1.12 Virtual Part 1

“So will this work?” asks Joan.

“Should do,” replies Leo as he puts on the virtual reality helmet on his head.

It is sleek and smooth and very advanced, a creation of his new ally Shichiro Koizumi. The Japanese man is a fellow Gadgeteer who specialises in virtual reality.

Quite advanced really. Something I understand with my own power and intelligence, but lack the innate skill and knowledge that Koizumi is granted by this power.

Our intelligence is more versatile than any speciality.

I wonder what my speciality is? Every Gadgeteer has one. It becomes obvious quite early on. Koizumi’s is virtual reality, Tin Man is armour, Hard Shell is advanced engineering, Techno is electronics, Crimson Crusader is high power levels.

Perhaps we simply have enhanced intelligence?

No, I get too much creativity and inspiration from Iron. It fits in with what other gadgeteers say about their power and how it feels.

Mass production maybe? Long term manufacturing?

Possibly. Perhaps it might become clearer in time.

It has to be something broad. It is was on a more focused subject, we would have figured out by now.

Yes, maybe something as broad as engineering such as Hard Shell. Or maybe electronics like Techno?

What about physics or technology in general? Science maybe?

Joyous Star is a new addition to Leo’s companions, appearing when Legacy summoned Gord’Ang. He takes a form of a glowing blue person with no features and represents Leo’s happiness and excitement.

Leo has yet to tell anyone else about him, fearing what they will think of his sanity and mental state. After all, it isn’t normal to multiple voices in your head or subpersonalities. Even for a parahuman, it is abnormal.

Too broad. That would definitely be overpowered anyway.

Balance doesn’t seem to be a concern when peoples are involved.

We should probably get back to the task at hand.

Heart is right. We should focus on finding Legacy.

Leo takes a deep breath as he activates the virtual reality helmet. It works by connecting the mind to a server. Once there, the server varies from server to server. In this case, Leo is piggybacking on the signal that Jaylyn followed and found Legacy and Ceta on the other end.

He blinks as the world spins around him. The few others who have tried the virtual reality helmets claim that the process of their consciousness being projected into a virtual reality is jarring and dazing, often causing them to black out as their minds fail to take strain and remain awake.

But Leo has never had that problem. Whether his homebuilt is better built with the slight and minor modifications he made to the design Koizumi sent him or the enhanced mental facilities his power has granted him, Leo has always remain conscious for the process, suffering nothing more than a slight jolt as his mind enters the virtual world.

Or cyber world in this case. I wonder what this place is like.

Jaylyn said it is white and green and very utilitarian.

Not to mention being smooth, sleek and curved.

I wonder if it will look good.

Legacy or Ceta would never consider choosing from over function.

Of course, but that doesn’t inherently mean it has to be ugly.

I guess we’ll just have to find out.

Leo looks around the apartment. It appears that Jaylyn was accurate in her descriptions of the place.

“Father!” cries Jaylyn as she as tackles Leo.

He grunts and steps back as his daughter slam into him full force. Leo smiles at her, noting that her virtual form is accurate representation of who is she.

Now only if we could get her a body like this in the real world.

It can be done.

Either by science or parahuman.

“Hello Darling,” replies Leo as he hugs his daughter back, “Pleasure to see you again.”

“Greeting Leo,” says a familiar voice and Leo looks up to see Legacy in her Guardian armour with another person in green armour behind her, “I am so glad to see you again brother.”

Brother?

“Brother?” repeats Leo in a stunned voice.

“Yes,” replies Legacy as she strides towards him, “As far as I am concerned, you are my brother. By Deltaen standards, you would be.”

“I guess so,” says Leo as Legacy joins in with his hug with Jaylyn.

It actually makes sense.

It is an honour to have Legacy as our sister.

Aye.

Agreed.

Indeed.

Definitely.

“So who is that?” asks Legacy as she looks over Leo’s shoulder, “I know the others, but not that one.”

Leo doesn’t even need to look to know what Legacy is talking about. Another aspect of using the virtual reality helmet that is unique to him is that his companions also gain avatars in the virtual world, each taking the same form as they do in his mind.

He doesn’t know why that happens even though he does have a few possible theories on why. Before this moment, the only people other than Leo who known about this and by extent Joyous Star are Jaylyn and Koizumi. The former is ever loyal and supportive of her father while the latter simply doesn’t care.

It seems I have to explain Star to Legacy and Ceta now.

At least those two won’t find me weird.

“Legacy, this is Joyous Star,” says Leo.

Godslayer Arc 1.9 Galamin

Drakvar heads towards the centre of the outer district in which he is located. Even if his past self hadn’t had low funds, Drakvar would still need to find a source of income. And the only place to do that is to ask around various businesses for odd jobs.

“You!” shouts an angry voice and Drakvar turns to spot a familiar Kith striding towards him.

Falmar. A high ranking Darklurker that was in the process of punching me in the face when I lost my memories. Then I kicked his butt. He must still be mad about that.

Not caring about the fact that Drakvar is out in public and that he is surrounded by a large crowd, Falmar forces his way through the crowd towards Drakvar with a large group of at least twenty armed lackeys.

As the innocent Kith around Drakvar realise what is going to happen, they quick move away from him, leaving a wide berth of space between Drakvar and the closest Kith.

“Blackborn,” says Falmar as he looks at Drakvar standing in front of him and his gang, “Why the slug are you here?”

Wait, he isn’t here for me?

“Looking for work,” answers Drakvar honestly, “I’m running low on money.”

“Then how about I pay ya to get out my way,” drawls Falmar as he steps towards Drakvar, drawing a dao with a shiny blade, “Give me de Kithen and den I’ll give you some coin.”

Realising something that he is missing something, Drakvar glances down behind him. A young Kith of only a few years of age is cowering behind him, using Drakvar as a shield between themselves and the Darklurkers.

“No,” Drakvar tells Falmar firmly, drawing all four of his swords in one swift motion.

Falmar takes a step back and looks uneasy. However, he takes a look around at all of onlookers and straighten his back as he stands to his full height.

He is afraid. Of course, he has reason to be.

“Come on my fellow bandits, let’s rush de idiot together,” says Falmar as he looks around at the other 
Darklurkers, “No way dat Blackborn can take out all of us.”

None the less, the other Darklurkers seem as hesitant as Falmar is to take on Drakvar and for a brief moment, Drakvar lets himself hope that the gangers will have the common sense to back down.

But his hopes as crushed a moment later as one of the Darklurkers speaks out.

“De boss is right!” shouts criminal Kith female as she raises her bent metal pipe into the air, “Let’ us get dis fool!”

“Yeah!” agrees another Darklurker as he draws a jagged dagger, “We’ll show ‘im you he is messin’ with!”

I was a fool to hope for good luck or common sense on the part of my enemy. If even for a moment.

And with a wild cry, about half of the Darklurkers charge at Drakvar.

Drakvar responds with a counter-charge, sheathing the swords in his lower hands so he has a pair of fists free. He doesn’t want to kill anybody.

Within the open moments of the clash, Drakvar swiftly claims the upper hand. With one swipe, he hacks the wooden weapon of a Darklurker in half whilst slamming a fist into Falmar’s face, sending the Kith flying backwards. Another Kith swings a metal pipe at Drakvar, but he dodges out of the way with ease and jabs at the attack, lightly cutting into flesh of the Darklurker’s arm.

Another Kith swings a wooden plank into Drakvar’s back and Drakvar slams the hilt of his blade into the offending criminal’s cheek. Another pair of Kith comes at Drakvar, screaming wildly as they do, but he is ready for them.

At the first, Drakvar slashes his sword, cutting attacker’s weapon in half while swinging a fist upwards into the chin of the Kith. The second Darklurker is tripped at the legs with Drakvar’s foot and as he falls, Drakvar slams a fist into his chest.

A metal pipe hits Drakvar in the side of the face and he staggers, barely blocking a second attack from another Darklurker. He looks at the original attacker and recognises her as the one urged the other Darklurkers to attack Drakvar.

With an angry snarl, Drakvar punches her hard in the face before swinging a second fist into her chest, sending her flying through the air. But doing so leaves Drakvar exposed to an attack by another Darklurker.

Unfortunately for the ganger that tried to take that opportunity, another Kith entered the fray, a massive one at what seems to be at least three and a half metres tall to Drakvar. The huge Kith swings a fist into the Darklurker and sends the man soaring through the air.

As he looks at the huge Kith, Drakvar can’t help, but notice how the newcomer looks very similar to the Ordic. Both are muscular giants and both wear plates of shining silver armour. However, where Ordic’s weapon looked small for someone of his stature, massive longsword sheathed on his back easily fits this hulking warrior.

He is very imposing.

It seems the Darklurkers are having the same thoughts as Drakvar as while they were reluctantly willing to engage Drakvar with their numbers, none of them seems to even dare consider the thought of taking on this Kith.

But even as his fellows all back away, one of the Darklurkers is stupid enough to charge at the huge Kith with a metal pipe. With the casual ease of a veteran, the Kith blocks attack with one arm, the metal pipe bending as it clashes with the armour of the huge Kith.

Even as he blocks the blow, the huge Kith moves inhumanly fast to the point that Drakvar can’t keep track. The punch to gut completely takes the ganger out of the fight as the Darklurker topples over.

With two fearsome opponents and several of their own out cold or injured, the Darklurkers decide that their numbers won’t win them this battle and scatter.

As the Darklurkers leg it, Drakvar looks around for the young child he was protecting only to see her with an older Kith as they flee through the crowd.

With the fight clearly over, Drakvar turns back around and sheathes his swords as the huge Kith strides towards Drakvar.

“Drakvar Blackborn,” says the Kith in a strong, deep voice as he inclines his head towards Drakvar, “I am Sir Galamin of the Good Sword. I wish to discuss matters with you.”

Interlude - Freya

Freya walks down the street of her town as she heads back to her uncle’s. The drunken cretin she has to stay with due to both of her parents serving aboard in the navy.

I suppose Uncle Larry isn’t that bad. It could be worse. He doesn’t abuse me at all and is more apathetic than neglectful or malicious.

Freya blinks as a woman steps out of nowhere in front of her. The woman looks like one of those Aphrodite parahumans and is wearing a spy catsuit.

Ohh %$£*. This can’t be good. A freaking supervillain just appeared before me.

The woman flickers her black hair behind her head and Freya doesn’t even notice as the woman draws a small stick device from her belt.

Freya blink her eyes rapidly as a small flash goes off from the woman’s hand and stumbles forward.

Freya groans as she looks around before recoiling as she realise where she is or rather, where she isn’t.

The room around her is has sleek white walls, floor and ceiling and is blank except for herself and the woman in a catsuit.

Freya coughs as the woman sprays her with something.

“What was that?” demands Freya as she takes a step back.

“Insurance,” replies the woman, “My name is Oracle Miss King.”

“What do you want?” asks Freya as she tries to take another step away from the supervillainess, but body locks up and doesn’t respond.

“A test subject who won’t be missed,” answers Oracle as she slowly saunters towards one of the walls, “It is a Friday night. Your uncle won’t realise you never returned home, your parents won’t contact you until Wednesday evening. Your classmates and teachers won’t realise you’re missing until Monday and it won’t be until Tuesday that somebody puts the pieces together and figures out you’re missing. And by then, it will have been three days and it will have been more than enough time for our purposes.”

“You don’t know that,” protests Frey fearfully.

“Sure I do,” replies Oracle with a slight chuckle, “It’s my power after all.”

A portal appears in front of her and Oracle steps into it. As the portal closes, leaving Freya alone in the barren room, Freya feels her control of her body returning.

As what has happened to her finally hits home, Freya breaks down into tears. She doesn’t even realise what is happening to her body as she loses consciousness.

Why me? Does this have to happen to me?

***

“Test Subject 3-028-F16,” says a mechanical monotone voice as Freya regains consciousness, “Wake up.”

“What, what is going on?” asks Freya as she sits up.

It comes back in a rush as Freya realises she is still in the barren white room and she whimpers.

It wasn’t a nightmare.

“The tests have been completed and the Ascendant is coming to speak with you Test Subject 3-028-F16,” says the voice.

“Test subject 3-02-what it is, is that what I’m called now?” mutters Freya as she curls up. 

“Not at all Miss King,” replies a gentleman and Freya looks up to see a man exiting a portal.

The man is late middle aged with short and well-kept black hair streaked with grey. His skin is slightly wrinkled while his face looks concerned and caring.

“Who are you?” asks Freya.

“I am the Ascendant,” answers the man as he knees down so he can look Freya in the eye, “I’m sorry about how my associate Oracle has treated you Freya. Do you mind if I call you Freya? Anyway, Oracle isn’t much of a people person and since her power told her you wouldn’t join our organisation, she saw no need to treat you decently. Not that it excuses what you gone through at all. So my apologies for that.”

“Umm, you’re welcome,” replies Freya.

He doesn’t seem so bad.

“Would you like to know what is going to happen to you?” asks the Ascendant kindly.

“Yes please sir,” replies Freya.

“Splendid,” says the Ascendant cheerfully, “Just come with me then.”

He helps Freya to her feet and leads her over to the wall just in time for a portal to appear in front of them.

“Just this way dear,” says the Ascendant as they both step through it.

Freya looks around the room they appear in. It is a pleasant, fancy office feel to with wooden walls and door in addition to traditional wooden desk. A soft green carpet covers the floor while the desk as a computer on it with three different screens. Behind the desk is a large fancy armchair with a tall back.

“This is my office,” says the Ascendant, “I hope you don’t mind standing. I would have another chair, but it is extremely rare for me to have guests so I haven’t gotten around to it yet.”

“Not at all Mr Ascendant,” replies Freya as she looks around, “This is a very nice office you don’t mind saying so.”

“I’m glad you like it,” replies the Ascendant as he sits down at the desk, “Now if you just like to stand behind me and I will show you some things on my computer here.”

“Okay,” says Freya as she does as the Ascendants says.

“Take a look at this,” says the Ascendant as one of the screens shows a bar chart.

“What is this?” asks Freya as she looks at it.

­Red - 19

Blue - 3

Black - 19

Purple - 5

Yellow - 8

Pink - 3

Green - 11

White - 8

“What do all of these mean?” asks Freya.

“These are the colours of the Shard that my organisation will insert you with,” replies the Ascendant.

“The Shard?” asks Freya nervously.

“A form of power, one of several types,” answers the Ascendant as Freya feels her body freezing up again, “I would ask you if you mind this happening to you, but that would imply you had a choice and the only purpose of your answer would be to make me feel better. And so I won’t give you a false choice to make me feel better.”

The Ascendant is silence as he draws a hi-tech tube containing a silver liquid inside.

“And I will apologise in advance for changing your memories of this day and the last one,” says Ascendant, sounding genuine to Freya as her world goes black, “We can’t let you retain the knowledge you have gained about us if you’re not going to join us.”

***

Freya groans as she wakes up. She looks around, realising she is half submerged in the local river on the outskirts of town.

She pulls herself out of it easily before evaluating the situation.

Let’s see, I got a completely different body, no memories of the last two days, but I don’t feel tired at all. Not only that, but I can sense this water, the liquids in my body, the liquids in all the plants. How is sensing all of that not driving me insane? How I am not freaking out? I just feel...so calm and serene.

Freya looks around her body.

I got big breasts, a nice butt and a very good figure. And my clothes are still intact somehow. They’re still no longer fit to wear, but at least I still got some modesty. To be honest, I would have expected them to fall if not be completely destroyed. I mean, they should be. I should count myself lucky.

Ha! I’m lucky indeed. I got *&%#ing superpowers and what I bet is one of those freaking awesome Aphrodite bodies as well.

Now all I have to do is get back home and prove to people who I am. Which will be harder since no one saw my manifestation.

1.11 Memories Part 6

“You knew about that didn’t you,” says Legacy accusingly.

“How could I not?” replies Ceta, “David and I fought you and Atavari on many occasions.”

“And you didn’t warn me that I was once a supervillain?” grumbles Legacy before moving onto a slightly different topic, “What was I like? Back then, when I was Shattered Hope?”

“A good person at your core, but was manipulated into doing bad things,” answers Ceta, “Atavari had good intentions, but believed that the ends justified the means. She tricked you into believing that your actions would save the world and bring peace. What you weren’t told was that that peace would be brought about by uniting the world against you and she was going to sacrifice you at the end, both literally and metaphorically. She would claim that she is a good being that was corrupted by you and now you were gone, she and her new host would be grand heroes. And by then, Atavari would have killed you so you would be unable to contradict her lies. But when she did so, David was dying and he convinced me to take you on as the next Guardian. I gladly obliged him.”

“Thank you for doing so,” says Legacy.           

“There is no need to thank me,” replies Ceta, “Helping others and saving lives is what the Guardian is. And you have yet to disappoint me as the Guardian.”

“I am glad to hear that,” replies Legacy, “So what happened?”

“Oblivion attacked your world and at the end of the battle, David was killed, you become the new Guardian and Atavari fled to pick her new host,” says Ceta with anger in her voice, “I despise Atavari. She is a monster in the guise of a hero. She claims to help others, but does so by destroying innocent lives. Atavari is a coward and lacks honour.”

“So what happened to her?” inquires Legacy.

“Since we ended up on the Earth we have been residing in, Atavari probably just continued with her plans uncontested,” snarls Ceta, “Claiming credit for your sacrifice and dishonouring your memory for her own glory.”

“Is there anything we can do about it?” asks Legacy.

“Unfortunately no,” replies Ceta, “I do not currently know the way back to that Earth and if we do, exposing her would cause much chaos and harm. I would leave such a choice up to you.”

“I would need to evaluate the situation in person before making such a decision,” states Legacy, “So what now?”

“Would you like to know what powers David had as the Guardian?” asks Ceta.

“Yes I would,” replies Legacy.

“He had an innate talent for technology, both using it and coming up with his own creations,” replies Ceta, “Additionally, he wasn’t limited to more advanced technologies as you are. So while he lacked your technopathy, David was very versatile in what he used and his strategies.”

“I wish I got to meet him,” says Legacy wistfully.

“You did,” replies Ceta, “His fairness, compression and good-nature made him your favourite superhero. On the flipside, his skill, ingenuity and initiative made him your least favourite foe to fight. Especially since you always held back due to feeling bad if you hurt him.”

“Really?” inquires Legacy.

“Yes,” replies Ceta kindly, “The feeling was mutual. David never enjoyed fighting you and never when as hard on you as he could have done. He would always try and convince you to become a superhero rather than a supervillain and that Atavari was manipulating you and would betray you. But Atavari’s grip was too strong on you and she convinced you that David meant well, but simply didn’t understand what you and her were trying to do.”

“So how much long until I can return to the real world?” asks Legacy, “I am missing my friends and teammates.”

“I understand,” replies Ceta, “I haven’t seen many of my own in decades. I’m not sure how many are still alive or-hmm, now that is interesting.”

“What is?” asks Legacy curiously.

“It appears we have guest,” explains Ceta, “Shall I invite Jaylyn in?”

“Definitely,” says Legacy excitedly, “I can’t wait to see her again.”

Ceta is silent for a moment and a young girl materialises next to her.

The girl appears to only be six years old with sleek blonde hair and shining blue eyes. Her features are mixture of both Leo’s and Joan’s.

An interesting avatar, but not unsurprising. It shows an accurate representation of Jaylyn, unlike others who would try to hide who they are. But Jaylyn has always been proud of who is and has never tried to hide who is from those that know of her.

“Hello Jaylyn,” says Legacy as Jaylyn runs towards her.

“Aunt Legacy,” cries Jaylyn as she wraps her arms around Legacy, “You’ve been gone for months!”

“I know,” replies Legacy as she notes that hug lacks the warmth of a physical hug, “I missed you too.”

“Father has been searching for you,” says Jaylyn, “Ever since you fell in battle against Armageddon. He has never stopped.”

“I would expect nothing less from a person such as him,” replies Legacy, “So how did he find me?”

“Oh, he detected a trace signal of unknown origin and composition when I got Ceta’s message,” replies Jaylyn, “He also detected from when you died. Father then when to the sample and checked your nanites for the signal. When he found it, Father has been trying to trace it back to the source. Once he found it yesterday, we sent part of me in to see what was waiting in the other side.”

“It is a very impressive feat to be able to trace the signal back here,” says Ceta, “Is Leo doing anything else?”

“Oh, he is modifying one of Koizumi’s inventions to be able the follow the signal in person,” replies Jaylyn.

“Koizumi?” inquires Legacy.

“I should tell you about him shouldn’t I?” answers Jaylyn as she lets go of Legacy.

Godslayer Arc 1.8 Elder Betrayal

As he consumes the potion contained within the vial, Paliyil Dibar feels the power it grants him flowing through his veins.

With increased flow of Chi throughout his body, Paliyil lashes out at the attacking Warlock as his opponent sends several shards of razor sharp rock at him.

“Twisted Windz!” yells Paliyil and a supernaturally strong wind tears through the rock shard, shredding them before they can hit Paliyil and smashing into the other Warlock.

A crazed grin comes over Paliyil’s face as the enemy Kith is sent flying, landing out of sight. Paliyil is certain that the Warlock won’t survive the fall, especially with the injuries that would have been inflicted by Twisted Winds.

Paliyil steps over the bloody corpse of another Warlock that he has slain. He hears a slight groan and looks down to see the stirring body of another Kith. He thought that he had already killed her.

I’ll just have to finish the job then!

Paliyil twirls the jagged black spear in his right hand before tightening his grip on it. As the dying Kith stares at up at him with wide and rightfully fearful eyes, Paliyil lets out a wild laugh as he stabs his spear downwards.

The Kith cries out in pain as the barbed spearhead pierces her body.

“Blood Feast,” says Paliyil with a soft purr to his voice.

The dying Warlock lets out a pained gasp as the blood is ripped from her veins and arteries. Paliyil feels himself being strengthen as the blood is absorbed into his spear.

“Traitor!” yells a furious voice and Paliyil looks up to see Fatimir Baric standing not too far away from him.

The Kith is the second most powerful Warlock here, even if Paliyil still outclasses her by a wide margin. Not only that, but Fatimir is also much more physically active than Paliyil and therefore is in better physical shape.

Paliyil himself has never seen the advantage of wasting time making his body stronger when he can spend time increase of the power of his magic.

He supposes it is easier for the younger Fatimir. Her mother, Verra Baric, is one of the most powerful Warlocks on the planet and use her magical knowledge to...optimise Fatimir’s mind and body whilst she was still in the womb.

Verra will be a problem. I will be making a dangerous foe out of her when I slay Fatimir. Hmm, do I really need to slay Fatimir? I mean, I will still need to dispose of her. I can’t just Fatimir go after all, but why not take that wonderful body of hers?

That physical prowess will be a great asset and having a delicious young female body is just an added bonus. Not to mention it might be valuable having Fatimir’s body and soul to hold hostage when her mother and whoever she calls upon come after me.

Having decided on a plan, Paliyil only makes minimal efforts to avoid Fatimir’s attack, letting the glowing blade pierces his side.

Grabbing Fatimir’s shoulder, Paliyil cries out, “Blood-Fuelled Zoul Invasion!”

Paliyil briefly sees a look of shock and horror on Fatimir’s face before his mind and soul is launched into her body.

Empowered by his earlier Blood Feast, Paliyil easily crushes Fatimir’s resistance, even as she has the home field advantage.

But Paliyil doesn’t know how long he’ll be about to keep Fatimir’s soul and mind imprisoned in her own body once the temporary power of Blood Feast runs out. So he decides to relocate them instead.

He grabs his jagged spear out of the grip of his old body. Paliyil jabs it into his old body, slightly off-target, but he is still getting accustomed to this new body.

“Blood Feast!” says Paliyil in Fatimir’s voice, feeling a flush of pleasure at the sound and he drains his old body of its blood.

Moving on to the next part of his plan, Paliyil shouts, “Blood-Fuelled Zoul Binding!”

Paliyil laughs like a manic as he takes great joy at Fatimir’s panicked and helpless terror as she is stunted into Paliyil’s spear, losing any hope at reclaiming her body from Paliyil’s control.

“Gloriouz!” sneers Paliyil as he twirls the spear.

As per the effects of Soul Binding, the spear begins to reform to accommodate Fatimir’s being. Where it was once a jagged black spear, it shifts into a smooth and sleek spear of a glowing silver and white colour scheme.

“So diz iz what you are like on de inside,” muses Paliyil as he strokes a finger down the side of Fatimir’s new form, “I could never tell when you were in your old body as you always dressed so modestly. Fitting given your status, but frankly, I feel that diz marvellouz body should show off more of its charm. And so it shall since I am now the one controlling it.

Paliyil can help, but feel a thrill at the disgust he can sense in Fatimir.

“And now, I am off to meet de Ascendant.”

1.11 Memories Part 5

“Did he survive?” asks Legacy eagerly as the memory ends as Green Delta loses consciousness.

“He did as Junit kept him alive with her telekinesis, but Green Delta had to be rebuilt with extensive cybernetics to fully recover,” answers Ceta, “With the death of their emperor, the Fayyick Empire soon splinted as the opposing Fayyick Lords battled one another for leadership of its remnants. Within five years, the Alliance had regained control of the galaxy with only Antorian remnants on the fringes.”

“So what happened to Junit and Green Delta?” inquires Legacy.

“That is one of the things I wanted to show you,” replies Ceta, “Guardians don’t always end their lives by falling in battle and many have retired to live out happy lives. Junit and Green Delta are a good example of that. They got married, settled down with another adventure every now. Junit opened an academy for telekinetics and telepaths while Green Delta trained new Mindorrians. They even had two kids, Borrmin and Surrasarr, who became grand and mighty heroes in their own right.”

“It is good to hear that I can have a happy ending,” says Legacy.

“But Green Delta and Junit each suffered their own costs,” continues Ceta, “Not only was Green Delta turned into a cyborg, but Junit lost her voice in battle against the Fayyick Emperor. They never suffered any other injuries of that extent as when they faced another foe as deadly as the Fayyick Emperor, Green Delta and Junit were much more skilled and dangerous.”

“So a happy ending is not without cost,” notes Legacy.

“A Guardian must earn a happy ending must be earned through hardship,” corrects Ceta, “And those hardships may cost you.”

***

“Ceta,” asks Legacy, “Are there memories showing me from before I became the Guardian?”

To Legacy, it feels like years have passed since she arrived in Ceta’s world. Ceta tells her that is because perception happens faster here and claims only two months have passed in the real world.

She also says not to worry about experiencing years in here because I haven’t experienced actual years in the real world.

“Yes, but I should warn you that you might not like what you find in them,” replies Ceta.

“I would still like to find see them,” answers Legacy.

“As you wish,” replies Ceta, “I shall find the most useful memories. Just remember my warning.”

“Thank you Ceta,” says Legacy, “And I shall heed your words.”

***

David Knight draws Gord’Ang as a blue energy beam hits the street behind him. The man is in his late fifties and starting to look it with his dark brown hair now mostly grey.

Not that anyone can see it beneath his power armour consisting of overlapping plates, the inner ones being black with the outer ones a shade of dark green.

Ceta!

Shattered Hope is making another push at us.

The girl relies too much on raw power.

I agree, but don’t forget she has a lot of raw power. More than almost anyone else on this planet.

Yeah, only you or the Demon are stronger than Hope.

The vast majority of people shorten her name to Shatter or Shattered, but you call her Hope. Why?

You know why. You know her background as well as I does if not better.

True.

 “Come on Guardian,” sings a female voice as Guardian turns cloaks himself, making him invisible, “Face me!”

A teenage girl wearing a tight fitting blue and white costume with a bright blue energy field around her body comes flying around the corner of the street. Her long hair flying behind her head and both her hair and her eyes are glowing white while a blue domino masks conceals her face.

Dammit girl. You could have done great thing if you hadn’t chosen this path. Heck, you can still do great things if you just turn back from this path.

Atavari’s hold is too strong on her and Charity believes her lies.

To be fair, they aren’t lies, but half-truths.

Half-truths are still half-lies and these ones leave out the most important half of the truth!

Oh I know, just another reason to hate Atavari for.

We shall bring about her downfall.

David dashes to the side of the street and jumps off the side of a building at Shattered Hope. He tackles her from the back in midair and they both go tumbling to the ground. As they hit the ground, David slams his fist into Shattered Hope’s face.

Shattered Hope coughs as David jumps away.

“I hate fighting you,” hisses Shattered Hope as she gets to her feet, “And not just because you are such a nice person.”

“The feeling is mutual,” replies David.

She has such potential.

That is the reason why Atavari corrupted her.

Shattered Hope sends a large blast of energy down the street, but David jumps into the air as he cloaks himself again.

“Just let me hit you for once!” shouts Shattered Hope in frustration.

“Sorry kid, but I can’t let that happen,” replies David as he ground pounds Shattered Hope into the road.

Shattered Hope groans before slumping in defeat. Her hair goes back to normal including returning to a shade of black while her eyes become blue. The energy field surrounding her disappeared and her costume, including her mask, fades away, leaving in civilian clothing.

The memory ends abruptly as Legacy recoils in shock. 

That was me. I was Shattered Hope. I was a supervillain.