An armored school bus idled in front of the apartment complex, its massive doors hissing open for the few school children on this block. An excited Effy runs open arms towards its doors, as though she was flying, her backpack bouncing to her jubilant rhythm.
“Morning, officer! She called out to the police car behind the bus. She greeted the driver next, her sunny-like behavior cut through the dead cold security detail. Before entering, she turned behind her and gave a cheerful wave to Juniper, who waved back, stoically.
Juniper watched from the apartment steps, her hips tense, leaning against a railing. She smiled, but not a genuine one.
She’s never felt at ease watching Euphemia take off in an armored bus. It was all supposed to scream safety, and yet it whispered danger to her. A subtle reminder of the world they live in.
Anything could happen at any time. Cape Attacks on children were rare, but rare was not an impossibility. Today that weight she felt was heavier than ever. The bus doors hissed shut and the patrol car rumbled behind, there was an unshakeable dread building up in her chest.
She stood there for a while. Waiting for the school bus to fade from view.
Effy’s antics and laughter lingered in her head, like a ghost of adventure, that refused to quiet.
Money meant security. Security meant safety. This neighborhood wasn’t the worst by PAcifica standards, however. It was starting to crack, the broken streetlights told her that, as well as the out of place potholes.
This place wasn’t good enough. Not for Remy, not for Effy. The wind cut at her body, she steeled herself. It had been awhile since she could just doze off for hours? She wasn’t the locomotive her system was trying to force her to be, she was at the crossroads and she didn’t know where to go.
She’d never been Effy’s mother. She wondered if she did a good enough job.
Effy deserved better.
****
Kanako had very suddenly dragged Juniper along with the tugging of a hurricane. Shopping, though she called it a bonding moment. Two friends with a slowly growing sensual entanglement. Juniper had protested but found herself buckled in her sleek EV, all the same.
Somewhere between a third spotlight and the destination. Kanako had offered to buy her lots of clothing. Juniper had squeezed out a decisive but polite refusal. She believed she’d taken advantage of her hospitality far too much. “Thank you but I’m good,” she said hastily. “I, uh, got an extra advance from the state.”
It was a technical truth. The money was real and sat in her bank account but it wasn’t from the state. Not entirely. It was an OBB entry benefit–a nod of approval for cooperation and assignment. Still, she couldn’t admit that. And while her account balance wasn’t affluent, for the first time in years, she didn’t worry about rent and stuff.
She had to get it through her head, she was practically an employee now of Cape agency.
Kanako was agitated by this remark, tapping her steering irritable as they maneuvered through the streets. Her eyes settled on the sharp and inquisitive look on Juniper's face.
“Juniper,” she started. Her tone edged into the unknown. “You’re not secretly partaking in prostitution, are you? You know since you often wander around at night. Or maybe you’re leaning into that bisexual flair of yours? You got a sugar daddy you’ve been hiding from me?”
The words slammed her like punch to the gut.
“What are you talking about!?” she vomited, her voice rising like a trumpet. Her face burned as she gave Kanako a frightened look, her hands holding up in the air. “No! That’s not–why would you think that?”
Kanako grinned, enjoying the moment. “Well, you’re always being cagey about everything,” she teased her. Her voice rang with mocking suspicion.
“I figured since you are mysteriously absent sometimes. You’re pretty, and you come home looking rough the next day.
Juniper cringed inwards; she nearly collapsed into her own weight, the statement struck more than a nerve. “Kanako!” she groaned. “You’re way more perverted than when I started talking to you…I am not….I can’t even–!”
Kanako’s amusement was met, she let out a dirty laugh, her shoulders shaking as she glanced at her friend. “Relax, Jun. I’m kidding! Mostly though.”
Mostly.
It wasn’t like she was serious, but the words were triggering. She wasn’t shortsighted–Kanako often overestimated her confidence and assumed things she shouldn’t. Still, there was something concerning about the way her eyes lingered, teasing but curious, it was uncomfortable.
The scrutiny didn’t go away, Kanako wanted answers.
She stared outside, the city blurring through the glass. Her voice was soft and brittle. “I promise, I’m not doing anything like that, Just drop it.”
Kanako’s laughter tapered away, and a hint of regret shifted on her face.
“Don’t worry, it was a bad joke,” she said, tone gentle. “I know. But you're so goddamn secretive, if you need to talk to someone about what you're really doing, I’m here. No judgments, I’ll accept who you are.”
Would she?
She forced a minor nod. “Thanks,” she murmured.
Juniper rubbed her hands together, nervously. The tension left in the car was unnerving, Kanako, as usual, was oblivious to it. She had started poking little isolated nerves Juniper didn’t like, like assuming she was more perverted than she actually was. Still, the scrutiny stung in the air.
The rest of the car ride eased her temper. Kanako’s provocation already fading, even after she nearly freaked out. She caught herself smiling again. It wasn’t being out that excited her, but Kanako herself. She had a way of making Juniper feel…seen.
Perhaps it was time to take things a step further–or to back off entirely. She couldn’t decide. However, the thought of pulling her under a cover in an embrace, stealing a kiss of her own, danced in her head. After all, tomorrow was going to be an unavoidable nerve-wracking disaster. Why not live in the moment? Not to mention, kanako with her cheeky humor had suggested they visit a lingerie store, further amping up the flames.
“Kanako?” Juniper whispered.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you,”
She tilted her head playfully. “Foooorrr~”
“For looking it out for me I know, I’m not the most appealing–”
“Juniper,” Kanako cut her off before she could criticize herself. “Stop doubting yourself. You’re pitch-perfect. A little rough around the edges, sure, and you take my humor way too seriously, but you’re fine. More than fine.
“It’s just–” Juniper stopped.
She saw a fire truck racing past them. Its siren suddenly started blaring. The firelights did not take long to disappear. She dismissed it briefly, but something was unsettling her.
“You were saying Pookie?” Kanako teased, her tone light.
“Hey, don’t call me Pookie, I–” Her words died out again.
Her Head was locked on the other side of the road. She notices smoke in the distance. Traffic came to a stop, cars were turning in droves, scattering away, startled. Traffic cops waved like they were on crack, redirecting the vehicles away.
“Must have been an accident, ” Kanako stated. Hand adjusting on the wheel. “I’ll find another path.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Juniper's anxiety skyrocketed. Something wasn’t right, the whole scene seemed bizarre.
She rubbed her eyes for a moment, then when she snapped back an all-too-famaliar- interface interrupted her.
[!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]
[SYSTEM ALERT: CRISIS IN EFFECT]
[Event: Potential Catastrophic Incident Active in Zone [Pacifica Central District].]
[RISK LEVEL: HIGH. Chance of User Mortality: 47% within zone.]
[System Advise: Abort Zone or Prepare for Survival.]
[Reward for Engaging with Zone:]
_Cape Powersets Acquisition Likelihood: Very good.
_Unique chance to generate random system based skill: High.
The text came like unseeable vomit burning into her eyes.
‘WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS’. Her face narrowed
[A crisis,] the system replied coldly. Missing its usual ‘Sys-chan’ charm. [It happens from time to time. High-risk, high-reward. Your best shot at preparation for the inevitable..]
Why the hell did the system sound all robotic again. She hated the way it responded, unfamiliar with its impersonal tone.
Then it switched up again.
[Jun, sweetie, I’m not joking. You need to turn around or brace for practical war. This isn’t a halfway game anymore. If you’re staying, dig in deep, don’t bite off more than you can chew.]
‘Now you wake up?’ she gritted her teeth.
[I’m never truly asleep, Jun. You needed the headspace. I needed recalibration. Now I suggest you listen to me.]
“Juniper, what's wrong?” Kanako called out to her.
“Turn around, the car!” she shouted, her tone shocking even herself.
“What? Why? This is just an average day–”
“Turn around!” her voice cracked, raw and desperate. “We’ll both die if you don’t.”
Kanako hesitated, her fingers tightening on the steering wheel. “Explain to me. Right now.”
“I can’t!” Juniper snapped, her breathing uneven. “Just trust me!”
Fear became visible in Kanako's face. “Juniper, I’m not turning this car around until you tell me what’s happening. You’re scaring me.”
Juniper prepared to argue, and then the massive roar cut her off. The ground shook as an explosion ripped debris through the air. The building in the distance collapses flames licking its edges. Shrapnel starts flying in every direction. Cars came to a halt, drivers all over started panicking.
Visible bodies were flung from the windows of the building, landing on the ground lifelessly. Smoke started billowing, choking out the sun.
“Turn the fuck around!” Juniper shouted, gripping the door handle.
Kanako did comply, spinning the wheel, but before they could get out. Another explosion rocked directly above them. The nearby building split apart, raining like a meteor shower. Slabs of concrete slammed into the street, nearly hitting them.
A piece of the debris fell on the car in front of them, immobilizing it. “What the hell!” Kanako swerved hard to avoid collision, with the now stationary vehicle, the maneuver sent the car out of control. The tires let out a wail against the asphalt before the EV tipped over and slammed onto its side.
A piece of debris had touched the windshield, cracking it open, and Juniper’s head stuck through, her body violently, thrown from the car as it rolled. The ground it her hard. She moaned, clutching her head, pain flared. A concussion, maybe worse.
Kanako was still inside.
She lit fire under her own ass, scrambling to the door, Ignoring the dizzyness and her wobbly legs. The smoke and ash were visibly obscuring one part of the road.
“Kanako!” she yelled, hitting against the handless door. She was okay, but blood streaked from her face.
“It won’t open!” she gasped, voice trembling.
“Hold on!” Juniper braced herself, manipulating gravity, she crammed the door open, yanking hard. The metal creaked as it finally gave way.
Kanako looked at her, confused, but hardly conscious.
She couldn’t explain. She was on high alert, there were screams everywhere. However, when a crowd of onlookers started running like the devil was behind them, she spotted a source of their terror– a man with a flamethrower in his hands, face obscured by a crude chemical mask, He started spraying jest of fire at anything and anyone.
She saw a man, screaming in agony, as the flames melted him. She winced but didn’t look away, she need to act. She felt weak.
Then she saw them: more trapped people. A family of three. A father desperately banging on a window to get out. The maniac walking in their direction.
She felt genuine fury and disgust.
“Kanako, Stay low,” Juniper said, voice firm despite shaking herself.
Kanako blinked at her, her head moving irrationally around. “What are you talking about? We have to run, we–”
“Do you trust me?” Juniper asked.
Kanako nodded, weakly.
“Do you have anything to cover one's face? Sunglasses, anything?”
Kanako fumbled through her handbag, pulling out a face mask, hands trembling.
“Juniper what are doing?” she said, half disoriented.
Juniper put on the facemask, tightly. She didn’t hesitate,she looked her in the eye. “Stay put. I wish things were different, but I can’t live in parallel.”
Kanako became hysterical. “Juniper what are you talking about, where are you going? Let’s run away.”
“I can not,” Juniper said, her heart beating like war drums. “Stay low, Until I say so.”
Sys-chan whispered in her head. [Are you sure you wanna take this approach, gal?]
“Yeah, I have to.”
Kanako grabbed her arm, desperately clinging. “You don’t have to play a hero! Come with me!”
Juniper pulled away, her decision was made.
[Solar-powered Sentinel]
[Lv. 5 > Lv. 6]
Her power sprang to life. The power of the sun flooded through sharper than ever before. Was it because of [Synching] with Emery? It didn’t matter. She needed to move.
Juniper stepped back.
Kanako recoiled, creeping against the tipped-over car. “You’re a cape?!”
Juniper's heart sank when Kanako gave her a look of betrayal. “Stay put. Find cover. I’ll be right back.”
Turning away from her panicking friend, her chest tightened with emotions. She channeled it into a burst of power, launching herself like a javelin, angling towards the maniac. She landed behind him, the ground cracked under her.
He turned, masked tilting. He hissed at her. “Mortem ad societatem,”
Without warning he pulled his trigger, sending a violent jet of flames towards her.
She raised her shield in just time, glowing golden with solar energy. The heat licked her skin, as the flames threatened to penetrate the barrier. Sweat started dripping down her temples, the shield wavering under assault.
“Damnation!” she muttered, pushing forward. Fire intensifying, it was slowly starting to creep through and around.
[Maneuver!] Sys-chan commanded.
She agreed. She took to the air. Swapping powers, gravity amplified beneath the maniac.
The flames lessened, bending towards the distorted gravity trajectory. The man struggled to stay afoot, his balance became unbearable.
Juniper’s temper shot up. These attacks weren’t random–they were coordinated, but she couldn’t focus on it. Her frustration boiled over.
She dove down, accelerating like a missile. Her sneaker connects to his head, sending him to the ground sprawling. The flamethrower skidded away, laying at a closed-off position. The flames started spewing inside of the machine itself.
[You better do something about that flamethrower, sister] Sys-chan’s voice said.
“On it,” she growled, running towards it.
The device was heating rapidly, the canister started puffing up. She enveloped it with the shield, something she learned from Emery. The shield barely held when the flamethrower combusted and the blast wave send her flying back.
She crashed on the ground, coming to a halt. Lying on the ground the world tilting forty-five degrees. She noticed the trapped father and his kids, still trying to get out.
She got back up, pushing herself to her feet.
“Turn away from the window!” she shouted, slamming her foot against the glass. It shattered, and she reached in, pulling the kids out one by one, followed by their frantic father.
“Thank you, oh God, thank you,” the man stammered, clutching his children tightly.
She wanted to respond but a chill ran down her spine.
“Kanako’s voice. “Behind you!”
A crushing grip was locked around her throat, yanking her backward. The pyromaniac, his hands were like rusted iron. He growled in some old European language. His helmet was missing, breath was hot against her ear.
Kicking her legs was futile, as was punching him in the gut. There wasn’t much you could do. She expelled a burst of power and shot into the air. Dragging him with her. His weight wearing her down.
“Get off!” she croaked.
They climbed higher still, the further the more dangerous it was to throw him off. Unless she wanted to make a meat puddle. It put her into more trouble. She thought fast, manipulating gravity sending a ripple of distortion around them.
His body reacted strangely, he twisted mid-air and his grip let loose, she slammed her boot into him. He spiraled downwards onto a car, hitting it with a loud crash. But still breathing.
Juniper hovered a bit, staring at the chaotic sight.
The threat was over, but her body was hurt, and her reserved energy dwindled.
[+1 to power, for fighting against a different weight.]
Gravitational Distortion: LVL2> LV3]
She ignored the notifications.
Kanako ran toward her, face pale and bloody. “You’re–okay?” she said with relief, but her face darker.
The family she rescued thanked her profusely, before leaving. Kanako stared at her.
“You’ve been a cape this whole time?” Kanako’s voice was sharp, hurt cutting through her words.
Juniper shook her head, exhaustion heavy. “No. It was during the hospital incident, just before we met. That I awakened this.”
“This is your big secret?”
“Yeah…”
Juniper nodded. “Look things aren’t ideal right now. Get out of here–it’s going to get worse.”
Kanako's lips trembled. “But you’re no fighter. You're harmless but naggy. You need to leave too."
“No!” she snapped, voice breaking. “I– have to do this. I’m OBB now.”
Her face flinched. “What? A vigilante…”
There’s no time for this,” Juniper said, her tone softening despite the urgency. “Please, go home. Let my brother know what’s happening. If you can, take him to an emergency bunker.”
“What about Effy?”
“She’ll be fine—the school patrol will keep her safe. They have special operations just for such things, Just go.”
Kanako hesitated
“I–”
“Go, Kanako!” Juniper interrupted her voice firm despite the lump in her throat. “If you stay, you’ll die.”
Kanako looked at her, there were unspoken words. But she turned eventually running away.
Juniper watched her retreat, her own heart heavy.
[Well] Sys-chan piped up, breaking the silence. [That could’ve gone better. But hey, at least you’re alive!]
“You should've warned me bout things like this.”
[I’m not an omniscient being!]
Juniper clenched her fists, her resolve hardening. The crisis wasn’t over yet.
She could hear a scream nearby, begging, pleading even, from within a building. A building a flame. Someone was trapped, she needed to act.
Her determination was set.