Alexandria was one never to hide from the darker aspects of the world. In fact, she was a willing participant in it. All in order to ensure the continued survival of humanity as a species. No matter how far she must go to achieve it. That being said, the current situation had spiraled out of control thanks to one particular group.
The Undersiders.
Specifically Tattletale whom managed opened a portal between two version of Earth using two other parahumans. An absolutely risky move in order to get Sundancer of the Travellers to kill first S-Class threat given the name Echidna. A move that had now just caused even more trouble as she now had deal with an actual dragon, of all things. Part of her hoped that this was some sort of bio-tinkers creation but she couldn't rule out other possibilities.
Luckily or perhaps unluckily, both S-Class threat were also fighting each other as well.
"Someone get those flames under control!" One of the local heroes called out as the dragon true to the stories had set everything around it on fire.
"On it." Came a reply as several others fought the ever increasing flames.
"Skitter, what is the plan?" The criminal responsible for this spoke to her leader. "Seems like I should have been a bit more careful."
"You think? Now we got another problem to deal with." Her teammate, Grue, the former leader of the group seemingly growled out. He had taken some damage as the flames pierced through his darkness.
"Focus on the dragon." Current leader of the Undersiders commanded before turning to the other surprise of today. "You, can you tell us how to take that monster down?"
The dragon wasn't the first to appear. He stood in full leather armor, brandishing a curved singled edge sword reminiscence of a katana but the hilt and cross guard was more western. On his other arm was a retractable shield that blocked a blast of fire. His fair complexion completed his golden hair and blue-green eyes. It was like he step out of a fantasy story considering the dragon and all. However, those features eerily reminded the Chief Director of someone she lost long ago.
"Ay but t shall beest a did bite sore. We necessity to aim f'r the headeth 'r the core. But I doth necessity the core so targe the headeth The dragon won't maketh t easy and shall useth it's energies to cease us."
"Alright Shakespeare. If anyone can translate that for the rest of us." Another member of the undersiders, Regent, had seemingly dodged a fire ball in his general direction. "Seems like the overgrown fire lizard doesn't like royalty all that much."
"What he said was basically go for either the head or the heart." The villainess in purple had given the instructions. "However, he said he needs the heart so target the head."
"Why does he need the heart? Some great magical spell needing it? Or perhaps he was sent to slay the dragon and bring it heart to the king in order to marry the princess." The crowned teenager in white joked.
"I necessity the core in 'rd'r to holp protecteth mine own humans from what hath transpired recently in the w'rld." The warrior from another world responded. "I knoweth this is not Solomon, Eurakia, Lunaris n'r Khalis. This Int'rregnum of Gaia is bizarre one forsooth."
"Cause it is not an Interregnum. You are on a completely different Earth… I mean Gaia." Tattletale gestured to the rest of the area. "Plus I know you can understand him Regent."
Before the two Undersiders could get any further, Skitter turned to face the Gaian. "Thank you. Now, help us with this dragon of yours."
"As thee wisheth, Dame Skitter. Mine own nameth is Aleister Hill. Just gaze out as this is a maj'r dragon with the might of fireth charm." The warrior from another world nodded before turning his direction to the leader of the Protectorate. "L'rd Legend. Couldst thee useth thy energies to giveth me an launching to striketh at the dragon?"
"Of course I can. Also it's just Legend, no need for lordship." Alexandria's fellow Triumvir then transformed into a beam of energy and was zigzagging around the dragon.
Leader of the Parahuman Response Team then saw a flash of red light that came from the dragon. All of a sudden, beings of fire started to form and attack those around them. "Eidolon focus on those … fire elementals." We are dealing with a Master. Is this really magic or more esoteric powers from the Entities?
"Got it." The other member of the Triumvirate then turned his attention to the latest developments.
Roar from nearby reminded them of the first S-Class threat they were originally dealing with. Echidna had barreled towards the Undersiders, "I will kill you all!"
"Not if I stop you first." The heroine whose name was synonymous with might slammed a light post into the massive being.
"You!" The monstrous parahuman yelled out with an failed attempt to grab her.
"Yes, me." She had now figured out all the trick that her foe could use. There was no longer a need to keep a safe distance.
With careful skill and precision, the second in command of the Protectorate parried and dodged the rather haphazard attacks with the light post. Then after each defensive action unleashed a calculated counterattack aimed at certain areas. This has the effect of slowing the former member of the travelers for a while. But it would take greater power to end the threat or perhaps a miracle.
While Alexandria fought with Echidna, she keep some focus on the dragon and those that were dealing with it. Eidolon had managed to keep in check those fire elementals but Legend had failed to lock down the dragon. It had apparently been able to damage her former teammate while he was in his Breaker mode. Not an easy feat to do, which meant this dragon could use powers that can affect such a state.
Everything was spiraling out of control and she need to force it back again.
"Miss Militia, I want you to use your power to create a net that replicates the Nanothorn technology. Then use that weapon on Echidna. That will buy us enough time to deal with the dragon over there. After that we can then focus the rest on her." It was a plan that by all her equations will be able to set right this situation.
"I will do what I can." Her former Ward got to work to create a net launcher. "Won't be able to match … Armsmaster's level."
"Doesn't need to be..." Another swing that wasn't able to grab anything came from the Pseudo-Case 53. "Just a descent approximation will do."
However, with the next attack, the light post finally gave in and broke apart. "Can't hide behind that anymore!"
"I wasn't hiding. Chevalier, now." Another of her former Wards had gotten into position and fired several rounds from his makeshift weapon. Each hit tore chunks off from the lower half.
"Rime, your turn." Ice fractals hit each of the exposed areas and exploded into massive boulders made of ice.
"Finally, Miss Militia." The other two had given enough time for the third to use the net launcher over the top part of the body, where what had remained human enough. It would keep the monsterous cape at bay for a while.
A fireball soared past Alexandria as she turned to deal with the dragon which had now gained the offensive. Eidolon had indeed brought to an end the fire elementals and was the main force against the threat from another world. Legend had gotten fully healed as he was assisting his former teammate. Several more bodies were strewn around in various states of burning. She tried to figure out a plan but before she could even think, their foe gathered flames all around it and created a burning pillar stretching to the sky.
"It knows…" It must also be some type of Thinker. After this is over, I am going to deal with the one responsible.
"Gaze out, the dragon is moving to unleash a most wondrous charm of fireth. Alloweth me to dealeth this charm with mine own might." Aleister raised his blade as it started to shine greatly. It became a beam of light that caught everybody's attention. With a single stroke downwards, the beam sliced though the pillar of fire. "I necessity to recov'r some of mine own vigor. Giveth me yond tempus and I shalt endeth the dragon."
"I understand. Legend distract it long enough for Eidolon pin him down." It was best to leave these matters to one who had better understanding of it. "I will help Eidolon."
Time to remind those watching why the Triumvirate is considered the best.
Events of today and the resent past had harmed the image of the Triumvirate, Protectorate and the PRT as a whole. Something she wouldn't let stand if she could help it. Too much was at stake for it all to fall apart. Should that terrible event come to pass then there would be no chance left to survive the end.
Her former teammates were able to keep in check the dragon with her help. But they were far from being able to it pin down. It simply was too powerful in that regard. Quickly, Alexandria formulated a new plan in order to gain that advantage. "Rest of you, aim for the legs to cripple it."
In response to her words, the dragon then took flight to the skies. "Of course it could understand us." Sometimes the Chief Director wondered if there was indeed a force outside the Entities that had it out for her and others.
"Indeed." The damned fire lizard as Regent once describe revealed. It's tone was vaguely masculine.
"If you can speak then why haven't you tried to stop us?" That question was one she wanted answers.
"Simple. Why should one such as I speak to lessers?" So this beast saw himself above others that weren't on the same level or high. "Lord of Power, Lord of Energy, Lady of Stone."
It has given us some names, most likely of some importance. Plus he has managed to learn our speech. Highly smart. This is going to be a long fight.
"Is this fight you not wanting to have your heart taken?" Eidolon turn to ask his question. It was a good one but one she felt the dragon really won't answer.
"Of course. Who wouldn't fight back against their demise by the hand of another." Sublimest hint of sarcasm in the tone, clued her in. "So let me grant you this warning as recognition of your power. Don't get in the way."
"Why do you need to kill him? Is there another way for both of you to resolve this?" Legend tried to reason with the fiery arrogant lizard.
"This is to the death. He is a threat I must eliminate." The Dragon glanced back at Aleister. "So I will kill him before he can do the same."
There was more to this then simply the heart, a deeper conflict that drove both of them to this… There is another factor in this. This dragon has a greater reason to kill him.
"Before we let you two fight once more. I have one final question, if you permit it." It was time to figure out that greater reason. "What will you do once you kill him?"
"I will return to my version of … Earth, you called the world. You have no need for further conflict with me. Focus upon that abomination."
Suddenly all the pieces came together to form a dark picture.
Aleister said he needed to a dragon's heart in order to protect his people. His version of Earth is undergoing global crisis. Usually for one to protect others they need some form of defense. This dragon is trying to eliminate him before he can get this form of defense, which meant it could stop even a dragon. A weapon most likely. One that requires a potent source of energy to use. If magic is indeed real then a dragon's heart would be an excellent source of it. The reason why the dragon is stopping that is due to him being part of a greater force. One poised to conquer Aleister's home…
"Thank you for your answers. You have been most magnanimous." Alexandria covertly gave her former teammate a signal. "I have decide to not take up your warning."
Before the dragon could react, his wings were attacked with extreme amount of power before being tackled into the ground by the 'Lady of Stone'. "Damn you…"
"While I have stained by hands…" Chief Director was then flung into a building getting covered in rubble. It was child's play to break out. "Even aiding in group that seek conquest. Someone I get the feeling that yours would make... Gaia, you called the world, a worse place. That is the one thing I can't allow, especially not now."
She had noticed to looks she was given but ignored them. They wouldn't understand until the end happened anyway. Only a few ever could.
"I shall burn this city into ash for your transgression." Flames began to spread across Brockton Bay. "Your deaths shall be most pleasing to me."
"S'rry but yond shall not befall the present day, S'rvant of the Black King of Yggdramar." With that the warrior stabbed the ground, focusing all his power. "This city shalt seeth anoth'r day if I can doth aught about t."
Suddenly water began to flow from cracks everywhere towards the fire. A battle between the two elements began, one trying to vanquish the other.
"Lauda Dominam Lucis!" Came a battle cry from Aleister as he poured his power into the water. "Paca Dominum Tenebrarum!"
Praise the Lady of Light. Pacify the Lord of Darkness. Seems like Latin is also spoken on Gaia. And it looks like he speaks that better then Elizabethan English.
"Invoking those two…" A burst of flames appeared around the dragon that knocked back several capes. "I won't let you!"
Everything slowed down as the S-Class threat from Gaia dashed towards his prey with far greater speed. It was clear to see what was going to happen. No time for his prey to get out of the way. Neither of her former teammates would be able to reach him in time. There wasn't anyone else who could but her.
Images of another time flashed into her mind. One where a similar haired man fell before a woman striped black and white. The greatest loss of perhaps the one person who could have changed everything…
Never AGAIN!
A series of images moved through her mind as she save the warrior from Gaia. Her speeding the fast she could. Her standing front of the dragon. Said dragon impaling her with his claws and teeth. The warrior pulling out his sword from the ground. Then stabbing under the jaw of the dragon. Before running across the body, cutting it open from head to tail. She getting thrown to the side. The person she said running over to her along side her old teammates.
"Alexandria!"
---
The battlefield stopped in utter silence. Alexandria was in critical condition after using her body to save Aleister. This wasn't the outcome that Tattletale wanted when she first came up with the portal. No none of this was part of that plan. After all, who could expect something like dragons and magic to exist?
She should have. Her power should have told her. Told her about something that is currently outside the bounds of the Passenger's Knowledge…
Alexandria's major organs have been pierced. No cape that can fix that kind of damage without killing themselves in the area. Aleister is searching for something important… The Satchel-bag that he was carrying when he appeared. Which has the means to fix her. Located near where the portal first opened…
If there was a silver-lining, it may be with him. That was what she decided when she pointed to the area. "Your bag is over there."
"Thanketh thee, Dame Tattletale." Came a reply as the 'warrior' from Gaia rushed over. "I shouldst has't one left. Has't hath used t all up from the lasteth combat."
He was being meticulous in his search for the bag.
"What are you on about now, Shakespeare?" Regent glanced over to watch from his location. "Got some genie lamp to make a wish."
"No, apparently he got a potion of healing he hasn't used up completely." The fact that such an item existed would cause allot of problems later. Who didn't want that kind of useful power?
"Seriously? Wow, perhaps I should see if he has other magic potions…" Before her teammate could get himself further into trouble, their leader turned to face him. "Fine, fine. No messing with the new guy."
"Look to your left." Skitter spoke without ever needing to turn. "Near brick broken in two."
"Much appreciation f'r the holp, Dame Skitter. Useful might thee posses." The bag in question was one seemingly untouched by the events that transpired. Cause it was crafted with magic.
"Just get Alexandria fixed up." Her leader was already past her limit to care today. "We still have to deal with Echidna."
Speaking of whom was starting to break free from the Nanothorn Net and would most likely rampage once again, but this time without the help of the Triumvirate.
"Shit! We got a few minutes before she make life hard again."
Too bad her original plan had backfired on all of them. Sundancer wasn't in the right head space to take out her former best friend. There had to be a way of dealing with the first S-Class threat. If only miracles genuinely happened, then they might have had a chance… That was it. The answer was in a sense creating a miracle.
What is magic? Her powers told her that what Aleister was doing was effecting reality though unknown means. Using some form of energy to do so. If that was the case then she had to set up the right conditions. Both of these Gaians held powers that her power didn't recognized. Which meant that there was a chance after all. However what she had planned need extraordinary power… the kind of power that the dragon's heart contained.
How do I convince him to use the heart against Echidna? He need it to use an ancient weapon to protect his people. His world is currently setting itself up to break down again… Damn, he really does need it. Considers his people of the utmost importance. The ancient weapon require a dragon's heart to activate. No known substitute.
Could a dragon's heart be recharged? Possible, need to study one in order to make sure. If so then I have the way into getting his help. Said dragon is dying… waiting for the end. Failed his master so will parish without incident.
"I need to examine something." Tattletale told her boss. "You aren't going to like it."
"What exactly do you need to study?" The bug-controlling cape stood straighter.
"The dragon's heart. I have a plan… That won't turn out like that last one." Her power told her that Skitter was doubting her plan. "Look, if my idea works, we can use the power of one threat to deal with the other. Just need to have my power look over the heart."
"If your idea doesn't work out?" Yup, not happy about the possibility of taking the heart. "Very risky without a sure proof."
"I know but think of it this way. You need a great deal of energy to use some powers, right. So in order to counter that, one might use a battery… Now let's say this battery could be recharged." There is the neurons firing, she gets it.
"You want to see if a particular battery is rechargeable. Meaning we can ask Aleister for help dealing with our threat after helping with his." Which all came down to the singular point of contention. If a dragon's heart can be recharged or not. "Fine, we will try your plan."
"You are going to get us killed, you know that right?" Grue, her former boss, was apprehensive at the very notion. "How are we even going to get it?"
"Simple, we are going to ask. He is dedicated to protecting his people. So we frame it in those terms. Us protecting our own people, this city, from a threat poised to destroy it. He will listen to that kind of argument. Especially if it came from out fearless leader." The purple-clad villainess moved a few steps toward the dragon.
"Fine, I will be the one to talk to him." That was the best choice, she was in effect an authority figure who also was dedicated to their people.
Speaking of the 'Warrior' from Gaia, he had finished with the last of his potions. Alexandria was now on the mend and would make a full recovery. Magic is such bullshit. He got up and turned to the dragon. Strode over to his fallen foe and pressed the palms of his hands together in a prayer.
"Domina Lucis animam tuam in paradisum ducat. Dominus Tenebrarum animam tuam sine impedimento transeat."
"Giving even your... enemy such... a prayer…" The dragon breathed out, the insides showing a bit from the wound given. "You are... a true... Fanelian."
"Simply providing gratitude. I sendeth this invocation to the Dragon-Gods so thee may findeth harmony aft'r this existence." Such an action was rare indeed.
"We both know you aren't talking about the Dragon…" With that he turned to the side and closed his eyes. "… Go on… Take… Your… Victory…"
Before anyone could move, Aleister plunged his right hand into the chest of the beast. It reached deep inside before pulling out a crystalline object… that slowly stopped beating. So dragons had stone hearts filled with magic. Once the heart was removed, the body started to devolve into bones, then ash and dust before fading completely way.
"With this, I can awaken the slumbering guardian of mine own humans once m're. The rite hath been passed. Anon, I might not but findeth a way backeth home."
"Excuse me, but we need to have a talk." Skitter carefully walked up to him. "It is about the other threat in the area."
"Of course, Dame Skitter. Thee wisheth f'r mine own aid in thy ordeal h're." Said person turned to look at them. "What is t thee necessity?"
"In order to deal with Echidna, we might need to use that heart." Their leader notice the look she had received. "Look, I understand. This is the first big threat this city had. Hell in a few months we had several back to back. You want to protect your home. I want to protect mine. Have been for those few months. So I know that… stone heart in your hands is very important to you. If you allow my teammate here to take a look over then we can make a better judgment?"
"What judgment doth thee seeketh from the core?" That weariness was the kind that came from experience and wisdom.
"Tattletale thinks there could be a way to refill the dragon's heart." That had gotten his attention but one that was more skeptical. "What is it?"
"Thence hadst been endeavor to doth what thee hath said but none of those folk succeeded. At which hour the dragon's core is hath used completely, t breaketh down into dusteth." Wasn't the answer she wanted to her but was one that they needed.
"Wait, you said used completely, which mean if one doesn't do that then there might be a chance." It was a slim hope but one that might save the day. "You are the only one who could use it and we aren't going to use it against you. We have more problems here without adding the ones from your home. As I said, I know what I am asking of you. If we are right then I can protect my people, my home. If wrong then we will find some other way. Not going to make you sacrifice your people and home for mine."
Look of resignation was clear on his face but a undercurrent of hesitation. "Thy home is forsooth not in the most wondrous estate t couldst beest. If thee art forsooth wrong, then I shall holp findeth this oth'r way."
"Agreed but first allow us to test this theory." With that, Aleister handed over the dragon's heart. "Tattletale, see what you can figure out."
Before the Thinker could a terrible roar came from nearby. Echidna had finally broken free from the Nanothorn Net and have set her sight on the Undersiders. "No more running! No more hiding! All of you, DIE!"
"S'rry but I shall beest thy opponent in this combat."
"You! You dare interfere!" The maddened psuedo-endbring charged at the interlopper with the intent to grab him. "I shall make you suffer!"
"Thence has't been those ere thee yond has't tried and thence is those aft'r thee yond shall try." The 'warrior' from Gaia moved away from the arms and other appendages. "Thee shall findeth me hard to slay."
While he is dealing with her. Let me see what I can about dragon's hearts and magic. Alright, so dragon hearts are quasi-crystilline organic in nature. Held together by an unknown force. So magic kept this running in one piece. Means if it lost that magic then it would become dust before fading away like the body. Just like what he said. So if a heart still had some magic then that can't happen. Now for the miracle making question. Can a heart with some magic left be recharged back to full or close to it? This material is magic by nature. Magic are unknown methods of manipulating reality. The energy behind it is unknown but can be tapped into by the right vectors. Possibility of being able to restore the energy is high. Most likely requiring high amount of the same energy or perhaps using even great amount of a different energy converted into magic. Requires a test to see if true. Test will need some energy removed or else could face overcharging which would cause both known and unknown reactions.
"Ok, I am going to need sometime resting after this. The headache is going to be something absolutely horrible." The purple-clad villainess held onto her head. "But yeah, it would require a test to see if it works. Chances are on our side on this."
"Great, how do we test this out? Our best person is dealing with our current nightmare." Her wayward teammate in white pointed towards the fight. "Unless you have the ability to suddenly use magic."
"Perhaps I do…" The idea wasn't that far out of reach as one might suggest. "Let's see if I can't figure out magic shall it."
"Boss, help. I think I broke our resident brainiac." Regent dramatically swayed from one side to another.
"Tattletale…"
"I know, I know. But this is our best bet without him." No way she was ever going to let this one chance escape. "We need to take some energy out before trying or else bad shit happens."
"Please be careful. If anything happens, stop immediately. We can't lose you."
"I will. Have no plans on leaving. Wish me luck." With that she sat down and focused on magic. "Lets unravel this enigma wrapped inside a riddle, shall me."
Magic are unknown methods messing with reality using similar unknown energy. This energy must be able to affect existence. Thus must be in some form fundamental to existence. Thinking back to known examples of magical use. The dragon was able to manipulate his flames in ways that went beyond what flames could do. See damages to Legend. That requires a deeper level of reality to pull off. See also damages to Alexandria who the only known weakness was to attack that warp space-time. Thus magic must be able warp space-time. Adding the abilities seen by Aleister. First example was the sword beam that took out the fire pillar. It was able to use physical object to affect reality. Second example was his manipulation of water on a large scale. Which mean Magic and the Energy it uses is connected to the physical and that connection is ubiquitous. That reveals some hidden dimension of space-time currently unknown. However, there are means of reaching into this hidden dimension. Where is this hidden dimension? How does one access it?
Must go deeper. Must go deeper. Must go deeper.
Suddenly Tattletale found herself in the middle of a bottomless ocean but she wasn't sinking in but upon it like it was solid. The sky was partial cloudy with the blue sky still very much visible. It was a tranquil place she even knew existed before.
"Beautiful place, isn't it?" A voice came from below her, as she saw herself looking back at her. But this wasn't her as she was now but rather who she was outside the costume.
"How…?" Alright she officially gotten way over her head and was now talking to herself.
"This place has many… let's call it environmental abilities. Wonderful to behold." Her reflection smiled at the sky. "Here one may find things, even if they don't really want to."
"Alright, I think I am getting it. So what exactly are you?" Unfortunately she didn't have access to her power here, which was frankly terrifying. "Cause I don't really think you are me as Lisa."
"Is that what you truly think?" Oh dear whatever high power decided to listen in. "Am I not you? Perhaps I am you as your other name."
That froze Lisa in place, her other name, the name she ran away from. "No, you are not me as her."
"How sure you are about that." A laugh that was clearly mocking rang out. "You know who I am. No use in denying it."
"Right, magic. This kind of shit happens in those kinds of stories." She took a few deep breaths. "So if you are really me then why are you here?"
"What do you think the answer is?" Another round of laughter followed the answer.
"Since I am trying to understand magic, somehow I entered this place and it caused you to exist… Let me guess you are here to be part of that." It only made sense in the end.
Her underwater doppelganger nodded and grinned her own grin back at her. "Correct. This place allows both of us to exist."
"So what is magic? If you can tell me anything on that." Chances on her with that was abysmal.
"Oh, I can tell you are on the right train of thought. Magic as you would know it is indeed a sort of hidden dimension." The other her then gestured towards the depths of the sea. "But it is a one that known."
"So it is something known…" Was it known to her or was it just in general. "Let's go with the second option. So if it generally known but still hidden. That could mean quite a few things."
"It does but you are smart enough to figure it out."
"Well, all the time in this place is mine to use. Now let's see if I can figure out how access the other abilities." Even if that took an eternity. "So if it is known then I must have come across it."
"You have, in a manner of speaking." The other her began to before a waltz beneath her. "All you have to do is remember what that vital piece of information is."
"Easier said then done, without my power." A part of her felt empty and cold at the fact. "Why is that anyway?"
"Because the Passengers, as you refer to them as, are unable to grasp this truth. Due to the very nature of such beings."
"Their very nature… Passengers need hosts!" Realization that the very bond had prevented themselves from reaching magic. "Magic requires something they don't have but the hosts do."
"Yes and no, it would be more accurate to say that both have what is needed. The difference is that the host species didn't let that vital element diminish beyond usability."
Diminish beyond usability… Wait, that means it something integral to sentience… No, not sentience per say. The ability to be self-aware allows one to manipulate magic with purpose. What am I missing here?
"Damn it. This in infuriating. I have been reliant on my power for so much. Now that I don't have it is exactly when I need it the most." That lonely part of hers had gotten worse. "Trapped in this… place that I don't even understand. Talking to another version of myself. And to top it off, I don't think I can escape this spirit… journey…"
Those two last words had struck with the weight of the universe. Fundamental truth that had escaped beings far greater then her. Humanity still had a side to it that the Passengers have completely forgotten.
"This is a spirit journey. Mystical practice that people still preform today." For the first time in her entire life, she felt strangely at peace. "Even to those that don't, they still can comprehend that ideas behind it."
"You have arrived at the truth. That which you call Spiritualism and Mysticism are the key to magic." Her civilian copy stopped dance before staring straight up at her. "But your understanding of such topics in incomplete."
"I see. So there is indeed a deeper meaning here." At least she figured out the key. "Something that was lost to the Passengers."
"Correct. For all their great intellect, they have become unable to see what isn't in front of them." Which meant they are trapped into a certain paradigm. "For them, fire is merely a chemical reaction."
"But for us, it has other meanings. Like the story of Prometheus who stole the fire from the gods and give it to humanity." It had started to make sense, humans still had an imagination to see beyond into the more metaphorical.
"And thus was punished for it by being chained to a mountain and having his liver eaten daily by birds. The Passengers are akin to that. They give out their powers to those lesser then them but the way in doing so are condemned to a path that leads to their doom." That wasn't ominous at all.
Time seemed to have passed silently between them before the original Tattletale spoke again. "So, can I take it that you are the version of me that exist in some higher plane."
"Took you long enough to figure it out." There was that grin again. "I am the you that the bridge between Earth and that hidden dimension."
"What is that hidden dimension? The spirit world." All the answers she was getting lead to that being the correct answer.
"Yes and no. For the answer you seek, you must answer one question. What is the soul?"
What is the soul? Isn't the soul or psyche or consciousness or whatever some spiritual part of a being? No, there had to be more to that. What is the soul really? The soul in most contexts was the part of you separate from the body. That part of you that was said to be the most important. What made you as a person different from everything else. Your most vital essence… That was it!
"The soul is what defines me as myself. It is Plato's Theory of Forms, which was about metaphysical concepts what defines the essence of something." Lisa was proud of herself for that. "Magic is being to of use this to effect reality."
"Congratulations… now it is… time for you… to… wake… back… up…." The place she had found herself in had started to fade away.
"Hey wait, I still have…" But it was too late as everything faded way.
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Ever since she had arrived on Earth Bet, Marissa hated being a cape but was forced to be. If she had a choice she would trade her powers for a normal life back on Earth Aleph. Unfortunately for her, life didn't seem to pan out that way.
"Fuck… it has all gotten so wrong." One of her teammates, Luke, had to take cover from the fight between their former teammate and Aleister. "Next time I see Tattletale, I am going to send her into several walls. We were almost back home."
"We still need to deal with Noelle. Can't leave her like this, even if she is the cause of so much of our problems." Another teammate, Oliver, pointed out.
"No. This is beyond our ability to handle and I want to just go back home." The armored cape glared at the other. "Let this world deal with Echidna."
"Enough both of you!" She snapped at both of them. It was bad enough that things had turned out this way. They didn't need any more infighting. "Just enough…"
"Sorry Mars…" Their resident Changer looked down. "What do we do now?"
Part of her knew what she had to do. In order for them to get back home, Sundancer had to kill her best friend who finally was beyond saving. Had she done so before the whole incident with the portal, they would have been back already.
"I'll do it." That horrible sense of resignation filled her heart. "I will be the one to finally stop Noelle."
"Are you sure…?" The younger of the two teenage boys tried to speak before getting interrupted.
"So you finally decided to do what we needed you to do from the very start!" Ballistic yelled at her. "Took you long enough!"
"Yes. I am sure, Oli." Before she could move a figure appeared next to them. "Imp!"
"That right, mother fuckers. Anyway, came with a message from the scary bug woman that is in charge." Undersider's Stranger had dramatically leaped next to her. "Seems like miss too smart for her own good has a new plan."
"A new plan? What can that little…" Before the more abrasive teammate could continue, she glared at him.
"What is the new plan?" It was most likely involved her being the one to put an end to Noelle's sufferning.
"Believe or not, our resident Thinker figured out how magic works. Yup, that is right, magic is bullshit." That had gotten their attention. "So we are going to use the teenage bad-ass magic warrior to deal with the monstrous cape that love to vore you up and pit out the clones."
"Then why are you here, if you got all that handled?" Relief spread across her body.
"'Cause we still need miss sunshine here. Apparently we need a source of energy so that our visitor can use the 'Core of the Dragon'. He needs it for his people but if he uses it here then he can't for his people. Unless we can recharge it like a Duracell which the mind fucker did say it is possible. So we are going with solar power." Much better plan then before. "Afterwards, you will have your free one-way trip back home."
"So all we have to do is back turn Mars into an energy recharging station and we can finally get back to our earth." The tension began to slowly dissipate as Luke turned to face the messenger. "How do we know this won't back fire like last time?"
"Eh, no more surprises, I think. Something about how she couldn't fact something she can't even consider until experiencing. Which she now figured out… without her powers. As I said, magic is bullshit and our powers are stupid when it comes to it. So time to stop being a little bitch and man the fuck up." With that, the interloper vanished before anyone else could react.
"Why you… Wait. What were we talking about just now? Had a feeling it was important." Ballistic suddenly became confused.
"This familiar feeling… I think we had a visit from that Stranger Cape." Oliver sighed out in relieve. "Can't remember what she wanted."
"We should head over to Skitter, most likely she want to meet up with us." With that Marissa turned to walk towards where the Undersiders had been last sighted.
Only two members of the team were there. Their fearsome boss who can control seemingly countless bugs and the Thinker who manged to make even more of a mess. Skitter turned to face them.
"Thank you for coming. Let's commence with the new plan."
"New plan?" Wait, we had been given a new plan?
"I see. Should have sent Grue instead but he is currently dealing with the First S-Class threat." It was clear to the Travelers that things were dicey here as well. "Tattletale will explain what she came up with."
Said person was holding her head and took a few breath. Thinker Headache, what happens when that classification of parahumans uses their powers too much.
"Figured out how magic works but I can't use it yet. So we are going to get Aleister to use a great of power form the dragon's heart. Normally he would be very hesitant to risk it due to the needs of his people. However, I have figured out how we can recharge it. That is where Sundancer comes in, since she is living solar power. In exchange, we keep our end of the deal from last time."
Sense of deja vu washed over them like they had a similar conversation before. "I think I understand the new plan. Will it work?"
"We believe it will." Leader of the Undersiders nodded.
"What is going to happen to Noelle?" That was the one question she needed to known before agreeing with this new plan.
"A miracle, if you can understand it. Yup. Aleister can save her with his powers but needs a large amount of energy to do so…" The purple-clad villainess started to speak.
"Then do it. If it means saving her as well then I will do what I can on my end." A chance. A real genuine chance to save her best friend.
"Marissa, you can't just…" Before Luke could finish, she glared at him.
"Out other goal had to find a way to fix her. We aren't abandoning her to her fate. If we can bring her back, we will." Something deep inside awoke in her that would now roar into a blazing fire. "No more complaints, am I understood?"
"… Yes, Sundancer."
"Good, Skitter help save our friend from her living nightmare." Being in command was something both frightening and yet comforting.
"Aleister! We need you over here, now!"
Said magical warrior rushed over to their location with a speed she could hardly keep up. "What is t yond thee necessity, Dame Skitter?"
"Our plan is going to work out, time for you to use the heart." There seemed to be a silent agreement between the two.
"V'ry well, handeth ov'r the dragon's core and I shall useth the might within to resolve this foe." With that, that very same object was placed into his hands. "Lauda Dominam Lucis. Paca Dominum Tenebrarum."
Heart of the dragon began to glow with such radiance that it was almost blinding.
"May the Dragon-Gods grant thee mercy from this h'rrible fate yond hath taken holdeth of thy v'ry existence."
Beam of purest light shot out of the heart and into Noelle's body. "What… is… this…?" Before she could continue, glowing cracks began to appear all over. Slowly but surely, those cracks began to grow even more. As they were consuming the very being, until no part of her was left untouched.
Soon however, the radiant energy began to fade. All that would be left were several unconscious bodies on the battle-scarred road with one in particular. "Noelle!"
"Wait Sundancer. It's your turn, we don't have time!"
Right, she had to recharge the heart. Marissa gather a sun in her hand and focused it towards the crystalline object. Only thing on her mind was how glad she was that her best friend didn't have to be killed.
"That's enough, you can stop now." Undersider's resident Thinker called out. "Well, at least it didn't turn to ash."
"Forsooth but t wast only in parteth filled."
"Look I know but it means my idea worked, kinda. It seems we need a more appropriate source of energy. Thought that solar power would do thanks to the sun being very important to humanity. But I forgot to factor in where that solar power came from."
As those two were debating on the whole recharging part of the plan, Skitter walked over to her and nodded. "What are you going to do now?"
"Return to Earth Aleph and hang up my cape." That was all she wanted to do now.
"They aren't going let you take Noelle back. It seems like they are trying to figure out what happened and if there is a chance for her to 'relapse'." Damn it, ever after all that… "However, I manged to get everything ready for the portal."
"Thank you. Seems only a few of us gets to go back." Long two and half years, finally done and gone. "Can I ask that you try to keep an eye out for here?"
"I will do what I can."
With that she would enter the new portal and live her life the way she wanted to.
