that on the ground again with the leader of the Wards on top of me. He moves himself off me I get up but feel wet spots on my body. Okay he’s hurt I’ll fix him up and he'll be fine.

That's what's I think and then I look at him a metal blade from Hookwolf is stuck in his chest a few cuts along his body and ohh look at that his head is barely hanging on to his body.

He grabs his head moving it back into place or trying to as he definitely isn't like Wolverine. Then he holds his head attempting to speak I can’t make anything out but when it becomes clear he’s not gonna die I calm down and take action. Fortunately his horrific injuries give everyone enough pause that I can collect myself hold his head in place rip out the blade in his chest and heal him before anyone takes advantage. 

“You really can heal people wow, thank you by the way. Look I was trying to tell you I wasn't strong enough to handle Hookwolf and to let me handle the other's.”

“Okay that one is on me, I’m sorry. I thought he was weak enough for you to knock him out and help me. Besides I was pretty sure I could finish the others off faster than you.”

We started getting ready to take on regrouping nazi’s and tech heads when one of the techs called out.

“Set to max power they can survive it and cover me I’m getting the suit.”

Ohh for fuck’s sake. Just like that the tech heads were ready to blast at us but as they fired the they missed all of the shots they went over are heads and even the area looked distorted like someone pinched the space together.

“Thank you for the save Vista.”

“You're welcome.”

Looking over where Aegis spoke I saw the youngest of the Wards standing on the edge of the rooftops smiling hands on her hips. It was a pretty good save all things considering.

“You know what Aegis since your partner’s here I’m gonna leave the rest to you and I take care of Hookwolf.”

“You don't have to rush our back up is about to arrive.”

“Aegis I’d rather we just have an easy clean up before we give Hookwolf a reason to really cut loose and cause chaos. FLAME ON!”

I light myself up flying above Hookwolf and pelting him with more fireballs. I need a way to disable him without the possibility of him just getting back up. I take a minute and use my imagination to get creative.

I got it. First I blast the hind legs off him and then I follow it up by super heating his arms as he tries to regrow his legs. Now I fly down into him knocking him down again I rush him as fast as I can taking the left arm melting it a bit and dragging it behind his along with his other arm. I fuse it together and absorb the heat to cool it.

He stands on regrown legs that are just a little too close together. Repeat the melting process and fuse the legs together and voila. I have made a brand new art piece.

“Ahhhhhhhh!!!”

Jumping to the head and ripping of the section of the body that covers his masked face I smile.

“Come on man it can't be the the first time you ever lost, have some humility in defeat.”

“I’ll kill you for this boy mark my words I will rip you in ha-!”

I just decided to knock him out at this point and let him sleep it off. Hit him two more times to keep him asleep longer. A guy who turns his body into a metal wolf isn’t that useful when his enemy can melt metal it was a bad match for him. Looking up I find that things are almost wrapped up with two protectorate members on the scene Assault and Battery working in conjunction with Aegis and Vista to finish off the tech heads.

Running over I use my powers to restrain knocked out nazi’s to the ground while blasting their guns out of their hands. I walked on over to do the same to tech heads and say hello.

“Hey I know you, you’re that kid from Monday night.”

“Did we meet..? Wait ohh yeah you waved at me when I was on the roof during my patroll.”

“You have been pretty ballsy lately kid I mean you bagged Oni Lee, ruined the merchants drug run, and you left Skidmark without a leg to stand on. You do understand what kind of response that warrants right.”

This is… not at all where I thought this conversation 

“Look that was not intentional man. I was just trying the bus from crashing into the mall and killing people. I made what I believed to be the best choice I could given the situation.”

I’m not gonna lie I’m feeling a little nervous. This guy seemed friendly at first but his expression grew to be very serious when he made that joke about Skidmark. I just need to relax I said I’ve piece and I am not gonna start a fight with a member of the Protectorate if they try to arrest me, I will fly away as fast as possible if they try.

The only person they have that can fly is Aegis and from what I have seen I am definitely faster than that guy. I’m tense but ready for anything but then the laughing he catches me off guard.

“Relax kid, I’m just messing with you everyone knows it's an accident. But on a bit of a more serious note maybe take a day or two off. Not to say you are doing a bad job but you stepped on the toes of two of the three major gangs. Three now with E88 considering that you turned one of their most dangerous guys into an art piece, they are definitely not gonna let that slide. Beautiful work by the way Hookwolf is really bringing the wrecked parking lot together, honestly he’s never looked better.”

He put a hand over my shoulder as we walked over to Aegis and Battery. I thought about what he was saying I feel a lot more relaxed right now after letting him talk. I was worried he was gonna be some kind of hard ass or something but honestly pretty chill guy.

He did make a few good points however. I took out the second in command for the ABB, indirectly crippled the leader of the merchants, and made one of Empire 88 strongest look like a joke. I do wonder just how pissed people are at me considering the stuff I have done recently.

“Look just take a few days off and let things die down a bit.”

“This isn't the part were you give me the pitch to join the Wards right.”

At that moment we stopped walking in front of Aegis and Battery their attention focused on us after I guessed the next statement. They focused their attention on us for this next moment it felt like I was an athlete getting scouted for college with how much focus they were giving me and then Assault looked at me with a relaxed smile.

“Nope.”

At that almost everyone present looked surprised the only one who didn't was Battery who just stared directly at Assault seemingly having a silent conversation.

“I was actually gonna have you and Aegis finish off that last guy jumped in that truck. Might as well have you boys finish what you started.”

I strode forward with Aegis beside me. It was pretty obvious Assault was only have us do this to speak to Battery since she was staring daggers at him.

“So just out of curiosity why wouldn't you join the Wards.”

Well I was wondering when someone was going to ask might as well be direct with my answer.

“It's got everything to do with flexibility and my own security.”

“What exactly do you mean by that?”

He was pretty quick to ask the question so much so I could tell I made him nervous. Then it dawned on its because I had Alfred steal data from the PRT, everyone was probably on edge about it since Alfred took just about everything on all the capes in the city.

“Well being a rouge with a heroic streak allows me a lot of maneuverability in my approach I don't have to worry about so many rules and regulations other than don’t rough up anyone too badly and don't kill anyone. Then and this one is a big thing I heard the your branch of the PRT is famous for information leaks. Surely as one guy in costume to another you understand my concerns to keep my secrets safe particularly the secret identity.”

It felt a little manipulative ending off on that note since everyone in the Protectorate and the Wards had their information stolen. Especially since I’m the one who stole their files but I didn't want the guy to push too hard on joining his team ,so I still did it if it means he stops.

“I can understand your concern but I think you're being dismissive of the benefits joining the Wards brings.”

“Alright explain it to me then Aegis.”

I decided to let him go through with the pitch even if my mind was already decided. It wouldn't do me any good just to dismiss him I have to try and at least hear him out because I have to build good relationships with the local superheroes. I am already making plenty of enemies as is so a few friends on the job wouldn't hurt.

“Well firstly you would always have console support directly informing you of where someone needs help-

I have Alfred to listening in on 911 calls and PRT responses so he can inform me what’s going on.

-you would have someone paired up with you so you always got someone watching your back in case you get into trouble.

That I don't really have a current counter other than I can go supernova. It is not actually a viable solution in a populated city plus the destruction I would cause would just make things worse.

-finally you get a paycheck that would be placed in a trust fund for when you’re eighteen and various other benefits.”

Okay that point I have nothing for that. It is the problem that has vexed me two lives now can’t say I’ve truly been poor in either life but in both I had to manage the money otherwise trouble will follow. I am not doing this for the money I did it with the sole purpose of doing my part as best as I can to make the world a better place. But I won’t lie being a superhero and getting paid for it is tempting I would be a liar if I said I wasn’t tempted.

We were coming to a truck on its side armored with some lights flashing in the back if the rest of his crew wasn't so easily dealt with then I might be concerned.

“Look you don’t have to give me an answer now. Just think about it man it would be great to have you on the team.”

I just nodded and then as Aegis reached for the door it flew off hitting him. I was ready to rush the guy as he made his move, he was faster now that was certain looking at him his suit was more of an exoskeleton with some armor plating on certain areas of the body and helmet that covered the entire face/head.

I saw a glowing part that was the powers supply running along its spine glowing in a pink or maybe it was purple in color, it was hard to tell. I didn't think much of what the suit was doing for him than the entire suit was glowing and he moved so much faster than expected. The sudden increase in speed left me unable to counter in time.

I only registered his movements as he was hitting me across the jaw. He sped past me but I could see he was turning to rush me again slowing enough I got one blast of at him. His right arm had a glowing baton extend from it then he glowed again speeding up. I didn’t see it hit me or feel pain but I knew he hit me because I wasn't standing up anymore I could see my legs as I looked at the sky then I felt something pressing to my head moving it from the top of it, I remember getting closer to the buildings nearby then it was dark.

“Hey! Get up!”

What..?

“You have to get up. they’re gonna get away.”

Now the pain registers my head is throbbing. Two hard hits to the head magnified by that power armor or whatever it used to power itself packs a hell of a punch. What do I open my eyes to but a little girl in a costume. 

Wait that's Vista I push myself off the ground and I landed on the roof and my body broke the edge of it coming up here. 

“What happened?”

“That guy who put that suit on knocked you out first then went on to fight Assault and Battery…. He won but by that point Aegis got back up and… it didn't go well for him.”

“What about you?”

“He blasted me when I tried helping Assault and Battery… I just made it to my feet when he finished fighting Aegis… rather than get knocked out… trying to fight him again I went over to you to try and wake you up, Torchlight I heard you can heal people… could you please… help me .”

Taking a better look at her I could the armor that cover her chest was cracked from the way she was speaking and how she was hunched over hugging herself I figured she had a broken rib or two. I held out my hand and healed her, she managed to straighten herself up letting go of her torso.

“Whoah”

I walked over to the edge of the building to survey the parking lot.

“I know I’m amazing but let me take a look and see how things are looking.”

It was terrible, the tech heads were back on their feet and they executed the nazi’s I pinned to the ground and gathering all their gear scattered in the parking lot. Assault looked like he was blasted into unconsciousness from the burn marks on his suit Battery looked like she took a massive beating so not much better but it was Aegis who's condition that gave me pause.

It was bloody and that's me putting it mildly each limb was was pinned to the ground with broken pieces of a cars the guy smashed up and to top it off his torso was was stabbed with a stop sign and twisted in such a way he couldn’t just yank himself out of the mess he was in.

Fuck what did Aegis do to ever do to that guy? Hell how did he even get all the metal to pierce the concrete?

I’m getting sidetracked now. Glow Stick hadn't wasted time while I was unconscious he put the truck carrying his suit on the wheels while his buddies wrapped up and hopped into the truck. Right now he was in hanging in a side door and seemed to be recharging his suit interestingly enough. So massive the suits powerful but dies quickly either way I have two options to disable him break his suit by targeting his battery pack or fight him long enough to gas out and blow up the machine charging his suit. 

“Okay I’ve seen enough. I have an idea on how to handle this.”

Vista walking over would already start questioning me, “Wait what is going to be different now? He knocked you out, beat Assault and Battery, shot me, and pinned Aegis to the ground. We should wait for back up I already called this in.”

“All of that is true, however they are about leave right now and unless back up comes in the next five seconds we are going to lose these guys. Consider this, do you really want these guys getting away with a suit like that?”

Vista scrunched up her face in frustration so I pressed on that point.

“I admit he won round one. This though it's round two and I’m ready for him this time, I am going to turn up the heat for this one.”

“Wait are your holding back?”

“Vista I am a pyrokinetic I am almost always going to be holding back. Look I’m going to heal Assault and Battery hopefully they can get up and help out. I’ll fight Glow Stick over their and you help me out, maybe I throw you one of their weapons and you shoot him while he's distracted with me.”

“Wait I can’t use that.”

“Why it's fairly straightforward point and shoot. If it’s about blowing a hole in the guy I can lower the power of it before I toss you one.”

“No it’s not that… I…”

She looked at the ground as she went on speaking.

“Part of the rules of me being in the Wards is one set by my parents I can't use a weapon I could get into serious trouble.”

When I heard that I took the time to really look at her. For all the power she is still a kid and good parents would want their kid to be safe. However Vista is a Ward and is probably restrained by a lot of tape that I am not by.

“Look if it will get you in trouble then you don't have to use it but knowing you have an extra option to defend yourself will make me feel better so I don't worry while in the fight.”

“Hey I’m not a kid and I have two years of experience. You have what two days under your belt, I was the only person in this fight not to get knocked out.”

“Firstly you were the only one in here who got to fight at a distance. Second I still get called kid by my sister and I'm sixteen, you are like what eleven.”

“Twelve almost thirteen!”

“Ahhh it’s cute you think that makes a difference.”

She furrowed her brows and scrunched up her nose at that, I smiled a bit. Honestly it was adorable but she seemed frustrated already and I didn't want to make her angry when she was the only person left to help me. Besides I had real point to make and needed her to take it seriously and not dismiss me because I pissed her off.

So I stopped smiling and turned off the glowing eyes look her in the eyes as best I could with her visor on. Pulled out the knife I made from the holster on my waist behind me and held it by the blade.

“Look the point is we are risking are lives doing this with a really possibility of dying. I carry this as an extra option available to me in case I’m put in a position can't use my powers. An extra tool or trick in your bag can be the difference between life and death Vista remember that. It's your life on the line not your parents they don't get to decide that for you.”

The frustration went away and she looked thoughtful at my words. I started walking to the roofs edge.

“Look I’ll set some fires around the are and I’m assuming you can stretch the space I put them in and you will be able to do something with them. Be cautious my fires burn hot so be careful using them they could melt the cars. I’m still gonna toss you a tinker gun though. Now that that’s out of the way I guess I have just one thing left to say.”

“What's that?”

I could see the tech heads spot me as I reached the edge I had a flash bang ready to blind them in my left hand and picked the furthest one away to take out first. I turned to Vista before I started it all.

“FLAME ON!!!”

Just like that was off fired the flash bang down blinding everyone but Glow Stick he was starting to disconnect from his charger. I tossed fire balls around the area not to close so he wouldn't know what I was going to do. Punching the lights out of the tech head furthest away I threw his gun to the roof and blasted off towards assault and Battery.

I healed them as quick as I could but they didn't get up. I wanted to help them recover faster but the from the glow appearing on their bodies told me Glow Stick was close by and he was not cutting me any slack.

I flew into the air again once more to keep my distance blasting back at him. He kept running away evading most of the fire I sent his way. When he tried blasting his lasers at me he had to stop running that was when I started hitting him. It only served to push him back or if I packed enough punch to knock him off his feet. Whatever energy energy the suit used also had a passive energy field reducing the damage of my attacks.

Further away from me I could see the fires I set up growing in size but from the connection I had keeping them going I knew they were not actually any bigger. It let me know Vista was able to use her powers to manipulate the space where the fires where and from the screaming the tech heads were doing I could tell she would be fine.

At some point in the fight Glow Stick figured out we were stalemated so he changed tactics going after the downed heroes. I was forced to go back down to the ground to stop him, I brought out my knife and held it in a reverse grip he answered with his baton.

He couldn’t stay using super speed when he got close to me however as I kept dodging or blocking his strikes I noticed his moves were very telegraphed. As though he wasn't used to using the suit, the longer her went on the wilder the swings he took at me were.

Power he was running out of it, I could use that to my advantage. So tightening the hold on my knife I enhanced it’s strength with my powers causing it to glow and waited for the right moment.

He charged at me again and I noticed he stopped the super speed when he was going to strike, I could clearly see his weapon aiming for my head again. My knife would be there to catch the swing cutting through the enhanced baton I followed it up by spinning around and driving the blade into the chest of his armor damaging it with a huge slash across it.

The force of it would see him fall to the ground rolling away as he stopped on hands and knees pushing himself back up I made my move. Launching myself toward him aiming to destroy the power source on his back at the last second used super speed to dodge just in time.

He appeared behind me and from his other arm extended a blade ready to stab at me when before it could reach me it seemed to lose half its length the space around it compressing. This was Vista giving me a a helping hand and I capitalized on it sending a blast directly at Glow Stick breaking his shielding sending him flying backwards twenty feet. 

He landed in a crouch ready to attack my again when suddenly Battery appeared kicking him in the head cracking his vizor. Assault leapt beside Battery ready to join in on the fight.

This was when he made a choice looked around and ran past the fires past his allies goin to the truck.

Honestly reasonable response but he won't get away regardless of what he does. He reaches the truck opens the side door and blasts his own charging station. Wait what fuck…

He turns back looks at us. “You have a choice catch me or save the people.” Then he threw it into the streets turned back, “Choose fast that thing will blow up the entire block.”

I’m going for the truck and he knows it is going to be me. I feel like this move was deliberately done to get rid of me I could reach the truck the fastest I’m the only one who can fly and I am strong enough to take the car into the sky if necessary.

Damn it fine you win asshole but I’m not gonna just let you have an easy time. As I fly off blast the stop sign impaling Aegis’ torso allowing him to tear himself off and join the fight. 

The truck didn't go that far but it was enough of a distance I couldn't help fight Glow Stick. 

Before I could reach the truck I got shot out of the sky. A good portion of the tech heads followed the truck to cut me off. Glow Stick definitely planned this 

The truck was glowing now I had to get to it as soon as possible but each time I got close to the truck they focused fire near it. 

Time was everything and I didn't have enough to beat them and take care of the truck. I needed know how long I got

“Alfred scan the truck tell me how much time till it explodes”

“Approximately 60 seconds further more scan shows the building it landed in front of has civilians trapped inside.”

If I could just get close enough to them and hit them all together instead of returning fire like I do now things would be so much easier.

Then I noticed these guys were starting to cluster together but they didn't mean to they would go from being like five or six feet away from one another to right next to each other and whenever they tried to walk away it would seem like they could barely move a step.

Then space distorted and the distance between me and the eight tech heads grouped together shrunk I looked up to my left. Vista standing at the edge of the roof.

“I set them up now knock them down.”

I gave a grin. “You got it little lady.”

“Don’t call me little!”

Using the advantage she gave me with them all being grouped up I created an updraft carrying the whole bunch ten feet into the air I could hold it almost indefinitely if I was focused but if I just left maybe like minute or two. Either way they won't be helping the handful of buddies left still in the fight.

Vista would keep them busy while I stopped the explosion.

So that's pretty much how I ended up where I am now with twenty seconds on the clock.

“Alfred tell my which part of this thing is set to explode.”

“Scans show that the power source for this charging station is damaged. You cannot stop the explosion however you should be able to remove the part of the machine set to detonate.”

I start ripping it apart and cutting away at the charging station till I find the part that’s glowing whatever they use to power the suit was held in a container now it was damaged, exposed, and very volatile now. I would grab it fly it out into the bay and tossing it.

That was the plan until I reached for it. It would react like a magnet does coming near a piece of metal and fly into my hand and when it did I felt the energy surge through me. I never felt anything like that before. I didn't know what was happening anymore.

Chapter Text

Power is something that I have had for roughly ten years now. I always felt energetic when I woke up in the hospital something felt different. I was beyond what a normal kid should be capable and I could feel it in my body even as a child, my first body didn't have that energy not even close. In this life I have never really gotten tired no matter what I tried.

In this moment I don't feel drained if anything I feel like a cup that is overflowing and spilling over. The warmth in my body is rising and I think cried out I don't really know. I don't even notice myself passing out I just end up noticing I am looking at the sky.

“Huh”

“Hey! He’s awake!”

Looking down at me was little miss Space and time herself. Moving up into a seated position I look back at Vista to inquire what happened.

“Yeah it’s all good I’m fine. What’s going on did I stop the explosion? The street doesn’t any worse for so…”

“Yeah you stopped it that’s what you said. Well that's what the other you said, he told me as long as he was here you were gonna be fine.”

“What do you mean the other me? There is only one of me.”

“Don't speak so soon hot shot.”

I move my head in the direction the voice came from and I see myself hovering in the air of fire. Wait.. I couldn't have made him if I was unconscious and even if I made a copy of myself I would have to be awake in order to keep him active.

“What the hell is this?”

“That's your copy. He said you made him before you collapsed and he chased off the bad guys after you went down. I didn't know you could make autonomous clones of yourself.”

“I can’t do that Vista at least not while I’m unconscious.”

“Hey me again, sorry to interrupt but I’m just gonna fade away now since you're up boss.”

My copy would then dissipate in front of my eyes and at that moment my mind was filled with an influx of information. Chasing off the tech heads protecting my own body on the ground.

That’s a new ability, holy shit.

Looking around I find the battery of the charging station and walk over picking it up. Inside the thing is a dark purple crystal no longer glowing. Alfred is already scanning it with my omni drive to analyze it.

“Hey what are you doing?”

“I’m taking a look at the busted battery. I want to know what it is.”

“What do you have a thinker ability.”

“No not at all I’m just letting my tech guy scan it for analysis.”

“Wait you have someone helping you.”

“Yeah same as you. I have my own guy operating on a computer.”

Well an AI but she doesn’t need to know that. I have to keep some stuff private.

“What about the scanner you said your tech guy is scanning it but you haven't taken out anything.”

“Oh that’s because it's built into my costume, this may look like spandex, it’s really not though like there is a lot more going on here than fireproof tights.” I gestured to my costume for further emphasis.

Before she could question me more Alfred spoke into my earpiece.

“Hold on second he’s talking to me.”

Sir it would appear that further scans show that the crystal was naturally formed from minerals in the earth. Though none of which ones I cannot be certain of what is strange however is the faint traces of radiation found on it.

I stick my hand out to Vista and jump back away from her. I put my left hand to my ear piece to connect to Alfred “Hold up stay back for second Vista. How much does it contain bud.”

Not enough to endanger your young ally sir. You could even permit her to hold it even as the radiation is so faint it is practically nothing at this point. So remain calm sir you do not need to worry about the girl.

I put my hand down relaxing a bit more, “Never mind it's all good Vista it doesn't have enough radiation to hurt you anymore.”

At that Vista made a face of shock, “Wait if that crystal had was irradiated and now it's not what about you. You touched it when it was glowing and about to explode. The radiation must have went into your body, you could have cancer right now!”

Ohh so that's what's got her worried.

Looking at my hands I think about what she said, it was an astute observation I’ll give her a rating of nine in perception. Now that I think about it I think about my powers for second the Human Torch got his powers got his abilities from cosmic rays which also just a form of radiation. It changed his body and gave him super powers but he and the other four passively absorb radiation growing in power overtime. Seeing as my body is not normal and I feel pretty good I already know I’m gonna be fine.

“Its fine. My body is different from yours so I’ll be good.”

“How can you be so sure. You could drop dead in the next few minutes.”

Okay I’m gonna have to show her a bio scan.

“Al scan my body I want to prove I’m fine.”

As you wish sir though if I may, perhaps it would be more reassuring for Vista if you weren't so dismissive of her concerns you can come off as… reckless.

Reckless I’m just confident. Or at least I try to be if you are confident in your actions people will trust that you know what you are doing… so long as you don't screw up massively and actually succeed in your actions.

I have my watch turn off the invisibility mode and have bring up a holographic image of my biometric data nothing too personal just enough information to show I’m healthy.

“See look everything in order. Perfectly healthy.”

“It says your body temperature is at a 180F.”

“Weird didn't feel like it was.”

Focusing a bit I bring my temperature to 98 degrees F.

“Better now?”

“You can control your temperature… of course you can. After all it’s the only thing about your powers that make some sort of sense.” She said in a manner that was just

“Why do you say it like that. We have super powers what part of this has to make sense.”

“You are clearly a pyrokinetic yet somehow you are able to shoot fireballs at people that don't burn them, you are more durable than most people, and somehow you can heal people with fire.”

“Once again superpowers. It is superpowers why do they have to make sense?”

“Look all I’m saying is that it is unfair. You won the lottery for parahuman abilities have been out in costume like three times now and somehow have held your own in every engagement. To top it off you did all this with no training I’ve been active for two years.”

The conversation shifted to something else entirely. Vista took a breath to compose herself and sat on the curb of the sidewalk. Looking around I could see the PRT troopers arriving to secure the area keeping the people from getting too close to the area.

Turning back to Vista I decided to talk to the kid. I could see she was feeling some envy towards me. It wasn’t necessarily malicious in nature rather it felt like she was upset at being unrecognized. Like an athlete that trains hard but gets benched the moment the talented kid comes to the games despite never going to practice.

“You know something funny you were right about a lot of things about me. But one fact you were just wrong about.”

She raised her head slowly at me, “What is that?”

“I have trained my powers. I have trained them so much to be able to do it with the skill I have shown. I’ve done it since the day I found out I could do this.” I held up my right hand and lit a fire in it for emphasis.

“When did you get your powers.”

“At this point I got them ten years ago when my dad died.”

“Shit. I’m sorry I didn't mean to bring up anything sensitive I just…”

“Its okay. Really it is, I don't even remember exactly what happened to me just the overview of what happened. My head got banged up pretty good during the whole thing.”

I took breath and sat down next to her.

“The point is I had a lot of trouble controlling this when it happened. First time I did it I set my bed on fire and I had to sleep in the garage on the floor until I had enough unconscious control that a nightmare wouldn't cause me to flame on… Had to put in more work to make sure I didn't catch fire whenever I was upset or just too emotional.”

I looked to Vista in her eyes for this next part… well her visor/mask if we are being technical, “I had a decade worth of practice finding out what I could do before officially becoming a cape. I was just a kid who dreamed of being a hero and if I was going to do it then it was going to be when I was ready. So trust me I get what mean when you say you worked hard. The difference between us isn’t just ten years to practice it's necessity. I knew as a kid I could kill somebody very and I didn't want that.”

“Why?”

I laughed a bit at that “Why don’t I want to kill people? Vista I gotta say you encouraging me to kill is concerning especially since you're a Ward.”

“What?! No! I mean why didn't you just join the Wards you could have gotten help.”

“That does make more sense… How could I join the Wards when I had family worried about me.”

I put out the fire in my hand and stopped my eyes glowing.

“I meant what I said Vista doing this even as a kid is dangerous anything could happen and someone can still kill you. People could break the rules and cross a line for whatever reason, I could even have come across someone who's more of a monster than a person. I wouldn’t be ready for that kind of situation as a kid because I didn’t have the control I do now, add the fact that as a kid I was temperamental then, it would just be a matter of time until I make a fatal mistake. I didn't want to put the only family left to me in a position where they know I might not come back home.”

She looked very contemplative before she asked another question,“If you are so concerned about how your family feels why are you doing this now or even at all?”

I paused for a second and thought about it, “I could tell you that I practiced it enough, that I got more patience as I got older and now I’m ready for just about anything. But I learned just everything I could do a long time ago. I’m more easy going now and I’m better at not taking things personally I have to be in order not to lose control. But the truth is I just got sick of sitting on the sidelines when I knew I could help.”

That last part made me think of Taylor. I had outings in a hoodie and my face covered beating up small time thugs in California but I didn't commit to this life until coming here after that terrible first day of school.

I asked myself how many people got hurt because I wasn't out here helping. I wondered that for a while and I thought to myself, no more. I have the power and it's time I start using it.

“Well you... almost learned everything you could do, you know because of the clone thing you did.”

“That’s something new that I’m pretty sure is a result of me touching the crystal, we have established this already.”

“So does that mean if I find something irradiated it will expand my abilities.”

“I will not be the one to say touching radioactive crystals will give you more powers. Even if it did for me.”

“What are you guys talking about?”

Looking forward standing in front of us was Aegis still bloody as ever but far the worst state I saw him in today. Assault and Battery were coordinating with local PRT troops not too far away, after looking around again I greeted Aegis.

“You know the usual discussing the effects crystals glowing with radiation and if they give you more super powers, Vista wants touch one and see if it does.”

“Vista!”

The look on her face was priceless, it didn’t last long enough though without skipping a beat she responded. “Wait no! That's not true I wasn’t going to do anything. He's the one who touched the crystal and got a new power anyway.”

Aegis looked to me with an uncertain expression so I decided to illuminate him. “I can do this now.”

As I set my body aflame I thought about what I wanted to do and felt the fire coming off my body increase in volume until it branched off me. Then there he is, my copy.

“Your ripping off Oni Lee now. How long do yours last for?”

Flaming off I answered, “Depends on the energy I give him and how fast he burns through it I guess.” That was one of the things I noticed when the copy disappeared I got energy back from him. It stands to reason if he just disappears doing a task the only thing I would get is information from the clones.

I have my copy disappear and decided to give Aegis the full run down. I started standing up, “Okay look if I’m gonna tell you everything we might as well have Assault and Battery be present as I recap what happened. In the mean time could you tell me how the fight with the guy in the power armor turned out.”

Vista stood and started walking with us to the direction Assault and Battery were heading in.

“I’ll tell you about the fight but first could you please..” Aegis gestured to his body still with the holes in his arms legs and torso.

Holding out my hand I started healing him. “Just so you know if the damage is too big I might not be able to fix it all. So if there's any holes left you'll have to ask someone else to patch you up.”

“So that's what happened.” We stood in a circle by a PRT van watching as they hauled Hookwolf away cursing in my direction.

Aegis looked at my hand that held the now drained crystal in my hand looking thoughtful. Vista looked focused for the most part on the information presented despite being with me when I touched the crystal, that’s good she's young but is taking it seriously.

My attention was reserved primarily for Assault and Battery. Assault was not as easy going at the moment I wouldn't say he was angry but he wasn't happy that the guy in the suit got away. Battery was curt when telling what happened but she was definitely pissed from how her lips were pressed together in contemplation.

The guy in the suit made the right call running when he fought those three for a bit. The way they told it the second fight with him hadn't been as easy the first time around so he made an escape using super speed they just couldn't keep up with him.

Honestly I wasn't happy about it either. Other than those thieves from my first night this was the only guy who got away. At least with that gang from Monday night I ruined their robbery but this guy held his own against five super humans and got away alongside most of his people with tinker tech that utilizes the power of radioactive crystals.

I think I’m… you know what fuck it. I’m buying myself some ice cream when I wrap up here. I got clocked in the head with a super charged baton by some asshole and he got away with it. I can think about tracking these jerks down another day.

Battery gestured for me to hand the crystal which as I did she started speaking. “Look just tell me this are you going to join the Wards?”

I looked her in the eyes and just decided to be honest

“Look I’m happy to work with you guys but I’m not signing up.” There were a few disappointed faces and I think Vista was trying to give me the puppy dog eyes. Jokes on her even if she wasn't wearing a visor I wouldn’t change my stance on it.

“Alright then before you leave there are a few things I need from you.”

I nodded in response.

“Firstly we need you not mention anything about this damn thing.” Waving the now drained crystal she continued “If anyone asks then you could always make copies of yourself. We can't have this getting out, if knowledge about this thing giving parahumans more powers becomes public then it’s going to be chaos in the streets with every villain trying to get their hands on these thing if they're are more.”

That point took me off guard, I honestly didn’t even consider that point by myself. Thinking more on it I can imagine that there would be a gang war over something like this, in a city where the majority of capes are villains that's just a recipe for disaster.

Everyone else stiffened at the reality Battery was describing.

“I understand I’ll be sure to not speak about this at all.”

Battery’s stance relaxed a bit before making her next inquiry. “Last thing and then your free to go kid. Earlier today you healed us but I don’t believe anyone other than I noticed this or if I was the only one affected at all but my powers worked differently after you healed me.”

I was confused about that.

“Could you please expand on that point did I negatively affect you in anyway.”

“Quite the opposite my powers worked better if anything it was easier to use them they felt stronger. However I am concerned that after some time when this wears off I could experience any side effects of any affect my health negatively as other than that my body just feels off, not in a bad way but just different enough to be noticeable, not sure I can explain how though.”

That was a surprise for me to be honest I didn't know how to answer I have healed people but I didn't know that it gave a boost to parahuman abilities.

“Did anyone else experience something similar at all.”

Aegis replied first “I mean I felt energized but I didn't notice anything different about myself.”

“It was a lot easier for me to use my powers and everything I did with my powers was faster to take affect when I stretched or compressed space.”

I looked at Assault and asked him “And you did you notice anything like that?”

“You could say that, I didn't give it much thought during the fight but thanks for the boost kid.”

I still wasn't sure what to say. I haven't made a habit of healing other parahumans either way this was something to file away for later.

“Well I can't say for sure if you will experience anything health related because I only healed one other parahuman before you guys, Glory Girl. If you are looking for confirmation then call Glory Girl to see how she is feeling if there's any negative affect occurring. I’m sorry I can't tell you anything else, I have healed normal people before and they were always fine. You all should probably be fine, you all look healthy to me but if you feel concerned ask a doctor but I don't believe anything bad will happen to any of you.”

They are probably fine but I didn’t want to be dismissive of any concerns they had.

Battery flexed a hand and clenched it repeatedly. “Alright well thanks for letting us know. You're free to leave Torchlight.”

I started walking off ready to leave I waved them all goodbye.

“Be sure to take a few days off kid!” Assault shouted as ignited myself and took off into the air.

“I intend too.”  Really I meant what I said that in moment. I needed to get my thoughts together to figure out what I wanted to do next about all of this. Hopefully life would allow me to do that, but I had a feeling the situation may get more complicated than I expected.

Lisa POV

I haven’t slept for a little over twenty four hours at this point my head was pounding but I couldn't just stop I was running on caffeine and just had my third cup of coffee this evening. The boss gave me a new assignment and I had to get this done.

Now while my room is almost certainly with him watching from somewhere but that’s not why I haven't slept. Sure Coil wanted this done as soon as possible but he wasn't really putting pressure on me to get this done any faster than usual. No what this was something else for me.

It was irritating really when Coil poked fun at losing the score to some rookie cape on their first night out. Really the entire crew was pissed off about it for Brian it was professional pride and failing at a gig for the first time, Rachel was pissed because he hurt the dogs… well not exactly they were fine protected in layers of mutated flesh but they looked in pain and that set her off, and Alec he still has a concussion and is pissed about being knocked out unable to do anything. Far from being the angriest or the most invested but he has been irritable because of it.

Looking across the board in my room pictures posted all across it of the new guy Torchlight. If anyone in the Undersider’s was the most invested with him it was me to be honest. I was looking into him as soon the next day just before footage of Torchlight and Glory Girl had had their fight with Merchants showed up online. My computer had three videos playing all based on him The fight with Oni Lee, the Merchants, and Empire along with whatever new gang they were picking a fight with. Coil wanted to know everything about the new guy when word got out he healed Glory Girl. His ability to heal injuries only became public knowledge when he fought with Assault, Battery, Aegis, and Vista.

His powers were becoming a major talking point on PHO among the people of Brockton Bay at first talking about how cool his powers looked some people getting paranoid about how dangerous a fire hazard he is. But interest increased immensely when it became public knowledge he could heal others quickly while fighting, some people were calling him the combat medic.

Watching the recording from the Wards camera footage my power told me the obvious about the protectorate.

They want him to join badly and have their own healer.

Of course they do why wouldn’t they want a healer of their own on the Protectorate was practically salivating over the idea of it. It would mean they wouldn't have to rely on New Waves precious Panacea and bend over backwards to get New Wave onboard to help them when they needed it plus he could fly himself over anywhere making things even more convenient.

That isn't what mattered to me and it wasn't what really mattered to Coil at this point. From his last call my power told me what it was that caught his attention. He called me not long after Torchlight’s second outing and wanted a detailed profile of him and his abilities at first but then his text coming within an hour after the fight near the Boardwalk let her power piece it all together.

‘Look into the new gang I want to know who these new players are and find out the secret identity of the pyrokinetic both are high priority.’

Wants to take control of the new gang or just take their tinker tech and whoever built it.

Anxious about the new guy. Worried, he knows his power isn't working like it should doesn't want anyone to know. Trying to sound like he’s in control. He's not.

That was what made this guy worth all this effort. I was annoyed at first with how he ruined what should have been an easy score. What bothered me was when I got close to him.

Costume has no zipper fabric not normal unstable… UNSTABLE. NOT SPANDEX

Fireballs hurt the dog didn’t burn anyone. Didn’t want to seriously hurt you. Sandbagging hard h-

That was the first thing I noticed when he closed the distance I couldn't read him when he got close. It’s not that my power stopped working it’s just it wasn't working right. The only thing my power did when I tried to read him when he got close was I just got speculations about his costumes. I had to stop using it so I wouldn’t get migraine in the middle of a fight but my powers were working on everyone else.

I figured a way around it to get more information. The videos that came up about him provided said workaround behind whatever lets him interfere with my power. When he started flying around he enters a breaker state more durable than he already is, emits flames, doesn’t actually breathe, weighs less than he does outside of it, controls temperature, and shifts his body into a form of plasma.

I have file ready to send Coil on his powers so far so that should satisfy him for now. What interests me more is who he is because Coil tried to split time and find out more about this guy and however much Torchlight affected my powers they were worse for Coil. Which means he is someone who I just have use if I’m ever gonna turn the tables on Coil and the only way I’m gonna do that is if I can convince him to help me.

I heard steps approaching my bed room door.

Brian wants to talk about Monday night.

“Come in.” I say before he even knocks, he just opens the door moving steadily but not as fast as he normally does.

Ribs are bruised still hurt even with pain killers.

“We need to talk about Monday.” I knew that already.

“What do we need to do about it exactly?” I already knew why he was asking this. Brian was far from confrontational but the fact of the matter is one loss would mean nothing. At least it would mean nothing if footage of the fight with Torchlight show up online.

It wasn’t the best recording of how things went down but it painted a picture a very unflattering one of the Undersiders losing to some fresh on the scene cape.

He took a seat on my bed at the end of putting effort in not to show his ribs were in pain. He wasn't doing it very well, “Lisa it’s been two days you have had time to look this guy up. So what’s the game plan.”

“What's the plan, careful Brian it almost sounds like your trying to pick a fight with this guy.”

Running a hand over his face as dejection set in his face. “People are watching this guy  Lisa looking for whatever video they can find on him. We cannot build are reputation with a video of this guy ruining are job and beating us badly.”

“Don't forget he was holding back that night by not going into his breaker form, that's basically saying he didn't need it to deal with us. He had to do this for the Merchants Lisa.”

“Yeah, your right so tell me Lisa WHAT THE FUCK IS THE PLAN!”

Temperamental worries the boss will cut us loose. Afraid he won't get the help he needs if that happens.

I let out a sigh and smiled gently, after all I have a plan I just needed to do damage control now so Brian won't freak out later.

“Well firstly its not as bad as it seems for one everyone in the group still has their legs unlike Skidmark so were already better off. Second if you saw any of the Torchlight footage you know we are not beating this guy in a head on fight.”

“I know that but we have to get back at him if we want to salvage this. Look at that guy with the suit he gave a good fight and he and pretty much all his crew got away mitigating any failure from today.”

“Too true and fortunately for us I know exactly how to do it. Brian we don’t need to fight this guy and win we just need to get one over on him. Rob a place something with a higher take, risk, and we do it with Torchlight trying to stop us and give him the slip.”

“I’m not sure if you noticed but we couldn't exactly give him the slip until Oni Lee came out to play.”

“Exactly right. We will do the same thing again bigger scale and this time we are going to use someone more dangerous and get them to ‘assist’ us.”

“So let me get this straight you want us to rob a bigger place somewhere dangerous and get another villain to help us.”

“Help is a strong word… I prefer to call it an involuntary insertion to the robbery in question. We get someone strong and dangerous and destructive they keep the burning man busy while we make our escape while he heroically saves the day, or more than likely gets his ass kicked. ”

“You have someone specific in mind.” Absolutely I do and you are going to hate it when I tell you later.

“Leave the details to me and I'll tell you more about it later on. I still have to make sure that everything lines up perfectly so that our helper is present and accounted for and Torchlight actually shows up.”

Brain finally started easing up a little at that idea of pulling one over the guy who gave us our first failed job. But I was gonna have to put in a lot more work for the set up after all I don’t want this guy to end up dead by accident. He is going be invaluable to me when I make my move against the boss, my silver bullet for Coil that's something no amount of jewels or cash could match up to. But it all depends on how I play my cards… or at least it would if I didn't plan to stack the deck in my favor.

“Cheer up Brian it's all going to work out fine trust me.” I give him my best smile.

“You know whenever you smile like that I know not to trust you.” I feel my smile growing wider, cause it's just funny to me that at this point he thinks were going to lose.

“And you should know by now to just trust that my smile means we are going win big time, don't worry there will be no surprises this time at least not for us.”

Chapter Text

Amy POV

I had to know what this was under any circumstance. I hadn’t rested enough last night and I was still planning to go back to the hospital after this, I agreed to come in today simply because my power desired it. I didn’t understand what was different my power supplied me the information I needed to heal others and if I were willing to… I…

Maybe it was that aspect of my powers that made me agree so quickly, I thought if I take a closer look then I can get it to stop all the whispering stirring my desire to do… something regrettable. After Tuesday when Vicky came back from fighting the Merchants with that new guy that's when it happened. After Vicky told me he healed her ribs I was concerned.

What if he was like me, did he do something extra to my sister. Would he do it, Vicky knocked him out of the sky into oncoming traffic. I felt in that moment I had to check to make sure to verify he didn’t and if he did I would fix it, let Vicky know so she could beat this guy black and blue and we send the sick Bastard to the Birdcage.

I asked Vicky to give me her hand she did thinking nothing of it and accepted that I just wanted to see how he fixed her. Then she gave me her hand I touched it and that moment when I checked her was a moment I regret. I wish didn't feel paranoid when she told me he healed her, that I just accepted he did a nice the a good thing out of sincerity instead of fearing that he was as sick as me.

Everything was fine nothing out of place or changed but one thing was different the energy. The body always needed fuel to operate and it gets it from food, but when I looked at Vicky every single cell in her body had this different kind of energy.

Her corona pollentia had more of this than any other part of her body, and when I was in contact with Vicky I don’t know why but it was like that part of her body communicated to me. Somehow it let me know that it was happy and wanted more to so it could be more, and why wouldn't it that energy that that he produced and gave to my sister was so pure and… this is my power talking, not me my power. It believes it was beautiful.

But it doesn't matter if I don’t share that belief my power does. It makes me feel like it’s beautiful, letting me know of all these ideas of how to change someone into something more. These ideas of this sick inspiration of taking a parahuman and improving them keeps me up at night with this thing.

It goes against my rules, I don’t want to do that to anybody but my power is salivating at the thought and it scares me. I checked Vicky again later the energy dissipated over time but it left a trace of something that while not dangerous it wasn't nothing it was like looking at a structure unfinished yet it was enough to give an impression of it being a masterpiece at least that’s the impression my power gave me. Something was given but I don't know what it is. My power doesn't know either but it wants to know to learn.

I can’t find it in me to resist though because I found if I do the pressure to heal patients, to change people, to change Vicky goes away. It’s replaced with a desire to discover what exactly this is and what can be done with it. I know its not any better but come on maybe it doesn’t really do anything and it's just there, that it's just a weird little after symptom that does nothing. I tell myself that so I can make this easier on myself despite my power insisting there is something more to this.

After all my power doesn't have enough to tell me what this is so just maybe… this might not be so bad.

Walking into the PRT building I’m escorted to the infirmary where everyone is waiting Assault, Battery, Aegis, and Vista. Along with a few spectators too, Armsmaster and Director Piggot were present along with some PRT staff.

I pulled the hood of my costume closer to me as I walked toward them, this was more people than I expected I was somewhat uncomfortable with this.

“Thank you for coming in on such a short notice Panacea.” Director Piggot said, I just nodded stiffly. I was more nervous about coming here to check on the heroes now, I didn’t want to seem strange when I checked on the heroes to see Torchlights residual energy. I don't want them to know just how much this guy's healing has fucked with me, the more eyes on me would mean more of a chance I let something slip and I can’t have anyone knowing how bad checking Vicky left me.

I put my left hand close to my thigh and pinched myself, focus fucking focus Amy. I will be fine I have to be just stick to my rules and look them over it is a simple fucking job then I will have my answers and I can go home and rest. Fuck going back to the hospital I don't need to go back if I have to deal with this shit now.

“Yeah well you had concerns and it wouldn’t for four heroes to be benched when I could tell you if there is something wrong or if they are just fine.” It was strange that Vicky never mentioned anything about a boost to her powers like anyone else, then again Aegis hadn't mentioned anything either and he was and Alexandria package too. Vicky only got Torchlight's help after the fighting so not enough of an opportunity to notice anything different than usual, but it could also be equally possible that Vicky just didn't notice that kind of thing unless it was a major enhancement to her ability.

“We would very much appreciate any information about what is currently happening with their abilities.” Armsmaster spoke curtly, it made me feel better though surprisingly enough. Nothing overly familiar and no true or false sincerity.

“Well I’m not sure what more I could tell you but I can clear up any worries. So who's first.”

“First Vista, Battery, Assault, and Aegis is going to be last in that order.” Director Piggot Specified. “Is there any reason we are doing it that way first?”

“Armsmaster if you would please explain.”

“Of course Director. Upon their return to the Rig and how their bodies and abilities felt differently I utilized some old tools to scan each of them for any residual energy as you explained over the phone that when Looking over Glory Girl you said he used his own energy to fuel Glory Girl’s natural healing and accelerated the process. After doing so Aegis was found to have been the most affected by Torchlight's healing containing the most energy within his body. Likely due to both the nature of his injuries as well as being healed twice.”

That seemed about right but even still I wasn't sure how the guy did it. Vicky after being healed should not have had the energy in her body that she did but even still she did. Thinking about it was strange the cells of a human body could not normally hold on to that much energy as it exceeds what human beings should be able to hold but somehow Vicky had it for hours and it didn't do anything to her.

“Well than let’s get to it.” Touching Vista I began looking over for any differences and it was more less like Vicky’s body had been. With that trace of something left over it was akin to leaving a fingerprint only it wasn't on an object but in someone’s cellular structure. I couldn't even get rid of it as it was unaffected when I tried tampering with it.

“So how I am doing.” Vista asked in a relaxed manner, she didn't seem to be afraid of the possibility that something would be wrong. She was probably only here because everyone else was and as the youngest Ward she had to be checked up.

“You are know different than how my sister was the energy for the most part has dissipated.”

“My scanner detected traces of the energy used still on her.” I moved on to do the same to Battery pretty much the same.

“That's normal Armsmaster, whenever he does this he leaves this kind of trace in parahumans think of it like a fingerprint. It will dissipate overtime but faint traces remain.”

“Does that have something to do with the increase in parahuman abilities or-…” He didn't get any further because the moment he said that my power supplied the information when the focus went to Battery's Corona Pollentia. The energy he leaves behind, the excess of it should have just left the body and exited but it didn’t. The Corona Pollentia is why, parahumans are effected because their power is taking the energy feeding off it and having the body hold on to the excess until it can absorb the rest.

Why is it that I know now and not before. “Assualt give me your hand.” Holding out my hand waiting for him to take it.

“Okay sure a bit eager don’t you thi-” I tune out the rest of what he says grabbing his hand when it's close to focus on what I picked up. It’s the same with him.

“Panacea! What is happenings.” I feel a shake on my shoulder and find myself facing Director Piggot. Looking around everyone is staring at me, shit I think got tunnel vision and tuned out everything around m.

“Sorry I had to focus to see what was happening.”

“Well then what is it?” The Directors stare was hard with her hand still on my shoulder keeping me focused I didn't like it but it was better than losing myself so I dealt with it. I let go of Assault and Battery and focused on answering the question.

“The reason you all feel differently than usual is an effect by Torchlight's powers but it's also because of your own Corona Pollentia. Its holding on to the excess energy and absorbing it and likely fueling you're abilities, it’s why you are having a boost in power he essentially supercharged you for the time being and whatever wasn't used your power is feeding off it.”

This time it was Battery who spoke up, “Why would are powers do that though?” That was the question but thinking a bit more I came up with an answer. “Well I’ve healed a lot of people and parahumans at this point. When it comes to people like us parahumans some have unique biology and others do not for you three that I checked your bodies are the same as any normal human. Then you have people like Aegis he looks normal but I see the Redundancies in his biology that allows for him to survive anything I can see how his power works better than anyone else’s.”

With the Director removing her hand from my shoulder I took a breath and continued on. “Bringing it back to you three nothing in your biology tells me how your power works it’s all controlled by the Corona Pollentia. However every time I ever healed one of you after an injury that is all I do, nothing indicates in your body something is being spent for you all to use your abilities except for the Corona Pollentia being more active. So while this may be delving into the realm of speculation what is happening is your power absorbs the excess energy Torchlight let’s off when healing you, holding onto it rather than releasing it. It’s why you feel more energized right now what's left is still going away but it’s going into your Corona Pollentia. Using it as a way to restore whatever energy is required to use you powers, a byproduct is a temporary increase to your abilities while your powers are in the process of absorbing the residual energy held in your bodies.”

Everyone was looking at me now absorbing the information I gave, not entirely sure they believed  me but they could not dismiss me as no one could look at someone from the perspective that I was capable of.

Director Piggot spoke up again her face rigid and her voice unflinching, “Could you still look over Aegis and see what his unique biology could tell you.”

I just nodded, after examining this I was more curious about boosting the effects of powers. Part of that was learning more kept my power under control no thoughts of and horrific biological manipulation just a sense of satisfaction delving into discovering this new information. So for as long as I can I will feed my power that way, learning more about this if it can keep me at peace why not feed this hunger for knowledge. If I ever do meet Torchlight again I think I will thank him and after that I will almost certainly be taking a look at his biology to see if it can answer anymore questions.

Johnny POV

How do you heal a wounded heart, what does it take to help someone stand tall once more with a head held high? A lot of people hide their pain and all their problems and carry on despite pain, sadness, suffering, and maybe even rage. Never seen they carry on even if it's a path I of self destruction.

My mother… my true mother from the first life not the one who I have never known in this one. She told me to be strong always even in the most difficult moments of life, she was someone who reminded me always at the weakest point even if what I needed something as simple as a loving hug to hold me when I just fell apart.

She was someone who grew up in an environment where you weren't allowed to be weak that you had to be tougher that words were just words and you just had to shake it off because no one would say sorry or truly offer comfort. Don't think for a second my mother never hugged me or said she loved me, she made damn well sure I knew but her upbringing would show itself.

In the moments I felt like breaking she told me to just be strong. I know it was because of her upbringing, but more than that I think that in her heart strength was what mattered most. It hurt because I so badly wanted to be embraced and just be loved even in my pitiful state of anxiety and sadness but was forced to keep moving forward. It wasn't perfect and frankly it wasn’t what I needed however I made do with it because I believed that this was her way of showing she loved me the only way she knew how so why did I accept it? If I said her love wasn’t enough I would break her heart for something she couldn't truly change it was part of her nature at this point, I loved her too much to do that so I endured the bad times and held myself together because I never wanted her to fear for my well being.

I made friends I shared my pain with and I felt happier in time and part of the reason I was able to was that I just held on like my mother taught me and I stayed strong until I got to that point in life. Despite it not being what I always needed to hear I would thank her… at least I would if I could… but our time together has long since past, all my strength that keeps me going, is derived from the memory of the love shown and given to me. I know that that love is still there and undying in that ordinary world even if I am not alive there anymore.

Now why am I thinking about any of this, it is because currently at four something in the afternoon on my Friday I am running with Taylor for the second time today.

I’m trying to do two things here, help my friend and getting a better understanding of her. I know my past experience is different to hers but even still I can sympathize with her and do my best to try and relate so that she grows to trust me and chooses to talk to me about anything that bothers her.

She asked me if I could help her start exercising, I get what she is trying to do, she is building herself up both physically and mentally, I understand the idea of exercising to build yourself up, I’ve done it when I was ordinary and it was difficult as I started when I was overweight and never really worked out before either sure I did sports but it was only for a short time every year not consistently throughout the year.

Taylor breathes in and out heavily hands on her knees, face red, and dripping with sweat.

“Come on Taylor stand up straight and walk the rest of it if you have to but don't stop.” I said as I overtook her.

Honestly for a girl who never exercised before I expected this as a result but I push her just a bit because, well she asked me to. She wants to not just be in shape not to look good but mainly to feel strong. I think she got the idea from me mentioning how I started the parkour/free running club back in California. I think she got excited from the idea of it but I made her a deal if I was going to show her how to do it and be able to navigate through the city like a jungle gym she had to get to a level of stamina that satisfies me.

More over this is a test not just to see where she is at but also how determined she is to do this. I did cross country for my high school sport and the most difficult thing is pushing yourself to keep running no matter how you feel keep your pace and don't stop moving.

“…No I… can keep going… I won’t stop running… I promise.” She breathing heavily but she pushed herself to start running around the cones I set up sprinting as fast as she could despite being tired. This morning I started her running one mile and depending on how she handled it add half a mile to her run, I didn’t end up having her run another half mile. I was fine with it just being a mile but Taylor knows I’m athletic and she wanted me to push her if I was going to help her.

She had something in her eye and it was driving her to do as much as she could pushing herself hard and get better. I respected it so I added a bit of challenge in the morning we work distance afternoon it would be speed. One exercise for speed I new for is taking three cones and lining them spacing each one away from each other and jogging once around them. Upon completion you sprint one time around and jog one then sprint two times around and jog once.

When I ran cross country me and my teammates did it until we got to ten and what made it harder is we would sprint to the middle cone then back to the starting cone and finally sprint to the last cone and back to the start. Tough training but I’m only having Taylor sprint to the end and cutting it to five. I didn't have her do this in the morning because she struggled and I didn't think she could push herself to sprint after a long distance run.

When she finished the last set I smiled as she fished running and pulled a cold water bottle out for her that I got for her. She took it eagerly and chugged as much as she could down, before sitting on the grass on my front lawn. I decided to have her do this in my neighborhood since it was pretty quiet and not too busy, if I have a complaint it's that in the time since my sister lived here with our parents E88 made it part of their territory. They don't bother me because I’m blonde but if I go far enough into the neighborhood I can easily find the people who wear the gangs symbol on their clothes. I usually stay inside because it makes me uncomfortable but at some point I will kick these guys out, eventually.

“So how often will I be sprinting around these cones?” She looked a little a little concerned about it, understandable considering it was her first time and I didn't tell her that it would be made harder when she got used to it.

“Just one every other day. You are new to this so well start off easy and build yourself up progressively. By next week you will be running two miles non stop in the morning.”

“And your sure I’ll be able to handle it?” She looked to me and I was going to be honest with her.

“Well the first two weeks are the hardest as bad as this seems now after two weeks your body will adjust and you won't be so wiped out after this. I’m trying to put your body through progressive overload, if you do it like this you will progress faster than you would only running one mile for two weeks.”

“Then will you teach me about free running and climbing up buildings.”

“Only if you stick with this and again the earliest time I can start teaching you is in February, you need the time to build a solid and reliable foundation. Now come on well finish up the rest inside.” Taylor was a skinny girl long legs but not much muscle and her stomach jutted out a bit. It wasn’t much so I had to help build her up physically if I was gonna show her how to scale a building like she was an Assassin's Creed character.

Taylor's eyes widened a bit, “The rest what else are we doing? I thought you said this was all the running you would have me do.”

“That’s still true, but you said something about climbing buildings. Gotta build muscle to pull yourself up from things, after all your legs can only do so much of the work. It's just some calisthenics nothing like heavy weight lifting equipment, you don’t have to do that.”

Lifting up my sleeve to show my bicep I brought my arm to her. “Go ahead touch it.”

“Wha- I don’t… I know you have muscles. Wha- what does this.” She was a little shy so I grabbed her hand and had her squeeze it.

“That is… hard.” I think she got the point I was trying to make but I decided to still explain my point since from the squeezing it was like she didn’t believe it was real. “I got the muscles I have primarily through calisthenics, I don't use weights really. I may not have the biggest muscles but they are strong and reliable.”

“Yeah they are solid alright.” She stopped squeezing my arm and moved inside.

Once we got in the garage I pulled out two mats for us.

“So were going to start off with a plank since it's the hardest and it's better to do it when you're still fresh ready.”

She looked shaky at the mention of a plank but she swallowed and nodded. “Okay for how long though?”

“As long as you can Taylor.” She breathed a sigh of relief at that. Its still gonna suck though.

When we finally finished wrapping up Taylor was drenched in sweat and exhausted from everything.

“Hey if you want you could have dinner here, Alfred made more than enough and I could give you a ride home after.”

“Sure that’s cool. Hey just a question who is Alfred exactly, you told me you lived with your sister then I see that British guy in your house and it’s… how does he fit in with this because he doesn't look like a relative.”

Okay time for the vague not too detailed answer, “Alfred is an old friend of the family, he shows up sometimes to check in on us or keep an eye on me when my sister was working late.”

“That's pretty cool of him.”

I grabbed a towel from the rack nearby to give Taylor so she could wipe off the sweat I didn't need one because I don't really sweat anymore, I don't even think that I can.

“He’s always looked out for me and can vouch for him he's trustworthy.” I would know made his entire code and the server he operates out of.

We went to go eat on the kitchen to eat dinner where Alfred already had two plates ready and waiting perfect timing. If I could name one perk of basing my ai’s personality on the most famous butler in comics it's that I never have to worry about food. Even before he had a body to cook with his instructions on how to make and prepare dishes were flawless. It really help my sister learn to be a better cook, I’m not saying she was a bad cook just… it felt weird that my sister could be a bigger fire hazard when in the kitchen while I live in the same house, it really shouldn't be up for debate.

“Jonathan and Taylor enjoy your meal, and Johnny if you two require anything I will be down in the basement don’t hesitate to call me.” I would love to have Alfred here but it would be kind of weird since he would be the only person not eating. Just feel like that one too many times people would catch on, not saying Taylor would know what he is immediately just that there would be questions.

“Thanks Al.”

“Thank you Alfred…” After that we just sat eating our food for a bit before Taylor would decide to make conversation again.

“So what is Alfred doing your basement did he not want to have dinner or was this…?”

“Ohh he ate prior to this he would've stayed here but he likes to spend time crafting things. It's one of the things he and I spend time together on building things.”

“He builds things like is a tech guy or something.”

“Well it's more… he helps me with personal science projects building what I wish and making sure I don't hurt myself when I try to invent something.”

“Your an inventor I didn't expect that from you. You didn’t seem like the type.” I smirked at that.

“It’s not something I really bring up. I haven't really built anything worth putting out there into the world but I have built other things like my laptop and my phone here.” I pull out my phone handing it to Taylor and as she examines it I think about the stuff I have made that I can’t just share with the world.

Reinventing the ark reactor alone can solve the world energy crisis, it’s frustrating because it could prove so helpful but so many people would come after me be it an attack from the Simurgh doing whatever it took to kill me and destroying all records of how to recreate arc reactor technology and brainwashing everyone who knew the process to Mannequin sneaking into the house at night to cut my throat while I slept or worse my sister.

Alfred could probably protect me and my sister while we sleep but if Mannequin brings the Slaughter House 9 he’s not stopping them all it’s just gonna be chaos at that point, things would get very difficult and I'm not sure I would be able to get my sister out safely.

“It’s very sleek and well designed. I don't know much about technology but I figured it would be clunky.”

“I put a lot of thought into it how to make it as durable as can be, 24 hour battery life, and it won't just break down after a few years like iphones so it's reliable I used it for five years now as good as the day I finished it.”

“Anything else?” The question hung in the air not because I didn't have an answer but because I needed to say something that wasn't world changing, then I remembered. “Yeah actually I made my own video games.” That means I remade games I remembered that didn't exist on earth Bet or Aleph, not much is reminiscent on this earth or the other one but Earth Bet does have one famous actor I know existed from my first life, Nicolas Cage.

He was in the Earth Bet version of the Breakfast club and that… that's an experience as are all the other movies he wasn't supposed to be in, it’s interesting like every movie he's been in he plays like one of the later movies where he ups the craziness.

Taylor looked at me inquisitively, “Why make games of all things?”

“Part of its because not a lot of good ones are out there, another is because I guess I like escapism. Imagine a good book you read it and it’s so good you can get lost in it, something you can immerse yourself in to just forget about all of life's worries. Away from all the dread in the air, so you can just breathe.”

We had finished eating at this point and were just talking, I don’t think I have shared this much in this life it was nice.

“I get that life being rough I mean you already know my story.” She paused for a moment but continued on hurrying away from that topic. “Then we have the Endbringers attacking on rotation with some places never able to recover not a lot of hope things will get better. But that's just how things are.”

“I think we can still turn things around, that it doesn't have to be this way.”

“Capes have been coming together for about twenty years and it hasn't always worked out that well. Most people aren’t so optimistic, so why are you so hopeful about it, you say it so easily as naturally as breathing, have you ever looked at the statistics.”

I didn’t have anything to say for a moment so silence hung in the air uncomfortably so it would have Taylor expand on her point.

“I’m not trying to tear you down or anything, I just think you should be realistic and temper expectations. I don’t want you to be disappointed when reality comes knocking because when it does it doesn't knock on a door it simply strikes you in the face over and over again until you get the message.” Well that is a lovely picture I'll be sure to hit back if life starts knocking.

“I have looked at the statistics the number of injured, the people dead, the destruction caused and the ripple effect it’s had on the world, to say reality is grim would be an understatement… I just think that it does no good to dwell on the reality of the situation the danger is real it’s like we are all standing on an edge we can’t walk away from, as were all waiting for the moment someone pushes us over to fall. I think we have to still dream of achieving the impossible even in a situation this horrible look for a way out even if we don't know how to start.”

I got up from my chair and moved over to her side of the table and sat on the edge of it closest to Taylor.

“We have to chase the impossible because for all the horror the world is always going to be worth fighting for because there's people in it that makes life worth fighting for but more than that to live for, so we can’t give up on trying to forge the best future for those around us even with the odds stacked against us.”

“How would you fight for it then Johnny, what can you do to help?” It was a blunt question that was filled with more uncertainty than anything rather than something meant to be dismissive of me.

I thought about it for a while from her perspective she doesn't know I have powers so she is thinking about how can a normal person like me help the issue, I smiled at her and gave her the best answer I could, “Maybe it's not much in the grand scheme when looking at capes and all the powerhouses in the world, but lending someone a helping hand along with a little kindness when they need it can go a long way. A wise woman once said when you help someone you help everyone and so far I helped you. Wait and see I bet you will do something great.”

“Can you even point out one thing about me that makes you certain about me doing something like that.” She was doubtful of whether or not I meant that but I do even if you’re a regular person you can still be the cause for a great change the actions you take and the words you speak can make all the difference.

“Well I know your a good person and your determined you proved that with how much you pushed yourself today. So at this point if I have feeling that you will do something great, well sorry to say but that's your fault I believe in you and I'm not taking back these words my gloomy friend.”

Despite her attempts to keep me from being overly optimistic and being more realistic Taylor failed to do so. I think from the smile the was creeping at the corners of her mouth I helped her be a little more hopeful. Good, smiling looks better on her than that dour frown she usually has hopefully one day that’s a regular habit for her.

Chapter Text

Taylor POV

I can't say that I agree with everything he says or that I fully believe it but something about having someone in my corner like Johnny feels nice. He is right about one thing though the world is worth fighting for, and he may be a person but he has already had that effect he spoke of on me.

I am going to be hero and despite the brutal exercise he has had me go through it will be worth it, I won't be some rookie going in with no plan of action or no preparation. I can't afford to do that, I controls bugs I have to be creative if I want to be effective I’m gonna help make Brockton Bay a better place for good people like him to be able to thrive.

As I look at him smiling at me I can't help but think I want to tell him I’m a cape but another part of myself thinks ‘don’t’. I have only known him for a few days it’s a bad idea to have my cape life and personal life be connected. But he's caring, he’s sweet, kind, and and hot. That last bit shouldn't be prevalent but I feel like it along with everything else clouds my judgment on him.

I know the main reason I want to tell him is because he is the first person to ever be kind to me and actually go out of his way to help me, rather than be like everyone else and just keep walking when I was being bullied. Is it wrong that I want to be closer to him so that he doesn't want to leave me, he said he would have my back but I’m scared of that being tested and part of it was getting him in more trouble than I already did. He shouldn’t have to be getting in trouble for me.

Then there is the thing plaguing my mind the PRT paying me a visit. They heard about my hospitalization and investigated the locker incident, they concluded that I was likely to have had a trigger event and tested me for it. They gave me a run down on trigger events after they found out I had an active Corona Pollentia, apparently you get powers through highly stressful situations usually occurring in your teenage years. Then they made me the offer of joining the Wards as a way of helping adjust to the changes in my life, I declined it because it was too much right now. I think now I might have said yes if I didn’t ask them if they could help with my bullying situation.

They said they would look into it and then Thursday after dad took me home we got the call with them saying they couldn't find anyone and that it was up to local law enforcement but asked if I was willing to come in for power testing. I hung up the phone after that, another authority figure and another disappointment I cried in my room for a bit after that. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to even try to be a hero until this talk, maybe just not in the Wards not now. Maybe it’s a bad decision based on not wanting to work with the PRT who have failed to help uncover the bullying but I can’t get past the fact that they couldn’t help me. To be honest it felt like they didn’t even try and I don’t know why.

“Johnny what's gonna happen when we go back to school? This thing with Emma, Sophia, and Madison isn’t just going to stop, we only have World issues and computer class together. You can't be at my side every moment.”

He paused at that running his hand through his hair his lips pursed brown furrowed, it was very boyish and cute.

“Well I have a few ideas I think are going to be very effective. Look like you I also can’t game the social system like they have, but I can flip board over and change the game altogether. I am good a messing things up like that”

“What exactly does that mean?” I look at him smiling so confidently like he has a plan one he thinks is a good one, but I don't know for sure if it is.

“Well you told me that those girls were good at getting their way. Making themselves out to be innocent, the type of girls people look at and think they can do no wrong. So the idea is simple we tear down the image and expose them.”

I felt a little disheartened at that, like it would be so easy then Johnny picked up on that very quickly. “Don’t make that face besides they already started tying the noose, we just have to get them to finish what they started I’ll show you.”

Getting up from the table he went to the living room bringing out his laptop. It was sleek black shiny, he definitely was skilled at building things almost like a tinker. He really was genius and I could see him being someone important in the future once he graduated high school and finished college.

He pulled his chair closer to me sitting down to where our shoulders were touching, I immediately felt self conscious. We wiped off the sweat but as l was looking at him and feeling his shoulder touch mine made me think of how different we were.

Here was the image of the good looking popular kid and me an ugly wallflower nobody liked. Yet here he was spending time with me of all people not caring how much I sweat earlier, I ran my hands through my hair to fix it as best I could. Despite my nerves I felt leaned my shoulder just a bit closer to his enjoying the physical contact.

He opened the laptop and looking at it was the typical black screen but where there should have been a keyboard there was just a flat surface one button in the upper right corner. He turned to me still smiling, “Okay get ready for a surprise, we won’t watch all of it just the part you missed.”

He pressed the button and the screen lit up and then the keyboard appeared holographically. I felt my eyes widen either he is secretly a tinker or he a genius, I felt a warm breathe against my ear and the he whispered, “Not gonna lie I like to show off a bit, your reaction made my day thank you for that.”

I felt myself be flushed from closeness, then his head pulled away as he logged in and after selecting one file on his computer a video began to play, “What exactly are we watching.” I asked turning my head towards him, he met my gaze giving a small smirk as if hiding a great joke.

“What I am showing you is simple, this here is the path to victory.”

We both turned are attention back to the screen their I saw footage from the perspective of someone watching an ambulance drive away. The area looked familiar before the perspective of the camera change I already knew where this was. I knew what this was, I had no words as I could only watch the footage play by as Johnny walked back to where our lockers were located. Then I saw it all, it was one thing to hear things told by Johnny to be reassured by words alone, it was another to see the proof. Hearing Emma talk about me the way had been still stung but hearing Johnny verbally tear into trio brought a small smile to my face I felt the affection I had for him swell and my heart beat just a bit faster. Then we got to the part with Sophia attacking him missing her every swing only landing a fist in his open hand catching it, I felt a small bit of satisfaction seeing her wince in pain as Johnny's arm didn't give an inch for her punch. When the video stopped my thoughts caught up with me and I knew what this was he was giving to me I voiced it as the thought came to mind.

“Proof.” A simple statement but one that couldn't just be dismissed. People would have to do something and the trio wouldn't be able to get out of this. A simple camera with video recording of them showing their true colors, something I could never get due to a lack of money I had already had to save up what I could for school supplies after notebooks and projects would get consistently ruined. I couldn't ask my dad for that kind of money and… I didn't want to burden him, we both have been going through a rough time after mom died… he shouldn't have to be working so hard while having to worry about me and my problems.

“This is just the first bit of it, something to start with before I get the rest to finish it.”

That caught me off guard, “What do you mean it's clear what happened this will damn them.”

“No it won't it doesn't show them putting you in the locker, it heavily implies they did it but after talking with my neighbor he gave me the idea this could still be be spun around.”

Thinking about it it's not that I agreed entirely with the logic but the fear of it not being enough, being ignored again made me hesitant to disagree with him.

“Then what is the full plan then outline it for me.” I had to hear it from him even if I had an idea where this was going, just hearing it from another person would… I would just feel a boost in confidence.

“Expose them, show the people in charge who these girls really are when no ones looking. Giving proof that the face of propriety shown to any authority figure is nothing but a mask. Then even if they try to dismiss it we still have proof you and your dad can win this fight.”

It sounded like a dream come true, the idea that I would ever get out of this hell seemed impossible, like the day I win it would just never come relegated to my fantasies. I already thought of how I could help build up the case

“I have a notebook I made listing all the things they did to me, they send hate messages to me in my school email. If any of this helps I could show you, but I don’t have a computer.”

“All of that helps bring the notebook over as for the emails you can long in from my laptop we can take pictures, these girls are probably not smart enough to hide their email addresses so easy enough to draw a connection that can't be denied.”

Talking about this and being able to win gave me a feeling of joy something I hadn't felt in a long time. I felt a smile grow on my face the idea of finally getting justice felt like it could be reached.

We kept talking about what could be done to make sure the plan was full proof. I felt optimistic and talking with Johnny I started to appreciate his idealistic view because he made it seem like it was possible and I wasn’t one for optimism these days. As we kept talking I felt myself start smiling as I looked at Johnny and for the first time in a while I felt happy.

Susan POV

For the first time in a long time I was well and truly angry. Everything didn't go like it was supposed to this week was supposed to set everything up start operations at the store. Now everything is fucking mess. A few days put under and shit has fallen apart, then my family the only family I have left my little brother finally took flight.

Made a fucking costume and everything so quickly I never saw him do it. The only thing I remember him working on was a watch I never saw him synthesize an outfit but at some point he did. Then what is the first thing I see him on tv for, he get’s run over by a fucking bus.

It scared the shit to of me seeing that, then seeing him get up I was relieved and then I was pissed at him for it. Then he showed that he could heal people in public now no one is just going to forget about him. I feel sharp pain shooting through my nerves its most painful in my arms, legs, and the worst one is in my spine.

I clench my fists, push my feet against the floor of the car, and press my back to the seat. I take a breath and it comes out sounding like hissing, fuck.

“This was a mistake let me just turn the car around you can rest a-”

“Don’t you fucking dare Dillon! It's fine just minor spasms at best. This'll pass soon enough.”

“You were having what looked like seizures from earlier this morning. Look you don't need to go now, Johnny's not going anywhere you don’t have to do this today.”

I looked at Dillon the concern in his brow, he was never good at playing calm, cool, and collected. He hasn’t been comfortable coming to Brockton his dark curly hair was grown out, he doesn't like it long he only ever grows it out when he's nervous and needs something for his hands to fiddle with.

Brockton Bay is a lot more chaotic than when I was kid, I’m starting to get why dad moved us away from it. So many capes and the potential for chaos is high.

“I want to get at least touch base with my brother, see what’s going on with him. He entered the cape scene and got suspended the moment I left, what the fuck!”

“If it helps he’s pretty durable. Very dangerous too that knife cut through power suit like it was paper thought I was gonna die so I pulled out the blade.”

It was debatable on whether I could tell Dillon and the others that the flying fire hazard was my brother. It didn't take long for me to to tell him and the rest of my inner circle who he was. It's I tell them so they hold back or I keep it a secret that doesn’t hold very long when I say don't kill or cripple that one cape specifically.

“Dillon if you remind me how you almost tried using lethal force on my little brother this crew is going to lose it’s one samoan person.”

“Message received… wait do you want me do then with the tube thing also are you sure you want to go home we can just turn around.”

I feel myself take a breath release it I’m calm, as close to it as I can be.

“Just… take me home and move the chamber in the garage, then take off. I have to talk to Johnny and I would rather it be just between family.”

“Who do you think leaked our movements to E88 just out of curiosity.”

Thank god he changed the topic, looking at the overall crew we haven't taken anyone new. Throughout the years pretty much got loyal crew, or as loyal as you can have a crew that sell tinker tech and commit the occasional robbery.

“I thought about it for a while and it is possible that we could have a traitor I don't think this is what happened. It was too chaotic for this to be a strategic betrayal, I think it would be more productive to look at the players in the city.”

“Okay that makes sense… did we really have to come here to this city though? We could have gone to other cities if we were just gonna be doing the same thing as always. Somewhere with a less populated cape scene.”

“Maybe… but we didn't come here to do our usual MO, this place is just a temporary stop. We came here to find my dad's first prototype finish it then we can finally leave start over by breaking through the bound earths barrier. Then live somewhere we can really build something stable never having to worry about any Alexandria’s stopping us or fearing an Endbringer just shows up to destroy everything we build.”

The silence hung in the air as we started coming up to the house, I prepared myself to talk to Johnny.

“The girl started waking up you know we could hear her speak for a bit.”

I stopped reaching for the door to look back at Dillon a grim expression on his face.

“You said everything was fine. How did she wake up?”

“Her pod took some damage she was able to wake up for a bit before we put her under again. None of E88 was able to follow the the first truck we didn’t let them.”

I got curious, “What did she say then?” I had to know after everything I did to that chick and her friends I felt like I owed her that.

“It wasn't really something clear but I think she was yelling at you. She wasn't lucid but I think what we did to her and the friends she had is still fresh in her memory.”

Of course it is. “Just make sure she stays under so she doesn't get away, too useful to let go of.”

“I don't get why we don't just give her the treatment we did with her buddies.” I felt pissed and it showed when he said that.

“Don't give me that Susie. Like doing what we have to her is any less fucked up, at least the other ones won't be able wake up and see what's happened. Why do you treat her differently from the others we got?”

I felt something tugging at me and I think it was guilt… that didn't really come up too often these days. Not after everything that already happened.

“When I first met her it was at a low point. She helped me sort out my feeling and understood what it was to make sacrifices for your brother. One day I’ll let her go, as a way to pay her back for that kindness at least.”

Dillon looked at me with almost a frown his voice dripping with confusion for something he couldn't understand, “And what we did is still fucked up, she won't exactly be grateful.”

“Yeah and we are fucked up people, you have done worse things than me unprompted.  What you suggest is more screwed up than anything we have done to her. So what’s your point with this?”

“Ohh I don't have one, I’m just saying it’s still fucked up but we are one little operation from making this something we don't have to deal with anymore.”

I left car after that not giving him another word to open the garage, he knew what my answer was.

I walked through the front door locking as Dillon drove away it but before I could call out to my brother I heard a girls voice speaking from the kitchen.

“So where do we go from here?”

I crept through the house not saying anything and peaked into the kitchen. There sitting with my brother some girl with glasses taller than average at least for a girl just a few inches shorter than my brother maybe close to my height.

“Well we just get more proof and let them play there part to get new examples to strengthen your claims of prior harassment.”

What the hell did I walk into.

As they stood up walking to the living room I watched them walk to the front of the house listening to them talk.

“It's dark out right now. I’m gonna give you a ride home.”

The girl was flustered and her voice was shy. “You helped me so much already you don’t have to go through the trouble, I have a bus pass I can use.”

“I would feel uncomfortable if I let you do that, at this time who knows who you will meet on the bus. We're friends helping each other is no trouble at all let me take home okay.”

The girl smiled and complied with Johnny's insistence. All I could think of was that Johnny brought home a friend, he’s never done that.

“Hey I noticed something earlier when talking about the bullying but at some points in the conversation you hyper focused on getting justice but specifically striking back.”

They stopped at the front door and after a brief pause she proceeded to keep speaking.

“You seemed just a little aggressive like it was personal, it didn’t feel like what you told me back at the hospital were someone you know was hurt more it felt more direct. When I watched you speak to Emma, Sophia, and Madison it seemed like you were barely holding it together… were you bullied in the past?”

The question hung in the air and Johnny chuckled, “I guess that old saying is true, it takes one to know one.”

What?

“I won’t go to deep into it as it is something I don't like to dwell on but seeing you after the first day didn’t put me in the best mood. Then when I met them and they thought it was funny.”

I was holding my breath my body still and all my hearing focused on was my brother’s words.

“I guess it reminded of the past where I knew kids who thought it was funny to pick on me. They told lies and made up things about me so much it followed me into high school where I guess I was friendly with people but we never grew closer than that because I was different from everyone else growing up and that still worked against me.”

He looked contemplative reminiscing on a past he never shared with me. “I was quiet and read books because I enjoyed them. I was never truly a social butterfly and after my dad died everyone noticed I changed. I was comfortable being left alone and I guess I stood out because I was so comfortable, that ironically made other people uncomfortable because I stopped trying to fit in. The new thing kids I grew up with who followed me to my high school started doing was saying bang bang when I walked by… I was the quiet kid who they wouldn't be surprised if he snapped, they thought it was funny because at this point they didn't think I would ever stick up for myself.”

I didn't know, he seemed happy as a kid. I gave him as much attention as I could afford too. Liar.

The girl spoke up gently “Did you ever do anything about it or tell anyone?”

“No, I guess I’m kind of like you in a way Taylor. I don’t want to feel like a burdened. I rationalized it like this, I don't remember much of my early life before my father died but the thing that stayed with me was how in the accident that killed him more than anything about him I remembered what he looked like… that kind of thing only made the distance from me and other kids so much bigger.”

The girl spoke up trying to comfort him, “You are a good person, that's on them.” He is, I allowed myself to feel some joy that someone could see my brother was worth being friends with.

They walked out the door still talking but at this point I stopped listening still stand in the same spot out of sight.

I don’t remember walking to the bathroom but I just remembered standing naked in front of the mirror with the shower running. I looked at my body and how I changed it, the surgical scars, the cybernetic implants, and the latest addition my new spine.

I sacrificed so much to stay with my brother and make sure he could live a good life and be happy. Then I thought what kind of little boy creates an ai to spend time with him, a genius that's how I thought about it.

I did everything I could hurt or killed anyone that got in the way just to make life better for my brother so that he would turn out okay… and be a better person than me. I got in the shower letting the water run down my naked body. I repeated that thought in my head again and again even as I knew it was a hallow excuse at this point.

One thought stayed with me I love my brother he is my highest priority. Then I thought about how little I knew was going on with him I wondered if that was even true anymore, if he’s not then I wondered when did that change.

Chapter Text

The ride back to Taylor's house was pretty uneventful we talked for a bit more about my experience bullying until we fell into a comfortable silence. Thinking about the discussion before it got quiet, I was slow and I was careful with my words, I wanted to share that experience with her to show I could relate but I didn't want to share everything because I couldn't. Not the times how sometimes I would take beating in middle school or getting robbed. That wasn't something that happened in this second chance at life but if I told Taylor anything it couldn’t be something my sister knows is not true because I would look like a liar and damage the relationship were building up due to contradictions. Hopefully when she eventually meets my sister she just doesn't bring it up for Sue’s peace of mind.

Sometimes remembering you lived before causes unexpected problems. Like on one hand I remember my moral lessons and have a better sense of who I am and what kind of man I want to be, but I feel a distance between me and other people I felt it a lot growing up for a second time. Having to start again at the age of six was a challenge of how can you fit in and honestly I couldn't and didn't try to. The bullying I went through as Johnny is nothing because I had the mentality of someone ten years older so stayed stuck in this mental space on my own.

Sue would think I’m crazy and Alfred bless his servers wouldn't believe something that implausible as being reborn. So with kids I spent time with just stayed away from me after awhile because I was so different. One thing is the bullying in this life didn't get to me because I had been through this before much worse. Problem was it went on into high school and in environment where I felt I belonged again was ruined no one would talk to me because everyone thought I was the disturbed quiet kid. Said by the kids I went to middle school with.

At that point I accepted isolation at that point I could just talk to Alfred build things and practice my powers. That was my form of escape to deal with it, my last few months in California people started to see I was a normal guy but I was kept at arms length at that point because they were holding their breath to see if I was disturbed as rumors said. All I ever did was mind my business and for some fucked up reason kids see another kid doing that and they're like ‘what's wrong with you’.

Pulling up to Taylor's house we stop and get off the bike. I thought maybe only talking to two people was bothering me more than I thought. Thinking about moving here to Brockton Bay maybe a fresh start someplace else was what I needed. This town for all it's faults might be where I can turn my personal life around for the better. My hero career is turning out pretty well so maybe I can have both sides of my life go well.

Making our way to the porch I was stopped by Taylor, “Hold on you have to watch the third step it's broken.”

“Oh, thank you.” I walked up the steps and prepared to say goodbye to my friend when the door suddenly opened. At the front door greeting us was a middle aged man, he was tall with thinning hair and thick framed glasses. I never saw him before or heard a detailed description but I could see the resemblance between him and Taylor, this is her dad. He looked at me slightly confused but then focusing his attention on Taylor

“Dad your home… I thought you would still be working.”

“Well I was but considering this week I decided to head home earlier, so yeah.”

Their was a pause just hanging in the air. Taylor mentioned that their relationship was strained and honestly I think I underestimated it because it was beginning to get awkward so I decided to speak up and end this because I feel like I had to leave if they were going to clear the air.

“Hello Mr. Hebert, I’m Taylor’s friend Johnny. I’m just here to drop her off.”

His eyes turned to me and widened slightly, “Johnny it's nice to meet you… Taylor mentioned you.” He held his hand out and I shook it.

At this point I was ready to leave so I decided to say goodbye. “Well goodnight Taylor I’ll see you for tomorrow's run. It was nice meeting you Mr. Hebert.”

Taylor gave me a smile, “Goodnight Johnny I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Taylor you head inside honey, Johnny can I please have a word with you?”

I stopped my stride and turned around to find Mr. Hebert. Taylor lingered for a bit before entering the house before her dad started speaking to me.

“I just wanted to thank you for what you did for my daughter.” He took moment to take a breath, his face was lined with stress and a hint of guilt. He looked so worn down and tired as I looked at him.

“I knew Taylor had been having a hard time but I never knew how bad it was. I was horrified when I got the call she was in the hospital I felt so angry at the people who did it. But more than anything I felt horrible at how I failed my daughter she’s been my entire world since her mother…”  He stopped choking on the grief that even years later the wound was still there I couldn't fault him for it Taylor mentioned offhandedly how devoted and loving he was.

The thing is looking at him now I couldn't help but think to myself, the grief was so raw and the pain so fresh because he hasn't stopped loving his wife even after the years since she passed, I felt sorry for him and Taylor thinking on what the loss did to them.

“…she… she told me a few days later on that day a new friend came into her life and got her out of that locker when no one else had and been stopping by to visit her.”

His eyes were glassy but he pressed on placing a hand on my shoulder, “You were there for her worst moment when I wasn't and in the moments where she talked about you, her mood would pick up a bit.”

“Thank you for being her friend… I don't think I can really express how grateful I am.”

I don't know why but seeing this man open up I felt the need to say something I didn't know what it was until I started speaking.

“No one wants to be weak or God forbid the victim… I remember that when I took her out of the locker she kept trying kick out her legs and push me away. Fighting to push me away… so I held on tighter and didn't let go, eventually she let up and I took her to the nurse’s office.”

I rubbed my head not really knowing where I was taking this but I didn't stop. “What I’m trying to do here is give you advice, the best I can think of considering everything that happened. Firstly don’t be so hard on yourself you can't change the past.”

“If I ha-”

“What would you have done? She told me the stuff that has happened during class that teachers have seen and barely made the effort to try. When I was going to school teachers would call out bullies for messing with students or moved them away from whoever they were messing with maybe even sending them outside…”

I stopped for a second and thought about what I wanted to get out of this if I could help this situation. What would I want from a parent if I was in a position where I wasn't comfortable talking about an issue but they knew I was troubled.

I thought of my mom and how in my first life she told me to be strong… I wanted to just be hugged and loved. Sometimes there are no words to say.

“If I can offer any advice to you now it is this, just love her… Nothing you say is going to change what happened hold in your arms if you don't know what to say. That stuff I said about not wanting to be weak applies here, it's a tough situation to be in and I get why she didn't tell you… it's painful to talk about things like this you see. Sometimes you don't speak about what's bothering you because you just want to forget for just a second to find a moment of peace.”

They haven't been talking that has to change. If there is ever a perfect time to get this idea in one of their heads it's now. Taylor needs her dad and he needs to try something else because from what Taylor has said they talk but it’s awkward.

“If I could tell you anything to help get you two to talk more it's this, if she looks like she is troubled don't act like everything is normal. Hug her with all the love you can give her. At the end of the day it's what she needs the most and people open up more when they feel safe, your her dad you are the person who can make her safest.”

“I want to believe you really I do… but I look at what's happened and I’m not so sure. She never told me and I couldn't keep her safe.” He looked so uncertain, doubtful that he could do it.

“Just give it a try anyway. Maybe this time things can change for the better your still her parent it will mean a lot to her.” He has to try, everyone does because he’s alive. Some say things can always get worse and that it is true, the reverse is also true at the same time but we as people will never know unless we give ourselves a chance.

“Do your parents do this for you? Is that why your telling me.”

When he says that the one thought that goes through my head is I don't have parents anymore. I’m an orphan effectively and have been for a long time but thinking about it leaves me… I just… I lost this connection a long time ago and I just have something missing in my life that I can never get back.

“No they aren't here anymore. I guess just think about what I would need from them sometimes… I’m introspective and it's a nice fantasy if nothing else. But for you and Taylor it could easily be a reality, so I’m telling this to you now because maybe it wouldn't fix everything… but take it from a guy who doesn't have parents anymore it means something as simple as being there to hold someone you love when in pain it just means everything when they’re gone…”

“I’m sorry.”

“It's fine.” I lied it hurts still even years later, that pain will never leave but hopefully me opening up can help these two in their pain and heal. “Just give it a go.”

“I will, goodnight Johnny.”

“Goodnight Mr. Hebert.” I left hoping I helped but riding back home I thought about how much I missed the days I had parents... I hope Taylor’s dad took my advice and it helps if all her dad does is hug more I think she would feel better, I know I would be if I were in her position. I’ll take care things at school on my end one way or the other.

I opened the door and I hear the tv playing. I moved to the living room and there on the grey couch in their pajamas Sue.

“Your back early.” I felt happy seeing her but I was caught off guard seeing her face. She was pale red spots on her face but she still gave me a smile as sad as it looked. She gestured to the spot next to her and I took a seat.

“On the ride over I was thinking about how I was going to yell at you. For the debut, getting run over, and that shit about being suspended from school was the last thing on the list that got to me you know.”

“Well then let's hear it. Just fire away sister.” I just decided to take the verbal smack down and let her get it out of her system.

“I said I was ready to but that changed. Then I heard you and your friend talking about bullying that it happened to you and… you never told me any of that… Why?”

I felt put on the spot and I didn't know how to respond. How much of this had she heard, I didn't want to get into this.

“Did you really need to hear about it? I mean while you were stressing about money did you really need to worry about whether or not the other kids at school were nice to little Johnny.”

I looked at her nonchalantly she was serious about this discussion, I however needed her to know it was okay.

“You’re my brother Johnny. We are the only family we got, I would have talked to any teacher about what was going on.”

I sighed and just stared back calmly. “Nothing you did could have changed the reality of the situation… We know after dad died I wasn't the same. You said it maybe not with your words but your eyes told a different story, memory loss didn't help. I knew telling you that hurt you more than it's ever hurt me.”

“That's not fair, it was early on you were a social outcast for years. I got a better handle on things I wasn't some fragile thing about to break down every five fucking seconds.” She said exasperated and didn't accept my answer, fine give her the truth.

“I didn't care Suzie... I didn't fit in anymore I wasn't the sick kid yearning to play with the rest of the class. Mentally I was different, yeah I needed some company and I wanted that but I couldn't find it with the other kids. There weren't any kids like me… how could there be?.., You aren't the only one who remembers what dad looked like when he died.”

There was a grave look on her face at that revelation. “That's the first thing I really remembered Sue. Even the smell of his burnt body stayed with me, it was why I let my food get cold for up to a year until I was okay with the smell of freshly cooked meat.”

In a shaky voice she resumed. “I didn't know… Johnny I would’ve…” There's that line again as people don't realize it but sometimes they couldn't do anything in the face of tragedy but just wallow in it until the worst pain passed by.

“Suzie please… I didn't want to talk about it. I’m betting you didn't either.”

“Yeah I guess your right on that much. God… we are quite the pair.”

I glance at the tv not knowing what she is watching, trying to deescalate. “What are you watching? I don’t know what channel this is.”

“It's not a show. Watch closer it's old family videos.” I focus my attention on the screen, there Sue was a kid barely a teenager. Our parents Franklin and Mary Storm and the toddler waddling after Sue was me.

“I started watching this thing after you took your girlfriend home.”

“She's not my girlfriend she’s just a friend.”

“Who’s a girl.”

“You're really going to play the teasing older sister.” I tried to keep my face serious but I  was frowning. My poker face just didn't work with her.

“Ahh… it's cute you think I wouldn’t. Besides you bring a friend home for the first time who's a girl, and expect me not to poke at it.”

“You know I had our neighbor Dean over to talk about some things a few days ago. So technically not the first time I brought someone over.”

“Yeah well this is the one I caught you with, a friend who happens to be a girl. What's her name?” It amazes me how she can go from somber looking to a massive smug fueled smile.

“Taylor.” I felt myself get a little red in the face because I know Sue will be poking fun at me endlessly. But whether or not that happens right now is yet to be determined hopefully she is… but she's my sister so that could be liable to change, so I start asking a question.

“So you asked your question here's mine. Why are you watching this old family video, seems out of character for you especially considering it's both parental unit’s instead of just dad.”

She chuckled, “You know I can see an image or video of her without getting pissed.”

My eyebrows raised up in disbelief, “Okay sometimes I can see her without souring my mood… I’m watching this one specifically because this was before everything fell apart before mom and dad had their big fight and you turned sickly… back when life was simple. Before it all fell apart and we got screwed. I think we both would be better off.”

“Don't do that sis… You did what you could better than anyone else would have been capable of.”

“…You didn’t tell me about what was going on, what am I supposed to think about how I did taking care of you.” I exhaled and rubbed my eyes and watched the tv not looking at her.

“I didn't feel the need to. That's the simple truth… early on after I got out of the hospital you were troubled but yeah you got in a better head space in time. I didn't think to tell you some of the things happening because you did a good job.”

I turned to face her. “I didn't have responsibilities. I got time to myself and I was able to decompress mentally and have fun taking my mind off the things bugging me. So I felt okay, because you took care of me I got to find peace with everything.”

She smiled and she relaxed her body. “So let’s talk about the school and then we'll go into the cape stuff. That sound okay.”

“Fair enough I guess.”

“I’m guessing it has something to do with Taylor and her troubles.”

“More or less.” I gave her the run down from the locker incident and the bullying campaign to how I got suspended for making two girls cry for ‘harassment’. I included the fact I had dad's spy glasses with me so I got it on camera and was able to keep her from raising hell.

“So that one time you got arrested for trespassing has come to bite you the ass what a surprise. Just when some spoiled brats wanted to get you into trouble.” Sue said in a monotone voice.

“I don't need a reminder about what happened sis. I remember clearly.” Why did that chick have to be flying around at that point in time. Was there no muggers around to beat up?

“I guess being arrested by one of the most famous hero's alive would leave an impression.” I shrugged in response.

“You do realize that at this point you probably have enough dirt on them to bury them right.”

“At this point yeah… but why stop there when they took this so far. I say let them dig a deeper grave to lay in.”

Sue laughed at that. “Well at the very least you know how to finish something for good.”

I felt proud about that. “What goes around comes around. By the time this is said and done they're gonna know how it feels for someone to go out of their way to ruin them. It seems fair to me.”

My sister turned to me her legs ready to delve into the next topic. “I’ll be honest Johnny I was hoping you would never actually put on a costume… I was hoping that joining the cape scene would have been one of those things you said you would do but never actually commit to it. You seemed like the type.”

Okay ouch.

“You know just because I waited doesn't mean I was never going to do this. This was a long time coming, you had to have known that.”

“I guess I was hoping you would just stick to sneaking out late at night beating random thugs you could find.”

I looked at her surprised, “You know about that?”

“Johnny I’m not stupid. Besides I would sneak out back in high school so any trick you think you could use to get out quietly wouldn't work on me. I paid extra attention I know what I would do, a little brother growing up with powers it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what you would do. Besides it's not like stopping you would have made it better. You probably would have done something bolder as a result and make me really worry.” She said that with a knowing smirk.

“…Not true.” That was a statement that rung hollow Sue didn't seem to believe it anymore than I did.

“I worry about you regardless I know your strong but I don't know how strong… watching you get run over was terrifying. Seeing you get back up and heal didn't relieve me as much as it should since all it does is let people know they can hit you harder.”

“I can't say I’ll never get hurt sis that's just a lie… I want to do this give back to the world in some way. Maybe so that when I’m gone it's a bit better than how we found it. Is that wrong.”

She regarded me silently with an expressionless face.

“No it's not… Look I will never be fully comfortable with this and I know if I tried my best I probably couldn't stop you, but just promise me if you ever have any trouble you come asking me for help, no hesitation. I want to be part of your life and I would feel more comfortable if you didn't try hiding things from me.”

I felt a weight off me and some tension I didn't know I carried left my body. I wish we just got to this point sooner, maybe I could've started sooner. Actually that may have been a bad idea considering if I started off in the west coast and ended up in the east coast it may have served to look at who moved here recently. Then again no one person is going to be able cross reference every single teenage boy that fits my description.

“I can do that much sis, but if this eases up your worries I am pretty powerful so not that many people will be able to take me on directly.”

“I’m sure you are Johnny.” She was very nonchalant about how she said it… honestly it kind of rubbed me the wrong way.

“Like I’m saying possibly Triumvirate levels of power. I just haven't had the opportunity to demonstrate it.” If my powers are based on the human torch who is challenging being like the silver surfer and knocking him off his board I’m definitely a high tier powerhouse in the world. Plus the fact I have conduit based abilities enhancing my powers only raises me up, I could possibly be one of the most powerful capes around.

I don't say that the strongest because I have never seen the greatest heroes in action or even the Endbringers. Best not to make assumptions and make myself look like an ass.

Susan Storm my loving and supportive sister proceeded to laughed at me. “Hahahahah… Ohh my God Johnny lets slow down now. Can't even fly higher than three story buildings without getting your stomach all in a knots. Then the fact you got run over and sent flying on to a roof… hahahahaha.” She just had to remind me of those moments, yeah just forget I took brought in one the ABB’s only partahumans and one of E88’s most dangerous capes.

“But just keep practicing I’m sure you'll get to be recognized as a strong cape… Let me put something else on.”

…If you only knew I could go supernova. You would be singing a different tune… that's fine my time will come…

Next Endbringer attack should be sometime in February… I’ll remember this conversation specifically when I go to it. I’ll just have to get whichever one shows up to follow me to an open area away from… well pretty much everyone. Either way I’m confident this move will at least do a good amount of damage, just gotta try and not make the it grow too big.

Sue was channel surfing when suddenly the local news caught my eye.

“Hey hold up Sue go back to the news channel.”

As she switched it back the channel.

‘This just in a massive breakout of Oni Lee and Hookwolf occurred an hour ago. Members of the ABB and E88 would strike at the same time being escorted to the bird cage. The death toll was of thirty three PRT was confirmed, at least fourteen civilians died in the crossfire, and at least three dozen injured. Capes involved are as followed Lung the leader of the ABB, E88 would send in-

The screen turned black instantly.

“I think you heard enough of that Johnny.”

“I am perfectly calm Sue… I am not yelling or cursing out randomly in a rage.” I was as calm as I could be… but God was I angry about this.

Sue looked at me with soft eyes and quick as a whip said, “Your doing that thing again where your hair and eyes light up with fire.”

God dammit. I focused my power and extinguished the flames.

Sue moved next to me wrapped an arm around me. “These things happen Johnny sometimes the bad guys get away. It’s not your fault.”

I held my head low, not really feeling any better about things.

“Hey come on I know what will cheer you up.” I felt defeated nothing could make it better and I just wanted to turn in for the night. I couldn't think of a single way to feel good right now.

“Sue nothing is going to cha-” She cut me off quickly with a response that I didn’t expect.

“You wanna hack into one of the spoiled bitches phones and get photos of their texts to build up an impossible to win case and ruin them.”

“… Yeah not gonna lie that would make me feel better.” I gave a small smile as my mood was somewhat lifted up.

Chapter Text

Contessa POV

It wasn’t often I felt I would have to get involved in an investigation such as this. Normally I would trust my power to show me the path to get what I wanted to know, this was unfortunately not so simple. The subject under investigation is Torchlight a rather new heroic vigilante that started his career on Monday.

He was a promising prospect a decently powerful youth who took on two of Brockton Bay’s most dangerous capes and won. That was not worth Cauldrons attention let alone mine, it wasn't even his healing abilities that prompted me coming to this city.

No rather it was the reports of the after affects of his healing capabilities that ensured my visit. The subtle changes left in parahumans after treatment, Number Man ran through the tests conducted on the members of the Protectorate and Wards finding that the apparent temporary boost wearing off did not result in a return to their standard performance.

Battery and Vista when compared prior to their encounter with Torchlight were still able to utilize their abilities at a faster rate than prior exposure granted it wasn't with the ease of which they initially displayed upon healing so at first it went unnoticed. Assault was easier to demonstrate as when absorbing the kinetic force of a punch upon redistributing it into a fairly weighted table what should have sent it slightly away from where it was placed it slid six to eight feet away.

Aegis however experienced the most significant changes however his body was slightly sturdier his strikes held a bit more power however it was his natural healing that was the greatest change of all of them.

Upon examination of Panacea she made a discovery within his body it was changing not in a way that indicates the mutation of a case fifty-three rather a genetic change that began to form in his body. To demonstrate the difference within Aegis's genetic structure a scalpel was used to his wrist. She didn't begin healing the damage initially as his wound began to already close, further explanations indicated an increased regeneration rate what should have take an hour to heal prior on its own would have taken by her estimation fifteen minutes.

This was a boon that had to be examined and investigated as Panacea's theory on the corona pollentia absorbing the energy given off of Torchlight indicated the possibility that he could potentially recharge a shard.

A parahuman that could both empower other parahuman’s seemingly permanently and restore the energy their shards required was impossible to just dismiss as irrelevant. The potential for strengthening our forces as well as restoring the power of heroes such as Eidolon and even giving more energy to Doormaker made him invaluable.

The issue was I couldn't path him, currently his identity was unknown and he had not been seen for days. Seemingly he took the advice of Assault and rested these past few days, it is Sunday today he was spotted standing on a four story building. Clairvoyant focusing on him in order to keep track of him for the duration of this test.

It is a rather simple test for the purpose of this test is simple see how his ability can affect Path to Victory. I ready myself standing in a fairly empty street just in sight of him and I begin.

“Door.”

Number Man stands there ready and waiting I stand perfectly still he raises the gun his aim is perfect. He shoots and I fall.

Johnny POV

You know before the big day of returning to school I decided to head out in costume patrol for bit fly a bit higher than usual… I’m a little confused on my life right now.

I talked to my sister we clear the air and now it’s… I just expected a bigger fallout that now easy resolution. A bit like tv where it’s overdramatic and messy but this was rough but it passed quickly and we understood one another.

So if things are going well, why do I feel like somethings off.

Maybe it’s because despite the messy start to school and everything it's because things are going too well. Sue said the tech store is opening on Monday and instead of just fixing electronics she’s using the the base design for my phone and computer to make our own phones and laptops to sell. Is it as good my personal stuff of course not but it looks like it's out of sci-fi so people should probably buy it. Sue said I was going to get money put in my savings because it's my design used.

So family stuff dealt with, school drama should be taken care of by the end of the week, and other than that break out things have been quiet nothing too crazy just normal unpowered criminals.

It bother’s me because things are going too well for me. I know it might just be because years of comic book reading and watching comic book movies may have made me a bit on edge. Maybe it's just in my head but I feel like something bad is bound to happen.

“Are you well Johnathan?”

I put cross my arms as I respond, “Yeah Al I’m fine why?”

“You have been standing on the edge of this building for over five minutes. You were going to jump off and fly at this height, beat your fear.”

“…Didn’t know it had been that long… I guess I just got a lot on my mind.”

“What's wrong?”

“I just feel like every time I’ve put on the suit something happens. I think I’m just waiting for something wild or unexpected to happen you know.”

“I’m sure just in your head most heroes out on patrol don't do nearly as much as the last few days. Coincidence at most I would say.”

“You know what you may be right Alfred.”

Then out of nowhere a gunshot sounded off people were screaming. I turned to my left and see a woman bleeding on the street…

“Or your wrong.”

“I’ll leave you to your duties sir, call me if you need assistance I’ll be looking parts you need in the in junkyard.”

Go figure he leaves the moment he gets contradicted.

I take a breath and jump off the building. The moment I my feet are off the roof I start to feel butterflies in my stomach, My head is a little lighter the fact I am looking down at the ground is making it worse… Maybe doing exposure therapy while a woman is bleeding out on the ground is admittedly a bad idea.

If I freeze she dies. I freeze she dies. If I freeze she dies

Like a mantra I repeat this phrase in my head knowing if I fuck it up someone else will pay for it. This helps me lock in and be brave when being forty feet off the ground, I flame on and fly on over to her dropping when I’m near her but not directly above.

It's this that actually helps me battle the fear as the drop allows me to get more comfortable with heights… honestly it make flying less scary as I’m basically training myself not to freak the fuck out when I’m eventually knocked out of the sky.

Why haven't I just gone to the top of a skyscraper and take the leap of faith and fly? Well two words… Victoria Dallon

Look were cool but it doesn't change the fact she made my anxiety worse when she knocked me into traffic.

I reach out to the woman healing her with my power. The color returns to her face her eyes open with an intensity that’s unexpected… fair enough I would be pissed too. Still I can't help but feel surprised at the reaction.

“Ma’am please take it easy. I’m going to get you help as quickly as I can. Someone call 911 now!”

I look in the direction the bullet fired in I see nothing. Raising a wall of fire I look around people are freaking out some people have calling the authorities. The woman reaches out to me I grab her hand but I also reach to grab a fedora that I’m pretty sure is hers. Pulling her up I place the hat on her head.

As I’m about to flame on to observe the street from above she reaches out and stops me.

“The next will be sometime in February between the 20-25 somewhere in Australia.”

What?

She didn’t even let me get a word in before continuing.

“I can't see further than that. Though their are still blind spots you included, this has greatly helped in preparation for the next one.”

She started dusting herself off before turning to me.

“We will definitely be keeping an eye on you Torchlight. Make sure you show up to participate in Australia.”

“I-“ She pressed her finger to my lips shushing me.

“I’m taking a risk with you. Trying to path you now is like similar to a few others I have tried and failed, look no matter what though just remember this, come when the sirens go off.”

“Lady I don't know what your talking about. I’m just trying to find the shooter right now.”

Just when I finally get a word in I feel something smack me in the right arm, the bicep specifically. It was like someone slapped me as hard as they could, I new that wasn't the case simply because of the next two hits I got. One hit me in the left of my shoulder blade the second hit the back of my right leg in the thigh.

Then I remembered one of my outings as a kid this happened early on. I was reckless and got shot for it but I was able to heal the damage with my healing factor. Realizing what was going on I flamed on, my body transformed it became too hot for ordinary bullets getting incinerated once the got too close.

“Run! Get to cover!”

I turn away to fly in the direction they came from searching for the shooters I got hit three times in quick succession, but I had more than three people to worry about.

It was E88 gangster’s shooting. It makes sense they would shoot me but for the life of me I couldn't think why they would shoot that sharply dressed woman. I mean I think she was white or could pass for white. So it doesn't make sense why they shot her.

Was she Jewish?

I decided it didn't matter. Look they are a group of Americans who have the gall to embrace the ideology of the main enemies of World War 2. If they want to bring back the values of the losers of yesterday fine, I’ll give them the beating their predecessors received until they realize how bad they fucked up.

The first guy I fly near I melt the gun. I don't blast it apart or incinerate it quickly. The burns they get from this will surely get them to rethink their life choices… or in failing to do that it's gonna make them think twice when shooting at me.

I flame off, I won’t need it for the the ordinary thugs. I punch the guy whose weapon I melted as he’s clutching his burned hand, I feel teeth come loose but I don't stop there. I grab his good hand and throw him at five guys who got a little to close together sending them tumbling down like bowling pins.

The other two guys who used rifles to snipe me switch to pistols raised at me. I go low spinning backwards until I’m about to face them again. As I hear the shots go off my leg as it sweeps towards them sends a wave of fire knocking them off their feet and burn them.

It occurs to me I could finish this very quickly without risking damage to myself fighting the way I am. However what does that do, how it challenge me to improve my skills if I rely on overpowering these guys. Its good practice and it lets me work off negative feelings a lot more when I’m in the thick of a fight beating their ass.

Also it's just fun… Like the Arkham trilogy plus origins of Batman games has the dark knight brutality cripple the criminals of Gotham. Enough to where some players get a little squeamish seeing him break bones and hospitalizing them. However in this moment I get it, lot of anger and he lets it out on the scum of Gotham.

I’m not gonna break and bones to where these guys need to live in the hospital for a year. Some burns, a few teeth lost every now and then, and some cuts hopefully that discourages these guys from acting up again. If not I’m more than willing to teach this lesson again. The five I knocked down earlier give up on the guns and charge me.

I chuckle a bit and smile to myself knowing it won't make a difference by the end.

I make four fire balls going around me. I make sure they have less burning power and focus on making them sturdier and I rush to meet them head on. The fire balls separate from me taking four of the guys on while one guy who looks like a picture perfect skin head gets all my attention. How fortunate for him I hope he appreciates what I do for him.

He over commits to a right hook as I side step left throwing my right knee into his stomach. He hunches over and I send a left cross at the side of his head, he was being sent toward the ground until I grabbed his wrist pulling him back till he’s back in front of me and I kick him in the face. I hear the breaking of his nose and he falls backwards unmoving, that one’s finished I restrain him with my fiery construct.

I move to two guys who ended up almost pressed against each other back to back. Trying to smack the fireballs they have no success being too slow. I decided to just finish these two quickly, while they are distracted I grab them by their faces and smack their heads together. Downed and then restrained as per the usual.

Two left, I send a fireball to each of them and decide to go for the one on the right and decide to get creative with it. I have the fireballs start hitting him up in the air as they travel faster he ends up ten feet in the air with me below them and recall those two back to pulling my fist back bending my and jumping up to meet him. I uppercut him in the stomach as I am seven feet off the ground.

Before I can even restrain him I see his body jerk and I recognize what's about to happen and jump back as he throws up.

“Gross, note to self don’t do that to a normal person again.”

Again restrain him, now for the last one I send all my fireballs at him he get’s pushed to  the edge all of them hitting him at different angles sometimes simultaneously. Then one of them sends him flying off the roof.

“Ahhhhhhhhh”

I have all the fireball’s fly past him and strike him in the back sending him flying to me. I catch him by the scruff of his shirt slam him in to the ground and punch him once to make sure its light’s out for him. Looking around I see the first guy who's teeth I knocked out still clutching his burned hand and I make my way over to him.

“All right start talking, what are you doing?”

He tried pulling a switch blade to stab me but I just pointed a finger sending enough fire to have the knife become superheated.

“Fuuccckkk!”

Yeah not a great plan. I kick him down sending him on his back placing one foot on his chest the other on his burnt hand, he let out a hiss of pain.

“I’ll clarify the lady why’d you shoot her?”

“Fuck you traitor.”

This shit again… I heat up the foot on his hand. It's not on fire but it's definitely not making the pain any better.

“Last chance why are you shooting random civilians.”

Finally he starts talking, “Didn’t shoot that lady, we were just after you.”

“I find that hard to believe, if you weren’t here to kill the lady and were after me then where's the cape. If you were after me why didn't you call in one of Empire’s parahuman’s?”

“We wanted the money we can't get it if we call in a cape… then they'll get to claim it.”

“What money?”

“The bounty, Empire put up fifty grand for your head after what you did.”

“That little spat. Surprised that Hookwolf got so scared he needed to put up money to have me get flatlined. Then again it's not like he could beat me, after the fight he put up it left a lot to be desired.”

He started chuckling.

“You stupid shit. Don’t you know who's city this is? It's not those chinks at the docks those meth heads in the outskirts, or the Protectorate and New Wave. It’s the Empire who run’s this city!”

He sneered at me before going on. I could do without the attitude but if it got him talking then I could put up with it.

“You fucked with the wrong people shit head. Kaiser himself put up the money, you come into any territory then your dead. You're fucked!”

In a monotone voice I replied, “How terrifying… Goodnight.”

I took my foot off his hand and kicked him in the face and restrained him.

Wow someone actually put money out to kill me… I think I might just be starting to have an impact.

“Well you certainly didn't behave as initially expected.”

I turn around and standing behind me is the sharply dressed lady in the Fedora. A new shirt and blazer making her look like she never got shot in the first place.

“Quite a bit of force don't you think? Wards wouldn't be allowed to fight like you did.”

I stare at her for a bit noting her expression it was curious but the thing that was most notable was her comfort seeing that last bit. I could already tell the moment I saw her again she was not a normal woman, she had powers but what kind I had no idea. I was thinking though from the nonchalant attitude she used when speaking about the situation she at the very least was used to violence.

“Yeah well I’m not a Ward for good reason.”

“Why is that exactly?”

“Look lady I’m more than happy to talk but this has just been questions from you non stop. If we are gonna keep talking how about you answer some of my questions, it’s a better way to ease the whole mysterious yet dangerous vibe you got going on here.”

She stayed silent for a moment before letting out a small smile.

“Oh I apologize if I gave you the impression of being dangerous, rather strange you would think that.”

“Yeah well given the fact you showed up out of thin air in fresh undamaged clothes tells me you are not normal. Our brief conversation from earlier doesn't help disprove otherwise, no random woman who gets shot speaks to the one who helps them quite like you did plus not that you made much sense to me. Plus you didn't deny that you were dangerous so go on tell me what you want from me?”

She pondered my words silently thinking carefully how to respond to me.

“I will be sure to note your perceptiveness. Very well you may call me Contessa, as for what I want is simply to speak to you. Learn who you are so that I can better understand how you will fit into the grand scheme of things by asking questions to get a firm grasp of your character. It would help me plot out the best possible path.”

The conversation still didn’t give me much but I was curious to see where things would go.

“Well I’ll answer the questions but just tell me this, what is it that your trying to do?”

With a straight face and no hesitation she stated, “Ensure the survival of the human race by any means necessary.”

Any means necessary, I didn't agree with that simply because you never know what someone means when they say that. That kind of thinking can go to a dark place very easily.

“Any chance you can expand on that point? I’m a guy who has moral boundaries with only a few I will cross under certain conditions and even then it would take a lot.”

At that Contessa gestures to the nazi’s on the ground and raises an eyebrow.

“Okay first off none of them are dead, second they're nazi’s, and third they think it's permissible to kill a person for money and probably kill people for being minorities or being Jewish. What does it matter if I leave them banged up, the pain will make them think twice before they try to commit a murder or an assault.”

“So you won't heal them.”

“Not at all. None of them are going to die they can heal at a normal rate and use that time to reflect on their life choices.”

“What if they were to say… repeat the offense?”

“Well I am more than willing to teach the lesson again until it sticks.”

I started playing with a little fireball in my hands shaping it until it came out smooth and about the size of a baseball and tossing it between my hands. I was still paying attention but the longer this went on I felt more at ease but I wanted something to do and this was it… also if necessary I could chuck the fireball at her head if things turned violent.

“Would you ever kill someone though if so what would it take.”

I thought about how I wanted to answer this. I knew the answer was yes but I needed to consider how to articulate myself, I’m not the kind of vigilante to kill every criminal that crosses my path and I don't want to be. At the same time I thought about where am I going to draw the line.

“I’d say yes but whilst I can't give a definite answer to what it would take as whatever situation I find myself would present it's own context and could affect my decision… If I had to give an example though where it is the life of an innocent person or a hero that is at stake with a villain or criminal threatening to take their life then I would say I would choose to kill if it meant preserving their life.”

“Okay how about this, If you to choose between the suffering of the few vs the long term survival of the many what would you do?”

I was confused as to what she meant, “Could you be more specific like what do you mean by that?”

“What I mean is could you do allow for a minor few to suffer or even cause the suffering of a few people if it meant the world would be saved.”

“No I wouldn’t, I would find another way.”

“What if there was no other way?”

“There is always another way you just have to find it. If there isn't then I will be the first in line to get hurt before others have to be sacrificed, hell I will make sure that I’m the last.”

I started spinning the fireball in one hand with ease feeling a little bored. I know what she wants to see where my boundaries are.

She stared at me with no particular expression, observing me patiently.

“What would you do then? Since your stance won’t budge, what would you do to save the world.”

“I guess it depends on the situation if it's something tricky I would study it and work to find a solution through science or engineering and if it is an S class threat or an Endbringer about to hit the final nail in our coffin… well I guess I’ll stop holding back.”

Her gaze sharpened on me as something in her posture changed as well and her lips formed an amused smirk, I had her attention and I wasn't sure if that was a good thing. I would of thought that she was looking into me because she found out I was more powerful than I let on through some parahuman ability, if that's not the case what got her so interested in me?

“How strong exactly do you think you are then?” From my memory of comics although it's not perfect clarity I can remember feats about what the Human Torch could do supernova is the easiest one but there are a few other things like blasting the silver surfer off his board, a dinosaur version of him beam struggled with Thor’s lightning, and he almost restored Galactus’ energy when he unleashed all his power. Galactus a guy who gets energy by eating planet’s.

So yeah I’m pretty strong but these feats would mean nothing to this lady because she has no context. I still wonder how I scale to Endbringer’s though no one knows where they came from but ever since the Simurgh showed up with her angelic it got me thinking that some kind of evil God had enough of humanity and wanted to wipe us out overtime. They could be creatures from hell to its a possibility if so then regardless of my abilities I will be in for a hard time fighting these monsters.

“Well if I’m being honest it doesn't matter what I say because I don't really think you will believe me. You would probably just right me off as some cocky teenager. I will say this though I have never actually been in a fight where I couldn't hold back, I have been sandbagging every fight and have yet to be in a battle where I had to cut loose.”

I waited for her response I expected laughter similar to how Sue reacted but then Contessa surprised me when suddenly after a brief pause she smiled.

“I believe you Torchlight.”

“You… you do?” She just nodded before asking a question.

“Would you mind a demonstration then?” I thought about what exactly was transpiring and I figured this woman was a thinker and knew that she posed no physical threat to me.

“Look you have to understand I can't just do that I’m still a pyrokinetic and it's dangerous for me to try and do that someone could get hurt.”

“You can fly can't you. Just go about thousand feet in the sky and do your biggest blast.”

I don't know what her power let her figure out but clearly she doesn't know everything about me considering that is not a safe distance.

“One I’m scared of heights an-”

She had a confused look on her face which was her biggest facial expression throughout our entire conversation. “Why? You can fly.”

“Look I get it you not the first just know I’m working on it okay. Second I haven't really had a good place to practice at full power so I’m a little worried about how good my control  would be. So a thousand feet may not be a safe enough distance if I don't have enough control.”

Then she paused for a second again and smiled “I think I have everything that I wanted and then some.”

“Can you at least answer some of my questions then like if it wasn't my strength that brought this attention what was it.”

“That was simple, the changes to the heroes you healed along with the temporary boost in power. They don't stay the same after you heal them.”

“Wait are they okay? Did they get sick or something?” I was worried about what I did was it a form of radiation poisoning I do kind of work like the sun. Oh God did I give them cancer.

“Nothing like that. You they just got a little stronger.” On one hand I was relieved on the other hand I wondered, just how the hell did I do that?

One thing at a time for now I had to ask a more relevant question at the moment.

“Are you like part of a secret group funded by the government?”

She paused for a moment but it wasn't like the other times she looked somewhat surprised.

“Why do you say that? More importantly where would you ever get that idea?”

“Your mysterious, well dressed, and seem like the type who has good connections. Also I’ve watched a lot of movies and read some comic books.”

I regretted that last bit as if she felt pressured to tell me more it immediately dissolved as she chuckled. So much for honesty being the best policy.

“Something like that… although something you said earlier sticks out to me. Do you also have a tinker specialty mixed in with your powers.”

“No I’m just pretty smart.” She did that thing to pause again briefly just looking confused. Seriously what exactly is her power cause she is clearly not reading my mind so what exactly is she doing?”

“Well I think that's enough for today I’ll be taking my leave. It was… interesting talking to you I don't usually have interactions like this.”

“Wait hold on what about the shooting? Who shot you?”

“Oh that a friend of mine did that, I asked him to.” WTF

“Why?”

“Well had to test if the rumors of your powers were true and it was a good way to get to meet you. Door.”

Behind her a portal opened she stepped backwards into it and tipped her hat to me.

“Goodbye.” Wordlessly I gave a wave still dumbstruck. The portal closed.

I was left wondering amongst the unconscious nazi’s if this woman was more of an Amanda Waller or a Nick Fury.

“I just hope whoever she is that she is one of the good guys.” I spoke aloud not expecting an answer. I thought on it for a bit before calling the authorities to pick up the nazi’s.

Hopefully this doesn't cause me any trouble down the road.

Contessa POV

“So did it go well? You seem pleased.”

“The rumors are true and more than that this new vigilante has more promise than expected.”

The number man turned to me questioningly.

“How so?”

“I was able to narrow down not only where the next Endbringer attack could be, it’s going to be Australia. But I was also able to gleam the possible time frame.”

“That's very promising, I’ll be sure to go over the calculations for the best targets then to prepare.”

“That's not all, the boy while I can't path him similar to those like Eidolon, the Endbringers, or Scion I can make a path and see what happens if I try including him and that does tell me something.”

“How so.”

“Think of it like seeing a stone ripple through the water when you toss it in a lake. I simulated an estimate of him based on what he has told me and ran a simulation during in a past Endbringer attack to determine his potential impact.”

“What occurred in it and how much did it change?”

“Everything.”

His eyebrow raised in curiosity.

“How powerful do you think he could be.”

“He may possibly be just behind Eidolon in his prime in terms of raw power at most. At least near Legend and Alexandria's level of power.”

We began walking downwards into the hallway of Cauldrons base.

“A new hero reaching the level of the Triumvirate, Doctor Mother will be pleased to hear it as will Alexandria. Tell me do you think he could he restore Eidolons power.”

Flexing my hand still feeling the lingering affects of his touch, I didn't try to path the answer for that at all. I could feel my power whisper to me yes, to make a path was unnecessary “Most definitely the next attack will certainly have David feeling stronger than he has been recently.”

“Anything else he can do?”

“He spoke in half truths he said he is not a tinker and when trying to make a path that had him build something it disappeared. I simulated him and his body language he wasn't lying but he definitely is able to do something as the affect on my path shows, but it is not clear.”

“How are you even able to get make like that.”

“Information freely given by him. If I know more I can make a better estimate of him the less I know then I will just get nothing at all. Even still though I am not given all the information just indication of a widespread effect.”

“Any proposal’s for the next meeting on what to do about him he is located in Brockton Bay, are we going to have to pull out Coil and conduct the experiment elsewhere?”

“I think it would be better to keep Coil where he is, the test will stand. Though Coil will also have to account for Torchlight and make sure he doesn't die in any big confrontations, the boy is too promising.”

“A reasonable request.”

“We could even have him gather more information via combat data of his abilities.”

“So we have Coil and his underlings observe him.”

I turned my head to meet the Number Man’s Eyes as we reached the end of the hallway.

“Information will help plot a better path and increase humanity's survival. Best to know the capabilities of each piece on the board available and use them appropriately to make the best plays possible.”

Chapter Text

I gotta say one thing I still enjoy in life is sleeping in resting a decent amount of time feeling cozy under my bedsheets. I’m so comfortable n this moment I don't want to get up. I’m in that state where you are just so comfortable where it feels like I will just slip away off to back to dream land…

It makes it all the more aggravatingly when the bucket of iced water gets poured on me.

“What the Fuck!”

Standing with an empty yet still dripping bucket. Huge smile on her face looking almost innocent when she is not.

“Gooood Moorrnning.”

“What did you do that for?!”

“You didn’t get up.” She replied nonchalantly.

“Alfred wakes me up.”

“Alfred woke you up last time, he said you asked for five more minutes. Then you went right back to sleep and were late for school, oh did you think I wouldn’t find out about that?”

I never did tell her I was late, damn I forgot Alfred doesn't lie to her. Okay fine that's on me, I guess I was just hoping that she wouldn't ask him. I guess giving him a body to walk around the house in makes engaging in conversation with him more inviting.

“Did you have to use a bucket of iced water to wake me up?”

“Consider it pay back for trying to hide shit from me and being late your first day. Now dry off, get dressed, and go down stairs to drink your shake and eat your eggs. Get it done fast too you said you would drive your friend to school.”

I let out a huff and got ready for school drying off the fastest way a person can do… or the fastest way I can do by briefly flaming on and changing into my clothes. Eating breakfast and ready to head out I stop when I see something that throws me off.

“Wait Sue what are you doing with Alfred?”

Standing together wearing shirts that say ‘Storm Tech Shack’ I did not pick this name.

“I’m assisting your sister today sir. She asked to lend a hand as currently her other co-workers are indisposed as of the moment.”

“Sue you still didn't tell me about this and I need Alfred to monitor the recording today to make sure the video on the three terrors gets edited in a timely manner so we can all be done with this shit.”

She paused looking at me deadpanned.

“Are you telling me that Alfred your AI companion/assistant cannot simultaneously operate his physical body while staying connected to our personal, a body that you yourself built.”

I paused at that, “I mean he can, it’s just… you just never asked.” My sister merely raised an eyebrow at that statement. I turned to Alfred to get his answer.

“What about you Alfred why did you agree to go?”

His holographic brow furrowed. “Well you did state my primary directive was to assist you and your sister in anyway. Furthermore I believe I could help your sister sell your computers and phones of which you will be receiving percentage of the sales. Some of which will go to your saving while your sister has stated that another portion of the money would be an allowance which could be used in any recreational activity but also invested in your more heroic endeavors.”

Okay knowing that I would get something out of this kinda makes up for the surprise.

“Well okay I guess it's fine.”

“Don't worry Johnny I’ll take good care of Alfred if anything happens you could still call him. It’ll be like when you were little and take that headset to school in order to talk to him when you felt lonely.”

“I was… you know what I’m just gonna take off know I’ll see you guys later goodbye.”

“Goodbye Sir.”

“Goodbye Johnny, have a good day at school!”

Driving up to Winslow I parked my bike in the student parking lot, I was a little concerned about leaving my bike there because compared to most people I had one of the nicer rides. Some people had their gang symbols painted on their cars one ABB kid had his spray painted on his car like graffiti on a wall.

“I still don't understand how Empire 88 and the ABB have this heavy of a presence at a high school.”

“Winslow is a breeding ground for new recruits. White kids join the Empire asian kids join the ABB, if you don't join those two then you fall into two groups he drug dealers selling product for the Merchants.”

“Doesn’t that just mean they are part of the Merchants?” I asked Taylor slightly confused.

“Well yes, but usually how it goes is they screw around with drugs, have fun, start selling, and before you know it they drop out of school entirely and join the merchants completely. Before that final step they aren't officially apart of the Merchants, honestly it's more helpful to the Merchant’s because it means they make more money selling product to teenagers and get a chance to get someone hooked on drugs to eventually replace he last dealer at school.”

“It's a fucked up cycle.” I said in disgust. I never got into drugs or any mind altering substances my mom told some stories of people she grew up with who’s lives were ruined as a result f drug use and addiction. Stayed away from that alcohol I stayed away from to for similar reasons, never was the type to take a drink from a friends bottle they managed to snag.

“You mentioned another group, is that the one we're in?”

“Yeah congratulations we are one of the kids who keeps their heads low. Unfortunately despite being the biggest group we are the one’s that are most affected by the actions of the other ones, plus we have to deal with the regular high school bullshit whilst trying to avoid getting caught in the crossfire of gang violence.”

“How the fuck do people still send their children here.” You would think that something would be done about this but no this place is what it is.

“Well this is mostly a gang school and even teenage gangsters have parents that want them in school, even if they probably won't be graduating. Not everyone can go to the nice schools.” Taylor shrugged. I didn't get anything beyond that and to fair it was probably an issue exasperated by the state of the city and multiple other problems that she and I don't know he full scope of. It still sucks.

We walked all the way to the front of the school some people looking our way. It didn't bother me so I kept moving, but then I noticed Taylor wasn't next to me anymore. Turning around I saw her a five steps behind me, I walked on over to her.

“What's up?”

She took a moment to breathe in and out before looking at me, she grabbed my sleeve and pulled me behind a nearby tree just out of sight of the other kids hanging by the entrance.

“I don't know if I can do this.”  Taylor blurts out.

“What do you mean, we have plan go to school get the footage and take them down. I brought my spy glasses you have the fake watch I gave you to record everything they say to you.”

“I know… but standing here in front of the school all those eyes on me…” She paused and shook a bit before sitting down by the tree knees pulled close to her chest.

“I don't think I’m ready for this. I’m not ready to go down these halls hearing other people giggling behind my back as I pass by, I’m not ready for Blackwell half assed apology after the multiple times I said something was wrong, and I’m not ready to have Emma try her latest prank on me.”

She looked so tired, I wanted to say it would be over soon enough after this was done that she would get the win she wanted and be free. I didn’t do that though, I thought what did she need right now. I wanted to be a good friend, but did that mean I push her to do this now or would I back off. What would I want if I put myself in her shoes and felt what she did? Asking myself that I had my answer.

Sitting down next to her by the tree I said my piece, “Okay that’s fine.” She looked at me with confused. “What are you doing?” I turned my head to look at her, “I'm sitting next to you, I thought it was obvious.”

She got a little red in the face and had a surprised expression. “No I mean why are you sitting here… you don't have stay here. You will just get into more trouble if you stick around here.”

I smiled at that. “You know the way I see it I could either be a good friend or a good student… If I have choose then I pick the one I’ll never regret.” I looked over to her waiting for her reply, she just stared.

We sat there for maybe about an hour. We didn't talk about anything we both said what we had to. I guess for Taylor she was trying to calm down, for me I figured I would just be there with her and make sure she wasn't alone that maybe having someone to stick by you when your feeling shitty would help the process and bounce back. At the very least it let's her know someone cares how she feels.

I dozed off at some point waking up to Taylor shaking my shoulder. Rubbing my eyes I looked at her to see what she had to say.

“I thought about walking off. I wanted to leave and not step foot back here. I was going to do that if you just did what I asked but you didn’t.” I shifted myself till I was facing her way. “I’m sensing there is a but.”

“You would be correct but you decided to stay and ruin it.” She said it in a toneless expression, I couldn't help but laugh. “Hahahahahaha! Guilty as charged.” She gave me a shy smile.

“I’m still scared to be honest that sick feeling in my stomach hasn't gone away. I don't want to afraid anymore I want be a brave. So I’m going back into this hellhole with this sick feeling in my gut my legs and arms sore from this exercise routine you helped give me, thanks for that by the way I’m sore all over now and I feel it every time I make a step.” She’s on a roll… but I sensed an opportunity at the end she got a bit snarky and I thought I would poke fun at that.

“You know some girls appreciate a guy leaving them a little sore, just saying?”

“T-T-T-They don’t appreciate feeling sore this way! Girls like it another way.” She stuttered a bit her face got red when she realized what she said.

“Is this you trying to tell me you would like for me to leave you sore that other way?”

She full on stops red in the face embarrassed like I hit the factory reset button, I try to keep the smile off my face and look as innocent as possible. Make it look like I don't know what I’m doing… I know exactly what I’m doing.

First life I would never do this because I looked average and when your average or worse ugly you get called a creep. I’m hot now (in more ways than one), when a hot person says stuff like this it's not creepy. Unless they tell you no then you have to stop then it can be creepy (unless there is some kind of I like you but I’ll never admit it aspect but let’s not get into it), my point is though the looks I have now actually changed how I was treated and the responses I got… sometimes.

Why only sometimes because I had the mind of teenager inside of a child, while fun the difference in maturity while impressive to adults and teachers growing up again didn't do the same for people of my age group.

I still wonder why I was initially given the body of a teenager by a random omnipotent being in the void if he was just gonna roll back the clock to start me off at six. At least I wasn't rolled back to infancy that would have been… weird and uncomfortable.

Taylor pressed a hand to my mouth holding it shut covering the smile on my face before continuing on with her cheeks still flushed red.

“I made a choice now I am going in there today despite how crappy I feel. I will not run away because he only thing that makes me feel more sick is the idea of losing to the trio again.” She lets out a breath and grab the hand holding my mouth closed and move it away slowly revealing a pleased smile.

“Well said, now let's go.”

I would like to say that after this declaration that we made are way into the school went about our day carrying out our plan. That it went exactly as expected with Taylors bullies unable to lay off when no one was looking. However life never goes as you plan it.

Before we could even enter plan changed almost as soon as I was reaching for my sunglasses.

“Hey you, new guy I got business with you.”

Turning around I see a group of teenage boys that at first seemed normal. Then I looked a little closer at their shared characteristics. Wearing predominantly white colors, little swastika’s, and one them had the number 88 over his heart on his black leather jacket. For fuck sake what do the Hitler youth want from me?

“Look if this is a recruitment pitch I’m gonna have to stop you right now. I’m not interested… okay goodbye.”

I grab Taylor's hand and start pulling her close to me and try to walk away.

“That's a shame but fortunately for you we didn't come here for that.” This fucking guy, with his close cut hair a face you that screamed I’m an asshole. I wanted to hit him the longer he smiled at me like we were buddies.

He put a hand on my shoulder stopping me, I do a head count six of them none of them are impressive. Realistically I could beat all of them but I may come off as superhuman outing myself as a cap, even worse my friend was right here and she could get hurt.

“Look we don't want any trouble, just let go on our way and we can all forget about this.”

“I don't have a problem with either you or the quiet girl. However if me my crew want to get in the good graces of the hot girls then this has to happen. I would especially like to at least get to second base with the hot red head watching over there.” He gestured to the entrance and there was Emma and a couple of her friends, she waved at us with an amused grin on her face. I barely had only one encounter with her but I found myself disliking her more and more as time went on.

I noticed that Sophia was surprisingly absent among them. Makes sense though she is black so I don't see her going near this crowd.

He stated the terms easily enough trying to sound ‘reasonable’ “Look you hang back here four eyes goes in alone and so long as you stay put we don't have to hurt you man. We don't like hurting one of own.”

“I’m not one of yours period!” I shouted back instantly, I turn over to Emma noting her clothes before speaking again. “I see you over there Emma, nice to see you took my advice and wore a shirt that isn’t so low cut. Shame you still whored yourself out to gang, was the ABB not hiring!”

A scowl quickly took formed on her face replacing her malicious grin as her face grew red with anger.

“Damn you really like doing things the hard way don’t you.” The guy in front of me reached out to grab the front of my shirt one other guy grabbed my left arm. I could see the way the wind was blowing and let go of Taylor quickly shoving her back as another another guy tackled into me trying to take me to the floor but I dug my feet into the ground sliding only a step before I really started to use strength to stop going any further.

“I’ll go! I’ll go! Just don’t hurt him please!” Taylor shouted out and suddenly guy with the 88 on his jacket pulled back and pulled his friends with him, I saw Emma and her friends walk back inside smiling as they heard Taylor’s proclamation. I moved to quickly Taylor hissing at her. “What the fuck are you doing? Don’t give into this it’s fine.” I grabbed her wrist

“It’s not fucking fine! They are going to hurt you because of me! Either that or I can be a good friend to you protect you the way you fucking did for me!”

We stood still staring I wasn't letting go but fuck was it frustrating to have my own words thrown right back at my face.

“Wow how fucking cute… Go on locker girl we’ll take the deal.” She flinched when he called her that. That guy with the jacket and punchable face was giving me justification to actually punch him the more he talked.

I didn't let go even as Taylor used her other hand to try and pry my fingers into letting go of her wrist, still staring at me as she tried. I wasn't letting go.

We haven't really been friends for long but from the time I spent I knew I liked having her as one. So that means she get’s the benefits of being my friend I stand by them, help them, if I make a promise to them I keep it, and I don’t abandon them ever. Especially hen she was loyal enough o throw herself under the bus for me that means something to a guy like me.

“Oh for fuck sake.” This one shaved his head bald white tank top black shorts and was taller than me by like two inches and rounder too. He came in pull me away but everything went to hell when Taylor reached for him.

“Please just let me-” The slap came out of nowhere. “Don't touch me you gross freak!” She spun around her glasses flying off her face to the ground five feet away from her. I heard the group of guys, they cried out ohhhhh and started laughing about it talking amongst themselves. Whatever they were saying I didn’t know because I couldn't comprehend it I was looking at Taylor as she started moving on the ground looking for her glasses.

I always ad a rule to follow, something I forced myself to bide by. You see I’ve always been naturally inclined to anger when I was a kid when I was really a kid I had a short fuse didn't take much sometimes I didn't have a good reason and lashed out anyways.

I got older learned to take a joke, let things go, not take things personally, and I even got so good people who tried to insult me in order to get a rise out of me got nothing. Except maybe insults right back since I learned how to talk shit right back, I would do that if I felt angry.

The point is I learned how to stay calm and I only ever fought if someone hit me. One thing that could never change was how I would react if someone spoke bad about a friend r family member, I’d get angry start yelling maybe even start a fight.

If someone had the audacity to strike them in front of me… I wouldn't fight how I would if it was just me being attacked.

I feel tension in my body taught like a bow string. It takes everything I have not to ignite but I manage only for one reason.

That is this, violence was my choice and it was happening regardless if I used my powers… but I would be channeling my heat to hit harder and move a ‘bit’ faster.

I go for the fat fuck who struck my friend a punch to the balls he keeled over. I didn't stop there I grabbing him by the back of his head and slammed him face first into the tree, his blood marked the tree and fell over twitching on the ground he is done. So naturally Hitler youth resumed attacking me.

One guy a bit shorter than me by three inches and slimmer than the rest reached. He wound up for a punch, I went low grabbing his right leg by the ankle and flipped him upside down his friends paused for a second. I grabbed the same ankle again looked at guy in the jacket into his eyes as I performed a take down you would see in the Batman Arkham games.

I twisted his ankle in outwards, the guy screams. The leader looks shaken, yes dude you fucked with the wrong guy all for the possibility of getting some. The reality is they probably wouldn't have even made it to first base.

A third guy charged into me hitting my shoulder and it actually felt painful but I didn't care I kicked out one of his legs to make him lose his footing. As I grab him by his face one guy jumps on my back and I feel pain again, I drove a knee into the guys face teeth flew out and I reached behind me grabbing the guy on back throwing him onto the ground.

I threw two punches at the kid on the ground cracking sounds came from where I stuck his face. Another one comes at me with a switchblade I side step him grabbing his wrist pulling his arm backwards and dislocated his arm and slammed him into the ground. Now one left and it was guy with the punchable face that I finally get to hit.

“Johnny look out!” It was Taylor calling out to me. Her face was red on the right side where she got hit. I looked over to the last guy after my mind fully processed what she said and I saw he pulled a gun out and is aiming it at me.

I know a bullet won't kill me. But it will out me as a cape if I heal from a bullet. My mind races through options of what I could do to make sure I don't get hit without using my powers or moving so inhumanly fast it gives me away. I finally come to the realization after evaluating my options… I got nothing… this is just going to happen now.

Suddenly though like a miracle a swarm of bees came and started stinging him in the face. He first shot misses cause his arm jerked upwards into the air.

The second shot was where any feeling of good luck disappeared because his aim was off and the gun pointed in Taylor’s direction randomly. I knew somehow she was gonna get shot if I didn't haul ass with her being ten feet away.

I moved faster than I was willing to do in the fight to make it. I jumped at her tackling her to the ground covering her with my body. I felt the bullet hit me in the back of my right side, fuck!

We landed on the ground and the first thing I did was look for the shooter he was on the ground as the swarm of bees kept stinging him. I tried to get to my feet and move away from Taylor or at least keep her from seeing my body heal from the bullet but her hand pressed on the spot on my back where the bullet hit.

That sudden bit of pain caused me to lose focus on that part keeping my body from healing. The area started glowing and the pain faded and I could see Taylor pull her hand away watching.

“Johnny…?”

“Just… please don’t?” She looked at me her mouth open in shock. “I’ll explain later just… not now.”

She nodded silently I pressed a hand to the part of my shirt where I got shot and blood soaked it, I burned away the blood leaving only a a hole where it hit me that could be explained as a minor tear in my clothing.

I noticed Taylor reaching to my shoulder and that's when I noticed a box cutter in my shoulder sticking out from the side. Ohh shit that's why I felt pain these guys were stabbing me, I could feel pain in my upper back on the left side something was there too. I saw people gathering at the windows now.

I stopped Taylor from getting closer to the box cutter.

“Stop right now.”

“You can heal. I just want.” It was a nice sentiment if nothing else but I couldn't let that happen. “People are watching us now. I can't have them see me heel I need to focus to keep that from happening.”

“Okay… and you’ll be okay.”

“Yeah I’ve had worse. I’ll explain more later okay, I promise.”

Sitting with Taylor in the Hospital was not a new experience although me being the one to be laid out on the hospital bed made for an interesting role reversal. Staring at me from next to my bedside was Taylor silent but I could feel the question radiating off her I decided to just rip the band aid off.

“Look if you have a question just ask away. The doctors left five minutes ago and despite them saying Panacea coming here early today on account of a big brawl downtown between E88 and the ABB I feel like we have a bit of time.”

“Your a parahuman.” A statement okay I guess we will be taking things slowly.

“Pretty much yeah I don't advertise it for a reason.”

“Are you the new cape Torchlight?” Bullseye, but why was she able to put it together so quickly.

The door was closed so I didn't mind summoning  a fireball in my hand.

“The answer is yes but I gotta ask why was your first guess the right one? What made you guess Torchlight?”

“I told you I was a cape geek when you told me about… well yourself the first thing I did was look up a video of you at the library on Friday one of the videos was you getter run over and glowing all over. I assumed that was the self healing you had mentioned, which when I looked at where you got shot that spot on your back glowed the same way.”

Deductive reasoning.

“Then there is the fact that you mentioned you could heal others and I’m pretty sure you did that to me when I was in the locker because…” She spoke quietly and I noted she was still troubled by it. All I did was raise my temperature to stop her from shivering but it could be possible I used it subconsciously as a way to help her as she was rather traumatized.

Wait it was a stressful event, clearly traumatic, that last guy was randomly… no not random purposely attacked by bees.

“Holy shit you triggered in the day we met and can control bee’s now.” I blurted it out not loudly but enough to stop her in from proceeding.

“Well… it's really just bugs in general but yeah, I did summon the bee’s. I guess it might have been too much to expect you to think the bee attack was random. I thought it might of slipped your mind on the way over since you were so quiet.” Got it right.

“I was quiet because I was focusing on not healing while they stitched up the stab wounds. I just now was able to give it some thought, it makes sense though more than me getting lucky enough for a bunch of bee’s to attack the jackass, and only him specifically. Good job by the way.”

She gave me a bashful smile. “Thanks.” Her face was red and was slightly swollen after getting slapped across the face by the big guy from earlier. I didn't like it so I decided fuck waiting for Panacea I’m right here no one is around to see.

“Come here for a second, I wanna fix that.” She came close but I shifted in bed sitting up to face her, reaching over my hand glowing I touched the side of her face. She eased into my hand as I let my powers do the work, when it was done her face was perfect like it never happened. “It feels a lot stronger than the first time I met you.”

Well that confirms my theory, I can subconsciously heal people to a lesser extent when not intending to. I didn't think she needed healing though I was just trying to comfort her. “How exactly did it affect you the first time just out of curiosity?”

“When I was in the locker after getting my powers it was hard to find my footing. I had an influx of information it was overloading my head. I couldn't even really see you you when I got out, I just remembered thinking I saw a little light shine at me. Then when you were carrying me I felt warm and my head cleared and it didn't hurt as much and it got better the longer you held me.”

I felt a little guilty despite being told I helped. Sue gave me shit for being late but this it was this that messed with me. If I woke up on time made it to school I could have had her out of there in a few minutes seconds, maybe I could have stopped that shit right in it's tracks.

“So where do we go from here Taylor? We both know each others secret.”

“I won’t tell anyone.”

“I know that but that’s not what I’m asking. I want to know what's the plan with you what are you going to do with your powers, If you want to do anything with it at all?”

She got quiet and looked down for a second. “I want to be a hero but I don’t want to join the Wards.”

“It’s not a bad thing, they come with a lot of benefits.” I say as someone not apart of the Wards.

She shot me a look with her eyebrow raised, “You didn’t join the Wards and you seem to have had your powers for a while. The benefits must not be great if you didn’t join.” Okay that’s… yeah I just walked right into that one.

I don’t want my friend to just go off on her own.

“Look I know you want to be a hero and I’m not going to stop you. However if your willing let me help you out here. I know a thing or two about powers and I can show you the ropes from my prior experience.”

“You started last week.”

“I started doing doing this with my costume last week but I have had outings prior to last week. Besides I stopped the Merchants from raiding a pharmacy, I beat Oni Lee, and I beat Hookwolf. My records pretty good plus I can teach you how to fight and further explore what you can do with your powers.”

She was contemplating it but if her expression was anything to go by then she was seriously considering it.

“Plus we could patrol together it'll be great and we can back each other up if anything goes wrong.” I smiled at her confidently. Internally I was thinking ‘please do it, please’. I didn't want my friend to get into something they couldn't handle.

“Okay, yeah okay let’s do it.” She stood up nodding her, yes. I got up from the bed hugging her spinning her around off her feet. “Johnny slow down, I said yes you don’t have to do this.” I was excited about it, I couldn't help it.

“We are going to have some of the best team ups I’m telling you.” I put her down and despite initial protests and being somewhat flustered she still had a smile on her face.

There was a knocking at the door I got back on the bed and Taylor got back in her seat. “Come in.” I called out.

In came a girl with red and white robes invoking the image of the red cross I assumed to be Panacea.

Walking over she asked me in a dead tone, “Are you the guy that got stabbed at Winslow.”

“That would be me.” I don’t want to sound ungrateful but her bedside manner could use some work.

“May I heal you.” I thought it was weird she would just ask that question and not just do it like I would but I decided not to question it. “Absolutely I’d love to be healed.” I smiled at her… my energy was not returned.

As she reached over and placed a hand on my arm I looked to Taylor. “I got a few ideas to run by you after we wrap up. You know despite how things not going how we planned I gotta say today turned out pretty good.”

As soon as I finished that Panacea's hand stop touching me. It was weird because I didn't feel the stab wounds heal. I saw Taylor look wide eyed and heard a thud she shot up to her feet and moved to the other side of my bed.

I looked at the floor to my left seeing Panacea her face no longer covered by her hood staring at the ceiling with a thousand yard stare. My first thought was not what happened or even to help which it should have been rather it was this.

That's Vicky’s sister, I almost forgot she said was a hero.