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Got the Grimoire, Chapter 28
🕑 Added 2025-01-13 06:32:20 +0000 UTC
Chapter 28
Saturday, March 5, 2011
“So did you do anything fun yesterday?” Crystal asked me over coffee.
She’d taken me to a different spot than my usual Boardwalk haunt. Which was fair, I had a habit of picking one spot as my go to and then just kind of forgetting that other places existed. The little cafe was in downtown Brockton, one of those little pieces of the city that was Empire free thanks to the proximity of the PRT and other villain gangs. A sort of ‘no man’s land’ that translated into a touristy area filled with lots of shops and restaurants. It was rather nice to not see gang tags everywhere and actually see minorities walking about without fear. Some caution still, sure, but not outright fear like I’d seen in other parts of the city.
“Oh just some pest control and a mission from the Triumvirate. You’ll probably hear about it on the news tomorrow or Monday,” I said.
She laughed, but stopped when she noticed my still serious expression. “Seriously?”
“I’m not going to lie to you, but please understand that there are some things I just can’t talk about. Part of the job.”
“I think I understand. Still, can you promise me you won’t lie about something really important?”
“Define ‘really important.’”
“Something that could threaten innocent lives or me and my family. All the hush-hush, need to know crap is like… against the principles of New Wave.”
“I’ll do my best, really, I will.”
She studied me for a minute, then smiled. “You’re such a boy scout.”
“That a good thing or a bad thing?”
“It’s just who you are and seeing as I actually like you, well… I think you’re smart enough to figure it out.” Her eyes gleamed mischievously. “You make cute faces when you’re confused.”
“That’s almost always,” I chuckled self consciously and took a sip of coffee. “Oh, I got you something. Well, made really.” I yanked the necklace I’d fashioned for her out of my personal pocket dimension. A shimmering gem of pink crystal hung suspended in a heart shaped piece of silver.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, admiring it. “What’s the gem?”
“It’s a synthetic gemstone. Easier, cheaper, and more ethical.”
“Doesn’t make it any less pretty to look at I suppose.”
“It’s also functional. Empowered item, think Dauntless. Personal forcefield.”
“How strong?”
“Eh, a gunshot or two depending on the caliber. It’s meant as an emergency measure, not a main means of defense.” Now give me more time and funds, then maybe I could pull off something more powerful. Something to consider now that I was a millionaire.
“Stylish and practical. Is this your idea of seduction?”
“Is it working?”
“Maybe,” she said teasingly, her fingers lacing through mine. “But now I gotta do something nice for you.”
“There is more happiness in giving than receiving.”
Crystal raised an eyebrow at me. “That stinks of a quote.”
“The Bible.”
“Ah. Are you religious?”
I considered the question. I had been, but that was before getting ripped out of my home universe, handed magical power beyond my wildest dreams and then put on Earth-Bet. “I’m… in a bit of a flux state right now,” I said. “I was raised to believe in God, but with the way things are on this Earth, not to mention the existence of other Earths…” I trailed off. “It’s hard not to have faith called into question. I’ve kind of been doing my best to ignore it honestly.”
“Fair enough. The way things are, people either get way more religious or just ignore it altogether.”
“A rather fair reaction in my opinion. People either cling to what is familiar or forge a new path.”
“Did you ever consider joining Haven?”
The Christian superhero team? “No, I’ve read and studied enough to know that powers are not some kind of ‘gift’ from God, they’re something else entirely. I’d feel… disingenuous if I joined them. Plus then I’d have to leave Brockton and I wouldn’t get to see my dashing hero anymore.”
“It is rather nice that you stayed,” she agreed.
We chatted back and forth some more until it was time for her morning classes at the college and I had patrol duty. Piggot had officially signed me off as a full Protectorate member, which in my case meant a pay raise, allowed solo patrols, and in this particular instance, some patrolling with one of the Wards.
I walked through the darkness of a secluded alleyway and out into the hallway near the Wards’ quarters at PRT. A flicker of magic changed my clothing into my costume and I scanned my I.D badge and input my password. The standard thirty second alarm sounded and then the doors opened. I walked in and noticed Dennis on Console duty and Chris eating a bowl of cereal, television on some old anime that aired before Japan was wrecked by Leviathan.
“Morning guys,” I said with a small wave. By this point I’d had interactions with all of the Wards in some form or another, though there was a bit of lingering awkwardness with Gallant and Vista. I still felt stupid about that overreaction, because once I spent more than ten minutes around her, Vista was nothing like my kid sibling that was a dimension away. The blonde hair was basically it.
“Hey, Mak,” Chris waved. I noticed that he’d taken apart the remote control of the T.V almost absent-mindedly. “Here for patrol?”
“Eeyup.” I reached out my hand and with a gesture, made the remote reassemble itself.
He blinked, then blushed. “Dammit, that’s the third time this week. Thanks.”
“No problem.”
I didn’t have to wait too long before Gallant came tromping out in his power armor. I’d have to see about upgrading the stuff if I got the time, because it was basically useless other than maintaining the illusion that he was a Tinker.
“Good morning, sir,” Gallant said with an amiable, but professional tone. “The wizard and the knight then?”
I smiled despite myself and gave a small nod. “So it seems. Dennis, Chris, good day.” I snapped my fingers for the theatrics of it and sent myself and Dean through the shadows and into the garage where a van was waiting.
“Your powers have gotten a lot stronger,” Gallant noted.
“You have no idea. After you,” I gesture toward the back of the van.
Gallant clambered in and I followed, sitting across from the teenage superhero. Things were quiet for a minute as we got underway before he decided to speak up. “I wanted to apologize.”
Hm? “For what?”
“The second time we met, when you unmasked to us, I noticed you had a harsh reaction when meeting Vista and I tried to do what I always do, play the peacemaker and keep things calm. I should have figured that you’d have a better sense of self control and shouldn’t have said anything, because my odd reaction made you just immediately air out your issues to Vista which was awkward in of itself and- anyway, my point is that I meddled where I shouldn’t. It’s a bad habit of mine,” he explained.
“You were trying to help. I was pissed about it for a while, but I get that you were trying to help. We’re cool.” I offered my hand.
He seemed to slump in relief as he took it. “Thank you. I had a couple other things I wanted to talk to you about actually.”
“Shoot.”
“Well I noticed that Amy has been doing a lot better lately… I was wondering how you did that and if I could help.” I coughed to hide my laugh, but he could literally see my emotions. “I-”
“It’s a kind offer, really, but it’s frankly not really your business at this point,” I said gently. “Amy doesn’t like you for… reasons and you just have to accept that.”
He frowned. “Do you know about…?”
“Yes, I do, because weird Thinker knowledge from my trigger, remember?”
“Then you know that it is my business seeing as it concerns my girlfriend.”
Lord give me strength. I threw up a sound bubble just to be safe. “Amy isn’t actively trying to steal Vicky from you. You said it yourself, her emotional state has been getting better. Do you go out of your way to try to talk to everyone that gets the hots for Vicky? Because I don’t see how you’d have the time with how busy your schedule must be.”
“Other people don’t live with her and have a touch based power that can put people to sleep.”
I did not appreciate what he was implying. While yes, Amy had the potential to do something that heinous, it took Jack Slash’s Thinker bullshit to push her to do that. Something I’d ensure would never happen this time around. Because fuck canon. “And yet she hasn’t done anything of the sort. Judging people by what they can do instead of what they have done isn’t how we do things.”
Gallant held up his hands defensively. “I know, I know, I just… I hope you understand why I might be a little concerned. And just a tad frustrated that she apparently opened up to you, but not me.”
No way… “Gallant, are you… jealous?” The urge to laugh was strong and he could clearly see that with his powers.
“No,” he said just a little too quickly. I gave him a flat stare. He wilted. “Fine, maybe a little bit. I’ve been trying to help her for weeks, months even, but gotten nowhere. You just waltz in and suddenly she starts improving.”
“Because I’m not sleeping with the object of her affections,” I finally laughed. “Dean, you could be the nicest damn guy on the planet, but if you were in a relationship with the girl I had a thing for and I knew each time you’d had sex, I’d probably hate your guts too.”
I couldn’t see beneath the helm, but I imagine his face went pale. “Oh… now that you mention it, whenever um, well that is to say…”
“It explains why her jealousy/ hate fluctuate and why it just so happens to coincide with yours and Vicky’s late night ‘patrols’?” I supplied.
“I’m going to drop this topic. I’m sorry I ever brought it up. Keep it up with Amy though, she really does see you as a good friend and her general mood has been improving dramatically,” he rambled out, then shut up for the rest of the drive.
Trolling teenagers was surprisingly amusing.
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Seeing as Gallant lacked a Mover power, we had a nice slow patrol around the Boardwalk, showing the flag, signing some autographs, and chatting with the general public. I got a lot of heartfelt words of encouragement now that it was publicly known how much I’d contributed to the last fight with the Simurgh. I also noticed a larger than normal number of men sporting shaved heads giving me daggers and Asians dressed in red and green doing the same. So the PRT weren’t the only ones putting on a show of force. The gangs wanted to remind everyone they were still around.
It was good to know. I’d have to deal with the gangs in Brockton sooner rather than later. I already had several ideas for them, though it was up to Director Piggot’s judgment when I would actually be deployed.
Once Gallant and I were finished with our patrol, I received a message from Piggot to meet in her office. I waited patiently outside for a few minutes before the secretary buzzed me in.
Since Coil’s ousting and more funding trickling it’s way slowly but surely into Brockton Bay, Piggot’s office had improved. Her computer was already a better model, faster and more secure. Standing inside the Director’s office, was a rather surprising sight.
I hadn’t met Alexandria out of costume and while I’d seen her face, it was rather different from her civilian identity of Rebecca Costa-Brown. “Chief Director. It’s an honor, ma’am.” I saluted, not sure what the proper mode of address was.
Costa-Brown gave me a bemused smile and offered a hand instead, giving a firm shake. “Magus. The honor is mine. You’ve done good work since joining the Protectorate. Keep it up. Legend and I,” she gestured to the hero I’d missed, surprised as I was at her appearance, “were just going over the details of the operation you took part in yesterday.”
Ah. “I am at the PRT and Protectorate’s service, ma’am. It was a privilege and pleasure.”
“Yes, Alexandria did say you were rather enthusiastic in carrying out your orders,” she said without a hint of irony. “Forgive the rather abrupt visit, but I have many other duties to attend to. I’ll continue the inspection, with Deputy Director Renick. Good day, Director Piggot, Magus.” She gave us both quick nods and left with Legend in tow, the other hero shooting me a quick glance and a nod of satisfaction. Seems I wasn’t the only one who wanted the Nine gone ASAP.
I stood silently with Piggot for a moment before clearing my throat. “Ma’am, I’m sorry for not informing you, but-”
“I understand how need-to-know things work, Magus, no need to apologize,” Piggot said with a sigh. “I’m just glad we have one less band of monsters to worry about. Good work.”
“Thank you, ma’am. Out of curiosity, would you have let me go if I’d asked?”
“I’d have run it up the chain first, but seeing how powerful you’ve gotten, I myself would have allowed it, though I thought Costa-Brown would have stonewalled me. She’s an effective leader, but she’s been giving Brockton Bay the shaft for the last few years. This is the first inspection tour she’s done since I’ve taken over, she usually visits each branch at least once, sometimes twice a year to review things. A visit and I’ve been notified that our budget is being raised as well as a quarter of the Nine’s bounty money.” She gave me a look of grudging respect. “You’re really giving away millions of dollars, just like that?”
“My material needs are rather small compared to that of an entire PRT branch, ma’am. Don’t worry, I’m still being a little selfish, I kept a sizeable amount of money for myself.”
“Hm. Good, you earned it.” I must have looked surprised, because Piggot chuckled. “You’re a member of the Protectorate, yes, but you went above and beyond by helping take out the Nine. You deserve to have some extra spending money on top of what we pay you. Finally get you out of that hole you call an apartment. Buy some fancy gifts for your girlfriend, whatever. Just show a little selfishness for once.”
“I’ll try, ma’am. Was there anything else you needed?”
“Hm, since I have you here, be aware that we’re increasing your Tinker budget by a substantial amount. Those amulets are interesting. Could you make more for all of our agents?”
“It would be my genuine pleasure.”
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I walked into the Overlook and gave a small nod to the concierge. “Good evening. Are my guests where I left them?”
“Exactly so, sir.”
“Excellent.” I paused, then gave a small bow of appreciation. “This place has been a good home for me, but it is time I start to seek a more permanent residence. Thank you for housing me for so long.”
“Of course, sir. It has been our pleasure. You and any guests, are of course, welcome to return at any time.”
I nodded again to the magical construct that I was (mostly) sure was sentient in it’s own way and then proceeded down into the basement of the place. I reviewed my ‘guests’, all suspended in powerful mundane bonds as well as circles of magical containment.
Burnscar. Shatterbird. Bonesaw. William Manton. Jack Slash.
All of them were unconscious. I walked up to Shatterbird, dropped the sleep spell and snapped my fingers in front of her face a few times. Her eyes flickered open, but she didn’t react beyond that. I grimaced at my own lack of care. I’d utterly obliterated her brainwaves, turning her effectively braindead. I couldn’t exactly undo it, as there wasn’t anything left to restore. She still breathed, but it was an automatic response. Behind her eyes, there was nothing. I reapplied the sleep spell and moved on to Jack.
He snapped awake, instantly trying to free himself from his bonds. After a few moments of useless struggle, he looked at me with a bit of confusion. “You… You didn’t kill me?”
“Not yet. You’re more use as a test subject.” I conjured a chair and sat down in front of him.
“Ha, a hero, yet you’re experimenting on helpless prisoners. Just goes to show that we’re all just animals in the en-”
I stood and punched him in the face. “That was far more satisfying than using my powers.”
He spat some blood to the side and shot me a look of venom. “You’re all talk, hero. That was barely a lovetap.”
“I’m capable of far worse, as you’re about to learn. The physical feedback is just... more personal. Must be the human in me.”
“So why am I still alive? You said test subject, are you a Tinker now?”
“Oh no, I’m much worse, Jacob.” I leaned forward. “I’m a human Master. I can twist peoples minds like pretzels. But I want to learn more… subtle ways to use this power. So I’m going to start here.”
“Why would you tell me that? I’ll spill your secrets as soon as you go to throw me in the Birdcage!”
“Oh Jacob, there is no Birdcage for you. And by the time I’m done with you…” I allowed my eyes to glow as I leaned foreward. “Well, you won’t have much left to say. Dead men tell no tales.”
The screaming began soon after. It didn’t stop for quite a while.
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A/N: I finally buckled down and got two chapters in one week out! Please take it as a token of my appreciation, you guys are awesome. It was amusing for me to write Mak being all scary one moment, then a nice guy hero on the streets the next.
Comments
Tenron Lightvoid
Once they're brain-dead and of no further use 🙂
John
Well that was rather dark. Really appreciate the double chapters. Wonder when he's going to feed them to the Faerie Queen.
