Heliogirl lunged at her, her fist like a flying hammer. She held one arm behind her back, the other struck forth like a battering ram. Juniper summoned a shimmering shield of light. Activating [Solarpowered Sentinel] barely in time. The constructed shield barely held against her overwhelming force, slowly fracturing in different patterns before shattering and dissipating. The impact of Heliogirl’s punch, hurled her to the ground, she felt pain exploding through her ribs.
Blood streaked off her face, warm and wet. Her head spun. She’d just been punched by one of the heroes, her sister idolized. It felt like shit. Was she trying to kill her? The raw anger she displayed felt wrong and unnatural, personal even.
Dammit, should I just give up?
[Get up, Juniper, hold on. Arkangeal wouldn’t throw you to the wolves. Hold on.]
I can’t. I don’t want to die.
[She can’t legally kill you.]
But she’s killed villains before.
[Get up! Now!]
“Aha! I knew it.” Helio Girl shouted, cutting through the distance. “You stole it after all. Tell me what are your intentions supposed to be, do you plan on stealing the powers of every cape in the city, then what? Live like a king, like a god, leave a trail of corpses? Answer me!”
Juniper forced herself up, pulling energy from the moonlight. Her battered body glowed softly in its presence. The energy surrounded her like a golden crown. It was pale in comparison, but it gave her some willpower.
“I’m not a villain! She screamed, her throat hurt. “I’m with the OBB now! The bank heist– might’ve been a mistake. I was trying to help save people. There was a little girl’s life in danger. Her mother was unconscious when we found her. She was shot! I was supposed to do nothing?”
She screamed her chest out, half threatening to break into a sob, she wasn’t used to shouting at others. It was a foreign sensation, she much rather preferred sticking her head in a pillow.
It seemed for a brief second, Heliogirl stopped. But her gaze shifted, distracted almost, then reigniting her fury. Her head motioned weirdly. She was taking instructions.
“It doesn't matter. A vigilante is one step away from villainy. A sanctioned vigilante? Two steps. And you? You’re not even registered, yet are you?”
“No…” she whispered. “But I’m going to be–”
“Too late!” her shout cut her off. “You’re under arrest!”
She dove again, her hands clamped together.
This time juniper wouldn’t take it. She did her best to attempt to kick her. It was clumsy but landed. Causing Heliogirl to stagger back a few meters, a small smirk on her face.
“Pathetic,” she taunted
.
She charged, swinging wildly. Punches sloppy, and weak, but her desperation carried her onwards. She tackled Heliogirl, pinning her briefly.
Heliogirl laughed–crude and mocking–before she grabbed by the collar. With a touch of effort, she flung her into the air like a ragdoll.
“You got no control!” Her voice followed her. “You’re are as green as new grass!”
Juniper nearly landed in the sea. Threatening to plummet underwater. She swapped power sets midair. [gravitational distortion.]
A beam of light zipped past her, narrowly missing, splintering the wood behind her. Shards sent flying.
“More proof! You’re a cheater and a bad person.” Her words felt misdirected and ignorant. But her anger burned even hotter with every attack.
The next assault came quick and unrelenting. Her fist blurred, Juniper barely dodged, the around charged with new energy. She twisted gravity, hoping to slow down Heliogirl, the heroine gritted her teeth, forcing herself through like a juggernaut.
“You think you're a special bitch.” She sneered, Her face visibly distorting, her eyes struggling to remain open. “You’re nothing but a cheap imitator! You’re weak!”
A wave of energy slowly seeped from her expanding outwards, accelerating like a growing supernova. Juniper attempted to flee, but it was too late. It touch her foot, sending her tumbling in the air, then hit her in her chest square, ripping the air from her lungs, sending her flinging across the pier. Her body screamed of pain, as she barreled through the air.
Her lungs burned, and she couldn’t breathe.
[Durability +1. For facing an overwhelming power.]
She wasn’t ready for this. She wanted to go home. She regretted coming.
“I got you Juniper!”
She was caught mid-air, by massive hands. Cradled under a large frame. A towering giantess held her, one she had fled from before. She looked up from her haze of tears, blood, and sweat. Her long hair was tied in a swaying ponytail, bangs hanging over her right eye, and a wide smile on her face.
“You’re… Francesca.” she croaked, partially in fear.
“Yip!” her grin was impossibly wide, and her smile infectious. A gentle giant. She winked at her “Sorry I’m late. I got held up. Eve sent me.”
Juniper turned her head. Heliogirl was homing in like a missile. Her fists glowed with massive balls of energy. Aiming for the two of them, she threatened to crush them both. She didn’t stop for the newcomer at all.
Francesca put her down on the ground, then did the unexpected– she grew even larger. She could hear bones expand and creak, muscles stretching. Francesca grunted as she grew, towering over even the small buildings, her growth still pressing. She raised her hands together, like she was playing baseball, then swatted Heliogirl like a fly, sending her booming. ‘Hyaaa!”
Heliogril spiraled into the sea, water erupted as she fell inside.
Juniper stood frozen. Francesca grinned at her, still massive in size.
Heliogirl returned but stopped in front of them hovering down. Despite being drenched, she looked just as fierce. Her soaked hair was plastered to her face.
“I know you…” Heliogirl said coldly, narrowing on Francesca... “I don’t have qualms with Operation Bell Brigade right now. But if you want to feel the heat of the sun on your face, I'll oblige.”
She rubbed her bruised shoulder then stared francesca down. She prepared for a charge, and Francesca threatened to grow even larger. The giantess frowned and cried out. “Naughty girl!”
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Juniper activated [Super Audition]. She could hear the buzzing voice over the comm much clearer.
“Emery stand down,” a calm but authoritative voice said. “ This didn’t go how I expected, there are complications now. We’ll continue our observation sometime else. Let's meet at your tower, let's not incur Arkangeal’s wrath.”
Emery? Juniper thought. Her name?
Emery–Heliogirl–snapped back. “What? This was your idea! Why are you backing out now?”
The earpiece crackled. “Call from Arkangeal and SCRA headquarters. She’s off the hook– for now.”
Emery froze, her expression twisting. Slowly, she descended, shoulders slumping.
Juniper saw this as an opportunity. She stepped forward, wiping the small tears and bloody bruises. “Your name is Emery?” she said softly.
Emery started freezing in place, her expression went from frustration to horror. Eyes flickering, she became tense. She became excited again, flaring her aura. It pushed against Juniper and it hurt. She kept moving forward.
“Stop it!” Francesca shouted, voice rumbling around them.
Emery's face shifted toward the giantess, in fear.
“You’re tired Heliogirl, Sit.”
Emery flopped to the floor, she started kicking the wood, attention locked on Juniper. “You got super hearing too, that ain’t fair.” She started grumbling. “I knew this was a bad idea. Now my Identity is exposed and I can’t do anything.”
Juniper saw an opportunity for reconciliation. But she was hesitant and skeptical, she sat down next to her, forcing a smile.
“Can I ask?” she started, voice desperate. “Why did you attack me? I never took your powers intentionally, it was an accident. I had no control over it. I’ve never hurt anyone without cause. Why!”
Emery grunted, her jaw tight.“My…friend, a good man. Suspected you were–” she stopped abruptly. “I shouldn’t be talking about this. He should do it himself. You've got my name. You plan on doxxing me?”
“You got mine,” Juniper stated. “It’s only fair. That I know yours. Leverage paid, eye for an eye.”
“Whatever…” Emery muttered.
“Play nice,” Francesca chimed with a grin. “You attacked an innocent cape because you had some suspicions.”
“I did, didn’t I? But we had a good reason for justification.” she sounded bitter like she’d rather be somewhere else. That would make two of them. “A few decades ago, someone like you popped up and caused mass chaos. Killed lots of people, My good friend, personally saw this, and we wanted to make sure you weren't a threat. This was a test so to speak.”
Juniper’s mind wandered to her first meeting with Quixis. He had told her there were others than her out there. That made her wonder. Not everyone who had powers based their morality on heroism. Power corrupts ultimately. There’s a reason villains outnumber heroes. Whether it’s tragedy or trauma, Life isn’t a nice thing to get through.
“So you attacked me, instead, of conversing?” Juniper shouted in her ear. “You decided to beat the fuck out of me. I have someone who can’t see me like this? You can’t just fucking do that!”
“You weren’t cooperating, Cas- My friend was constantly nagging me to investigate. The fucking SCRA keeps calling me, my assistant keeps bothering me with duties and shit. I’m just fucking tired okay. I wanted to get this mimic shit under wraps. No offense.”
Juniper flinched, it reminded her of the time After Remy had gotten sick. Her parents had constantly scolded her, if not for being ‘deadweight’ and then for the act of existing. Stress and situational depression, are always an excuse.
“My sister looks up to you,” Juniper shot back at her, voice teaming with anger. “She thought you were a role model, a real hero. But it’s clear to me that you're nothing but a stuck-up bitch.”
Emery’s composure broke. She tackled Juniper to the ground, Juniper’s head snapped back. Her fists started to swing, but she didn't use her powers. “Says the fucking power poser! Eat dirt.”
[OOOHHH, NEKO FIGHT!]
Juniper’s cheeks stung.
Juniper slapped back just as hard. “Stop touching me!” she growled.
“You deserved it!” Emery snapped, shoving into Juniper’s stomach. She struggled to get the heroine off her, retaliating by punching her in the stomach.
They rolled over, Juniper leaned over her chest. Emery grabbed a twist of her wavy hair. Yanking hard, Juniper yelped in pain. She clawed at her arms.
They fidgeted and tossed at each other. She slapped Juniper across the face, Juniper bit her in the arm. Emery swore as her one nails yanked into Juniper’s skin.
“You nuisance!” Emery spat, giving Juniper a wet slap across the face.
Juniper bit into her arm, hard enough to make her yelp in pain. “Ow, that hurts are you a fucking animal.”
“You started it, you brought me here! I was having a peaceful night! You dragged me here! Glowwhore!”
[Glowwhore? That’s one for the books.]
She herself couldn’t believe the things coming out of her mouth.
“Enough, both of you!” Francesca's voice boomed. She clapped her hands together, sending out a minor shockwave, WHich made them settle down. “Make peace now, there’s a clear misunderstanding here. Heliogirl, or should I say Emery, you failed. It’s time for you for bedtime. Juniper let her go, she’s misguided.”
Emery scowled but didn’t argue. She stood up, brushing off her suit.
She pouted. “You didn’t need to send me flying, you know, Jesus.”
Francesca crossed her arms, her giant frame stood in irritation. “You were about to take her head off. What did you expect me to do? Let you break her in two? You and your ‘friend’ made a judgment call, knowing full well she’s innocent. “
Emery looked away, she became less defiant. “I wasn’t going to– I just… lost control, okay? I’m sorry. It wasn’t supposed to go like that. I get hyper-triggered sometimes.
She started shrinking to a low human size. Like a deflating balloon and within seconds. Her body shrunk to about 4 foot 10. Both Emery and Juniper starred in surprise. Her presence still felt commanding.
Francesca’s gaze became more like a stern mother than a towering giant.
“Go home, Heliogirl.”
“Fine.” Emery huffed, she prepared to take off, but she was stopped.
“Wait,” Juniper called out. She moved forward, arm aching but she extended the hand. “Emery, I know we got off on the wrong foot. But can we make peace?”
Heligirl look shocked, visibility torn. She sighed, her shoulders dropped. “I really want to punch the lights out of you, but…okay.”
Emery took her hand, their hands meeting briefly. Then the unexpected happened. The air around them shimmered. Juniper felt a surge of connection, a small pulse that wasn’t entirely physical–sometyhing deeper. Emery’s emotion beld through like a flood: Frustration, overbearing stress, a undertow of grief.
[Solar-powered Sentinel Level up 4>5]
Their powers had blended together for a moment.
[Interesting.] syschan interjected.
Emery pulled her hand away abruptly, staring at Juniper like she’d been shot. “What the hell was that?”
Juniper shook her head in ignorance. Still feeling the effects of the contract. “I–I don’t know, but I think we may have bonded for a moment. Where not as different as you might think.”
Heliogirl folded her arms. “Ew.” Juniper ignored the remark.
“There’s something I wanted to ask you.”
Emery sighed, and pulled off her wig. Her short black hair fell into place, and she plucked out the contacts, small traces of water contacts on them. Her eyes were quite discerning underneath, like staring at an abyss. She put on a pair of big glasses.
Juniper did a double take. She seemed much prettier without eye contact sand a wig. Oh no. She’s very cute
[You just messed up a cute girl’s face, but to be fair, she did the same]
Juniper's breath was blown away. “I. I never would’ve guessed you looked like this.”
Emery raised a brow, unimpressed by her statement. “Yeah, what are you happy now or something? You already have a name, only a matter of time before you see me as I am. What’s the damn point, I hate this wig.”
Juniper had to hide a smile. “You’re showing a vulnerable side, you could say that.”
Emery rolled her eyes. “Well ask away, I really didn’t come for chitchat.”
Was being a cape a burden for Emery?
Juniper swallowed, Sychan wasn’t a good teacher. “Can you teach me how to fly? Like properly I mean with ‘your’ abilities.”
Emery's eyes widened. Then her expression eased, and her hardness shifted away. “Sure. Why not? Tomorrow night, I’m busy this week. Call me first. And, don’t ghost me or I’ll come back to make you regret wasting my time.”
Before Juniper could respond, EMery shot away, leaving only a rush of air.
“She’s a handful,” Francesca stated, amused.
Juniper turned to her in disbelief. Francesca barely reached Juniper’s shoulder, her once-imposing stature completely deflated. “Wait are you actually this tall. And? Your clothes , they shrunked too?”
“You’re so tiny now,” Juniper blurted before she could stop herself.
Francesca smirked. “Petite, I prefer. ”
Juniper’s lips twitched. “Right. Petite.”
Francesca giggled, holding her hand over her mouth. “My powers are like a muscle. If I don’t train constantly, they weaken. My clothes– specifically designed. Keeps me from being a naked barbarian.”
Juniper’s cheeks burned, at the thought of imagining herself in the naked giantess lap. She shook her head but Francesca caught on.
“You thought of something perverted, didn’t you? Francesca teased. “If you want to see me big and naked, just ask.”
“No–I—forget about it.” Juniper stammered, her face on fire. “Thank you for coming, I’m sorry for running away from you a while ago.”
Francesca smiled happily. “It’s okay, I know I can be intimidating, sometimes I can’t control my powers.”
“Um, can you escort me home?”
The giantess tilted her head, considering it. “Do you want me to walk next to you or carry you?”
[Giant mommy route unlocked.] Sys-chan chimed in cheerfully.
Juniper groaned, burying her face in her hands.