1.20 Aftermath Part 4

“Go for it,” replies Leo, “But why haven’t you done that yet? It isn’t like you to not do something like this, especially considering this is Scott’s daughter we are talking about.”

“If I made one power nullifier, I would have to make more or share the technology to do so or people would just take Alice’s,” explains Legacy, “We could stop them, even if it was the government or some other official group. But that wouldn’t be a good option.”

“I understand,” says Leo with a thoughtful expression on his face, “Nuclear war is also an option, but that doesn’t mean anyone is going to take it. So basically you don’t want to release game-changing tech into the world without informing me first?”

“Pretty much,” agrees Legacy, “Do you have problem if I do this?”

“Not really,” replies Leo, “Just keep it basic. Let’s keep the fancy stuff for ourselves. No need to go around sharing the advanced stuff just yet.”

Legacy nods in agreement before asking a question that has been hovering about her mind, “How is Joan?”

“Good,” replies Leo, “She mainly adjusting to her powers. I would say that her manifestation has changed her personality, but I think it is more that her new powers allow her to act more freely. Joan hasn’t so much changed, but simply has more ability to act in ways that were previously denied to her. Which is good as I’m not sure what I could do if her mind had been altered by her powers.”

“So I’m guessing Joan is a carefree and whimsical spirit them?” says Legacy.

“Yep,” agrees Leo, “Quite like the rest of my family. Actually, Joan is a lot like them. I remember reading somewhere that people are likely to be attracted to people similar to those they grew up with. I guess that is true in my case.”

“So where is Joan currently?” asks Legacy, “I would like to ask her something.”

“Ask away Legacy,” replies Joan as she strides into the base, using the same entrance as Legacy.

Legacy and Leo both to turn to look at Joan as she strides down the base.

I wonder if this is actually her secondary body or if she is still just trying it out.

DD cup breasts, an excellent, but not quite Aphrodite hourglass figure, luscious red hair that goes down to her shoulders, a height of five foot seven, a pleasant feminine voice similar to her original voice and bright green eyes. Joan’s clothes consist of a white t-shirt that shows some of her cleavage, but not overly so. A pale brown skirt goes down just past her knees while on her feet are some black boots with some slight heels to them.

“So what do you think of my secondary body?” asks Joan before twirling around on one foot and dropping into what Legacy assumes is supposed to be a sexy pose.

“Looks good,” replies Leo.

“And you know first-hand that it feels good too dear,” replies Joan teasingly, but Leo just rolls his eyes, “You know, I want to spend more time together with you as a sexy girl. It was fun.”

“I suppose I can indulge you every once in a while,” replies Leo.

“Really?” asks Joan, surprised by Leo’s response, “I expected you to put up more resistance.”

“Physical forms and attraction don’t hold much significance to me,” replies Leo before tapping the side of his head with a finger, “To me, what is up here is what truly matters. When it comes to bodies and whatnot, I’m willing to let you call the shots since it will make you happy. That said, I don’t want to be a girl, I just don’t consider it a horrible thing to be one part of time.”

“Thanks Leo!” replies Joan, “So I am doing for you Legacy?”

“You don’t even know what I am asking you to do,” points out Legacy.

“You are such as hypocrite,” retorts Joan as she sticks her hands on her hips and leans forward slightly, “You’re my best friend Miss I-instantly-agree-to-something-without-knowing-what-it-is because-my-friend-asked-me-to-do-it. So out with it Legacy.”

“I want you to make me more normal,” says Legacy before elaborating, “I want to be able to feel physical attraction. I want to be able to understand things rather than just knowing about them without understanding. I want to be able to interactive with people without completely sticking out.”

“Oh I get that,” replies Joan, “You want to be able to maintain a normal relationship with Nicola right?”

“Half the time I struggle to understand what we’re doing and the other half, I’m just nodding and smiling while trying to keep that fact I have no idea what is going on secret from her,” admits Legacy, finally acknowledging the thing that been bugging her for a while now.

“You’re a space alien Legacy,” points out Joan as she dramatically rolls her eyes, “Tell ya what, I’ll help you out with that stuff. Heck, I’ll even knock your boobs up a couple of sizes at same time given we’re such good friends.”

“I’d rather you didn’t,” replies Legacy, frowning at the idea, “Big breasts would just be annoying to me. All they do is hinder one’s ability to fight and limit their mobility.”

“Alright,” says Joan as she throws an arm around Legacy, “Just come to me whenever you are going out on a date or doing something with Nic and I’ll boost your sexiness until you come back to me afterwards.”

“Thank you Joan,” replies Legacy, “Now if the two of you don’t mind, I’ll get changed out of my armour now.”

“Say, speaking of your armour, have you...” Joan gets this wide eyed look as her voice trails off, “Oh, oh! That gives me an idea!”

“I’ll join you,” says Leo, getting out of his seat as Joan runs off towards Legacy’ lap, “A joint-project using your Gadgeteering power sounds like fun.”

“May I join in as well?” asks Legacy as Leo walks past her.

“Sure thing,” replies Leo as he gets a thoughtful look of his home.

“I’ll help as well!” says Jaylyn using the base speakers.

Enjoying your life Legacy?

Yes, yes I am Mum.  

1.19 Ascendance Part 4

Joan dodges another of the woman’s punches and follows it up with an uppercut, which the woman also dodges, but just barely.

Or rather Ceta dodges it and follows it up with an uppercut.

“Why isn’t my power working?!” shrieks the woman, freaking out, “I need back up! The others are all dead. The bitch’s #@$%ing boyfriend has taken out all of the others.”

The woman yelps a pair of bullets fly past her head, jumping out of the way, leaving herself completely open to Joan. Taking the opportunity that is presenting itself, Ceta slams a fist into the woman’s face.

She stumbles backwards with a bloody nose and lip and Leo swipes at her with a red and black halberd that Joan doesn’t recognise.

Guns under my bed, a killer instinct and now that nasty looking weapon. Leo is just full of surprises today.

He catches her in the side, leaving a bloody gash. The woman gasps in pain and stumbles backwards. As Ceta moves to retrieve Joan’s pistol, Leo attacks the woman again, but she steps out of the way and disarms Leo of his halberd, knocking away from him.

He swings at her with his left fist, but the woman catches it using her hand with a grin on her face. A grin that is almost instantly replaced by a pained expression as a grey blade shoots forth from where Leo’s left hand connects with the wrist and pierces her own hand.

Where that hell did that come from?!

Even as that is going on, the halberd teleports to Leo’s right hand as he aims it as the woman’s left shoulder. A black energy beams fires from the halberd’s head, tearing into the woman’s shoulder.

She stumbles backwards with a cry of pain as her right arm goes limp and her shoulder gushes with blood. The woman clutches her left shoulder with bleeding right hand and staggers backwards as Ceta takes aim with the handgun.

We’re going to kill her?

This is kill or be killed. They proved that when they murdered your sister.

Ceta pulls the trigger, but Joan is knocked through the air a split second after the bullet leaves the barrel.

She flies down the corridor, Joan gapes at the man hovering in front of the injured woman.

The man has the body shape of an Adonis, but is clearly an Abnormal. His skin is a shiny gold and whilst the man is naked, his body lack any body hair not on his head along with his nipples and...other parts. His shortish hair is a gleaming bronze while his eyes are pure silver.

S-S-Superior!

This is bad.

You think!

“You hurt my big sister,” declares the most powerful parahuman on the planet as he turns to face Leo, 
“You’re going to pay for that.”

Leo attempts to attack, but Superior simply grabs the right arm in which the halberd is held and tears it off with absolutely no effort. Leo grunts in pain as blood erupts from his shoulder.

Leo stabs at Superior with his right hand and Superior laughs, not even bothering to dodge or block the attack and instead just standing there to take the attack.

But Superior is soon silent, taking a step backwards as his eyes widen in a mixture of pain and shock as Leo’s hand-wrist blade pierces his shoulder.

Superior takes another step back as he places his hand on Leo’s chest before unleashing a blast of glowing golden energy. Leo grows flying backwards as the energy beam burns through cloth, flesh, blood and bone with equal ease.

“Leo!” cries Joan, her eyes swelling with tears.

She attempts to rush to Leo’s aid, but halts after a single step as Superior suddenly appears in front of her.

“Oh no you don’t,” says Superior with an angry glare at Joan as he crosses his arms over his chest.

Joan’s eyes stray to his shoulder, where Leo wounded him. The injury is already healed, but Joan notes that there is still some orange blood on Superior’s golden flesh.

Suddenly Superior grunts in pain and staggers forward, almost falling on top of Joan, giving her a momentary glimpse of what is lodged in his back.

Leo’s halberd is lodged in Superior’s back, quite deeply as a matter of fact, with orange blood leaking around it.

Meanwhile Leo, with his right arm and most of his upper body simply gone, is slumped against the wall, panting heavily as his face contorts with pain and determination. His outstretched left hand slowly falls to ground.

With a furious snarl, Superior rips the halberd out of his back as he slowly turns to face Leo. He grabs the weapon with both hands and casually snaps it in two before tossing it aside.

“You die now,” hisses Superior as Leo’s head around so it faces backwards by an invisible force.

“Leo!” screams Joan in despair as she runs forward in a desperate team to reach her dead boyfriend.

1.18 Family Part 5

“That is your response?” inquires Ceta, the AI appearing to be surprised and Legacy takes some pleasure at the fact she caught Ceta off guard.

“Yes,” answers Legacy smugly.

“I just revealed why you shouldn’t focus on what could be considered your past life,” says Ceta as she stops pacing and looks Legacy in the eye, “And your reaction to decided that you want to learn how to dance?”

“As you said, it is pointless to focus on the person I used to be when nothing of that person remains within me,” replies Legacy, deciding to explain her response to what Ceta told her, “If anything, my only attachment is my enjoyment of dancing. As of such, I should avoid dwelling on what I used to be and instead focus on the one thing I have retained from that life.”

“That is a good approach,” agrees Ceta, “And while I won’t tell you about Charity Hector all at once, it will tell you about her over time. David too. You will enjoy learning about him and I wish you could have met David. Hmm, I suppose you could consider David to be your father Legacy. David Stark, father of Legacy of Guardian and Legacy of Guardian, daughter of David Stark. Yes, that sounds right.”

“That does have a nice ring to it,” agrees Legacy, smiling to herself, “David is my father, Scott is my uncle, Leo is my brother and Jaylyn in my niece. Allison can be my sister if she wants. But where does that leave you?”

“You’re wondering what our relationship is?” inquires Ceta and Legacy nods her confirmation, “Hmm, I suppose you could call me your mother. After all, it was I that made you from what little remained of Charity Hector.”

Legacy ponders that idea...for a split second. Almost instantly, Legacy decides to embrace her mother and pulls Ceta into a hug.

“Hmm,” Ceta hums quietly as she hugs Legacy back, “I had a few children before in my long lifetime. I loved every single one dearly and I expected this time to be no different my darling daughter.”

***

“Wow,” mutters Joan as she turns around in the middle of her home’s living room as her mother looks on as she sips tea from a comfy armchair.

Joan is wearing nought, but a forest green dress with her white underwear beneath. The dress has short sleeves, a tight bodice and a loose, flowing skirt that does down to her ankles.

And her dress is actually her sister Breanne.

When Bree asked Joan to help her test her new powers, Joan was more than willing to help out.

I enjoy exploring the powers of others. Just because I don’t have any of my own shouldn’t mean I can’t enjoy other people’s powers.

Suddenly Joan feels her body tingle and begin to move on its own.

Okay, don’t panic. It is probably just Bree and I trust my sister.

“Whoa,” says Joan’s voice from her mouth, but without Joan being the one that is actually speaking, “Sorry Joan. I didn’t realise I could do this.”

“Are you controlling your sister Breanne?” inquires their mother.

“Not intentionally,” replies Bree, still using Joan’s body, “Could just sort of sense her whilst she was wearing me the same way I sense things that I wear and I just wondered what would happen if I try to control the same way I control my clothing. And, well, I just took control of her body.”

But not my mind. Still, it feels weird just having your body move and your voice talk without you being the one behind them. I wouldn’t say I hate that feeling, but I do rather dislike it.

“I wonder if...” Bree starts to say before flushing with embarrassment, “I suppose I should let Joan control her body again.”

“Considering it is her own body, yes you should,” their mother agrees with Bree.

“Umm, sorry about taking over your body Joan,” says Bree and Joan feels her body returning to her own control a movement later.

While she does experience that moment of unsteadiness, Joan has felt it many times in the past as of such, she doesn’t stumble this time unlike the many other times when she regained control of her body.

“Don’t worry Bree,” says Joan as she rolls her shoulders, “The whole reason we are doing this is to find out what you can do with your powers. Speaking of which, I have a theory about how your shapeshifting works if you would like to hear it.”

“Go ahead,” says Bree, temporarily using Joan’s voice and mouth again.

“Well, I think that you don’t actually turn into an inanimate object,” says Joan, “Just a pseudo-inanimate object. So while you appear to be one, you aren’t actually one in a technical sense consider how you are still sort of animate and sentient. That is my first theory about your shapeshifting. The second is that your shapeshifting extends to whatever is in contact with you at the time. So when you’re in a human form, it includes clothing and other items such as jewellery and gadgets. And when you are being worn, you can change and manipulate whoever is wearing you along with anything else that may be touching you, like other clothing. You can try changing me if you want Bree.”

“Since you’re letting me...” says Bree using Joan’s voice and a moment later, Joan feels her body tingling all over as it changes.

She grows taller, her hair becomes longer, her body restructures itself and, to Joan’s great delight, her breasts grow larger as Bree reshapes Joan’s body into a copy of her own.

Oh my. I just want to grope one of these big delicious boobies. But that would be wrong because while this is technically my body, it is basically Bree’s. And I will treat my sister and her body with respect.

It doesn’t matter anyway because Bree is the one in control right now.

It could ask her to increase the boob size of my normal body, but that would just be vain. And if I was the vain type, well, I would already have gotten myself a better body.

1.18 Family Part 4

Legacy had agreed without hesitation to Scott’s request, but thoughts about why she agreed run through Legacy’s head as she stands before her power armour.

He is family.

And the person we are going to see is also his family.

But not ours. I never really get how humans define family using predetermined factors.

It is hard to understand from an outside perceptive. I only understand it due to my vast experience.

Legacy moves to start the process of putting on her power armour on, but hesitates as a thought strays across her mind.

Ceta, did I have a family before I became the Guardian?

You didn’t exist before you became the Guardian.

Yes, I did. I was a supervillain called Shattered Hope. You told me yourself. I have experienced the memories of David fighting me.

Shattered Hope is a completely different person to Legacy of Guardian.

I know, but Shattered Hope was who I used to before being Legacy of Guardian. Come on Ceta! You are never this elusive when it comes to telling me things. You never keep secrets from me and here you are trying to deny the truth. Badly I might add.

Like you are one that is good at lying.

That is beside the point! And don’t try to change the subject! I wanted to know more about my pre-Guardian life.

You didn’t and don’t have a pre-Guardian life!

Why are you lying to me!?

I am not lying to you! My programing doesn’t allow me to lie!

You are not telling the truth so you are as good as lying!

By the All-Maker, I am telling you the truth!

No, you are not!

You don’t understand!

Then explain it to me!

As you wish.

Legacy physically flinches at the venom in Ceta’s last three words, briefly wondering if she crossed a line that she shouldn’t have.

Legacy feels herself weakening momentarily as her body breaks apart into green shards of light as she is turned into data and transported to the cyber-world. One where Legacy spent her time while she was dead and first learnt of her previous life’s identity.

As she looks around, Legacy feels her outfit changing from her power armour that is her default outfit here to a white skirt and a blue t-shirt while white trainers appear on her feet.

What?

As she looks at a reflective surface to get a better view of her new clothing, Legacy realises it isn’t only her outfit that has changed. Her face has become, well, not covered in make-up, but enough to make her face more attractive. Not only that, but Legacy’s nail are painted dark blue.

I look like Nicola. Or Alexandria. Or Joan.

As Legacy takes in her new appearance, still confused by why she would be wearing such clothes and cosmetics, Ceta appears before her. With the sudden appearance of her AI companion catching her off guard, Legacy steps back and adopts a combat position.

For her part, Ceta momentarily seems amused at Legacy’s reaction, but soon adopts a posture of...some emotion that Legacy is unable to recognise.

I wonder what she is feeling.

“Ceta,” says Legacy as she relaxes, “Why do I look like this?”

“Because that is a common outfit of Charity Hector,” answers Ceta as she begins to pace.

Who?

“Who is Charity Hector?” asks Legacy.

“The secret identity of Shattered Hope,” replies Ceta.

“So I used to be Charity Hector?” inquires Legacy.

“No,” growls Ceta, now sounding frustrated, “Technically you were, but what do you know of your past life. What do you feel of your past life?”

“I-” Legacy hesitates and her response falters as she realises that she has no connection to her previous life as Shattered Ho-Charity Hector.

“You see Legacy,” says Ceta as she gives Legacy a pitying look, “I can tell you about Charity Hector. I can tell you how she was a feared, but secretly kind and caring supervillain who was unwittingly used known as Shattered Hope. I can tell you how she had a father called Niles Achilles who was divorced to her mother Laurie Hector, who as the superhero Platinum. I can tell you how her father remarried to a woman called Racheal and how Charity gained a half-sister called Rosabell. I can tell you how she was popular at school and had a good social life. I can tell you how Shattered Hope’s teammates were Mechnoid and Snatcher. But none of those will mean a thing to you Legacy. Because while I can tell you these things, since Atavari ripped Charity’s mind asunder and damaged a good portion of her soul. And while I forged you, Legacy of Guardian, from what was left of Charity Hector, you have retained only insignificant fragments of her. The only noticeable ones are your physical appearance and your enjoyment of dancing.”

Oh. I never got around to asking Dancing Queen to teaching me how to how to dance.

1.18 Family Part 3

“Scott,” says Legacy as she strides into the man’s room, “I got a gift for you.”

“Oh?” says Scott as he looks up from the piece of paper he is reading and glances at Legacy.

“While I know that you already have high quality replacement for your right arm,” says Legacy, “But I have created another one for you. As a thank you for all that you have done for me.”

And with that, Legacy holds out the synthetic arm that she has handcrafted. The arm is designed to fit to perfectly fit Scott and to replicate the human arm so it feels completely natural to Scott when he uses it.

“Ah, thank you Legacy,” replies Scott with emotion in his voice as he gets up out of his chair and steps away from his desk, “Would you like to put it on now?”

“Yes, I would,” replies Legacy, “I’m going to do it personally by the way.”

“I wouldn’t expect you not to do so,” says Scott with a smile as he holds his right arm out to Legacy.

Legacy smiles back at Scott before getting to work. Since her powers don’t work on Leo’s creations, Legacy has to manual detach Scott’s current prosthetic arm.

It is really annoying that I can’t use my powers on anything that Leo invented.

It can get irritating at times.

That’s an understatement.

Once the arm is removed, Legacy tosses it to one side before putting her own creation into place. Whilst she physically puts the synthetic arm into position, Legacy also interfaces with it via her technopathy.

She boots up the arm and links it with Scott’s body so he can naturally control it whilst fine tuning it where she can and optimising the hardware and software as best as she can.

Done.

You sound proud.

Why shouldn’t I be?

“I’m finished,” Legacy informs Scott as she steps back.

“It feels excellent,” says Scott as he twists and moves his new arm, trying it out for the first time.

As Scott inspects the arm, Legacy feels a mixture of emotions. Pride at her creation, joy at helping her father figure, excitement at the fact Scott will be using her creation, love for her father and-

System Failure

***

Rebooting

Honn Telaa/Tris

Lonn Telaa/Dorr-Tern Tus

Telaa Stor Onta/Seg-Tern Tus

Telaa Stor Seg/Tern Nin

Telaa Stor Tris/Seg-Tern Tris

Telaa Stor Dorr/Set-Tern Onta

Telaa Stor Tus/Tus-Tern Tris

Telaa Stor Sek/Sek-Tern Elk

Ronn Ler/Dorr-Tern Tris

Ronnn Ler/Tern Tus

Ronn Lerr/Tris-Tern Tus

Ronnn Lerr/Onta

Her-System Error

System Error

Rebooting

System Error

System Failure

***

Rebooting

Honn Telaa/Tus-Tern Elk

Lonn Telaa/Seg-Tern Dorr

Telaa Stor Onta-System Error

System Error

Rebooting

Rebooting

Rebooting

Rebooting

Rebooting

***

Rebooting

Rebooting

Reboot Successful

Ordic 28,708,648-Legacy of Guardian Successfully Restored

***

As consciousness returns to her, Legacy hears Scott’s voice ringing in her ears. She groans her body aches all over and her head is pounding with pain.

W-what happened?

Legacy, I’m an old AI.

Okay.

I have experienced over three billion years.

Yes, I know that already. You have told me before.

I am not immortal.

Of course you’re not.

I will die someday. It is just a matter of time.

Isn’t that the case for all things?

Debatably. None the less...

What Ceta?

Never mind Legacy. Just be prepare for events like this to happen again in periods of stress.

Periods of stress?

Just think about how many times you have ‘died’ and come back recently. And how much you have pushed your abilities to the limits.

Oh.

Do not worry about it Legacy. Focus on other things. Such as the fact that Scott is trying to talk to you.

Oh yeah.

“Legacy?” says Scott.

“Yes?” replies Legacy.

“Oh thank God,” mutters Scott, “What happened Legacy? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” replies Legacy, “I just had to reboot.”

“Reboot?” inquires Scott.

“Yeah,” says Legacy before deciding to explain further, “Ceta is old and I, me, us have been through a lot of stress recently and I’ve been putting her and my abilities through the paces and to their limits.”

“Oh, I see,” says Scott, “So Ceta is going through the stress of old age? How old is she anyway?”

“Over three billion years,” answers Legacy almost automatically.

“Three...” says Scott blankly before doing a double take, “Over three billion years! You got to be %$£&ing kidding me!”

“No...” replies Legacy nervously, not sure how to respond to Scott’s reaction.

“&%$£ing Hell,” mutters Scott, running his right hand through hair, “You haven’t got any reason to lie and lying isn’t your style anyway. But still....”

Legacy is silent as she doesn’t know what to say.

This isn’t exactly my area of expertise.

Perhaps the true extent of my age has come as a bit of a shock to him.

Indeed.

“Anyway, I would like your thoughts on my latest predicament,” says Scott, changing the subject much to Legacy’s relief, “And your assistance.”

“You will always have my assistance,” Legacy informs Scott.

“Yeah, I know you’ll have my back lass,” agrees Scott, “But let’s move onto the problem. I have a family outside of my siblings and parents.”

I know he has a brother. The one that threaten Leo in his own home.

“I have an ex-wife you see,” continues Scott as he picks up the piece of paper he was reading, “And I have a daughter, Alice. I even have a granddaughter. Anyway, me and my girl, we have been keeping irregular contact with each other, off and on. And now I got an email from Alice. And she has manifested powers. In a rather traumatic manner. And she wants to see me. Mainly because she is grasping out for any help she can get.”

Scott takes a deep breath.

“Anyway, I want to go and see her as well and I would like you to come with me,” says Scott, “For support.”

1.14 Slaughter Part 11

Guardian uses her KEPs to land on her feet and readies Gord’Ang for a second attack. That energy blast damaged her outer armour plating but the inner held and no circuitry was damaged.

Both Alexandria and Glowbug are hovering next to the bleeding Friend. Alexandria looks the same as ever in her costume, but this is Guardian’s first time seeing the changes to Glowbug’s appearance.

While she was told of the changes, Nicola only used her old appearance in Eldrim and any other time they met in virtual reality. While wearing her black spandex costume as usual, Glowbug’s missing legs are hidden from sight. But the other changes are clear to see.

Her costume no longer covers her right arm as the limb is now consists of only golden energy, currently ending in what looks like an energy cannon. The rest of her body is covered by the same golden energy while her eyes glow.

Glowbug’s energy has changed from yellow to gold.

Interesting.

Yeah. I don’t want to fight my friends.

Only Alexandria and Glowbug are your friends. Remember Friend’s power.

I do, but...

Just remember your duty.

I will.

Alexandria flies straight at Guardian at top speed. The vigilante is only able to react in time due to using her power to control her armour and its inhuman processing speed. Guardian’s green hardlight shield appears just in time to block Alexandria, coming into place a mere inch away from Guardian’s face.

The hardlight shield begins to crack and Guardian pops one of her flashbangs with her technopathy. They always work well on Alexandria.

Alexandria staggers backwards and Guardian jumps forward, leaping off of Alexandria’s shoulders before boosting herself further using her KEPs.

I feel terrible. I got a massive migraine pounding skull, I feel like puking and my body aches so badly all over.

While you are in your armour due to your power and I have pretty much shut down your body, you have seriously messed up. I doubt you’ll be fit for another fight after this one is over.

Well, that sucks.

Indeed. You might not even survive this fight.

Again, that sucks.

Guardian aims Gord’Ang at Friend and boosts forward. But Glowbug is already surging forward to intercept Guardian. As she spots the incoming bolts of golden energy, Guardian teleports her shield into front of her, repositioning to protect from the attacks of her girlfriend.

The already battered hardlight shield takes another pounding, almost breaking this time with several shards of green light being blasted off. Guardian decides to keep it up despite knowing it won’t stop another hit from Alexandria or Glowbug.

How to take down Friend without hurting my best friend or my girlfriend?

I do not know the answer to that. I would recommend focusing on one or the other.

Not hurting Alexandria or Glowbug.

Than do that.

Guardian flies back, putting some space between her and the others as Alexandria and Glowbug put themselves between Guardian and Friend.

I don’t think I’ll survive this.

If it any consolidation, dying is only trivial to you.

How does that work anyway?

The same way that you summon your hardlight shield and when you first summoned Gord’Ang.

And all those times I summoned Gord’Ang in Eldrim. That makes sense. I didn’t realise it would work on organic matter.

Why wouldn’t it?

I don’t know. It just seems a bit overpowered.

Why would we care if something is more powerful than what our enemies have to offer? And vice versa?

True. So how come it will only take a few days this time instead of a few months?

The first time is the hardest and longest since I have to restore you for the first time. Later times I have a point of reference that I can just use.

That also makes sense.

Glowbug fires another barrage of golden energy at Guardian as Alexandria flies behind it. Guardian places her hardlight shield between herself and it. As it shatters, Guardian rolls to the side to avoid any remaining golden energy and Alexandria.

As Alexandria tears up the pavement. Guardian turns to face her, ready for a fight. Suddenly, her side flares up in overwhelming pain, causing Guardian to cry out loud as she staggers backwards

W-what happened?

Glowbug hit you in the side, blew off your right arm and most of your right side, both armour and flesh, with multiple direct hits.

Damn it.

As Guardian stumbles backwards, Alexandria turns on her. She slams into Guardian like an unstoppable storm, her fist smashing through Guardian’s armour and into her gut. As Guardian’s body goes limp, a furious Alexandria rips off Guardian’s helmet, revealing her face.

As a dying Guardian looks Alexandria in the face, she spots something click in her best friend as the anger is almost instantly replaced by horror.

As Alexandria lets out a strangled cry as she removes her bloody fist from Guardian’s gut, the vigilante looks past Alexandria and Glowbug to where Friend is. Defender has snapped the neck of the psychotic supervillain, breaking their control over Alexandria and Glowbug.

As the world fades and Alexandria says something Guardian is unable to make out in her damaged state, she chuckles.

Both Friend and I are dead, but I’m that is coming back.

Yes, it is somewhat amusing I’ll admit.

Darn right it is.