1.2
NOTE: OLD VERSION OF CHAPTER
The next day
I waited on the couch watching the news. Apparently today was the day I go out to the Power Testing Center, or PTC, for learning what exactly my powers are under the supervision of Protectorate Heroes. Just last night I managed to meet my other new teammates as well.
Carlos Mendez, cape name Aegis, was the leader of the Wards and looked the part, carrying himself with charisma and having the physique to boot. His power was the ability to heal any vital organ on the fly as well as flight. He seemed like a very cool guy from my experience meeting him late at night before I went to my newly made bed.
Dennis Cook, cape name Clockblocker. He had the power of stopping objects or people in place anywhere from thirty seconds to ten minutes., freezing them in time. Loved to hang out with Chris and kinda acts like the class clown. Though that maybe due to working overtime on his patrols and only having more shifts to come.
Dean Stansfield, cape name Gallant. Now, he looks like the typical handsome pretty boy jock you'd see in high school rom-coms. He seemed like a genuine guy. I heard his powers allowed him to fire energy blasts to alter emotions, and he can sense emotions too from what I hear. Maybe he sensed my joy and enthusiasm.
Brendan Browner, cape name Browbeat. Now unlike the other Wards he was...very quiet. Shy even. He said only a few words and only spoke when spoken too. When some of us were channel surfing, looking for something we could all agree on we stumbled on an anatomy documentary and he just went off. He explained in vivid detail how the human brain would react to different stimuli as if he was an eccentric college professor. Then he went quiet again. Weird, but seems nice. Apparently his powers has short range telekinesis and biokinesis, specializing in healing and strength augmentation.
And then there was the missing member of the Wards, I'd only heard of her. Alot of the Wards didn't seem broken up that she was gone, almost relieved really. Missy tried to throw in a kind word or two but even I, with my abyssal social skills could tell it was kinda forced. Dean cracked jokes about her going off to crack the whip on bad guys and stealing children away to give them nightmares.
From that alone, I was more than aware that she was not exactly loved by her teammates. Tolerated in most instances and respected in a select few (Missy). But that was about it.
Turns out Shadow Stalker wasn't liked due to her brash and domineering personality, plus she was ruthless in her heroism. She used lethal bolts before she joined the Wards, now she was restricted to tranquilizers but that didn't stop her from laying down the hurt on the criminals she got her hands on. She supposedly ruptured one guy's spleen with a kick, and that was after she'd broken both his knees. In any case, if word of mouth rings true, I'm glad to have not met this person. And I realized why everyone was warming up to me so fast. Shadow Stalker goes out and disappears, and then I come around as a surprise replacement. It must have felt like Christmas came early for them.
I talked to Miss Militia about it on my phone before I went to sleep and she said that Shadow Stalker was taken for a special assignment of some kind. Couldn't say what else.
Anyways, today was the day I would be tested on my powers and what they are. And hopefully, (finally) come up with a cape name for myself!
The sound of the door opening made me turn my head and there standing in dark green army fatigues and her American Flag scarf is Miss Militia.
"Afternoon Taylor." Miss Militia waved. I stood up and walked over to her before he could say anything else.
"I'm ready to go!" I chirped. There was a strange crinkle at the edge of her eyes that I recognized as a smile but seemed incredulous more than amused. Guess my excitement was just shining through.
"Right then." She chuckled. "Come on. Some of the others should be there by now." She turned.
"Bye Taylor!" Missy called out, a backpack slung over her shoulder. She'd be heading out to school today.
I waved back smiling before hurrying to follow Miss Militia.
Soon enough, we were on a helicopter. I kinda freaked out. I was getting on a helicopter!!!
After I was done doing little dances in my head and pinching myself for the upteenth time to make sure it was real, we were strapped in, flying out across the bay towards the repurposed oil rig that was the second Protectorate Headquarters here. Guess it would make sense to test a Pyro power out in the middle of an ocean. Less potential damage that way.
A hand waved infront of my face, drawing my eyes away from the ocean below towards Miss Militia.
"Here." I heard her shout before she handed me a tablet she was carrying. "Go to the pictures. It's pictures we collected from Winslow when you triggered. It should give you an understanding of your power in some respects."
I took it and held it, going to the pictures and going to the album labeled: "Winslow Fire Trigger". I saw pics and zoomed in on one as we slowly began to land on the platform. My eyes widened. What...is that?
"Wait…" I had to shout to be heard over the sound of the engine. "What is-"
"A statue of ash apparently." Miss Militia commented. "You recall making that at all?"
"Not really. I just wanted to get out and…" I paused. Even though I felt that I can trust Miss Militia, talking on that event wasn't easy.
"I understand hun. But, it does give us some input to your power." The helicopter blades began to slow down and she didn't need to yell. "If I were to guess right, you are probably a Master, and due to the fire that erupted, a Blaster as well. But we'll know for sure soon." She smiled. "That's what the testing is for right?"
A Master and a Blaster...so I can cause massive collateral damage and summon freaky looking gangly-armed statues of ash. Not exactly heroic…
The helicopter started to touch down before I looked up from the tablet and the pictures therein.
Before us were several individuals and I gasped as I saw one in particular. That's him!
Dressed in navy blue armor and a halberd strapped to his back, his helmet blocking the top half of his face. Armsmaster stood there, arms crossed.
We stepped off. Miss Militia grabbed my head and kept me ducked down to avoid the rotor blades. Frankly, I felt she was holding me *up* If it were up to me I'd practically be crawling away from this thing.
"Miss Hebert?" He asked as we got to speaking distance. looking down at me with a monotone voice.
"T-That's me…" Oh gosh. I'm meeting the leader of the Brockton Bay Protectorate! I had him on my underwear when I was a kid!!! This is way too surreal right now.
"Right. Do you need anything to drink before we begin?" He asked as he turned, walking beside me and miss militia to step off the helipad and deeper into the rigg.
"No, I hydrated this-"
"Good. Then we can begin immediately. Miss Militia, escort her to the test site."
Well that was brief! I looked up at the dark skinned woman.
"He's always like that. Don't mind him." Miss Militia patted my shoulder in assurance. "Not exactly how you imagined him eh hun?"
"Not really…" I thought he would be more like Miss Militia.
"Its no big deal hun. Just the fact that you managed to drag him out of his Lab shows that he likes you already." She assured with her smile.
"Really?"
"Oh yeah. Last Ward he came out to see for himself was Kid Win. Come on, lets head to the site." We began walking a separate route from the direction Armsmaster and several men in white labcoats walked. We were heading down via stairs. I sort of felt...alienated in a sense. It was strange to feel that just because I wasn't gonna be able to show my power to Armsmaster in person. Then again, my power did burn down an entire school so they're taking precautions. After several long hallways and turns, we appeared before a large door.
"The testing area is right there. I'll be up with Armsmaster and the analytics. The testing area is fully mic'ed, so just say anything and we can reply back."
I nodded and took a deep breath. "Got it…" Miss Militia gave me another shoulder squeeze.
"Knock em dead Taylor." And she walked off, heading to a nearby elevator. I turned towards the door and took a sigh. No pressure. Take it easy.
The door opened up automatically to me and I walked through.
The testing area before me was a mix of metal floors and dirt, along with several boulders and scarecrows and humanoid mannequins scattered through out. I noticed cameras at every corner of the room, along with speakers.
I kept walking till I got to the center of the room, turning around and seeing a long window. Must be where the heroes are.
"Whenever you're ready." Miss Militia's voice came over the speaker. I took a deep breath and turned face towards them.
Let's see...how to summon statues and make a lot of fire…
"Question?" I raised my hand.
"Yes Taylor?" Miss Militia replied over the speaker.
"Ummm...how does a Parahuman use their powers. Like, do they just mentally-"
"A parahuman is capable of bringing out their power in various ways." Armsmaster interrupted, jumping the gun. "You can either remember emotions relating to your trigger event, or mentally conjure a picture. Miss Militia for example, started out by recalling the weapon she was most familiar with, and then integrating others. Her power works off of memory. Vista however, works as simply as if she were picking up a hammer, or any tool. She simply has other means available to her brain that lets her spread or shorten distance. Velocity, at first, worked off of emotion. The need to be faster, to escape even. With practice he no longer needs such an emotion. But it was his key to open the door if you will. Hmm...according to Miss Militia's report, you have a high probability to fall under a Master and Blaster categories, what with the ash statues and igniting the fire. Try to imagine that, or utilize your emotions."
Utilize. He was talking as if my emotions were just things I could turn on and off at a whim. I frowned a bit and held my hands out. To summon those statues…
"Arise statues!" I snapped my fingers. Nothing. I keep imaging the image of those things. Long gangly inhuman arms, wiry hair, no face, upper body only…
"Shazam?" I lashed my arms out.
"Uhhh...Taylor?"
"Abracadabra?"
Okay, nothing still. Oh god that was so embarrassing!
"Hun, relax." I heard her laugh before she spoke again. "Everyone does something silly during the test. You're not the first and certainly not the last."
I looked up at the window and nodded. Having her around is a major help for this.
"Use your emotions. It's clear your other methods are inefficient." Armsmaster droned over the speaker.
Thanks for speaking the obvious. I rolled my eyes and closed them, standing still. Remember...use emotions…
Half of me...most of me really didn't want to remember...but I pushed on anyway…
It didn't take much effort to recall it really...the stares and hushed whispers of students talking behind my back. The hurtful words, the smiles of satisfaction as barb after barb was thrown in my face...I remembered the predatory visages of the trio.
Madison's words...
Sophia throwing me to the ground…
Emma's fucking smile...
"Taylor, your hands!" Miss Militia's voice came and I snapped them open.
My hands were glowing orange and my eyes were wide. My mouth was agape.
"Uhh...I...Umm...help?" I could feel a light heat radiating from them.
"Keep doing whatever it is you're doing." Armsmaster demanded. There was a grunt, and I could imagine someone said something when he spoke again. "Don't worry we're right here ready to step in should it be necessary.
I caused the fire that burned down Winslow, so...try to imagine fire?
No no...Imagining didn't work I had to use emotions.
Ok Taylor time to feel...or something.
I closed my eyes, trying to think.
"Taylor!" My eyes snapped open at Miss Militia's bark, and I looked down at my hands again.
I jumped and tried to shake out my hands in pure reflex seeing as they were now on FIRE…
But…
No pain! I didn't feel the scalding burn of fire on my hands, even as I heard the cackle of the flames. Seemed like the others took notice too.
"I'm okay!" I called out, waving towards the window with flame wreathed fingers
"We know. We have a tracker on you monitoring your status." Armsmaster said. I jumped and looked around, trying to see where and how he tracked me.
I was greeted by a tiny mechanical drone flying up near my eye, about the size of a roll of quarters. Or a stick of lipstick. It zipped away and I flinched as I felt something land on my back. When had he gotten it on me? When we were walking together? The helicopter?
I gave the window a look and looked at the floor.
I remembered the school again, felt the pain and the anger and the sadness bubble up inside…
And the sound of fire cracking made me look at my hands, and in my hands were two small balls of fire. I could even grab it and felt it...the fire felt like nothing, as if I was grabbing a balloon or touching a thin soap bubble. I turned to see one of the training dummies and raised my hands…
And my two fireballs sped out and struck the scarecrow with the speed of a thrown baseball, maybe even faster! The fireballs struck, making a small explosion of flame and alighting the scarecrow!
"I'm a Blaster!" I said in joy as I jumped up.
"We knew that already." Armsmaster cut in, and my natural high ended. Way to ruin the mood…
There was another grunt. And this time I hope it was Miss Militia elbowing him hard for me.
"Can I keep on testing?" I asked, looking at the window. "I wanna see what else I can do with these!."
"That's what we're here for hun." Miss Militia spoke. "Take your time."
I gave them a nod and took another deep breath, looking at my flaming hands. Can I make that fireball bigger? I held out my hands in front of me and tried to do it again, this time trying to make it more. Make it bigger.
I heard a cackle of flames and I saw the fireball appear before me, much much bigger than the one before. Where the previous fireballs were the size of baseballs or softballs, this was somewhere between a basketball and a small beach ball. I had to move my arms apart. It was almost weightless, like before.
I twisted my hands and aimed them at another set of dummies. Then I threw it and the fireball fired out towards the dummy, making an even larger explosion and setting the one dummy and the two dummies next to it aflame.
And I noticed that unlike before, where I just "aimed and fired", The fireball went slower. When I threw the fireball, the much larger one, it was faster. Something to keep note of… Maybe ask for a softball or baseball pitching coach for throwing motion and arm strength perhaps?
And I can make fireballs bigger and fire them. Simple enough!
I stopped, starting to think of the different ways to apply this...
I ignited flame on my hands and waved a flame-hand in front of me. I can make fireballs to throw at targets, but what about when they got close and were right in front of me? I could grab them I guess but that might not be enough against some brutes or shakers or even Tinkers. If they were right in front of me I needed something other than exploding fireballs in front of me. The fire might not hurt me but I'd felt the shockwave from those explosions. Last thing I needed was a grenade going off in my face.
Hmm…deterring close ranged enemies without needing to grab them or give myself a concussion…
A flamethrower would work I think. Or maybe just a quick burst without the boom.
My hand rippled with flame as I held it out it in front of me, and a combustion of fire burst out about an inch away from my hand to cover an area about as tall and wide as my upper torso. No boom this time! I was grinning at this point.
"You're doing good hun. You have all day for this."
"Indeed." Armsmaster chimed in. "That begs the question. How do you conjure those ash statues? According to Miss Militia's report, they were made of ash and crumpled to ash when you left the premises of Winslow."
I just finished another bout of flame in a backhand wave, and looked up. "I don't know how exactly…"
"Think of something. We have all day."
Gee, thanks for sounding like a monotone shill. I walked over towards the burnt dummy and saw the ash it has gathered. I pointed at it.
Oh god, time for looking like an idiot again…
"Arise minions!"
Yep. Nothing. I calmed down before I can spazz out and began to think...The statues features came to me, but that's all I know of. What they look like.
"Look, I don't know how I can conjure them up." I looked at the window. "I mean, I get what they look like, but I don't know about their other features."
"Well Taylor," Miss Militia spoke. "The statues felt like rough sandpaper, and...you won't believe this but I heard whispers when I approached it. Thought the Simurgh was worming into my mind for a minute there."
"That's not in your report!" Armsmaster barked. I could hear the shuffling of papers over the microphone. I jumped at his sudden outburst. He sounded like a robot, and now he sounds like a fairly pissed off robot.
"The whispers were heard by the firefighters as well. Its not my fault you don't bother reading anyone's report outside of the team. I don't believe they were directly trying to comunicate with us though. None of us could understand a word. More like it was just...there. Or at least showing us it was there." Miss Militia commented, I could almost see her shrug from down here.
Armsmaster groaned. "Hebert, see if you can make those statues. The more information we possess, the better." He sounded impatient.
"I'm telling you I don't know how to make them." I replied, hands on my hips as I was standing by a still burning dummy. "I can make fire; but those things? Aren't Master powers supposed to be hard to handle?"
"Not to the user." Armsmaster retorted.
Suddenly I heard a crack and felt something hit my elbow. I jumped, feet in the air as I backed away. The burning dummy I'd been standing next to had just toppled over to land on me. It hit the ground with a crack as I pulled away The dummy I burnt down and it's arm was on the floor and my eyes went wide.
My right arm was covered in ash, almost like a second skin. Over the speaker I could hear a shuffling of chairs.
"Miss Militia?" I asked in concern of myself. "What does this mean?"
"Well…" Miss Militia sounded puzzled. "You did something with the ash…"
"That dummy is made of wood and cast iron. Weighs almost two hundred pounds. Should have knocked you over. Hebert how's your arm?"
"Its...fine I guess." I didn't even feel a thing. Just as if a twig had fallen on it...
"Should be broken. At least bruised. Brute rating?"
That last question I guess was directed to Miss Militia. Didn't sound like he was talking to me.
"Maybe Shaker? Control over Ash?" Said someone else. Probably a scientist. .
"You don't mean we have another Ash Beast on our hands!" Groused another voice.
Ash Beast. Wasn't he that Class A lunatic in Africa that had all but taken over his own little pocket in Africa after Behemoth leveled it. I think he was summarized by one post on PHO as, and I quote, "shit blows up everywhere forever".
I can't be a Class A threat. No way.
"Don't be stupid." Armsmaster seemed to agree with me.
"Well...I suppose we could place you at a Brute 2 or 3. And Shaker…" Miss Militia seemed be wiggling her finger.
"I would wager a 3 or 4. Control over ash can be useful." Armsmaster mentioned. "Hebert. can you see controlling the ash?"
"Sure." I turned towards the ash, focusing on it. And then, without even a wave of my hand the ash moved! All the ash in front of me hovered in mid-air. I moved my eyes, and it went in the directions I wanted it to go. Left. Right. Up. Down.
I turned towards the burning dummy, and directed the ash towards the smoldering object. The ash flew and smothered the thing, putting out whatever flames or cinders remained.
I grinned. I'm a Shaker. A Blaster. A Master. And possibly a Brute.
"Shaker 5." I heard Armsmaster comment to someone.
I then used the Ash to come over to me, covering up my skin again. "I'm gonna test this out and see if I am a Brute or just a Shaker. OR all the above. Got another dummy Armsmaster?"
"Something a little more lively."
And a door opened, and I heard a light whirring and turned. Right infront of me was some...mannequin with arms covered in leather, and the lower half was on caterpillar treads. A robot?
"Defend yourself. The arms have measurements of strike force. Just block her arms near your head. Like a boxer. It'll give us the most accurate measurements of how durable this skin of yours is."
"Like this?" I held my arms up fists close to my face like I'd seen boxers do on TV sometimes.
"It'll do."
"Press the inside of your fists to your temples hun and your forearms as close to your cheeks as possible. Otherwise you might hit yourself when the impact moves your limb." Miss Militia advised.
"Will the blows go up in force?" I asked, looking back at the window.
"Correct." The robot was right in front of me and I held my arms and closed them in fists, as if I was in a boxing ring.
"Whenever you're ready." Miss Militia spoke out.
"Go." I wanna go back to playing with fire. That was just so much more fun. And burning dummies. Oh wow. I sound like a pyromaniac now...
And the robot's arm swung at me, breaking my line of thought as I blocked the hit. It felt like nothing.
"Average strength of human male below eighteen and above twelve. No reaction on monitoring systems." Someone intoned.
"Up it." Armsmaster droned. "Go."
Another hit. Once again, nothing.
"Average strength of human below thirty and above eighteen. No reaction."
"Up it....Go."
"Average strength of Lightweight class Boxer. No reaction."
"Again."
"Average strength of Heavyweight boxer."
This time, the force didn't hurt but it did make me take a step back.
"No reaction on monitors. Inertial and kinetic force does hold an effect. Subject can be moved."
"No shit…" I muttered to myself before getting back into the stance.
At the next hit, it was decidedly strange that I couldn't feel anything but I was still getting knocked clear off my feet.
"Non-Parahuman World record has just been tested. No reaction. Entering Brute rating one."
I dropped my arms, just for a second. They were getting tired. And evidently no one instructed the robot with proper etiquette rules.
It punched me dead in the face. I felt the ash rush to my face before the blow however, softening it.
Suddenly, as I found myself flying through the air again to hit the far wall, I found I was fairly pissed off.
On the one hand, because it was embarrassing to just get socked in the jaw by an inanimate goddamn object.
On the other, because I was just knocked flat on my ass *again*
And because I heard someone snicker through the intercom.
"I'm burning this thing when we're done here."
"You are not. This thing was made by Dragon and costs nearly-"
"Sure thing hun."
I can almost feel the glare between the two down here.
"Brute rating two. Go." Armsmaster said with impatience in his voice.
I blocked the blow to my face, though I can certainly feel it now, as if a jock was punching my arms. I grimaced.
"Nervous system is firing. We've got pain on sensors. Level is minor."
"Up it to Bru-"
"Do you wanna continue hun?" Asked Miss Militia over the speaker cutting Armsmaster off. I looked back up at the window and back at the robot.
"Yeah, I wanna keep going. See how much I can take. Better here than out in the field right?" I got my arms back into a defensive stance.
"Very well." Armsmaster droned. "Brute rating three. Go."
It struck, fast and again, I found myself flat on my ass for all the effort I put in keeping my feet. I grit my teeth in preparation. Now it felt someone was striking my arm with a two-by-four of sorts.
"Nervous system is active again. We've got pain on sensors. Level is mild."
"Brute rating four."
And the blow was enough to send me into the wall, this time the wall didn't hold up nearly as well as I did. Concrete pelts me as I fall onto my ass again. "Ouch!" I shook my arms, it stinging in pain. Plus my back hurt too! Wait, shouldn't my back be broken?
"Pain on sensors. Level is at medium."
"Do you want to continue still?" Asked Miss Militia. "You took a pretty bad hit."
"Keep going!" I snapped, getting back to my feet, hands raised up in defense. Jeez, why do I feel weird from all of this as I got back to the robot again. Was this endorphins? A natural high of being hit?
"Brute rating five. Go." And I was sent flying back to the wall, this time I don't so much as stop and fall as kinda slow down as the concrete and bars take their sweet time to crack, bend and snap before I'm through this little barrier that is a six inch thick concrete and metal wall and in a completely different room My arms were hurting like crazy now. I felt the ash slide off like sand in the wind. I managed to sit up, rubbing my back in pain. That would have killed a normal person ten times over…
So I'm a legitimate Brute then?
"Taylor!" Miss Militia was already there, entering the room and pushing aside concrete. Armsmaster was also present, using his halberd to...make blocks levitate? "You okay!?"
"Yeah…" Miss Militia was by my side, holding a finger between my eyes. "Follow." She dragged the digit across my sight. "Good no concussion." She concluded.
"I'm okay…" Miss Militia then stepped back, her hand covered in ash.
"So, it seems you are a Brute AND a Shaker." Armsmaster commented, placing the concrete slabs to the side. I looked over my shoulder, and true enough, my back and the back of my head were covered in ash. So the ash responded to protecting me?
"Wow…" I cracked my neck a little. But then I grinned. "Can we do that again?" I asked, not sure if it was the endorphins or the adrenalin talking. Miss Militia cracked a smile and even laughed.
"Sorry hun. I don't think our training room can take it anymore. You can still punch out Dragon's drone though."
"No she-"
"Too late!" I rushed past Armsmaster, and I saw the robot defenseless. I then prepared a haymaker and felt the ash gathering on my arm, all the way up to my shoulder, back and chest…
And the robot was sent flying across the room and to the adjacent wall, falling into pieces.
I heard an audible groan from Armsmaster as Miss Militia laughed. "I swear Militia, if she's like Clockblocker…" I turned around, seeing him pinch the bridge of his nose, somehow worming his hand in his helmet enough to do so.
"Oh let her be." She demanded. "She won't be rebellious as 'Dennis the Menace'." She said with air quotes.
"Dragon made that drone." Armsmaster sighed as if he hadn't already mentioned it. He seemed more aggrieved about that than the cost of the machine really. Was Dragon gonna get on his case about this or something? He then looked at me. "In any case, your little escapade would have given you an extra shift in patrols. But," He paused, a hand on his hips. "You have perhaps the most versatile powerset I have seen in our current Wards, maybe even amongst all heroes along the eastern seaboard outside of Tinkers, and that strike you did on that drone has you at a Brute 4 or 5, so I'm willing to let this slide. Since that came out here rather than the field." He held up a hand and a finger. "Once."
Oh wow. He meant that as a compliment! "Ummm..thank you." I was blushing as I rubbed the back of my head. It wasn't everyday I didn't get praise from my childhood idol and inspiration. "It means a lot...." I coughed a little into my head. "Won't happen again. I promise."
"Good. Now, as for the rest." He pressed something on his armguard as a holographic screen came up with bars usually seen on graphs. "With your fire-making, ash control and armor, plus your superhuman durability, that would rank you at… Brute 5. Shaker 6. Blaster 3. And Master 1 if you can ever recreate and utilize those statues. Only a few parahuman heroes have such a versatile power set."
Wow...to think I had such stats! "Question!" I raised my hand.
"You don't need to raise your hand hun." Miss Militia shook her head.
"What is it Hebert?"
"Is it possible for those stats of mine to go up? Like, if I train more or gain more experience?"
"It's possible." Armsmaster crossed his arms. "Tinkers can increase their rating via more experimentation and resources to work with. For others, it depends on experience. A power is only as good as the person knows how to use it. More than training or practice, experience and creativity are key. Take your Ward captain, Aegis. With the way his power works, if he increases his muscle mass, he will become stronger since his self induced adrenaline rush has more base power to work with. But Legend for instance, has a hard cap. He can shoot his blasts into the sky all day and not make them anymore powerful. So if he wants to be stronger, he has to be more creative, more tactical. Your powers I imagine are much the same. Thats not to say pure practice won't make your powers stronger. You are after all, still learning, and through practice you can discover other ways of using your ability. But tactics and experience is usually where most veteran capes... earn their stripes if you will. They have a bigger bag of tricks to dig into."
I rubbed my arms again now that the adrenaline was dying off they were actually starting to hurt quite a bit. So was my back. "Think I should go see Panacea or a doctor? Like, just to get this checked-"
I was cut off a by a cracking sound, like fire splitting a log due to the heat. It made everyone and me jump in alert. I turned to look over my shoulder saw the reason why. Two arms were sprouting out of the ground, and black flame can be seen, and the upper body of...something appeared. And I recognized it
It was the ash statue I saw in the pictures. And this time it wasn't white like ash. It was…alive. Black and red like charred flesh. It has no face. Only fire churning within like a furnace, its spindly, too long, too jointed limbs coil around its body as it pulls itself higher.
I hear the whispers…
"Miss Militia…" I turned, seeing Armsmaster approach with his halberd extended and in both hands. "These whispers...is it the same?"
"Yes it is." Miss Milita already holstered her gun as I looked back at the monstrous construct, and then a flash of yellow can be seen like a ripple of air. And the statue began to glow orange, almost gold, and a low whine could be heard. The it felt warm as it passed over me. Like the warmth one would feel sitting by the fireplace on a cold winter's night.
I felt an itching on my forearms and looked down.
"Guys?" I called out. "My bruises are vanishing." I commented, holding out my arms. Miss Militia walked over and looked down, and the red markings that had been forming over my skin that would soon develop into an ugly black and blue from the beating I took were disappearing. And the ache in my back and head vanished too, as if…
"Healing…" Armsmaster whispered. "Incredible…" For the first time he was awed, impressed. And the statue continued to remain motionless, still emitting that orange radiance despite looking like a demon out of hell with it's charred black and red skin. I walked over to it slowly and touched it, and true enough, on my finger was ash. Miss Militia was doing the same.
"I think we have a Master 3…" Miss Militia said, looking at Armsmaster. The superhero remained quiet for a time. He pressed on something on his armor, and the black mesh on his glove disappeared, leaving his hand open. He went to his utility belt and got out a Tinker-tech knife, and made a cut on his thumb. He walked over, inspecting it.
"This sensation...you felt it too Hebert?" He asked, looking at his thumb, but I can feel his eyes on me.
"You mean the 'being warm by the fireplace' feel?"
"Yes, that feeling." I could tell he was rolling his eyes. Well excuse me for not knowing how to freaking articulate this into some techno babble that would be more appropriate and technical. But my eyes were on his thumb, and true enough, it was healing too. No more bleeding. There was a scab there though.
"It appears." He pressed a button on his armor again, the black mesh returning. "That you have some rudimentary healing capabilities. But, this statue is your only way of healing, and only when you need healing, as in you experiencing discomfort in your arms, head, and back."
"So my ash statues can only come out when I feel like I need them?"
"Or with practice." It would have been fitting for him to be wearing a smirk. Alas he was as flat as a marble statue. Just show a smile for once; a teacup could do better!
"It's possible." Miss Militia cut in. "Powers are tough to explain. If Dragon was here she would know better. The woman is a living dictionary on this stuff."
"I will talk to her on this at a later date. The scientists up top." Armsmaster indicated to the window. "Will do some research for now. I believe it's appropriate to label you a Master 2. You can conjure the statues at times of need, but we have no clue on other capabilities they have aside from healing and causing flames."
Wait what? "Wait, these things can make fires?" I asked in surprise. That caught me by surprise.
"Eyewitnesses at your trigger event claimed that these statues spouted the flames that started the Winslow fire. I was getting ready to destroy the statue before it began to heal you. This is making more sense." Armsmaster put a hand on his chin. "When you triggered, you had to get out of your locker. So the statues appeared, made the flames as a result of you trying to get out. On that same token, you might have been lashing out at your tormentors, using the flames as a weapon for defense. In this situation, you needed to be healed and thus, the ash statue was conjured and sustained. And as a byproduct this...light that repairs the body's cells and relieves fatigue might be what kept you alive, even keeping your lungs clean of smoke inhalation. There were two statues present. One for creating the flames, and the other for protecting you from harm. And, this effect extends to your allies, as it healed me too." Armsmaster finally showed something of a light smile.
"Enjoyed that?" I asked with a quirked eyebrow. It was very nice and enlightening to know more of my powers, but he seemed rather smug about it, like a college professor educating a student. Then again, he did know more on parahuman powers than I did.
"It was...sufficient." He replied, placing his halberd on his back. "Now then, since you are healed I believed you wanted to go back to more power testing right?"
"I do." I smiled, hoping I can impress him more. "Oh! I wanna ask you on cape names. Your helmet can connect to the internet right?"
He remained silent. "My helmet can connect to the PRT database and emergency channels, yes."
"Well, I was hoping to throw some cape names your way, see if they are not taken yet and if not, register me?."
"Got one in mind?" Asked Miss Militia. I can sense there was excitement in her voice. I saw Armsmaster shrug.
"Why not." He pressed some buttons on his helmet and twisted stuff around, like a volume button thing you see on radios and TVs. "Okay, I'm at the Cape Database. Sound off."
"Firestarter."
"Taken. Parahuman criminal based in Oklahoma City." Strike one… no biggie.
"Warlock?" I can summon statues and fling fire right?
"Taken. Parahuman hero based in Scotland."
"Hmmm…" I cupped my chin in thought. "I can control ash...spew fire...summon statues...punch stuff hard...have ash skin that can handle brutes…" I whispered out loud.
"Ash...mast- No no no." I can tell Armsmaster was getting annoyed as he pressed on a button several time. He was backspacing. I grit my teeth. "Urgh...Sorry...I'll get my cape name later. In fact, I'll run it by the Wards later tonight. That fine?" I asked.
"That's a good idea. Lets you build some early camaraderie with them." Miss Militia looked at Armsmaster as he pressed another button or two.
"Very well. In any case I'm going on patrol. Miss Militia, you and the men upstairs stay here to monitor Hebert's remaining testing. Let me know of any new developments, priority should be given to those statues if they develop any new abilities or display any signs of life." Armsmaster then turned around.
"See ya Armsmaster." I waved at him goodbye, though he only looked back.
"Hebert." And gave a slight nod and left out the door. I looked at Miss Militia.
"I'm going to keep playing and toying around with my fire a bit. Along with my ash-skin and stuff. I hope I'm not boring you aren't I?"
"Not at all hun. I'll be upstairs." She ruffled my hair and walked off, leaving me, the ash statue, the ash, and dummies to burn and bust up.
Soon more dummies appeared, with human-looking mannequins by their side dressed in normal clothes.
"Clothed mannequins are civilians." Miss Militia's voice sounded out. I had the general gist of what exercise we were doing. I took a sigh and reached out to the ash as it covered my arms. And my hands burst into flames. I smiled as they burned, clenching my fists
"Got it."
(X)
That night
"Whoa!" Dennis was leaning forward, eyes and mouth wide. "That thing looks freaky!"
"You can summon those?" Asked Carlos, or Aegis, looking at the video on the TV screen with a neutral face, but I can tell his eyes looked surprised.
"Why didn't you grab like, an arm of those. I kinda wanna study it!" Chris whined. "Might have been a lifeform or something…"
"Fell apart into ash when I was away from it. I had to go back and summon another statue, then walk away for the scientists to see how far my range can go. Which was about a quarter of a mile according to them. " I shrugged as I sat on the couch with my future teammates. "So it's just a statue of burnt stuff. Not a living breathing thing."
"Still could have studied it on site…" Chris grumbled. He snapped his fingers and his eyes brightened up. "Oh. Let's test together next weekend. Your ash armor versus my blasters. And your flames against my shield generators. I study your statues. We make breakthrough and I win Nobel Peace prize in Parahuman Biology. With crediting you. Then we go out for ice cream afterward. Deal?"
Before I could say anything. Dennis, Clockblocker as I knew him decided to butt in.
"Chris please. Show some dignity. Trying to get a date with the new girl first day on the job. Shame on you." He then used his right index finger to rub it against his left index. "Shame shame shame."
Chris turned red up to his ears. I was probably no better. That had been the furthest thing from my mind that might be going on. To think that he...would show interest this fast. But, I'm not looking to date. Like what Dad said, keep things professional. And...I'd spare Chris the wrath of my dad if our relationship should not work out. Hell hath no fury like a papa bear pissed off. Besides, Chris seems like a good friend, but not boyfriend material.
Missy laughed while Carlos reached over and smacked Dennis upside the head.
"But thats how Dean and Glory Girl met…" He mumbled as he rubbed his head.
"Actually it was at school." Dean spoke up, sipping a protein shake. Gallant, as he was called in cape society. "And then we met each other out in the field in costume, not knowing each other until we recognized each other's voice. THEN we tested together." He smirked a bit. "And then we got hooked up."
"More like she just said 'Okay. Mine now.' and just got bored of you not doing anything." Missy pointed out with a wolfish grin.
"That didn't happen that way, I asked her out."
"Noooo." Carlos drawled, joining in. "You stuttered and stumbled all over yourself until she 'suggested' you take her out to dinner and shopping. And demanded that next time you think of something fun. You acted like a lovesick puppy that first week."
"Is he whipped?" I mustered my courage enough to ask in amusement. I heard Dean spit out his shake.
"Like runaway cattle," Dennis laughed.
"I am not!"
Dennis gave out a "Pffffttt" and sniggered. "See, he even admits it." I couldn't help but laugh too. I noticed Brendan smile lightly and chuckle.
"At least I have a girlfriend!" Dean defended himself with a huff as he went back to drinking...and now sulking.
"Well I think your powers are cool. Not freaky." Missy, who was sitting next to me declared. "Besides, the good guys could use a heavy hitter like you!"
"In all seriousness though, just be careful about your power," Dean added, looking at me square in the eye. "You can't really control the flames you emit. Be sure to use the Ash to put out any unnecessary fires out in the field. We don't want to hurt others or cause unnecessary collateral damage." He did raise a good point…
"I'll keep the fires to a minimum. Maybe even try to carry some ash on me to use." I replied. "Speaking of...there was a reason I asked Miss Militia to lend me that file of me testing." I stood up and stood before my future teammates…
My new friends.
"I want your input on what my cape name should be." I looked at Dennis and Chris. "And nothing stupid. This is serious."
Chris got up, ran up to his room. I was confused, and very nearly hurt before I saw him come back with a laptop. "Ok lets see what's taken!"
I smiled and took a deep breath. "Suggestions people?"
"Well...the cape thing is all you Taylor." Dean commented. "We don't have any say in what your cape name should be called. It's your identity out performing deeds of great good and justice. It is a name no one else but yourself should name."
"But we can offer input." Dennis added. "Firestarter!"
"Taken." Me and Chris answered instantly.
"Okay then...Warlock!" Dennis continued.
"Taken." Me and Chris did it again. He looked up at me oddly.
"I went over it with Armsmaster today. He looked up the database on his helmet."
"Well that's a neat idea…" Chris commented with a slight fox-like grin. Missy gave him a glare, as if reading his mind.
"If you're gonna make a helmet that allows you to look at naked girls on the net or x-ray vision I'll drop you off the Empire State Building from thirty miles high."
"Children play nice." Aegis suggested. All eyes back on me. I took a deep breath.
"Burnside." I said.
"Taken by parahuman villain based in Portland, Oregon."
"Mars." I looked at Brendan, or Browbeat with a raised eyebrow. He shrugged. "I went after Mars because of the 'god of war' angle and 'red planet'. Can you use flaming ash?" He asked.
I was about to answer but Chris saved me the need. "Taken by a parahuman Hero in Greece. Dead as of three years ago. So maybe you can roll with it?" Chris asked.
"I don't wanna disrespect the dead." I said. "Okay moving on. Blackfire?" I suggested.
"Parahuman villain in Australia. Confirmed alive."
"Firemancer?" Carlos put in.
"Parahuman hero based in Puerto Rico, or whatever it's spanish equivalent is?"
"Doesn't have a spanish equivalent. Must have been a media given name." Carlos answered.
"Ashmonger?"
"Too villainy." Missy put in. Dean nodded in agreement.
"Ashbringer?"
"You're making up way too many villain names Taylor." Dean commented with a quirked eye.
"Taken by villain based in Germany. Neo-Nazi chick too." Chris added.
"Sorry sorry, I don't know. I'm just coming up with stuff off the top of my head." I took another deep breath.
"Emberscar?" Brendan, speaking up for the second time. Browbeat sure was quiet...
"And then Taylor was Burnscar's long lost twin sister." Dennis snarked.
Chris sniggered, covering his mouth. I blushed. I wouldn't want a name that was synonymous with a serial killer cape.
"Firestorm?" Missy added.
"Taken. Twice actually. Once by a hero and then by his daughter. Daughter's alive, Hero's dead."
"Okay...how about…" I pondered on it, thinking of the right names that go with my fire making and my ash control.
"Ashburn." I said, and everyone perked up as Chris typed in his laptop. There was a pause.
"Not taken." Chris smiled, looking up at me.
"It does have a nice ring to it…" Carlos had a hand around his chin. "I like it."
"Same here. Makes sense considering your powers of ash and fire." Dean commented. Brendan just nodded.
I smiled brightly. I finally found it. My cape name.
"Ashburn it is." I said back on the couch. "Now, let's watch me own some robots, display art by fire, and burn some dummies."
And we spent the night watching my earlier testing session of punching things, making snakes of fire, using fireballs and waves, and all in all...it was great. I listened to the guys comment on how to implement it easier into team tactics and how it could help in mass crowd controlling or herding enemy capes. I felt Missy lean on me slightly and I smiled.
Ashburn of the Brockton Bay Wards.
I could get used to that.
