[“Juniper, this is your chance.”]
She stared at the collapsed brute, panzer, in his hulking state was lodged deep into the jagged crater he made. She knew what Sys-chan was suggesting and it disgusted her.
“Time for what sissy?” she hissed, biting her tongue. Waiting for disgusting confirmation.
[“To grow stronger. You need this. ”]
“No, Ew" This time she really was disturbed. "I don’t want to touch him!”
[Disgusting? Sure. But so is getting your face punched in by someone stronger because you weren’t prepared. ]
Juniper crossed her arms, shaking her head. Sys-chan kept pushing at her.
[“Jun. Do you really want to leave yourself this vulnerable? If he had half your brain, he would've won the fight. Think about your siblings. Think about your future. What’s one little touch if it keeps you alive? Keeps them safe?”]
"There's nothing sexy about this, nothing romantic, or heroic!" She threw her fists in the air. “You don’t fucking get it, when I started this shit I thought it could change me for the better, make a difference, steer what I have left of my family to a better future. Do you think I want to be some fucking power toolbox, I don’t It sucks ass. Every time I boost a stat it feels like my fucking teratoma climbed under my skin.”
[“I know it sucks, I know I’m pushing you at your edge. But, you’re at a crossroads, Jun. You don’t need to master his power right now, you don't have to use it now, but having it could be the difference you need 7 years from now.”]
Sys-chan words were itching deep under her skin, and her anger flared. Her face was turning red, frustration building, she was on the verge of combusting.
“Fine,” she spat, her voice stoic.
She knelt next to the larping ogre of a man. His grotesque figure made her hesitate. His back was tapping like a river, she’d need at least two baths after this. Just thinking about touching him made her skin crawl.
She did it anyway, her hand shaky on his sweaty frame. She shivered and her limbs felt like they were twisting apart.
[“Mimicry skill activated.”]
[“Mimicry Analysis.”]
The less quirky system’s cold demeanor did not match her raw emotions. She braced herself as her mind was flooded with streaming data.
[“Iron Drive Level 1 – Amplify strength to absurd levels.”]
[“Mimic power? Y/N”]
A whisper escapes from her voice. “Yes.”
The system reacted accordingly, its tone monotonous. Where was the line the system drew between its base state and her little AI helper? Were they the same, she wondered. Sys-chan never elaborated.
[“Power set acquired.”]
[“Iron Drive Level 1 – Amplify strength to ridiculous levels.”]
[“Power Emulation Level 1 has leveled up to 2. User can now use two powers simultaneously, but not combined.”]
Usually, she’d be celebrating at the moment, but right now all she felt was disgust.
She pulled her hand away, stumbling as if she could distance herself. Her body recoiled on its own, her throat became heavy. The smell of the man got to her. She gagged, but swallowed the erupting bile.
She swallowed, she knew she was going to be sick for days. The only thing she ate, a sausage at Maria’s grilling stand–threatened to escape.
“Ugh…” she groaned, spitting to the side, trying to purge bits of the feeling from her.
[“You did the right thing.”]
“No,” she snapped, her voice weak. “No, I didn’t. Not this time.”
She needed to keep moving, Evelyn was sending someone to her. They wouldn’t allow her to move forward if she was acting ill. But she had to, she felt compelled.
A sudden flash of light ripped through the air, zipping and zapping and then slamming into the ground. She stumbled and shielded her eyes from the blinding light.
The light dimmed, and someone stood before her. Energy crackling in the air, made her hair rise on her body.
The streak of light started spinning around her moving at impossible speeds, spinning around her and then the fallen brute before coming to a halt.
A cape stood in front of her, much smaller than she was. A blue visor covered her face, she smiled, her mouth radiating chaotic energy.
Her heart sank. Of course, The white sheep of the city.
Giggly bubbly, and childlike.
Hyperlight.
A speedster, one of the original seven of Team New Hope. And the most efficient hero when it came to response alerts. And by internet accounts a manic weirdo.
Hyperlight tilted her head, looking like Juniper came out of an iceberg. Then with a blur of motion, she was under Juniper’s nose, then an inch away, inspecting her arm.. She lifted Juniper’s arm, sniffed it, and moved her head like a little bird.”
“Did you just sniff me?” Juniper asked, flabbergasted.
The girl ignored the question. “Who are you?”
She opened her mouth, then a heavy thudding came down the road echoing like a landfall. She turned to see another figure arrive, the ground cracking beneath him as he ran. His skin gleamed, golden coated entirely in shifting metal.
Alloy. Another member of the team.
“Hey!” the metal man barked, his deep voice carrying a hint of irritation. “Hyperlight! How many times do I have to tell you to stop running off ahead? This is exactly why I hate being paired with you.”
Alloy was a powerhouse and shapeshifter, apprently he could shift his skin and his organs to liquidous metals as long as he had touched it once in his lifetime.
Hyperlight grinned proudly. “Looks like the problem was solved before we got here,” she chirped, gesturing at the unconscious brute half-buried in the ground.
Juniper sighed deeply. Here it came. The endless questions. Who are you? What do you want? Are you registered? What’s your cape name? How old are you? It was exhausting.
[“More capes. More powers Juniper. Rob them, Juniper. Jump them. Steal their power. ( ´ཀ` )”]
She flinched, the voice slicing through her tired thoughts. Was her system losing her mind?
“Are you fucking nuts?” she snapped aloud, startling both of the heroes.
Hyperlight jumped away, her visor flashing. An awkward silence followed.
Juniper clenched her jaw and exhaled slowly. “Sorry. I’ve had a bad day.”
“Don’t we all,” Alloy grumbled, crossing his arms. His metallic frame creaked slightly as she posed.
Hyperlight gave her a nervous smile. “Looks like we got off on the wrong foot.” She extended her hand, her voice laced with forced cheer. “Hyperlight, but I’m sure you already know that.”
Alloy followed suit, his massive hand shifting into polished steel before extending it. “Alloy.”
Juniper took his arm, shaking it as if moving a massive lever.
Juniper hesitated, “Mimicry.” She let out a hollow laugh. “OBB. Don’t ask, don’t comment, and for the love of God, don’t start making assumptions I’ve heard it all, and I’m too tired to care.”
She was on the edge.
They gave each other a glance, their postures relaxed, their expression holding traces of doubt.
“Sure,” Hyperlight said, her tone inferred skepticism. She kept looking at the unconscious brute. “So, you took him down all by yourself? Quite a feat.”
Juniper didn’t answer.
Undeterred, Hyperlight drifted closer, nudging her playfully with an elbow.
“Say, that outfit of yours looks mighty familiar. You didn’t steal it, did you? I have a friend who used to wear something similar.”
Juniper stared at her, deadpanning. “Don’t worry. It’s not something similar. It is your friend’s outfit.”
Hyperlight froze, smile disappearing. Then she couldn’t decide whether to be angry or confused.
“Me and Heliogirl–”
Before she could explain, her body fought against her.
Her muscles moved violently, bulging and tearing under her skin as her newfound power worked on its own. Her knees threatened to let her fall, her vision was blurring, and a small wave of nausea hit her.
She spoke again and then, her stomach lurched, and then she vomited. The sounds were wet and revolting. Her body continued to convulse, limbs numb, as if they were rejecting the power.
Her visor glinted and she leaned close. “You okay there, mimicry? You need a hospital?”
Juniper opened her mouth but couldn’t respond. The air whizzed and the lamps flickered. A gravitational wave of energy washed over her, keeping her steady.
She fell.
“Easy there,” She recognized the voice like a specter came to visit her.
It was Annemarie, she didn't have the energy to panic, they'd left each other on abrupt terms. Juniper blinked, her symptoms passing but her body was weak. Annemarie held her by her arms, masked and dangerous.
Relief and guilt warred within her chest. There was also dormant conflict and trauma she had with her.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Juniper muttered weakly.
“Yeah, well, neither should you,” Annemarie cooed, her grip steady. She locked her eyes with the New Hope members.
“Voidwaltzer!Are you taking her?” Hyperlight asked, earnestly.
“That’s the plan,” Annemarie said affirmatively. She glanced down at Juniper, her voice softening. “Let’s get you out of here before this gets worse.”
Alloy stepped forward, his skin glistening under the lights. “We’re not sure that’s a good idea.”
“And why’s that?”
Hyperlight stomped her feet. “She’s in no shape to go anywhere except to a hospital. You can’t just swoop in and play guardian.”
Annemarie snorted. “That’s rich. Where were you when she got tossed around? One day The New Hope will be late for their own funeral.”
Hyperlight got agitated, Alloy raised his arm in front of her. Calming her.
His voice was measured, and calm. “Stop the needless aggression Voidwaltzer, you’re friend is in pain, Hyperlight can get her to a hospital asap.”
Annemarie’s eyes tightened under her mask. “She’s not your responsibility, and knowing what she's capable of, she'll be fine.”
Hyperlight stepped closer, visor stuck in the glare of Annemarie’s mask. “And you think she’s yours? You’ve got a reputation, Voidwaltzer—don’t think we forget easily.”
Juniper stirred, “Enough…”
They stared at her, as she stood up on her own. Annemarie let go reluctantly.
“Just… stop,” Juniper rasped, her exhaustion evident. “I don’t care who’s right. I’m hungry, I need energy, I need something right now...”
Annemarie restarted her grip on Juniper’s body, slinging her arm over her shoulder. Though her expression behind the mask was softening in her eyes. “We’re leaving then.”
Hyperlight hesitated, stepping back. “I hope you know what you're doing.”
Annemarie didn’t respond, focusing on lifting Juniper off the ground. The air dissipated as they turned away, bodies as light as feathers. Leaving Hyperlight and alloy staring at each other. A van with sirens blared in the back.
The prickling wind teased her, as her head was slumped next to Anne's.
"Where are you taking me?"
"First, we're gonna get you patched up, then you have a meeting with big sister, and then...I was hoping to speak with you."
Juniper wanted to protest but gave in.
Annemarie’s control was a hundred times better than Juniper's, she admired the way the girl moved through the air, gentle like a ballerina, and wild like an eagle when she fought.
"Thought I told you I never wanted to see you again."
Annemarie was silent as if wondering what to think. "I know, but we're going to be working together, I want to get something off my chest.
There was a subtle nudging with her head like Anne deliberately wanted Juniper to lean on her.
Juniper struggled to stay awake, but she did anyway and she'd be stronger for it.
