＊＊＊

"Soooooo," Vicky chirped, hands behind her back as she swayed back and forth just an inch of the ground, "What are we actually doing?"

Amy gave her sister a tired look, they'd used a motel for the night, and Vicky, still upset about their family being shrinking violets in front of Mount Carol - had not let her have any sleep with her constant nightmares and pointy elbows. On the plus side, she'd gotten some work done online, on the minus side - she now had to spend the entire day tired as all fuck with peppy Vicky, and with where they were going, it was going to get worse.

She knew Vicky was putting up a front, being even more cheerful than normal to hide her hurt feelings from their problems with their family. Unfortunately she didn't really have a fix for that, other than bringing her along and being there for her.

"Recruiting. I reached out to someone on PHO last night, sent a PM and asked to meet in New York today. Got an answer back while you were in the shower hogging all the hot water!" Amy grumbled, checking her phone, she'd send out another text not too long ago, securing their ride.

God, Strider was the most useful person ever.

Vicky just laughed cheerfully, jumping back down on Terra firma, and giving Amy a half hug and a loud kiss on the cheek, "You know I need my me time in the morning, Ames! Don't be a grump! Who are we getting? Oooh, is it one of the wards? Do I know them?" Her face turned sly as she waggled her eyebrows, "Please say he's a beefcake!"

Amy couldn't help the half smile creeping up on her face, "Oh, you've definitely heard of this one." She said, holding the information back just out of pure spite. She had not enjoyed her five minute cold shower. Or the bruises from sharing the bed.

A big plus for her in holding back, Vicky was cute when she got surprised, so it would be worth it to hold back and see her reaction.

They couldn't be too long, they had a long day ahead of them. Amy had an appointment at PRT headquarters in Brockton Bay to register their new independent/rogue team (Apparently being Panacea gets you a same day appointment.) Then she'd scheduled a press conference for the evening - which with her newfound fame had created a frenzy of speculation.

Prevailing theory on PHO was that she was eloping with Vicky, having a dream wedding against the wishes of their evil family. Which… Wasn't that far off, despite being a theory crafted by online perverts. Amy wasn't sure what that said about her, but she didn't like it.

She was just messing with Vicky a bit, they weren't going to do anything like that.

Originally when they'd been pretty much kicked out, she'd planned to go ahead with just Strider and Purity and announce their team - but trawling PHO she'd remembered something important and saw an opportunity at the same time in New York. Plus, Vicky would be thrilled over it.

For the first few hours anyway.

Amy already regretted her choices. But who could turn down the chance of meeting their childhood hero. Even if it was from before she'd become a new person. She still held the good memories.

"You're not going to tell me, are you?" Vicky pouted, but her lips twitched, and she broke out in a full out grin, pumping her fist in the air, "That's my sis! Evil to the core! I'll figure it out on my own! You'll see!" She declared dramatically, striking a superhero pose from their early morning cartoons back when they were kids.

She was already regretting creating a team where she'd be the one responsible for Glory Girl from now on… She must have crossed a wire somewhere - she didn't remember her being this peppy in canon. Then again, she was likely overcompensating to not appear sad.

Amy just covered her eyes wearily, they were in public for God's sake! "It's too early in the morning for all this…You…" She muttered.

The crack of Strider arriving thankfully saved her anymore humiliation. There were already plenty of motel patrons gawking at them thanks to Vicky's loud personality, cellphones out of course. Considering the motel rented rooms by the hour… She should probably stay off PHO for a few days, she didn't want to read about the fanfics and theories that would run rampant there over this.

"Strider, thanks for coming." Amy said, a thankful smile on her face, "I hope I didn't interrupt any deliveries."

Strider tipped his cap briefly to her, a polite smile firmly in place, "It's all good boss lady, my business takes a backseat to you and the team."

Vicky flew forward, a hand outstretched firmly, as she pretty much grabbed Strider and shook his hand forcefully, all the while grinning excitedly, "Hiya, I'm Glory Girl, or Vicky, so thrilled we'll be on the same team, and do you do teleportation to French boutiques? Asking for a friend. Me. I'm the friend." Vicky rushed out in one breath, still shaking the bemused Strider's hand.

"Down, Vicky. Down." Amy sighed, lips twitching against her will. Seeing how taken aback and amused Strider was, did strike her funny bone just a little. "You have all the time in the world to extort fancy shopping trips out of your teammate." She added, wryly.

"It's nice to meet you. I'll let Panacea decide about any shopping trips, however. She is the boss after all." Strider said, immediately changing Vicky's focus to Amy.

Smart guy, Amy thought, immediately throwing her to the wolves to save himself. Intelligence was a good quality to have in a minion, if it wasn't her that was going to have Vicky nagging at her because of it.

Not that it would markedly change anything from a normal day for her.

"We should be going." Amy hurriedly said, wanting to move along before the inevitable shopping plans were made and she was forced to allow it to avoid a sulky Vicky. Or worse. Forced to come along.

Seconds later they disappeared from Brockton Bay with a crack, the onlookers all still filming from a distance.

＊＊＊

Ivy somewhat envied Amy in her chosen locale of a love motel and its invariable issues.

After leaving Skidmark's corpse behind and dragging Mush and Squealer into an abandoned warehouse and working her magic on them just enough to make them loyal. She'd been led to Skidmark's lair. Which to be honest was just a run down house on the edge of the docks.

Apparently it had been passed down to Skidmark in his civilian persona from his grandmother. Ivy had a hard time picturing any little old grandmother sitting around with Skidmark and having a conversation - but apparently, from Squealer's recollection of his rambling stories when high, they'd been tight.

A roach motel was the Hilton comparatively however to the house which might at some point have been a cute, white picket fence, kind of building, but was now completely blocked off from sight from the street by heaping piles of garbage and debris, the white paint almost completely flaked off, leaving the house looking like it had dirty spots everywhere. Ivy didn't dare sit down anywhere inside, the place was that filthy, areas were covered in a mixture of drugs, garbage and fluids. She preferred not thinking too hard about what those were.

Like she thought really hard about everything else to avoid that thought.

Added to the mess was random crap from Squealer that she kept around to tinker with when she was hanging out with her drug dealer/kidnapper, ugh… Lover. And it made for a deeply unpleasant place to stay in for a night. It was, however, safe. Only the capes of the Merchant's even knew of this place, so there was no risk for anyone coming and hitting the place trying to take out her new minions, or her, based on Skidmark's death.

Mush had barely needed to be artificially convinced to be loyal. With her powers, she could fix what made him end up as nothing but a drugged out loser slumming it with Skidmark in the first place.

Mush, real name Jason Watts, had been ostracized his whole life due to his looks, but it had really taken off after Nilbog took over Ellisburg. Mush looked like a pink skinned scrawny goblin, and with his power making him look like a spaghetti monster when in use - he'd not had an easy time. Living on the outskirts of society, barely able to hang on.

He'd even tried once, as he told her, in desperation, to join the good guys. It happened after a mob in Texas tried to kill him for trying to buy groceries, screeching that he had escaped from Ellisburg. The horrible PR look of his garbage application to using powers and his general appearance - coming off a recent riot/mob, had the PRT agents he contacted, turn him flat down and try to arrest him for disturbing the peace instead.

Needless to say he'd never made another attempt to join the Protectorate.

He'd drifted around, homeless, getting addicted to alcohol and drugs to get away from it all. Performing basic minion work for a variety of minor criminals for money for his habits. Until he ran into Skidmark just a few weeks ago and was conscripted into the Merchants. Not that Mush had much cared, as long as he got drugs.

Ivy had cured him of all the crap in his system, taken away his crippling addictions and made him healthy again. But what really sold her to her new minion, was when she used up the biomass of his potbelly, to change his appearance.

He was still not an adonis by any stretch of the imagination, he was still a scrawny man with long limbs and slightly large eyes, but his face was normal, now. His ears were no longer pointy goblin ears and his teeth and nose were fixed. With Ivy explaining to him the force multiplier he could become if he used a ton of sand instead of various piles of garbage - Mush had enthusiastically accepted the moniker Sandman over his old one.

Ivy had given him a new lease on life.

She probably didn't need the conditioning at all with that all being done for the poor guy. But she wouldn't take any risks with the Merchants, so she'd still mastered him to be fully loyal to her. Mush and Squealer she could get away with - them being more competent and loyal could be explained away with getting them off the drugs, no one was around to say what kind of people they'd been off them, after all.

After this, she'd have to be more careful. Full on mastering people was just too risky. Better to leave it to her light touches for anyone else.

Squealer was just a mess. Her system was completely fucked up. She wouldn't have lasted the decade. To be honest, she probably wouldn't have lasted even five more years if she kept her habits up as hard as she had. Ivy was pretty sure she had STD's that were completely new and undiscovered by mankind. It made her glad that she'd just killed Skidmark and not tried to touch him in any manner.

She felt dirty just from healing Squealer.

Ivy was very curious to see how her tinkering would improve now that she wasn't completely off her rocker 24/7. It appeared Skidmark was worried a sane Squealer could take over the gang easily - so the asshole kept her constantly drugged out of her mind, even when Squealer couldn't take anymore - he'd forcefully inject it to make sure she didn't ever wake up from the haze. Or so Squealer had told her once she was actually out of the constant drug haze she'd been in.

Ivy wanted to go back and kill him again.

As another courtesy, she fixed all the cosmetic damage as well as all the internal damage that Squealer had accumulated, she was a pretty woman, body wise, but she'd wrecked her skin and face with drugs, her nose practically eaten through with chemical damage. Squealer was now down a cup size from the biomass needed to fix her issues. But still ridiculously well endowed.

Squealer wanted to keep her name, once Ivy woke her up. But one mastering later and Ivy forced through a name change. She was not going to run a gang where one of the top capes went by Squealer. In the end she'd given Squealer different choices and the cape had countered with another of her own. Hot Wheels. Ivy had grudgingly allowed it, it was still better then Squealer. She also wanted as little of a connection between her gang and Skidmark's merchants as possible, hence the name changes.

For that reason, she'd grabbed the capes. But she wasn't running around trying to grab all the normals of the small-time gang and putting them under her heel. She could build up a following in time. She didn't want Skidmark's cast offs and a bunch of dealers and homeless drug addicts that all did drugs more than they did anything useful - gang wise. It was not her idea of a proper criminal enterprise.

She could heal them up, but that would be too obvious a link to Panacea. Likewise she could master them and make them stop being useless drug addicts. But again, too obvious and too dangerous.

It would only take the police or the PRT a couple caught gangbangers that refused to talk no matter what, before they started suspecting something. Merchants were not known for their absolute loyalty under pressure.

And the PRT in particular was very quick to cry master for anything that had no easy explanation.

Canary could testify in canon to how nice and cuddly the PRT were with any master they could get their hands on. So she wouldn't be outing herself to grab a bunch of druggies.

The reason she'd found out Skidmark's address from her new minions, had not only been for a good place to fix them up fully, and for a place to sleep - which didn't work out exactly, because she didn't dare lay down anywhere in that building… She'd wanted the house due to the likely treasure trove of information within.

Skidmark was a drug addict before anything else. That meant he would have plenty of times where his lucidity would be in question. A man like that could not run his little sad excuse for a gang, and the drug trade - without writing down the important information.

Like bank accounts. Stash houses. Phone numbers of the actual important minions. Weapons caches.

Ivy had taken one look at Skidmark's room, and ordered Jason and Sherrel to find the information for her. How could one man be so disgusting. That one bedroom had things in it that she hadn't thought possible. And she was a Biotinker! She could have lived the rest of her life happily, without seeing that room and the disgusting immoral things within.

Skidmark was a suitable name for that disgusting man. His room would be quarantined in a heartbeat if the CDC caught wind of it.

She'd really done the world a favor.

In the end, even though she did not gain the manpower of the Archer's Bridge Merchants, deeming them superfluous and too much trouble - outside the capes. She got the bank accounts, and the contacts through which drugs flowed into Brockton Bay, which was more important in the end.

Skidmark spent a lot less than you'd think, the Merchants had quite a bit of a nest egg it turned out, their main expenditure being the drugs they used. The gang hardly spent anything on weapons, or even Sherrels tinkering, most of it being salvaged, explaining how her stuff always looked like crap.

The drug trade could fall to someone else for the near future, Ivy wasn't worried.

She was a Biotinker, she was sure that with some practice and experimentation she could make something even better, something addicting that gave the best high or pleasant feeling ever - but did not ruin someone's body or brain - apart from wanting to continue to use it for the rest of their lives of course. She wasn't fully altruistic. People were always going to do drugs, so if she could make one that kept people at home lost in a pleasurable haze on their couch instead of going nuts, she'd be doing a public service, really.

This was earth-bet. People frankly needed something to escape reality now and then.

Maybe she could even collaborate with Blasto? He wasn't that far away after all.

Wouldn't that be fun?

＊＊＊

Strider dropped them in an alleyway right behind the little Italian Bistro Amy had set their coming 'date' in. With Another respectful tip of his cap, he was gone again with a crack, before Vicky could accost him again.

"You've done it again, another man running in fear for his life - or wallet - from the great Glory Girl." Amy drawled sarcastically as she walked towards the cute little bistro with less than a dozen tables. The reviews online had been ecstatic about the food and the intimacy of the locale. She'd figured it would make for a better meeting place then something large or crowded - less likely to have people able to recognize her as well. Although their recruit would likely show up in full splendor and end their anonymity no matter what.

Vicky giggled, peering around curiously for a clue on who they were there to meet. "I couldn't help it, Ames, he just seemed so straight laced and serious, I had to mess with him."

One of the things the world didn't know about Glory Girl, but Amy had too much experience with - she was an absolute troll most of the time.

"Good luck on catching him for a shopping trip, he's on to you now." Amy shook her head at her sister's antics, as they entered the small bistro, "Three for brunch, please." She said politely to the cute waitress, thanking all that was holy that at least for now, she didn't appear to be recognized. The cute waitress just smiled nicely, a perfect customer service smile on her face as she led them to a window table and left them with menus, Amy demuring any drink orders until their third arrived.

"Soooo, you're paying right? Because I don't think I'll be getting an allowance this week." Vicky said flipping through a menu, lips curling into a delighted smile as her finger stabbed down triumphantly at what she found, "Ames, they have panacotta!" She practically squealed, turning puppy dog eyes on Amy, "Please say we're staying for dessert?!"

Amy sighed, closing her own menu, "Yes I'm paying… And no we're not staying for dessert, busy day, remember, Vicky?" She averted her eyes as Vicky turned on the charm on her puppy dog eyes even harder, not even realizing she was flaring her aura, the waitress at the front of the bistro almost stumbling as she was hit with it, "Ugh, fine we can order some to take home, cool it with the aura before you cause a stampede of fans." She hissed out, looking around surreptitiously to see if anyone cottoned on to their identities.

New York wasn't Brockton Bay, but by now, her as Panacea would have been splashed across the media - which meant Amy Dallon was a very known face as well, which also just as likely meant Vicky was becoming more well known. Especially if she started flaring her aura all over the place.

Vicky did a put upon sigh, rolling her eyes in that overly dramatic way she was such an expert at, but reined in her aura, eyes returning to her menu, scanning it for no doubt the fattiest thing on there. She'd gotten way too used to Amy dealing with any unwanted consequences on her body.

Amy could already see a couple people glancing curiously at them both and let out a deep sigh, hiding slightly behind her menu.

Considering who they were meeting. She didn't know why she even bothered trying to keep a low profile, catching sight of her, in full uniform, out of the corner of her eye.

"The mouse is in the house!" A chipper voice yelled suddenly, a figure jumping through the front entrance, further causing trouble for the already confused waitress, who'd already taken a walloping of Glory Girls aura, making her eep in fright and drop her tray, a hand catching it quickly without anything spilling and holding it up for the waitress on one finger, balancing it perfectly. "Careful there pretty lady, don't want to cheese off your boss with some spilled milk."

"Oh…My…God!" Vicky said, stars almost sparkling in her eyes as she turned in her seat to stare, "You're trying to recruit Mouse Protector!" She whisper-yelled, squirming excitedly in her seat.

Mouse Protector turned their way, striking a pose, "Hohoho, is that the cry of a mouseketeer I hear!" She called out.

Amy rubbed her forehead, giving up on any chance of anonymity, perhaps she should have just picked a large crowded restaurant after all. "Thank you for coming, food is on us if you want to have a seat, Mouse Protector?" She said politely, smiling.

Mouse Protector was wearing a gray and white armor that covered her vital areas and had the look of a knightly suit, but was obviously some sort of kevlar or similar material, just painted over, it wasn't anywhere near as bulky as real knightly armor. The ensemble included a skirt with armored leggings and combat boots. The skirt slit into large strips to not impede movement and just from a glance, appeared to be made of the same material as the rest of her uniform, so could probably protect her fairly well. On her head she wore a knights helmet, only her cheerful brown eyes, and her mouth and lower jaw visible, a nose guard covering the middle of her face, the top of the helmet had mouse ears sticking out, and she even had whiskers on the cheeks of the helmet. Not painted on - but actual whiskers sticking out from the knights helmet. At her waist hung a sheath holding a sword. Presumably.

It was Mouse Protector, so really, Amy wouldn't be surprised if she pulled out a giant salami to mess with them.

Mouse Protector sauntered over to their table, waving idly at some of the patrons as she did, "I never say no to getting some cheddar from some adoring fans, hook a mouse up!" She said as she slid into a seat next to a star struck Vicky.

Amy had some of that as well. They'd watched Mouse Protector cartoons as kids, and even if she'd become a different person after triggering, with memories of another world. She still remembered those cartoons and how they affected their lives. Vicky had practically built her idea of heroism from those cartoons after all. Well… With less campy and ridiculous behavior, but still.

They exchanged some smalltalk as they went through ordering with the still slightly off balance waitress. Amy decided that she'd leave a big tip after all this, and maybe an autograph, as loathe as she was to do those. Vicky cheerfully took advantage of Amy to order four panacottas to go after their meal, sticking her tongue out at her in the process. That went with the full entree she ordered and the arancini appetizers.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Well… Amy would just let it all go to her hips then. Who'd have the last laugh then? As the waitress left with their orders, Amy gave her sister an annoyed look, "I'm not purging you of the fat if you're going to be a pig." She warned, half-heartedly.

Vicky just grinned at her, holding up a victory sign. She knew she'd be able to talk Amy into it anyway, the witch.

Mouse Protector chimed in at that point, "I've never had to worry about what I eat, comes from the exercise of beating up the bad guys, and the sex. Lots and lots of sex." She tilted her head and smiled, "Bad guys optional for that one." The obvious leer was a definite difference from her cartoon depiction and almost threw Amy off for a moment.

"Tell us all about it." Vicky said, hands clasped in front of her as if in prayer, a wicked grin on her face. "Spare no details!"

Amy raised a hand before this could all derail beyond hope, and as she saw the wicked gleam in Mouse Protector's eyes, she knew it would. "Let's… Get to why we're here instead, or we'll be here all day."

Mouse Protector chuckled, "Don't want all the squeaky details, huh?" She nodded sagely, a quirky smile on her face, "But be here all day? I disabrie, I've got places to be, villains to joust with, and a four o clock nail appointment I can't miss!"

"You're even more awesome in person!" Vicky said with a laugh, high fiving Mouse Protector, her aura popping loose again in her cheerfulness. Not too much, but definitely giving the closet table a bit of a bath in a like me/love me aura.

Mouse Protector fanned herself, her grin turning a bit sharper, "Unless you're trying to seduce me, settle that down, little mouse." She warned.

Amy sent Vicky a stern look, "Vicky don't make me put you in the corner." I should have come alone, but I knew how much Vicky would love this, so…. Amy supposed it was her own fault things were constantly derailing.

Vicky sheepishly took a hold of her aura, her cheeks red, mumbling an apology.

Amy cleared her throat, sending one last warning glance to Vicky to not interrupt, "I suppose you're wondering why we asked to see you, Mouse Protector?"

The independent hero grinned at her, pulling a squeaking Vicky into her side with one armored arm, "Well, I was beginning to think for a threesome!" She said wickedly, outright laughing at the matching blushes that were achieved, she let Vicky go, and shrugged casually, "But I guess it's a gouda sign that you're blushing so badly at my innuendos, so innocent and cute, it means you're not here to catch yourself a mouse."

"In a manner of speaking, we are." Amy said after a moment's pause to try and control her blush, "We've started an independent team and we want you on it, and irregardless if you join or not, we're here to warn you about a threat."

They were interrupted by their appetizers arriving already, Mouse Protector cheerfully flirting with the waitress and managing to insert five cheese puns within a three minute conversation. As soon as she left, Mouse Protector turned serious, meeting Amy's eyes, "I'm not really a team player, why don't you cut to the cheese? What's this about?"

Amy took a deep breath and prepared to lie her ass off, "I happen to know a fairly good precog, one who saw an event that would happen involving you and Ravager." Better to feed the story out in piecemeal then start off too strong. Amy doesn't even want to think of what happened in canon.

Mouse Protector looked fairly skeptical as she played with her food, "Ravager? I mean she's good at sticking her foot in a mouse trap now and then, but she's not really shredding my parm out there. Are you sure of your source, Panacea?"

Vicky ate slowly, looking between the two of us, Amy hadn't told her anything about this particular subject before. But a precog friend was a good excuse for Amy's bullshit, one Vicky wouldn't believe for a second, granted, as she knew Amy didn't have friends. She'd be offering a different explanation once they got time and privacy.

Amy took a deep breath, glancing around quickly to make sure they couldn't be overheard. "According to my very reliable source… Ravager hires the S9 to come and take care of you in a few months time."

Vicky's fork clatters onto her table as her eyes flicker to Mouse Protector, her childhood hero, and back to Amy, looking frightened, not something Amy had seen often before. But if there was anyone that could frighten someone like Vicky at just a mention - it was the Slaughterhouse Nine.

Mouse Protector on the other hand looked skeptical, tapping a finger on the edge of her plate pensively. "It's not that I want to believe you're lying to me, Panacea, but that's a bit much to believe. Ravager's been a naughty little mouse before, but that's dipping into Limburger territory."

In other words, you thinks my explanation stinks… Amy again questioned her choice in recruit, would she survive all the cheese puns? But then she thought of Murder Rat again and steeled her resolve, meeting Mouse Protector's eyes firmly. "Jack Slash doesn't do hired killings, he makes a point out of grabbing you of course, but then backstabs Ravager as well, keeping you and Ravager alive." Amy pushed down a slight feeling of queasiness, having a fairly good idea that she could do something similar to what she was about to reveal if she pushed herself, and continued, "For a certain measure of the word of alive - having Bonesaw fuse the two of you together, into one horrible being, calling you Murder Rat."

Vicky pushed her plate back, looking green, before she rushed off in the search for a bathroom, drawing attention from the other patrons and the waitress as she literally flew, Amy waved the waitress off with a fake smile, not wanting them to think the food was the issue or come over and ask questions. Amy felt a pang of guilt at Vicky rushing off, she really shouldn't have brought her sister for this. She still had a somewhat idealized worldview, the Brockton Bay cape scene for all its murderous villains, didn't really have the kind of atrocities that most of the rest of the world saw more often.

For all that Kaiser and Lung, and Coil for that matter - were monsters. They weren't even in the same playing field as the likes of the S9, the Butcher, or the various warlords and monsters across the world like Moord Nag. The worst Vicky had seen or heard about locally, was a few deaths now and then.

Mouse Protector sat in silence, for once not pulling any puns or innuendos as she pondered what Amy had said. Even if she didn't outright believe Amy, hearing about even the possibility of Jack Slash targeting you was no doubt harrowing.

Eventually she spoke, "That's not… Good." She said quietly, not even bothering to switch good to gouda. Considering how she'd barely been able to go through any parts of the conversation without slipping some sort of pun or innuendo in there, it was a sign she was thrown a bit off kilter.

Amy struck while the iron was hot, "I trust my friend, this is going to happen. Even if you don't want to be on a kick-ass independent team, let us help you take down Ravager and stop her from ever contacting Jack Slash at least." She tried to infuse her voice with as much surety as she was able to. She wasn't a good person, not by any measure of it, but the Slaughterhouse Nine were in another league and no one deserved their attention.

Hopefully they wouldn't instead target Amy, because then all she'd achieved was to bring Mouse Protector into the line of fire anyway.

Mouse Protector sighed, "I'm not really a team player as I said, but just in case, we can talk about doing something about Ravager."

Amy reached her hand out, smiling internally, Mouse Protector met her hand for a firm handshake, her fingertips not covered in any material in her fingerless gloves.

Amy only had seconds to utilize her power, but it was enough to make Mouse Protector favorably inclined to listen to her advice.

What's a bit of biotinkering between friends, anyway.

She was saving her life. She was the good guy here.

"Don't you know Miss Militia from your wards days too? She's gotten real uptight…" Amy said casually. Laying out her trail of breadcrumbs… Damn is that a mouse pun thing? She thought, twitching slightly, wondering how quick one could get infected by campiness.

The grin that Mouse Protector flashed held many promises.

＊＊＊

Sarah Pelham, sipped on her tea as she tried to keep calm. It had been a stressful time over the last few days, and now New Wave was falling apart too, they just couldn't seem to catch a break.

"Explain it to me." She said tersely to Carol, the two sisters sitting in her home office sharing a drink. Albeit Sarah had tea while Carol had wine, she needed a clear head to understand this bullshit.

Carol smiled bitterly, "What choice did I have?"

Sarah's fingers clenched around her tea cup, "Plenty better than that!" She managed to say without raising her voice.

Last night was an absolute shitshow. Sarah had been so surprised with how everything went to hell so quickly, that she hadn't reacted quick enough. She hadn't tried to lessen Carol's out of control vitriol quick enough - before everything fell apart.

She'd made a mistake. Trying to reel back Amy's attitude and bad decisions before she went too far. Saving her words for her sister for a later peacekeeping mission to settle things between her sister and niece. Not recognizing in time that they were beyond that. In waiting, she'd been too passive. And now everything had gone to hell.

Carol had always had a temper that was not a surprise to Sarah, she knew her sister after all. But how quickly she lost her temper on Amy had been shocking. Sarah hadn't known it had gotten that bad - Carol had never said anything.

Sarah had a burgeoning feeling that there was a lot Carol wasn't telling her lately.

Carol scoffed, taking a sip of wine, avoiding answering for a minute, before she slowly spoke up, "You haven't seen it. Since Amy triggered… She's been out of control at home. Always arguing with me, fighting back on even the simple rules, the disrespect and gall on her…" Carol sighed, fingers clenched around her wine glass, "She's been looking for every excuse to rebel and fight against me…"

Sarah smiled wryly, even if a bit sadly. "Sounds like a teenager." She pointed out quietly. Trying very hard not to judge her sister. Because so far. That was not an explanation. If Amy had suddenly become combative, Sarah doubted Carol hadn't had a hand in that somehow. With her temper, and her firm stubbornness with sticking to a position and never backing down…

"You have no idea!" Carol spoke up with anger, eyes flashing, "The things I've done to protect her from her stupidity! I've held her at arms length, true. But with everything, she deserved it!"

Sarah shook her head, "Carol… You're losing me here, tell me what exactly you mean, or I'm going to have to admit Amy was right." Vicky already went with her, so I'm inclined to believe they weren't exaggerating. She thought sadly. No conversation can end pleasantly with the phrase - she deserved it.

Carol sighed wearily all of a sudden, looking defeated as she sunk back in her seat. "She's a biotinker. Like… Nilbog… Like Bonesaw." She spat out, "I've been covering for her over the last almost two years as people came to me with their concerns after noticing something odd or catching her playing with a plant." She smiled coldly, "I know you have been raking me over the coals for taking all the money from Amy's toy lines and other means of PR income, but it's needed to pay the bribes to keep those same few people from coming out with the information and dooming any future she has." Carol scoffed again, muttering quietly, "At least now I won't have to pay out of pocket from what I earned as a lawyer for that child's carelessness."

Sarah couldn't even speak for a moment, she was so blown away. Not about the biotinker part, she'd known, she'd caught the girl practicing even if she hadn't told her, or Carol for that matter, about it. She didn't know Carol knew, or the rest of it. "Is that why?" She asked dazedly, "You've been riding her so hard because you've been trying to help her?" This is all because the two of them can't communicate for fucking shit! She wanted to scream in frustration, but held it back, knowing it wouldn't go over well with Carol. No wonder the household had become so bitter, if Carol had to spend her money on cleaning up after Amy, not telling her, other than likely riding her harder… And on Amy's side, seeing nothing but scorn and bitterness falling on her, of course she'd act out more. What a mess.

Carol chuckled bitterly, drinking the rest of her wine in one gulp, "I was trying to install some discipline in Amy, move her away from a monstrous path, and settle her as a healer, someone good, removed from her father's heritage. She can do good as that, no need to draw comparisons with S class monsters." Her lips drew together tightly, "Then the fool girl made herself an international phenomenon, and couldn't stop there… She had to pick a fight with the Empire 88 when she came out, too. No sense in her at all, did she even realize the scrutiny she'd face? How much work behind the scenes I had to do to protect her?" She growled angrily, but it didn't have the usual heat in it, "Kaiser is not a fool, he will find out and he will use it."

Sarah winced, because as much as she hated Kaiser, he was an intelligent and methodical cape, if anyone would find out it would be him, but right now she couldn't think about that clusterfuck… "Carol…Did you ever tell Amy any of that… From what she said last night, she doesn't even think you love her at all!" She gave her sister a tired smile, eyes sad, "She doesn't know about any of this, does she? About you protecting her from behind the scenes?" Even if she did… Would it matter anymore? Compared to love and care, how would that measure up to an upset teenage girl.

It wouldn't have been enough for Sarah if she had to be honest. And right now it seemed like Amy and Vicky had been right when accusing Carol of not caring for Amy.

Silence permeated the room. Sarah sighed as she rubbed her face when it became apparent Carol wouldn't answer her, "So she was right, you didn't act like a mother." I'd known of course that all was not perfect, but I hadn't known that it was to such an extent. For fucks sake Carol! She thought angrily.

Carol sat stiffly, refusing to meet Sarah's eyes, "Who would hug a biotinker." She said defensively, "I raised her, fed her, protected her. She's absolutely ungrateful and even stole Vicky away!" She slammed a fist down on her desk for emphasis.

"Both of you are at fault here, but Carol, you are the adult, you shouldn't have let Amy shoulder all of this without knowing what was going on. You haven't told her about Marquis, have you?" Sarah wished she'd not been so caught off guard last night, maybe if all this had come out in the open then, Amy and Vicky wouldn't have left.

Maybe if they'd been honest from the start. Maybe if they'd told Amy everything…

They could lose them from New Wave, Sarah honestly didn't think it mattered anymore, they were barely active most days anyways. But now they'd lost them to the point they didn't even know where they were living. That was not acceptable. And Carol needed to see that. Did she?

"If you didn't trust her at all… How was she supposed to feel part of the family." Sarah whispered, feeling guilty. She should have been more involved. She should have done better at the meeting last night. So many should haves. Their family, it seemed, was built on should haves and regrets. Like unmasking and Fleur…

Sarah regretted ever taking on the mantle of leading the team. She was obviously unsuitable for it. But the other option was Carol and what she'd seen from her over the last two days… No. Just no.

Carol looked away, face firm, "She wasn't mine. I did what I needed, no more. She chose this."

Sarah looked away, not seeing the point in pushing any further. She didn't see any chance of reconciliation.

What a pair we are… She thought as the two sisters sat in silence. Both refusing to take the steps to fix their family, Carol out of spite. Sarah out of the now honest belief that the girls would be better off without Carol at the moment, until things calmed down.

Good luck girls. Please be good.

＊＊＊

Ivy hummed to herself as she pondered the conversation she was having with Mouse Protector. It was an odd experience, focusing on her other self and hearing what she was saying and thinking at the same time as her own thoughts.

But it did make for quick decision making in times of need.

"Hot Wheels!" She paused, grimacing "Sherrel…. Ugh, are you sure of that name? It's not really…" She floundered for a good word, eventually settling on the silence.

Hot Wheels, formerly Squealer, just giggled as she got up from where she'd been sitting amongst the garbage, fiddling with an alternator. "Hey, it fits, I'm hot, and I'm the best at anything with wheels!" The vehicle tinker bragged, puffing up her chest, of which, Ivy had to admit, there was a considerable amount to puff up.

It was noticeable. She wasn't a pervert. You just couldn't not notice.

Ivy could make her drop the silly name of course, but honestly, where would the fun be if she just completely controlled her minions like that. "Do you have any of those invisible vehicles you guys always cruised along in?" She asked, knowing those were a major reason behind why the Merchants didn't lose any major amounts of drugs to the authorities or other gangs.

Hard to hit what you couldn't find. And none of the gangs in Brockton Bay, ( she was including the PRT in that designation) was willing to put down the resources to track down invisible cars.

Sherrel flashed her a thumbs up, placing a welding mask on her face for lack of anything better in the room, already guessing at Ivy's next request. "Always got one maintained enough to drive, boss, anywhere you want, my baby will get you there, it will take me a mo' to go get it though."

Ivy smirked, at the same time in New York, so did Panacea.

"Take Jason with you and get that car, bring it back here. We're going to New York, we're taking care of a pest control issue." Ivy ordered, already looking forward to it.

Invisibility was key for that. Because she didn't much feel like running into Legend.

The odds were low, New York was a large city obviously. But she had a feeling she'd manage to find just the right odds for that special honor if she went in half cocked.

"Awesome! Road trip, I call shotgun!" Sherrel cried out, scrambling off the pile of garbage Skidmark had used as a couch. Ivy was pretty sure the cockroaches were scared of that couch.

She needed a better place to stay…

"Sherrel… You'll be driving… Why are you calling shotgun?" Ivy said slowly, pinching the middle of her nose as what the vehicle tinker had said filtered through.

"Can we stop for Cheetos, I'm hungry?" Jason wanted to know, his voice still kind of rough from where Ivy had altered his vocal chords. The newly christened Sandman sitting on the only working chair in the building.

"All in gouda time." Ivy said, before stopping and face palming as she realized what she'd said. I've been infected! Luckily neither of her minions seemed to have been paying attention to her at the moment.

"Hell naw! You're not getting cheesy fingers all over my baby!" Sherrel snapped, tossing a wrench at Jason as she shimmied into a pair of jeans with difficulty, hopping on one leg. Ivy wasn't sure why she'd removed her pants in the first place.

She was beginning to wonder if she really knew what she was doing with brains. Good view though. She thought. She hummed appreciatively as Sherrel bent over. Very good view…

"Come on, Wheels, it's a piece of crap anyway, what does it matter?" Jason wheedled. A smirk on his face showing that he knew exactly what he was doing.

"It's HOT WHEELS, don't forget the hot, stupid! And fuck you! All my babies are gorgeous pieces of sex on wheels!"

"It's true what they say about mother's not seeing how ugly their babies are." Jason muttered, a small amused smile on his new face, but not quietly enough.

Sherrel started throwing things again, screaming profanities, which against Sandman, previously known as Mush, was entirely pointless. The cape simply picked them out of the air and added the materials as defensive armor. Which just pissed Sherrel off even more.

Ivy sighed, yep, I'm going to need more practice on brains.

She winced as Jason returned Sherrels wrench, right into the girl's mask, although, maybe it's the source material being… Off. This time… She thought, watching said source material fight over absolutely nothing. Neither of them taking it seriously.

She was beginning to regret the idea of hours stuck in a car between the two of them already.

Would it be terrible if she ordered them to not talk?

Choices, choices.

＊＊＊

Later that evening.

Amy sat in the anteroom, a small smile on her face as she somewhat followed along on the road trip while making plans for the future at the same time.

She'd tested out her power yet again, using Mouse Protector. Confirming what she'd already believed. One. She had a limit, and it seemed three was it. Just like Eidolon had a limit of only using three powers at one time - she could only synergize with three powers at one time. If she wanted another, she'd have to drop one. Which likely would be Mouse Protector's power, because she'd only picked it to test how her powers worked.

The second thing she'd confirmed is that her power worked in synergy with the incoming powers to give her something specified to her, instead of a straight up copy. It's why she received such a weak clone from Prism, instead of a copy of her abilities. Because their powers had synergized and evolved into exactly what Amy needed. A way to be in two places at once, that only she, a biotinker could make use of. A perfect copy of her - lacking a body. Instead of several clones that wouldn't be lasting - to help her fight.

Same with Strider's power. She'd been healing people and desperately wanting to reach out and heal those dropped by Behemoth. So when she'd synergized their powers, instead of a teleportation ability - she'd gotten the ability to teleport her power around at its base state of simply regenerating cells and mass.

Mouse Protector had her own teleportation trick, where she could touch something to mark it - and then teleport to it at any time, plus better than normal agility, flexibility etc.

When Amy had synergized their powers, she hadn't received teleportation this time either. Instead she could mark a person. And heal and affect them from anywhere, as long as the mark remained. A useful ability, but probably one she'd drop if she ran into something better.

Or perhaps not. If she and Ivy could mark each other… She'd be pretty much unkillable. They could heal each other from a distance and even utilize their biotinkering in their defense.

Either way once Ivy got back from New York. Amy intended to get herself some upgrades. She'd held off due to still nominally being under Carol's remit, plus needing to go into the PRT headquarters for the paperwork for her team. She didn't want to risk being scanned and going through master/stranger screening. Now that she was the leader of an independent team - if there was anything strange with her biology she could make something up or flat out refuse to explain without too harsh a consequence. As long as she remained heroic in people's minds anyway.

Her and Vicky's emancipation papers were already sent off, Amy had made sure the PRT would be involved, which would no doubt put things in their eventual favor. They wouldn't want to piss her off right now. And she felt it likely Carol wouldn't fight it at the moment.

She'd have to wait and see, because she could always count on Carol to be a bitch at the shittiest possible time.

She was interrupted in her musings as Glory Girl flew in, almost breaking the door as she slammed it open, in her full splendor, they'd have to change her uniform at some point, but for now it would do to keep her recognizable - even if it was tied to New Wave.

Following Vicky was the rest of the team. Strider, Purity and Mouse Protector.

"Welcome everyone, excited?" Amy asked, feeling a slight tingle of nerves, herself.

"Ambivalent." Strider said dryly, looking around, "Being surrounded by women is a dangerous thing."

"But we could make it worth ~your time~" Mouse Protector purred, sliding up to him, running a finger down his arm seductively. "A big cheese like you… Surrounded by thirsty little mice… Why, we could just… Nibble away at you."

Strider gave Amy a look, one that clearly said - help! Amy smirked and deliberately turned towards Purity, leaving Strider to his fate. A gleeful Vicky floating closer to play off Mouse Protector.

It would be good training for Strider. He'd have to get used to his teammates after all.

Purity was wearing a domino mask, not something she was used to due to simply using her powers to light up so bright no one could see her face. But that would defeat the purpose of a press conference, so Amy had asked her to mask up instead.

"How are you doing? Nervous? Excited?" She asked the reformed villain. She was probably still a racist, deep down. But Amy didn't care as long as the woman wasn't stupid enough to showcase it.

Most people had shitty flaws they hid away from the world. Purity's were shittier than most, but she could make a difference in Brockton Bay, so she mattered more than all the scrubs who couldn't do anything worthwhile in Amy's opinion.

Purity eyed the commotion between their other teammates for a moment, before giving Amy a small smile, looking somewhat comforted by the easy camaraderie. "Both, I suppose. I don't know what reaction I'll get out there…"

Amy shrugged, leaning back in her chair, "Probably mixed, at first. You'll have to prove yourself for the naysayers to believe it. But our story and my support should flip the majority into your favor."

It's not like Masters aren't around and their victims get pardoned for their behavior all the time. Purity being mastered by a Gesellschaft cape is not that unbelievable. Especially when it's Panacea saying it. Her breaking away and becoming an independent hero just a while ago made the story fit even better. Obviously the master either died or needed to reapply it at regular intervals and missed one - and Purity broke free.

And with the PRT refusing to accept her as an independent hero, refusing to even listen to the poor victim of the Nazi's, well here came Panacea's team to the rescue. It would be insanely good PR - at least with the people who'd believe the story.

"I can't believe you got the PRT to sign off on me as a member." Purity said with a slow shake of her head. "I've never known them to be reasonable.

"I did Nazi that coming either." Mouse Protector piped in with a big smile, popping up suddenly beside Purity. Both Amy and Purity ignored her, it was obvious she'd been holding that one in ever since she first saw Purity earlier that day.

Amy smirked with satisfaction, "Oh, they don't know yet." She said, "I'm blindsiding them with it." She continued cheerfully. She'd been to PRT headquarters earlier in the day and filled out the paperwork for the team, Purity hadn't been named as anything but an unnamed provisional member to be determined. So what if she determined so - five minutes later.

Purity couldn't help but chuckle, lifting a hand to cover her mouth as she began to actually laugh. "Oh, to be a fly on the wall when Piggot sees this press conference and you present her with a fait accompli!"

Amy's smirk widened, "I almost want them to protest your inclusion, it will make them look even worse, after accepting the team, hearing your story, and then still creating a fuss because your name wasn't added until later." Not to mention Panacea had more credit to her name now, than at any point. If she said this woman had been mastered. Majority of the world would believe her.

Not Piggot though, but that's why it would be even funnier that she couldn't do much about it. Amy doubted the woman was dumb enough to actually throw much of a fuss. You didn't get so far in leading the Brockton Bay PRT by being a complete idiot. Amy might dislike the PRT and Protectorate in general. But that wasn't Piggots fault. Cauldron had ensured she had nothing more than a roll of duct tape and a prayer to fight Lung, Coil and Empire 88. They didn't want to interfere in their feudal experiment after all.

Idiotic idea considering most of Africa and South America literally was ruled by Parahuman warlords, and although the CUI was basically a hot mess of a constant civil war - they had been another example of parahumans being used to rule a country.

The wards weren't supposed to be used to fight either, so their presence wasn't exactly a force multiplier, which left Piggot with a very low numbered Protectorate team to handle Lung and the entirety of the Empire 88 cape roster and all the independent capes or other capes and gangs that poked their nose into Brockton Bay - like Faultline, the Undersiders and the Travelers eventually.

So yes. Amy didn't begrudge Piggot overly. Even her refusal to be healed was only logical now, considering Amy would definitely twist something to her benefit if she got her hands on the PRT director now. She still didn't like the PRT's overall idea for how to handle everything though.

Mostly because they seemed to have really dumb ideas on how to do everything. Quadruple dumb once you took Cauldron into it. Allowing S9 to live so they could keep creating triggers and create an aura of fear etc, was such a moronic idea for an institution able to literally hand out vials of powers. It's not like it would be that difficult for Cauldron to imitate situations to create triggers either.

Honestly if they had that much of a hard on for keeping Scatterbird or the Siberian as backup anti-Endbringer weapons. They should just get themselves a loyal pet master to master Manton and Scatterbird and then use them against the Endbringers. They should be able to pull that off for a fight or two before the master inevitably betrays them or something dumb. Then Contessa could wipe out the master and rinse and repeat with another.

The world didn't exactly have a shortage of masters. Half the countries in the world had some sort of warlord or cult leader that was a master.

Amy dropped the line of thought. Cauldron just made her mad. She'd get nowhere further on that. Especially since Contessa was running around helping her for some reason.

She really wasn't looking forward to paying the bill for that when it arrived.

"Hey, Ames, Strider wanted to ask something, are you awake in there?" Vicky asked brightly, knocking on Amy's forehead with a knuckle.

Amy pushed her sister's hand away, sending an apologetic look to Purity, because she had literally zoned out while in the middle of talking to the woman. "What's up, Strider?" She asked, curious.

Strider, fiddled with his mask and goggles combo, "I was thinking, since we'll be a team and all. I'd like to unmask." Strider explained, hurriedly adding, "Only to the team, not in the press conference."

Amy blinked, admittedly not having thought much about her team of capes civilian identities, other than using Purity's to her advantage. "Sure, if you're comfortable. You obviously know me and Vicky, after all."

Strider lowered his mask and removed his goggles, exposing a fairly plain face with thin lips, "Hello all, my name is Matthew Connaught."

"Nice to meet you Matthew." Vicky said, giving him a satisfied smug look, "Now that I know your name and face I'll never rest until you take me shopping in Paris!" She declared, pointing at him triumphantly. Drawing chuckles from the group, Matthew raised his hands in defeat, chuckling along.

Mouse Protector who'd been uncharacteristically silent during the last little bit, fiddled with her helmet, before sliding it off completely, "I figure I might as well throw my own hat in the ring, cheese it all, I'm no coward!" She bowed in a sweeping gesture, long curly brown hair falling down without the helmet to hold it back, "I'm Charlotte Turner, at your service." She grinned as she rose up again, showcasing a pretty, girl next door kind of look, with warm brown eyes and a cute button nose, "I mean it. I'll service all of you, any time, with pleasure." She purred.

"We're underage." Amy said dryly, sharing an exasperated look with Vicky. Except her sister was full on blushing. Really now?

"I can wait a year. Mice are patient hunters." Charlotte said flippantly, waggling her eyebrows at the blushing Vicky.

Purity made a sound of amusement, which drew everyone's attention to her, she started upon realizing it, a hand slowly going toward her domino mask, "I suppose it's only fair I reciprocate, I'm the only one with the more distasteful background." She murmured. Taking a moment as the rest of the team hung back, putting no pressure on her, allowing her to make her own choice.

She already had her identity revealed to half the team anyway, which probably helped her come to a decision quicker than she'd otherwise have done.

Eventually she took a deep breath, taking her mask off, "I'm Kayden Anders, it's nice to meet you all." She said with a tremulous smile.

＊＊＊

Emily was doing paperwork in her office, keeping half an eye on the television for the upcoming press conference for Panacea's independent hero team. She hadn't even bothered to check the name, she doubted they'd last long before running back to New Wave.

The paperwork she was working on could likely be done by one of her subordinates, but she didn't fully trust it would be done properly without her hand in it, and she needed the distraction anyway as she assumed the foolish teenage parahuman would be giving her a headache soonish.

When she'd been informed that Panacea and Glory Girl had left New Wave and were petitioning for their own independent team, that they were actually in the building to do so, she'd immediately refused them. Last thing they needed in Brockton Bay was two teenagers with delusions of heroism to go muck things up. At least in New Wave they'd have a proper leash on them to keep the foolishness to an acceptable level.

Above all they were under the age of 18, so it was ridiculous to even entertain the notion.

Except within minutes of electronically filing a report on the matter in the PRT system - she received a call from the Chief Director, bluntly stating that pissing off Panacea was right now not in the PRT's interest. Emily had, without any such words actually being said, been pretty much ordered to accept the paperwork and push it through post haste.

It rankled her, but she was left with not much of a choice. At least the roster wasn't too objectionable. Mouse Protector was annoying by all counts, but an experienced hero. And Strider would be very useful if they could find a way to borrow him for more than Endbringer fights.

She just couldn't help the sense of unease. That there was something she was missing that was going to bite her in the ass.

Panacea, loved as she was - only made Emily suspicious. No one was that nice and selfless. Which the girl had somewhat proved Emily right, by throwing a tantrum and making her own team.

Emily marked another check mark on the evaluation of one of her staff members. Idly glancing up at the screen as the press conference kicked off.

The pen snapped In-between her fingers. There. In the middle of the team she'd been forced to approve.

Was Purity. The fucking Nazi.

She hoped the Chief Director would choke on it!

＊＊＊