Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

New capes showed up in Brockton Bay semi regularly, either to try and make a name, or to escape. This time, it was different. This time it was a battle.

“Come on old man! I have better things to do than waltz, give me a samba, or something to really move to.” A rather brightly dressed woman teased, circling a man with greying hair, as he held a violin, playing it. 

She glided just over the ground, as if she was skating. The older man had a mask with no eye holes, as he continued to play. He turned to face the skating woman as she moved in, leaping to kick him, only for the man to lean back, narrowly dodging the kick.

Overhead, blasts of lightning were being launched at a blinding light. A woman with coppery wires ran along power lines, a pair of Tesla coils on her back glowing and arching electricity as she ran.

“Rhine, need a jolt?” The woman questioned, spinning a staff with Tesla coils on the end.

“Nah, Musi here’s just getting-“ the glittering mover narrowly dodged a blast of flames that came from the blinding light source.

The PRT deployed 5 heroes, Dauntless, Armsmaster Miss Militia, Assault and Battery to the scene. The fight was contained mostly, with the exception of the partially melted road, and a few cut telephone lines. 

“Assault, Battery, your going to deal with the mover, and the violinist. Containment foam grenades. Dauntless, similar approach to if it was Purity. Militia, we are to contain the electric tinker. Battery, once you have your target subdued, aid Militia and myself.” Armsmaster gave the plan.

Everyone nodded, they understood the mission and were getting ready to end this little fight. The back doors swung open and Assault and Battery ran out. Dauntless flew out, something he was getting better at, but still was needing to work on the take offs.

“Think this is a Cluster?” Miss Militia questioned.

“Unlikely.” Armsmaster shared his opinion of that likelihood.

Assault rushed the skater down, prepping a foam grenade, planning to speed ball the canister, when the Skater spotted him.

“Well, the red rusher himself? Care for a dance?” the sparkling dressed mover asked.

“I have a dance partner very much. Who’s your accomplishment?” Assault started the typical bantering he was used to dealing with.

“If only. I’ve been trying to get him to lighten up for years, but nope, can’t get the kid to,give me a spotlight either.” The mover moved so she was just ahead of Assault, skating backwards as she joined in the banter.

Assault attempted to pitch the Confoam grenade, however, the skating cape leapt over, spinning in the air, and skating away from the growing pile of foam.

The violinist changed his playing, giving three sharp pulls of the bow, and the glimmering mover attempted to dodge something, before a fourth pull disrupted the skater’s flow, making them seemingly trip up and roll to the ground.

Assault grabbed the arms of the skater and attempted to restrain her.

“My, my, you could have taken me out for dinner before you restrained me.” She teased.

Assault watched as Battery just walked up to the man, “Are you a villain?” She asked.

“Hardly.” The man didn’t stop playing.

“What’s your name?” Battery asked.

“Musician. The ball of light is Star Child, she’s my assistant.” Musician noted.

“Who are they?” Battery questioned, pointing at the captured air skater, and the tesla coil villain.

“Rhinestone and Surge Guard. Petty criminals who are a part of a group called the Union of Evil.” Musician explained.

“That’s a stupid name.” Battery stated, as she waved her hand in front of Musician’s mask.

“I can see you.” He noted, leaning back and dodging a bolt of lighting that flew between himself and Battery.

Armsmaster and Miss Militia were focusing their attention. Miss Militia fired beanbag rounds at the electrical villain, while Armsmaster used the chain and claw mod on his halberd to try and capture the villain. She moved with incredible speeds, seemingly able to flash from one roof to another.

Surge Guard ran along the wire, until she dropped, spinning up her staff, trails of electricity following behind the coil ends.

Assault prepared to catch the momentum and return it, only for the strike to land and his hole body contorted, as muscles fought to tighten up across his body. Surge Guard then grabbed Rhinestone, before they both vanished into a bolt of electricity that jumped and vanished into a powerline.

The bright light dimmed a bit, the heat fading as Star Child came to land, her body still glowing brightly. Armsmaster’s visor struggled to dim her shining form to see an outline.

“Musician, these are-” The girl said.

“I know Star. I know who they are.” Musician lowered his violin, setting it in a case that he slung over his back.

“Mind telling us where you came from? And who are you both?” Armsmaster questioned.

“I am Musician, this is Star Child. I am her guardian, and mentor.” Musician stated.

“We are heroes. We are chasing after the Union of Evil, the came here a few days ago. They slipped up, Surge Guard was isolated, we can take her on, but Rhinestone plays the disruptor role well on the team.” Star Child explained.

Armsmaster scanned the database for those names, finding no results to those names. They must be newer triggers. 

“Would you be willing to come to the PRT, we don’t have you in the database it seems. Brockton Bay is a bit dangerous for independents such as yourselves. The Gangs tend to force the conscription of individuals with powers if they don’t have some ties to other groups.” Armsmaster suggested.

Musician looked down at Star Child, who was maybe looking up at him.

“This was quite a display, hard to hide now.” Musician stated.

“Perhaps another time.” Star Child suggested.

“Yes. Another time. Another meeting.” Musician stated.

Star Child held the hands of Musician as she flew up and away. Dauntless landed and approached Armsmaster.

“I can tell you one thing. Whoever that girl is, they burn hot. I got a reading while she was in the air. She was burning close to 500 Degrees. We’re lucky she wasn’t on the ground.” Dauntless stated.

“Yes, but that does lead to a different question. Who exactly are they and what are they going to do in the city.” Armsmaster pondered.

— — — — —

Striking down with a power that could match Legend himself. A pillar of flame caught Leviathan. The massive Endbringer roared as the water around it flashboiled away from the intensity of the flames that came from the hands of Star Child. Her belt was damaged, and now she could barely limit the power of the fire she produced.

“In the meantime the heroes and villains came together again, watching with fear and hope as flames continued to burn into the second of the Endbringers. As the flames slowly died down, the bright beacon of light moved higher into the sky. There was a pause, the burned form of the Endbringer was still, just for a moment, cracks across the charred flesh of the monster.

“Blasters. If you have a high output blast that can do damage, get ready. If you can make a barrier, put them up.” Legend commanded, as he flew into the sky and charged up a blast, followed by a dozen other heroes and villains.

Leviathan broke free of its charred flesh, before the sky was suddenly cleared of clouds as a single large bell ring was heard. Up in a high tower, The Musician pulled and rang the bell a second time, before a large crashing gash opened on the ground and across the Endbringer, cutting through its 3 stacked eyes. 

“NOW!” Legend fired off his blast, followed by a dozen more. Barriers surrounded the Endbringer, penning it in, before the blasts came down on it from all directions.

The Endbringer cried out in pain once more, before it began to retreat towards the ocean once more. 

The capes watched as the monster fled, they had saved the city, at the cost of many.

“Taylor, can you come down here, supper is ready.” Danny called up the steps.

“Ok Dad, I’m coming.” Taylor shouted, as she saved the document, smiling and walked out of her room, down the stairs and into the kitchen, giving her dad a hug. Honestly, the advice to channel her frustration into writing was a good thing for Taylor, and it gave herself and her dad something to talk about.

Taylor was doing plenty of research into capes, and found a lot of interesting bits of information that weren’t widely known. She also had been able to get somewhat popular with a story she posted on PHO.

“The Princess and her knight” a story where she focused on the heir to an empire who became a cape, and her loyal guardian/mentor. 

Taylor was honestly feeling like she could do so much, besides, she liked hearing about the wacky old villains that were around before capes. The sheer absurdity of a billionaire being obsessed with a super powered man to the point of coming up with crazy plots was just hilarious. 

There were certainly stories products of their time, anything related to Wonder Woman had a bit of a sexist tone at times, but she kicked ass. Marvel and DC changed from writing about their own original capes, to making the adventures of the PRT heroes. Some details are changed from the official story in the news, but not too greatly.

Taylor did chuckle. Some ideas were just too ridiculous. An evil AI taking over the world after being copied from a super genius’s mind. Ultron was just too out there to be real in anyway.

Chapter Text

The Empire had caught an armored truck. Fenja and Menja knocked it over, while Victor unlocked the van. Near by, Alabaster was tossing an axe and catching it, while Cricket lazily spun her Kama on the chain. They had struck fast, knocking out the guards, so they had 1 minute for Victor to open the back up and start to unload the contents of the lock boxes before the Police and PRT were contacted.

“You see the rumor Purity’s teamed up with someone?” Cricket asked Alabaster.

“Oh shit. She’s still tryin ta play hero? What dumbass did she con into being her help?” Alabaster laughed.

“No clue. I think Kaiser is gonna have Vic try and find, send a message, Purity is still the Empire’s cape. She can deny it all she wants, but she is Empire.” Cricket answered the albino.

“Gonna be real fun for the guy who paired up. Kaiser will probably leave him crucified for coming near his wife.” Alabaster shook his head.

Victor got the door open and began to load duffle bags full of the contents after using a drill to bust the locks open quickly. The PRT arrived, and stepping out of the van was Miss Militia.

“Oh good, the Kurdish-bitch.” Alabaster grinned, as he got his hatchets ready.

However, before he could, a distinct ringing sang out, Cricket tensed up, and watched as the heads of the axes Alabaster carried fell off the handles, a clean cut. A man wearing a dress shirt, vest and dress pants stepped out. His mask lacked any eye holes and he held a violin, as if he was prepared to play.

“This is the PRT, you are under arrest.” A speaker voiced from one of the vans.

“You think you can stop us?” Fenja spoke, turning to charge the PRT’s position.

“Star. Light up.” the new individual ordered.

From the back of another van, a blinding light took to the air, slowly moving forward.

“Working with Purity now? The PRT must be desperate.” Menja scoffed.

Fenja lumbered forward, before a blast of flames shot out, it was blocked by the giantess’s shield, however, she winced as the shield she carried was severely burned, and the metal was glowing just from the short contact with the blast.

“I don’t think that’s Purity.” Victor now sounded worried, as he was carrying 3 duffle bags full of loot.

“Just means we can really lay into them now.” Cricket smiled, as she rushed Miss Militia and the other new cape.

Alabaster smiled, rushing the heroes as well. He was going to beat the new and-

Alabaster collapsed as his achilleas was cut smoothly, leading him to faceplanting onto the road. Crawling forward, he rushed to get up as he reset. Just as he got up to his feet to leap forward, his tendons were cut again. The new guy was playing his violin, the sound was decently loud, and a pair of PRT troopers with foamers on their backs were approaching Alabaster. With the next reset, he jumped to his feet, just for him to fall back again, his tendons being cut as he got his feet under him again. Cricket threw the weight on the end of the chain, planning on hitting the Troopers.

Miss Militia shot the weight with a beanbag round, before she turned to face Cricket. The Mover narrowly dodged the Blaster’s shots, trying to get closer. She narrowly avoided the slices of air that disrupted her own Sonar. The sound waves cutting through like knives, slow, and avoidable thanks to her agility.

“Cricket. Just back off. We are getting away.” Victor shouted, as Menja stabbed at the bright light’s source, attempting to swat away the glowing flyer. That only lead to a dodge and a punch that nearly made the spear tip burn, and did dent the spear head.

Fenja picked up Victor, and began to run, while Cricket jumped back several incredible lengths, Menja picking her up and running off a different direction.

“Star. Track Fenja. We can track Menja.” Miss Militia ordered, as her bike was pulled out of the van.

“Musician, keep an eye on Alabaster.” Miss Militia ordered, putting her helmet on and speeding away from the scene quickly.

The glowing light flew after the Giant, as she ran, lumbering footsteps slamming down onto the road. Star Child attempted to block the path by creating a wall of flames. Fenja dodged, until reaching a series of overpasses that Fenja shrank under and somehow vanished.

Star Child flew under the overpass, dimming her form being easily mistaken as Purity in that way as she was a glowing silhouette, being unable to find the Empire’s capes.

Returning to the initial fight, Alabaster was being bound and placed in the back of a holding van. Musician was leaning on the van, his instrument in it’s case.

“I lost track of them somehow at an overpass. They went under, never came out.” Star Child stated.

“Militia lost track of her group as well. They dipped and lost track in the towers. Empire probably arranged a quick evac.” One trooper explained, shaking his head.

“I’m glad we could aid you all.” The Musician stated

“We still got one. Better than if we got none.” Star Child pointed out.

“I’ll be back you dumb shits. The PRT can’t even keep Uber and Leet off the streets, what makes you think I’ll stay any longer than them?” Alabaster gloated.

Star Child’s fist began to radiate heat, before Musician placed his hand on her shoulder.

“Not the time. Not the place. Let’s go princess.” Musician whispered, but it was just loud enough that Alabaster heard.

— — — — —

“In order to keep you safe. We will need to keep you out of the reach of the villains. They would use you to legitimize themselves and try to regain the power and unity they once had. We are assigning you a guardian.” Arsenal stated.

Doors on the far side opened, and in walked the Musician, clicks sounding with each step before he looked down at the young girl. He knelt down, attempting to be eye level with her.

“You will be my protector?” Star Child asked.

“I am one of few who can go with you, and be unknown.” Musician gently bowed his head.

“To where will I be taken?” Star Child questioned.

“To the city of capes. To where much began, and much will end. You will be hidden there, and safe.” Dragon explained, she prepared a machine, one that was slowly powering up.

“The city is in ruins, I can not hide and go unnoticed.” Star Child protested.

“Not if it is from before your claim to the Empire’s throne was possible.” Arsenal stated.

The implications were clear. They were being sent back. Back before she had powers….before she was the Star Child, before she knew anything about herself.

“And how will we return?” Musician asked, knowing that she would ask.

“We will come and help you return.” Clock-doc smiled, as he began to activate the machine Dragon was slowly powering up.

The vortex opened and began to swirl. “The time is 2011, early in the year. You will be safer then, than now.” Arsenal stated.

Musician walked over to Arsenal.

“I am telling you this now. Do not disclose to my past self who she is, or when you are from. You can not disclose this to anyone. Keep her safe.” Arsenal quietly spoke to Musician, before a set of bags were handed over to Musician.

“Inside are the supplies you will need, money, fake ids, clothes, information that will get you a job, her in a school and events that will happen in the next year in the city. There is also a list that will tell you about the capes in the city at the time.” Dragon explained the contents of the suitcases as she handed them off to the pair.

Musician and Star Child approached the cortex, Star Child taking the hand of Musician, as they stepped back in time.”

“I still feel like it could have some better names.” Greg pointed out.

“It’s hard to come up with some good names nowadays. Half of the good ones are trademarked and I don’t want the idea of a descriptive like “Old Man” thrown in front of a name and that’s the idea of them being in the future. Or have it be like “Armsmaster 3”. I get that some capes retire their names. I read the dumb legal battle that Fjord, the Norwegian ship tinker, and Ford, the American car brand, had over name trademarks because they are pronounced the same.” Taylor complained to Greg.

“Ok, ok, I’ll relent. I’m not as much of an old comic nerd as you are.” Greg relented.

“Hey! Those comics were amazing. They had some staying power until basically the PRT and Protectorate formed. Then they started to phase out their original characters and started making the PRT comics.” Taylor explained.

“So why don’t you just use some of the names they used? Some of them must be good, right?” Greg asked.

“They literally got away with so many names. Most are just adjectives with “man” or “woman” sometimes it’s just an animal or how they look. It feels so uninspired at times. Besides, they still technically hold the copyright to them.” Taylor sighed.

She looked at Greg.

“The last bit of big Pre-Scion super hero media we got was the batman Animated series, it was pretty good, but it was overshadowed by Mouse Protector Power Hour, the show about the Wards that was voiced by the first Wards.” Taylor explained.

Chapter Text

Assault and Battery were shocked to find a trio of new Villains making a rather dramatic opening. 

The crack of the whip nearly threw Assault off guard as a woman in what looked like a snake skin body suit smirked.

“Come on, pretty boy. I want a sssssnack and you just look delectable.” She hissed

A man with scaly skin, flicked his tongue out, grabbing Battery as she attempted to strike with inhuman power. Battery paused as she was thrown back by the burly man, and barely paid attention to her. He wore only leather pants, not hiding the fact his power affected his appearance at all.

The last figure was hooded, wearing a golden mask of a feminine face. She stood still, watching the fight between the villains and heroes.

“Bal-Boa, Anna-conda. End thissssss petty dissssstraction, I wish to move on and make out pressssence known to the city.” The hooded figured hissed as they walked by the heroic duo. As Assault and Battery attempted to Blitz the pair, the froze under the gaze of the hooded figure, unmoving.

They continued on, reaching their destination, a bank.

The hooded figure entered first. Alarms were not raised as everyone froze as they saw the arrival of the costumed figures.

“Viper, how comessssssss the sssssysssssstemssssssss?” The Hooded leader spoke into the air.

“Under our control my missstressssssss.” It was spoken through a walkie talkie, held by Bal-Boa. 

“Excellent.” The Hooded figure stated. The Vault door opened and Bal-Boa began to load money into the duffle bags he carried. It was however at the same time that the soft notes of a Violin began to play.

“Shit, the local heroes are here. They…are holding back. Someone is coming.” Viper spoke through the walkie-talkie.

“It will not matter. Whoever they ssssssend will fail under my gaze.” The hooded figure spoke with anger. 

The robed figure approached the door, throwing it open and finding the sole individual approaching. 

“Foolish hero. Fall under my gaze!” The figure demanded. 

The man playing the violin however did not stop, he didn’t falter, he just kept approaching. The robed villain ripped off their cloak and revealed their hair had been turned to snakes, their body had snake-like scales in sporadic patches over their skin, and their legs fused together into a serpent tail. They wore what looked like Greek stylized battle armor.

She paused, before Anna-conda stepped out, pulling back her whip to strike the violinist, only for her swing to be short, as the whip was cut near the handle. 

“Surrender now, Serpents.” The hero demanded.

“We will never surrender to humanity! We are above them! We are the true masters of this world!” The Snake haired woman demanded.

She drew a sword and slithered forward with incredible speed, preparing to stab Musician, when with narrow dodge in the form of a spinning side step, the played a note, flourishing his instrument and sent a cut along the back of the Snake woman, cutting a few snake hairs off of her head.

With a hiss of pain, the Brute Bal-Boa arrived, carrying 4 bags of money like it was nothing. He tossed the bags down, and cracked his knuckles. 

“Little pathetic man. I will have you crushed in my grasp.” Bal-Boa stated.

He would have succeeded, if con-foam canisters didn’t land at his feet, spraying the material over his lower half, trapping him in place.

From the rooftops Miss Militia fired in an arch, to stay clear of the leader’s gaze that caught Assault and Battery off guard. 

Musician continued to play, using quick notes to create sound blades that acted almost like counter strikes. Bal-Boa was pulling at his legs, trying to get them free, with Anna-Conda grabbing the money and rushing to a vehicle. Two PRT troopers tried to corner and capture her, with quick jabs with her nails that pierced their clothing, much to their surprise, both doubled over in pain.

The fight continued for nearly 5 minutes, the Musician narrowly dodging attacks, as if he was aware of all the space around him, each step sounded with a distinct click, the swipe of his bow across the strings an attack that slashed and bashed the snake haired villainess. Bal-Boa was then able to finally break free of the Foam. The fact his lower legs were bloodied and muscle exposed made it clear how. 

As the 3 villains got close together, the leader pressed a symbol on her belt that glowed. The Musician paused, as they vanished.

The Protectorate ENE approached the mysterious Musician.

“Who were they?” A PRT strike captain asked.

“Serpant Society…at least 3 of them, likely 4, though he’s not a combatant in a physical sense.” Musician noted.

“You’re familiar with them?” Miss Militia questioned.

“In name and identity, the powers….not so much.” Musician noted.

“I take it you will inform us of them soon. New villains in the city can be dangerous if we are not prepared. Assault and Battery reported that they were unable to move after facing their leader. We have two troopers who are going to the hospital to be checked out.” The Captain stated.

“No not worry, The information will be passed to you as soon as I can have it found.” Musician stated, before he left the robbery scene.

— — — — —

Danny and Taylor were sitting in the livingroom, Taylor looking over her notes.

“You know kiddo- there are some good heroes back in the day that didn’t have powers, they were just smart. I mean, there’s Iron Man, Batman, the original Blue Beetle, the Avengers back in the day before heroes had Black Widow and Hawk eye, they didn’t have powers at all.” Danny commented.

“I know, but let’s face it, if they were real, Batman would be a combat Thinker, Iron man is a Tinker, and I think Blue beetle was somewhere between those two, so likely a Tinker too.” Taylor countered, “Besides, Black Widow and Hawkeye have too many inhuman feets to not end up with a brute rating, or moving impossibly fast and end up as Movers with their acrobatics.”

Danny rolled his eyes and smiled, seeing his daughter jot down notes.

“What are you working on now?” Danny questioned.

“I think I’m making a big rival for Star Child. She’s supposed to be this power house of physical abilities. So what’s the best counter for that?” Taylor asked.

“A monstrous enemy that can handle whatever she throws at them? Or maybe a billionaire that thinks they can find their weakness?” Danny chuckled at his examples.

“I mean, sure, but I was thinking of someone who can influence others. A Mastermind with his cabal of minions.” Taylor dramatically spoke.

“Sounds like you want this to be difficult.” Danny leaned forward.

“I mean…What’s the point of a hero without a good villain? And besides, what could anyone do to Star Child?” Taylor asked.

Danny looked over the small 3 ring binder that held the first draft of Taylor’s story that she printed out.

Danny opened it, 

Tragic Origins

Ellisburg, the Kingdom of Goblins, was threatening War. Once more an uneasy peace at risk, one that would lead to great suffering. Heroes prepared, an elite strike team made to drive deep into the lines of the Nilbog’s forces and decapitate the king, or force a surrender. Flying in, they were met by the creations of Nilbog. With a loud clap of his hands, Shadow Song created a thunderous wave that blew through the flying monsters.

“Keep us steady. We capture their king, we can end this before it begins.” The Prince spoke.

This was a team known for doing what was difficult, a mix of powerful capes who came together to defeat threats, they had been able to crush the Eagleton Machine swarm years back. And now they were going to ensure a peace stood with the Goblin King. It was known some women had been kidnapped and taken into the walled off city, made into monsters for the Goblin king.

As the team hovered over the castle Gob, they leapt down, landing on the roof. Axis changed the direction of gravity on the monsters protecting the roof. Breaching the door, they made their way into the grand hall, only to hear the cry of a baby.

“Oh, you have come. My sweet princess was just born. A child born from such a pure mother, it is only fair that her light would shine upon the world.” Nilbog ran a finger along the baby in his arms, it was swaddled in a discolored white rag, made from not a blanket, but a cape, or possibly a costume.

“We’ve come to stop this war from happening.” The Prince announced.

“My fair visitor. I am not going to war. I am simply gifting my little Princess whatever Princess desires, a Kingdom that will give her all the adoration she desires. No more walls. She will be able to look out and see all she owns.” Nilbog stood up, walking to a crib that looked to be made from junk.

“Then you seem to have chosen to have your reign cut short.” Shadow Song announced, as he clapped his hands, creating a shock wave that launched the table up and at the Goblin King. 

A Battle began, one that threw powerful shakers, strikers, movers and brutes against the Goblin King and his army. The Goblin army however became wild as something changed. The Goblins died off as Nipbog was defeated, but by a known hero, but a new one who was created in the conflict.

Near the Ruins of Ellisburg, a lone hero wandered out of the burned city, his face scared, navigating by clicking his tongue, stumbling as he tried to navigate the wasteland. In his arms, the form of an infant glowed.

“Where did you find them? What happened to your team? What happened in Ellisburg?”

“It…it was the child…I just saw a light….I can’t see anything.” Shadow Song muttered.

The glowing baby was taken from his arms, the fires burned bright in Ellisburg. The Sun had set on the Goblin’s kingdom and Ambitions. Maybe a new dawn had come, starting an era yet unknown to those who witnessed the beginning.

She really needed to work on the pacing of this. I’m glad she’s integrating this story into her newer stories.

Chapter Text

Glory Girl saw the bright luminous figure over the city, the fact they hovered over the docks made her certain that it may be the Empire's flying artillery. She hoped that she could catch the villain off guard. Glory Girl flew in low, before coming up from directly under the luminous villain. Before she could get within 10 feet, she felt the heat, felt the wind generating not from nature, but from the figure.

Glory Girl was held back, before the glowing figure seemed to notice the young hero.

"Hello." They said, a girl's voice clearly cutting through the howling wind, though slightly distorted in a way.

Victoria raised a hand, trying to block out the bright illumination that emanated from the figure.

"You're not Purity, are you?" Victoria asked a very stupid question, realizing it only after she asked.

"No. I am Star Child." the figure stated.

Victoria, still being blinded by the immense light originating from the floating person, had never heard of this individual…no…that name sounded familiar.

"Can you dim the lights. It's like I'm looking at the sun." Victoria requested.

The immense light, heat and wind died down slowly.

"Sorry. I just needed to burn off some energy. Had to keep the restrictor on higher than normal recently." Star Child's voice was less distorted now. Victoria still couldn't make any details out, but it was just slightly irritating to look at her, going from a sun to a fluorescent light pointed at her.

"So you're just hanging over the Docks, glowing light a beacon. I would say that makes you look like a villain in the city. Plus I doubt the local rage dragon would be happy to have you around." Victoria stated.

"I am aware of the dangers, but…well, a star is an accurate estimation of what I am. I go above 5 percent and I'm melting the streets just by walking. Just…getting a survey of the city…it's…hard to imagine it from this perspective." Star Child noted.

Victoria reached a hand out, feeling the head radiating off her body, she didn't want to test if her force field really worked with super hot objects.

"Well, Brockton Bay certainly has it's ups and downs. I would ask if you're thinking of joining the PRT." Victoria asked.

"I'm no villain. I am here to stop villains. Just…kind of hard when most of my abilities are very dangerous to use." Star Child nervously chuckled.

"You just have to be creative. Sure, it's not as straightforward as mine, but I'm sure you can find a way to use your powers." Victoria suggested.

"Other than bands of fire, heat, and the occasional EMP from getting too close, it's kind of hard. Sometimes it's just hard to come up with ways to use your abilities." Star Child sounded a bit disappointed.

Victoria looked down at the city, before Star Child sighed. It sounded like it was a tired, carrying a lot of weight and a lot of secrets. It reminded Vicky of how Amy would sigh actually.

"I know heroism is an unending battle, but…I am scared of what it will be like, if I do act. If I were to challenge someone like Lung…how many people would be hurt if we fought." Star Child spoke softly.

"Setting the bar pretty high." Victoria told Star Child.

"Not much lower I can go. If I wanted, I could burn a city down…The only things stopping me from going Nova is this belt…keeps my energy output to a fraction of what it is." Star Child noted.

"Star. When I first got my powers. I broke a lot of things. Mom was trying her best; I had to use Styrofoam cups and plates for nearly a month before I was allowed near the plastic cups. Mom didn't trust me a bit with dishes. My Uncle is pretty strong, he helped me get everything under control. There are slip ups, and I have my temper which…doesn't help when it comes up. But what's a girl gonna do. Sometimes you just have to rely on the good old bitch slap." Victoria joked, holding up her hand.

"Small problem. A love tap from me is still gonna burn, and probably will break a few bones." Star sounded disappointed, opening and closing a fist as they small arcs of flame slowly moved between her fingers across her arm.

"Maybe we can go to the PRT and train together. I can usually take a good hit, just promise me to use one percent of your power and go easy. I'd hate to have to call Amy over and have her fix me up for being stupid on my own time." Victoria joked.

"I can certainly try not to hurt you. Just…maybe have her ready, to be safe." Star Child cautioned .

Victoria gave the glowing girl a small wave, and a smile. Victoria was going to help her, after all, its what heroes do, besides, maybe she would lose the title of 'Collateral damage barbie' if Star Child got some practice. Totally not selfish reasons at all.

"You want to know something kind of…secret?" Star Child asked as she flew close to Vicky.

"What's that?" Victoria was always willing to listen to gossip.

"I'm…kind of in hiding. Not from around here. Got some villains who came a long ways to try and get me. Drag me back to a bastard who claims to be my father. Wants me to continue his legacy." Star Child shared.

"Oh shit? Really? Why not go to the PRT, they could help you? Is the guy wanted?" Vicky asked.

"A bit more complicated then that. Kind of hard to arrest someone who I've only met once, and he wore a mask. My dad knows more…but he isn't sharing. Besides…I haven't been born yet." Star admitted, in an offhand manner.

"WAIT WHAT?!" Vicky shouted

— — — — —

Taylor looked down at the paper. She wanted to make…it wasn't a villain, not in a conventional sense. They were a hero in a similar spirit to Robin Hood. Taylor paused…Robin Hood was actually closer to a villain of his own goal now that she thought about it from a literary and historical context. Prince John was never meant to be a king cause his father prepared his brother for the role, his brother went on crusade and ended up getting captured and placed for a ransom, thus the taxes.

Taylor remembered her mother going on a small rant about how Robin Hood was arguably delaying the return of Richard by stealing the taxes that were raised to pay the ransom.

Taylor paused….actually that would be a good model for the character's morality. The idea of 'good with a cause but with flaws' was actually interesting to try and figure out. Taylor continued to tap the tip of the pencil on the paper, looking at the idea.

"Maybe the power first." Taylor noted, as she wrote down the word 'power(s)'. She had made generally powerful individuals. Star Child the standard 'Breaker + some'. Musician was a Shaker Blaster combo. She didn't really want to try and make a Thinker….she was going to try for a Tinker, maybe she'd add in a the minor Brute and Mover 1-2 rating so they can do more than what should be possible normally, nothing absurd, just better than anyone could normally with a bit more ease.

Taylor started simple. A combat Thinker would be fun, and she decided one who broke the rules just slightly. Tapping the pencil to the page, she smiled, drawing a 6 cylinder revolver chamber. Miss Militia used a gun, there were a few others who used a gun, so it wasn't out of place, right?

Taylor marked a small note 'Ammunition Tinker'. Maybe she could do a western themed hero. The duster, a wide hat, maybe a bandana to cover his face. A revolver would be pretty good for a side arm, maybe a large knife.

What would she name them? The last few names were kind of on the nose with their themes. Setting the pencil down, Taylor would come back to the character, hopefully. She had a few half completed characters, a Ronin who could manifest elements with his sword styles, a Changer/Master who was basically a hybrid of Crawler and Breed of the 9, that character got way too close to being added to her stories before it was pointed out, there was even a crazy idea, an A.I Tinker, that would just be plain silly.

Taylor heard her dad downstairs. Closing her notebook and walking down stairs, she smiled.

"Hey my little author. How's it going?" Danny smiled.

"Fine. I had this idea for a character. I guess it's starting to slip into a western theme. He's a Tinker though." Taylor explained.

"Tinker huh? Seems an interesting combo. What's he building?" Danny asked.

"Bullets mostly." Taylor answered.

"Hmmm, I thought guns were a taboo in Cape society." Her dad joked.

"They are, but there are some exceptions, mostly if it's power related. Besides, it's Lethal weapons more, at least that's why I can tell by PHO posts about the rules." Taylor explained.

Danny nodded, before he took a piece of paper out of his pocket, handing it back to his daughter. Taylor took it, a bit embarrassed, "Thanks for that back. Everything worked?" Taylor asked.

"Yeah, little bit of improvisation but it worked mostly how you said it would. I do have to ask, why did they mostly succeed?" Danny asked, a bit worried.

"They did? Oh…I didn't plan for that, There wasn't a plan for their success." Taylor sounded worried.

Danny's smile slowly faded. "It's a mistake, but we can work to get better. Anyways. How's your chapter coming along?" Danny changed the subject from a sour one to an entertaining one.

"Fine. I think I need to work a bit on the middle scene, it's feeling a bit weak. I think I'll put it on hold for a bit, Star Child and Musician's disappearance could actually shake up the villain's plans as well. Maybe I can have an assault on the base of the heroes. Really show how dangerous some of the villains are." Taylor suggested.

"It never hurt to flesh out the antagonist; just remember, you made the big bad a Mastermind." Danny teased.

"And a master mind is always 2 steps ahead of his logical enemies." Taylor responded.