Imperator (W/Bravely Second) - Complete

[JonBerry]

Time to jump on the bandwagon. Damned bunnies!

-----
Prologue - Taylor

Taylor's father wasn't hers. Her father, that is. He never implied that he would or should be. He was her guardian, taking up the mantle after both of her parents were killed in the car crash. At least the other driver bought it too. But this stranger had taken up the mantle of protecting her in the weeks after the accident, and before she left the hospital. Alan Barnes, and some people from the Dockworker's Association all kept in touch to make sure she was alright, and to check out the new guy.

He welcomed them with open arms which allayed their suspicions.

"I will never ask you to give up the memory of your family," he told her one day in that baritone voice of his. "To deny ones past, even if you wish to destroy it is folly. They loved you dearly, and you should love them in return."

It was like having an uncle. One she never had before.

That summer, she went to camp, like her mother had planned.

She returned the week before school started, and went over to see Emma, to catch up.

Emma slammed the door in her face.

She told her Uncle/Guardian, and he responded by sitting her down at the kitchen table (apparently he spent the whole summer practising cooking), and bid her to be silent as he called Mr. Barnes to straighten things out.

After polite greetings, he got down to business. "Alan, Taylor tells me that your daughter slammed the door shut in her face earlier today. She is quite hurt by that, and I was wondering if you knew anything about that."

"Not really," Mr. Barnes replied. "I knew she came over, but Emma didn't say anything to me."

"Curious." Her guardian sat back and thought about it, scratching his chin. "While I will deny knowing anything proper about the minds of teenaged girls, and cannot make assumptions or conclusions, perhaps you could talk to her more directly? If this is just a storm that will blow over, best the winds die down sooner rather than later. And I will talk to Taylor again, and see if she knows anything."

"That sounds like a good idea. She's been hiding in her room way too much lately anyway."

"That is all I can ask of you, my friend." He looked at Taylor and nodded. "Please, if you find anything, even if it just a passing phase, let me know so I can act appropriately."

"I will. Let me know if you get anything out of Taylor."

With that, the conversation ended, and he turned to her. "That is all I can do at this point," he said firmly. "However, I ask that you not attempt to force the issue with your friend. Let Alan talk to her first. Speak to her in a week, when you return to school, and it is my sincerest hope that this will simply pass."

* * *

The first day of high school. September 2009. She took the bus, and faced the first day of the rest of her life. Or at least, that's what it said on the sign by the road. She would make amends with Emma, and everything would be right in the world.

Then things went wrong.

Emma still hated her, and with her new friend Sophia, did everything she could to hurt her that day, burning their friendship with vitriol.

She complained to the principal, and in turn, her guardian was called in to help address the issue.

So she waited in the front room of Blackwell's office, Emma and Sophia across from her, faces hard.

Mr. Barnes came in first, and took his daughter aside to talk to her, leaving the black girl to change her expression to one more thoughtful. Then her guardian arrived, looking like had decided to run from work across the city. Which he didn't, she knew. He probably got a ride. Still didn't have a license.

"Hello, Taylor." Even now, he was formal, but warm with her. "How are you?"

"Better," she replied.

"What happened?"

"If you don't mind," Principal Blackwell said from her open door, "I think we would all like to hear this at once, and resolve the situation peacefully."

Her guardian stood up and faced the Principal. "I would like that very much," he said. "Alan? After you."

"Thanks. Emma." At her father's stern call, Emma entered the office, her tag-along a step behind. Then it was Taylor's turn. She stepped in, and her guardian was last, closing the door behind them, then taking a seat, pairing with Mr. Barnes to separate the teenagers.

"Now, explain to your parents," Blackwell didn't bother to distinguish Taylor's situation, "why I had to call them in from work."

Taylor tried to speak, but Emma jumped in. "It was her!" she pointed at Taylor, "she was making things up!" Beside her, the new girl nodded in affirmation.

"I would like to hear these allegations, true or false," Taylor's representative said, his voice losing none of its power. "It would be best if all parties were to communicate evenly."

"I'll make you a lawyer yet," Barnes said with a trace of a smile. "You and your words."

"Another time," he replied with familiar pacing. "Taylor?"

So Taylor described what happened, how Emma verbally attacked her in the halls, and how she felt that the trip she had at lunch, spilling her food may have not been an accident.

Blackwell, for her part, looked like she wanted to put her hands in her face, but maintained a calm professionalism. "What do you have to say about this?" she addressed the two girls farthest from Taylor.

"She's lying," Sophia said without hesitation. "Making stuff up."

"I wonder," her guardian said the moment Sophia paused to draw breath, "what your stake in this is. And if you do have a stake in this discussion, surely the honourable Blackwell would not deny you your own adult here, much as Alan and I are here for ours?"

"He has a point," Alan said, "I don't even think I know your name."

"Sophia Hess," she introduced herself, and Taylor finally had a last name to go with the first. "And I don't need an adult."

The three adults shared a look, Blackwell apologizing with her eyes. "I don't want to take up any more of your time," she said, "but it occurs to me that this is not the best use of any of your times. If I may, perhaps you gentlemen can take your girls home with you, and discuss their proper behaviours? I have enough troubles as it is without needing to deal with this."

"That's a good idea," Mr. Barnes said, standing. "Emma, come on."

"But dad!"

"But nothing," he repeated. "if your new friend needs a ride, I can give it." He turned to Taylor and her guardian. "I'll talk to you later."

"Of course, Alan," he replied with an offered hand to shake. "We should compare notes and make certain we are all aware of all the details." He offered a hand to the Principal. "Thank you for letting us know about this, my dear. It is my sincerest hope that this can be resolved without further darkening your door."

Blackwell responded with a shake and a smile of her own. "I hope so too, Mr. Geneolgia."

"Please," he kept up his smile. "Call me Denys."

 

[JonBerry]

I waited for Taylor to collect her things, then led her out to the white van I arrived in. Alan and his daughter - Hess as well apparently - were long gone. I knocked on the door, and was opened from the inside. "Hello, Hannah," I greeted the woman dressed in civilian clothes. "Thank you again for driving me."

Taylor got in, and I followed, carefully closing the door with my fake hand before strapping myself in. "No problem," Hannah replied as she started the vehicle and made to pull out of the parking lot. "Short meeting?"

"Very," I confirmed for her. "It seems Taylor, and a possible former friend had a falling out today that escalated."

Taylor turned to look away from me, out the darkened windows.

"Say no more," Hanna replied with a slight smirk. "I was a teenager, once."

"Taylor, this is Hannah. Hanna, Taylor." I introduced the two of them properly. "Hannah works in a different department than I, but was willing to take me here for you."

"Thank you," Taylor replied, her politeness showing through.

"No problem!" Hannah replied jovially, but kept her eyes forward. "So, am I dropping you off at home?"

"Actually," I shake my head, "I might be late for a meeting, and if Taylor is amicable to it, we can stop in front of the building, let her out, and she can take the bus home."

Taylor thought about it, I could see it in her eyes. "Sure," she replied after a moment's decision. "Are you going to be running late?"

I gave a dramatic sigh. "Most likely. There's a conference meeting with some people in Los Angelos..."

"You can say that it's with the PR chuckleheads in LA," Hannah interrupted me. "You and your thespian aversion to contractions."

"Regardless", I glared at her, "due to the difference in hour, they would not accommodate me, and they choose to harangue me on their schedule. I would deny them, but alas," I waved my gloved hand in the air, "such things would not be appropriate."

Taylor smiled behind her hand. "You can't fool me," she said. "You'll either bore them to tears or have them wrapped around your finger in five minutes."

Her assessment was not inaccurate. "Perhaps, but it is hard enough fending off requests to move to the New York branch as it is." This was a discussion I had with Taylor before. Well, not a discussion, and more informing her of my denial. I will not move so soon after entering her life, taking her with me simply to convenience a few people. I am a man of my word, and that word meant I would conform to Taylor's life.

I asked Taylor about her schoolwork, and was pleased that she was already mentally preparing for her assignments. It was a good memory, comparing her aptitude to Yew's during his time in Al-Khampus.

Soon, we arrived at the Protectorate building, and I let Taylor pass me by. "Do you still have your phone?" I asked.

"Yeah," Taylor pulled the device out of her jacket pocket, and I nodded. "You'll call when you're done?"

"I will," I promised.

Taylor turned, and vanished into the crowd. I closed the door and Hannah pulled away, headed for the garage. "Good kid," she said.

"I think she and my brother would have hit it off splendidly," I informed her. "They are both of the studious bent."

We entered the garage, and Hanna presented her pass to the security checkpoint. "You ready for work?" she asked as the pass was accepted and returned. "Or do you need some family time?"

I shook my head. "I deny that I am needed. Taylor is stronger than you give her credit for." The van pulled into the marked space, and we both extricated ourselves. I waited for her my the plain door that led into the building. "So, I am ready for a long evening of writing scripts for those of a less oratory bent than I. Have you any plans?"

"I think I'm going to watch a marathon of some South American soap," Hannah snarked right back. I rested my hand on the glass window in the door, and tapped out my passcode with the fake hand. With both security measures confirmed, the door opened, and I, gentleman that I am, held the door for the lady.

She took the stairs two at a time, quickly ascending out of my sight. I moved at a slower pace, letting her get ahead. It was good exercise, this. Not like the automatic lifts. I didn't like the things, and much preferred the exercise this gave me.

Reaching my floor, I gave my clearance at the door again, the security measures at once old and new to my sensibilities. The door was unbarred, and I passed through, nodding at the camera sitting in one corner. A right, a left, and another left, and I passed into my office.

Damned computer. The thing taunted me. I ignored it as I headed for the back room.

Inside was my costume. I changed out of the civilian attire and put it on. A black underlayer, full of some Tinker material, to act as the final defense against attacks. Over that, cloth, armor, more cloth, then my cape, and finally my helmeted mask. The forward design was the same as my domino mask, and I checked to make sure the hair that poked out maintained the sharp features I was known for.

According to Clockblocker, I was already in possession of the fifth most popular beard in the Protectorate, Armsmaster still in first. I would not deny him his well-earned victory. It was indeed an impressive work.

I strode out the back way, through narrow passages and up another flight of stairs. I emerged from a door, only to find Miss Militia already waiting for me. "Miss Militia," I greeted her with a slight bow.

"Imperator." She responded with a nod of her own. To each their own, my own flourishes and her sternness. "If you haven't checked your messages yet," my failings at modern technology well known in the short time I had taken employment here, "the Director wishes to speak to you as soon as you can, then Armsmaster after that."

"It seems my work is never done," I proclaimed, getting back into the character of the moment. "Did either of them say why?"

"No, but you are on Console tonight, so they probably have more work for you."

"Most likely," I agreed. I was still probationary, especially after my introduction to the public. Pride and Foolishness indeed. "I believe... Dauntless is my minder this evening?"

She nodded. "He and I are on first response."

"Clockblocker and Vista on the Boardwalk; Triumph and Aegis downtown." I recited the schedule from memory. It was only polite to check with her. I did not want to seem condescending in my work. "I presume this is more leadership training for those two?"

Miss Militia nodded. "Yes. I'm going to get ready for my patrol. Check in as soon as you can."

"I will. Thank you."

"Just don't spend all your time writing speeches!" she called out as she walked away, heading for the staging area.

"I deny that!" I called back, "I read them as well!"

* * *

The Director did not rule her corner of the world from high above. She preferred to be lower to the ground, which, from what I had heard, was the result of her time as a line soldier. She wanted to remind them and her that she was not above them.

Good woman. I liked her, abrasive personality aside.

I entered her office, and waited patiently. My time in the Crystalguard and beyond had instilled in me the appropriate measure of patience. One of her favourite tactics was to draw out the beginning of a meeting, to better pressure my more tumultuous co-workers in the professional Hero business.

She did not play games with me today. "Imperator," she greeted me without looking up from her infernal machine. I had half a mind to name mine 'Anne' out of spite.

"Director. I apologize for the delay. Family business."

"It's fine," she waved it off. "You called and let us know."

This was curious. She was being downright polite. I knew better than to risk it. "What did you want of me?"

She shoved a pile of paperwork my way, my old nemesis returning. "This came in for you regarding your civilian identity." I took it, and knew that Miss Militia was right about her precognition. "Get it done."

"I will," I said, and meant it. "Is there anything else? Armsmaster wishes to speak with me as well."

"That's it," she said. I bowed slightly, and left. Not once had she looked up from her machine.

My next stop was the Tinker's lab. I went down another flight of stairs, then further to the back of the building. Another knock, and I waited for Armsmaster to allow me entry. I didn't have to wait long, as unlike the Director, the engineer whom I was meeting now dispensed with the pleasantries, not out of some idea of power, but because he simply wanted to get to the heart of the matter as soon as possible.

A lack of social graces, as those less understanding than I would put it.

The door opened, and the man stood there in his full armor. Odd, given that he wasn't scheduled to patrol this evening, but I did not let that stop me. "Yes?" I forwent my usual manner of speaking to better reach his level of operation.

He handed me a small folder, which I took. "Tecton, Chicago Ward. Had ideas regarding artificial musculature for their armor. I thought you should review, regarding your arm."

"I will, as soon as I can." I promised, but it was not my top priority. "Anything else?"

"No." Armsmaster closed the door, and went back to his work. Either that, or I had interrupted his time with Dragon. I had not yet had the privilege of speaking to the distant young woman, but all whom I heard discuss the issue agreed that the relationship was a good one, but slow to develop.

I hoped that, in the new world my brother implored of the Celestials, that Aimee and Angelo found their own happiness.

But that was enough of that. I had to head to the control Console, and settle in for a long night of overwatch and paperwork.

 

[gavinjon]

Very interesting. I honestly have absolutely no idea what is happening or where this is heading, but it's well written so I'll (most likely) stay around. If you could clue us clueless readers into the truth, that would be great!

 

[JonBerry]

Very interesting. I honestly have absolutely no idea what is happening or where this is heading, but it's well written so I'll (most likely) stay around. If you could clue us clueless readers into the truth, that would be great!

Click to shrink...

I'm keeping some of the background plot under my hat (not the least of which is because it's pretty much a Unicorn in the Garden - you have to accept it for the story to work, but anything more than a casual glance will cause it to fall apart), but Denys Geneolgia, also known as Kaiser Oblivion, is an antagonist in the video game "Bravely Second", a Final Fantasy spinoff. He leaves the plot at the end of Chapter 5, and returns at the end of Chapter 6 in the game, and the conceit is that this takes place while he is off camera. Some details will be revealed in the fullness of time, but for now, I want to write forward and not get bogged down on the irrelevant details.

I have planned 5 arcs and an Epilogue. They are, in order,

Spoiler

Empire, Shadow, Training, Response, Demons and Bravery

. So there is a distinct beginning, middle and end, unlike my other works, which suffer from being drawn out too much without a firm resolution in mind.

 

[Random]

"Regardless", I glared at her,

Click to shrink...

I keep saying this to myself, does it feel weird to anyone else putting emphasis on just the second part of the word.

Also the first chapter is interlude 0? Wouldn't that just be the prologue.

 

[JonBerry]

I keep saying this to myself, does it feel weird to anyone else putting emphasis on just the second part of the word.

Also the first chapter is interlude 0? Wouldn't that just be the prologue.

Click to shrink...

A deliberate choice on Denys' part to draw attention to the word.
And I can change that. Gimme a moment!

 

[TigerTitian]

I'm looking forward to this. I wonder what a man who's visited a future so far away it'll never arrive will change in world like Worm.

 

[JonBerry]

I am trying to keep a backlog of five chapters, so to give me some breathing room. So with the que full, it's time to push out another chapter!

-----

If Anne was a horrid machine, then I had to admit the Console was something even worse. The large map rose above me, showing the city of Brockton Bay and local environs. Highlighted colours, fading away from the edges, showed off the limits of the various criminal organizations in the city. The two largest were the yellow of the Empire Eighty Eight under Panzer, and the various Asian Gangs under the command of the dragon Lung.

Dragon, not D'gon I had to remind myself.

"Hey there, Imperator," Dauntless greeted me, his helmet off, showing off his rugged face. "Heard you were going to be late."

"A said state of affairs, I assure you." I showed off the papers I had collected. "Director Piggot and Armsmaster both have tasked me so."

"Well, we're looking at a quiet night," Dauntelss turned back to the large board. "The villain-formerly-known-as-Kaiser..."

"Yes, yes, remind me!" I shook my head. "Still being called to task in Germania?"

"Germany, yes." My cover story was that I was a refugee from eastern Europe, explaining my odd tilt of speaking, as well as covering for my lack of knowledge about this word so far from my own. Not that I knew much about my supposed previous abode, but it was enough. I suspected that some of the papers the Director gave me was to help with that. "Anyway, he's still out of town, and Purity is holding the line against the Bridge," he pointed to the area where the Nazis pressed up against the ill-organized dregs of society. It wasn't a matter of taking the ground, it was a matter of holding it. "And Lung is quiet," the last major group was sedate as well.

Ah, where the trees fell when I introduced myself to the public in order to prevent the innocent from being harmed.

"You want to take the lead on briefing the Wards?" he offered.

I accepted, of course. "It would be my pleasure." I bowed slightly, setting the papers down at the same time. "Restore your mask, and I will summon them."

Dauntless fixed his helmet in place, then gave me the thumbs up. I activated the announcement device on the console after assuring myself that it would to the staging area for the youthful heroes of the city. "Wards, report to the Console."

The four of them filed in after the trip from their lounge. Dauntless stood behind me, giving me the floor before them.

"Thank you for making yourselves available this evening," I greeted them. "Dauntless has asked that I provide you with your assignments tonight, and to assist you through the Console."

"How long are you gonna be on probation?" Clockblocker asked, the young man speaking his mind clearly. "I wanna see you on the street!" He gave a couple of punches in the air, indicating why he wished to see me on the front lines.

"I will be here until my training is complete," I pointed out. "Until then, I must content myself with guiding you from afar."

"I look forward to that," Triumph said, the eldest of the Wards taking a more diplomatic approach. "You have our assignments?"

"Correct," I gestured at the map behind me with my false-arm. "Dauntless and Miss Militia are on quick response this evening, and should that occur, I will move to support them, rather than leading from here. So, should you require assistance, do not hesitate to call. While I trust that you are the experts in your own devices, I will not put you at risk, necessary or not. Help will come." I attempted to impress on them that while they are Heroes, heroics are not the order of the night.

"Clockblocker, Vista, your patrol zone in the Boardwalk," I indicated the open marketplace that faced the ocean, and adjacent streets. "This is simply a show-the-flag deployment. Appear, be seen, bask the adulations of your adoring public."

Vista didn't like that, by the way she looked away. I moved to cut that off. "Vista, I deny that this is some form of insult against you and your abilities. You and Clockblocker are, in your own ways, the two most personable members of your team when facing the public eye. This is not a case of being 'instead of' your power, but a case of 'in addition to'. Please, tolerate this, for I do value you and your contributions past and present to this organization." I lowered my voice, and got to one knee to address the child in front of me. She had much to learn, and I knew from experience that she wasn't willing to wait, or see the value in waiting.

It wasn't much, but it was enough. "Clockblocker, do you have any questions?"

"Nope!" he replied jovially. "At least you're honest about this. Halbeard would drone on and on about things. I'll make sure to bring extra swag from the gift shop."

"Excellent!" I stepped up and back. "Triumph, Aegis." The more mature pair stood at attention. Had I been a training sergeant, I would have found many faults, but I ignored those. "For you, Downtown is your domain. Patrol and protect as you see fit, and be aware that we are nearby to assist."

Triumph nodded formally. "I understand sir."

"Sir," Aegis raised his hand to ask a question, "why are we not patrolling into the gang territories?"

I was being tested. I could feel the gaze of Dauntless behind me. "At this point," I stood tall and royal, a familiar stance from my time as Kaiser Oblivion, "we are waiting to see which way the criminals fall before acting." I looked at each of them in turn. "We are not pushing, lest they push back at us. Rather, let them make the first move against each other. Your visibility is a reminder that we are who we are, standing proudly in the light. Let them see us, and turn their thoughts, dark and cowardly, towards the actions of those they cannot see. For in not seeing, they will let their imagination fill in the blanks." I took a beat to let them keep their attention on me, a simple technique, "Their thoughts will ask them what they would do if they were out of sight of their foes, and they will, cunning and cruel that they are, dream them doing the same. Thus, they would expend their efforts defending themselves from those that they know would strike at them from the shadows."

I gave them a cruel smile of my own, "And they will strike at each other, the biggest threats in their minds." The cruelty went away, but the smile did not. "So go forth! See and be seen! Enjoy the fruits of our victories, and they will taste all the sweeter as our foes defeat themselves!"

I may have gone a bit in excess, but they were still feeling me out as a leader, and a large impression now would pay dividends in the future. Best to get it out of the way, and establish that I actually knew what I was doing, and why, rather than acting hasty and without a plan.

I dismissed the Wards, and after they left, turned back to Dauntless. He spoke before I could. "Hit them with both barrels, huh?"

Unsure of his idiom as I was, I simply accepted it as a form of compliment. "I would not say that. Rather, I would say that Impressed upon them that what may seem innocuous and below their station may be more than that. They are children yet, and I cannot expect them to have the training or inclination to understand grand strategy."

"Or that you're BSing them."

That was an idiom I recognized. "I refute your assertion," I made to remove my own helm and put the communications device over my ears and in front of my face. "Those who do not believe their own words are easy to have their deceptions unravelled. I merely made reasonable conjecture, and impressed upon them one such possible endgame."

"That, and you didn't want to tell them that we don't want them anywhere near the most likely spots where fighting will happen, should it go down."

I looked at Dauntless, if he thought less of me, or I of him for that remark. I chose to deflect. "Let us see if Triumph or Aegis come to the same conclusion. They are leaders, retiring and ascending. They should be thinking about these things."

Dauntless seemed to evaluate me behind his helm. I stood my ground. He relented. "This is Console, everyone check in."

"Miss Militia, standing by."
"Clockblocker and Vista, already on the move."
"Triumph and Aegis, on patrol."

"This is Console," I spoke into the device about my head, "I hear you clearly. Good luck out there."

 

[Green0Photon]

Didn't read the source material, but the last bit was perfect.

 

[HarpoonX]

He's really charismatic, very charismatic... and considering that he's a former villain, I guess that this is his way of reforming? I don't know because I don't play the FF series.

 

[JonBerry]

The first bit of Console duty was quiet. I spent my time reading over the documents the Director gave me, and watching the large map of the city with the dots that displayed the locations of our teams.

The people of this Eartbet had the capacity to move information around their world that made even the greatest source of communication on Luxendarc a frivolous pastime. While I certainly did not want to insult the efforts of Minette, the sheer scope and scale was different.

I signed off on another set of papers, my signature cursive and flourished as appropriate. Dauntless was busy on one of the side computers, the forum that apparently everyone had an ear to. "Anything interesting?" I asked, to help pass the time, and to help establish a rapport with my co-worker.

"On PHO?" Dauntless waved his device in the air. "Check it out for yourself."

"I decline," I held up the papers in front of me. "These occupy my eyes and my hands, so I must depend upon others to be my ears."

"Vista here, starting to loop back." The voice of the young lady appeared in my ear, and I paused to respond.

"Thank you, Vista. How fares Clockblocker?" The dots on the map indicated that they had reached the end of the Boardwalk, and therefore their proper check-in time and place.

"He's Clockblocker. What else is new?" I could hear the dismissive shrug in her voice, and I decided to subtly chastise her for it.

"Perhaps then, if he is otherwise distracted, you should take charge?"

Vista did not immediately respond, and Dauntless snapped around to give me a worried look. I held up one hand to forestall his commentary. "Or," I shifted my tone down to me more gentle, recalling Minette in one of her moods, "you should recall my comments before you left, my dear Vista." Do not call her young. She was sensitive about that, "Your duty is to attract attention, and that is what Clockblocker is doing in his own way." I paused to let her consider that, but not enough time to fully develop a response. "While I am certain that you too are doing your duties to the best of your ability, you should not assume that the others are doing anything less than theirs. Console, out."

Dauntless looked sternly at me. "A bit harsh, don't you think?"

"Vista," I sighed as I collected my thoughts, "has certain ideas about how the world works, and the difference between adults and children therein. She wishes to cross into the majority, but does not yet see the world in a way that would allow it. You are right, it is harsh, and I have no wish to deprive a child of their rightful, youthful joys." I broke his gaze. "But sometimes, there is no other way, but to show them a small degree of harsh insight, that they might better appreciate their own joys."

"You have some odd notions about child rearing," Dauntless sat back down, and returned to his own readings much as I went back to mine.

Triumph and Aegis reported in, with no concerns.

Miss Militia reported her usual boredom with being forced to wait.

I read, and signed. Then at last, I came to the dreaded part. The information granted to me by Armsmaster.

I understood nothing of it, though the diagrams and drawing were technically proficient and they appeared at first glance to be compatible with my own prosthetic arm. I gave up after a few minutes puzzling over esoteric words like 'nano-fibres' and 'carbon-bonded lattice structure'. What a naval term in ship construction had to do with me was beyond my comprehension. I set the works down and resolved to give Armsmaster a very firm and polite declination of his offer, and to content myself with simple repairs and maintenance.

"Tinkers, am I right?" Dauntless must have seen something on my face.

"It is not my place to offend a specialist in their field," I admitted diplomatically, "but this is not something I can give a response to."

"May I?" He asked as he reached for the papers. "I'll even fill out your PHO responses for you!"

While the thought of having a personal scribe appealed to me, I had to decline. I passed the archaic schematics to him. "I must practice for myself," I said. "Though I must also be mindful of the limits placed on me by Director Piggot."

Dautless ignored me and flipped through the papers. He turned them sideways and upside down, confusion on his face. "Maybe our new Tinker, Kid Win can make heads or tails of this."

I had no real interaction with the young engineer. He was, like me, a new addition to the roster of heroes in Brockton Bay, and we simply had not crossed paths to any great extent. "Perhaps," I answered as non-committally as possible, "though is it wise to put such pressure on him while he is still finding his footing?"

My minder considered that. "Yeah, I see what you mean. Let him work under Armsmaster a bit first, and see what comes of that. Maybe let Armsy broach the subject."

I nodded, and turned back to the large map of the city. There was nothing odd on it.

"Tell me, Dauntless," I asked to fill the silence, "what do you think the Empire's reprisal will be? What form would it take, based on your experiences with them?"

He set down his device and looked up at the ceiling with a heavy expression. I asked much of him. "After what you did? Something big." He closed his eyes. "Sure, Panzer got called back, but when he comes back, he will be out for blood. Yours. Badly. And the ABB isn't going to stand by and let the Empire go after you, and by extension the Protectorate without trying to take advantage themselves."

That, I understood. An unstable equilibrium that I had disrupted, the results still falling.

"Why was he called back? Surely his masters would dispatch a messenger to deliver their opinions, rather than risk losing more face and ground."

"Regular meetings, set up months in advance." Dauntless seemed to be recalling information I was not privy to. "You hit him at a bad time, and the embarrassment is going to fester, with the addition of the gazes of his equals, it would seem you have earned yourself a powerful nemesis."

I have had those. I'm still alive. Them, less so. But I did not say as much to Dauntless. No need to give him the wrong impression. "It would not be the most foolish thing I have ever done," I admitted instead.

"And what would that be?" he asked, perhaps seeking some levity to break the mood.

"In retrospect? Trusting in Anne. Though, like all poor decisions, it seemed like the correct one at the time."

"Huh." I saw from his expression that he thought that Anne was a normal woman, and that perhaps we had some falling out in the past. I was content to not elaborate, and he was also much the same in not asking more.

More time passed, and I contented myself with my daytime duties, writing formal announcements, real, imagined and contingent for the Protectorate and the PRT. It wasn't the greatest use of my skills, but I needed something to show for entering and leaving the building.

As much as I did not appreciate the deceptions, such was the way of Earthbet. They hid their heroes in order to give them a chance at a normal life away from the duties of heroes and villains. But where did that leave me? I absently scribbled some notes and phrases to use in certain announcements, but I kept my mind mostly working on what this all meant.

It meant protection, but in what way? Who was being protected? In this world, having a Job, or being a Cape as the parlance went, came with a certain degree of fear and respect. Enough so that the response to a Cape was another Cape, or massive firepower.

While this was natural to me; Janne told his men that they should not fight my brother and his group directly, they did not have the power for it, I had to wonder how much of this is on the individual and how much was on the array of abilities a Job'd person could bring to bear.

I ran a finger over my Asterisk, it was nothing more than a small jewel as far as the Protectorate was concerned. I intended to keep it that way.

My musings were ended when the Console lit up with a priority call. "Console, this is Clockblocker," the young man sounded strained. Dauntless and I leapt to attention. "We just found someone shot with a crossbow."

"How badly are they injured?" I snapped out before Dauntless could.

"It's through his right chest," the man replied. "Oh man, there's a lot of blood."

"Stop him," Dauntless commanded. "We're sending a van and an ambulance there right away."

"Right!" I could hear the hesitation in his voice. I left him to Dauntless and turned my attention to his partner. "Vista, do you see the attacker?"

"No," she replied. "I'm on the roofs, and see nothing."

"Get back to Clockblocker." I gave her my best 'this is an order, obey' tone of voice. "You need to keep people away until help arrives. Clockblocker will be keeping the victim in stasis and therefore alive. It is up to you to protect him and the victim."

"I... yes, Console."

"Good," I relaxed a bit as I turned my attention to Dauntless talking to Clockblocker. He paused to look at me, then covered the mouthpiece of his communication device. "Get Militia moving."

"Console to Miss Militia, escort the Protectorate and PRT response to the Ward's location."

"Understood." I suspected that the woman was already in one of the vehicles and en-route, my command merely stating the obvious. "We'll be there in twelve minutes."

"Confirmed," I replied. There was nothing else to say. "Wards, assistance is en-route. Triumph, Aegis, please keep to your assigned area. There is nothing you can do to help at this time."

"Confirmed, Console." Aegis was the one who took the order.

"Keep an eye out," I told the two young men. "There is the possibility that our archer could pass through downtown as they extract from the scene of the assault. If you observe them, follow, but do not engage until a full response can be brought to bear."

"Will do."

I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding. This was going to generate paperwork, and not the fun kind.

 

[PrototypeGear]

Kaiser Oblivion was never a villian villian, he was a hero villian. Trying to write the wrongs of the world by doing an act that many would be revolted by. An act that would, arguably, harm him, him alone, and make the world better.

Is what I would like to say, but butterflies are the most fearsome bugs for a reason.

I do like the way your writing him. Bravely second is not my favorite of the two, default is. But that's mainly because of the music in second, and some of the writing.

The lore though? Second has some mind blowing reveals for the story at large, and the twists of the first come a close second in that regard.

Watched like a flamingo conga line.

 

[fallacies]

So, Anne and Annette are the same ... ?

 

[Agayek]

So, Anne and Annette are the same ... ?

Click to shrink...

Anne is a character from the Bravely series. She's a party member and perhaps the single most important character to the plot of the first game, such that basically everything in the plot revolves around her and her actions. I never got that far in the second game, so I can't speak to her role there, but I do know she's in it as well, and I assume she had some interaction with Denys at some point.

 

[Falzyker]

Anne is a character from the Bravely series. She's a party member and perhaps the single most important character to the plot of the first game, such that basically everything in the plot revolves around her and her actions. I never got that far in the second game, so I can't speak to her role there, but I do know she's in it as well, and I assume she had some interaction with Denys at some point.

Click to shrink...

She's the SISTER to the most important character to the plot of the first game...

Just passing by to clarify that, also Denys is denying things how amusing...

 

[ToNotBe]

It's so strange to read this and not be put off by it not being from Taylor's PoV. Usually I hate that sort of thing, but damn if this isn't drawing me in.

 

[APL 123AZ]

So, Anne and Annette are the same ... ?

Click to shrink...

Anne is a fairy from the Bravely Default series. Fairies in that series are responsible for guiding people on difficult journeys that usually end with them facing some world destroying monster.

Anne's sister Airy did it for the group in the first one. But Anne instead chose to lead Denys here instead of the heroes of the second game.

 

[Giygas]

Well, Butterflies are flapping.

The first chapter with both danny and annette dead was a big AU element, but the PRT presumibly finding a victim of Sophia's vigilantism?

Shadow Stalker might not join the wards anytime soon. And Emma might lose her new best friend.

 

[JonBerry]

So, Anne and Annette are the same ... ?

Click to shrink...

One of the prototype versions of this fic had Denys and Anne use some BS Master effect to replace Danny and Annette, with Taylor not really able to do anything about that. I scrapped it as while the thought of Anne being 'domestic' had potential for hilarity (Anne, pretending to be Annette, gets called in to deal with the bullying. Sophia metaphorically craps her pants at her presence), there were too many problems with the scenario to make it work out in the long run.

She's the SISTER to the most important character to the plot of the first game...

Just passing by to clarify that, also Denys is denying things how amusing...

Click to shrink...

That is correct. Airy is the Fairy from Bravely Default, while Anne is from Bravely Second. She does appear in the first, but only to implore the player to action.

Seriously, if any of you haven't, play both games. They have their strong and weak points, but goddamn if it doesn't mess with you on occasion.

It's so strange to read this and not be put off by it not being from Taylor's PoV. Usually I hate that sort of thing, but damn if this isn't drawing me in.

Click to shrink...

It's actually pretty fun to write too!

but the PRT presumibly finding a victim of Sophia's vigilantism?
Shadow Stalker might not join the wards anytime soon. And Emma might lose her new best friend.

Click to shrink...

More than that; Taylor has support against Emma as Denys is capable of contact Alan to address things. Also, the vigilantism is something the PRT/Protectorate knows is happening, but isn't a high priority due to KaiserImperator's introduction to the Hero community being to punch the Empire in the face, kick them in the balls, and run off with KaiserPanzer's lunch money.

 

[Agayek]

She's the SISTER to the most important character to the plot of the first game...

Just passing by to clarify that, also Denys is denying things how amusing...

Click to shrink...

Ah, yeah. I was confusing "Anne" and "Agnes". I didn't actually know the fairy's name was Anne, as I've barely played the second game. Oh well, now I know.

 

[nitewind]

KaiserImperator's introduction to the Hero community being to punch the Empire in the face, kick them in the balls, and run off with KaiserPanzer's lunch money.

Click to shrink...

Sounds fun. Wonder what happened.

 

[See Mohn]

Bravely Default fics are my Internet white whale. Very watched.

 

[JonBerry]

I sat around the table with the other adults, and the two Wards. Director Piggot sat at the head, hands folded in front of her, and a well justified frown forming a near scowl. "I've read all your reports," she said to start the meeting. The hour was late, and I suspected that the children would be dismissed soon. "Clockblocker. Vista. You two did well in your response. You are to be commended, Clockblocker, for keeping the victim stable until the ambulance could arrive."

She smiled at them. Even knowing her for such a short time, it looked odd. "You two are dismissed. Go home, relax. We'll handle the rest of this."

The two youths, true to my thoughts, left. Director Piggot's face lost any trace of being pleased, and turned to the rest of us. It was not directed at myself, being the newest person at the table. "What happened?" She demanded, as though we could conjure up answers from the stars themselves. I didn't know how to do that.

"At 18:43," Armsmaster reported first, due to his position as head of this team, "Clockblocker and Vista, while on patrol on the Boardwalk, were alerted to an injured party away from the main thoroughfare. They alerted local security, and investigated, whereupon they found the victim, one Marcus Shaol, aged 24, insensate against the wall of a public wash room, having been injured by a crossbow bolt to the right torso."

He stated dry facts. The injury was consistent with previous attacks, the bolt phasing into the target before stopping. No entrance wound meant that extraction required extensive surgery. The wound was heavy, but not fatal as there was a lack of secondary bleeding. I had been on my share of battlefields, and the thought of such a weapon, such an ability, put my stomach to twists.

"Thoughts?" Piggot asked, expecting answers.

"It's outside the normal operating area of the Archer," Miss Militia pointed out first. "He or she tends towards the Bridge area, attacking low-value targets such as drug dealers or pimps."

"You put value such as that to a man's life?" I objected. "Regardless of their commission, they deserve more than that."

"I meant to say that they were of low criminal value," she corrected herself before the Director could interject. "Which means that we need to investigate Mr. Shaol's background to determine if he has a record."

Motive. A classic line of investigation.

"Anything else?"

"The bolt was commercial, like the rest. No prints." Dauntless reported. "We've put it with the others."

"Imperator, you look like you have something to say?" The Director turned her attention to me, and indeed, I did have thoughts.

"Forgive me if these points have already been covered." I started with humility, "I have not been given leave to read the files you have on this attacker, so I may speak things you already know. It occurs to me that the first thing we much give this attacker credit for, as damning as it may be, is their sense of discretion. This attack, following the previous pattern, is a single strike, followed by them leaving the area. Your datum regarding the actions of those independent Capes shows a certain optimal range of engagement. But that data assumes that the person in question is actively using their power, and is seeking to make the most of it. This leads to greater conflict, an escalation to the point where they confront something or someone they are not prepared for."

Armsmaster nodded. "An excellent point. So far the attacks have, not been consistent, but they show no pattern of pushing for more."

"Another point I wish to make, and this is more conjecture on my part, is that there seems to be a temporal limit to this person's actions. Never two days in a row, for starters. Could our miscreant be limited in how they use their power, necessitating the drawn out time between attacks?"

This caused a round of murmurs as people considered the option. "If this was the result of a Tinker weapon with non-Tinker ammunition," Armsmaster put his own expertise to work, "then the downtime may be the result of new builds or refinements to their weapon. However, for such a small device, not a lot of resources would be required, meaning our usual methods of locating a new Tinker would fail."

"Or if it was a Breaker or Striker power," Miss Militia picked up the line of thought, "there isn't much in the way of known powers with limits like that. It would be something new."

Piggot nodded. "Progress. We already have people on PHO running damage control on the event, but thankfully Vista was able to keep onlookers away. It's being spun as an accident that the Wards responded to, and the public is taking it well."

I did not begrudge her hiding the existence of another attack such at that, but it was an unspoken thought in the room that this was a state of affairs that could not endure.

"Our little attacker is a low priority for out Thinkers in LA or New York," Piggot's frown returned with full force, "so they won't be able to help for a while yet." She glanced at me. "Unless you have something else to add?"

I shook my head. "No, Director. Those were merely the only conclusions I could support at this time. I would need more information to say anything else."

She too recognized that there was nothing we could do at this time, and it galled her. It offended me too, but I did not have the resources to hunt one single person in this city. "I'll make sure the files are on your desk for your next shift," she told me, and I bowed my head. "Everyone, dismissed."

* * *

I entered into the Hebert house, guest still. The lights shone in the kitchen, and I found Taylor hunched over a book, studying. "I return," I announced unneeded. "I apologize for my lateness."

"It's all right," Taylor said. "Mr Barnes called, said he talked to Emma, and that there shouldn't be any more problems."

"Should it not, do not hesitate to call me." I hung up my jacket and headed for the dining area. Leftovers were on the table, and I hid my desire to cook something proper. "And your studies?"

"I've already read all the books we're assigned in English this year," she informed me. I looked over her shoulder, and saw mathematical equations. "How was work?"

"Quiet for the most part," I got myself some water to drink. "I read things, and signed others." I raised the glass in salute. "My papers are now in order."

"That's good to hear!" she brightened up. "Does that mean you're going to be introduced soon?"

"I should hope so," I thought about it. "After all, I have achieved all the requirements set of me, and the Protectorate is not likely to turn away a willing hand."

"You, an official Hero," Taylor leaned back. "If only mom and dad could see this."

"They would be proud of me, that is for sure," I assured her with all the grace I could manage. "But they would value your achievements more."

She looked down at her scholastic exercises. "Yeah. So, I decided what to watch for the next movie night."

"Oh?" This was something that I started to help Taylor cope after the death of her parents. "Which one? Velocity swears by something called 'Cannonball Run', but for the life of me, I cannot envision a cannonball running."

She paused in surprise, then giggled. "Oh no, never seen that myself." She looked to the parlor. "I was thinking that The Princess Bride would be more appropriate."

"A drama about the lead up to a royal wedding from the point of view of the bride to be?" I turned the idea over in my head. I had heard of worse ideas many a time. "I would like that, thank you."

Taylor looked at me with eyes wide in shock. "Oh, you are in for so much fun."

I wasn't sure how to take her expectation. It filled me with dread.

* * *

The next day, I saw Taylor off, then took the public transportation system to the Protectorate building. True to the Director's word, there was a small file in front of Anne, and I read it as I made for the Hero Lounge. I was on call today, paired with Assault. Fine young man.

"Hey, Imperator!" he greeted me as he entered soon after I did, both of us early for our shift. "Heard about what happened last night. The vic is going to pull through?"

"The last I had heard, yes. Our latest victim of our sniper should make a recovery, though the injury will endure for some time."

He seemed to take that well, then helped himself to some coffee. "Whatcha got there?"

"The full file on our assailant," I told him truthfully. "The Director felt that my being informed was better than my ignorance, and sought to correct that failing before it became pertinent."

"Gotcha. Man, I hope we catch this guy soon. It's bad for our rep as it is."

"Our reputation will survive." I assured him as I finished my own drought of the dark drink. "Come, let us report in, then settle in for waiting."

We did so, then headed for the staging area near the garage. My sword was in lock up, and I agreed that Revolution did not belong in the kinds of battles the heroes tended to face. So I was left without for now, while an alternate solution was found that would please all parties.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" Assault broke the silence after some time, and when we were alone.

"I cannot promise you an answer," I told him. There was no sense in getting his hopes up. "But please, ask. Assuage your curiosity."

He leaned in toward me in a very conspiratorial manner. "So, uh, Battery. Has she talked to you recently? Like, about me?"

I did not know where this line of questioning was going. "Not outside of her usual tirades regarding your actions." I was reminded, in a way, of the way Angelo and Aimee interacted. I hoped they found happiness, wherever they were.

"Oh man, I thought she knew something was up." He wrung his hands in a worried fashion. "Look, can I tell you something, in confidence?"

"Always," I replied. "But why place your trust in me? Surely if you need a confessional, a place of worship would be more appropriate? Or throwing yourself upon the mercy of Director Piggot?"

Assault looked shocked at the possibility. "Piggot? She wouldn't know Mercy if that Cape came down here and introduced himself. No, I want to talk to you because you're older and more mature, and the most recent person here, so it's not like you have had much time to think certain things."

It is true, I looked older and more dashing than my age would suggest. But still, I could understand his plight in looking for a friendly face. "What would you have of me?"

"I've known Battery for a long time," he said, avoiding my gaze. Oh. This was awkward. Did he think I her father or something similar? "And you know, you've got a kid to go home to so you've probably gone through this?" And now he misunderstood my situation. This was not going to be easy to extricate myself from.

"Speak clearly and plainly," I told him, reaching out to put a hand on his shoulder in a comforting gesture. "You do not need to speak as I do, or with Armsmaster's brevity."

"Yeah, best do that," he looked nervous under his helmet. "Look, we've kinda been seeing each other off hours," he confessed more, though I knew of no reason or rule preventing fraternization. "And it's kinda advanced to a certain point where, well..." He hemmed and hawed at this point, and I knew that without taking forcible action, he would retreat.

"You wish to ask for her hand in matrimony?"

He brightened up, his posture changing as though some great load had been taken off his shoulders. "Yeah! Can you help? Give some advice? Please?"

I was not wed myself, though it would not surprise me at all that should I return home to find a new sister-in-law residing in my family manse. Or on the Moon at Fort Lune. But still, advice had been asked, and I could provide in some small measure, if only from my own social circles before my untimely expulsion from the family.

"Assault," I said gently, "the most important thing is that you have to be yourself. And I do not speak in terms of behaviour, for if you were not, I doubt we would be at this point. Rather, if you choose to pursue this course of action to the end, for good and for ill, then it must be the man behind the mask who speaks." I gave him a warm smile, one to set his heart at ease. "If, and I say this in all expectation that I am correct, you two would find your joy together, then no matter what you say, she would agree." I gave him a moment to assure himself that I was approving. "But you must, and this is the important part, you must, my good man, make sure that it is the man under the mask that speaks from the heart. Not the mask."

"Yeah. Me. Her. Not Assault and Battery." He withdrew from my contact. "Thanks. You're right. I'm over thinking this, aren't I?"

"I believe you are."

 

[JonBerry]

Director Emily Piggot was glad that Rennick was early. That meant that they could finish early, and she could get an early start on her dialysis. "What did you want to deal with first?" she offered let him take the lead for a bit.

"Well, I was hoping we could cover the big thing." Rennick smiled as he passed along some papers delivered earlier in the day. "Protectorate and PRT have given the approval and go-ahead. We can formally announce Imperator at our discretion."

Emily considered her options there, checking the calender spreadsheet on her computer. "Day after tomorrow," she decided. "That gives him a few hours to write his speech, and us time to edit and pare it down and get him active properly."

"He's had enough practice and supervision so far, so it'll really be a formality." Rennick agreed. "PR's info packet wants us to play up the 'Lord' aspect of his character, with his way of speaking and dress code."

"It's going to be a fine line there, balancing his charisma with Armsmaster's leadership of the team." Emily could already see friction developing, or worse yet, Imperator manipulating Armsmaster. "The higher ups," she gestured in the vague direction of the west coast and Director Costa-Brown "are sure that he had prior military experience, so there's some worry that he could relapse."

"Any idea where? Or did his interview with the Thinkers go anywhere?"

"Apparently he did, and the results are classified by the Director, and available only to people above my head." Emily did not like information being withheld from her, no matter how good of an idea it may seem to those who didn't have to deal with Imperator on a day-to-day basis. "At least we've got his final classification for PHO."

"Blaster 2, Trump 4, Brute/Changer 1." Rennick liked the lower numbers. It was easier to sell. "I think we should play up the Trump aspect, his support powers and keep him as a team player."

Emily agreed. "He is trying to connect with everyone on the team, even me." She thought about it for a moment. "I can see him quickly displacing Miss Militia as second-in-command of the team if he puts his mind to it."

"If that happens, Miss Militia will probably be promoted to lead her own team. Perhaps a new location in Canada?"

"That's a discussion for the future. So, we should have his official reveal for ... 10 AM. Gives everyone enough time to process for noon, and a public patrol in time for the evening news." Emily began to shuffle things around on her schedule, and the schedule of others. "We'll need to pull Armsmaster out of his lab early to prepare."

"I'll get someone on that."

"Also, have the Tinkers provided a replacement weapon for him?"

"Not yet," Rennick shook his head. "He doesn't need it, and if he does, we won't be worried about the PR at that point. He's been quite understanding so far." What went unsaid was that the only other Hero with a sword that was affiliated with the Protectorate was Mouse Protector, with all the headaches that meant.

Another point in his favour, Emily counted. Each one more worrisome than the last. He didn't act like other parahumans, he lacked the same personality issues they had. The worst thing was his method of talking, but that was explainable by him being foreign and English being his second language and thus the formality to it.

It also played well with his image. And his cover job at the Protectorate. She just couldn't pass on the feeling that there was more to Denys Geneolgia than he let on, despite his openness. It was more than the usual reluctance to discuss whatever past had caused him to flee his home, wherever that might be. It was like he was hiding something fundamental that the higher-ups knew about, but couldn't act upon.

And so they kept him where they could see him, to monitor his choices and development.

"Let him know he can have his sword for the press conference," she said. "At least this isn't a decision made in haste." So many times, a new Parahuman got pushed into the public, but Imperator had taken care of that for them on his own. "Other than that, this is a decision we've been prepared for, so there's no sense in making things more complicated."

Rennick made a note to that end. "If that's it, on to the other piece of major news?"

Even Emily, perpetually angry, couldn't keep the smile off her face. "So, who won the Assault and Battery betting pool?"

"Sergeant Franklin, one of the quick response troopers, had it down for a couple weeks from now, and he was the closest without going over."

"When was your bet?"

"Halloween. You?"

"Christmas. Bastard couldn't wait a couple months, could he?"

Rennick stifled a laugh. "Ten bucks well wasted. I've already forwarded some of the regulations to them, and everyone has agreed to cover their shifts for the next couple days."

"What a time to get Imperator on the team officially." Emily had a fifty on Ethan popping the question at a more dramatic time, and not at some random point in September! The bastard. But even she couldn't be angry with him for that. "I'll approve the relevant time off requests once they cross my desk."

"I'll make sure they know."

"So, what's next?"

 

[ToNotBe]

How in the hell does this not receive more attention...

"A drama about the lead up to a royal wedding from the point of view of the bride to be?" I turned the idea over in my head. I had heard of worse ideas many a time. "I would like that, thank you."

Taylor looked at me with eyes wide in shock. "Oh, you are in for so much fun."

I wasn't sure how to take her expectation. It filled me with dread.

Click to shrink...

I feel like you're a massive tease for setting this up and skipping over it!

Delightful chapters nonetheless.