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Of Capes, Cowls, and Cuddles (NEW Issue 3 Chapter 9 Up! 11/25/18)


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Hello everyone. It seems like my original thread didn’t survive Forumgeddon. There’s good news though: I have a mostly complete backup that I’ll be re-posting soon, along with a new chapter :) Unfortunately, reposting almost a hundred pages of material means a loooooot of spacing to fix so it will take some time, but it’s definitely happening. Thank you all for bearing with me.

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Glad to hear you had it survived. I was worried when I saw the thread disappear that you didn't have a backup copy.

I can definitely speak from experience that the spacing is a pain on this site, so take your time. I certainly wouldn't want to do that for 22 chapters at once.

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All right, here's Issue 1. I'll be re-ading the chapter headings soon for more readability. Nostalgia trip! :)

Issue 1: Enter the Void

Chapter 1: Attunement

Bridget tried to struggle against the restraints that held her to the steel table, but it was useless. They were metal and cold, and didn't budge no matter how hard she fought. She tried to look around, to find something she could use to escape, but everything was washed out beneath violet operating lights, except for the dim outline of a few men in black lab coats, and the pulsing of a web of multicolored tubes that led from the table to IVs that pierced her in a dozen places. The fluids that flowed into her were neon yellow and green, and an orange that hurt her eyes to even look at.

“Host vitals normal. Begin tertiary attunement”

The voice was clinical and dispassionate, as cold as the metal she was laying on. She could hear the whirring of some kind of machinery behind her, and suddenly she felt a wave of pain coursing through her body. It was so intense that she couldn't help but scream, but even as she did, no sound came out. The figures in lab coats paid her no mind, and they walked between consoles and screens, adjusting knobs and pressing buttons with military precision.   The pain kept coming, wave after wave after wave, and soon she lost all sense of time. In the few moments between the pulses of agony, she looked at her pale skin and received a renewed dose of terror. The veins beneath her arm had begun to glow purple, as though the blood they contained had been replaced by some horrible ichor.

As the shock of the sight overcame her pumping adrenaline, Bridget stopped struggling, and went limp, her body alternately wracked by pain and helpless sobbing. If she'd had the ability to produce sound, the only thing that anyone would have heard was a tiny, mewling cry, the sound of a terrified, defeated child.

“Please...I want my mommy” 

After a long stretch of despair, that she had no way of counting, there was the sudden sound of rushing feet from outside the room, a few muffled shouts, and the rattle of gunfire. 

“Hold them back! The operation is not finished yet!”

The voice on the other side was crisp and commanding, but even through the haze of her own pain and terror, Bridget could hear the fear in it. 

“Fall back! Close the emergency door-” 

The barked order was suddenly cut off, and there was a massive thud, as though something had just crashed against the steel of the door.

“Those bullets won't work, you know. And seeing as you scumbags have my sister, unless you want to learn how many bones are in the human body by having me break them all, I suggest you stand aside.”

There were more shouted orders, punctuated by gunfire, but in a few moments there were four more thuds, the sound of as many bodies crumpling to the floor. 

Bridget recognized her sister Samantha's voice, and that recognition jolted her out of her reverie. With an effort, she turned her head toward the source of the noise. She hoped desperately to see an orange-yellow uniform with a white starburst cape, the one that always hung outside her sister's room. She would have given anything for s sight of the familiar head of shoulder-length golden hair, and the eyes that glowed with a light like the sun when her sister was angry.

Instead, she saw a massive reinforced door, and a flurry of lab coats. The doctors and scientists now moved with a good deal more panic and a great deal less cool precision, as they fled pell-mell for the emergency exits, away from the sounds of banging and gunfire. The door began to buckle, as though someone on the other side were striking it with a massive battering ram

Bridget tried again to cry out, to let her sister know she was there.

But as she did, she felt a strange chill course through her body, and an unfamiliar finger touched her lips, gently but irresistibly shushing her.

Bridget craned her neck to try to look up at the head of the operating table and found herself gazing up at an upside down version of herself. 

Well, almost herself. Bridget had never, even in her goth phase, been a fan of all black or all that much leather, and her hair was certainly not a neon red. But the soft oval of her face was exactly the same down to the identical dimple in her chin and mole on the left side of her face, The girl's grey eyes were  identical to Bridget's, and they had the same skinny frame.

As Bridget looked up at her doppelganger, it spoke, and its voice too was like hers, except that it reverberated with an unearthly echo.

“It is done. With this, little flesh-thing, you and I shall both have exactly what we desire.”

Bridget opened her mouth to respond, but the moment she did so, the other her dissolved into mist. Before she could stop herself, Bridget found herself breathing it in. It left a hot, dry sensation in her mouth like the one time she'd tried hookah. She coughed and spluttered, and felt a sudden stabbing pain as her motion jostled the tubes that still trapped her.

Samantha came into Bridget's view, her blonde hair mussed with the exertion of her battle, and her expression radiating concern. She looked in confusion at all the tubes and wires, trying to figure out which ones to pull first to free her captive sister.

“Bebe, are you all right? Can you hear me?” she cried, her molten gold eyes staring intently into Bridget's face.

“Come on, wake up!”

Bridget tried again to speak, to give some audible indication that she'd heard and understood, but she found herself still unable to make a sound, and her eyes drawn to her sisters', until the bright light emanating from one of them filled her entire field of vision, blotting out even the horrible light above the operating table.

“Please, wake up!”

The world was swallowed up by white light, unbearably, impossibly bright.

 

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Is it just my imagination or did you change of the chapter divisions a bit? I have in mind that Issue 1 was more than ten, and I could have sworn Breanna's fall was a cliffhanger ending to a chapter, though maybe I'm just going crazy.

Nothing wrong if you did of course; I'm just curious.

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Well look who's back in the saddle again!

Now that we're back where we started, might I ask when the next chapter is supposed to be finished? I'm sure all your fans are dying to know when their favorite story will continue. ;)

Also would it be possible to split this up into multiple pages akin to how it was before? As a mobile user it's rather inconvenient to scroll through such a large amount of text just to get to the next chapter. If that's not possible (or you just don't want to) that's perfectly fine. You've already gone above & beyond the call of duty by re-editing everything just for us.

You're one of the Greats, Selpharia. Sure, your story may never have a huge fan base. But that in no way diminishes the creative value of this Masterpiece. :D

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I'll so my best to realign it. Hopefully the mods will be gentle and understanding. Re-posting rom the beginning of Issue 1. This will unfortunately be a slow process to prevent post merge

Chapter 2: Parents and Teachers


“Wake up!” Samantha's voice was muffled by Bridget's bedroom door, but her banging on the door made her annoyance obvious.

Bridget rubbed the dust from her bleary eyes, and sat up, throwing her covers aside.

“I'm up! Chill out, jeez!”

The sound of retreating footsteps told Bridget that her sister was satisfied. She looked down at the little stuffed unicorn that lay next to her pillow. She turned the little plush head up so she could see its little black eyes under its pink yarn mane. “I guess I should be grateful she doesn't just bust my door in too, huh Gabrielle?”

<<What is the purpose of consulting that doll? It has yet to respond to any of your questions.>> 

Bridget's cheeks flushed red.

“Shut up. It's fun, okay?” she grumbled to herself. She knew it wasn't really necessary to speak aloud, but it was much more satisfying. Early on after what her parents liked to call “her incident,” she had trouble distinguishing her own thoughts from those of the being that now inhabited her body, but it had gotten easier over the last three months.

<< As I've said before, the most correct rendering of the meaning of my name into your primate language is 'Concordant Cadenza'>> 

I don't have time for this! That's a ridiculous name, so I gave you another one. Now stop distracting me, Mom'll kill me if I'm late again. 

Bridget hastily threw on some clothes, and brushed down brown hair that had launched a full bedhead insurrection atop her head. She was too busy running about collecting her stuff for school to make anything of it, but it was at least enough so that she didn't look like some kind of mad scientist.

She thundered down the stairs, and into the kitchen, and she went to grab some cereal from the pantry, only to find that a bowl had already been set out and filled. 

“Bridget, dear, you were running so late, I had Sami put out a bowl for you on her way out. Be sure to thank her when she gets home from St. Rose's today.”

Bridget grunted something that her mother interpreted as assent, while thinking of any number of barbaric torments she'd much rather be subject to than have to do something so demeaning as thanking her elder sister for doing something so patronizing, something that she didn't even need her doing in the first place.

Sure, I'd just love to be yet another person offering her a tongue bath of praise, she thought to herself, Oh, you're so wonderful, Shimmering Nova, whatever would I have done if you hadn't saved the day by getting my Cheerios?

Bridget sighed and started eating, and as usual, her mother moved immediately to fill the silence. 

“Sweetie, you've had a hard time getting up on time lately. Are you not feeling well?”

“I'm fine, mom! Just some weird dreams, that's all.”

“Is that the same one you've had, well, for the past three months? You know Dr. Lee insisted we set up an appointment immediately if you started displaying any...psychiatric symptoms”

“No! It's nothing like that, I swear.” Telling her parents the first time the dream had seemed like a good idea, but in retrospect, it was unbelievably stupid.

“Well, okay, dear I don't want to pry.” 

It took everything Bridget had to keep a straight face at that remark. Valerie scoffed, a surprisingly human reaction.

“Just make sure you talk about it when you go see your therapist on Friday, okay?”

Which, Bridget thought, would be just as good as telling her mother, since she'd grill him for updates on her “progress” ceaselessly until he told her whatever she wanted to know.

“Like hell I'll just tell all my private thoughts to your favorite stooge! I'm leaving, and no, you don't have to send the entire town's favorite hero to make sure I cross the street without erupting into void tentacles.” 

With that declaration, she fairly leapt from her chair,  grabbed her bag, tuned on her heel, and stormed out the door, leaving her mother speechless in her wake, and feeling a victorious rush of vindication as she rushed down to catch the bus.

---

The bus ride was uneventful, and for once, Bridget wasn't perturbed by the whispers of her classmates. Usually, it was enough to make her wish fervently that her parents didn't insist that she wait until she was 18 to get a car and a license because “that's the rule we set for your sister,” while they chose to ignore that  Samantha's ability to fly made a driver's license pretty much pointless.

But even though the bus ride wasn't as horrible as usual, it was still long enough that the adrenaline of her earlier defiance had time to fade, and the question of what consequences her mother would decide to inflict for this began to creep up on her. Worse,  what would her father say once he got home from the lab and was informed of her latest “unstable outburst”

<<It doesn't matter what she says or does. You are your own entity, and if you wanted, we could leave them behind and do anything we- you wished. Not even your sister could stop us, if you just let me show you what we're capable of.>>

Yeah, no thanks. You just want to get back to wherever the hell you came from, and find someone or something to drain energy from, or whatever other weird alien things like you do. We've been over this before. You don't get to control me.

<<I'll have you know that I am a well-respected scientist, I was the most respected high-energy physicist in the entire Void Fleet. The weapons that I created would make you wet yourself just to think about, little child. I am far more than a mere parasite, you->> 

Hey we're here. Sorry Val, you'll have to give me the rest of your villainous monologue later.

Valerie huffed, and fell silent. Bridget smirked to herself as she headed off the bus and toward her locker, marveling that of all the strange interstellar parasites she could have had take up residence in her , the one she got was a drama queen. As she reached her locker and turned the combination lock, her fear of future punishment was forgotten. But she was too preoccupied with fiddling with her books and folders to notice the three figures who sauntered up behind her.

The girl in the center of the trio stood so that her tall, slim shadow fell over Bridget. Bridget turned and saw the girl, with her shoulder length black hair done up in a bun, wearing jeans and a brown leather jacket over a white top. Somehow though, her casual clothing only served to highlight the severity of her expression She narrowed  her grey eyes on Bridget, and her lips, glossed a dark red, formed into a grimace.

The girl opened her mouth to say something, but her compatriot to her left cut in. 

“Hey look Margot, it's the mouse-haired reject! Have you found another batch of aliens willing to take you back to your home planet yet?”

The other girl, a few inches shorter, and stockier than Margot, twirled a curl of her brown hair with her right index finger, and giggled at her own joke. She looked eagerly up at her friend, who let out a little snort.

“Oh please, they probably took one look at her and vomited at the idea of probing the misshapen little little dwarf. I bet they begged her sister to come save them from her,” interjected the girl to Margot's right, a freckled redhead in tight blue jeans and an emerald green top. The large black frames of her glasses made her eyes look huge on her tiny face, and even though she was even shorter than Bridget, her contempt made her more imposing than her five-foot-three frame should have allowed.

<< Say something, you idiot! You can't just let them talk about you that way! >>

Bridget tried to think of something, anything to say. This shouldn't be so hard, being sharp-tongued was one of the few things she was actually good at. But Bridget had always found that her tongue got twisted up in knots whenever Margot started talking, it was impossible to disagree with her, even back when they were freshmen and their arguments were friendly. And now, she thought of a million snippets of something to say to the other girl, but they fell to pieces before coming anywhere close to escaping her lips.

Margot just smirked at Bridget's silence, and reached out a manicured hand to ruffle Bridget's hair, with all the tenderness of a rake. 

“Come on girls. It's been fun, but we had best leave the X-Files reject alone.”

Margot's coterie laughed, and they each took it in turn to serenade Bridget with a few bars of the show's opening “doo-dee-doo-doo-dee-doo,” interspersed with a cadenza of chortles. Bridget was finally saved as the bell for homeroom rang, and Mr. Gerson shooed them all into their respective classrooms.

Bridget's classes themselves were uneventful, all of them had tests coming up, but not imminent, so there wasn't much to do except pay as much attention to the lessons as she could. This was usually particularly difficult in physics, as Valerie's constant contemptuous tut-tutting about the primitivity of humans' understanding of the subject matter was difficult to ignore.

But today, Dr. Koenig had handed off the lecture on the universal equations for gravitation to his teaching assistant, Leanne. Bridget considered this a substantial blessing, the greying doctor's seemingly endless supply of enthusiastic dad jokes would be replaced by Leanne's much calmer demeanor, and her familiar British accent. Bridget found Leanne much easier to listen to, and much more inviting to participation, when every answer wasn't met with a snarky comment and an awful attempt at humor.  

So, although Bridget usually preferred to just stay quiet and think of the long awaited end of her day, when Leanne forgot an exponent in one of the terms of an equation she was writing, Bridget actually raised her hand to point it out.

“Um, Leanne I-” 

Wow, way to go, idiot, she chided herself Just remind everyone that you're on a first-name basis with the teaching assistant because she's the leader of your sister's super team. Just call her Lieutenant Lightning while you're at it.

Heck the only reason she hadn't done that was that Leanne was in civilian clothes and not her work uniform such as it was. Leanne had traded her usual black supersuit with its neon blue lightning decal and blue-tinted goggles for a soft rose button down blouse, atop a white A-line skirt, finished off with a slim black belt to separate the two pastel colors. Even her normally flyaway mane of platinum-blonde hair had been meticulously put in place. From tips of her hair that shone in the florescent light of the classroom, to the light grey strapped flats that clacked as she proceeded methodically through her equation from one end of the chalkboard to another, she simply oozed poise. 

<<I highly doubt she cares that much>>

Oh come on, like you know anything about social mannerisms, beyond which fork to use in which tentacle.

Leanne fixed Bridget with her intense, bright blue stare, and she faltered a little

“I-mean Ms. Shelby. You, well, forgot to square that last term,” she finished rather lamely.

“Oh, so I did. Well spotted, Bridget.” If Leanne was disconcerted by her student's use of her given name, she didn't allow it to show through her usual self-assured demeanor. She quickly made the correction and moved on.

<<So, I note that the world has not ended>>

Bridget did her best to convey to Valerie the image of a stuck out tongue, while being careful not to actually stick it out for anyone whose mind wasn't fused with hers to see.

Mercifully, Bridget was able to avoid any further embarrassment, and the end of the final period came swiftly.

As the last minute ticked by Bridget packed her things, so that when the final bell rang, she was set to sprint out as fast as she could.

But just as she was about to clear the doorway, Leanne's voice caught up with her. 

“Bridget, could I talk with you a moment?”

She stooped in her tracks and tuned around, dreading the inevitable scolding.

Leanne gestured to a chair pulled out near the teacher's desk, and indicated for Bridget to sit. As the last student filed out, Leanne turned to the girl across from her.

“I wanted to let you know, Bridget, that I think you show a good deal of aptitude for the study of physics, as borne out by your recent test scores. St. Rose's academy runs an excellent preparatory course over the summer that I think would benefit you immensely, and substantially bolster your chances of attending whatever school you choose in a few years.”

“But,” Bridget replied, “St. Rose's is for people with powers. Everyone in any science class there would  be some kind of super-genius who made a death ray out of their toys as a baby or something.”

Leanne chuckled a little, and held up her hand to hide her laughter. It was, Bridget thought, the first time today she'd managed to make someone laugh and not be laughed at.”

When Leanne spoke again, her voice had lost some of its formality. “I can see why you'd be worried. But St. Rose's has multiple levels of classes, and you'll still learn a lot, even from the classes not designed for super scientists. I mean, neither Samantha or I have that kind of ability, but I'll make an excellent electrical engineer one day, even if that's not exactly the family business.” She sighed a small sigh, and looked over at the chalkboard for a moment, before returning to her charge.

“Huh, I never realized that's what you wanted to go for.”

“Well, it's...not exactly common knowledge. Electric engineering and science education.” As Leanne said the last two words of her sentence, her voice fell to a whisper, as though she were telling Bridget the gravest of secrets

“But. I...I'm not sure I want to go to the same place Samantha's going to. I mean she's...and I'm...” Bridget didn't finish the sentence. She didn't need to.

“I see. Well, it's your choice, but it's also your life, and, well, maybe it's all right to live it without worrying about how you measure up to other people, even though that can be damn near impossible sometimes.” From the tone with which she said it, it sounded to Bridget like she said this a lot. Maybe superheroines had to develop canned inspirational lines. That would explain all the times she'd overheard Samantha in her room denouncing grievous injustices committed by her mirror.

“I guess...”

To be honest, Bridget would almost rather fly off into the depths of space like Valerie wanted than have to deal with going to St. Rose's alongside her sister.

<<The option remains open. I know of several places we could hijack one>>

And there was her usual attempt at temptation, right on cue.

Chapter 3: A Babysitting Gig

Bridget didn't accept. But she didn't refuse either. She sat in silence the whole bus ride home, careful to keep out of sight of anyone she knew so she could be alone with her thoughts.

Only when she finally reached the door to her white split-level house on its cul-de-sac did she remember her previous worries.

“Hello, sweetie.” her mother said, looking up from her day-planner as Bridget entered and tossed her bookbag aside. It was an innocuous greeting, but Bridget felt an immediate sense of foreboding. Something about the way her mother had said it, the words slightly clipped, with an awkward silence at the end that just hung there, left her very sure that the events of the morning had not been forgotten.

“Hey.” 

It's probably best if I just hide in my room for a bit, maybe it'll just blow over, Bridget thought to herself. But just as the wood of the fist stair creaked under her shoe, her mother called out from the kitchen.

“Oh, by the way Bridget, Mrs. McCullough has to take Caitlyn to a dance dress rehearsal tonight, so she'll need someone to watch little Breanna. I told her you were free, since you've evidently been feeling so much better lately.” 

“But Mom, I don't want to! I had plans tonight and-”

This wasn't strictly true, unless one counted sitting in her room playing video games, which Bridget certainly did.

“I knew you'd be understanding, dear. It's very mature of you. I have a St. Rose's PTA meeting tonight and your father will be home late, so just let Sami know you'll need a ride.”

Bridget let out an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes, even though she knew that eye-roll was for her benefit alone. She rushed up the stairs in a huff, clomping her feet on each step as she ascended.

She tried to steady her breathing as she approached her sister's bedroom door to knock, taking deep breaths, and closing her eyes. It wouldn't help anything if she annoyed Sami.

She knocked.

There was no response. She knocked again, harder this time 

“Sami!” she called out, her calm evaporating into a haze of frustration at the whole situation.

This time she heard a bit of shuffling, and then the sound of footsteps. The door opened, and Samantha stood there, her cape with its  yellow star emblem flung over the shoulder of the button-down robin's-egg blue top of her St. Rose's uniform.

“Yes, dear sister? How may I help you? Is there some service that I might perform for you this fine day?” Samantha's voice was syrupy with mock obsequiousness.

“Ugh, seriously Sami, cut the crap. I'm sure you heard Mom.”

“Fine. Yeah, I did,”  she huffed, “so I'll be driving you over to Mrs. McCullough's, huh? Not like I have  police scanner duty tonight or anything, which I'll now have to do in a car because I won't have time to drive home before it stats at 5.”

“Look, I didn't ask for this.-” Bridget replied indignantly.

“Didn't you? You couldn't just let Mom worry the way she does,” Sami's voice rose a little as her scolding picked up steam, “You just  had to go and pitch a fit so Mom felt the need to do something like this? And who cares who else your stupid little rebellious teen act creates problems for?”

“Oh, I'm so sorry you'll have to drive somewhere like the rest of us mere mortals. How will you ever bear the humiliation?” Bridget's knuckles whitened as she gripped the door frame.

“I'm a heroine, Bridget, lives can depend on my ability to get to a scene quickly, though clearly you've got powers of your own, like  vision that's laser-focused on just your own personal concerns, with no regard for anyone else.” Sami tuned away from Bridget, and her cape created a tiny breeze as it whipped by Bridget's face. 

“Spare me your stupid lectures. I'm not one of your dumb fun club, you can lay off the 'paragon of virtue" shtick. Bridget crossed her arms and planted herself firmly.

“That's not a shtick, it takes a lot of serious dedication to live the heroine's life.” Sami's eyes glowed yellow, and she rose a little off the ground.

“Whatever. Will you give me a ride, since you're so keen on doing what Mom wants?”

“Of course. Besides, having to deal with that little pee machine  all night is punishment enough.” Bridget's lip curled in disgust, as her eyes returned to normal and she descended to the floor, breathing deeply.

“Sure, whatever. Let me know when you're ready to hit the streets in the name of justice, oh fearless paragon.”

Sami nodded curtly, grunted, and shut the door with a loud * wham * leaving Bridget to make her way back to her room to get ready.

<<What manner of creature is this we'll be minding? I'll admit I may have underestimated your mother's capacity for cleverness in cruel punishments>> 
Val's thoughts betrayed both concern and, more annoying to Bridget, a tinge of admiration for her mother.

It's not that bad, she just doesn't like Breanna because one time she was changing her last year, Breanna peed on her freshly laundered super suit. Bridget's anger subsided as she recalled the look of helpless horror and disgust on the normally unflappable young heroine's face.

Ha, Breanna always liked me better anyway. She has good taste for a two-year-old. Bridget chuckled to herself, and went to remove some textbooks from her bag and replace them with her laptop, just in case she was lucky enough to find the time to use it on the job.

Sami's car was a four-seater Toyota sedan in metallic silver. She never let anyone eat any food in it while on the road, so it was empty of clutter and immaculately clean. This meant that there was a great deal of space for the strained silence that persisted for the entirety of the ride to Mrs. McCullogh's house. The quiet was interrupted only occasionally by put-upon sighs from Samantha, as she shot irritated glances at the clock, at Bridget, and back again. But after fifteen minutes that seemed like five hours, they finally made it to the McCullough's. Bridget fairly leapt out of the car and into the house, with a perfunctory farewell to her sister, who turned her car around and shot out of the driveway as fast as she could. 

Hoisting her bag on her shoulder, Bridget ran up the front walk, climbed he steps, and rang the doorbell. The door opened, and a friendly, but slightly-frazzled-looking Mrs. McCullough answered the door, her slightly greying hair framing a plump face that smiled as she saw who was at the door. 

“Oh, hello, Bridget dear, so nice to see you, glad you're feeling better! Sorry, I don't have time to chat,” she said quickly, as she rummaged through a pink bag before pulling out a pair of ballet shoes with an audible sigh of relief,  “Caitlyn's managed to leave her dance things scattered about again, so we're running behind already. Breanna's in the living room, I'm sure she'll be thrilled to see you.” 

“Okay, sure, no problem Mrs. M. What time should I expect you back?”

“Oh, probably about ten or so. There's food in the fridge for you, and some chicken nuggets for Breanna, so you should be good there. Make sure to get her in bed by 8 or so, she'll be a bear if you don't. Numbers are on the fridge.” She finished packing the dance bag, and ran upstairs, calling for Caitlyn to come get her hair pinned up. Caitlyn came clomping down the stairs, and she and her mother dashed into the kitchen to get her ready to go.

Bridget sighed and unslung her backpack, bringing it into the kitchen and put it down where she could grab it later to start on work once Breanna went to bed. Mrs. McCullough looked up from forming Caitlyn's hair into a bun, and smiled at Bridget. “I really appreciate your coming over on such short notice, you're a lifesaver, dear.”

“Oh, no problem Mrs. M.” 

Seeing the gratitude written all over the woman's face, Bridget felt her face flush as she thought of the amount that she'd complained about coming over, especially since Mrs. McCullough usually paid about $20 an hour if it was sudden like this. 

Caitlyn let out a little yelp of pain  as her mother finished the bun and pinned it in place.

“All right Caitlyn, honey, we have to get going, we're already late! See you at ten, Bridget!” Mrs. McCullough slung Caitlyn's dance bag over her shoulder and hustled her daughter into the front hallway

“Bye!” Bridget called after them.

Mrs. McCullough almost made it out the front door before she stopped suddenly and turned back.

“Oh, sorry dear, I almost forgot to mention,” she called. “Breanna's in that phase where she wants to be the next Houdini; she finds ways in and out of things like you wouldn't believe, so you'll have to watch her extra carefully, okay?”

“I got it, Mrs. M. Don't worry about anything.” Bridget did her best to project an air of confidence

“Sorry dear, I know you're very responsible,” she chuckled at herself and turned back toward the door “but I'm a mother; worrying's part of the job description.”

“Yeah, just try telling my parents that,” Bridget mumbled bitterly as Mrs. McCullough closed the front door behind her

 Bridget made her way toward the living room, stepping over a few bags marked Goodwill that held toys, tiny clothes, and other assorted baby things at were leaned against the wall. She unlocked the baby gate at the top of the three steps into the living room, and closed it behind her. It creaked shut as she did so, and there was a thud as a plastic toy hit the ground.

“Hi Bidgey!” came an excited little voice from inside the confines of a large mesh playpen. “Wanna see my aminals?”

Breanna got to her feet like a little bear, and toddled over to the side of her playpen, her ginger pigtails bouncing up and down in excitement.

Bridget was about to answer, but found herself distracted by a thought from her alien passenger

<<I still have no idea why you humans spend so much effort on these little creatures. Are they some kind of slave race you keep for your amusement?>>

No! Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you? They're children, our “spawn,” if that makes any more sense to you. And we spend time with them because it's  important to teach them how to behave, and hep them to learn and grow.

<<But surely such a task is important enough to entrust to only an adult. According to the biology of your species, you are still a child yourself, are you not?>>

No I'm definitely not, I'm seventeen! Bridget thought back curtly

Breanna looked up at Bridget quizzically. 

“Bidgey?”

“Wh- oh! Sure, sweetie,” Bridget replied, startled back out of her own head.

Breanna smiled and excitedly picked up a plastic toy with five different-shaped buttons. She plopped it down near Bridget, and pressed the circle-shaped button, and a little plastic tiger head popped out of one of five plastic hatches with a tiny roar. She giggled and pressed a star-shaped button, and a monkey popped out of the next hatch with a little “ook.” Breanna hopped up and down with excitement, and imitated the sound.

Bridget couldn't help but smile at the cuteness of the sight. The little girl wobbled a bit, and Bridget reached out and manged to grab the strap of her shortalls and a pinch of the emerald-green top beneath it to help Breanna steady herself.

“Watch out there, little monkey. Don't fall!” Bridget admonished in a singsong voice.

<<This seems an absurd little game. Why on earth do you bother with this?>>

Oh, lighten up. It's easier to get little kids to go along with what you want them to do later if you play with them instead of just ordering them around.

 Breanna must have had a lot of sugar earlier; her energy seemed endless, as she toddled around grabbing all of her stuffed animals into a pile, and jumping into them. After a few times jumping from floor level, Breanna climbed her way over the wall of the playpen, boosting herself off the soft body of a pair of large brown teddy bears she had piled against one another earlier. She wormed her way across the short gap between the playpen wall and the couch, and surveyed the mound of plushies like a little lion queen looking out over her territory. She used the maroon cushions of the couch to steady herself as she get to her feet. Once she found her footing, she bounced a little, getting ready for her triumphant dive into the waiting pile of plush below.

Bridget gasped and hurried to grab her before she could leap off, snaking an arm around the little toddler's midsection to stop her from leaping forward.

“Hey, no jumping, that's dangerous!” she scolded, worry sharpening her tone more than she would have liked.

 “But I wanna!” Breanna cried, wriggling and trying with all her tiny strength to break out of Bridget's grip. One of her flailing feet caught Bridget in the shoulder and she winced. 

<<A futile gesture. We are far too strong for her resistance to ever matter.>>

Yeah, that's easy for you to say, you don't have to take her kicks. Geez, I never knew such tiny feet could hurt so much.

Bridget tried her best to mollify the toddler, taking her onto her knee and bouncing her up and down, but after several agonizing minutes of sonic assault on Bridget's eardrums, Breanna's wails showed no signs of abating, and there were tiny indents in the cushioned arm of the couch where Breanna's balled fist had hit it.

“Oof.” Bridget winced as her charge let out another ear-splitting cry. “Okay little miss fisticuffs, time for extreme measures.”

<<Really?>> Val's voice dripped incredulity that anything her human partner could come up would qualify as “extreme” to  a Voidwalker, especially one who once served a ruler as terrible as she had.

Bridget grunted with effort, grabbed Breanna with both hands, and rose to her feet. The experience startled the little girl enough that her cries stopped for a moment. Bridget walked around the couch with the little girl in tow, making a whooshing noise as she gradually sped up. Breanna giggled a little as the motion tossed her pigtails against her face, and Bridget saw her opportunity. 

“Who's a cute little jet plane flying fast?” Bridget cooed.

“Whoosh, fast, fast!” Breanna exclaimed, putting her arms out at her side like two pudgy little airplane wings, tilting them as she flew after lap around the room. Her laughter as she flew was so full of simple joy that Bridget found herself joining in, running faster and faster, another four or five laps as two different-sized voices filled the room with giggles. Bridget stopped after twelve circles round the room, taking Breanna out of jet position,  and holding the little girl on her hip 

<<I did not realize humans found flight quite so invigorating.>> Val was uncharacteristically contemplative. <<You know, Bridget, I could help you fly, if you'd let me. I'm sure you'd find it just as much fun, if not more, than the little one does.>>

“No,  we're not finding a spaceship or whatever,” Bridget panted, annoyed. Out of breath as she was, Bridget had forgotten that she could just think her response, and responded aloud instead.

Breanna looked up at her sitter in confusion, but quickly found a more important topic for discussion.       

“More, Bidgey, more!”

Bridget obliged, but another two laps had her arms aching to be rid of their pint-sized payload. She dropped the little girl in the middle of her playpen again, careful to forestall any further escape attempts by breaking up the plushie pile.

Breanna watched attentively as Bridget caught her breath, in uncharacteristic silence, maybe hoping she could get the older girl to fly her again if she was quiet and good. Suddenly the all-too fleeting moment of quiet was interrupted by the burbly rumble of a tiny, hungry tummy.

Bridget glanced at the clock. It seemed like the hands had teleported from just after five to mere moments before six thirty. 

“Oh! I can't believe it's that late already. Let's get you some dinner, huh, sweetie?”

Thankfully, Breanna was happy enough to be picked up again that she didn't raise much of a fuss at the idea of going into the kitchen and into her hot pink plastic high chair, because Bridget wasn't sure how much more fight she had left in her after using her best trick. Just as Mrs. McCullough had said, there was a package of chicken nuggets shaped like various kinds of dinosaur on the top shelf of the fridge. It was easy enough to warm them up in the microwave, and in short order, Bridget had arranged what she considered a very cute little plate.  The different kinds of dinosaurs were all mixed together,and she had placed little mound of ketchup in the middle. It probably wouldn't register to a toddler, but Bridget thought she'd done a pretty good job of making the ketchup look like a volcano.

See, the shapes make it a little more fun, and she'll be more willing to do what we want, in this case, eat her dinner.

<<I...see>> 

Bridget found it a little odd that Val had to think so hard about such a simple concept, but clearly for a strange space alien, dealing with children was a novel experience. Come to think of it, she didn't really know how Val's people reproduced, or if they even had children. But it was nice to finally know more about something than her passenger, even if she thought of basic babysitting technique as, well, significantly less impressive than quantum particle physics.

Bridget's fleeting moment of self-satisfaction was suddenly ended, interrupted by the sound of a little plastic fork clattering on the tray of the highchair. Breanna glowered at it as though it had grievously insulted several of her closest relatives, and Bridget cursed herself for daring to hope that “more willing” would just once be the same as “willing.”

Bridget's cheeks flushed as she considered her next move. Val didn't have to say anything for her to see the image of a wry smile in her head, but Bridget wouldn't let a small setback like this get in the way of her one chance to show off her skill.

“Hey Breanna, what sound does a T-Rex make?” she asked.

The little redhead let out her best attempt at an earthshaking roar, and banged her hands on her tray for extra emphasis.

“That's right, sweetie!”  Now what would a big T-rex like you do with all these yummy little dinosaurs?” Bridget asked in her best enthusiastic sing-song.

“Eat them all up!” Breanna shouted with enthusiasm.

“Okay, can you show me with this stegosaurus, miss T-rex?”

Bridget held out an appropriately-shaped nugget, and the tiny apex predator lunged for her breaded, ketchuped prey, so enthusiastically that Bridget almost had to draw her fingers back to avoid having them caught up in the meal.

The whole production took a little longer than Bridget would have liked, but she was nimble enough to avoid taking any bites herself, and the dinosaurs went extinct again on the plate in due course.

Bridget took a napkin and wiped the crimson stains of carnivorous carnage from Breanna's mouth, once again very pleased with herself.

See, all it took was finding the right game to play. I know what I'm doing

<<Yes, you do indeed. Good job, sweetie.>>

Bridget was surprised to hear the normally erudite Valerie use such a cutesy term , but hey, it was better than being called “flesh-child,” so she shrugged it off.

Her main task done, Bridget set about making herself a sandwich with some of the other things around the kitchen, leaving Breanna happily finger-painting with the leftover ketchup. Bridget even got a little time to peruse Instagram, scrolling through her friend Maya's latest anime memes as she ate.

In all too short a time, though, she could hear the telltale sounds of a toddler whining and fidgeting. Bridget went over to her charge, and brought her out of her high-chair and onto the white linoleum floor. 

Despite the change of scene, Breanna didn't seem any happier, and Bridget suddenly had an idea why that might be. She put two fingers down the little girl's denim shortalls, and into the rear of her diaper, which, sure enough, was wet.

“Jeez, you're high-maintenance today, sweetie,” she sighed. “Oh well, up we go.”

Surprisingly, the break for dinner had been enough to quiet the ache in Bridget's muscles, so that it was no problem taking Breanna up to her room, which was done out in purple, festooned with smiling little moons and stars, with a wooden changing table and pad set up on the left as she entered.

“Okay, little one, time to get you changed”

Bridget removed Breanna's shortalls and held the little girl down gently but firmly, pulling out a diaper from the shelf next to the changing table, along with some powder and wipes. Breanna was tremendously amused by the sound of the the ripping tapes as Bridget removed them one by one, and slid the old diaper out from under her. She didn't dare hope that Breanna could stay still when she was wiped down, and sure enough, her wiggling redoubled as soon as the wipe hit her skin. 

But still, with a bit of struggle, Bridget was able to keep her in place as she unfurled the new diaper, exposing the image of Winnie the Pooh on the front landing zone. She finished the cleaning job, then managed to get powder in all the right places, even if a well timed kick from Breanna did send a sweet-smelling plume into Bridget's face instead of onto her target area. 

Thankfully, Bridget remembered to watch for stray streams and avoided Sami's fateful blunder. She pushed the toddler's legs up and quickly slid the new diaper under her, moving it skillfully into place and getting the tapes into position with their telltale adhesive sound. She wrinkled up her nose and dropped the used diaper into the pail, then used a last wipe to clean off her hands.

“All done!” she cooed, and patted the front of Breanna's new diaper, which crinkled as she touched it. Bridget tickled the little girl's toes, and her tiny feet kicked in the air as she wiggled, giggling. 

“Does somebody want to be a dough?” Bridget asked.

“Yay, dough!” came the enthusiastic reply.

“Okay, here we go!”

Bridget put one hand on Breanna's diapered butt and the other on her shoulder, and rolled her over, and back, and over and back, as they both laughed and Breanna crinkled. 

“What a good little bread you are! Knead knead, knead knead!”

 Bridget found herself so utterly caught up in the cuteness of the moment, that she didn't even feel the fatigue in her arms from all the time she had spent carrying Breanna around. It was hard to worry much about other things, obnoxious superpowered sisters, or awful former best friends, or anything like that.
By the time Breanna had been thoroughly kneaded and her giggles exhausted, it was seven, and time to get  the little one ready for bed. Technically, Bridget probably could have let her stay up a little longer, but there was homework to be done and it was already late to get started. Thankfully, Breanna was finally tired out, so she didn't put up much resistance to being put into her nursery-animal print onesie. 

Breanna did whine a little as Bridget took her into the bathroom to brush her teeth, but once she was done a quick application of a binky brought in haste from the top of Breanna's dresser  cut off an “I don't wanna go to be-” from Breanna. The sound of contented sucking took its place, and Bridget breathed a small sigh of relief. Bridget lifted Breanna into her little toddler bed, secured the white guardrail and tucked her charge tightly beneath her pink Disney princess blankets. Bridget headed out the door into the hall, stopping only to turn off the light on her way out, leaving the room awash in the dim  glow of a star-shaped nightlight. She turned to look back into the room one last time, and saw the tiny lump of the little girl snuggled in the blankets, little snorts of snores already coming from the bed. Bridget smiled at the adorable scene of her triumph. 

She's already asleep, huh. Well, no wonder she's tired, she ran me pretty ragged. Still, not a bad job. 

<<It's not exactly the joy of a scientific breakthrough, but knowing we managed to tame the little one is...oddly satisfying>>

What's this “we?” I'm pretty sure you just watched and criticized from the peanut gallery the whole time.

 <<I suppose>> Val grumbled. <<Perhaps you might let me take the lead next time? From the amount you were giggling, and the degree of your amusement, it seems an interesting thing to try.>>

Oh really? You'd be interested in such primitive, fleshy things? How unlike the great Concordant Cadenza.

<<Hmph. For purely experimental reasons, of course>>

Whatever you say, Val. Bridget thought the image of herself smirking as smugly as she could in Val's direction.

<<How about I help you with your trigonometry homework, and you think about the idea? Maybe it'll endear me more to you little flesh creatures.>>

Yeah sure, she replied. Get us through the test review before nine and you can do as much babysitting as you want, as long as you don't devour any babies to fuel your dark designs.

<< Relax, I'm not the Warmistress.>>

The who? Bridget was intrigued, it was so rare for Val to talk about her people, except when she was en enumerating the ways in which they were superior to humans.

<<Complete this rudimentary set of problems without my help and maybe I'll tell you>>

Ugh, fine, but no going back on that!

Usually, Val would have responded with some smug remark or other. But all Bridget got from her head-mate was a puzzling thought that the methodology appeared to have wider applications than she had first believed. Still that wasn't a big deal, maybe it would mean that she'd get to play peanut gallery while Val took Breanna into her  tentacles next time if Val was so determined to run tests or whatever. 

She laughed to herself at the absurd image of Breanna being rocked to sleep by glowing purple tendrils of energy, and headed downstairs to start her assignment. 

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Chapter 4: A Fall's Gravity


As it turned out, Bridget didn't need Val's help for that night's homework, and she managed to get it done just as the clock on the kitchen wall showed 8:58. She slammed her laptop shut  and pumped her fist in the air, victorious. 

Hah, I did it! she crowed, Spill, ET!

<< Oh, very well, I suppose I did agree to that. I'll tell you...tomorrow>>
.
“What!” Bridget yelled in surprise and indignation. “But you promised!”

<<Indeed I did, but I didn't specify the time, and I don't want to deal with you when you're extra snippy because of the nightmares this will give you. Be grateful I didn't decide to tell you, oh, a century from now>> Val replied, even more smug than usual.

You are the most obnoxious alien parasite ever, you know that, right?

<<I'm flattered, really>>

Suddenly Bridget heard a small but unmistakable thud from upstairs, followed shortly by the pitter-patter of tiny feet on floorboards.

Bridget shot up from the chair and ran toward the foot of the stairs, frantic that she'd have to treat bruises, or explain to Mrs. McCullough why her daughter had to be taken to the hospital. 

As she rounded the corner of the hall and looked up the stairs, cursing her earlier outburst, Bridget saw Breanna, rubbing her tired eyes with her little hand.

“Sweetie, are you all right?” she called, voice high and quavering “How did you get over your guardrail?”

“Bidgey, I wanna play,” Breanna mumbled blearily. She toddled forward, and grabbed as high as she could for the railing. But the little girl was exhausted, and her hand grabbed empty air.

“Don't!” Bridget barely had time to shriek in horror as Breanna began to tumble.

Bridget could only reach her arm out helplessly, watching Breanna's head careen toward the hard and unforgiving steps below. In the dim light of the hall and in the midst of a sudden spike of primal terror, the stairs seemed to Bridget like jagged rocks beneath a waterfall, on which Breanna would surely be dashed to pieces.

<<No!>> came Val's own frantic thought, but Bridget paid it no heed. She reflexively shut her eyes, to avoid witnessing the terrible moment of impact.

Then suddenly, the ice of fear melted in her veins, and Bridget felt as though she was surrounded by a purple void, as vast as the expanse of space. But it was filled, not with murderous cold, but with an incalculable warmth, and that warmth filled her in turn, driving out all the panic that had seized her moments before. It was like being softly embraced and enveloped by a soft blanket from every direction at once. She suddenly felt the pressure of a hand guiding her own, pushing her to reach out, as though grasping something invisible. Without knowing clearly why or how, Bridget understood that she must do as it bade her. 

She reached out, and clenched her hand into a fist.

The world around her changed.

In the blink of an eye she was back at the bottom of the stairs. But Breanna was no longer at the top. Nor was she crumpled in a bloody heap at the bottom. Bridget looked up and saw the little girl, floating  in midair. Breanna wafted gently like a bubble toward Bridget's outstretched fist, a fist that was outlined in tendrils of glowing purple energy.

Bridget was in the middle of absorbing the total impossibility of the scene before her eyes, when she heard Val's voice in her head, no louder than it ever was, but somehow irresistible.

<<Pull her into your arms. Reach out to her and bring her toward you. See the necessary force and produce the vectors>>

If Bridget had tried to parse what Val was saying with her conscious mind, she might have hesitated or felt uncertainty. But she felt what needed to be done on a far deeper level, as though her body itself understood the physics required and willed them to take place. 

Breanna floated on a direct diagonal path down the stairs to Bridget, who unclenched her fist, and brought up her hands to grab the little girl. As she did so, Breanna suddenly dropped, but she fell only a few inches before Bridget caught her. As the weight of the toddler fell into her arms, Bridget felt the adrenaline recede, and she sat down on the stairs, stunned.

Trying to grasp the impossible thing that had just happened was like trying to lift the whole world with just her pinky finger, her mind tugged a little around the edges of the problem, of the place that she had been that wasn't a place, the light, the peace and warmth, and most of all, the incredible feat she'd just accomplished. 

She wasn't the girl with powers though, that was Sami, Sami who went to St. Rose's, Sami who shot lasers from her eyes and bashed down steel doors with her bare hands. Besides, she'd always imagined that being like Sami, almost a goddess among lesser mortals, would be more, well, empowering. But all she'd felt was warmth. Well, warmth and safety, which she was pretty sure wasn't how that was supposed to go. Clearly, even if what she'd done was some kind of superpower, she wasn't cut out for using it. Best to stick with what she knew, which at this point was that she had toddler who needed to be put back to bed. 

Bridget stumbled upstairs, not even registering that Breanna had fallen asleep again in her arms almost as soon as she'd fallen into them. All Bridget could fit into her head at the moment was the next step of her task: 

Pull back the covers. 

Place the baby down on the bed. 

Pull up the sheets.

Locate chair. 

Fall into chair. 

Watch the baby. 

Keep watching the baby. 

Keep watching...

Keep watching....

Fortunately for Bridget, there was not much to watch, save the rise and fall of Breanna's chest as she settled into deeper slumber, punctuated only occasionally with tiny snorting snores. The chair that Bridget had slumped down into in her exhaustion was a rocking chair, and it creaked each time she rocked back and forth, as its runners traced a well-worn path in the plush pink carpet, no doubt laid down before by Breanna's parents in their own moments of exhaustion 
 

Val, however, was not about to leave Bridget to her peaceful vigil.

<<What. Was That? How did you do that?>> Val's mental shouts was a storm of confusion and indignation. If there was one thing she hated, it was being surprised by something she absolutely did not understand, and she seethed with that hatred now. While Bridget had been lost in thought, Val's practiced analytical mind had been turning the event over and over, seeking some explanation for Bridget's ability to manifest powers that by all rights, should be hers and hers alone. And, infuriatingly, had turned up empty

Huh? Wasn't that just you doing some alien thing? Bridget would have loaded the words with her usual dose of snark, but she couldn't find her reservoir of snippy comments in the haze that had descended on her brain.

<<No, of course not! Do you think that if I had access to MY power, the power that you just demonstrated, that I would have stayed around here on this podunk little blue rock?  I could have found myself a ship and been halfway to the Horse-head Nebula by now!>> 

Bridget found herself oddly calmed by Val's outburst, as though she were doing the freaking out for both of them. It had also shaken her somewhat out of her mental fog.

So wait, that kinda voice thing I heard, in that purple void, telling me what to do, that wasn't you commanding me? Bridget asked

<<Of course not, you were just floating in our head, and I saw you there. I knew what you needed to do, of course, but you weren't doing anything, so I kept trying to get through to you. I suppose you eventually figured it out, but it certainly wasn't my doing>>

But then how did you know what I should do to use your, um, powers or whatever, if you don't know how I did it? 

<<I..I don't know!>> Val responded bitterly. <<It makes no sense! There shouldn't have even been anything you could have done to use a Voidwalker's powers.>>

Yeah, I get that. Maybe, it's just instinct or whatever. I mean there are lots of things like breathing, that people do without consciously thinking about it. Bridget shrugged

 <<Instinct?  That's the most ridiculous explanation I've ever heard. I refuse to countenance suck a lazy solution. A problem like this requires the scientific method!>> If Val had her own mouth, spit would have flown from it as she raged

Fine then, we can experiment later, or something. It wasn't that Bridget wasn't curious, but this chair was very soft, and it seemed like a better idea by the moment to jut take a quick nap there and leave Val to fume.

 <<Hmmmm, yes, that would work. So the beast is asleep and her parents won't be home for almost an hour, correct? >> Val was back to her usual prim demeanor, but with an urgency and enthusiasm that Bridget had never seen before.

Well, yeah  Bridget yawned but we can't run experiments now.

<<No, that's not what I was thinking...>> Val trailed off, apparently lost in thought.. 

OK, well then why don't we-

<<Bridget, go get a set of blocks from the Goodwill bag downstairs.>> Val's voice was suddenly sharp, commanding and assured, as though she were directing one of her research assistants.

Wh- bu why? Bridget had been expecting something much more ominous, but the request was so strange that it caught he off guard

Val paused a moment before answering. <<We need to re-create the conditions. Unless you'd rather kidnap Breanna so that we can re-create your playing with her and her toys that way?>> Bridget found the smugness of Val's logic as irksome as it was irrefutable. 

She does have more experience running experiments, Bridget told herself, and it's not stealing if the toys were going to get donated anyway, I guess.

Bridget rationally knew that there was almost no chance that anyone would come home while she did as Val asked. But still, she felt like lightning was running through her veins and her hand was white as it gripped the railing of the stairs as she descended. A  tiny anxious voice was screaming at her how terrible an idea this was. But once the rustling of the bag reached her ears, Bridget gritted her teeth and dug her hands into bag of stuff. As she did so, there was a loud squeak from a plastic lizard toy that had laired deep within the bag. Bridget's cheeks, which had been growing steadily pinker as she dug through the baby toys, went full code red as she jumped back a little

“Goddamn it Val, I look like an idiot.” she grumbled to herself. But, powered by her annoyance, she was able to find the blocks she had been looking for and yank them out without spilling anything else on the floor. Bridget gabbed the blocks to her chest like contraband, and ran them to her bookbag in the kitchen. She shoved them as deep as she could, using “Physics: An Integrated Approach” as camouflage. 

<<Good girl>> came Val's voice approvingly. 

Bridget just rolled her eyes. Yeah, sure, whatever. This had better be useful.

<<Rest assured, dear, they'll be indispensable,>> Val replied smugly

After zipping up her backpack, Bridget returned to her post observing the tiny escape artist, but this time, with no yelling to wake her, Breanna's sleep was calm and undisturbed. The same could not be said for Bridget however, however, who felt again the chill of anxiety that she'd been wrestling with for far too much of the evening already 

It's not a big deal, it's just a toy, no one will miss it, she told herself, over and over again. 

But her impromptu mantra had no effect, no matter how many times she repeated it.

When she heard the sound of the front door opening an hour and a half later, Bridget nearly jumped out of her skin. She scurried as quietly as she could out of Breanna's room and down the stairs to meet Mrs. McCullough and Caitlyn in the foyer. Both of them looked exhausted. Caitlyn's shoulders drooped and her uniform showed the stains of sweat, and her  mother struggled to keep the heavy bag of dance gear from the floor. 

“Oh, um, hi you two.” Bridget willed herself to sound cheery and totally in-control. She was only moderately successful

“Hello dear, I hope the little one didn't give you too much trouble.” Mrs. McCullough unslung her purse and fished through it for her wallet, from which she pulled a clutch of twenty-dollar bills.

“Oh, um, no not really. Breanna woke up and somehow managed to escape the bad, but, well, I, uh caught her before she got anywhere too dangerous, and sleep seems to have stuck the second time.

<<All technically true. Who's a cute little deceiver?>>

“Ugh, I've been after Phillip to get a better guardrail for weeks, Mrs. McCullough said, in a tone that suggested that this was a subject of frequent arguments with her husband. "I'm just glad you were there to stop her getting hurt."

Bridget blushed uncontrollably, the cocktail of fear and shame coursing through her heading directly to redden her cheeks.

“Oh, um,” she stammered, looking guiltily at the billfold, and thinking of what lay concealed at the bottom of her bag. “That's definitely too much, it wasn't that much trouble at all, really.”

“Oh! Well, if you insist,” the older woman replied, surprised, putting one of the twenties back in her wallet. But at lest let me drive you home as thanks.

Bridget paled. The thought of spending the entire ride home with Mrs. McCullough, who she was lying to and well, technically robbing, was unbearable.

“Nonono!” she said quickly, “You've had a really long day already Sami should be almost done patrolling by now, I'll just call and ask her to pick me up on her way home. It's um, late, I really should go.” Bridget ran into the kitchen to grab her bag, desperately hoping that no sound of wood clacking against wood was audible coming from inside it, as she blew past the mother and daughter. She was out the door so quickly that Mrs. McCullough's last “Thank you again, Bridget de-” was interrupted by the sound of the front door closing at speed.

Even once she had made it to the end of the driveway, Bridget felt her hands shaking as she brought out her phone and texted her sister. 

Fifteen minutes later, as a familiar pair of headlights advanced down the road, Bridget greeted them with a greater gratitude than she ever had before. 

Chapter 5: A Quick Study

When she was in the car, and the house she had just left was receding from view behind her, Bridget finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“So, how was the little monster?” Sami asked, once they had made it a few blocks in silence.

“Fine,” Bridget replied, doing her best to keep the sullen edge out of her voice.

“Oh, that's good, I guess. And hey, you got paid, right”

“Uh huh.”
The awkward silence descended again, until Sami, ever the one to keep heedlessly bashing away at something long after someone more sensible would have stopped, made another go at conversation.

“Hey, so, I'm sorry for what I said earlier.” The words were stilted and hesitant at first, but gained their footing as they gathered steam. “Just because it was inconvenient for me doesn't mean you did anything wrong.”

The exasperated sigh that Bridget had started as soon as Sami opened her mouth died on her lips, replaced by a gasp of surprise.

“Oh, um sure, yeah, no worries. Thanks for driving me.” Bridget struggled to think of what to say in the face of this unexpected apology, and so she said what she thought was polite.
Bridget stared at Sami for a second before she realized that the right shoulder of her sister's costume was torn up and burned. The burnt orange material charred black around a set of four tears that were obviously claw marks, though Bridget shuddered to think of the kind of creature that would have claws like that.

“Rough patrol tonight, huh?” Or did Isis just decide you needed a hug from her tiger form?”

Sami snorted. "She would, you know. But no, this,” she grimaced looking down in annoyance at the tear in her costume. “was a delightful gift from a Hellblood boss who was extremely unhappy to see the Stalwart Six at the door of his safe house. Of course they waited until I was leading my first patrol to show off their horrible new weapons. But Leanne was happy with our report, and Kendra is looking into where they could be getting the damn things from.”

Bridget laughed, imagining how happy Sami's friend and teammate Kendra, or rather, the Stalwart Six's tactician, Overwatch, would be with her basket of chocolates, the team's massive data repository, and a puzzle to solve.

“So I guess she won't be coming to the next three of your squad meetings, huh?”

“That's a fair bet. By the time she emerges from her cave, Stell might even have forgiven me for wrecking her masterpiece.” Sami smirked, looking down at the torn burnished orange fabric of her costume.

“Yeah, just don't wear your old costume in front of her. The last time you did, I could hear her nitpicking every last flaw in it from my room. She went on for ever!”

“Oh!”, Sami said, I was able to try out my new catch phrase tonight too!”

Bridget looked at Sami seriously and then shouted “I am the Shimmering Nova, The shining light of Justice!” She pointed her finger at the glove box as though it wee an evildoer in need of pummeling. “The one you've been practicing in your room for hours?” she asked, her voice returned to a less gallant volume.

“Yes, that one, you little eavesdropper,” Sami mussed Bridget's hair in gentle retaliation for her snark.

“Oh, come on I'm pretty sure the entire neighborhood's heard that catch phrase by now.”

“Shut up you.”

“It's still not as cool as Leanne's.” I mean 'Like a bolt from the blue, I strike for justice!” is just perfect.
Bridget found herself doing Leanne's signature finger point into the sky, which looked incredibly cool face to face with a supervillain, but significantly less so sitting in a car next to her sister.
“Oh, I didn't realize you were such a fan.” Sami said dryly. “Should I get you her autograph? Sorry I'm not the heir to a century-old line of heroes.”


Bridget felt her cheeks going pink at the image of Leanne's face and the derision that would fill her bright blue eyes if she were to hear Bridget make such a lame request. "No, I mean you're cool too, it's just well, Leanne is...she's got a kind of poise, I guess” she finished lamely.

“Yeah, I mean she manages the Stalwart Six, and that's no mean feat. Still, I think I could do a pretty good job too. Sami looked at Bridget as though she was expecting her to agree.
This is so weird, she thought to herself. Sami never cares what I think.

<<Are you serious? That girl's constant, screaming need for affirmation is so loud it hurts. I've had so many lab assistants like her, and without fail, every single one of them always ended up doing something incredibly stupid.>> Val spat bitterly.
Sami? Really? Bridget thought back incredulously. I mean yeah, she's a real try-hard, but the only people whose esteem she cares about are her fellow heroes.


<<Believe what you like, little one. But I know the type, from vast personal experience>>

Bridget shook her head, refocusing on responding to Sami.

“I'm sure you would. I mean you saved me.” As she said that, a bitter knot she could neither explain nor untie twisted itself in her stomach.

“Thanks, Bebe.” Sami replied But I should really focus on the Stalwart Six before I worry about the future Nova Team, huh?”
“Yeah, like wait until you can come up with better names. Nova team, seriously? I thought calling your cape the Nova Mantle was bad.” Bridget stuck out her tongue in mock disgust.


“Yeah yeah, everyone's a critic." Sami rolled her eyes, “We're here, so out with you.” The heroine flicked a button, and the door locks clicked open.


Bridget looked out the windshield and saw that they were trundling up to the familiar brick facade of home, with its one outside light from above the garage beaming cycloptically down into the chill darkness.

Mercifully, her mother had already gone to bed, and her father's car was still nowhere to be seen in the driveway, so nothing impeded Bridget as she headed inside and up the stairs to her room, her childish cargo of baby blocks still safely concealed in her bag. She brushed by Sami in the hall who was halfway to collapsing from exhaustion herself, as usual after one of her long nights spent patrolling the city. Sami called back a goodnight as she headed for the shower, and Bridget breathed a small sigh of relief.


When she finally made it to the relative privacy of her own bedroom with its blue walls and ceiling bedecked with glow in the dark stars, only a few of which still had ny glow left in them after seven years, she turned on the light and shut the door. But instead of falling into bed as sh longed to do, she made her way over to the closet, set down her bag, and retrieved the multicolored package of blocks. She found herself smiling at the cute little cartoon tiger on the front, with his big eyes and toothy grin, and all the other little animals that happily played with giant size versions of the blocks contained within.


But her moment of amusement was cut off as she remembered the urgent need to hide her childish contraband. She scanned her closet for a pla thence to stash the box of blocks, and found just enough space on the top shelf next to a big clear plastic container packed full to the brim of stuffed animals. Bridget had to stand on her tiptoes to reach the highest shelf, and as she pushed the blocks onto it, years of dust blew up into a tiny cloud, as though annoyed that she had the audacity to disturb it when it had done nothing but lie there peacefully for so long.
She let out a little cough, which she frantically covered to muffle the noise. Bridget closed the closet door as quickly as she could, and then listened for a sign that anyone else had heard the noise she'd been making. In several agonizing moments of tension and terror, she heard nothing but the normal creaks of the house at night, and took a deep breath to steady herself.
“Even if someone came looking,” she whispered under her breath, “it would look just like any other piece of old junk.”


<<Exactly, you have no need to worry, sweetie. Get to sleep, and we'll talk about our first experiment tomorrow>>


Trying her best not to worry, Bridget hastened to follow Val's advice, but she found herself compulsively glancing at the closet every minute or two as she completed her evening routine. Her worry lessened once she turned off the light and held her unicorn Gabrielle close, but it wasn't enough to let her sleep. Bridget lay in the dark, all too awake for hours after she'd normally drift off, tossing and turning beneath the faded light of plastic stars.

 


Bridget awoke to a still-dark sky, and a bedside glaring 4:45 in harsh red digits. Even through the bleary cobwebs of her interrupted sleep, she felt anticipation bubbling up in her chest. Today was going to be the day when she started practicing with her newfound powers. Bridget envisioned herself as the star in the center of a solar system of objects, each moving according to her desires, and the warmth of the violet alien power running through her. In the light of the morning, the thrill of the event to come made her previous worries seem pointless.
 

After all, if I have powers, why would I need to be afraid anyone discovering me? she thought to herself

<<I'm glad you're excited for science, little one, you're a girl after my own heart. But don't get too impatient, experimentation is slow work. Besides there are extenuating->> Val began


But Bridget was lost to Val's words of caution, she was too captivated by the visions that danced in her head of being accepted into the Stalwart Six, which Leanne would gladly expand to the Stalwart Seven. Bridget would spend hours working on plans, devices, and clever stratagems in the command center, plans in which Sami would be nothing more than a brawny battering ram. Bridget's immense powers entitled her to a starring role. Leanne would love them all of course, and when they did patrol, she'd insist on Bridget being paired with her every time. They'd fight shoulder to shoulder again and again, and Bridget would show her exactly how valuable she could be.

<<Hmph. Children and their silly ideas.>> Val sulked, realizing that her words of sage advice had gone entirely unheard

Bridget was in too good a mood to even offer a snarky reply; she just brushed off her alien passenger's grousing.

Look. You want me to learn to use my powers, right? Why don't we start now? We don't even have to use the, um, special materials. No need to dwell on the precise nature of those materials, of course.

Bridget sat up in bed, her hair still a tangled mess from where she slept on it the night before. She reached out a hand toward her desk, an toward the pile of her textbooks that stood on its white surface. She willed them to move, to fly to her the way Breanna had. She tried to remember the gentle warmth of the purple void, and moved her hand in the same way as Val had guided it before. Bridget clenched her hand into a fist and pulled.

But there was no purple glow around her hand, and the room remained dark, without a trace of the alien energy that had encompassed her so gently and irresistibly last time. Instead she let out a squeak of surprise, as the sudden rapid motion of her arm knocked her off balance, and she fell back into her pillow with a soft but ignominious thud.

Irked but undeterred, Bridget got back up and tried again, closing her eyes and trying as hard as she could to recall exactly how she had felt the night before. She breathed deeply, trying to calm herself, to find the center of her being and pull the power out from within. After a full minute of slow, quiet, breathing, she finally reached as deep within herself as she could, and imagined puling a reservoir of violet energy from within and hurling it toward her desk. 

But, when she opened her eyes again, Bridget saw the stack of books still sitting there, exactly the way they were before. 

Ugh! I tried peace and I tried passion, and both were useless!, Bridget complained internally, pounding he pillow with a fist that was, sadly, still devoid of the bright purple energy she'd tried so hard to channel. There's no way I just imagined it, right?

<<I did try to warn you it might be harder than you thought.>> Val made no effort to hide her pleasure at being proven right. <<Also, it probably isn't a matter of just thinking about a single thing. I've had all night every night we've been together to do nothing but think, and I haven't been able to move so much as a hair on your little unicorn's head.>>

Okay, fine, Bridget said under her breath. We'll do it your way. But I'm going back to sleep. 

Val, however, was clearly uninterested in how heave Bridget's eyelids suddenly felt, weighed down as they were with the disappointment of her failure. She continued her little lecture, heedless of Bridget's discomfort.

 <<That said, I don't think you need to worry about having merely imagined our previous success. If you were hallucinating, then I was as well, and voidwalkers aren't so poorly designed as to contain all their mental processes in a single organ that is little more than an electrified sponge.>>
 
Yes, yes, humans are just pitiful monkeys and voidwalkers are just soooooooo superior, blah, blah, blah. If you're going to keep me awake, could you at least come up with some new material? Bridget thought back, sarcastically.

Val went silent for a moment, surprised by the irritation in the girl's retort.

<<Well, you certainly do seem rather upset from lack of sleep, Bridget dear.>> The echo that usually accompanied Val's thoughts was different pitched a little higher, as though she were trying to cajole Bridget into cooperation now that her usual bluster had met resistance. 

<<Could you remind me what the sound is that the monkeys whom you're nothing like make?>>

Bridget rolled her eyes. You've heard it before obv- wait a second!

“You're treating me like Breanna!” she hissed under her breath, doing her best to resist the fog of sleep as it descended again. “I told you, I'm practically an adult, you can't work my own babysitting tricks on me.”

<<I'm simply trying to replicate the conditions of our previous success. You had ample opportunity to refuse yesterday if it truly bothered you, but you wisely trusted my instinct for experimentation. You need do nothing more than continue to do so.>> The tone of Val's reply was even and matter-of-fact, shorn of both her usual smugness and any attempt at childish singsong. The alien's manner was as soft as a cinder block, but Bridget found her brusque confidence strangely reassuring. As far as this one problem was concerned, it seemed like she was in good hands and it would get taken care of.

Heh, good hands, Bridget thought groggily as she slipped back toward slumber. It's funny 'cause she doesn't have-

But Bridget had fallen asleep again before her brain could make its spongy, primate way to the completion of that terrible punchline.

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Chapter 6: Enter Maya

         Bridget floated exhausted and bleary through her routine the next morning, without even the energy to grouse at her chipper golden haired sister when she laid siege one again to Bridget's bedroom door. She nodded off during the bus ride to school, finally awakened only by the hiss of the brake release as it stopped at the curb to discharge its chattering cargo of children. Bridget trekked her way to her homeroom in a daze of fatigue, and almost got turned around three separate times as she made her way drowsily to her history class. Mercifully, her school's block scheduling saved Bridget from another encounter with Margot and her posse, at least for one more day. 

Every time this happened, Bridget held out a faint hope that without her former best friend there to remind everyone what a weirdo she was, she might be able to get something more than stares, furtive whispers, and a cold shoulder whenever she tried to start up a conversation. But, once again, that hope wasn't to be. She hustled into the classroom as fast as her tired legs would carry her, a few of her classmates whispered indistinctly behind their hands, and every one of the students who occupied desks near hers chose either to stare or look away guiltily. It was clear that the entire morning of classes, it would just be just her, Val, and open college- ruled notebook, and two hours of notes to take. Her teacher, Mr. Finley, was a paunchy, balding man with a fondness for grey suits as everyday wear, whose dull sense of fashion was matched only by the dullness of the unflagging monotone in which he delivered his lectures. Bridget willed herself awake that it would be an accomplishment merely to make it to the end of class with her eyes open.

Fantastic, another day where flabby old Finley is the only one willing to even look at me, let alone talk, Bridget complained bitterly to herself

<<It's where you ought to be focusing anyway, sweetie. There's far greater value to be had from study than from interacting with any of these simpletons anyway.>>

Bridget's hand drawn table of factors leading to the Taiwan Strait Crisis under Eisenhower veered off course as she couldn't quite restrain a chuckle. 

Whatever you say, Mom. I'll be sure to eat my vegetables and be in bed by curfew.

<<Well, it's not a bad idea. I mean if you're going to very nearly collide with three different doors over the course of a thousand foot journey because you stayed up too late, a curfew may be in order>>

 I'll get to bed earlier if you help me figure my powers out! Bridget replied indignantly

Bridget attempted to turn her attention to the projector in the front of the room, where Mr. Finley had brought up a spotty, discolored slide of a map of the Taiwan strait. She decided to do as Val asked and just concentrated on absorbing the information being presented. If it kept Val happy, maybe it was worth a bit of boredom.

<<As I said, I'll happily do so. You really should be paying more attention, this is fascinating. Were I a human, I never would have considered bashing together bits of metal and using the resultant contraption to navigate, rather than making them from stellar energy. But of course, that would be necessary to transport a cargo of matter without suspension fields, wouldn't it>>

You really are just a giant nerd beneath all that bluster and self-importance, aren't you?

<<I suppose that's a reasonable description, though it certainly doesn't seem pejorative to me. After all, academic curiosity has stood me in good stead over the centuries>> Val said, considering Bridget's insult as purely a question of taxonomy. 

In good stead? Bridget was incredulous, You're a super-smart, centuries-old alien scientist stuck here in high school U.S. History II on what you yourself said was a “Podunk blue rock.” 

<<Well, it turns out that hundreds of years studying particle physics does little to prepare one for the case in which one's commanding officer is a power-obsessed megalomaniac who sees one'swork only as a path to her own personal glory>>

Wow, she must be bad if you of all people call her a megalomaniac. Hey, didn't you promise to tell me about her today? Once again, Bridget found her interest piqued, and the pen she'd been absently copying pieces of the lecture with halted its path through the lines of her notebook. 

<<I did and I will. But it's pointless to give information like that to people who can't do anything about it. Now, if you could use your powers,  and had completed all of your other studies so that you aren't distracted by trivial personal matters, perhaps.>>

All right, fine! Bridget wanted to complain about Val's shifting goalposts, but she knew it was futile, and returned to her task. Her pen rejoined the scratching chorus of the other students' writing utensils.

<<Good girl. We'll make something of you yet.>> If Val had a mouth, it would have formed into a satisfied smile 

Finally, after two grueling hours of lecture, the class was set free. As Bridget stepped into the bustling hall, she heard a familiar call from behind. 


“Briiidget! Bridgetbridgetbridget! Prince Damien is the WORST! He's brainwashed Lyrical Angel Lala, and stolen her away from Princess Melody! I swear, if the writers sink my ship AGAIN for that straight crap, I will visit TERRIBLE VENGEANCE upon them”  

Bridge turned around to greet the new arrival, a freckly redhead, who was about a head shorter than Bridget, and at the moment, about five times more energetic. She wore faded blue jeans and a grey T-shirt with Japanese kanji in big bold pink font on the front. Her high ponytail bobbed as she weaved her way through a crowd that nearly all towered over her.

“Oh, hi Maya-” Bridget began, but her friend's enthusiasm was too great to be concerned with trivialities like greetings or explaining what she was talking about.

 “So you'll come over my house to watch the  finale with me tonight, right? I  need someone with me who understands how important it is that my two favorite girls get together!" Maya looked up at Bridget, her green eyes wide and pleading. 

“I would, but, I'm um, not feeling very good today? Bridget stared down at her shoes as she mumbled out her answer guiltily.

“Oh...What's wrong? Anything I can do?” 

It was obvious that Maya was crestfallen, despite her efforts to remain chipper; he smile was strained and the bouncy excitement left her like air from a punctured balloon.

"No, I'm just feeling really tired today. and I don't think I would be very good company if I came over today."

Maya frowned and thought for a bit. “Sure, I mean no pressure. But I'll DVR it and I'll wait to watch it until you feel better, okay?

“Are you sure? Bridget asked, surprised. Maya putting off something related to her absolute favorite anime in the entire world was like any other person putting off food, water, or sleep

“It's no problem!” There was the fake cheer again. Bridget desperately wished she could explain what she would actually be doing that night; Maya would be over the moon to find out that her friend had powers. But there was no way she could explain, not without trying to explain Val, and the last thing she needed was to have her last friend think she was going crazy. She considered asking Val herself for advice, but her passenger was uncharacteristically silent. 

The two of them walked along the corridor to the cafeteria, Maya keeping up a steady stream of chatter along the way, one that Bridget was all too happy to just let flow by her, with the occasional nod of agreement or mumbled “Yeah.” As she half-listened to the conversation, Bridget's thoughts floated back to with the little animal blocks perched on the shelf of her closet, and a mix of terror and excitement filled her chest.

“-Aanyway! At least it's another day without Margot, right? I mean, she was pretty miserable before she started hanging out with those two jerks from the Children of the Stars."

“Wait, what?” Bridget jolted back into the conversation at the mention of Margot. “ Well, I mean, she decided she hated me before she met them, and somehow I doubt hanging out with people from what's basically just yet another club for Honors students to pad their college apps with made that much of a difference. 

“Pssh. A club for smug douchebags who think they're better than everyone else, you mean? My dad insisted I try going, but after the hearing about how their members 'stand leagues above their colleagues' and the need to give them 'all the support and opportunities that their superior abilities entitle them to,' I bounced. Anyone who would stick around people like that is basically guaranteed to be awful.” Maya wrinkled her nose in disgust to punctuate her point.

“Wait! She didn't bother you today, at all, did she. If she did, I swear I will fight her for you! 

Come on, that's ridiculous, Bridget thought to herself. Margot was a head taller than the diminutive redhead, and there was no way that enthusiasm would make up for Margot having two more people around to help her. Besides, it's not like doing that would make her hate me any less.

Bridget must have been less skilled at hiding her internal grimace than she thought; Maya took one look at Bridget's face, and fell silent.

Thankfully, by the time they reached the cafeteria and sat own for lunch, Maya had returned to her normal self, and the two of them spent their lunch period chatting about more pleasant things, like Maya's latest sewing project, and the latest album from their favorite J-punk band, CAPS and Punktuat!on.

Bridget did eventually settle with Maya that she would sleep over that weekend, and they would watch the show she so desperately wanted to share with her friend.

Val, however, had a significant objection.

<<What about power experimenting with my- I mean our- powers? That's far more important than such frivolity>>

Oh come on! Bridget replied petulantly, We have days to work on that, and if we haven't made any progress by the weekend, one night of doing nothing won't make a difference.

There were a few moments of internal silence while Val considered this,but in the end, she relented. <<Very well, if I feel we've made sufficient progress by this weekend, you can spend the night with Maya watching  Pretty Magical Lyrical Angel Lala.>>

Awesome! Bridget exclaimed

Bridget turned to her friend and asked nonchalantly “So, we're gonna marathon the rest of the episodes ro get ready for the finale, right?

Maya let out a shriek of excitement that could have shattered windows, if the cafeteria had any.

“YES! Bridget, you're a genius!” Maya gave Bridget an enormous hug. “Oooh! And we can have popcorn and snacks and stay up suuuper late, and snuggle, and it'll be the best!

<<Wait a moment. I said an episode was fine, not the whole thing!>> Her irritation was obvious.

Well, technically you didn't specify how much we could watch, so I just interpreted it in the way that was best for me, Bridget responded smugly, You're not the only one who can play games with specific wording, Val.

<<Very clever, little missy. I'll concede defeat this once. But you'd better work your butt off when the time comes.>> Bridget had expected Val to sulk, or to be angry, but instead, the feeling she got from the alien entity was unmistakably one of...pride?

She wasn't sure exactly why, maybe it was just the thrill of victory, but Val's approval felt good, and pride filled Bridget's chest.

No problem! I'll go for as long as it takes! she boasted, saying goodbye to Maya and heading off to her afternoon class with a bit of extra spring in her step. She was happily oblivious to the way Maya's gaze lingered on her as she left, or the happy, or the way Maya's dimples framed her flushed cheeks in a particularly wide smile at the idea of an entire night alone with her friend.

Chapter 7: Discovering Power


“Ugh, this is so tedious and dumb, I'm sick of it already!” Bridget complained under her breath as she swiped at the tower of blocks, sending them clattering across her desk in annoyance. “I know you  think that because I was playing baby games with Breanna last time, somehow baby blocks will help, but this is just boring! We've tried this literally a hundred times, and I haven't been able to build or knock down blocks with anything but my hands even once.”

“Maybe I'm just too stupid to use powers” she said bitterly, as she put her head in her hands.

<<We've only been at this for three hours,and have run only ninety-seven trials, hardly a significant sample size, so there's no reason to jump to that conclusion. I expected more  resilience from you, since you were so excited for this earlier in the day, and so sure we'd have quick and easy results.>>

Bridget's cheeks burned at the disappointment in Val's telepathic voice. But as she was casting about for a suitably cutting reply to grumble at the voidwalker and hide her shame, there was a sudden sound of a squeaking mattress from her sister's room nearby. Bridget froze in terror, hoping that maybe it was just her tossing and turning in her sleep. She tried to calm her nerves buy reminding herself that was the most likely reason for the noise so late at night; Sami had come home exhausted from a day of drills and strategy meetings, and she was usually a heavy sleeper anyway. Still, the seconds that Bridget waited dreading to hear the sound of heroic footsteps making their way toward her door seemed like hours.

But no footsteps came.

Bridget sighed and turned back to the blocks. She would at this point have liked nothing more than to just head to bed. But she didn't want to have to admit failure, or to face Val, knowing that she could have worked harder but didn't. 

<<Wait a moment, little one.>>

Huh? Bridged said, surprised.

<<I think you might have a point. Perhaps this exercise is too easy to produce the same feelings you had yesterday. Why don't you try building a single tower with all the blocks, but on the carpet this time?>>

Sure, okay, whatever you want, she replied, resignation and exhaustion evident in her voice.

Bridget knelt down on the blue Persian rug on her floor, bringing with her all ten of the cartoon animal blocks. With a sigh, she dutifully began assembling the tower again. But the uneven carpet was a less hospitable surface than her desk, so it as intensely frustrating to make sure that the blocks didn't fall off one another as he stacked them high. With each block, it seemed like the tower became slipperier, and she only made it to the eighth block before the entire thing fell apart of its own accord. Bridget tried to reach out to halt the descent of the blocks with power, as she had tried ninety-seven times before, but this latest try was no more successful than any attempt before. She froze for a moment, again expecting the sound to attract attention from one of hr sleeping family members, but the carpet seemingly had enough of a muffling effect that no one was roused from their slumber.

“Damn it!” she cursed at the recalcitrant blocks. 

Screw this, I'm tired! Clearly it's not gonna work. I wanted it so work so badly, to show you that I could do it. But clearly I was an idiot for thinking that could happen. Sami's the one who's powerful, and capable, and awesome. I'm just the extra.

<<Stop moping, it won't help anything, little one. It can't be that hard. Perhaps we're overthinking it, after all, even the youngest of voidwalkers understand institutionally->>

Don't call me that! It's not helping and I'm not. It doesn't matter what voidwalkers can do, I'm just a regular human and I have to do it, and I'm short on whatever weird energy tentacle thing you all use, if you haven't noticed!

<<Enough. Go again.>> Val was curt and commanding, and Bridget assented, telling herself that it was just  to show her how pointless this was when it failed for the umpteenth time. 

Bridget tried to reassemble the tower, but her frustration made balancing the blocks even more difficult, and in the end she had to cheat, holding them in place with her chest and both hands, despite Val's protestations that this violated experimental protocol. Finally, when all ten blocks were stacked up, she let them fall. As they did, she reached out with her hand, hoping to channel the strange energy.

But nothing happened.

In that moment, as Bridget watched this latest test collapsing into failure, her pride finally broke, and tiny tears started in her eyes. She was done with this, she was helpless to solve the challenge in front of her. If Val was so invested in this, she should figure out how her little human was supposed to do what a centuries-old voidwalker did. 

Bridget didn't think a request for help at Val, it was more primal, more basic, a cry for help to the only one she could imagine who could possibly know what to do. After hours of trying, and hours of failing, she finally let go of the idea of doing it herself, of proving herself capable and powerful. She just wanted Val to make it all right.

As the blocks were about to hit the rug, Bridget closed her eyes, not wanting to see her failure, just wanting it to go away so she wouldn't have to endure yet more tests and yet more disappointment.

But when she closed her eyes, she didn't see the darkness she expected. She was back in the warm world of violet, surrounded by a sense of calm and peace that enveloped her like a warm blanket, as it had before. She heard a voice that filled the entire space.

<<Don't fret. Let me help you, little one>>

The voice was unmistakably Val's, but it didn't feel like just a thought, or a little voice in her head like it usually did. It came from all around, the sound traveling through empty space as no sound could; its sheer scale made her feel small and helpless, but at the same time, she knew deeply in her bones that as long as the voice was there, she would be safe.

An unseen force pulled her right arm forward and splayed the fingers of her hand out as far as they would go.

<<Bridget, open your eyes>> came Val's voice again. It echoed in her head diminishing as it did so, until it was returned to its usual scale, a whisper of another person's thoughts inside her own mind. Bridget willed her eyes to open, and when they opened, she was back in her room.

There was, however, one crucial difference. 

The ten wooden blocks, each with its respective cartoon animal grinning goofily at her from its facets, were gently but unmistakably floating in midair, barely an inch from the carpet.

<<Perfect! Good girl, Bridget!>> came Val's elated cry.

The tears that had begun in despair continued as tears of joy as Bridget surveyed the scene her chest filling with wonder and joy. She kept as still as she could, desperately hoping that this wouldn't end. The clocks held their lace for a full thirty seconds, before a muscle in her hand twitched, and they landed gently in the soft plush of the carpet. 

<<Well>> Val said gently, <<Now we know that's a repeatable phenomenon.>>

Should we try again? Bridget asked excitedly. Maybe if we-

<<No, we're stopping for now. You've done good work, and shown yourself to be quite a capable little assistant>> Bridget felt a sudden swell of pride. <<What we need to do now,>> Val continued, her businesslike manner returning, <<is to examine what occurred, and our experiences of the event, so that we can determine the necessary factors for success.>>

Yeah, I guess that makes sense. So, well, I guess I'll start. I saw the blocks fall, and I was sure it wasn't going to work, again. I was so frustrated and miserable I just....

<<Yes, . I'm proud of you for sticking it out this far without giving up.>>

Bridget looked down at the ground, the sudden weight of shame dragging her down until she felt like she'd fall through the floor, and wished that she could.

But..but I didn't. She felt cheeks growing hot, and the sting of tears starting up in the corners of her eyes. I-I gave up. By the time everything went purple, I just, I knew I couldn't do it, and I wanted it all to go away, I mean I-you just, these were your powers originally, weren't they? So I guess...I mean...

Bridget trailed off. She knew what exactly she'd wished would happen. But she was also certain that Val would scoff at her weakness, at the fact she'd been willing to toss her pride aside and just let Val do everything, just so it wouldn't be so hard. Or worse, Val would be delighted,since it would prove her right that Bridget was just a stupid monkey after all. 

“I wanted you to help me.” she whispered. Bridget's voice was tiny as she finished her thought, and she closed her eyes tight again, fearing to hear cutting scorn, or worse, laughter that would slash her heart to pieces.

But Val's response contained no such sharpness. <<That's understandable.>> she replied. <<What happened next. Did everything become purple and warm, as it did last time?>>

Well yeah, I-Iguess. So I closed my eyes. I heard your voice telling me not to worry, and then I felt you guiding me, just like before. So it looks like I use my powers by just getting out of the way and letting you do everything. Figures. She thought bitterly. Even with powers, she was just an extraneous piece that could only get in the way of the people who were really important.

<<Really, Bridget?>> Val scolded, <<I expected better from you>>

Sorry, that's just how it works! Bridget thought back miserably, It's not my fault

<<Is it? In your haste to confirm your own irrelevance, you seem to have forgotten that your experience is only half of the data. Now, if you could hold off on the self-pity for a moment, we could examine my experience and see if your postulate holds up>>

O-okay, fine, I guess. Bridget wasn't sure what the point was, but if Val wanted to keep pressing this, more power to her.

<<All right. So. Both times you were successful, I was also trying to do what would norally do to acces my power over gravity, but each time I did I found myself in that same space, or rather a similar one. >>

A similar one? Bridget asked, distracted for the moment from the weight of her own worthlessness. How was it different?

<<It wasn't purple; it was just an endless internal blackness. It was so vast, it swallowed whatever I was thinking of. I would know going in what I wanted to do, bur once there, my will would just..fade into the dark>>

Okay. But you had to have seen me, right? I mean, you helped me, so...

<<Yes, exactly.>> Val said, <<When you appeared, it was like the fog that the space cast over my mind was lifted. I could tell what you wanted, and in turn wanted nothing more than to help you. When you entered into that purple field you described, I suspect you were actually floating inside the energy field that comprised me.>>

That's...super weird. Bridget replied. 

It wasn't that the experience had been unpleasant, far from it. But even if it was just inside her head, the idea of occupying exactly the same physical space as someone else made her tummy lurch a bit, as her gut instinct protested that something like that shouldn't be possible. Even if it were possible, it seemed somehow gross and shouldn't be allowed.

<<Well, the more you travel, the more you'll find that the galaxy is a strange place>> Val declared, with the air of a tweed-clad professor dispensing her most aphoristic wisdom to an impressionable young student. <<At any rate, when you and I occupied the same space, it was obvious to me what the analogous parts of our anatomy were, and therefore, how the actions and thoughts required for me to use my gravitic manipulation powers would transpose to you. And that's what I guided you to do. Given that, I would say that your contribution is essential to our successful power use>>

Oh, um, well, thank you. Bridget felt lighter, freed from the miserable weight that had dragged her down. So you're saying I was right yesterday, and it boils down to instinct. It takes your instinct to fulfill what I want, and my instinct to follow your guidance, right? 

<<Well yes, though instinct is a terribly imprecise way to describe the internal knowledge of what a body does and how to manipulate it.>> Val complained.

Yeah, but precision isn't the same as accuracy. Even if it's imprecise, I was right, come on, admit it! Bridget wiped the remains of tears from her eyes as she smiled, her spirits buoyed immensely.

<<I suppose so.>> Val conceded reluctantly.  
 
Thanks Val, you're the best! Bridget exclaimed. Can we do one more test? Please?

<<Very well.>> Val agreed.

Bridget closed her eyes again, and concentrated on relaxing her mind and on letting Val in, trying her hardest to visualize the substantially heavier thing she wanted to manipulate. Sure enough, as she did, the blackness in the back of her eyelids turned violet, and the reassuring warmth enveloped her.

<<I see, so this is what you'd like, huh sweetie?>> came the gentle, soundless sound of Val's thought all around her. <<Lift up then.>>

As Bridget moved instinctively to obey, she felt herself slowly rise off the floor. The sudden feeling of weightlessness shook her concentration, and she stopped in midair.

<<Don't worry, I've got you.>> Val said reassuringly. Bridget refocused herself, and she felt herself floating slowly through the air. At Val's commend, she opened her eyes and released her concentration, and she felt a sudden drop as she fell a few inches onto her bed, landing with a soft whumph, her brown hair splayed out on the pillow of her bed. Her entire body suddenly felt exhausted, and she folded the blue, moon-themed sheets around her.

<<Well done, little one.>> Val congratulated her. <<You've certainly earned your rest.>>

No way! Bridget thought at her. You promised you'd tell me about you and the other voidwalkers! If you're going to treat me like a kid, you have to at least give me a bedtime story.

<<A what?>> Val asked, confused. 

A bedtime story, the kind you tell to help children sleep, and teach them moral lessons and stuff.

It was silly, Bridget thought to herself, a seventeen year old asking for a bedtime story. But playing along with Val's little game had so far gotten her superpowers, and it wasn't like it didn't feel at least a little nice to be praised and coddled. There were certainly worse fates.

<<All right, but I'm a scientist, not an orator.>> <<I expect you'll be using our telepathic link to see the images of things as I recall them. You know, the one you usually use to send me the image of you sticking your tongue out at me?>>

Um, okay, sure, I'll try that.

<<Very good.>> Val said, and paused for a moment. <<The history pf the voidwalkers begins thousands of years ago, and millions of light-years from here, with beings of light dancing on the surface of the brightest stars>>

Bridget closed her eyes and let the story take her.

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Chapter 8- Rise of the Voidwalkers

The blackness behind Bridget's eyes was suddenly filled with twinkling stars. But there was one star, brighter than all the others, that attracted her eye. As she concentrated on it, it loomed larger and larger in her sight until it filled her entire field of vision, until she could see the roiling flares of starfire, the part of the star's corona that gave the star its bright white shine. She tried to look away, but just as the light became unbearable, her point of view fell further through the corona, and she gasped. 

Instead of the boiling soup of plasma she had expected, the deep surface of the star was unmistakably a city, with spires of light reaching up thousands of miles. Flitting around all of these giant spires were motes of light that swam, vaguely fishlike, through the skies. As the creatures flew about, the structure of the light city warped and changed, creating new pathways and spires, making the whole city look like a living thing, expanding and contracting in its own alien rhythm.

<<These were the star wardens, creatures born from stars and sustained for centuries by their plasma. Over generations, they gained undisputed mastery over light of all kinds.>> Val's voice echoed, as she assumed the role of narrator. <<They could form it into structures, and blur the boundary between energy and matter, creating light that had momentum, that could carry them far from their home stars.>>

The scene changed, and the brightness of the star city was replaced by an Earth-like planet. There were primitive creatures lumbering their way along the stony black black beaches of the world. For all their lumbering on land, the creatures were lithe and agile as they dove beneath the ways of luminous purple seas.

One group of the creatures milled about, a ball of light fell from the sky and impacted on the beach, its heat turning the sand to glass beneath it. The creatures fled from it in terror at first, but as one of the star warden creatures emerged from the call floated gently toward them, they approached slowly and cautiously, fascination slowly overcoming fear.

<<Their natural curiosity drove them to seek out other creatures; they delighted in cataloging them, recording the history and development of the many short-lived races they met over their millennia of life, including them in vast, starlit, libraries.>>

The scene shifted again, and one of the lizard creatures sat on a coral throne in a stone palace beneath the violet waves, as several of its fellows brought it food, and precious stones, bowing obsequiously as they approached. The  scales of the ruler-lizard shone with a bright white light, its radiance washing out the pale blue of its servants. The lesser creatures reverently averted their eyes, as their sovereign's own sockets glowed, and it rose into the air, body crackling with energy. It looked down at one of its servants in displeasure, and with the flick of its wrist, it sent out a pulse of light that reduced the creature to a mere scorch mark on the stone floor.

<<The star wardens' interest in other creatures brought them to discover atonement, the process of combining their energy forms with physical creatures. The resultant fusions were incredibly powerful. The energy of the star wardens lengthened their lives, and they maintained their mastery of light. The abilities they had often made the creatures that resulted from such fusions like gods among their fellows.>>  

“Wait, isn't that what you did with me?” Bridget asked.  

<<Mostly. But we'll get to that. But don't interrupt, little one. This story has to be told in a particular order. It's very important.>> Val admonished

<<In this way, as centuries passed, more and more of the planets and stars of the galaxy fell under their sway. With the aid of their thralls, the star wardens' dominion went further and further, as no other specie has, before or since. Over time, the star wardens grew strong, and they they grew wise, but most of all, they grew complacent.>> Val had thus far maintained her neutrality, but as she finished describing this, Bridget heard an unmistakable note of derision in her voice. 

<<In time, smaller and smaller groups of the attuned ruled over more and more of the galaxy. Certain races, with unique abilities, like the ability to survive in a vacuum, or regenerate lost limbs, became the chosen hosts of an elite few. The rest were conscripted for brute labor>>

"What about these blue lizards, what were they called? Did they qualify?"

<<Hah, no.>> Val replied.  <<They were a theoretical example anyway. as time went on most of the records of the lesser creatures like them weren't considered important enough to preserve. But when I was told this story, they're the creatures that I was shown. All voidwalkers know the same story, though the detail of which species are shown changes with the telling.>>

"So I gather the star wardens didn't care much about their subjects." Bridget asked sarcastically

<<As specimens, yes, as individuals no. At any rate, all this is beside the point>>

Well, having been a specimen, I'm not sure it is. Bridget felt resentment bubbling up in her chest for all these holier-than-thou aliens.

<<Don't worry, sweetie, I'm sure you wouldn't have been picked for labor. Much too scrawny>> Val reassured her playfully.

Gee, thanks, Bridget thought back sardonically.

 The image before Bridget's eyes changed, so that the lizard creatures from before were set in line of battle against a dizzying array of luminous creatures. The foremost one stood ten stories tall, with a body like a gigantic mammoth, save that its skin was covered with tendrils of star warden light. A few of the lizard creatures also had a similar halo of light, but they were badly outnumbered. As battle was joined , the numbers of the lizards quickly dwindled, as huge swathes of them were blasted into atoms by piercing white light. In a few moments, the handful that remained were on their knees begging for mercy. They did not receive any.

<<In any case, as you might imagine, this system led to a great deal of discontent. But such was the power of the Luminous Princeps, that handful of rulers I mentioned, that no rebellion could succeed.>>

"But one obviously did, right? You're a voidwalker, not a star warden, and I can't shoot lasers, so you're definitely different"

<<Exactly, little one.>>

<<The Luminous Princeps and their servants had matchless power over light, so those star wardens who opposed them required a different, greater power.>>

<<Can you guess what it was?>>

"Darkness, right?"

<<In a sense. Wherever light travels, it always finds that darkness has outpaced it. In this case, this meant harnessing the force behind what you call black holes, the one power against which even a star warden's light cannot prevail>>

“You mean we can control black holes? That's amazing!" If Bridget could have felt her jaw in this world of stories and visions, it would no doubt be on the floor.

<<Not quite sweetie, sorry to disappoint>> Val chuckled, <<Maybe a teeny tiny, microscopic one if we put all our effort into it>>

Val paused her story for a moment<<I'll admit this next part has more to do with energized biology than physics, so I don't understand exactly how it was done.>>

The scene shifted again, and that same luminous battalion stood across a flat plain from a few star wardens, who were just blobs of light, unattached to any hosts.
But then the tiny band began to change, shrinking and shriveling into themselves, until they were nothing but tiny flickering motes. As they shrank, their color dimmed, from a bright white, to a purple so dark it was almost black.

<<Those who resisted could not prevail as they were, so they transformed themselves. Instead of feeding off the light of stars....>>

The massive white light behemoth from before sent a beam at one of the newly-purple motes, with as much care as if it were squashing an insect. Bridget averted her eyes as the light of he beast's assault filled her vision. But when the glare faded and she could see again, the purple mote had not been extinguished. It remained, brighter and larger than before.

<<...they devoured the energy of star wardens>>

So you're cannibals? Bridget felt a jolt of mingled fear and disgust run down her spine at the thought

<<Only if you consider Star Wardens and Voidwalkers the same species. But it's more like a human eating a monkey or a pig. Hardly without suffering, but certainly something we'd rather do than be destroyed.>> Val's response was quick and vehement, unusually defensive for a scientist who usually  expounded dispassionately on her subject.

<<Besides, we mostly feed on the electrochemical energy of their physical hosts. Hard light is...a difficult meal>>

<<Taxonomic and moral debates about them aside, the first voidwalkers deployed their new power to devastating effect. Within a few short years, fully a third of the Luminous Princeps fell or surrendered. Such was the power of our fleet that the mere rumor of its approach brought offers of surrender>>

<<But that very power was to prove our undoing. The remaining Princeps understood the terrible danger they faced, and massed a combined force that dwarfed our own. Other ambitious star wardens saw opportunities to elevate themselves to the now-vacant seats of the deposed Princeps, and so gladly lent their aid.>>

"But that's good for you, right? More energy to feed on."

<<No, quite the opposite in fact. Consider it this way: humans require water to survive, but they all too easily drown in it. With us and star warden light, the effect was much the same.>>

Bridget saw a ship whose hull appeared to be made of Voidwalker energy, like a giant bubble containing hundreds of shiny purple motes, Suddenly, a few small silver craft emerged from the rings of a nearby planet, and began attempting to pierce the purple bubble with sharp beams of white light. These weapons produced miles-long needles that shone angrily in the blackness of space.
At first, the hull of the voidwalker craft simply absorbed the assault, an and it was the star warden ships that dimmed and weakened. But more and more kept coming, and slowly but surely cracks began to appear in the purple bubble

As the ship shot out purple tendrils, seeking to gather the energy of its attackers into itself, the cracks only grew and grew. Suddenly, the ship broke apart, and the light of the voidwalkers within was scattered into space. It flared desperately, dimmed, then went out, like sparks cast off from a fire.

<<Once all the foes of the Voidwalkers were working together, our string of victories became a chain of defeats. Our conquests had been swift, but this also meant they had not been consolidated. Even faster than they had come, the voidwakers were driven out of every one of the worlds they claimed, until the void fleet was a wandering husk of its former self.>>

The next thing Bridget saw was a cloud of purple bubbles, about a thousand strong, with the telltale purple glow of voidwalkers within. It looked large, until her view expanded. The fleet was surrounded on all sides, below, and above by a massive swarm of ships of all types. There were the fishlike star warden vessels, but alongside there were massive attuned creatures being used as ships, their eyes also aglow with star warden light. Ten thousand would have been a conservative estimate.

The swarm opened fire, and the already small group of voidwalkers dwindled quickly. 

Then suddenly, in a flash of purple light, half of the voidwalker ships burned brightly and their ships melded together into a single purple sphere. Then in an instant, it and the remaining ships were gone, replaced by a yawning void of starless blackness. The star wardens fired their weapons into it, but the light could not penetrate the darkness. 

Huh? What happened? Bridget asked, bewildered.

<< A last, desperate stratagem. The fleet's Warmistress knew that they faced annihilation, and made a necessary sacrifice. Instead of turning their weapons futilely on their foes, they used them to create a concentration of gravimetric energy sufficient to create a wormhole through which they could escape. But the sheer power required destroyed much of the fleet, and many of he remainder were lost in the crossing>> 

<<After that day, the Void Fleet splintered, either seeking shelter on planets close to black holes, where star wardens would fear to go, or they fled to backwater planets, seeking to evade the notice of their foes. My ancestors went with the Warmistress.>>

<<In the generations since, the remains of the Void fleet have wandered the backwaters of the galaxy, trying to recover their old strength, and find some way to destroy the star wardens and their vassals. It's that quest that brought the Voidwalkers here.>>

Okay, that's a pretty neat story. But what about you? Why are you here, and why are you with me and not with them?

<<Those two questions have the same answer. I'm here with you because, after all these centuries, we've finally succeeded. And it's worse than I ever could have imagined.>>

Chapter 9: Aria, Echo, and Fugue

<<When the Void Fleet came here, we realized that there were too few of us to openly seek the materials needed for our weapons testing. But we feared that the creation of new attuned would produce an energy signature that would lead the star wardens right to us. So our Warmistress directed the creation of a new type of attunement, that would shield us from discovery and better serve our purposes as we infiltrated your population and carried out our research.>>

And the result was what happened to us, right? 

<<Oh, no. The new version of attunement avoided creating a fused energy signature by simply, well, not being a fusion. The voidwalker's will simply replaces that of their host. If you had been attuned as most hosts are, you would be little more than a flesh vessel under my command.>>

Bridget felt her blood freeze at the thought.

“What the hell, Val?” A lump formed in Bridget's throat as her anger was  choked with fear at exactly what kind of monster was sharing her head, exactly what kind of monster she had been transformed into. “Your people are awful! I can see why the star wardens wanted to destroy you. Do voidwalkers ever do anything with other creatures other than enslaving or eating them?” 

After a few moments of awkward silence, Val responded.

<<You're...not wrong. But not every one of us embraces that part of ourselves, either. Echo always hated all of the Warmistress's plans. She was the one who designed the process that saved us both. Even if she couldn't...>>

Val's voice was abruptly cut off as the scene changed again. But instead of sweeping views of stars, Bridget found herself in a cramped alcove, lit only by a vestige of light that came from the main room. She looked back out of the alcove, but saw nothing but strange machinery and eerily glowing liquids bubbling in beakers. The hum of machinery was suddenly drowned out by the sound of warning klaxons, and the purple light flashed out an angry warning. Bridget turned away from the light, staring into a screen that flashed with lines of strange symbols. As she focused on the screen, they resolved into letters she recognized

Authorization accepted: Concordant Cadenza:Deleting all files in Essence Extraction Ray....Complete

Fragmenting backup repositories....50% complete

<<Cadenza, they're coming... How much longer? I've lowered the blast doors but, I'm not sure how long that'll hold them>>

The voice in her head was like Val's but it seemed younger, gentler and there was a frantic fear in it she had never heard in Val's.

<<Not much longer, Echo. I just need to destroy all the instances of the weapon's data from across the system, and we'll be set to escape>>

<<O-Okay. I can do this!>>

There was a sudden whirring noise, and a mechanical sound as a door opened. To her surprise, she heard a human voice.

“Umbral Echo. You are hereby under arrest for insubordination and on suspicion of collusion with the enemy. Surrender yourself, and submit to the Warmistress's judgment.” The speaker's voice was flat and impassive; it delivered its ultimatum the same passionless way the robotic voice on Sami's car's GPS announced a turn.

<<I-I don't know what you're talking about. I'm afraid we suffered a slight malfunction, but->> Her panic was obvious.

A second voice cut Echo off. It was feminine and high pitched, and every syllable seethed with rage

“You lying bitch, I read that seditious claptrap you sent! I know what you're doing, you're trying to deny the Warmistress her hour of victory! ”

<<I.-I don't know what you're talking about. I petitioned the Warmistress expressing concern that the Directed Energy Absorption Device, if turned to its full power as she wished, could annihilate the local sentient population. And I-I'm sure she'd be interested to know you're reading petitions directed solely to her, Aria.>> Echo was trying and failing to maintain composure.

 Aria let out a shrieking, unhinged laugh. “The Warmistress, unlike some people, recognizes my talent and trusts me implicitly, and is not so weak as to care about the lives of a few monkeys as the process of her ascension. Now, talk, you little sparkworm. I know you're too much of a sniveling coward to do something like this on your own. Where's Cadenza?  The Warmistress wants a word with her.”

<<I'm afraid she's not here. She's got an allergy to bootlicking, no-talent hacks, you see, so she tries to spend as little time as possible in places where she might encounter you.>>

The screen in front of Bridget showed its process 90 percent complete. Bridget was torn, half of her wanted, needed, to stay, but there was only one pragmatic option. She lifted a glowing purple tentacle to touch a nearby console, and a side panel slid open, revealing a narrow pathway for escape.

Her agonizing over whether to stay or go was interrupted by a hiss of fury from Aria.

“How dare you! Captain, dispose of this traitor at once!”

“Ma'am,” came a gravelly male voice, discomfort obvious in its tone. “This is highly irregular. We can certainly apprehend her, but without any evidence, execution is...” There was a murmur of voices as other humans, probably the rest of the security detail, debated among themselves

<<Cadenza, you need to leave. I've given the attuners the modified instructions. With luck, it'll look like a botched operation, and you can get away clean. I'm sure I can talk me way out of this>>

<<Understood. Be careful, dear one.>> The thought came from Bridget, but the voice was unmistakably Val's. Bridget felt herself float into the exposed tunnel.

From behind her she could hear Aria continuing to rage.

“You weak-minded fools!” Aria shrieked. “The Warmistress will not be denied!”

There was a click, a high-pitched whine and a sudden intake of breath.

<<What are you-?>>

“Miss Discordant Aria, please-”

Suddenly the purple light in the lab was washed out by a flash of bluish green, and an unearthly hum filled the chamber, assaulting Bridget's eardrums until she was sure they would burst.

The concealed hatch slid shut, as the noise died away, but the wall did nothing to drown out Echo's telepathic screams.

Bridget, now clearly Val, paused for a moment, wanting to go back, but then she made up her mind and continued down the tunnel, trying desperately to block out the cries of pain, and worse, Echo's final helpless plea.

<<Please...it hurts....>> 

<<Cadenza, save....me>>

Bridget's eyes snapped open, and through the beginnings of tears, she saw with relief the dim glow of the stars on her ceiling.

<<I'm sorry, little one. You shouldn't have had to see that>>

Bridget lay there stunned for a few moments, just trying to absorb what she'd seen.

Chapter 10: Decision

“Was that what you meant, what Echo said? That they've got a weapon that can wipe out...everyone?” Bridget's voice was barely a whisper.

<<Yes, and feed their energies to a single recipient, who would thereby gain unimaginable power.>> Val's voice was neutral, but Bridget knew it well enough by now to hear the twinge of fear she tried to conceal.

“Did you...did you destroy it?” Bridget asked.

<<Yes.>> Val relied <<But even so, it's only a matter of time before Aria and the Warmistress are able to reconstruct it. That's why I wanted to leave. We need to find the star wardens. Much as I hate to consider helping them, they might be able to stop Warmistress Sonata before it's too late for both your species and mine.>>

But, there's no way they'll listen! Bridget protested, They'll see one flash of purple and they'll blast us into atoms!

<<Likely so. Still, I don't see a better option>>

Bridget was inclined to agree. She thought about Val's plan and what it would mean. She thought about the people she's have to leave behind, of Maya and the sleepover she'd never get to have. Of her parents, who, insufferably annoying as they were a lot of the time, were a familiar and comforting presence as she contemplated the vast unknown of space in her future. Who knew how long she'd be gone once she left, looking for a bunch of space jellyfish who would probably just kill her on sight?

She supposed that meant she'd have to give up the idea of going to St. Rose's. Figures, just when she could actually maybe have gone as an actual superheroine. If Sami and Leanne were in this situation, Bridget thought bitterly, they wouldn't have had to run away into space, they would've just flown up into space and blasted the Warmistress into smithereens. If only she could....

Wait, actually I do! Bridget said suddenly  Together we can use powers, right? Why don't we fight them ourselves?

<<Bridget,>> Val said dryly, <<when I said 'a better idea,' I didn't mean one more likely to get us both killed. The Voidwalkers have spread out through human society. I'll don't know the details, but I know that we could basically get anything we wanted for research purposes, no matter the cost. We had thousands of witting and unwitting human agents. How do you possibly expect to fight them all alone?>>

I mean, obviously I don't think we could do that! Bridget replied, annoyed. But we don't have to do it alone. We can go to Sami and the Stalwart Six and get them to help.

<<That sounds wonderful, but why would they believe you. And even if they did, do you really think six  humans, however powerful, can stand up to hundreds of us? It's highly unlikely to work.>>

So was going to space, or running away from the in the first place. Bridget retorted 

<<A fair point>> Val admitted 

Look, if we can figure out where they're rebuilding the weapon, we can get the Stalwart Six to hit them there, and then if they lose we can use the ensuing chaos to grab a ship and head to space. That cold and calculating enough for you? Bridget huffed.

<<...Yes>>

Bridget turned over on her side, and fluffed her pillow, fatigue setting in now that the story was over.

Okay, it's settled then, that's what we'll do. Bridget tried her best to project a confidence she did not feel.

<<Are you certain, Bridget? It's incredibly dangerous. If we went looking for star wardens, I could probably get them to leave you alone. This way, we're both at risk.>> 

Bridget sighed. “Yes, Val, I'm sure. I'd be a pretty terrible heroine if I didn't at least try to fight instead of running. A heroine's job is to face danger head-on, after all.” she said aloud, both to persuade Val, and to bolster her own confidence.

<<Quoting your sister again?>> Val said wryly.

“Maybe I am. But she's right, just this once” 

Val fell silent, lost in thought for several long minutes. Bridget waited for Val's reply as her eyelids got steadily heavier.

<<You're very brave, sweetie.>> Val finally said. Bridget felt like Val had more to say, but no further thoughts echoed in her head.

"Nah I'm not," Bridget replied, as sleep began to overtake , "I just want to not suck."

The last waking thought Bridget had was of a face that was decidedly her own but also indisputably other, older, framed with bright magenta hair. It smiled at her, then turned away, pensive. Once again, she felt the warmth of that purple void envelop her. An unseen force lifted her from the bed, and began to rock her, slowly and tenderly, back and forth, as she fell deeper and deeper into dreams.

<<Sleep tight, little one>> came Val's voice, soft and gentle.

 

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Interlude 1: Playing House

Rain droplets hurled themselves against the light-blue siding of the house in a torrent of tiny thuds, covered the small window that was the only source of illumination in the dank, unfinished, basement. The glare of light filtered through an overcast sky outlined Margot in a silvery nimbus as she rooted through a mountain of boxes piled against a concrete wall. She was on her knees, perched on the lowest row of the largest boxes, craning her neck to examine the contents of a smaller box that the movers had wedged higher up. A bit of black showed through the pile of colorful plastic jewelry and cheap little toys that chronicled years of kids' meals at every one of the fast food restaurants in town. With a grunt of effort, Margot shoved the chintzy tchotchkes aside, hoping to find the onyx necklace that she could've sworn she'd saved from boxing, but had been unable to locate in the weeks since the move.

As she did so, she complained silently at her mother's tendency to never get rid of of anything, which was once again making her life more difficult. Whether it was useless plastic toys or a worthless garbage pile of a husband, her mom could never seem to let anything go. Heck, it had taken her three miserable years and a raft of charges to finally leave that asshole behind. Margot's fingers wrapped around the protruding object, and she let out a sigh of annoyance as she realized that it was as plastic as everything else, not the hard, smooth rock she'd hoped to feel. She pulled it out, more out of spite than anything else. Once again, Margot was shown prof of the universal truth that misfortunes never come alone, as the effort of doing so knocked her from her precarious cardboard perch. Pain pulsed though her legs as her feet hit the floor.

She looked at the object she'd pulled out, her black-lined eyes squinting in the dim light. It was a small toy frying pan, with two stickers that had been made to look like strips of bacon stuck to the inside. There was a small blue button on the handle, which she pressed without thinking. As she did so, a tinny sound that might charitably have resembled the crackling of oil came from the toy. The sudden noise startled Margot, and shook a memory loose, the memory of the time she'd last heard the sound, more than ten years earlier.

Come on, Bridget, let's play house!”

A much younger Margot stood in a much larger, brighter basement. She held her sizzling frying pan tightly in one tiny hand as she looked over at her friend from behind a the counter of a plastic kitchen playset. She wore a white dress over black and white striped socks and white light-up sneakers that were her favorite thing in the world,. They were a birthday present she'd begged her father for every night for a month before he finally got them for her. Margot's hair was done up in a french braid that she had insisted on doing herself and wore with pride, even if it was a little loose and messy.

Bridget, for her part, was engrossed in Margot's collection of superhero action figures. She knelt on a rug that was decorated like a miniature city, with roads and houses, stores and police stations, all centered around the image of the headquarters of the League of Virtue. The figure of Lieutenant Lightning in his signature bomber jacket that she held in her left hand was squared off against a monorail held in her right. that was about to run over some hapless Barbie dolls. A figurine of the Lieutenant's nemesis, the Iron Eagle, sneered down at him from atop a bookshelf as he surveyed the scene of his evil plan come to fruition.

But I'm playing heroes!” Bridget protested as she looked up at her friend, shifting the beige towel she wore on her shoulders as a makeshift cape.

Pleeeeease!” Margot begged. “I'll play Iron Eagle and let you put me in jail later if you do!”

Bridget's eyes lit up at the prospect of winning the argument the two girls always had over who would get to be the hero.

Okay!” Bridget said happily, and went over to join her friend and survey the playset.


 

I wanna play too!” came a voice from upstairs, shortly followed by the muffled patter of sneakers on carpeted stairs. In a few seconds Sami's blonde head peeked out from behind the pillar at the base of the stairs. She was visibly out of breath from the effort of the climb down, and she maintained a white-knuckle grip on the wooden railing to keep herself stable.

Be careful, Sami sweetheart!” the voice of Bridget's mother admonished from the kitchen above. “Remember, the doctor says no roughhousing. Bridget, don't do anything that would hurt your sister.”

Okay.” Bridget called back, with a little sigh stuck on at the end that only Margot heard .

Margot led her two friends over to her kitchen, ignoring Bridget's pout. Bridget always complained about things until she actually got to doing them and had a good time. Besides, it was house, and house was the best game. Margot took charge; it was her house after all, and her mommy always said that it was a hostess's job to be in charge of her guests having fun.

We have three people, so we can have two grownups and a baby.”

Oooh!” Sami said excitedly. “I should be a grownup because I'm the oldest!" She smiled, proud of her irrefutable logic.

This was fine with Margot, and she moved on to the next decision. “Of course, I'm a grownup too, because I'm the tallest!” she declared.

Bridget, meanwhile, registered her displeasure at this outcome.

No fair!” she whined “Why do I gotta be the baby? Sami should be, she's the one who still wears diapers!”

Sami drew back as though Bridget had slapped her. She looked down at the floor for a second, and when she spoke up, it was in a quiet voice that quavered on the verge of tears.

Nuh-uh, I don't!” Sami tugged at the bottom of her scalloped baby-blue T-shirt. “That was nly in the hospital, I don't have to anymore! Why are you so mean, Bridget?”

Margot fixed Bridget with the best impression of her father's, “you're in trouble now, Missy” look she could muster, the one that usually meant Margot was going to take a one-way trip to the dreaded quiet corner. But Bridget just looked surprised at Sami's reaction, and, faced with her best friend's anger and her sister's tears, she apologized immediately.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'll be the baby!” Now it was Bridget's who seemed like she was about to cry, as Sami's sniffles abated.

Don't worry!” Margot tried to reassure her friend. Being a baby just means that you get to do only fun things while we hafta do all the work. And you get to wear all the pretty clothes! Margot rushed as fast as her tiny legs would carry her to a pink toy chest where she kept all her dress-up outfits and play jewelry. She picked out a purple necklace with a pink plastic heart on it to give her friend. A smile formed on Margot's face as she did so, she knew that Bridget loved everything purple. Sure enough, when Margot put the necklace on Bridget, she was much happier.

Oooh, can I wear your puffy purple dress?” Bridget asked eagerly.

Sure!” Margot replied happily, “but babies can't dress themselves, so mommy Sami hasta help you get it on.”

Sami happily complied, and dashed off to open the toy chest. When she returned, she was beaming, and began joyfully instructing Bridget, who received her instruction with considerably less enthusiasm, how she should put it on. Bridget's annoyance with her sister didn't, however, prevent her from several satisfied twirls and joyful pulling on the puffs of her sleeves as she and her sister watched in the mirror.

Sami pat her sister on her brown hair, fluffing it a little.

Who's mommy's little cutie?” she cooed, booping Bridget's nose. Bridget wrinkled her nose in response, but couldn't help giggling at the sudden sensation.

What a pretty dress! For a dress that pretty,we need to braid your hair! No peeking till it's done though!” Margot said in a singsong voice, joining Sami's fawning over their new baby..

Bridget dutifully put her hands over her eyes. Margot skipped happily behind where Sami had sat Bridget down and enthusiastically set to parting and winding Bridget's hair together, singing a little song that her mom had taught her to help he remember the steps. Bridget grimaced and tried super hard not to cry out in pain, but it took Margot a few tries to get the sections to stay right, and a loud “Ow!” escaped her lips after a particularly hard tug. But Margot was able to get Bridget's hair braided and surveyed her work with pride.

How does it look?” Bridget asked, turning her head back eagerly toward her friend.

Margot was about to answer, when she suddenly had an idea. “Hang on, Baby Bridget, I gotta get you a present from work!” She turned on the spot and dashed off deeper into the basement, looking in a little wooden cabinet of old baby stuff until she found a proper gift for her little girl. With her, she also took a small brown suitcase that her father kept in his basement office. She felt a bit guilty for playing with something she knew she shouldn't , but if she was going to play the part of work boss mommy, she obviously needed a suitcase And this was the best one of course; its worn brown leather always felt so nice against her hand.

With the suitcase dragging behind her, Margot returned to Sami and Bridget.

Margot!” Bridget whined, “can I look yet?”

Of course, baby. It's very pretty. Sorry I'm late, I had to fill my important work suitcase with all my important work papers.” Margot cleared her throat self importantly, attempting to mimic the way her father always told her about all the important deals he'd made at work. The gravitas of her recounting only slightly undercut by the fact that her rendition was about two octaves higher than the real thing. Still, when she sat cross legged in a tiny yellow chair and looked at Sami expectantly, it was a perfect re-creation of the way he asked his wife if dinner was ready.

For her part, Sami had found a pink apron with a kitten on the front, and was happily, if not entirely successfully, practicing flipping little plastic hamburger patties in the sizzle pan. All of them found the noise it made delightful, and they took a break from their domestic scene to press the sound button the handle at least five times each.

Bridget, in true childish fashion, brought them back to the game with a demand for attention.

Mommy Margot, I want my present!” Bridget exclaimed, clearly enjoying herself despite herr earlier complaints. She bounced up and down in her chair with excitement, delighting in the opportunity to be bratty without getting scolded.

Margot obliged Bridget's request and produced from her other hand a white pacifier.

But-” Bridget began to protest, but as soon as her mouth opened, Margot inserted the pacifier, and her complaints were replaced by a muffled sucking sound. Margot held the pacifier in with one finger, just to make sure Bridget didn't take it out, while Sami finished meticulously assembling and plating. the rest of the components of a toy burger.

Okay baby Bridget, time to eat up!” Sami offered Bridget the model-scale meal, as her little sister glared and pouted. Sami tried to get Bridget to take a few play bites of the plastic patty, but had little success.

Come on, Bridget, you gotta eat it, I'm your mommy and I said so!” Sami stamped her foot in annoyance, feeling in that moment the same irritation that bedeviled mothers everywhere. Though in fairness, most of them would probably have been aghast at the idea of feeding their child a hamburger that had spent quite so much time on the floor after failed flips.

Margot thought for a moment, then presented the tomato with a side of airplane noises, dive bombing Bridget with the red fruit, only to turn away at the last second. Bridget gamely tried to grab the tomato out of the air, but had no success, much to the amusement of her two ersatz mommies. Seeing what fun Margot and Bridget were having with their little game, Sami went to try her hand with one of the buns, but before she could a call of “Girls! Cake time!” disrupted the game in favor of more important matters.

Bridget spat out the binky and wiggled her way out of the poofy dress. She and her friend ran as fast as they could toward the stairs up to the kitchen. Once the pair were halfway up, however, they looked back and saw Sami struggling up the first stair behind them. Bridget grabbed Margot's hand, and they waited for Sami to slog slow way up the steps. Once the short blonde girl had finally caught up, the three of them headed eagerly toward the waiting confection.


 

Margot's normally sour expression was replaced for a fleeting moment by the ghost of a smile as she looked down at the toy pan. When she pressed its button, she found it had lost its sizzle; no doubt the battery had died in the decade since she'd used it last. Even so, she couldn't bring herself to just throw it away. Instead, Margot put it back carefully in the box where she found it.

As she did, she was caught in a wave of nostalgia that she was infinitely grateful none of her friends were around to see. Margot fished through her pure and dug out her phone, scrolling until she reached the Bs. The sight of a familiar name and the ancient last called date brought her to her senses before she could do anything too embarrassing, though, and she swiftly put it away again.

Maybe later, she thought to herself.


Issue 2 Chapter 1: The Stalwart Six


 

The rest of the school week went smoothly enough, and so that Friday Bridget made her way home, with Maya in tow. The tiny redhead was so excited that she bounced up and down in her seat for the entire bus ride. When Bridget opened the door, she was greeted, not by her mother or Sami as she expected, but by the meow of a black cat. It leapt from the banister on which it had been perched and began happily batting at the straps dangling down from Bridget's backpack.

Maya jumped back in surprise, but once she realized what was in front of her, her reaction changed completely.

“Ohmygosh Bridget, you didn't tell me you got a kitty! What a cutie she is!” The cat deigned to allow Maya to pet her, and purred with satisfaction as Maya reached behind its ears.

“We didn't.” Bridget said shortly. “Shouldn't you be at a meeting or something?” she asked as she looked down at the feline interloper.

<<How curious.>> Val observed <<We have encountered these creatures before, and they have shown no interest in any sort of meeting. The desire for attention is familiar though.>>

“That's not a cat,” Bridget explained “It's just Sami's friend Isis using her transformation magic. See that white ankh mark in the fur on her forehead? That's how you can tell, no matter which form she's using, it's always on her somewhere”

“Oh.” Maya said, a little crestfallen. “She's still really cute though!” Isis mewed with approval, and

<<This is one of the people you wanted to entrust with our fight against the Warmistress? Such a small form may carry the advantage of stealth, but I doubt she will be of much use.>>

Bridget had nothing to say to that, so she just did her best to shoo Isis away, hoping that she and Maya could get to their viewing party. Of course, regular cats don't take well to being commanded, and animals who are transformed magic-users are even less amenable to it. Isis simply lay down on the slate floor and glared at Bridget in supreme annoyance. Then after a long minute where Bridget's face got redder and redder as she realized Isis was deliberately teasing her, the cat stood up and brushed against Maya's leg.

Then she turned around and marched off proudly, her tail waving lazily from side to side as she turned a corner and made her way toward the basement, walking with a stately slowness that said “Sure kiddo, I'll move when I'm good and ready to.” without the need for a human voice box.

She seemed nice” Maya said cheerfully.

That's just because she doesn't know you well enough to start teasing you.” Bridget explained. “Anyway, even if the Stalwart Six are meeting here today, the living room TV should be free.” She led Maya up the few stairs to the living room. But as the green paint and brown leather of the living room sofa came into view, Bridget's face fell. With a sudden pulse of irritation and dread, she realized she could hear the awful sound of her mom's favorite lifestyle program, “Moonlight's Meditations” wafting from within

Bridget loathed Moonlight Meditations with every fiber of her being. The hippie hostess had an airy meandering demeanor that made Bridget feel like she was being dragged through molasses, and could drone on about chakras and astrological phenomena at such monotonous and self-satisfied length that public radio seemed bouncy and fast-paced by comparison.

Bridget and Maya entered the room just as Moonlight was touting “the holistic benefits of this organic, all natural juice cleanse, with varieties designed to harmonize with your unique cosmic rhythm.”

<<You can't harmonize with cosmic rhythms, the background radiation of the universe is fundamentally disordered and unpredictable!>> Val raged. There were a lot of things on which Bridget and her passenger didn't see eye-to-whatever-passed-for-eye, but she and Val were in complete agreement where Moonlight and her mystic drivel were concerned.

Bridget opened her mouth to ask if they could use the TV, but knew before she even sad anything that it would be pointless to argue. There was no moving her mom during the hour Moonlight was on, no matter how many times she suggested her Mom just DVR it. She motioned to Maya, and they retreated, until they stood at the top of the basement stairs.

Well, I guess we have to ask them if we can have our watch party downstairs.” Bridget sighed, “This is going to be so embarrassing.”

Oh, come on, Bridget, it's not like they'll even care.” Maya tried to reassure her friend. “They probably have super important hero business to attend to.”

You mean we'd be interrupting important hero business to ask them whether we can use the TV,. of all things.” Bridget said dryly. Her cheeks growing pink as she imagined the blue-eyed stare of disapproval she'd get from Leanne, who would no doubt think of her as just a foolish child.

<<Well, you are a child, and delaying something you've been looking forward to for days solely for fear that you'll look a bit silly would certainly qualify as foolish>> Val pointed out smugly, <<Besides, it's not like you have any other option>>

Okay, fiiine. But when you want to recruit the Stalwart Six and they laugh in our face, don't come crying to me. Bridget thought back hotly.

<<Oh, I won't. At any rate I lack tear ducts, so the whole idea seems a little far-fetched.>>

You know perfectly well that was a figure of speech!

<<Certainly. I also know that, for someone concerned about looking awkward, you've spent quite a bit of time standing around doing nothing and staring into space while we talk>>

Finally realizing that arguing any further would just get her caught in a recursive loop of alien snark, Bridget sighed and opened the door.

<<There! See, sweetie, was that so hard?>> Val's tone combined gentle chiding with a touch of praise in a way that made it impossible to answer.

-but I remain concerned that focusing our efforts on a single frontal assault is a brittle strategy, and that the attack could fall apart quickly if something were to proceed unexpectedly.

Leanne's voice carried from the floor below, as cool and even as ever. Bridget felt a tingle in her chest as its calm and surety washed over her.

Don't be such a worrywart, oh Fearless Leader. There's more than one of us who can bust down even a reinforced door with a demon or two behind it.”

The second voice, as rough and casual as Leanne's was prim and professional, but with a playful warmth beneath, was definitely Isis. Only she would call Leanne by a glib nickname like that.

Bridget and Maya crept quietly down the stairs, and both looked out to see the group of superheroines meeting below. Bridget was struck for a second by how casual the scene was. The team sat in a loose circle of assorted couches, beanbag chairs, and those soft chairs that were shaped a bit like bright, cushiony cups turned on their sides. All of them were in casual clothes, even Sami, who was for once wearing something other than her reddish-orange tights and white gloves and boots. That said, even in an otherwise muted pink floral print dress, Sami leaned forward over the center table with rigid intensity that would have been better suited to a war room. Her golden eyes aimed piercingly at a glowing blue projection hovering above a white device placed in the center of the table.

The floating image was of a squat but broad brick building. The blue cast that the projector gave the image was broken at several points by angry red dots at the front and at several points on the roof. Several doors stood out against its walls, highlighted in bright yellow. A dark brown hand waved through the image, and it rippled a little before beginning to rotate slowly. The hand's owner returned to her seat in a dull brown beanbag chair, and as she did so, turned and as she id, Bridget saw the slightly doughy but genial face of the team's tactician, Overwatch. Overwatch ran her hand through her thick and unkempt brown hair, and tugged distractedly at her grey T-shirt. For a moment, the words printed in black on her shirt, “Lost in Thought, Send Search Party,” seemed particularly apt.

I mean, you're probably right, Isis. Even if it could withstand a tiger or a Odom dragon being hurled at it full force, I'm sure I could whip up a drone with some explosives that would do the job.” Her voice was cheerful and bouncy.

You just want an excuse to show off that new explosives certification, don't you, Gearhead? Isis interjected with a smirk. “I don't know, it sounds like Goldilocks here-” she nodded in Sami's direction, “-really wants to play meatshield.”

Oh, that's fine too, absolutely! I think, in that case I might just hang back and pilot a few of my favorite friends from, um, a safe distance. I, well, I really don't want to end up like my car did the last time I fought Hellblooods in person. Overwatch's jovial manner faltered a little as she winced and grabbed reflexively at her shoulder.

Kendra, you did great, don't sell yourself short!”

Bridget pursed her lips in annoyance as Stell, the team's fashionista, cheerleader, and materials specialist, spoke up, with a perky enthusiasm to her vocal fry that Bridget was sure had to be faked. Plus the white hair that sparkled like diamonds in its pixie cut was just way too much.

I think it would be best if we all attacked together.” Stell suggested. “I could throw up more effective barriers and shooting stars, and Phoebe could enhance all of us more conveniently.”

Suddenly, a sardonic scoff came from the corner of the room, in a patch of dim light where none of the basement's fluorescents reached.

Don't be ridiculous. That's playing right into their hands.” the voice continued. It had a low and husky monotone, as different from Stell's as night is from day.

What do you mean, Phoebe?” Stell asked, a little annoyed to have her idea so unceremoniously dismissed”

Look!” Phoebe commanded.

Phoebe rose from her seat and moved toward the diagram. As she entered the light, Bridget finally got a good view of the last member of the Stalwart Six. Phoebe Lee, also known as the Banshee, had pale skin and straight black hair. Her almond eyes were framed in black liner, and both her long trenchcoat and the long dress beneath it were all black, except for a few flashes of silver from her earrings, belt, and the buttons of her coat, each of which was in the shape of a Celtic knot. Her lips, pursed into a frown, were done in purple.

Phoebe pointed a black-painted finger at the diagram. “If we attack the front, they can fight us one at a time as we try to enter. And while we're wasting our effort attacking their strongest points, their sentries stationed here-” she pointed to the red markers that indicated the lookout points on the roof of the building “-can pick us off with ease. At the bare minimum, one of us who can fly needs to address that problem.”
 

I can do it!” Sami interjected enthusiastically. “They're just normals, so it won't take long, and I'll make sure no one else gets hurt.”

Idiot.” Phoebe spat at her, “Do you really think they won't expect us and prepare accordingly? They knew we were coming when we tried the stealthy approach last time, and it'll be even worse this time.”

Well, I don't hear you offering any ideas, snippy.”

Whether or not I offer any ideas doesn't change the fact that all of yours are terrible.” Phoebe scowled at Sami.

Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt your brooding sesh for the sake of actually getting something constructive done!” Sami's voice began to rise.

I am not-” Phoebe began. Only to be suddenly cut off.

Ladies.” Leanne said, not loudly, but sharp enough to cut through the burgeoning quarrel.”While I hate to interrupt what I'm sure would have been a wonderfully tedious argument,” Sami and Phoebe looked ashamed as the rebuke hit them, “we have a visitor. What can we do for you, Bridget?” Leanne turned and looked at Bridget and Maya, and the eyes of all five of the other team members followed her.

Bridget's face went pink with embarrassment. She tried to think of a way to make her request that wouldn't make her look incredibly stupid, and as she did so, the silence stretched on painfully.

So, um, if you're not using the TV down here, can we use it to watch Pretty Magical Lyrical Angel Lala?” Maya cut in, breaking the silence.

You're kidding me, Bridget.” Sami said, annoyed. “We're having an important planning meeting and you want to interrupt us to watch your stupid cartoon?”

I don't see why not.” Leanne said, and Sami's protests lapsed into irritated grumbling under her breath. Kendra has her own mapping tools, so we don't need it.

But-” Sami began

Oh, Goldilocks,” Isis said, her voice laced with wry amusement. “Stop complaining about nothing and just let the kids have their fun, There's no need to twist your face up like your porridge is too hot. Let's get back to that important hero business, huh?”

Fine” Sami said grumpily, and eturned to her seat.
 

Excellent. Leanne said, Now let's move on to discussing our loadouts,”

--

Issue 2 Chapter 2- Fangirls

As the conversation continued, Bridget and Maya did their best to stay out of the way as they crossed into the back of the basement where the TV hung in an alcove. Bridget studiously avoided Sami's golden gaze, and was tremendously relieved when they were out of sight behind the alcove wall.

In short order, though, Bridget had everything queued up, and with an excited squeal from Maya, the watch party began. Bridget usually just watched the show, but with Maya there the experience was profoundly different. She threw herself into it, singing along with the theme song and shouting the attack names along with the characters. And she was having none of Bridget's silence.

Bridget!” she complained, “Where's your joy? You gotta at least yell out the 'Angelic Proton Blaster!' I mean you do that with Lieutenant Lightning's catchphrase all the time. What is it again, 'Like a blue bolt, I strike injustice?'

Bridget tried her best to shush Maya, but she had already gotten it out before a frantic shhhh could rush its way out of Bridget's lips,

What. Are. You. Doing?” Bridget hissed at her. “Leanne is right there! You can't just mess up her catch phrase right in front of her And you can't just tell her I do that sometimes, she'll think I'm some kind of weirdo!” Bridget strained to hear what the Stalwart Six were talking about, but their conversation aout strategies, tactics and supplies continued, with no indication they'd heard anything.

Suddenly, Bridget felt Maya's arms around her middle, and the warmth of the smaller girl embracing her,

Bridget, it's okay. She thinks you're really smart, and won't think of you as a weirdo.

Oh, well, I guess, if you think so.” Bridget said awkwardly, not entirely convinced.

Definitely” Maya assured her, grabbing the remote to rewind to the point before conversation had interrupted their viewing.

As on screen Princess Melody leaned in, her lips inching closer to Lyrical Angel Lala's, Maya rested her head on Bridget's, so that Bridget could feel her warmth of her cheek on her skin.

Bridget looked down at Maya, and played a bit with her auburn ponytail as they both watched the unfolding scene.

Suddenly, Prince Damien, with his shining white hair and in his trademark black military uniform, teleported into the frame, and lifted a strange green gem, which pulsed with an eerie green light, and in a flash, Princess Melody was caught in its facets.

Bridget gasped and there was a sudden “WHAT! NO!” right in her ear as Maya shrieked in indignation at having her favorite pairing thwarted again, and the credits rolled.

Maya's gentle became a tight squeeze as her ire mounted. “That's so duuumb. He didn't even have that stupid necklace in any of his other evil schemes!”

“Wrong.” a droll voice said behind them. “The enchantress Discordia gave it to him in Episode 132 along with the materials for the Dark Cloud Curse he put on Tokyo. There was more information in the manga, but the studio cut that, of course.” Both of them turned around to see Phoebe leaned up against one of the basement pillars, sighing in annoyance at these children's lesser degree of commitment to her favorite show.

“Wait wait-what?” Maya spluttered, I didn't know-”

“You really should read the limited series about Discordia as well, it's invaluable to understanding the backstory of all the villains and more abut the magic system in Lala.”

“Um, so, I guess I-” Maya spluttered, utterly unprepared for her expertise to be so quickly and so thoroughly dwarfed.

“Wait, Phoebe, you like this show? I figured you'd hate because it's way too cutesy and childish.”
Bridget asked, surprised.

Phoebe grimaced. “It's, well, it's an important show to me, it helped me figure out that I...well...” she trailed off. “Anyway!” she said, changing the subject, “I thought I'd hang out here rather than argue with your sister and try to lead her to a better idea for making an entrance. Leanne's better qualified to leading our sparkling, shining neophytes to the obvious conclusion that maybe a window would make a better entry point than a trap-laden door.”

Bridget couldn't help but laugh. “Yeah, I couldn't imagine anyone else actually able to get Sami to change her mind on anything.”

“So, Phoebe, could you maybe hook a girl up with some of that good, good manga action?” Maya asked

“Hmmm.” Phoebe said, tilting her head as she considered. “I suppose I could let you read through my collection. I'll give them to Sami, who can deliver them to either of you, I'm sure. I'm glad there are kids nowadays who understand what's really important.” Her black lips curled into a smile with a bit of hesitation, as though she'd forgotten how to form one after devoting herself to mastering the full spectrum of brooding frowns and grimaces for so long.

“Yessssss!” Maya exclaimed, nearly leaping out of her seat with excitement. Bridget, why didn't you tell me your sister's friends were so awesome! we should totally read it together!”

“Sure!” Bridget said, trying to seem cheerful, and eager though she was sure that any moment Val would jump in to shut down the idea. No doubt she would command that before Bridget could even think about read any manga, she'd have to get a much better grasp on how to use her gravitic flight powers. Bridget dreaded the idea of more hours of misery and disappointment in th pit of her stomach as she tried to lift herself into the air, only for her concentration to be broken by the stomach turning feeling of dangling in midair with nothing solid to support her.

But, for once, no rebuke came.

Bridget felt a wave of unease wash over her as Maya and Phoebe began an earnest concersation about the merits of various light novels, several Japan-only video game releases, and a cmpaining session about all the terrible translation mistakes to be found in the dub track for Lyrical Angel Lala.

Val? Is everything okay? She thought in the internal direction from which Val's voice always seemed to come

It wasn't like Val to stay silent for this long, and it couldn't possibly mean anything good. Bridget considered trying to use some of her new found powers, maybe to surreptitiously float herself a few millimeters above the couch, but there was the chance she'd get discovered. Sure, being found out would probably get a response from her passenger, but that was definitely not worth it. But maybe she could suggest something, Val might respond, at least.

Bridget closed her eyes and tried to reach inside herself to the well of purple void where she and Val could meet, but her concentration was suddenly broken by a sharp rebuke from Phoebe.

“Don't think I don't know what you're doing there.”

Bridget gasped and nearly fell over in fear and surprise

“I was just-” she began to explain, but she was interrupted by the soft thump of a familiar feline form leaping from the back of the sofa onto the floor in front of a very irked Phoebe. The cat changed form until Isis, her hair now streaked with bright ectoplasmic green in yet another one of her myriad displays of casual magical power, stood in the middle of Phoebe and Maya. She had her hands casually planted in her pockets and a slightly cross expression on her face.

“Darn. I was sure I had you that time, Songbird.” Isis said ruefully. Phoebe grimaced at the nickname.

“You're never going to 'get' me, you know.” she chided her teammate. “Even the most minute sound cannot escape the keen ears of the Banshee!”

Bridet noticed that when Phoeve said her hero name, she put way more emphasis on the second syllable than most people did. She remembered that Phoebe also spelled it really weird, but had never asked, for fear of receiving an houlong lecture in response.

“I dunno, that line needs a little tightening to work as a catchphrase.” Isis replied glibly, hand rested against her brown cheek in mock deliberation.

“You always need to get the last word in, don't you?” Phoebe remarked dryly

“Yep!” Isis responded with deliberately augmented bounciness. “Anyway, Phoebe, our fearless leader wants you for something.”

“Oh. Did the two shiny ones finally figure out the basics of forced entry?” Phoebe asked.

“It took a bit of persuading, but yes.” came Isis's reply. She switched forms again and perched herself imperiously on Phoebe's shoulder, as the grim-faced goth girl reluctantly carried her. As Maya watched surreptitiously from behind a pillar, and Bridget did her best to re-establish her concentration over to where the rest of the Stalwart Six were evidently taking a snack break, courtesy of Overwatch's remarkably capacious bag. It was labeled “Brain Food, but appeared to contain mostly chips and candy bars.

“Ah, there you are.” Leanne said, looking up as the two heroines approached. “We have an important question to consider” She looked across the ring of chairs at Stell.

“Hi there, you two!” Stell waved Phoebe and Isis over as Overwatch, mouth full of peanut butter cup, proffered snacks. “I wanted to ask you whether you wanted any alterations to your dress uniforms for the Gala.

Phoebe stared at Leanne from beneath her purple-shadowed eyelids.

“I thought you said you had an important question.” Phoebe said, arching an eyebrow.

Isis simply began cleaning herself assiduously.

“It is an important question!” Stell insisted. “So many influential people will be there!”

“Exactly!” Sami chimed in, “It's critical that we make a good impression when we get awarded the key to the city”

The mention of the award that Sami had been talking about for weeks brought an eyeroll from Bridget, and she motioned Maya to follow her upstairs/ Bridget figured that even if her mom was still watching more Moonlight, at least she wouldn't have to hear any more about the plans for the entire city to convene yet another celebration of the golden child.

Mercifully, when the pair had snuck their way past the sextet of superheroines, Bridget's mom had left the living room, which meant that video games were back on the table. As Bridget and Maya plopped next to each other on the floor and caned their necks toward the TV, controllers in hand, Bridget heard a familiar voice.

<<Are you having fun, with your friend, sweetie?>> Val said, clearly pleased about something.

Yeah, it's been fine, but where were you? Bridget asked, I'm not used to going without your commentary.

<<No need to worry. I've just been doing a bit of work while you've been playing with Maya and Phoebe. I thought you might enjoy a bit of privacy, but if you want me, I'm always here for you>>

Bridget suddenly felt as though she was being patted on the head, though she wasn't sure if it was her imagination, or an image sent from Val.

<<In any case, I have something to discuss with you, once you two are done>>

Oh, heck no, Bridget though back If it was important enough that you were distracted from your usual peanut gallery routine, I want to at least know what it is now.

<<Well, the thing that caught the attention I usually spend attempting to give you good advice was the Stalwart Six's little planning session. While you two were engaged in what was no doubt a critical discussion of fictional princesses, I was listening in on their strategies>>

And? Bridget said, growing a little impatient with Val's drawing out the tension.

<<And as a result, I have our first mission>> Val concluded with audible satisfaction <<We're raiding the Hellbloods>>

Issue 2 Chapter 3- Time Together

Bridget very nearly dropped the controller in surprise, and Maya's racer in the game they were playing zoomed ahead as Bridget's spun out.

You can't be serious! Bridget exclaimed. It took every ounce of control she had to express the idea only mentally and not to shout it out in the middle of the living room.

<<Oh, I am, sweetie.>> Val said coolly. <<We Voidwalkers possess no sense of humor that we know of>>

Ha ha, very funny. Could you maybe explain to me why our first mission has to involve me fighting a small army of seven-foot-tall merciless thugs, each with biceps bigger around than my neck? Have you forgotten that they wounded Sami, and she's practically invincible? Her retort began snarkily, but as she thought more about it, fear rose in her like a tide, until all traces of sarcasm had vanished beneath the onrushing waves of terror.

<<Certainly, little one.>> Val said sweetly, before switching quickly back to her usual didactic tone. <<I was listening to your sister and her friends, and from what they were saying, it sounds like the Hellbloods have become more physically terrifying only recently, and before, they were just 'normals,' as Sami put it. That sudden change has to come from somewhere, and just happens to track with the kinds of things we did to our hosts to prepare them as weapons of war against the star wardens. If we want evidence of what the voidwalkers are doing, the Hell blood safe house is the place to start >>

Okay, that part makes sense, I guess. Bridget admitted, But still, I can't possibly fight that many, and they'll have guns!

Bridget did her best to turn her attention back to the game, and before long, she found herself drifting in Maya's tailwind again.

<<Well, they might have guns,>> Val conceded <<but they'll also have six other meta-humans to fight. We won't have a lot of time, but at least there'll be a window here you can sneak in, get to their command room and have a decent chance of getting what we need.>>

But bullets! Bridget protested. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that Val wasn't corporeal, and so couldn't quite grasp why a tiny bit of metal could be much of a threat, but Bridget didn't seem to be having much success in conveying the urgency of the problem.

<<Calm down, sweetie,>> Val said gently. <<I know the idea is scary, but dealing with primitive projectile weapons is just basic physics. The gun exerts a force on the bullet, so all we need to do is create enough of one to force it to decelerate before impact. It'll be simple, I promise. But if it would make you feel better to practice deflecting small objects away from yourself, we can do that.>>

<<Besides, even though they probably will look frightening as far as humans even can,>> Val continued, <<the actual human gangsters aren't much heavier than you, and it's cost us virtually no effort for me to levitate you and rock you to sleep every night>>

Bridget's cheeks flushed a deep crimson as the image filled her head. But Val said it so matter-of-factly, and she had been sleeping better, with fewer dreams of purple lights, black-clad doctors , and cold steel operating tables. She started to protest, but she thought better of it. Her mind was still racing with worries and questions, but she tried to focus on the game, if only to keep Maya from realizing how distracted she was and demanding to be let in on the secret

Ha, nice try Bridget!” Maya exclaimed, as Bridget's racer pulled even with hers, but failed in its attempt to overtake her. Her normally cheery expression twisted into a grimace of effort as she side-swept Bridget into the guardrails. Sparks and smoke flew from Bridget's avatar and Maya defended her lead.

Bridget took advantage of the lull in excitement as Maya successfully blocked her cursory attempts at passing to ask Val more questions. How are we even going to get in there though? Overwatch will have her drones patrolling the whole perimeter, if we try to enter, she'll definitely see us.

<<We'll be getting there before the cordon is established. Besides, I paid close attention to the diagram. Leanne has very sensibly left their opponents one pathway that seems like it's intended to look like an avenue of escape once the front gets cut off. We'll just go in through that upper floor window before then. It's not the direction of travel they'll be expecting, so it shouldn't raise too much suspicion on either side.>>

Bridget started to argue that the plan would require her to fly, which seemed very unlikely based on how terribly she'd done in handling that skill so far. But her thought was interrupted by the blaring sound of victory horns as Maya crossed the finish line to a shower of digital cheers and confetti. Maya herself lat out a victorious shout and punched the air with her fist, grinning widely. Bridget let her controller fall into her lap and sighed in exasperation.

How on earth can you think this will be so easy? Bridget asked, perplexed by Val's continued calm.

<<Oh, I have no illusions on that score. It will still be incredibly dangerous, and could very easily turn deadly.>> Val said clinically. But I never expected any of this to be easy. We're outnumbered, and our enemy is merciless, and has total technological superiority. If we can't get through a few of modified thugs, we have no chance of opposing Warmistress Sonata, and should flee into deep space as fast as possible.>>

Bridget fell silent for a moment. It had been easy, buoyed by the story Val hd told, to want to follow Sami's example and run headlong into danger, confident that her alien superpowers would be able to handle whatever foe she faced. But it was quite another to try to infiltrate a den of superhuman gangsters in the middle of a firefight, with only Val to help her and none of her sister's trademark invulnerability. She could suddenly clearly see herself alternately being ripped apart by hideous demonic claws, or bleeding out on cold hard concrete as the chaos and destruction of a superhuman battle raged around her. It suddenly seemed absurd that she could even think bout doing something so dangerous; after all, she'd first used her powers about a week ago, and hadn't had any combat training to speak of. She couldn't imagine that a Hellblood would be terribly frightened by the prospect of being bonked on the head by a baby building block. As more and more terrifying scenarios began to fill her head, her breath grew short, and her eyes began to dart around, seeking any reassurance that she could even hope to survive what she was thinking of doing.

“Hey, Bridget, what do you want to play next?” Maya asked, not noticing Bridget's rising fear. As she interrupted Bridget's contemplation her own doom, Bridget couldn't help but jump a little in her seat. “I mean, I'll probably beat you whatever, it is,” she boasted, adopting a faux posh British accent as though she were a noble lady discussing choices of weapon for dueling, “but I'll let you choose. the manner of your defeat.”

“Oh, um,” Bridget said haltingly, caught between a desire to run to her room and not wanting to leave Maya's comforting presence for the loneliness of her own thoughts. “Could we maybe play something more cooperative? I'm not feeling up to challenging your might today.”

“Sure! Maya agreed happily. “Ooooh! I got a region-free version of Beautiful Extreme Nebula Warrior Combat, we definitely need to try! Oh, by the way, can I leave this at your house, my parents would blow a gasket if they knew I had it.”

“Yeah sure, no problem,” Bridget assented without much thought. It certainly wasn't the first time she'd helped Maya hide things her parents wouldn't approve of.

They started playing, but as all the instructions, menus, and commands were in Japanese, Bridget pretty much just followed Maya's lead, which suited her just fine. Besides, Maya was having so much fun with the thing that just watching her bounce up and down in excitement with each successfully executed special move was a treat in itself, and for a while, Bridget forgot her fear.

It was hard to think about formless terrors from the void when presented with the game's much more whimsical vision of space conflict, complete with buxom-blue-skinned aliens, spacefaring samurai, and cyborg cowboys with laser six-shooters. Val even ditched her usual acerbic commentary in favor of images of Bridget in the role of each of the absurd protagonists in turn, but always with a slight twist. Bridget was pretty sure for instance that even in as absurd a game as this was, there was no unlockable costume that would have given the space cowgirl a pastel purple hat with a pink heart on it, or added lacy frills to her poncho.

Hours passed this way, and by the time Maya tired of anime space battles, midnight was fast approaching. Bridget's head nodded a little. Maya looked over at Bridget, and a flash of sudden realization crossed her face, and her eyes darted from her friend, resting her tired head on the arm of the couch to the harsh white glow of the screen. Her face fell, and she looked down at her lap glumly, her previous joy suddenly . “Aaaah! Crap, crap, crap, I'm so sorry, Bridget, I was so wrapped up in what I was doing, I didn't even think about whether you would get tired or bored or....” she sighed dejectedly, and averted her eyes. “...Sorry I'm such a weirdo, getting so into everything that I make the people around me miserable” Maya's breath came in small quavering bursts as she looked miserably back up at Bridget

Bridget was taken aback by the sudden change in her friend. She'd known Maya long enough to get the occasional glimpse beneath the eternally sunny mask Maya always wore. But she couldn't bear the thought of her friend being miserable like this, and with how suddenly Maya's whole demeanor had changed, it was like she too knew that something was wrong, that this time was somehow different than all the other time they'd spent together. And, the thought felt fuzzy and vague as it took shape in her head but suddenly sharpened to a cod and crystalline clarity, this could be the last time I ever see her.

<<Bridget...>> Val began, but Bridget didn't wait for her to finish, didn't know or care whether she planned to console or criticize. She felt a white hot urgency burn in her chest, and the words tumbled out of her.

“Maya, please, she said, pulling her friend into a warm embrace, partly to console her, and partly for the sheer, immediate feeling of her physical presence. “Never apologize for being you, okay? You're my friend, and I like all of you, all the nerdy, silly, fun parts of you. And it's okay to be sad sometimes. I want to be there for you when you're down, not just be another person you have to please. You don't need to be perfect, you're already wonderful”

Maya sniffled a little and held onto her more tightly, and Bridget was suddenly struck by how small her friend was, and how easily and comfortably she fit within Bridget's embrace. The two of them just sat together that way for a while, just enjoying the physical closeness.

“I feel like such a dork.” Maya mumbled ino Bridget's chest after a while. “I spend so much time trying to make sure you know you're not weird, and then I turn around and do the same thing to myself.

“It's fine, it happens like that sometimes!” Bridget assured her, with another squeeze. “But if it's okay, I think I'd like t get ready for bed,, it's late, and I've fought enough space battles and lost enough races for today.”

“Okay!” Maya agreed, traces of her cheerful disposition returning as a small smile spread across her face.

Bridget and Maya ducked into separate bathrooms to change.

<<That was good of you, little one. It's all too rare for one creature to support another. But maybe that's just having a swirling cocktail of chemicals pumping through you does. Now if only we could get you to follow your own advice on occasion, or at least the advice of those substantially wiser than you.>>

Yeah, well, you just keep hoping for that, Bridget thought back wryly I just couldn't think of myself as any kind of heroine if I didn't try to help my friend feel better. At least its easier than what you want me to do.

<<Well,>> Val said thoughtfully. <<I was always terrible at that with Echo, and to me, dealing with a few score overgrown chimpanzees is easy as basking in sunlight.>>

Yeah, but you're a weirdo. ''

<<And proudly so>>

By the time she re-emerged, pajama-clad, to set up the pull out couches for herself and Maya, Bridget's apprehension about her first mission had shrunk from an all-consuming maw of terror to a small, stubborn, but manageable feeling resting in her stomach. It was something she could push to the back of her mind for a little while, as she and Maya cuddled in the soft and quiet dark. Neither of them had voiced the suggestion, or even consciously worked toward it, but it felt nice to be close to one another, and that was enough.

Issue 2 Chapter 4- Time to Go

The next morning passed much as the previous night had. Maya's presence made the day fun, even in the groggy haze of the morning after a successful sleepover. But as soon as Maya hugged her goodbye, and Bridget watched her disappear into her mom's blue minivan, the fact of the upcoming mission hit her. It was like she'd swallowed an anvil that was now weighing her down so much that it was a wonder she didn't just fall straight through the earth and pop out in Australia somewhere.

Her mother, with her usual unmatched mastery of timing, had just the words for the occasion.

Bridget, your father and I are going to that picnic I told you about yesterday. Be sure to have your homework done by the time we get back tonight.” she the words casually, but thy were unmistakably an order. Oh, and don't bother your sister, she's got a very important project to prepare for.” Her mother turned her attention back to the tupperware and plastic bags she'd been filling with picnic supplies.

Wait, what? Bridet turned, surprised”You never mentioned anything about that! And why can't I just do it all tomorrow? It's not like there's a need to rush.”

Really, Bridget!,” her mother exclaimed, huffing indignantly “I don't understand why you insist on procrastinating, you certainly don't get that from me! When I was your age I always made sure to do all of my assignments first thing, it made scheduling just so much simpler. Honestly, when I heard from Sami that you and Maya had enough free time to interrupt her project meeting, I'd hoped that you'd at least had the decency to finish your schoolwork first.”

Oh, well I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment to your illustrious legacy!” Bridget shot back.

Spare me the drama, Bridget,” her mother replied. I”t's not as if I ask all that much from you. Would you rather deal with your father? Because I can go get him.” she finished sharply, letting the threat hang in the air.

In Bridget's fearful, tired angry state, it almost seemed like it would be worth it to say “Yes” and thereby call down punishment on her own head, just so she could deny her mother the satisfaction of watching her give up. But somehow, she managed to hold back everything except a growl of exasperation, and let the heavy assault of her footfalls on the wooden stairs express her indignation instead. As she passed by Sami's door, she thought for a brief, wild moment of using her power to burst down the door and pelt her quisling sister with a hail of impromptu projectiles. It wouldn't hurt her, after all, and it would be so very satisfying.

She raised a hand.

<<No, Bridget,>> Val admonished,, though Bridget could hear the smirk behind << Now isn't the time. For now, just enjoy the fact that she'll be an unwitting pawn in our plan. Besides, this way, she's likely to be hit with a substantially higher caliber of ammunition, and you won't be punished for it in a way that would keep us from our mission.>>

...Fine.” Bridget hissed under her breath, lowering her hand, and taking the last few furious strides into her room, closing the door with a tremendous slam behind her.

--

Bridget spent the next few hours sullenly burying her head in her books and finishing up her homework. Val offered to help, but since Val had minimal cultural context for the symbolism embedded in The Hollow Men, her ability to help was limited. Aside from that, the work made a welcome distraction for Bridget from thinking about she had to do later that night. It was also the only time she could ever remember essay writing going quickly; the hours seemed to meld into one another, and before long, the brightness of the setting sun shining through her window stung her eyes as she looked up from writing her final sentence.

She could hear Sami bustling about in her room, no doubt getting ready for the mission next morning. There was a quiet rumble that told Bridget her parents had returned home, but the idea of having to listen to them prattle on for hours about all the other parents at the picnic, and hear lists of all the things those perfect other children had achieved brought a grimace of disgust to Bridget's face.

But in short order, it became apparent that Bridget wouldn't get a choice. The telltale clomps of heavy footfalls on the stairs told her she was getting a visitor, whether she liked it or nor. Her father only walked with that particular purposeful gait when he had parenting to do. Sure enough, a few seconds later, there was a polite but insistent knock on her door.

Bridget, honey, we're home!” came her her father's voice, slightly muffled as it passed through the wooden door.

Bridget rose to her feet, walked to the door and opened it a crack, hoping that her father might be satisfied with a brief conversation and leave her be without further intrusion.

The familiar sight of her father greeted her as she peeked her head through. He was short and the pudge of his belly was visible beneath a bright red polo. He idly adjusted his thick, black-rimmed glasses , and ran his hand through what remained of his greying hair.

What is it?” Bridget asked, a trace of annoyance creeping into her voice.

Oh, your mom just wanted me to check on you and see how the homework is going. We missed you at the picnic today, but hey, studying's important, right?”

Yeah. It's been fine.” Bridget replied noncommittally. “I'm a little tired out from the sleepover, so I'll probably just finish up and then go to bed.”

Her father's face fell a little. “Sure. I can tell you about the new particle collider we got in tomorrow. It's so tiny!” he said excitedly. “It'll be wonderful for our experiments!”

Val sighed in annoyance. <<Your father is a passable scientist, considering his primitive surroundings, but he utterly lacks any sort of presence. How is anyone supposed to consider him a font of glorious and terrible knowledge, if he persists in being so jovial?>>

Well, I'm pretty sure none of our universities require their physics doctoral candidates to learn to project a looming, ominous presence.

<<Human priorities are so strange, how can you possibly->> Val suddenly stopped short.

<<Bridget, why does he have that?>>

Bridget looked at what her dad had slung over his shoulder and gasped. It was unmistakably a black lab coat, the same kind she'd last seen draped over the shadows of her captors beneath a blinding purple light. She took an involuntary step back.

Dad...where did you get that coat?” she asked, nearly stumbling over the words

Oh, this?” her father asked nonchalantly. Pretty cool, isn't it? They gave these out to the employees at the picnic. Apparently, one of our sponsors has access to some villain surplus. Don't worry though, I won't be doing anything nefarious. I'm really proud of your sister, but I don't want to meet her while she's working!”

He chuckled at his own joke, oblivious to the pall that had fallen over his daughter's face.

Anyway, I'm off to help your mom with dinner. I'll let her know not to expect you though.”

Great, thanks,” Bridget replied, before shutting the door as quickly as she could without being rude.

After a moment, Val spoke up.

<<Well, I suppose that will also warrant investigation>>

Sure, whatever. Bridget said, I'm going to play some video games, you can think about it all you want.

<<I will. Val replied evenly. But I also expect you ready for bed soon, little one. We have a big day tomorrow>>

What are you talking about? Bridget asked, surprised and annoyed by this new part of the plan. I know you're having fun treating me like a kid, but seriously, it's not even dark yet.

<<Well, little miss, regardless of the relative position of the local star, we have a task to perform. The only way we'll beat Overwatch's drone cordon is to get there first, and since someone refuses to fly...>>

I'm sorry, I just can't! Bridget protested, Every time I try it feels like I'm going to fall and that wrecks my concentration!

<<Yes, but unfortunately, we don't have to acclimatize you to the sensation. Therefore, our only option is for you to take your bike there, which means we'll have to leave by two in the morning to be assured of arriving in time. So you need to get to bed now, little one. Starting something like this weighed down by drowsiness is a recipe for disaster. Once you're done pouting about it, and start thinking logically, you'll see that I'm right>>

I am not pouting! Bridget huffed, her mouth settling into a distinctly childish frown of indignation as she plopped down on her dark blue bedsheets.

<<Clearly not.>> Val said dryly.

Sleep came quickly despite the early hour, but it was anything but restful. Bridget once again found herself beneath the awful purple light as the alien machinery hummed around her. But this time all of the black-clad shadows had her father's face, each one bearing an identical sadistic grin as they fiddled with strange devices. As they chuckled darkly, her world was swallowed by metallic chill and searing pain. The blood in her veins pulsed purple, and she screamed.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity, she heard Val's familiar voice in her mind.

<<Sorry I couldn't rock you like usual, sweetie. I wanted to save our strength, just in case. But it's time to get up and go>>

For a split second, the cold and pain were gone, replaced by the familiar warmth of the purple void. Then Bridget blinked, and her eyes opened to the pale glow of the stars that dotted her bedroom ceiling.

Bridget dragged herself up, despite her body's screaming protest. She groggily stuck her arms into the blue windbreaker she pulled from her closet, and slipped her sneakers on. Thankfully, Sami's room was empty, and her mother's snoring was loud enough to cover any noise she made getting to the staircase from her room at the end of the hall. Still, just to be extra sure, she took the stairs slowly, and jumped the top one that always creaked extra loudly.

She had always found the kitchen a little creepy late at night, lit only by the pale green glow of a digital clock in the middle of the counter. But she silenced the twinge of unease that fluttered down her spine, and made her way to the garage. She risked flicking on the light so that she could find her bike and helmet, but was at a loss for how best to open the garage door without the loud grinding of the motorized pulley giving her away. Then, she took a deep breath to steady herself, and concentrated for a moment, lifting the garage door slowly and silently with Val's help, until she could duck her head under and roll her bike through.

As she did so, the sudden bite of the cold wind outside whipping into her face, nearly broke her concentration, but she was able to hold it long enough to prevent the door crashing to the ground. Bridget mounted her bike, and started out of the driveway toward the other side of town. The night was foggy and moonless, and the small light she'd attached to her handlebars felt as useless as if she were relying on a single firefly in a jar to light her way.

Fortunately the lack of illumination didn't seem to trouble Val, who served ably as a navigator. As Bridget rode, the fog wrapped itself around her, and its chill raised goosebumps, even under her windbreaker. Gritting her teeth to stop them chattering, Bridget increased her pace, panting slightly with effort at each uphill climb and breathing a sigh of relief at every downward slope, as the road snaked along like a slumbering serpent, its asphalt scales illuminated in the dim glow of the streetlights. She ought to have been glad that no one was out at this hour to see her, but the profound loneliness of the completely empty road was unsettling. She passed through the center of town, beneath the light of signs that hovered over darkened storefronts. It felt like she was the only living person for miles, winding her way through the skeleton of a town that had been suddenly and completely deserted.

Bright saw fluorescent light from within the local 24-hour pharmacy, but it brought her no comfort, only the bitter thought of how warm and dry it must be inside. But, as Val insistently pointed out, her route didn't lead that way. She turned a sharp right away from its bright lights, like a predator wary of the unnatural light of human civilization.

After twenty more minutes of winding her way though dark back streets, and avoiding or speeding past the few houses and buildings that had light inside, she could tell she was getting closer, and fear gnawed at the pit of her stomach. The scenery began to shift, the signs were spread more thinly now, and they were all sharp, flickering neon. The squat, square shadows of houses, their windows boarded and barred, loomed up on either side of her. Bridget sped up, as though she could outrun the hostile, unfamiliar landscape. She veered right as Val directed, and suddenly heard the grind of gravel under thin rubber tires. Bridget stopped for a moment to regain her balance and get her bearings, breathing hard and feeling the cold trickle of sweat down the back of her neck.

<<We're almost there.>> Val said, her voice filled with a calm Bridget could only envy. <<There's a side road down this path that leads to the industrial park that the Hellbloods are using as a base. You can stash the bike here, There are enough structures about to offer cover as we approach, but Leanne expected the terrain would be difficult, so I think it's best we walk from here>>

Okay” Bridget whispered back through chapped lips as she dismounted and extinguished her light. She walked in a small, halting circle, trying to stretch the stiffness and fatigue out of her legs. Once she felt as recovered as she could be, she set off down the path. A few trees occluded the industrial park from view, so there was no sight to distract from the sounds of the night; the skitter of some small animal among the branches, and the plodding crunch of gravel as she walked on, clutching her coat close to her in a vain attempt to ward of the chill that had by now crept its way deep into her bones.

A patch of artificial light reflecting off a shallow, stagnant puddle signaled the end of the gravel path, and the beginning of a concrete sidewalk, though the walkway itself seemed barely worthy of the title. There were great sections of concrete that looked like they'd been torn up, exposing the dirt beneath. What concrete remained was riven with cracks, and covered with loose pebbles that made entirely too much sound for Bridget's comfort as they skittered across the ground with her passing.

She rounded a corner, and got her first good view of the industrial park, in all its dilapidated glory.

From where she stood at the south of the park, she could see a few small steel sheds, and the shadows of large industrial vehicles, all inert, but still imposing. Further north, there were giant cylindrical tanks that looked to be made of some kind of steel, as they caught a glint of light from a few scattered lamps that flickered in the distance. They were connected to one another by huge pipes, each rent and broken as though great claws had ripped through them. Hills of white and brown masonry were scattered haphazardly across the landscape.

But Bridget's eye was immediately drawn to the building in the center of everything, a low squat structure of bricks and metal siding that might have once been an office of some sort. Now though, its small, square windows were lit with a ghostly blue light that flickered and cast twisted shadows on the ground beneath. It looked like a monster itself, squat and broad and terrible, surveying its broken kingdom with inhuman eyes. Bridget might have imagined it, but she thought that she could see the shadows of hulking figures against the unearthly glow within.

Bridget struggled to take in everything, and for a moment she just stood there, unsure if she really had the grit to go forward.

<<Don't worry, little one. I know it's scary, but I'm here, and I'll keep us safe.>> Val's voice was gentle, but carried a quiet, unquestionable confidence that melted her fear away

The familiar warmth surrounded Bridget, and the chill of night and fog vanished. Bridget waved her hand, and the detritus that littered the ground skittered out of her path, leaving it clear and even. Slowly, at first, but picking up speed as her resolve stiffened, Bridget moved from shadow to shadow, drawing ever closer to the looming lair.


Issue 2 Chapter 5 A Den of Vipers

Bridget soon found the hiding spot Val had expected, a corner of the building that was hidden from outside view by another wing, with no first-floor window for the occupants to see her. She hid there, bringing forth just enough of her power to keep her warm as the night wore on. From where she concealed herself, she could hear occasional raucous outbursts from above. It seemed like the Hellbloods wee playing some sort of game, though thinking about what sort of game people like that would play to pass the time gave her chills that had nothing to do with the weather.

After another half hour of mulling over the possible horrors awaiting her, her attention was suddenly caught by the silhouette of a drone floating low to the ground, and her ears picked up the faint hum of its propeller.

Well, looks like the Stalwart Six are here, Bridget thought to herself.

<<Hm. They're a little early, but no matter. Now all we need to do is wait for them to atttract->>

The night was suddenly lit by a flash of white light, followed a split-second later by a massive boom and the sound of shattering glass.

<<-attention>> Val finished. <<Well then.>>

Bridget looked up at the windowsill above her, with a distinct sinking feeling. She took a breath to steady herself, closed her eyes, and focused on lifting herself up off the ground toward the window. As her feet left the earth and she gradually floated up, she clenched her teeth and did her best to hold her concentration even though it felt like her stomach was going to drop down through her feet.

Then, suddenly, the air was filled with a bestial scream, a hissing shriek that coursed through Bridget's entire body, and shattered her focus. Her eyes snapped open in instinctive terror, and she felt the force that had been holding her aloft evaporate. Bridget cried out, and her arms flailed wildly as she began to fall.

Fortunately, she'd managed to get high enough that her hands found purchase on the ledge of the second story window. She held on for dear life, knuckles white and the muscles of her fingers in searing agony.

<<Almost there, sweetie. Just hold on a little bit longer, and you can make it.>>

Bridget grunted with the effort, but managed to use her gravity powers to get herself a better grip, supporting herself with her hands and elbows as she peeked in the window.

One of the Hellbloods, a massive man whose muscles bulged beneath his white shirt, and whose arms were covered in strange symbols that looked like they had been carved with inexpert enthusiasm into his skin with a dull knife, turned toward the door at the other end of the room from where Bridget was perched.

Let's get going. The tights are here.” he growled, pointing at the doorway and hoisting a massive rifle as easily as if it were a plastic toy.

Wait!” said a second Hellblood, tall, thin and wiry, with a greasy mop of black hair. His voice was higher, but a little uncertain in questioning the first man, who seemed to be his superior. “I heard something from over there. He motioned toward the window where Bridget hung

Feh, it's nothing, Ian, probably just the fuzz getting acquainted with our scaly monster,” the first man replied with a chuckle.

But Ian had already turned to see Bridget, whose eyes widened with dear as she realized she'd been discovered. Without thinking she summoned a burst of power that pulsed through her in a wave of warmth. The force that she created sent the window panes and its frame hurtling through the air at Ian, who barely raised his arm in time to shield his face from the flying glass and wood. He let out a cry of pain and reared back as shards and splinters rammed their way into his arms.

<<You see, Bridget,>> Val said triumphantly. <<They're only human, with all the usual frailty that entails.>>

Sure Val. Maybe save the celebration for a little later, like once there aren't two more of them to deal with. Bridget thought back.

Bridget seized the moment of surprise to float her way through what remained of the window, landing on the floor within. She risked a quick glance around at the room as she rose to her feet. It was dim and dirty, with trash piled up in heaps in the corners and walls that might at one point have been a spotless corporate white now discolored with yellowish splotches and black burn marks. A trio of crates had been pushed around a small card table, which was covered with cards, dice and plastic poker chips. A third Hellblood who she hadn't been able to see from the window stood up quickly and grabbed one of the crates with both hands. He lifted it to his shoulders, grunting with the effort, then hoisted it over his head. With a shout of fury, he sent it hurtling in her direction. As it flew through the air toward her, Bridget suddenly registered the sheer size of the thing. She'd be lucky to survive the impact, let alone being hurled against the wall and crushed once it transferred its tremendous momentum to her.

Suddenly the image of the crate heading toward her was replaced by a ludicrously-inflated version of one of her practice blocks, with its cartoon alligator and an “A” in giant, goofy lettering on the side. Instinct took over as she raised a hand, and felt the familiar power surging though her. The crate slowed, finally stopping just before it hit her face, and hovering there for a moment as though unsure which way it ought to go. Then, it reversed course, picking up speed as it sped back in the direction from which it came. The Hellblood who threw it stood frozen in slack-jawed surprise as his own weapon hit him square in the chest with a thump that shook the whole room. Bridget had been right in her estimate of its destructive power; the man slammed against the wall, which cracked under the strain, and slid to the floor with a grunt. Ian let out an expletive as he watched his comrade fall, and Bridget pumped her fist in victory.

Did you see that? She asked Val. We're freaking amazing!

Val simply smiled her usual knowing smile and Bridget felt the warmth of a hand running through her hair, tousling it in playful congratulation.

Hold it right there, girl.” Bridget turned to look at the source of the shouted command, and her blood froze. The first Hellblood had used the distraction provided by his unfortunate compatriot to train his gun directly on her. He took advantage of her surprise to advance a few paces, still out of arm's reach, but close enough that he could look down at the top of her head as he towered over her.

That telekinesis you've got is a nice trick.” His voice was low and gruff. “But,” he continued, turning an eye to the rife he held in his hands, “this baby can fire ten rounds in a second, and turn you to Swiss cheese faster than you can blink. Oh, and before you get any funny ideas, I've got a grip on it tighter than a bear trap. Now, I'd really prefer not to kill a kid, even one of those obnoxious twerps who are ways tagging along with the capes, so I'd suggest you surrender. We'll hold you here until it's over, and then we'll see what Darius wants to do with you”

Visions flashed through Bridget's head of the fate that awaited her should she accept this offer. She remembered the cold of the surgical table, and the total, utter helplessness she'd felt in that alien and twisted lab. No doubt it would be worse this time, the Hellbloods would probably not find her much of a test subject, and if they did, she probably wouldn't survive it. Bridget looked around frantically for something to hide behind, but the man was too close. There was nothing she could do. She could feel the heat of tears starting in her eyes. She had been so, so stupid. And now she was back exactly where she'd started all those months ago. Her best hope would be that Sami would find her and save her, or at least-she felt a lumo in her throat as she swallowed- the Stalwart Six might find her corpse

Well?” the Hellblood demanded imperiously. “Don't test my patience.”

Come on, T, she killed Eddie! Put a bullet in her and let's be done.” Ian whined. still cradling his arm.

Shut up, Ian,” T replied, “Eddie will be fine, she just knocked him out You've seen the power of those artifacts Darius got us, he'll be good as new tomorrow.”

<<So what do you say, little one? Shall we show this fool the gravity of the error he's made? And then we'll see about those 'artifacts'>>

How are we supposed to do that? Bridget shrieked frantically at her head-mate, He's going to shoot us, and then we'll be dead and...and...

<<Bridget>> Val interrupted <<He is a mere human. The only way he is going to shoot you is by using a pathetic primitive device. One that is very much still subject to our power>>

I-I think...” Bridget started, her nerves tripping her up as she got the words out.

You see, Ian, she can be reasonable. We'll get a captive, she'll get to live, and everything will be fi-.”

T was interrupted by a sharp metallic groan, and a look of horror dawned on his face as he saw that his rifle had crumpled in on itself like a cheap soda can.

I think.” Bridget said again, more confident this time. “That you underestimate the gravity of your position.”

<< That's my girl!>> Val said proudly. <<I'll even let you stealing my material slide, just this once.>>

It was phrased as a rebuke, but the mirth in her voice was obvious, and Bridget couldn't help but smile.

You little-” T seethed. “Come on Ian, let's bash the brat's face in!” He lunged forward, thrusting the butt of his rifle down to crack Bridget's skull.

But destroying T's weapon gave Bridget a burst of confidence, and as he swung his weapon at her, she held her ground, and shoved a wave of her power at him. He jerked suddenly like a puppet on strings. With a shout of surprise, he was flung out the newly broken window, and fell to the earth below with a loud thump. Satisfied that her would-be attacker had been dealt with, Bridget turned to look at Ian, who let out a nervous shriek and scrambled back a few paces.

Bridget couldn't help but laugh at the image of the formerly fierce gangster cowering at her approach. She slowly advanced on him as he backed into a corner, trying to keep distance between himself and her, and looking desperately at a weapon rack on the other side of the room, too far away to reach. Bridget raised her hand.

And was nearly knocked off balance by a great bellow from outside, as the Hellblood she'd just defenestrated leapt more than ten feet into the air and back through the window, face contorted with rage. T landed heavily on the floor and ran at her, all thoughts of strategy consumed by his fury. Ian took advantage of the distraction to crawl his way to the weapon rack, no doubt hoping to shoot Bridget once the bigger man had smashed her to the ground.

But T's forward momentum suddenly stopped mere inches from Bridget. He swung his arms desperately for a moment, hoping to catch her with a punch but instead caught the full force of Ian sailing through the air. Once again, Bridget sent them hurtling out the window. But this time she was more careful. Her head pounded with the effort of keeping them both aloft, but she moved the two men, screaming and flailing into one of the giant metal container towers that dotted the landscape. The metallic clang of their impact onto the steel of the container filled the air, and as Bridget panted, she watched one of Overwatch's drones suddenly veer from its path to investigate the noise.

There was a flitting sound as the drone loosed a flurry of dart-like projectiles from its underbelly, and this time, there were no superhuman leaps from the impromptu holding cell.

Bridget walked to one of the recently-vacated crates and sat down for a moment to catch her breath. As he did so, she was careful to scoot herself into the corner of the room to keep out of the drone's line of sight. After a minute or so, the fatigue of her exertion began to fade, and she could finally savor her victory, at least for the moment.

It really was just like the blocks, Val! I can't believe it! Bridget thought, elated

<<You've done well, sweetie, but we're not quite done yet. We still need to find the enhancement devices, and figure out how these fools are getting hold of them, if we can. I'll guide you to the place where I expect that information to be, but we must hurry.>>

All right, all right, let's go then. You're sure you feed off energy and not joy? Bridget replied, reluctantly rising to her feet and heading for the door.

<<Joy is for the victorious.>> Val chided <<When our enemies lie at our feet and our objective has been achieved, then there will be time for joy>>

The hallway was strangely silent, save for the sound of Bridget's sneakers on the old, discolored, and stain-ridden carpet. The rooms on either side of the hall looked like they might once have been impressive conference rooms, but had since been re-purposed for vastly different ends. The chairs had been removed to make room for strange instruments, and the central table had been converted to an altar traced with eerie runes. There were TVs mounted in the walls of each room, but their screens were all dark; the only illumination was from a brace of black candles that gave off a flickering blue light. Bridget could see that the floor was crisscrossed by lines of a dark substance that she really hoped was ink, but a tang of iron in the air suggested it was something much worse.

Bridget stood staring for a moment, despite Val's urging her to move on. She was no mage, and had no idea what any of this stuff did, but all of it was obviously bad news. The shadows on the wall twisted and writhed unnaturally, and the room was suffused with a high-pitched whine that made her head hurt and set her teeth on edge. She looked down at the floor again, and remembered a lecture Isis had given her sister and Stell on how best to deal with magic-using opponents.

Sami, of course, had assumed that the best strategy was to get through all the physically powerful opponents and sucker-punch the sorcerer. Her theory was that that even the subtlest wizard would find it difficult to weave their most terrible enchantments if they had been body-slammed into a wall. But Isis had been adamant that she take time to disrupt an opponent's magical workings, because while mages could prepare against a physically superior foe, magic was very precise. Even the slightest disruptions made things substantially more difficult for them in the critical moments of a battle. It had taken being pinned to the wall by Isis's magic, completely unable to move, let alone throw a punch or shoot energy blasts, but eventually Sami had gotten the message. She'd understood why, if the Stalwart Six ever fought a sorcerous opponent, it was imperative that the first thing she do was disrupt any magical circles or diagrams, then get to the punching and lasers. Bridget was a quicker study, and, she thought to herself with satisfaction, much less stubborn and more practically-minded

<<Keep telling yourself that, little one.>>

Instead of dignifying Val's snark with a response, Bridget walked hesitantly toward the strange lines of the diagram in the ground. Then, gritting her teeth, she darted forward, and scuffed the blackish red substance with her foot. As she did so, she heard a sharp, hateful hiss right next to her ear. She jerked back, looking around for the source of the sound, but found nothing, just a stack of folders and stationary with the upside-down triangle of the Janusoft logo on them. They were filled with scrawled notes that were illegible in the low light.

Should we take these? Bridget asked. I guess they could have something useful in them.

<<I don't think so. The Voidwalkers wouldn't bother concealing their involvement with this sort of primitive mumbo-jumbo. Besides, if there were something truly important, it would be guarded by more than that trio of fools we disposed of earlier. We should just move along,>> Val continued, with rising impatience evident in her voice <<We have only so much time before the Stalwart Six make it through the Hellbloods' defenses and we have to flee.>>

Sure. Bridget agreed. Just let me scuff these magic circles, and we can go.

<<I'm certain that our power is enough to withstand any spell, but if you must, do it quickly!>>

Another hissing shriek and the sudden report of gunfire underscored Val's point, and Bridget hurried as quickly as she could. Fortunately, there was no one to be found on the rest of the second floor, and she made her way to the stairs down, still marked by a glowing green halogen sign. As she stopped for a moment on the last landing before the ground floor, she caught a glimpse of another hulking figure through the tiny window in the stairwell door, and her heart began to race again.

She leapt down the rest of the stairs, using her power to cushion her fall, and flattened herself against the corner of the doorway before she risked another peek. Incredibly, the Hellbood hadn't moved from where he was standing, or heard her approach. He was clearly pretty dull, even for a Hellblood, but she wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. She reached out with her power, holding him aloft and getting set to produce a force vector that would send the massive man flying, just as she'd done to his compatriots earlier. She was just lucky that he hadn't thought to cry out and alert anyone else.

Then, the realization hit her. He hadn't cried out or made any move to resist, even though she hadn't done anything to stop his voice from working or his arms from moving. Straining a little to keep up her concentration on her gravity manipulation and creep as stealthily as she could, Bridget inched the door open and gasped as she got a good look at her target.

He was suspended in the air as she'd expected, but he simply hung there, a puppet held in place by an unseen hand. Massively muscled arms dangling uselessly at his sides, and his head lolled downward as though his neck had given out. His eyes were open but his stare was blank and unfocused, and his eyes glassy. Bridget moved a few cautious paces forward, then suddenly froze in surprise and horror. There was a perfect circle of charred, blackened skin visible beneath his shirt. The mark was so dark that it seemed to suck in all the ambient light, drawing Bridget's eyes to it insistently, even as she tried to look away. The Hellblood hit the floor with a carpet-muffled thump, Bridget's concentration was broken as she stared, stunned.

It wasn't a burn, and the skin was unbroken. If Bridget didn't know better, she'd almost think it was some kind of weird fashion statement, that he'd just colored over the red of his shirt with paint or magic.. But that couldn't be. He didn't look any stronger than the others, and it hadn't given him any obvious new powers above and beyond the Hellbloods' usual physical prowess. And he wasn't dead; his chest still rose and fell in deep, full breaths.

He was just...empty.

What the hell is this? Bridget thought frantically, shuddering involuntarily at the sight of the man in front of her.

<<I...do not know.>> Val replied, her voice thoughtful, as though the hollowed-out man in front of her were an intriguing puzzle rather an unnatural travesty. <<It's not something our technology can achieve, at any rate, so it doesn't seem relevant to why we're here. In a way, we're fortunate; this particular human poses no threat to us now.>>

Except now instead of worrying about being riddled with bullets, we can worry about having our minds ripped away! Yeah, I'd definitely call that lucky.

Bridget's hands shook, and her internal voice was thin and shrill. But she retained enough sense to know what she ought to do in such a situation, and closed her eyes.. The familiar rush of power and the warmth of the purple void were comforting, and her fear began to melt away. The tightness in her chest eased, and the shaking of her hands diminished to a manageable shiver. She shook her head to clear it, and, trying no to think too hard about what she was doing, floated the Hellblood into a corner and out of her line of sight. Cursing under her breath at the terrible absurdity of the whole situation, Bridget steeled herself with anger and kept walking.

The next room she entered was a giant common office space, or might have been before it became a war zone. It was easily thirty or forty feet wide, and it was long enough that she had to squint to make out the sign on the far wall that pointed out the path to the elevators, lobby and administrative offices.

The Hellbloods had clearly been preparing to make a stand here. Beige cubicle walls had been ripped apart and moved to form barricades, and cases of ammunition and racks of firearms greeted her as she wound her way through the maze. A few minutes ago, Bridget would have dreaded running this gauntlet, creeping from wall to wall, and hoping she could catch the bullets in time. Now though, the emptiness of the room weighed even more heavily on her. There was no sound except the tiny scuffing of her footfalls, and even that small sound was muffled by her surroundings.

At her first clear view of another collection if the candles lit with blue flame, Bridget was almost happy to encounter something as normal as firelight, whatever the color. But as she approached and saw what else was nearby, her stomach did a somersault. Another Hellblood lay a few inches from the nearest barricade, slumped against a stack of plastic boxes, gun still in hand, but with the same perfectly round circle of blackness visible on his back. Bridget hurried onward, trying as hard as she could not to look down at the man as she passed him.

But, looking forward, her eyes seemed drawn to the shapes of his fellows, all of whom had met a similar fate. They now stood rooted in place, or dangled limply over cubicle walls, looking like a collection of dolls discarded by a bored and fickle child. As Val dispassionately counted up the thirteen hollowed Hellbloods, Bridget cleared the worst of the clutter, until only a few dozen feet of empty carpet stood between her and the next room. She looked ahead to see the black marble of the lobby, and she caught a tiny flick of bright, glowing green that slid along the ground, around the corner and out of view.

Look! Bridget interrupted Val tpo point out where the thing had been, and rushed forward to follow it.

But then suddenly, the crash of a door slamming open filled the empty room, followed swiftly by the echo of heavy boots pounding on marble, and a rush of sound. It was the same shrieking hiss from before, but twisted up with an eerie, sonorous note that made Bridget's teeth stand on end. She saw two Hellbloods running frantically past the far doorway, and threw herself to the side to avoid being spotted.

Darius! Darius, open up!” they wailed frantically, their voices breaking in terror. “That thing's gone nuts, it's eating everyone! You've got to call it off!”

Hey, come on man! Let us in! Someone? Anyone, please!” They shouted

There was a banging sound of massive fists on glass, and a quiet but insistent crack as it began to give way under their assault. Bridget moved closer, hoping to get the drop on them while they were distracted, but still being careful to use the wall to hide herself from view.

Another shriek pierced the air, and a familiar golden form hurtled backward into the hall, thrown with massive force from outside. The pair of Hellbloods gave twin yelps of pain as Sami careened into them, knocking them to the floor with a sickening crunch.

Oh, great Bridget thought to herself. Exactly the person I was hoping not to see. She hunkered down and sucked in her breath, trying to make herself as small and unobtrusive as possible, hoping her sister would just walk out the same way she was hurled in.

Bridget could hear Sami clamber to her feet.

Heh, bowling for Hellbloods” the heroine mused to herself. “Well, boys, sorry I can't stay, and chat, but I've got a dance with that winged snake beastie, and I'm afraid I've got no time to spare.” She chuckled to herself, then flew straight out the busted door, not even stopping to look around.

You make a better bowling ball than a comedian, Sami.” Bridget hissed under her breath, and stifled a snicker of her own.

<<While I'm happy your sister discovered her true calling, we should hurry. It sounds like resistance is crumbling outside>>

Bridget moved to follow Val's advice, finally rounding the corner. The walls were white marble,and stood out in contrast to the black of the floor in the florescent light that filtered in from behind the frosted glass doors at the end of the hall. Two Hellbloods lay crumpled in a heap in front of the door,

She looked back over her shoulder to see the doors of the front entrance burst from their hinges and lying in splinters. The darkness of the night concealed the battle raging outside, except for the brief moments when the scene was illuminated in flashes of lightning. Bridget could see five small figures, whirling and darting around a massive s snake, thirty feet long at least, and held aloft with vast wings that seemed to stretch on forever. It hissed and snapped and spat at them, but each time they just barely dodged its strikes. Bridget watched, awestruck, as the beast shrugged off volley after volley of golden and white light, bolts of lightning, and blasts of sound, as though they were mere sparks and pinpricks. She heard Isis's voice intoning pieces of a frantic chant that dissolved into a string of curses as sweeping swipes of the thing's massive tail missed her by inches.

<<Bridget, we don't have time to spectate>> Val prodded her urgently.

Oh, right, she replied sheepishly, as she turned reluctantly from the ongoing melee. Well, no time like the present I guess. Bridget closed her eyes and raised both hands, and smiled as a loud shattering crash told her that the door had given way even before he opened her eyes to view her handiwork. She squared her shoulders with determination, swept the broken glass aside with a quick wave, and entered the Hellblood leader's inner sanctum.

Issue 2 Chapter 6: Leader of the Pack

The sight that greeted Bridget was jarringly ordinary; a very corporate waiting room, complete with chairs that looked to be made of cheap grey plastic, and a rack of magazines that looked years old, and dull enough that, even if they were new, only the extreme tedium to be found in this place would make anyone interested in reading them. At the far end of the room, directly between the chairs that lined each wall was a reception desk, unoccupied and covered in dust. The room was lit by two tall, thin lamps, which cast a surprisingly warm glow about the place; evidently Darius didn't think the occult décor necessary for his own office. He had, however, seen fit to claim the pace as his own, a brass plaque with the name DARIUS S. MORGAN had been hung on the front of a polished wooden door that practically shone in its cleanliness compared to its surroundings.

Bridget's first instinct was to try listening at the door again, but there was no way that the yelling Hellbloods and the breaking glass hadn't already alerted whoever was inside. So she decided on a more aggressive option.

She gripped the doorknob in one hand, and turned it, brushing it just a little with her power to lend it momentum. It opened with a rush of air, and rammed into the wall, announcing her arrival with a crash.

Hold it right there!” she shouted, striking as heroic a pose as she could as she strode into the room.

She had expected some degree of surprise, or at worst a hail of bullets. But she was met instead by a a deep and rumbling basso laughter.

Do I really rate so low, that you would come to fight me alone, and so...shabbily dressed, little miss heroine?”

Darius smiled a hunter's smile, all glistening white teeth and predatory delight. He was slouched back casually in a chair, of soft and elegant brown leather, his feet perched almost jauntily atop the mahogany desk in front of him. His close cropped hair, perfectly trimmed goatee, and his suit and tie made him seem more of a yuppie executive than the leader of a gang of occultist thugs. After a few moments of staring, however, Bridget saw the details that completed the picture. A silver pentagram-shaped earring hung under Darius's right ear, and his plush desk was circumscribed by a gigantic rune carved into the tile floor. His right hand, which bore a gigantic silver ring with an amethyst gemstone, and it was large enough to fit all the way around the glowing green snake that was coiled around it.

Kimmy, why didn't you tell me the Stalwart Six were so hard-pressed to find members?” he said, turning his head to look behind “I would never have expected they'd start recruiting so young. This one is, what, ten at most?” He chuckled derisively.

Bridget felt her cheeks burn. She wanted so very badly to just reach out with her powers and make him into a Hellblood pinata. But that would only get her flak from Val, who would no doubt point out, rightly, that they needed to get Darius to talk, and while knocking him senseless might be cathartic, it was insufficiently devious and likely counterproductive. As the thought crossed her mind, though, it planted the seed of a clever ploy, which she hastily put into action. “Now listen here, villain, if you don't want the full fury of the Stalwart Six to come down on you, you'd better-” she began, when she was suddenly interrupted

The girl's lying, Morgan. She's not once of the Six, and there's no way they'd send her in alone of she were one of theirs, She's alone.” The voice came from behind Darius, it's timbre was that of a child, but it had a clipped and dry intensity that was unquestionably adult.

Its owner stepped out from behind Darius's chair, where she had been hidden from sight by its high back and Darius's own massive form. She stood barely as tall as Darius was as he sat, and that only if you counted the additional height her bright green pigtails gave her. Her face was round and dimpled, and the cold-green-eyed death glare she gave Bridget didn't quite outweigh the cuteness of her childish features. She wore a frilly, dark turquoise dress with puffed sleeves, and shoulders, and hemline festooned with silver bows that matched her hair ties.

For a moment, Bridget thought they were blowing in an invisible wind, until she focused on them, and realized they were all in reality miniature silver snakes, coiling and uncoiling themselves, as she moved. The girl's tiny hands were clutched tightly around a silver staff that looked like the symbol Bridget had seen in the hospital, two serpents entwined around a central body of wood, meeting at a rounded top that the girl aimed at Bridget like the point of a spear.

<<That was a good try, sweetie, Val offered consolingly <<However, it looks like this little one is going to complicate negotiations>>

Darius laughed again, cold and mirthlessly. “Well, well, it looks like you're in over your head!”

As he finished his sentence, Darius leapt up from his chair. He stood up to his full height, so that he absolutely towered over Bridget. He was easily over six feet tall, and the punch he threw at Bridget as he lunged forward had enough force to shatter bones.

Bridget threw out her power in instinctive terror, knocking Darius off balance just enough that his punch went wide. With a splintering crash, the blow hit the door behind her and smashed a hole through it. Darius roared in pain as splinters pierced his fist. The sheer volume of his bellow made Bridget want to run as far away as she could, but she turned around to face him, trying to ignore the distinctive shaking of her knees.

Kimmy just giggled, enjoying the show.

Why, you!” Darius straightened up, blew on his knuckles and advanced again.

<<Heh, he's quite a disappointment. >> Val quipped <<I was expecting a clever strategist, but it turns out he's just a brute in a suit. Let's show him the weight of leadership, shall we?>>

Brute or no, I really hope you have a clever plan, or else we'll end up pasted! Bridget thought back frantically. She used her power t throw Darius back into the wall, but he shrugged the collision off like it was nothing and bounded back toward her fist reared back to strike.

<<When have I ever not had a clever plan, little one? Just follow my lead>>

Bridget closed her eyes obediently, trying not to focus on the massive form barreling toward her. She saw the purple void around her, and felt Val guiding the precise motion of her fingers. Darius's howl of rage suddenly turned into yelp of surprise and there was a gigantic crash as his massive form fell to the floor. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Darius in a heap in front of her. He was grunting with effort and trying to regain his feet, but even though his muscles bulged in exertion as he brace himself, he couldn't lift his arms from the floor. It looked like they were just too heavy for him.

<<Human musculature is appallingly inefficient. Increase the weight of one part of the body by a mere factor of ten, and the whole system falls apart. I have no idea how you manged to survive this long as a species>>

Sheer stubbornness, Bridget replied. But hopefully this'll be enough to get him to talk.

Are you done?” Bridget asked Darius contemptuously, doing her best to sound commanding and impressive. “Answer my questions, and maybe I'll let you go.”

Like hell I will, brat!” Darius spat, his lips twisted in a defiant sneer. “Kimmy, get rid of her!”

Sorry, Morgan,” she said, “I really wish I could, but you contracted me to give you the power to fight the Stalwart Six, not to save your bacon when you're backed into a corner by a mere child. “But if you let me keep the extra souls my serpents collected, I could help you out.” She smirked, and twirled her staff above her head.

Fine!” he hissed in response. “Do it!”

I don't think so!” Bridget shouted, turning her attention to Kimmy, and summoning up enough power to hurl her against the wall, just as she'd done with Darius.

But Kimmy just jabbed her staff forward with a smirk, and a shimmering barrier formed in a globe around her. It pulsed, but she didn't move so much as an inch. backward

What you think,” she said, her childish voice dripping with contempt, “does not matter in the slightest.”

<How in the name of the endless void did she do that?>> Val asked in disbelief. <<It'd not possible to just countermand physics like that!>>

The glowing serpent that Darius had been putting when Bridget barged into the room slithered out from behind its desk. It's body was at least ten feet long, but its smooth serpentine form bulged in many places, as though it had eaten better and more often than any real snake needed to. The snake shook violently, and the bulges in its body began to move toward its mouth. Bridget watched in horrified fascination as it vomited up thirteen spheres of light, each about the size of her head. Its task complete, it curled up behind Kimmy, leaving seven more still in its gullet.

Kimmy slammed her staff into the floor, and the marks that had been carved into the wood beneath Bridget's feet glowed with a venomous green light.

In the name of Lady Uto, Devourer of Corruption, let our pact be sealed!”

The whole building shook, and groaned, as though in pain, and the glowing spheres dimmed and flickered out, like candles that had been suddenly snuffed. As they disappeared, Bridget thought she could hear tiny shrieks of agony.

You really are new to this, aren't you, girl? You might have had a chance if you'd killed him instead of just standing there watching.”

A rookie mistake. Let's see how much it costs you.”

Darius,” Kimmy smirked “if you please?”

From behind her, Bridget heard an unearthly howl. The primal, instinctive part of her brain screamed at her to run, but she quashed the thought and turned to face the source of the sound.

Then, too quickly for her to realize what was happening, something smashed into her with tremendous force, sending her hurtling backward. Her back slammed into the desk, and her world exploded in searing pain. She felt a sudden massive pressure, on her chest, and as the initial shock of the blow wore off, she looked up to meet Darius's eyes.

But the eyes that stared balefully down at her were no longer human. They belonged to massive, rust red wolf, its jaws opened wide in a terrible, slavering grin. It lunged forward, grabbing for her throat.

In one final, desperate moment, Bridget lashed out with everything she had, pushing past the pain that coursed through her body, and the sharp pain of the thing's claws digging into her chest. The infernal wolf shot upward and smashed into the ceiling. Bridget barely had time to roll out of the way, before it came crashing back down to earth, its legs in a jumble beneath it. The creature that had once been Darius yelped in pain and leapt backward.

Bridget struggled to her knees, her arm outstretched toward her enemy. But she shook with pain and fatigue, and the beast took a few cautious steps forward. It lunged again. This time, Bridget didn't have the strength to negate the thing's massive weight, and it shook off the force she hurled at it, its claws leaving gashes on the floor as she pushed it back just far enough that its snapping jaws barely missed her her head. Bridget winced as flecks of caustic spit flew into her face.

The satisfied smile that had formed on Kimmy's face suddenly vanished, as she let out a curse. The room filled with the smell of ozone as the eerie glow faded from the marks on the floor. In the distance, Bridget heard another hissing shriek from the beast outside. But this time it was filled with pain and fear instead of menace.

Through the exhaustion that made her limbs feel impossibly heavy, and the pain that wracked her body, Bridget felt a dull satisfaction as she realized that the gouges that the wolf-Darius's massive claws had left in the floor had broken one of the tines of Kimmy's carefully prepared diagram, robbing it of its power.

Idiot!” she shrieked, her voice high and thin “Stop ruining everything and kill her!”

The monster opened its jaws, and Bridget saw, with dawning horror, tongues of fire gathering in its throat. With a roar, a gout of flame erupted from its mouth. Too exhausted to counterattack, it was all Bridget could do to bring her hand up in a futile attempt to protect her face.

Time seemed to stretch on forever as she watched the fire build and billow toward her.

Sorry Val, she sighed, I really screwed this one up didn't I?

I guess I should've fled into space like you said, huh?

<<What are you talking about? Just move the thing's head so the fire misses you completely.>> Val said incredulously

I can't. It's too heavy, and everything hurts.

The fire began to approach, streaming from the Darius-beast's mouth

<<Push the air, then!>> Val replied, her voice frantic.

Huh? Why?

<< Bridget Genevieve Winston, you will do as I say right now! >> The snap in Val's reprimand cut through the fog of Bridget's exhaustion and sent an instinctive twinge of urgency barreling down her spine

Fine, Bridget replied, and shut her eyes, too exhausted to protest further.

She felt the purple void pull her in, and the gentle pressure of it guided her hand. She put up no resistance, and simply waited for the its warmth to be replaced by searing pain as she burned to ash.

Issue 2 Chapter 7 Kimmy Schaeffer, Consulting Demonologist

But nothing happened.

Bridget opened her eyes groggily to see the furniture and the floor around her burnt and blackened by the infernal flame. But everything within a foot of her was fine, as though the fire had simply decided to go around her.

<<It appears that whatever sort of fire that was, it was just as susceptible to vacuum as any other form of combustion reaction,>> Val said triumphantly.

The infernal wolf halted for a moment, obviously as confused as Bridget was at her survival. But its destructive instincts reasserted themselves, and it leapt at Bridget, howling in fury. It was brutally quick, and Bridget, exhausted, had no way of dodging the vicious claws and teeth. But, just as it was about to savage Bridget, there was a sudden hiss from behind it, and its predatory growls became tiny yips of fear. It went silent, and stood utterly still, as though paralyzed.

An instant later, a glowing, ghostly-green serpent passed through the wolf's chest, a sphere of orange light like a star the size of Bridget's head clutched in its jaws. The snake paid Bridget no mind, and turned its head away from her. Kimmy patted it on the head like an obedient pet, and held out a small ceramic jar decorated in faded reds, yellows, and blues to receive the spectral serpent's gift. The sphere fell into the jar, and Kimmy smiled as she closed the lid.

Bridget just watched, dumbstruck.

Val, on the other hand, could not keep silent in the face of this impossible spectacle.

<<This is all absurd mysticism and superstition, a pale imitation of true science! It shouldn't be this powerful! It can't be! When we get out of here, Bridget, we must study this!>>

Not precisely what I'd envisioned, but acceptable just the same. Lady Uto will be pleased.” Kimmy said to herself, oblivious to Val's outburst.

You,” she said, turning her attention to Bridget, “are lucky to be alive, and should get out of here as soon as you can. Knowing Isis, she and her little friends will likely help you if you can't leave under your own power. Take whatever you came here for and go.” She proceeded to stuff the jar in a pocket of her dress and turned to leave, her pigtails bobbing as she made her way toward the door, serpent slinking its way behind her.

Bridget gritted her teeth through the pain, and struggled to her feet.

Wait!” she called, the sound of her voice echoing in the silent office.

Yes?” Kimmy turned her head back to look at Bridget, visibly annoyed at the interruption. She watched with amusement as Bridget tottered forward.

Why...why did you do this? You were helping Darius, and then you just decided to erase him?”

Oh foolish child.” Bridget grimaced at the indignity of a girl who looked and dressed like an elementary-schooler call her a child. “He's still quite alive, as are the other thugs whose souls I've taken as tribute to Lady Uto, Devourer of Corruption.”

What the hell is wrong with you?” Bridget shouted, ignoring the ache of her ribs from when Darius had pinned her to the floor.

What are you talking about?” The little girl's voice rose in irritation. “They were criminals, and got what they deserved. You should be thanking me, both for saving your life, and for doing the dirty work you and every other brightly-colored buffoon like you refuses to do.”

Kimmy stared up at Bridget, face set in a defiant grimace.

Look, I'm not an official heroine,” Bridget replied, “but taking people's souls just for being in a gang is so far beyond a proportionate response that-”

A proportionate response, is it?” Kimmy mimicked, her voice a mocking singsong. “You already sound like a proper little heroine, costume or no.”

Listen, you little-” Bridget began angrily.

No, you listen. Darius Morgan contracted me to turn him into that thing. He wanted to use it to carve out his own little supervillainous fiefdom here, but I stopped him. I fulfilled that contract such that only the guilty, the rest of his cadre of power-hungry brutes, would suffer, then took his soul for my mistress. Would you have preferred I let him kill you, along with the heroes out there, maybe rampage a bit and maul a fee innocents to death? Would it be proportional then?” she spat sneeringly.

That's still not for you to decide! That's why we have laws, and courts. Heroes are saviors and protectors, not executioners!” Her voice had shaken a little before, but as her fury built, Bridget's volume and confidence grew with it. Sami said a lot of stupid things, especially since she became an official hero, but even though Bridget often found her lectures tiresome, she knew that when her sister said the words that she herself now quoted back to Kimmy, she meant them.

Perhaps you're confused by my appearance, child, by the mask of innocence I don to do my work. I'm no hero, bound by the laws of my lessers. Nor am I a villain, harming the innocent in mad pursuit of power. I am Kimberly Schaeffer, Consulting Demonologist, and I do what needs to be done.”

There was a sudden, blinding flash, and where the child Kimmy had been a moment before, a full-grown woman stood. She looked to be in her mid-twenties and was taller than Bridget by a head. Her bright green hair was no longer bound in pigtails, but fell down loosely below her shoulders. Her frilly dress was replaced by a long, teal trenchcoat that drape over her black shirt and tights. The jar she'd used to capture Darius's soul hung off her belt, and her black boots were decorated with entwined silver serpents. Her eyes were steel-grey as she stared down at Bridget, and Bridget saw then that the skin around her left eye was covered by a tattoo of eight serpents that undulated eerily as Kimmy moved her head.

Now, if you're done quoting Intro to Metahuman Criminal Justice at me, I'll be going.” Kimmy said, dismissively. She tossed something over her shoulder, and it fluttered gently into the pocket of Bridget's windbreaker. “Here's my card. When your pointless idealism has ruined a few lives and you're willing to start the real work, give me a call.”

Kimmy turned on her heel and opened the office door.

<<It's best we let her go, little one,>> Val advised kindly. <<We can return later to look for the clues we need after you've had time to rest and heal, and if we leave now while the Stalwart Six are still fighting her giant snake, we can keep our secret another day.>>

Bridget didn't respond. Instead, she sprinted forward, the sound of her feet on the tile a clumsy contrast to the precise click of Kimmy's heels. She came up behind the taller woman, and aimed a punch squarely at the back of her head.

Kimmy Schaeffer was a skilled summoner, and her divine patron had taught her all manner of wards against superhuman strength, fire, ice, and energy blasts. But she had none or those wards up when her only opponent was a fledgling hero whose powers were spent. As such, no magical barrier flared to life, and Bridget's entirely mundane blow found its target with a satisfying thud, and an entirely non-magical cry of pain. Sometimes, it turned out, Sami's strategy was the correct one, and punching the smug sorceress in the head was the way to go.

Screw you, lady.” Bridget said defiantly, as Kimmy clutched her head in pain.

<<What did you do?>> Val cried in disbelief. <<We can't fight her!>>

I'm not just letting a soul-stealer walk out of here, Val. Maybe we can hold her long enough for the Six to get here.

But then Bridget learned why Sami's strategy wasn't more widely employed. Her punch had the strength of conviction and stubbornness behind it, but it was a long way from one of Sami's knockout blows. Kimmy let out a cry of fury, spun around on the spot, and pointed her staff at Bridget's chest. A bolt of green light erupted from the tip, and sent Bridget sprawling onto the floor.

I usually charge for this kind of lesson, child. But in your case, the first one's free.”

Bridget struggled to her feet.

For someone who keeps claiming they're not a villain, you sure do love to hear the sound of your own voice.”

She reached out with the energy she's managed to recover during Kimmy's lecture, and hurled Darius's plush leather chair over his vacant-eyed lupine head and directly at the demonologist.

In response, she simply smirked, and the same shimmering barrier from before encircled her. The barrier stopped the furniture projectile cold, and it fell uselessly to the floor with a crash.

Oh, right. Bridget thought belatedly. That could be a problem.

The first thing you should know, girl, is your place!” Kimmy held her staff up over her head and twirled it once. “Just because a few second rate conjurers like my dear friend Isis pander to you with animal tricks, that doesn't mean you're in any way fit to fight the chosen Emissary of the Egyptian Goddess of Judgment.

Bridget rolled her eyes.

Yeah, nice monologue lady. Let's see if your fancy titles and snake goddesses can protect you from this!” Bridget closed her eyes, and sent the remains of the office door through the air. But, to her dismay, Kimmy's shield held with barely a flicker.

Don't you have any other tricks? That one's getting tiresome.” Kimmy sneered. “Besides, you really should be paying attention to more than constructing your next feeble insult.” Kimmy smiled, and pointed a finger downward. Bridget's gaze reflexively followed her direction, and she looked down at her own shadow that flickered and warped in the florescent lamplight until it looked less like a human shadow and more like a multi-headed serpent coiling and uncoiling itself. Then, in an instant, the serpentine shadow suddenly gained dimension, and began slithering up her body.

The thing's touch was cold and clammy, and Bridget tried to escape its grip, marshaling her power to force the thing away from her. But her gravity manipulation didn't seem to do anything, the creature was made of shadow, and shadow had no mass for her powers to affect. No matter how she tried to twist her legs free, the thing's formless grip only grew tighter as it wound more and more of itself around her. All too quickly, Bridget found herself caught in a crushing, frigid prison. Her chest burned as the snake squeezed her ribs. She tried to hit the thing's body, but it had wrapped one of its heads around each of her limbs, leaving her completely pinned and utterly helpless.

Kimmy watched with silent satisfaction as her creature continued its work. Bridget's eyes darted around, hoping to see some sign that the Six had finished their fight with Kimmy's winged serpent, and could rush in to save her. Her pride recoiled at the thought, but as the crushing pressure of the shadow serpent kept building, pride gave way to the instinctive need for survival.

When the air was once again pierced by a familiar hissing shriek, Bridget's last hope dwindled to nothing.

Kimmy simply smiled wide, as though Christmas ,or whatever analogue sinister snake sorceresses might observe, had come early. Her arms and legs were suddenly covered in glowing, venomous-green hieroglyphs.

Val, what do we do? Bridget thought desperately as her vision started to grow fuzzy.

<<In situations such as this, the Voidwalker's way is to return to her basic nature.>>

<<We feed.>>

How?

<<Let me show you.>>

Bridget closed her eyes, doing her best to block out the pain of the shadowy coils constricting her chest. Sure enough, she was again met with the familiar purple void, but the feeling of it was different this time; it seemed denser and heavier, more like a vast violet fog of euphoria than a reach of empty space.

<<Take a look, my little one.>>

The vapor around Bridget wound its way into her nostrils, and the heat of it coursed through her. Her vision blurred and shifted, and the scene before her changed.

Darius's office looked dim and eerie, every corner bathed in a fierce red light. It looked like someone had put a red filter on the all the lights in the office. Bridget looked around, and saw that the people in the room gave off light of a different hue; Darius and Kimmy glowed a soft green, as did Bridget. Kimmy was also surrounded by a harsh blue barrier that matched the shield she'd erected around herself. Bridget tuned her gaze to her own body, and saw that beneath the soft green of her skin, tendrils of purple power flowed through her veins. She averted her eyes from the eerie view of her own circulatory system and focused on Darius. He was a strong and bright green, except for a small shimmering spark that floated near his paw, its color the unmistakable purple of Voidwalker energy.

Look at that! Bridget thought excitedly, That's got to be his ring, I bet it's the evidence we came for!

<<Later.>> Val said curtly. <<There's so much life energy here for the taking!>>

Bridget felt Val nudging her, and she reached out toward Darius and Kimmy. But instead of her arm moving toward them, two tendrils of the purple energy arced from her like violet electricity.

Kimmy leapt suddenly out of the way, and Bridget thought she heard a cry of ,“What the hell!” But it was muffled and far away, as though she were underwater. Darius, on the other hand, was just an empty shell, and made no move as to evade her lashing tendril. as the bridge of power between his body and Bridget's brightened, the light of his life-force dimmed.

The rush of power hit Bridget like a jolt of caffeine after an all-nighter, a surge of vitality that suffused her entire being. In an instant, her pain and fear vanished. A tingling sensation replaced the ache of the bruises she'd sustained, and she felt as fresh as though she had just woken up from the best sleep of her life. But even more than that, she felt powerful in a way that she never had before. The reservoir of energy that surrounded her when she closed her eyes was no longer not just a void or a fog. It wrapped her up as tightly as the spectral snake, but there was no pain, and she felt instinctively, that as long as she was in its embrace, she could do anything.

<<Do you feel that, little one!>> Val exclaimed, exultant. <<That is the true power of a Voidwalker!>>

<<We must have more!>>

Bridget's senses expanded; she could see in every direction at once, further and further, with an inhuman sight that pierced the walls around her as easily as if they were empty air. She could sense the succulent life-energy of rest of the inert Hellbloods, and reached out toward them the same way as she had their leader. The power within her built and built in a furious crescendo as she fed on each in turn, until every particle of her being hummed with potential begging to be unleashed.

The green lights that she had reached for began to fade, and a vague sense of unease cut through the fog of bliss around her.

Val? Bridget called, shaking herself free of the sheer euphoria of the feeding frenzy, Maybe we should stop?

<<Why? They're just empty shells, ripe for the taking!>>

Val guided Bridget again, but more insistently than she ever had before. She rose into the air with a jerk, ripping herself free from the spectral serpent's coils. Bridget realized as she floated there, free of the constraints of gravity, that the sheer thrill of the energy flowing through her drowned out the nausea that usually accompanied her attempts at flight. She looked down at the glowing green shape that was Kimmy, and reached out confidently to manipulate the gravitational force around her. Bridget observed with satisfaction as the purple tendrils of her own power hurled every object in the office at Kimmy's shield all at once. The barrier flickered like a guttering candle under the strain.

Suddenly on the defensive once more, Kimmy launched a blast of blue light from her palm, which struck Bridget squarely in the chest. She instinctively used her power to counteract the force of the spell, and managed to keep herself from flying backward. But the blow broke the grip of the Voidwalkers' primal hunger for energy; she shook her head, and the world returned to normal. Kimmy and Darius were no longer green silhouettes, and the light in the room had returned to its normal soft fluorescence. The shadow snake was visible again, but it found itself wrapped around nothing, and whatever intelligence it had was stymied by the unexpected escape of its prey. The tendrils of Voidwalker power, however, did not fade, and judging from the expression of mingled confusion and horror on Kimmy's face, Bridget realized she must be quite a sight.

<<Bridget,>> Val said, <<Shall we teach this creature why it is rude to interrupt someone when they're eating?>> The frenzied eagerness was gone from Val's voice, replaced by an unnerving, dispassionate calm. Still, part of Bridget felt a twinge of eager excitement at the prospect of letting Val do as she wished. Her heart began to beat faster, as she raised her hand once more.

This time, when Bridget reached out to let Val guide her, she felt the warmth of Val's embrace move down her arm as a whip of pulsing purple energy erupted from her palm. It flew through the air, directly toward the perimeter of Kimmy's shield.

Unfortunately for Kimmy, the ward she had conjured, while incredibly adept at blocking external alterations of physical forces within its bounds, was not tuned to deflect the alien energy of Bridget's attack. The lashing coil wound its way around both of her wrists and caught them tight, locking the sorceress's wrists together with invisible but irresistible force. She cried out in pain, and lost her grip on her staff, which clattered to the ground, useless.

<<Cretin.>> Val said, her voice brimming with fury. <<You'll pay dearly for hurting my little one.>> Confusion and fear flashed across Kimmy's face, but she quickly concealed them with a snort of contempt.

How about this lesson?” Bridget said mockingly. “Don't be a condescending know-it-all!” Her voice reverberated eerily, which might under normal circumstances have been unsettling, but the barely-hidden terror on Kimmy's face was too satisfying to for thoughts like that to ruin.

Ugh, fine. What do you want from me?” Kimmy spat defiantly

Bridget levitated Darius's ring from around his paw to the palm of her hand, and held it out for Kimmy to see.

How did the Hellbloods get so strong so quickly? And what does this ring do? They're far too dense to have such powerful magic on their own, and it doesn't seem scaly enough to be your work.”

Kimmy narrowed her eyes at the ring for a moment before responding.

It's a key of some kind, but it's not magical. Other than that, I don't know. Darius used it to access a warehouse on Crescent Avenue that he said contained 'donations from a sponsor.' Pretty terrible investment if you ask me.”

<<We didn't,>> Val said coldly.

Was that it?” Kimmy asked dryly. “Really, if you'd just asked that in the first place, we could have avoided all this unpleasantness.”

“”Oh sure, your 'client' seemed really keen on that,” Bridget retorted. “Besides, you're a garbage human being, so I'm glad I'll get to leave you as a present for the Stalwart Six”

At least I'm human, not some possessed thing. And don't assume that just because you happened to win a single battle that you can have everything your own way.”

She flicked her hair, and one of the silver serpents that had served as a hair tie fell to the floor with a hiss.

Return me to the Mother Goddess,” Kimmy commanded, and the tiny serpent opened its jaws impossibly wide, until its mouth was several feet around.

Farewell for now, child. Don't count on luck to save you next time.” Kimmy leapt into the air, hands still bound by a ring of purple energy, leapt into the silver serpent's maw, which closed with a snap behind her.

Then the hair tie went still, a simple accessory once more.

The glowing green soul-catcher and the constricting shadow vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving seven glowing orbs of light floating aimlessly in the midst of the ruined office.

Bridget stood amid the wreckage, the clue she'd come for in hand, still savoring her victory and what remained of the surge of power that she had imbibed from the Hellbloods.

<<See, what did I tell you, little one? I knew you could do it. You're such a good girl.>> Val's voice was once again warm and reassuring in Bridget's head, but still carried subtle echoes of its former menace.

Thanks, space-Mommy,” Bridget replied in a whisper that, thankfully, sounded like her own voice again.

<<Let's get going. It's past your bedtime.>>

Bridget began to protest, but thought better of it, and headed out the door.

As she carefully crept through the main hallway, past the motionless forms of he two Hellbloods Sami had bowled into earlier, another hissing shriek pierced the air, strained with agony. Bridget couldn't resist pausing for a few moments in a concealed corner to watch the battle between Kimmy's giant serpent and the Stalwart Six, despite Val's insistent protestations.

Whatever wards Kimmy had used on the winged serpent to bolster its defenses had obviously faded, as the thing was covered in huge gashes which oozed a strange blue ichor. Its whole body looked like an oil painting that had begun to run; its scales melted together like hot wax. With a rumbling crack, Leanne launched a forked bolt of electricity that set the thing convulsing, and Stell took position above as the creature thrashed helplessly. The diamond-haired heroine suddenly shone so brightly that Bridget had to shield her eyes with her hand.

<<Wait, it can't be....>> Val hissed, her voice barely a whisper.

The air was filled with an unearthly hum that made Bridget's teeth hurt. When her vision cleared, the snake had been impaled by a spear of pure white light, stuck to the earth like an insect kept for study. The winged snake slumped to the cracked and scorched concrete with a final, pitiful hiss, and faded into nothingness.

<<Run, little one, run!>> Val cried in sudden panic. <<By every star in the void, run!>>

A pulse of primal fear that was not her own hit Bridget, spurring her on as she dashed back the way she'd come, bounding over the clutter of the silent stronghold, up the stairs and back to the room where she'd launched her assault. She stared out the broken window, looking down at the ground far below. She stopped for a moment to brace her nerves and to steady herself; The prospect of flight was so much more daunting without the rush of stolen energy running through her veins. Hoping to delay the moment she'd have to leap, Bridget asked the question that burned nearly as much as her lungs did.

What the hell, Val?”

<<That girl. The airheaded cheerleader.>>

Stell? What about her? She's mostly harmless, just kind of an overeager ditz.”

<<She's not. That wasn't just a blast of high-energy matter, that last spear was a hard light construct. There's only one source for that kind of power.>>

<<She's a Star Warden. If she finds us, we're worse than dead.>>

Of freaking course. Why would anything be easy?”

Bridget was still uncertain about the wisdom of the jump she was about to make, but the prospect of facing a vengeful, laser-wielding alien proved a powerful motivator. After a moment, she finally gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and leaped from the second-story window out into the crisp night air.

Bridget's gravitic power cushioned her fall enough that it didn't hurt, but she didn't quite manage to keep her pride intact as she landed flat on her stomach. She did her best to shake off the impact, and made her way back through the abandoned industrial park, hoping that she'd managed to elude the sight of any of Overwatch's patrolling drones, holding close the ring that was their only clue to solving the whole interstellar mess she'd managed to get herself into.

Bridget was fortunate that her and Val's feeding frenzy had helped her body heal the wounds of all the horrifying fights she'd been through. The energy they had absorbed and refreshed her enough that she could make her way back home though the chilly night, and slip back into her house, exhausted but unnoticed. By the time her head hit the pillow, the first rays of dawn peeked out over the horizon. Across town, that same dawn cast a pale grey light on six sleep-deprived heroines who were still trying to figure out what to do with nearly a score of soulless gangsters.

Issue 2: Chapter 8- Flight Gear

I still can't believe you're making me do this! It's crazy! Can't you wait more than three days between crazy ideas?

I still can't believe you're making me do this! It's crazy!

Bridget did her best to conceal behind the end of the aisle, cursing the bright light that starkly illuminated the whole of the nearly-deserted pharmacy. Her eyes darted back and forth, and her breath quickened as she scanned for any other shoppers who might see her at this height of humiliation.

<<The logic is simple, and backed by empirical data. Resisting the conclusion at this point is the irrational choice.>> Val opined, unperturbed by Bridget's rising panic.

Ugh, every time we babysit, you come up with these ridiculous, stupid ideas. I don't see why we can't just do a few more hours of practice. You can even berate me for being lazy if you want, I don't mind. We could just go home right now and- Bridget began hopefully.

<<Oh, don't worry little one, we will.>> Val interrupted. <<But we need to get you flying as quickly as possible, and so we must investigate every possibility that could accelerate your training.>>

But -those things-, she glanced furtively toward the shelf where the pink plastic packages sat placidly aren't going to do any of that.

<<They certainly help Breanna. She seemed to enjoy being flown about both times we visited, and she was much higher up relative to her height than you were in every instance where you had trouble with levitation.>>

Yeah, but she's a baby who doesn't understand why she should be afraid of heights, and she didn't have to worry about fighting super-gangsters at the same time she was flying, Bridget protested.

<<That's exactly my point, sweetie, you don't have the luxury of missteps with your most basic powers,>> Val sighed in exasperation. <<This is already a significant compromise of form over function; I'm not entirely sure these thinner things will be enough padding to help you feel supported mid-flight. Perhaps something thicker would->>

No! Absolutely not! Not in a million years!Bridget paled in terror at the thought of being stuck in any of the alternatives, they looked more like trash bags than underwear. Even the hearts and butterflies would be better than that; given the choice, she'd take looking like a baby over looking like a grandma.

The sound of a throat being cleared brought Bridget's attention away from her passenger and to the cashier who gave her a glare of irritation. Bridget's cheeks flushed and she clapped a hand over her mouth, realizing too late that her protest had been all too audible. Bridget ducked into another aisle just to escape the elderly woman's stern gaze. She found refuge in the aisle that combined dental hygiene products and assorted hair-care items.

Great, she sighed to herself, Now the cashier thinks I'm crazy.

<<That shouldn't be a problem. It's not as though you couldn't just go to the other register.>>

You're jut a fountain of terrible ideas today, aren't you, Val. Bridget said snippily. The person at the other register is the entire reason I didn't want to come here tonight!

<<What, that Margot girl from the other day? It's not as though she's particularly imposing or threatening now that we have access to our powers.>>

It's not that I'm worried she'll attack us. She's just....awful. Bridget finished.

<<Feh. She's alone. She wasn't willing to do anything with her flunkies around; she's not going to be a problem now.>>

Bridget busied herself by looking at the items on the shelves, scanning through the rows of colorful shampoo bottles. She dawdled a bit to build up her nerve to return to the aisle with the pink plastic packages whose contents she tried desperately not to think about.

Val, however, was having none of it.

<<Seriously? You're fine with fighting a sorceress who steals souls when you can barely stand, but buying a package of underwear is too much?>>

Look, it's just incredibly embarrassing, okay? Bridget huffed, her cheeks flushing scarlet.

<<Sweetie, I know.>> Val replied, <<But you need to do this. Look, if this doesn't help, we'll come up with something else.>>

Bridget scowled and eyed the door, half thinking that she should just head out the door, regardless of how much Val complained. It would just be so much easier, and it wasn't like Val could really stop her. She could probably even duck around so that Margot wouldn't see her on the way out.

<<How about this, little one? Val said, cajolingly, <<You get one small pack, say they're for a girl you're babysitting if anyone asks, and I teach you a new power after we're done here?>>

Knowing you, that power will probably require me to get a rattle or something for some reason.

Val chuckled a little in response.

<<Not this time, I promise. And the blocks wouldn't have worked as a practice tool, if they weren't something you could get engrossed in playing with.>>

It was probably unhealthy for all that blood to rush to her cheeks so fast, but Bridget was powerless to stem the tide of embarrassment.

<<So, what do you say. Should we get what we came for and get out of here?>>

...Fine, Bridget conceded begrudgingly, but no more surprises.

<<Of course, little one. I think you'll like what I have to show you. It's quite a sight.>>

Somehow, that's not exactly reassuring.

Val simply smiled a telepathic smile in response.

Bridget walked slowly but steadily back to the childcare aisle, and grabbed one of the packages of training pants from the shelf, wincing a little at the image of the small child on the front. She took a deep breath, and gritted her teeth as she made her way for the register. She made for the register being run by the old lady, but despite herself, she couldn't help sneaking a look at Margot as she approached.

It was strange to see Margot in her work uniform instead of her normal punk outfit. Her jet-black hair was tied in a high ponytail, and she wore a smile of forced politeness as she bagged items for a querulous old man whose bald head was covered so densely in liver spots, they looked like freckles. While Margot rung up his two bags of dried fruit and fifteen cans of tuna, the man took the opportunity to expound at great length about the problems with kids these days, and what a shame it was that none of the young heroes could follow the example of proper heroes like the League of Virtue. It was also apparently an unforgivable tyranny that stores had to put all the newfangled electronics in a separate case, and a clear sign of how bad things had gotten in the world if supposedly brilliant tech companies like Vector or Hyperion had to rely on locked glass ceases to stop the thugs of the world from just taking everything, a true indictment of the moral decay of society.

Margot did an excellent job keeping up a facade of agreeableness throughout the entire diatribe, though Bridget really doubted that the bright blue smock Margot was wearing over her work shirt really needed the meticulous smoothing-over it was getting.

Did you find everything you were looking for today.” a raspy voice interrupted Bridget's voyeuristic reverie.

What?” “Oh, yeah, um, yes.” Bridget stammered. She put the package of training pants down on the conveyor. As the lady at the register slowly moved the package over the infrared scanner, the seconds stretched out and felt like hours. Bridget grabbed a king-size candy bar from the shelf near the register, in a flailing attempt to make it seem to any onlookers, or at least one in particular, that she was totally uninterested in what was going on and definitely not freaked out about buying training pants.

A beep from the scanner signaled a reprieve, and Bridget brought her debit card out and inserted the chip in the slot as fast as she could.

But as the cashier was processing her order, she heard the most terrifying two words she possibly could in that moment.

Hey, Bridget.” Margot's voice was neutral and quiet, but Bridget nearly jumped out of her skin all the same.

Um, hi.” Bridget mumbled, not sure whether she should be ready for a fight, or just hope to prolong the conversational niceties until she could flee the scene without incidentally committing petty larceny.

<<Don't worry, little one, if it's the former, I'll help you demonstrate the effects of highly inelastic collisions>>

Sorry about the other day. Abby and Penny can get a little carried away”

Sure.” Bridget said noncommittally. Val sighed a little at the dimming prospect of the display of power she'd been looking forward to.

You still babysitting Maya's cousin?” Margot asked, with the air of someone desperately attempting the most precarious and rickety of conversational bridges in the face of roiling rapids of awkwardness.

Uh-huh.”

Cool.”

They stared at each other for a few interminable seconds, until the whir of the register presenting a receipt finally broke the silence. Bridget grabbed her bags and scurried toward the door, only to realize sheepishly that she'd left her card in the reader, and had to double back to get it. Margot watched this expressionlessly, but as Bridget passed her by the third time, she spoke up again.

I know things have been kinda awkward lately, but...d'you think we could hang out like we used to?” The words came out so quickly that for a moment Bridget was sure she couldn't have heard them right. That was the closest he'd ever heard Margot come to an apology, and the sheer surprise stopped Bridget in her tracks.

Um,” she held tight to the plastic bag containing her humiliating purchase, as though it was an anchor to reality in this new bizzaro world that she'd evidently gotten lost in. “Okay?” As the words left her mouth, Bridget wasn't sure what possessed her to utter them, or why the terror she felt at the prospect.

The thin line of Margot's mouth formed into the rarest of sights, a smile that wasn't a cruel smirk.

<<What?>> Val was torn between annoyance and incredulity. <<Sometimes I despair of ever understanding humanity>>

Sweet. I'll pick you up on Saturday? You still live at the same address, right?” Margot's smile faltered a bit, as though her mouth was rebelling at the unfamiliar contortion.

Bridget nodded, gave the quickest wave she could manage, and dashed out through the automatic doors as fast as her legs could carry her. She clutched the pull-ups as close to her as she could, hoping that she could keep anyone from seeing them in the parking lot before she could conceal them properly in her backpack.

Crap, she thought to herself as she mounted up on her bike. What did I just agree to?

<<I am uncertain.>> Val said dryly. <<But perhaps we could do something sensible and look into that warehouse that the Hellbloods were using.>>

You want me to take a pack of pull-ups to a mission? Bridget asked incredulously. Or is the power you want to teach me time travel, so I can go back and prevent the many, many terrible decisions you've pushed me into today.

<<Afraid not, sweetie.>> Val replied, <<But the ride to Crescent will provide ample opportunity to practice this new technique.>>

As Val began explaining the proper procedure for a new application of gravitational energy, a smile slowly spread across Bridget's face, and she pumped her fist in excitement.

If she could manage this, maybe it was worth letting Val have her fun after all.

 

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Issue 2 Chapter 9- Treasure Hunt

The ride to the warehouse was long, but it went by in a flash. Unlike Val's previous training exercises, this one was a mischievous kind of fun. She couldn't help but giggle watching the people she passed by on her bike do double takes as she wrapped first one leg, then the other, then an arm, then her whole lower body in a sheath of gravimetric particles. To her, it looked like she was just wearing a pair of eerily glowing purple pants, but Val assured her that the particle field bent light around her, making her half-invisible to any onlooker.

Certainly, the onlookers gaped in a way that they wouldn't if she were just another energy-wielding heroine. With St. Rose's nearby, most residents were too used to metahumans to register surprise at things like teenagers with glowing eyes,or hands holding orbs of unspeakable but unspecified power. A reverse headless horsewoman, however, was another matter entirely.

<<Well, it seems someone's enjoying herself.>> Val noted wryly, as Bridget was so distracted by giggles that she nearly missed the last turn. Bridget's cheeks flushed pink, though she was certain that this was only because of the cold air, and that neither glee nor embarrassment had anything to do with it. <<Isn't this better than just sitting around and worrying?>>

Okay, yes, you're right, this is a lot better. Bridget admitted. But that's a lot coming from someone who's spent the last week freaking out about the imminent Star Warden invasion of Earth.

<<I have not been “freaking out,” little miss.>> Val huffed. <<I have displayed a very reasonable degree of concern. It remains entirely possible that this Stell is merely an unusually subtle advance force for a massive legion bent on eliminating all Voidwalkers.>>

Sure, Val. Anyway, why are you letting me play with invisibility out in public? Shouldn't we keep it as a secret weapon just in case an entire battalion of space cheerleaders shows up?

<<I would have had us practice this normally, but Goldilocks has been up at all hours lately, and I didn't want her catching us.>>

Bridget smiled briefly at Val's use of Isis's nickname for her sister. But she also had to admit that Val was right. Sami had been burning the midnight oil ever since the Stalwart Six had returned from their fight against the Hellbloods. No one had dared say anything, but after the fifth night, when Shimmering Nova, who could fly three hundred miles in a day without breaking a sweat, had deep bags under her eyes, they all knew something was wrong.

In a circumstance like this, Bridget would normally have felt no small degree of satisfaction, but she knew better than anyone else what her sister was going through. For three days after returning from the Hellbloods' lair, her dreams had been full of serpentine demons and sibilant whispers, all clamoring for her soul. But Bridget doubted that, if Sami was experiencing something similar, she had a reassuring cocoon of Val's violet energy to keep out the monsters, or the gentle sound of cosmic music to drown out the voice of the vengeful serpent goddess.

<<I have, however, determined that we need to move more quickly, in case Stell turns out to be a problem. So I'll need you to use what I've just taught you to evade any guards or the like posted around this warehouse, at least until we can enter. Just remember that the concealment isn't perfect: It works on humans that aren't looking for you specifically, or don't have a long time to focus on you at a short distance, but it won't help if you attract too much attention.>>

Fair enough, Bridget replied. Mom's already mad at me for sleeping past my therapy appointment on Saturday, and I really don't want to have to explain how I ruined my new coat fighting alien rent-a-cops because the voice in my head told me to.

<<Mmm. >> Val said, her unease palpable, <<Another attuned would be able to detect our presence, but hopefully the Hellbloods were a minor-enough group of patsies that the Warmistress won't have wasted personnel to guard a glorified closet.>>

They turned the last corner and the gate to the warehouse lot came into view. It certainly didn't look like a mighty bastion for an alien armada, Bridget noted with a sigh of relief, unless there were extra-dimensional force fields to buttress the red and white barrier arm that blocked the road in front of the guard station, or the cramped station's old and flaky paint somehow concealed hyper-advanced materials. The paunchy, bored-looking attendant watching a tiny television with coffee mug in hand was certainly not what she would have chosen to defend he most secret project either, but, then again, she wasn't a centuries-old alien warlord.

<<Yes, I know, it doesn't appear very threatening. Still, it's best not to take chances. Ready to disappear, little one?>>

Bridget nodded her head and closed her eyes. She felt the warmth of the gravimetric sheath rise from the tip of her toes to the top of her head, then further down to encompass the entire bike in a bright purple glow. The world darkened around her, cast into violet shadow as the field deflected some of the light away from her eyes. It was a little disconcerting in a way that her practice hadn't been, but the snug feeling was actually pleasant. She felt a slight tickle as a tiny tendril of gravitic energy mussed her hair playfully.

<<Okay, sweetie, let's go.>>

Bridget opened her eyes and pedaled forward obediently, doing her best to ignore the bright purple glow that surrounded her. Thankfully, the sensation of this power was much less disruptive than the eerie feeling of weightlessness while in flight, and she easily slid in the gap between the barrier and the far side of the gatehouse. It needed the slightest nudge to raise it up so that Bridget could be sure she didn't collide with the very tip, but that was easy after all the practice she'd had recently.

Then there was the sudden and unmistakable sound of rubber tires colliding with a small, hard obstacle, and a metallic ping as the pebble she'd encountered under the gatehouse flew up into the air and ricocheted off the side of the guard hutch. The guard, hearing the noise, jerked awake from his bored reverie, and looked around confusedly for the source. Bridget sucked in her breath in sudden trepidation, and did her absolute best to coast the rest of the way through as quietly as possible. After a moment, though, he readjusted his position in his chair, sipped his coffee, and turned back to the TV, scratching the stubble of his beard.

Bridget grinned ear-to-ear as she opened up more distance between her and the guard post, and Val mentally smiled her approval. Her grin quickly turned to an expression of puzzlement, however, as she realized that the lot was full of warehouses, with a daunting array of company logos emblazoned on the side, from the clean, smooth lines of the ubiquitous Vector Industries “V” to the blocky lettering of G&H Medical Supply. None of them were obviously numbered, and there were no signs to be found.

Bridget cursed under her breath.

Ugh, how am I supposed to know which one it is? Why didn't I try looking at this in Street View or something? Of course Kimmy found a way to be distinctly unhelpful, even after all that. Ow!

Bridget hissed in sudden pain as the ring in her pocket emitted a wave of searing heat that burned the skin of her leg even through the fabric.

“Gah! What the hell?” Bridget hissed, jerking her leg in a vain effort to escape the scalding metal.

<<It appears that the Warmistress thought just as highly of Darius and the Hellbloods as I did>> Val explained, <<During the Voidwalkers' battle against the Star Wardens, they developed devices like this to give to their allies across the galaxy. They often contained maps to hidden rendezvous points or supply caches.>>

“Yeah, but why would you want to make a compass that sets your skin on fire?”

<<For especially primitive and brutish species, pain was an obvious form of cross-linguistic communication that didn't require that we waste a valuable Voidwalker on a savage backwater planet.>>

“The Warmistress sounds like a real charmer.”

<<Quite. At any rate, the pulses should stop as we approach the correct warehouse.>>

Bridget gingerly wrapped the ring inside the plastic bag that came with her di- underwear purchase, and held it gingerly as she rode a stealthy ring around the industrial lot, wincing as the ring burned all the while. With great relief, she found that the pulses slowed as she made her way to the north side of the compound. There, the larger warehouses gave way to a mismatched hodgepodge of smaller bins and the logos of big brand names like Pinnacle were replaced by those of obscure foreign companies she'd never heard of.

Finally, the ring produced a jolt of pleasant warmth, a reward for the dog that had managed to follow its master's commands. Bridget found herself standing of a squat grey warehouse that looked like little more than a rectangular slab of concrete. The words HYAMS FREIGHT CO. were emblazoned in precise red lettering on the front.

Huh, I wonder what kind of company that is? It sounds German or something.

<<Mm. It will bear further investigation. But for now, we should see what the Warmistress has hidden here.>>

Bridget nodded, and walked toward the door of the warehouse. Incredibly, it was unlocked.

Nice! Looks like they didn't think to use “primitive” security measures like keys. Their loss! Bridget gloated to herself.

Her smug joy was, unfortunately, short-lived.

It's empty? She thought in disbelief. She looked around th empty warehouse, but saw only trails of dust.

<<Not quite. Look at the ring.>>

The purple amethyst inset in the ring had turned a deep, impenetrable black. Bridget held it up to her face to get a closer look, when the gem let out a low hum. The open doorway in front of Bridget was suddenly blocked by a barrier of the same inky hue.

<<Just as I suspected.>> Val said with satisfaction. <<The ring keys to a dimensional gate. The warehouse is just a convenient threshold for an entrance to a pocket dimension where the actual goods are stored. Without equipment that's far beyond current human capability, the cache would never be found.>>

<<Well, little one, let's see what we'll find.>>

Bridget gulped. She had no reason to doubt Val's analysis, but the blackness in front of her was filled with foreboding. It absorbed all the ambient light around it, and rippled when her finger touched its surface, even though it felt like she was moving her hand through empty air. Bridget held her breath in anticipation, and turned her head as she barreled through to the other side, just so it would feel less like she was ramming herself into a solid wall.

But, just as Val had said, there was no impact, only a sudden chill, and deafening sound of total quiet. Bridget looked around. Instead of the dusty warehouse with faded walls that she'd expected, polished metal gleamed silver from every surface. Open crates and their discarded lids covered the floor.

<<Interesting. This looks like one of the shipboard storage areas, but they've removed access to any of the other areas of the flagship, and any obviously Voidwalker technology.>>

Bridget made her way over to one of the crates. It was mostly empty, save for a handful of small items that looked like tiny pyramids, each no bigger than a quarter. There were strange sigils scrawled on each side, which glowed blue as Bridget ran her fingers over the facets of one of the objects.

<<Hmm.>> Val said, as Bridget turned the thing over in her fingers. <<I would have expected them to go with fangs rather than pyramids, but I suppose they wanted the veneer of mysticism.>>

What do you mean? What are these things?

<<Ion injectors. One of the research division's favorite products, a real classic. They alter the biology of the creature they're used on to make them more resilient to attack by Star Warden hard light projections. This has the secondary effect of making them much stronger and more physically resilient. Usually, though, the host body falls apart under the strain over time.>>

Val sighed wistfully.

<< Echo was working on ways to make them safer; she always was soft, no matter how much she tried to hide it. She loved physical creatures, with all your strange material properties.>>

I imagine you two got along well, then.

<<You could say that, though I have no idea what you're implying, little miss.>> Val answered with mock seriousness.

So, should we keep some of these injectors in case we have to fight a Star Warden?

<<Not unless the prospect of a slow death where all your squishiest organs are crushed by the weight of your own bones sounds appealing. We have what we came for: confirmation that the Voidwalkers are in fact behind the Hellbloods. We should investigate this Hyams company, just in case it reveals anything else they're doing, or why they needed an up-jump band of thugs in the first place. Besides, the ring is the real prize.>>

I guess? I don't see how an empty warehouse is much use, unless it's for hiding all the embarrassing things you make me use for training.

<<Oh, it's not, but if, perhaps, you happened to have on call an expert on the manipulation of gravitic energies, you could change the pocket dimension and the physical location that ring is keyed to, so that it connected, say, to that spectacular genius's private laboratory from your bedroom closet.>>

Nice! As much as Bridget wanted to tease Val About her incredible pomposity, that did sound pretty cool.

<<And then someone could stop throwing hissy fits about potential embarrassment, assuming that being in an alternate dimension is far enough away from prying eyes to suit the princess's royal dignity.>>

Bridget snorted, refusing to dignify Val's jibes with a response.


 


 

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Awesome chapter!

Normally I'd go through a chapter & pick apart the parts I liked & disliked, but this was just an all-around solid chapter. Val is becoming such a good mommy to her little flesh-creature. :) I wish I had a caring, ancient alien voice in my head instead of the screaming cacophony of demons telling me to kill ever singl-- I mean what? Who said that? Not me. Must've been... someone... who sounds like me! Yeah. Totally.

(I think they bought it.)

(Shut up! You're going to give us away!)

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Oh my days I have been reading this story for months and I am finally, for the first time in forever, actually caught up!  I have to say Selphie you are one of the most amazing storytellers.  And I love that you finally started to bring the diaper stuff in, though I would have been totally fine with a little-esque story the way Val and Bridget are. ^_^  You have weaved such a complicated and exciting world space.  It's so distinct and unique and unlike anything I've ever read.  Not only on this website but in general.  And I am so excited to see what you do next with C3!  These new little pyramid things... they frighten me a little.  Because I'm expecting some martyrdom in Bridget's future. ;_;  Please don't hurt my baby!

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Aaaand we're back. As always, thank you for reading and i hope you enjoy! Eventually we'll get to another page, and there'll be less required scrolling. As always, comments and questions are very welcome. Also, I added a bit of extra content to the end of Issue 2 Chapter 7.

Issue 2: Chapter 10- Our Little Secrets

Once Val was satisfied that there were no more clues to be found in the Hyams warehouse, the pair exited the dimensional pocket. Bridget was slightly relieved to feel the metallic chill of the warehouse fade as they went out into the warmer autumn air. Fortunately, the complex guard was even less on the lookout for outgoing traffic of the teenage variety, and so it was simple to make their way out of the complex and back toward home.

As she crossed through the center of downtown, however, Bridget found her way blocked by a massive traffic jam. Cars stretched as far as she could see down the main street, and the air was filled with the bleat of car horns expressing the burgeoning ire of their occupants. Bridget could just barely make out a gaggle of flashing red and blue lights far ahead. She sighed in exasperation, and started to turn her like onto the sidewalk, toward the back roads that would take her around the whole mess, even if she might be home a bit later than she'd planned.

Then, the sound of horns and sirens was drowned out in a moment by the massive roar of an engine, and the ground under Bridget shook. A metallic figure shot up from amid the cluster of flashing lights, gleaming in the sun as it ascended higher and higher into the sky, leaving only a trail of smoke, and a gaggle of confused and coughing law enforcement officers.

A female voice, her shout distorted and tinny, yelled down at the assembled constabulary.

Fools! You cannot hold The Inexorable Dreadnaught forever in your puny human prison! I, Ironclad, hereby pledge, upon my honor, that you shall pay dearly for this!”

Maybe I should... Bridget thought, squinting at the rapidly receding speck in the sky. But then, she thought, there was no way she could catch up, and taking off with the police and so many bystanders watching would totally blow her cover. She turned her gaze back to the road and headed home.

Besides, I'm already a little late, and I don't have time to chase a human missile.

<<That was a very grown-up decision, little one. I'm very proud of you.>>

The doubt that buzzed in the back of Bridget's head quieted a bit, but she couldn't totally banish it. As she crested the last hill, and her house came into view, she couldn't help but second-guess herself.

I don't know, Val. I still feel like we shouldn't just let someone like that go.

<<Sweetie,>> Val said sternly <<We still need to work a lot more on your flying before I'd even consider letting you fight in a dogfight that far above the ground. That metallic creature->>

Lady in a mech suit. Bridget corrected.

<<-lady in a mech suit,>> Val conceded, with audible annoyance at the interruption, <<was just a minion. But, if you work hard at flight training, and do everything I ask without complaining, then if we encounter her again, I will help you teach her humility.>>

At this, images of the pull-ups and the childish indignity she'd doubtless be subject to flashed before Bridget's eyes. But Val had a point, and besides, it was pointless to complain now that she'd already bought the things. There was certainly little chance of changing Val's mind.

Okay.

Bridget stowed her bike in the garage, shaking off the stiffness of her long ride. As much as she was nervous about flying, it would at least be less sweaty and her muscles might hate her a little less. When she opened the front door, she was greeted by the sound of an argument between her mom and Sami.

Are you absolutely sure you don't want to go with the over-the-shoulder Nova Mantle for tonight, Sami?” her mother asked testily. “I saw in a CAPE article that it's what all the big hero teams are doing these days, and it's important for you to put your best foot forward.”

Sami sighed. “Mom, I already asked Leanne what we should wear, and we're just going with standard dress costumes. Stell would be livid if we made any last-minute changes.”

Oh, I suppose she'd know best. You know I'm just trying to help.”

Don't worry, mom. It'll go fine, and we're going to get so many endorsement offers.”

Of course.”

Bridget sorted and rolled her eyes, her mouth set in a grimace. She had gravity powers that she hoped would one day match Sami's super strength, energy blasts, and flight, but the power to get her mother to actually change her mind and back off was something that would be forever out of reach, even with Val's help. Even a shower and change of clothes were insufficient to wipe away her sour mood.

Still, when Val instructed Bridget to bring out Darius's ring and alter it to her exacting specifications, she did her best to channel all her frustration into gravitic energy. Unfortunately, the precision Val wanted was a small enough nudge to alter the pressure applied to the gem in the ring by a vanishingly small amount, and then hold that alteration for the ten minutes it would take for the nanomachines in the inset to accept the new calibration. Barely two weeks ago, Bridget had struggled mightily to even lift baby blocks, but this was on totally another level of difficulty. It was as though she were trying to get one of those claw machines to grab a prize, but instead of a stuffed animal, the prize she was trying to grab and keep hold of was a single grain of rice.

Argh, this is impossible! It's just too small!” Bridget seethed, frustration impelling her to speak instead of thinking her irritation at her passenger.

<<It's all right sweetie, your control just isn't very finely developed. It's a problem common to the young of many species. You're just a bit too little to do this easily, so we'll need to take more time to help you get the hang of it.>>

I am not! I'm seventeen!”

She narrowed her eyes and glared at the stubborn piece of jewelry, mustering her powers to work on it one more time. Her brow furrowed and sweat gathered on her palms. Bridget tried to give the ring the smallest, most precise push she could. But all she managed to do was send the ring sliding across the table.

Bridget hissed in frustration, and sent the ring flying across the room.

<<That was quite uncalled for, little miss,>> Val reprimanded her.

What? Bridget said defiantly. I thought you were all about crushing those who defy us, and this stupid thing is just being impossible!

Val remained silent for a moment, then spoke.

<<I see. So it would be easy for you to, say, lift that dresser over there.>>

Of course! Bridget glanced at her dresser, with its white wood drawers and brass-colored handles. It was a bit ornate and the white could be considered a bit childish, but she'd had it basically forever. But, irked a she was, the dresser's most important feature was how powerful Bridget felt when she suspended it two feet in the air with an ease that she very recently would have considered impossible.

<<Well done, sweetie. I doubt you could also lift your bed at the same time, though. That would probably be too much.>>

Pffft, compared to that stupid gem, these big things are -ngh-, she strained a bit with the effort, but launched her bed, and all its moon-pattern sheets and blankets up into the air, and held it there with invisible gravitic power flowing from her outstretched hand, nothing!

<<Of course. I suppose it would be no trouble to also levitate your desk and all the books on it, then?>>

Bridget flipped her hair, clenched her fist, and turned her attention to her desk, and the little pyramid of textbooks she'd piled up on it. She closed her eyes, and clenched her fist, and the desk and all its contents rose slowly into the air.

See! Stuff of reasonable size is super easy to manipulate.

<<Mhmm. Just try to keep them afloat for as long as you can, and set them down gently when you're done.>>

Right. Don't worry, I can keep these aloft for, like, forever.

Unfortunately for Bridget, forever was significantly longer than she thought. It wasn't that hard for the first twenty seconds or so, but after that her head started pounding. After a full minute of effort, just the effort of keeping her arm outstretched seemed Herculean, and everything began to wobble dangerously.

Oh. Crap. Bridget suddenly realized the magnitude of the problem her bullheaded frustration had created. With the last of her energy, she tried to replace everything she'd levitated as carefully as she could, and sighed with relief when her bed and dresser landed with nothing more than a soft thud.

The desk, however, was not so lucky. It hit the floor with a thud that shook the whole house, and the books cascaded onto the floor with a crash that lingered painfully in the air.

<<Quite a performance, and certainly a rapid improvement,>> Val said approvingly, unperturbed by the noise of the not-quite successful landing.

“Bridget!” her father shouted from his office downstairs. “What on earth are you doing?”

“Um, I, ah, dropped some books, sorry!” she called back, embarrassed.

<<Now, what say we give the ring another try, hmm? It should attract less attention, at least.>>

Suitably chastened, Bridget agreed. When she tuned again to the ring, the moment she reached out with her power, and she felt it guttering.

<<Here, sweetie, let me help.>>

Spent as she was, it was easy for Bridget to surrender to Val's firm, experienced, guidance, and with the Voidwalker's help, she was able to manipulate the gem just so.

<<I knew you could do it, little one.>> Val cooed. <<We just needed to burn off a bit of that grumpy energy.>>

Bridget opened her mouth to protest, but realized that she had no counter-argument, and could only blush as she realized how easily Val had played on childish impulses she thought she'd outgrown. Still, it had worked, and it was pretty awesome that she was able to manipulate so much mass with her powers.

<<Well then, hold the ring up to the closet door, and we'll see if we've keyed it correctly.>>

Bridget did so, and just as before, the white wood of her closet door was hidden behind a solid wall of blackness. This time, though, Bridget barely flinched as she entered the newly-opened gateway.

Immediately, the smell of ozone assaulted Bridget's nose, and she had to squint in the bright violet light that came down from a single giant lamp in the ceiling. But it was the sight of the room in front of her that made her gasp. There were strange devices scattered everywhere, so densely packed that there was nowhere for Bridget to actually put her feet without crushing something. The machines ranged in size from a thin, fragile set of antennae that looked like a miniature silver tree, to four black, rectangular monoliths, each taller than Bridget, arrayed in a square around the center of the room. The tiny tree produced puffs of bluish smoke; Bridget wrinkled her nose as she realized that the spindly device was the source of the smell.

It was almost impossible to figure out where one experiment ended and another began; beakers, tubes, and other storage devices bobbed gently through the air, like so much space junk. The only two spaces devoid of any objects were the area demarcated by the black rectangles, and a raised purple dais on the far end of the room. There was an indentation there full of assorted junk, the only collection of things that wasn't floating free.

Wow, what a mess! I thought I was disorganized, but this takes the cake.

But for once, Val was uninterested in parrying with a witty retort

<<Gone! Damn it, it's all gone! Of course she'd take it, how could she not, just because she didn't understand it, if it promised her what she wanted, she was always like this- how did I not see it, now everything is ruined- she's reduced my entire life's work to this- What in the void can I even- there's nothing but scraps left- I had it but she- why didn't I- I was so, so stupid!>>

Val's frantic mutterings sped up and her voice rose in pitch until her recriminations against her enemies and herself became one long, keening shriek of despair.

The sudden shattering of Val's controlled and analytical manner shocked Bridget into silence, and she felt sympathetic tears start in her eyes. But she didn't dare speak, and had no idea what she could possibly say. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Bridget summoned up the nerve to say something, at least.

Val? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...I mean, I want to help. Just tell me what to do, okay?

There was no response.

Bridget tried to send a feeling of comfort and support to Val, but when she thought in the internal direction that usually went to her passenger, her mind was wracked by waves of misery. She shook her head and steadied herself for a few moments, trying to separate out her own thoughts from Val's emotional flood. It occurred to her that there might be something in the lab she could salvage, and maybe that would help, somehow. But she couldn't see anything that looked like a hopeful prospect, even after gently pushing aside some of the various items to get a better view. The scientific part of her mind wondered how all this stuff floated, since gravity didn't seem any different in here than in her bedroom, but came up with no reasonable answer.

All right, she thought to herself. What would a Val who wasn't a complete wreck want me to do?

She'd probably have us testing every single device to determine functionality, if she wasn't pressuring us to put training pants on and play with baby blocks, Bridget answered herself wryly.

Smacking her hand against her forehead, Bridget realized that she'd left the package of pure embarrassment unsupervised in her room, and frantically prayed that neither Sami nor her parents had decided to check up on her while she was shunting between dimensions.

She hurriedly cleared a path through the debris back to the black gateway, and re-emerged into her bedroom, which was thankfully free of interlopers.

Well, she thought to herself, I've got a hiding place that's literally impossible for people to find, guess I might as well use it. She grabbed the pink package from her backpack, and held up her hand to re-open the gate in her closet.

Once inside, she put the package down, wincing a little when it bent a few wires as it landed.

Seriously, I can't believe I'm doing this, Bridget groused.

Bridget tore open the package, and pulled one of the pairs of underwear out. For all that she'd protested buying the things, she had to admit that the purple butterflies on the front were pretty cute. It was a little embarrassing to have her red skirt and underwear among all the much more scientific mess of Val's laboratory, but she reassured herself that no one but Val would ever see them anyway, and she was unlikely to care.

Even though the training pants looked tiny, the purple waistband was stretchier than Bridget expected, and pulling them into place wasn't too hard. She blushed a bit at the rustle of the plastic as she made final adjustments, and at the unfamiliar feeling of padding hugging her butt tightly, but all things considered, it wasn't too bad. Truth be told, it was actually pretty comfortable, which she was willing to admit to herself only when Val wasn't listening. Fortunately, replacing the skirt muffled most of the rustling, and she could keep looking for something in this whole mess that worked.

Bridget headed for the dais, hoping that she might find something among the machinery in it that would stir Val to science.

The moment that she crossed beyond the black obelisks, however, the air was filled with a low hum, and walls of purple energy flared to life between them. Bridget jerked back in surprise, only to have that surprise compounded as she floated up into the air. She instinctively reached out to access her power to steady herself, dreading the wave of nausea that always accompanied levitation. But this time, the wave was more like a trickle; she felt the cushion of the padding beneath her which, while it wasn't much of a substitute for solid ground, was vastly better than literal nothingness.

Hey, um, Val? Bridget inquired carefully.It looks like we might be able to salvage something here, whatever it is. And, well, I'm wearing the, ah, things you wanted me to, and it seems like they kinda help.

There was no response, but at least she didn't get outright rejected. And there was one more thing to try.

So I guess, what I'm trying to say, is, you were right, space-mommy.

<<Hm? Why would you do all that?>> Val 's voice was tentative, and still heavy with sadness, but at least it was a response.

Well, I was worried, and I thought it might make you feel better if I did, so you'd come back and help me again.

<<You're a sweetheart, little one. I'm...not sure what I'd do without you.>>

Bridget blinked furiously, trying to clear her eyes.

Are you okay? Is there anything I can do?

<<I'll be fine. It's just, well, a lot of memories and time to lose.>>

<<I know how much you hated the idea of wearing training pants for flight practice, but I'm gratified that they perform as I expected.>>

Eh, I've had worse.

<<So, in any case, since you've found the medium-scale gravitational alteration field, why don't we try acclimating you to abrupt changes in direction after an impact?>>

You mean bouncing? Bridget asked, suppressing a smile.

<<That's what I said,>> Val replied.

Sure.

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  • Selpharia changed the title to Of Capes, Cowls, and Cuddles (New Issue 2 Chapter 10 up! 11/20/17)

loGreat chapter! You could really feel Bridget's anxiety over Val's outburst, like a young child seeing their mommy cry. Up until now, I'd never thought of the full ramifications of having someone else in your head. What happens when that person is having an emotional breakdown? Sure, we saw Val experience terror in chapter 7, but she only used that to drive Bridget to safety. This time, however, Bridget couldn't do anything to help and it was tearing her up inside. I'd almost like to see that taken to an extreme at some point. Like Agent Washington in RvB when he was implanted with the Epsilon AI fragment and it nearly drove him Insane.

The long-promised introduction of diapers was a little underwhelming, but that is to be expected. The real fun will come when she has to wear them in public. Or when someone discovers her secret. Or if she ever has to use them! Although I can't exactly see that happening, I would be most pleased if it did. :) But no pressure if that's not in your plans. I said it before & I'll say it again I would read this story even if it had no ABDL content whatsoever because it's just so good!

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Thank you for the comments! It’s still early days for the diaper stuff; it’s important to me that this go slowly and build realistically, which means that it’ll take a while for Bridget to get used to this so that  scenes like the one you’re talking about can happen and not seem out of nowhere. I always find disbelief hard to suspend when the needs of the genre take over any sense of verisimilitude, when a situation goes from 0 to baby too fast. It’s just not believable to me that anyone would just wake up one day, and decide to treat someone who’s pretty much an adult like a baby, and that the whole world just bends to accommodate them.  So my favorite stories are those where the transition is appropriately gradual, or where the normal rules are suspended to make a faster transition possible.

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I’m also glad we finally get more of Val being emotionally vulnerable: one of the things that makes her so fun to write is how full of contradictions she is. Val projects a very cool, unflappable, analytical version of herself, and it’s a lot of fun to take a peek behind that mask. I don’t want to spoil too much, but there’s more there, and we’ll definitely see some of that before too long 

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I am very pleased to see this story back and with new chapters. I enjoyed the new chapters very much. Seems like Bridget is refining her powers pretty good. Val is able to manipulate her easily. I wonder now with Val discovering all her missing work will she be able to focus enough to keep moving the pair forward?  I am looking forward to reading more. 

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Thank you both! I'm glad the great forum Ragnarok didn't drive everyone away, and I really appreciate everyone's patience, which I can now reward with a new chapter!

Issue 2: Chapter 11- Party of Two

Val had called the space between the four obelisks a “medium-scale field,” but it was plenty big for Bridget to float around in, turning the tiniest hop into a magnificent and graceful leap. Adding her own powers to the mix, she could turn what was already the world's most scientifically-advanced bounce house into a stage for an impossible three-dimensional solo ballet. Outside the field, she hadn't messed much with rotational motion, since flying was already so difficult. But with the field reducing her resistance, and the padding as a reminder and guide to where she should put the force to keep herself aloft, it was easy to get lost in pirouettes and arabesques that would put any land-bound prima to shame.

Bridget was quickly wrapped up in the thrill of flight, and found herself giggling with the sheer exhilaration of it. She rose, swooped and dove with abandon, a rustly crinkle marking each bounce and twirl. More than once, Val interrupted her gravitational acrobatics with a chiding, <<Careful, little one. I know you're excited to play, but we can't let you fall,>> as she careened too close to the outer limits of the field. This didn't bother Bridget much, though, easy flight within the violet walls was far too much fun, and Val seemed content to let her do what she wanted without nagging as long as she stayed away from the edge.

The experience was far too enjoyable for Bridget to keep an accurate account of how much time had passed, but Val kept much more careful track.

<<All right, sweetie, time to finish up,>> she declared, helping Bridget float gently to the ground after a particularly effervescent leap. <<That was excellent work, but we ought to return soon, or others may wonder where you've gone.>>

“Awww, come on!” Bridget protested. “Just a little more?”

<<Sorry, little miss, no more flight for today. It's good to see you so enthusiastic, but I'm afraid your physical form would be damaged and exhausted if we were to go longer.>>

“That's ridiculous!” she retorted, determinedly ignoring her heavy breathing and the pounding headache that hours of power use had given her, but she'd been too distracted by playing to notice.

<<Another day.>> Val's voice was calm, but insistent, and no further wheedling would persuade her to let Bridget access their shared powers.

“Fiiiine,” she sighed, changing out of her rustling flight gear and back into her normal clothes. The cloth felt so strange after spending so much time in her flight gear, like she'd been running with weights around her ankles that had suddenly dropped off. She felt a twinge of regret that she had to leave their support and their snugness and the boost it provided to her aerial abilities behind, but the thought of being discovered with them on was too terrible to contemplate. Shaking her head at the errant thought, Bridget used the ring to summon the portal again, and stepped though.

She emerged on the other side, back in her terribly ordinary, gravitationally uniform bedroom, just in time to hear the sound of footsteps and an impatient knock on her door.

'Bridget! Let's go! We were supposed to leave for your sister's gala fifteen minutes ago!” Her father called from the other side.

“Ugh! Can't the whole town celebrate her without me?”

“Bridget.” Her father's voice was suddenly quiet, all its volume turned to flinty sternness. “Be ready in five minutes, or we will have words.” His footsteps receded down the stairs.

Crap! Of course tonight would be the one stupid Sami celebration I can't get out of.

Bridget began rustling through her drawers and closets for an outfit she could pull together in her father's time limit, and that would pass muster at a formal event. The only clothes she had that met the qualifications and that hadn't found its way into one of the piles of already-worn outfits spread out on the floor was a light pink dress with black lace on the hem and sleeves. For a moment, it seemed like she would get off easy in the clothing department, but then she discovered why it was so pristine. The dress was just a bit too small for her, and try as she might to wriggle herself into it, it just wouldn't quite fit.

“Ugh! Why am I so freaking fat?” she chastised herself under her breath.

<<I do not think this is the case. Perhaps, I do not understand the ritualistic significance of this particular article that makes fitting into it the sole barometer of whether or not your weight is acceptable, but there is an alternative that you haven't considered.

Okay, then, why don't you quit monologuing so smugly and tell me!

<<I am a chief science officer, thank you very much, little miss.>> Val huffed, <<Monologuing is a privilege that comes with the position. They may take my work, they may ransack my lab, but they will never take my speeches!>>

Bridget sighed.

<<Now, as I was saying,>> Val began again unctuously, <<you could employ our powers to produce the proper force vectors to aid you in fitting your material form into that fabric wrapping, as it is unlikely that you will put significant strain on it once you pass the spatial bottleneck.>>

Normally, Bridget would have rolled her eyes at Val's grandstanding over such a trivial matter. Coming up with a gravitic corset was hardly the kind of revolutionary research her passenger was so fond of. But, as irritating as self-satisfied Val could be, it was much better, Bridget thought, to have her that way, than distraught and inconsolable over the loss of her work. And sure enough, with a bit of Voidwalker energy to help her squeeze in, the dress fit well enough, even if her tummy felt uncomfortably tight.

<<See, little one? Science triumphs again!>> Val crowed.

Yeah, okay, you were right, Bridget admitted. But science is also lucky that I have a cardigan to cover the less attractive parts of its victory. She glared balefully down at where the protruding outline of her belly was visible beneath the fabric, then floated a black cardigan over and donned it, fastening a few buttons to hide the unsightly bulge.

<<Human particularity about clothing their physical forms is so odd. Shouldn't a frame filled with stored nutrients be a symbol of high status and desirability, a sign of superior vitality and access to resources?>>

Maybe. Don't blame me, I didn't make the rules.

Bridget slipped into her nearest pair of heels, grabbed her cosmetics bag from atop her vanity, stuffed it in her purse, and headed for the door. She thundered down the stairs, and out the door, so quickly that her father barely had time to look up from his phone before Bridget's “I'll be out in the car!” and the sound of the front door slamming reached his ears.

The ride was thankfully uneventful, and even though her father drove faster than was usual or wise, Bridget managed to do a passable job of making herself presentable for a formal celebration but the time the gold lettering of the marble sign welcoming them to White Oak Lodge was visible in their headlights. The lodge itself oozed the feeling of old money. It was a red brick building with an impeccably manicured lawn, and small touches of opulence everywhere, from the white columns at the entrance to the eerily lifelike statues of Greek deities that adorned the fountain in the back, gazing upon new arrivals with blank stone eyes. As they winded their way along the drive, Bridget caught sight of a glass greenhouse where exotic flowers in a riot of colors basked in the glow of sun lamps, unperturbed by the chill of the air outside.

“I'll drop you off and go find parking. Let your mom know I'll be in as soon as I can.”

Bridget nodded and obeyed, nearly leaping out of the passenger door as soon as her father reached the curb out front.

To her surprise, she was met by the sight of a man in a prim navy suit, walking toward her with crisp purpose.

She barely had time to let out a confused “Huh?” before the man passed her and strode coolly up to her father on the other side of the car.

“Sir, this is entirely irregular.” The man smiled, an expression as full of courtesy as it was devoid of human warmth. “Guests aren't to bring vehicles directly to the front, especially not after an event has started. Please see Rodolfo in the valet parking area over there, and he'll...take care of you.”

“Oh,” her father replied awkwardly, “right, right, forgot all about that. Sorry, not used to this, you know?” He grinned sheepishly.

“Of course, sir.” The man's accent was vaguely European, but hard to place. The tone of disdain in his voice, however, was unmistakable, as he pointed a gloved finger toward a section of the campus where row upon row of luxury cars gleamed beneath halogen lamps. Her father's blue minivan trundled its way between them, a dusty hobbyhorse intruding in a stable full of purebred stallions. Bridget did her best not to look at the concierge while she made her way toward the light of the front door.

The foyer of the building was mercifully empty of other guests, and the only sound Bridget heard was the echoing clack of her own white heels on the black tile floor. Massive, gold-framed oil portraits of costumed heroes and richly-dressed dignitaries in somber idleness dominated the hall, but provide no guidance to Bridget as she looked around for her destination.

“Excuse me, miss. Can I help you?” Bridget started as the lady at the receptionist's desk, a woman wearing horn-rimmed glasses with her grey hair in a tight bun, called out to her from behind a polished wooden desk at the far side of the foyer.

“Um, I'm looking for the main reception hall, I think? Where they're presenting the key to the city?”

“Oh, yes, Shelby Hall. Could I see your ID please?”

Bridget fished in her purse for her license, and handed it over to the woman. After a few moments of awkward fidgeting, the receptionist returned it, and pointed her down a maze of white hallways.

Bridget made her way uncertainly through the corridors, as quickly as she could manage. She made a few wrong turns in the process, but before long, she picked up the indistinct sound of human speech. With that to guide her, she was able to find the ornate wooden doors that marked her destination.

She tried her best to make a stealthy entrance, but the loud squeak of brass hinges might as well have been a herald announcing her arrival. At least a hundred people turned to look at her, and she very nearly turned tail and ran then and there. Her eyes darted around the room-- luckily able to pick out a familiar blonde in a familiar mantle and a yellow-and-red hero uniform with a starburst emblem on the chest. Doing her best to ignore everyone else and not to wonder whether they were whispering about her as she passed, she made her way toward Sami and the rest of the Stalwart Six.

As she approached her sister and her friends, she saw her mother at the table next to them, staring at her with face ashen and lips pursed in a glower of disapproval. Suddenly, it felt more like she was walking to her own execution. But before she could reach her mother and receive what would no doubt be a blistering scolding for tardiness, there was a sudden clink of metal on glass. In an instant, everyone was seated and silent, except for one red-haired woman, decked in a white pantsuit and a string of enormous pearls, who stood in front of the central table, a microphone in her hand.

Without thinking, Bridget dove for the nearest seat, an empty chair between Isis and Kendra.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” the speaker began crisply, “luminaries of the League of Virtue,” she nodded toward a group of older heroes, whose uniforms were far too expensive-looking to be crime-fighting gear, “it is my profound pleasure to welcome you to this joyous occasion, where we celebrate the safety of our city, and honor the upstanding young heroes who have made our peaceful lives possible...” She continued in this vein for a while, but Bridget was quickly distracted by a sound much closer at hand.

“Bridget!” Sami hissed, eyes wide. “That's the dean's seat! What the hell are you doing?”

Bridget's cheeks flushed a deeper crimson than she'd ever thought possible.

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  • Selpharia changed the title to Of Capes, Cowls, and Cuddles (New Issue 2 Chapter 11 up! 12/04/17)

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