The Defenders Renewed (Group Thread Open To All)

[Armphid]

Defender's Lunar Base, Training Room

Makoto's eyes went wide and her face paled at Lynx's smile, directly at her, before the Ferasi woman departed with one of the other new team members. Was that...could she? The Japanese woman felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her. She knew. How could she know? There was no way! But maybe there was. Deduction? Some of her marvelous little toys?

She jumped to her feet and strode across the space of the training room, making a bee line for the door. She had to leave. Had to leave now. She knew, and if she knew, she might tell, and if she told, they'd react badly. They'd hate her. Call her a freak. They might hurt her. Like Hiro did.

Makoto was almost to the door when John made the announcement. She stopped in front of it and looked back over her shoulder. The brawny bulk of the commander and the slender grace of Avery were side by side, ready for their demonstration.

John hadn't hated her. Neither had Avery. Her panic and fear...they hadn't been justified with those two. Was it fair of her to feel that way about the others learning the truth?

Statistics certainly were on her side. Trans people, transitioned or not, faced condemnation or violence from their loved ones when they came out an overwhelming majority of the time. But these also weren't just any people.

Her hand wavered over the console that would open the door. Her instincts screamed at her to open it and walk out, head to the teleporters and go back to Tokyo. Do that was safest, what gave the best chance for survival. Don't let yourself be hurt again.

Makoto took a deep breath and stepped back away from the door. She'd trust them. Oh, oh, this was probably such a mistake! But she had to give them the chance. They deserved it. She turned and walked stiffly to one of the crates and sat down, apart from the others already present. The curvy Japanese beauty continued to take deep breaths, trying to steady herself and be attentive to what was about to take place.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Ignore this.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

((This post is a copy of RPing between SinisterSpiders and silvertongue217. Avery's replies are in the standard font, and John’s are in italics.))

When the five minutes was almost up, Avery saw a few more people entering the Arena and did a quick head count. It look like everyone had made it back just in time.

"All right, everyone take a seat please!" Avery called out, gesturing to the crates arranged in a semi-circle around the perimeter of the sand. She watched as everyone got settled and then looked over to John.

~

"Okay guys listen up" John said watching as the latest team moved off the field "were going to switch it up now"

John stepped out to the sparring circle and turned making sure he had every ones attention "Fighting spiders is one thing but fighting powered people is an entirely different game some of you who have been heres in your own towns know a little some thing about this but for most of you its an entirely new field of battle"

"Im going to show you what powered fighting looks like well at least Siren and I are" John said his armor forming over him as he gestured for Siren to step forward "now she and I have fought together for years and sparred together even longer so..... do not think you will be like us from the very start"



~


Avery stood up straight from where she was leaning against some crates. She listened as John spoke, excitement rising as vivid memories of what it was like to spar with him flooded back.

"One of the most important things about taking on an enemy can be knowing how they fight. Knowing their weaknesses and strengths. You aren't always going to know anything about them, but if you do you need to take advantage of it."

Avery retrieved the bag of earphones from where she left it after the earlier training session. She opened it and handed it over to Cloe.

"Every one please take a pair of earphones from the bag and pass it on. You'll need them."
Avery couldn't help the smirk on her face as Cloe took a set of earphones and passed the bag on to the person next to her. She then went and joined John in the middle of the ring.

"Now Chief and I know each other's strengths and weaknesses well. And no, we won't tell you what they are. But please watch as we spar, see what you can figure out for yourself."

~
"And above every thing else remember what you learn here can save your life one day" John told them coming over to her and watching as they all put on their ear plugs.

"Just like old times then" John said a rare smile on his face as he reached out and gently stroked her chin "shall we even bring back the old bet for sparring with one another?"

~

"Yes, I think we will."

Avery leaned into John's touch for but a moment before stepping back, remembering that she was supposed to be in professional mode. She took the controller for the earphones and set them to 9, the second highest setting, knowing that the fight may get intense.

"Bring it on," Avery said, dancing back and crouching into her standard starting position. She grinned at John; a wicked, challenging expression.

~
"Good gives me added incentive to win"

John let her step back and he narrowed his eyes. His armor formed sealing his head as he watched her. He decided to go with something light first not because he wanted to go easy on her but to show them all what fighting was like.

John shot his hand out a javelin of black goo formed from his costume and he whipped it at her with lighting fast speed as bounded forward following right behind the javelin.

~

Excitement and adrenalin flooded Avery's system as John suited up. A moment later he formed a javelin and cast it at her. Avery ducked to the side at the last moment, feeling the javelin rustling the air right near the feathers of her left wing. It was close, she was slower than she used to be. She needed to get back to training. She had little time to think about that though, as John was racing towards her. If he got her the match would be over in a moment. So without hesitation she leaped into the air, wings beating hard, the tips of her toes narrowly missing John's head as he rushed through the space where she would have been. She beat higher, pulling her bow off her back as she did, nocking one of her explosive arrows (training grade) as she did.

~

The arrow hit him rocketing him back as his feet dug into the ground.

"Training arrows?" John said snorting and looking up "You know your going to have to do better than that!"

She was airborne now which meant he had to bring her down. He shot his hand out once more letting the material of his suit flow back to him and snake up his arm. He formed a shield with his left and then with the other began casting his hand out. It formed a big hand that shot into the sky trying to grab her and pull her down.


~

While Avery hadn't been diligent with archery or combat practice during the disbandment she had been on top of her flight practice. If anything she was better now in the air than she had ever been. Even so, she narrowly dodged out of the way of John's giant hand.

"Gonna need more than giant hand to catch me!" she laughed sending another explosive arrow his way.

~

"Oh will I?" John said smirking. The arrow rushed towards him but this time he didnt move to dodge it. Instead he waited until the last minute and side stepped it shooting his hand out to grab the shaft. He turned his body using his momentum and his hand to act as a catapult to send it back to her as fast as she had let it loose.

~

"Shit!" The rare swear word escaped from Avery's lips as the arrow was cast back at her. She tucked in her wings and dropped down, the maneuver casting her into a barrel roll that sent her diving far too close to John's left side.

~
He took advantage of that jumping in the air and using his strength to get high up. He grabbed her in mid air making sure not to crush her as he brought her back down to earth.

"I know your not going to make it this easy for me" He said stupidly unsealing his costume and revealing his face as he leaned in to kiss her.

~

Avery grunted as John snatched her from the air. He was gentler than he needed to be, but she still struggled to catch her breath as he pulled her against him. He unsealed his suit, the visor sliding down as his lips aimed for hers.

"When will you learn?" She chuckled as she danced backwards before his lips could catch hers.

The team would now discover what the earphones were for.

Avery opened her mouth, letting out one of her strongest concussive calls. For those with earphones it would make them feel a sudden but muted sense of vertigo. For John, it should be strong enough to knock him back a fair way. For others without his fortitude the full strength of it would totally disrupt their vestibular system and could even render them unconsciousness.

~

He was a fool
John stumbled back his costume reacting the the high pitched sonic attack. He felt it bubble and recoil in pain and he slammed his fist down. His attack came with two desired effects. The jutting ground and concert would bounce the sonics away from him and give him precious time to recover.

If he was lucky it would also make a shock wave towards her forcing her to stop the attack and either take to the air again (which while wasnt ideal was better than this) or knock her on her ass and cause her to stop.

Either one worked for him

~

Avery felt a wave of satisfaction as John stumbled away. He was on his A game though, sending it right back at her. She stumbled back, cutting off the sonic attack, and she took a few running steps away from him and went airborne again. As she rose in the air she made her way closer to the urban environment. She took an explosive arrow again, this time aiming it at the ground behind him, following through with another one to the ground in front of him a fraction of a moment later.

~

"Thats my girl" John murmured jumping to the side to move away from the arrows as he did he expanded his suit turning it into a ball that would bounce most of the explosive force back.


"lets see how she likes this" John said aiming at the concrete and rocks that he had managed to punch forward with his fist. He hit it hard bouncing off of it like a tennis ball and slamming directly into her.

~

Avery groaned as ball-John bounced into her, winding her and knocking her to the ground. She barely managed to tuck in her wings and roll. As she jumped to her feet she let out a series of sharp, painful calls, just enough for her to try to jump back in the air. Normally such calls would make the recipients' head pound hard enough to make their ears bleed and force them to their knees with the pain.

~

John landed back on the ground and leapt at her hoping to get to her before.....

He had no such luck

She let lose a painful cry forcing him to jump back and hide behind the rocks. The suit struggled to compensate twisting and forming jagged edges as he swore.

"Okay good old fashion fist time" John murmured punching the rocks he had managed to uproot from the floor. They shot out creating a small hail of boulders aimed vaguely in her direction.

~

The shower of rocks pelted against her and Avery groaned at the pain. She winged higher then, towards the ceiling and hopefully out of his jumping range. She took out a plain arrow, shooting it directly at him. She knew it wouldn't do anything except annoy him, but she needed to make him angry enough to be rash.

~

The arrow bounced off his chest and he rose an eyebrow

"Seriously?" He asked her grabbing it. his arm formed a crossbow like device and he shot the arrow back.

And this time with a surprise

It was entirely black and several tinier arrows split off of it. The formed a hail of dull arrows that belted her sticking to her wings like tack.

~

"What? Plain arrows not good enough?" Avery called down at him, her voice teasing. The arrows made from his suit stuck to her wings, making her work harder to stay aloft.

"Have a few more then Mr Hulk!" She laughed, sending back four more arrows, one after the other.

~

He sent each one back

Taking more and more of his armor with it forcing her down to ground level. He knew what he was doing but if he set it up just right he would show the recruits what over confidence could lead to. He sent her a week as he saw her coming down bounding forward as his armor sank back into his body.

"There we go" He said charging at her "Back to ground level!"

~

Avery struggled and fought against the stray globs of John's suit as she got closer and closer to the sand. She kept firing arrows as she went, but her limbs (wings included) were starting to ache. She waited, fighting it out until the last moment, until John charged towards her, his suit slowly streaming back towards him as he did.

Now, the Commander was at his most vulnerable

Avery opened her mouth and let her deadliest cry rip. It was deep, keening, the low notes striking the body and slamming into the cells. It pulled, it tugged, it scratched at every fibre of John's weakened suit, slithering into the cracks and pushing against his skin. She felt bad for those watching, knowing they would be feeling discomfort too, even with the ear plugs.

But she wanted John to go down

She had bet to win.

~

And just like that the fight was over

John had been expecting slash hoping she would pull it out. He had given her the perfect opening made himself a target she couldn't resist in hopes she would strike.

And strike she did

The notes hit him hard all but obliterating the last vestiges of his suit. He doubled over as the sound hit him to forcing him onto his knees as he subsumed to the pressure of her sonic powers.

"Uncle!" He called to her raising his hands "You win!"

~
Avery grinned at John's show. It was unfortunate that he had left himself so open, she was raring for a true even match with him. But then again, they'd both been holding back.

Avery flared out her wings, drawing her sword from her scabbard and closing the gap between them. She pressed the tip against John's throat and caught his eyes. Her breasts were heaving, breath coming in short painful bursts after using that call.

"Does that mean I win?" She asked, cocking her hip out to the side and offering him a hand up.

~

"I did say uncle did I not?" John told her raising his eye brow and pushing him self up "And I think we got the point across"

He leaned in giving her a quick kiss before he pulled back

"Dont get cocky on the battlefield!" He warned them all waving his hand and drawing the suit back to him "It will lead to you getting your arse kicked nine times out of ten!"

~
Almost every part of Avery's body was buzzing with adrenaline from the fight. She knew that, once it wore off, she would probably be in for a lot of aches and pain. It was a good fight, nothing like the ones they used to have, but she had gotten out of practice and John had accounted for that. They had taken it slowly at the start; both warming up before pulling out their game changing abilities.

"So," Avery said, sheathing her sword and straightening up. She looked at out the assembled heroes as she struggled to regain her breath. "Any questions or comments?"

 

[KimaniNight]

Defenders' Lunar Base, Training Area

POV Zuya

That...was impressive, Zuya thought to herself, watching the battle between John and Avery unfold. And it definitely wanted her to stress to the Commander the role she saw for herself, that of liaison, rather than participant.

And she definitely agreed with the Commander when he admonished those assembled not to get cocky in the field. Hell, she had had her ass handed to her in the field when she was cautious as hell.

Yep, Zuya thought sourly, the next set of games was going to be fun. Real fun.

 

[KimaniNight]

Defenders' Lunar Base, Medical Area

POV Lynx and Wind Hunter

"That doesn't look like an MRI," Alya said, as she entered the scanning area, wearing a light green medical gown. Her tiger was lying on the floor, the expression on his face showing him to be nonplussed by the going-ons around him.

"It's probably a little bit more advanced than what you've seen," Lynx modestly allowed as she helped Alya up on the table. Instead of a tube that a person would normally go into, the table Alya was lying on would slide between a group of three rings. "At the very least, it defeats the feelings of claustrophobia that patients have complained about before."

"Get comfortable," Lynx instructed, as she moved to an instrument panel. "We'll be here for about an hour."

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Peter finally seemed to get out of his own head when the training was announced as well as hearing that the Commander was going to take on Avery in front of everyone. It seemed an odd step in training the new recruits, but as he thought about it, it made more and more sense. For a lot of them, he wasn't sure if any of them had seen what it was like when two people with superhuman abilities went at each other. It's one thing to take on goons and bullies in your home town, but soon they would be expected to fight creatures like Caliban or the team that he had just faced in Russia. Ultimately, they would all be squaring off against Jane. They needed to know just how hairy it could get when their powers were pushed to the limit. As he waited for them to start, he saw Black Ant making for the door. Did something happen when she went to talk with Avery after the training session? Was there something he missed after she got back? He'd hate to think that Makoto's old tech wouldn't be in the fight again.

He'd seen it do some amazing things in the old days. Sadly, it hadn't saved his friend when he was forced to take on Jane by himself. He respected him for at least making the stand, however hopeless it might have been. With her wavering by the door, it seemed like an opportunity to at least meet his protege. He wouldn't have allowed her to take up the suit if he didn't trust her. Working his way around the back of the assembled group, Peter walked over where Black Ant stood, seemingly like a deer in the headlights.

"Hey... Black Ant... Sorry for not using the Japanese name, but my mouth isn't designed for those syllables." He said apologetically as he waited to see if he had her attention. "I know they are about to kick off, but I wanted to come around and say hello and offer to have a chat with you later. I wasn't really close with your mentor, but I'd like to think I knew him in my own way. I'd like to do better with you, if you're up for it. Maybe once we wrap up here we can have a chat and I can share some of my own insights to this new life you're gonna step into." He said, finishing up his offer as Avery and John strode onto the platform. "Think it over and enjoy the show." He said with a grin as he moved back around to his spot earlier to watch the fight unfold.

Throughout the fight, Peter chided both sides, making snide comments and making references to old fights that only they would remember to really get under their skin. He would just grin at each glance out of the corner of their eyes. Still, from the outside, he saw what the two of them were trying to teach through this fight. Over reaching and overconfidence led to more dead Defenders in the old days than anything that the enemies did. This was a very important lesson they were teaching. He watched the new recruits to see how they were taking it. He hoped it sunk in or they would wind up like the others. He watched Black Ant in particular for her reaction. While it wasn't over confidence exactly that killed him, it was still something she should bear in mind given all the crazy things the nanite suit could do.

 

[Wolfias]

Unforeseen Danger.

That last blast of sound had Adam and Greywolf thinking of only one thing on their searing agonized minds as they covered plug aided ears as blood flows freely from them. The Sparring Match has just ended he ran staggering to the exit, right behind Siren to wretch a little of the large amount of food to fuel himself and Grey at the doors. One bloody hand bracing himself against the door the world lilts wildly.

Slapping feebly at the control panel to get out a great smear of his blood upon it, as blackness claimed the joined mind. Collapsing into a heap he was barely breathing a completely unresponsive near what a comatose state, vague voices with a faint white glow of a barely visible Wolf. Then it was fading away.

White Native American Loin cloth, feathers at pelvic, left ear, biceps, white bow guards will reflect this faint silver glint fading Adam slurs Spirit Wolf and fell silent. Blood had fell in the sand under the ears, core temperature rising they were in bad shape and need immediate medical aid. If he's to live longer.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Defender's Base, Training Arena

~ Avery ~

One moment Avery was standing with her hand on the pommel of her sword, the next she was in the air, speeding towards the stumbling, retreating Adam. Her feet slammed onto the ground beside him just as he lost consciousness.

"Stay with me Adam," she said, placing her hands gently on either side of his head and turning it from side to side. The earplugs were still in, but slightly dislodged by the stream of blood. She felt a stab of utter guilt as she watched his breathing slow. She fished the ear plugs away, not caring about the blood.

"You're gonna be fine big fella," Avery whispered, leaning closer to him and preparing herself for her call. It had been so long since she had healed anyone with it, she only hoped it would be enough. He was so hot though, she could feel it through his fur, and his breathing was failing. This wasn't good.

Leaning in close, Avery's lips no more than an inch away from Adam's bleeding left ear, Avery let her cry go. It was a sweet, joyous sound. It was the cool rain after a drought, the warm fire waiting after a cold day, it sung to the skin, the bones, to every one of Adam's cells, encouraging them to reform, to settle. To survive.




~ Cloe ~

Cloe had found the sparring amusing. She remembered John and Avery's old fights and was pleased to see that they still had that healthy rivalry. But, to further John's comments from earlier, he was much more openly flirtatious with Avery than he had ever been before. He even tried to kiss her at one stage!

From her own observations of the fight, and by looking at the faces of the new recruits, Cloe could understand what John and Avery were trying to do. Their abilities were strong, as were most of the Defenders, and they were not to be taken for granted or trifled with. Everyone on this team had the ability to be powerful, but they could also be taken down all the same. It was sobering.

Though what happened next was an utter shock. Cloe almost missed it. She saw the look of horror on Avery's face and then turned to see the man/wolf hybrid staggering towards the nearest exit, blood streaming down the sides of his face. Cloe frowned, her own earphones had worked perfectly to protect her. Sure, she had felt woozy or uncomfortable at times, but Avery was always careful to protect her team mates.

Not knowing the extent of the situation, Cloe decided to help. She jumped from her seat and ran to the nearest storage locker, rifling through it for an emergency first aid kit, knowing that it may be inadequate. Regardless, her next action was to dash towards her friend.

Avery was kneeling in the sand beside Greywolf, her call tapering off as Cloe arrived, breathless.

"Avery, how is he?" She asked, holding out the kit and hoping for the best.

"I don't know," Avery replied, voice shaken. She pressed her hand to her ear; "Lynx, you're in med bay? Please prep the A&E room for an incoming patient."

The winged woman reached into her bodice and pulled out a controller of some kind, and a few moments later a dozen metallic spiders were scuttling over and carefully lifting Greywolf's body from the ground and moving to take him to sick bay right away. Before Avery followed the spider-gurney and Greywolf, Cloe could see the guilt written in her brown eyes.

 

[KimaniNight]

Defenders' Lunar Base, Medical Area

POV Lynx and Wind Hunter

"On it," Lynx replied to Avery over the comm link.

"Just relax, you're doing fine," she told Alya. "I'll be back in a little while. I just have to get ready for someone else."

"And make sure you're not underfoot," Lynx added to the tiger. The tiger nodded, got up, and immediately disappeared into the wall.

Neat trick, that, Lynx thought to herself as she moved quickly to make preparations for whoever Avery was bringing in.

 

[Wolfias]

Adam/Greywolf and the healing cry

"Stay with me Adam"

As soon as Avery's cry of healing Adam and Greywolf were not two combined Entities but two separate ones in their minds. Soft Navajo singing is heard as a cold rain falls against the hide walls of a Teepee. Adam and Greywolf open their eyes to find the other sitting across a small fire crackling between them. They were at piece as a feeling of well being flowed through their bodies a slight smile on their faces. Slowly reaching across a fire Man and Wolf clasp hands in a Navajo grip, Outwardly a slight smile forms upon Adam's lips and takes Avery's hand gently.

"You're gonna be fine big fella"

The Wolf Spirit appears towering over the two they look as small as children. It's voice as thunder, the chants of the Navajo people, whispering breezes after a rainfall. "You Will Now Return As You Were ... To Help Those That Defend Humanity Against The Darkness To Come. You Will Be Stronger Than You Were Use ... It Wisely." (All spoken in Navajo) Unable to wake yet as the healing continues to repair the damage to their brain and ears. She did not know the desperation of the cry his bone, muscle, tendon and density increased, he wasn't just healed he'd be healthier than he was before accidentally injured. It was not yet known when he would awaken, but he'd be well cared for until then and be watched very closely afterwards.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Defender's Base, Training Arena

By the time Avery and Adam arrived in the medical bay, it looked as though the man had stabilised. His breathing was becoming more regular, and the bleeding had stopped. Avery could only hope she had done enough to stall any popular damage.

"Lynx? We're here!" Avery called out, directing the spiders straight to the section cordoned off for emergencies. They transferred Adam to the bed and Avery look up for Lynx, her gut roiling with worry for the man's condition and guilt at her role in it.

"It was one of my calls, the supersonic one. I had the earphones set right up high, but something went wrong. He tried to stumble out of the room, his ears were bleeding and he fell unconscious. I used a healing cry on him, and I think he is stabilised, but I don't know what level of damage was done."

 

[KimaniNight]

Defenders' Lunar Base, Medical Area

"His vital signs are stabilizing," Lynx said, trotting to the bed side, a small tablet in her hand. The bed that Adam had been placed on was probably more advanced than anything that could be found on the planet below, with a number of sensors implanted in it, which fed data wirelessly into the heads up display at the head of the bed.

Lynx gingerly examined Adam's ears, then nodded. "Despite the evidence to the contrary," she told Avery, "I don't believe he will suffer any damage to his hearing or equilibrium. If he's like his Uncle Jamison," she added, gesturing at the medical data she had on the former Defender on her tablet, "All he'll need is a chance to rest in peace. Followed immediately by a high caloric intake," she said with a smile.

"So relax," she told Avery, reaching up a hand and gently caressing the winged woman's face for a moment. "I suspect what happened was the earphones didn't fully compensate for the hypersensitivity of this young man's hearing. Possibly even a small malfunction coupled with that fact exacerbated the situation. I should have recognized that possibility and come over and suggested an adjustment before the sparring match between you and the Chief." Lynx took one of Avery's hand in hers. "But we survived, we learned, and we will..." Lynx paused, then allowed herself a small grin "...kick much better ass next time."

 

[SinisterSpiders]

It wasn't until Lynx made her assessment and took Avery's hand that she realised the warmth in her other one. She looked down, seeing Adam's fingers wrapped around her own and felt a profound sense of relief. He would be okay. She looked up at Lynx.

"Thank you, I would appreciate that," Avery said to Lynx. She took one more look down at Lynx and smiled. "Told you you'd be okay," she said softly. "Rest up, we'll do better next time."

With that Avery left the room. She only made it two corridors down before she leaned against the wall, her wings flaring out to the side, sinking down she closed her eyes, breathing out the anxiety and trying to make each breath in a calming one. He was okay, he had survived. She just knew she would need to to better next time.

"He should be okay John," Avery said, allowing herself one more moment before standing and rubbing her stinging eyes. "Lynx said he just needs rest. S-should I come back?" She asked. Her stomach twisted at the thought of having to face the others after hurting one of their own.

 

[Armphid]

Defenders' Lunar Base - Training Dome

Makoto was visibly startled at Peter's approach and words. Largely because she was in her own head more than anything. Her violet eyes studied him and then she smiled; a shy, sweet expression on her lips. "Hai. I would like that. Thank you.". She nodded to him as John and Avery limbered up. "After training then."

Their bout was spectacular but no more than expected. Makoto was grateful for and very curious about the ear protection they'd been given. It did it's part admirably, which was quite impressive. She would guess that Avery may have gotten stronger in the years since she'd last seen her.

Then came the shocking and bloody collapse of Adam. Had he not affixed his ear protection? No, it seemed like he had. Cloe and Avery were on him in a flash. She stood, making a sweeping gesture, "Minna-san, everyone give them space to work!" She then flushed; the Chief should probably have done that.

In any event, the unconscious Adam was carried off to the infirmary and a guilt stricken Avery went with him. Makoto watched with a grimace on her lips. First he lost control in training. Then he seemed to have some kind of mental instability; the magical ones offer were, in her opinion. And now one of the team's best weapons caused him to collapse even through protection and when not directed at him. He and Avery could never be on a mission together, which limited both of their capabilities. And what if it was an "all hands on deck" scenario?

Adam or Greywolf or whoever he was...was a liability. He'd get someone killed. If he was lucky, it would only be himself. She sighed and shook her head then. Perhaps she was being too harsh, too callous. Or perhaps she was just being practical. In either event, she suspected Avery would need some moral support about now.

The short, curvy Japanese woman called to John, "Katchou (Chief)! I think we should suspend training for now." In a later session, they should push on but for the team's first group training? Confidence and morale just died. "What is your order?"

 

[Armphid]

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - USA - Gregory recruits Glory

((This is the record of an RP between myself and Silvertongue; his parts are in italics))

Lisa sat at the desk in her room, grimacing at the open page of the notebook open in front of her. Written in her clear, clean cursive was what Erotisi had said to her, as clearly as she could remember it. After the mad woman...was she a woman? Maybe once. Not now. Anyway, after she'd left, Glory had returned home. What Erotisi had said was important, she was sure of that somehow, and she wanted to write it down. Memory could be fallible and fade but a written record made the case. "The palest ink is better than the sharpest memory," she murmured the old Chinese proverb.

So she had it written down. Now what though? Erotisi had said she should find the Defenders and join up; easier said than done. They were still illegal, after all. Not like they had recruiting stations at the mall.

The lovely young black girl leaned back in her chair and sighed, twirling the shrunken form of the Staff of Ra between the fingers of her right hand. She was back to her normal self now, again just clad in a tan top and a pair of panties.

She should really turn back into Glory and head out. This whole thing left a bad taste in her mouth and one way to get rid of it was to bust some bad guys. That might get the Defenders attention too; especially if she had some onlooker take video for her and tell the group to look her up. That should get a reaction.

It turns out she didn't have to do that

Gregory entered her house and turning locked the door behind him. He pulled out his smart phone hacking into the buildings security and creating a digital black hole. He was being careful partly to make up for his past fuck up and even more so because the syndicate might have seen the video and sent one of their agents to get her as well.

"Spiders showing all clear" He murmured pocketing his phone and wondering how best to announce himself.

"Uh hey Glory was it?" Gregory called up the stair case "My name is Gregory I'm with the defenders I uh saw your little video and was sent to talk to you" He said glancing at the door and checking his phone once more.

Mother fucker! Didn't anybody use a God damn doorbell anymore?

Lisa blinked and swore under her breath at the voice calling up the stairs. Yeah, right. Gregory with the Defenders. All those super heroes named Bill and Tyrone. Of course, they probably did have names like that but that wasn't the point!

The point was she was damn tired of people breaking into her home today.

The staff grew to full length as she shot up from her desk, knocking the chair over, and brought it down hard on the floor. She was engulfed in golden light and in a heartbeat, Lisa was gone and the radiant Amazonian Glorious Eye of Ra was in her place.

She had enough peace of mind to be careful with the door so as not to rip it off its hinges as she drew it open and raced out into the call. Moving to the top of the stairs, she glared down, "Yeah, Gregory from the Defenders? You ever hear of knocking or ringing the door bell?" Damn! He was cute! Tall, skinny, totally looked like a geek. He didn't look like a super hero though.

"You don't look like you're with a superhero team, no offense, white boy." She started down the steps, no hesitation or fear in her face or her stride. "You look like you should be smoking some fools on Overwatch right now. And I am up to here with people breaking into my home today."

She stopped right in front of him; her golden eyes looking into his. "So. You're cute and all but I need a good reason not to whoop your sweet little ass."

"Uh whoa hang on!" Gregory said raising his arms as she came out in her full gear "I come in peace!" He said raising his hands up.

"Look here" He said pulling his phone out and tapping a few buttons. The TV in her living room changed morphing into a picture of his mug shot and record of being with the defenders.

"See clearly marked as one of them" He said nodding at it before looking at her "We caught wind of your... altercation or whatever you call it with her" Gregory said tapping another key and bringing up said video.

"Now can we talk? Or are you going to kick my ass?" He asked her eyeing her up and down and believing that she could. He tried to hide his appreciation of her body but couldn't stop himself from eye fucking her.

How the hell had he made the TV do that? It wasn't set up to do anything like that. Huh. Maybe he was more than just a pretty face. The mug shot was believable, at least a little. She wasn't sure she fully believed him but she could hear him out, at least.

"Ass kicking is delayed for right now." Glory ran her eyes over the young man and noticed him doing the same to her. She couldn't help but grin. Maybe it wasn't exactly feminist of her, but she liked guys checking her out. Some guys, anyway.

She rested the Staff of Ra against one shoulder, "Well, since you're my guest, I should offer you hospitality. That old man Ra is big on that. Come on, cutie." Glory turned her back to him without a moment's pause, confident in her superhuman toughness to handle anything he was packing. The dark skinned beauty led him into a well appointed kitchen, "There's some pop, milk, and orange juice in the fridge. Water too." She paused and looked back at him over her shoulder, "You can have a little wine if you want." Daddy probably wouldn't miss it.

He followed her trying not to stare to much at her ass and actually listen to her. He wasn't sure if she well and truly believed him but at least she was willing to listen to him. While they were walking he kept one eye on his phone watching the scans of the perimeter. She was powerful potentially as powerful as John and Gregory had no doubt she would interest either the syndicate or the Essex corporation.

"Okay so" He said coming in and shaking his head at her offer "I hate to rush but we need to go I am not sure how much of our actions you have been following but we have found out recently that a company called Essex is working with the syndicate to round up powered people"

"They might have seen the video well I'm sure they did" Gregory said shaking his head "Either way this place might not be safe any more luckily its just you here but still I don't want to take any chances we have a teleport nearby"

She raised her eyebrows. Not safe here? Well, she couldn't argue that with how people were breaking in today. But if people were looking for her, had he led them to her house? What about her parents? "If these guys are coming here...I'm not the only one who lives here, Gregory. I can't leave if it means that my pa-, uh, that the people will be in danger."

"And I'm not teleporting with you anywhere until I've got more idea what's going on. Not that you're not cute, but I'm not that fast." She tilted her head, "We can go somewhere else in town, how's that?"

Gregory sighed wondering if John had the same problem on his recruitment drives. Of course not given he was famous and a well known defender figure.

"They would just want you" Gregory said "I doubt your parents are in any danger I managed to track you using CCTV but I deleted all of that evidence"

"I guess we stay here for now" He said "I have my spiders on the perimeter and if we go out and about you might be picked up on some thing else I guess ill take some juice" He said nodding and sitting down blushing at her cute comment.

"So what do you want to know?" Gregory asked her taking her in "We can use some one like you what with all thats happening and it would be a chance to do good" He said his eyes shinning with that conviction.

Glory went to get a glass and then to the refrigerator, pouring a tall glass of orance juice for her guest. She slid it over to him and leaned against the counter top, her long and toned legs on display. "You're the one who said we needed to talk. I thought that meant you had things you wanted to ask me."

The way he was talking...it seemed like he really believed in doing good. She smiled at that and almost said something she'd regret but she stopped herself. Glory and Lisa were the same person, just different bodies for the sake of Ra's power, and Lisa knew better than just to trust any guy, no matter how cute and earnest he was.

"But let me ask you this. I don't know how much video got out or what was on it. But have you ever heard of some crazy white woman calls herself Erotisi? Teleports, makes honey badgers out of nowhere, can get her head knocked off and just pops it back on? Gets burned to ash and then just pops up like nothing happened? Crazy pop culture references like an old MST3K episode while blathering about ancient days and shit?"

"Nothing besides asking you if you would like to join us" Gregory said cursing and realizing she was right "I am sorry usually the commander does the recruiting he is better at this but I volunteered after I saw your video...." He said trailing off and blushing at the implications of what he said.

"Uh ignore that" Gregory said with a wave of his hand "to answer your question no I don't know her but one of our agents had a similar thing happen to her and the creature who she interacted with sounds a lot like the one you did we think she is a god an ancient diety not unlike your powers" He said pointing at her staff before taking the juice and thanking her.

"However we cant complain since she brought you to our attention your power set... well frankly its next level!" Gregory said his geek voice coming up.

She grinned at him, "I don't think it was my powers you've been looking at all this time. But thanks, I'm pretty strong." Glory's expression got a little more serious. "Never had anything I could handle really easy until today. That lady...I don't know if she's a god or something else...but she's insane. I'm talking batshit fucking loco."

Glory looked him over again. Erotisi had said the Defenders would come calling, and here this guy was. And what she'd told Glory...that HAD to get to someone who knew what was going on. All she knew right now was jack and shit, and Jack had left town.

"All right." It might be impetuous but she was confident she could handle it if it was a trap. "I'll go with you, Greg. Do you mind if I call you Greg?" She shrugged, "If it is a trap, I'll blast my way out, and if not and you're on the level, then I need to tell you guys what Lady Lunatic told me."

She stood up from the counter. "I can't just disappear though. I have a life here and people who'll lose it if I'm just gone. Wherever we're going, I'll need to come back here. Besides, I can't abandon Philly. Enough people have done that."

Glory started to walk out of the kitchen, "Finish your juice. I need to grab something from my room." No point in pretending it wasn't. This guy had found her so easy, he could find out whose house this was. "I wrote down what she said so I could get it as close to a quote as I could."

"Whatever she is she's also more powerful than any thing we have seen" Gregory said shaking his head "She's already shown her interest in us to and if your a part of it then there must be some thing she wants from us"

"You dont know how happy I am to here that" He said jumping up and then blushing "I mean uh I look forward to working with some one as lovely as you" He called to her retreating form.

"Smooth real smooth" Gregory said snorting and shaking his head. He finished his juice in one gulp and then went to the staircase resisting the urge to follow her as he began the process of making sure her parents were protected. He wouldn't reveal he knew her indetity (though she probably guessed he did) so instead he went to work doing every thing to protect her and them digitally as he could. He also assigned two spiders to the house which would alert them if there was any type of attack.

Glory went up to her room to fetch the notebook. On impulse, she grabbed her gym bag and threw a few changes of clothes in it before crossing to the bathroom and taking a few of her things from there. Was this really a good idea? She was so unsure...but something was also pushing her to accept. Probably another hint from Ra. The old sun god was insistent about this business, whatever it was.

Glory came down the stairs and back to the kitchen, "Let me leave a note, okay? In case I can't get back tonight, I'll tell them I went to an overnight freshman orientation at school." It may have been odd for the ancient Egyptian styled woman bedecked in gold to be worrying about not making her parents worry. She wrote a quick note and put it on the fridge. She'd have to change back to Lisa and text them at some point too; her phone and been tucked into her cleavage when she'd changed and it had gone...wherever Lisa and her clothes went.

"All right, Greg. Ready when you are, cutie."

He got up hearing her words (and the flirting) and blushing as he turned to face her. He was about to say okay but then paused taking her in.

"Uh sure you don't want to change first?" He asked nodding at her costume "No offense as hot as the get up is its not exactly nondescript" He told her watching as she left a note.

"Don't worry about your parents I have done every thing possible to make sure no one links them back to you" He said "And I left two of my spiders here as scouts for good measure if any thing happens they will protect them until we can get here to save them okay?" He said coming over and placing a hand on her shoulder.

Two of his what? "Spiders? My Mom doesn't like spiders." She hadn't ever heard of spiders being good guys. Well, Anansi was kind of a good guy. She shook her head, "Just make sure they stay out of sight, all right?"

Glory raised another eyebrow at his suggestion that she change. Lisa would be much less inconspicuous...but Lisa also didn't have any powers. If this was a trap, she wasn't about to go into without her full might. "I'm not a subtle girl...but all right. Wait here, Greg baby."

She wasn't going to change back to Lisa, not until she knew this really was on the level. But she could change into some of Lisa's clothes. They wouldn't quite fit but she'd have to live with it. Glory went into the dining room and started to strip down. She could have gone back to her bedroom, of course...but she secretly liked the idea he might look.

She shrunk the Staff of Ra down and stuck it behind her ear once and then proceeded, stripping down until she was completely bare. A quick rummage through the gym bag and she pulled on a pair of red panties and then a Hard Rock Café - Morocco shirt that was one of her old ones; it was a little tight on Lisa but on Glory it was stretched over her ample breasts and rode up a little to show off a few inches of her midriff. A pair of yoga pants went on as well, stretchy enough that they fit fine but again were snug on her legs and plush ass. Her sandals should be okay but she took a few minutes to take off all the gold armlets, bracelets, and rings that adorned her.

Ra likes his bling, that was for sure.

"All done. Did you peek?" Glory grinned back towards the kitchen as she zipped up the gym bag and hefted it over one shoulder; the items inside clinking slightly. "Don't blame you if you did. ...Like what you saw?"

"Great" Gregory said turning to expect her to move into the bathroom or up the stairs "The sooner you change the sooner-"
She didn't go up the stairs

Instead she went into the dining room and began strip as if it was the easiest thing in the world. He wanted to turn away and give her some privacy but instead he found himself starring transfixed as her body was shown to him.

And oh WAS it a body

He gulped taking her in. He would be lying if he wasnt utterly and completely captivated by the girl. Her body was dynamite so different from the other girls he had been with. He imagined what it would be like to have sex with her how it would be to be with a titan.....

She was dressed asking him challenging him to know if he had taken a peak or not. He gulped nervously and looking down noted his bulge was throbbing in his jeans.

"I mean its kind of clear I did" He said blushing and pointing at his crotch "I uh I have never seen a woman like you" He said softly.

Glory smirked, "Come on, you never looked at dirty pictures of black girls? I don't believe that." Her eyes did widen a bit as she looked down at his gesture. It was always hard to tell through clothes but that was...impressive looking. "Very nice, Greg baby. Going with you is looking better all the time."

He probably was thinking she was easy now or a slut or something. She'd be done with him if he did and without guilt. Glory or Lisa, she was who she was and she liked being sexy and strong and flirtatious.

She winked, "You can pump one out later thinking about me, I won't mind." That was actually a hot idea. "But let's get going for now. I don't mind walking around with you being like that; it's a hell of a compliment."

"I uh" Gregory said her comment about looking at black girls hitting him "I uh cant comment on that" He said blushing furiously as he followed her.

"You really are some thing aren't you" Gregory said shaking his head "I don't think I have ever met a woman quite like you" He murmured following her outside.

"Those are my spiders" Gregory said pointing up at two mechanical spiders moving against the house "Don't worry your mom wont see them" He said hitting the camo button and turning to her.

"So shall we?" He asked holding out his hand for her

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Defender's Base, Training Arena

Cloe watched as Avery chased after the spiders and the shifter. She let out a heavy sigh, gathering the medical supplies before making her way back to the main arena. She noticed the eyes of the others on her, and all she could do was give a noncommittal shrug.

"Hopefully we hear something soon," she said gently, eyes flicking over to the Chief, hoping Avery would keep him up to date. Then she turned, leaves and bark on her body rustling as she saw Peter. She was about to go to him, settle onto the empty crate beside him, but then she remembered what had transpired between them earlier. Half a dozen tiny white flowers bloomed on her chest, her cheeks flushing, and she instead went back to the seat she was in before Adam's departure. After seeing what had happened to the shifter, and her encounter with the Eleventh Hour before, the reality of being back with the Defenders hit her. She needed a moment to collect herself and let it all settle in. This wasn't just a nostalgic visit, this was real.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Peter could only stand dumbstruck by what happened to the wolfen looking recruit at the end of the bout between Avery and the Commander. There had been accidents in training activities in the past, but never had an observer reacted so badly to a sparring session before. Still, Peter knew enough to hang back and let Lynx handle the situation. He'd only be getting in the way of the care they were going to provide the boy. It was a poignant reminder of just how dangerous these powers everyone had could be, however. It was almost as powerful a lesson as the fight that the Commander put on.

As was to be expected the area before the sparring arena was abuzz with conversations about what happened. He hung back and listened, leaning on his wall like he had been. Given what just happened, Peter thought that catching up with Black Ant now might be the wrong idea. On top of that, they may still be proceeding with the training exercise. He wanted to stick around and see what the Commander said.

As he waited, he saw a flash of white in his peripheral vision. It was Cloe's blooms again. He couldn't figure out why she was staying away from him now. The kiss in the greenhouse was so lovely, but he was still getting used to the people he knew so well again. Five years had changed a lot of attitudes and perspectives among the team. He was still trying to learn where he fit in now himself given his potent new abilities. He wanted to go over and talk with her, but there would be nothing new to say. He also wasn't ready to think about what their future might be or if he was ready for that sort of relationship. So in the end, he remained leaned up against the wall, lost in thought as he looked at her.

 

[silvertongue217]

Training Area

COMMANDER POV

"I think thats a good idea for now" John said sighing and watching as the man known as Adam was carted off to the medical wing. He frowned glancing at Avery in concern as she started to make her way to medical with Adam.

"It was not your fault" John called out to her not going over there just yet or following them to the medical area, with Avery going he would focus instead on the remaining trainees. He made a mental note however to console her when they were alone later. It would not do any of them good to see her break down for what was by all intents an accident.

"You could not have known it wouldnt fit his ears" John said even as his mind worked over the Adam problem. He made a mental note that he would sit him down and have a serious talk with him when it was all over. He was so much like his uncle.... That hard headed mentality combined with the eagerness to rush into battle was going to get him killed at this point.

"How about we call it a night?" John told them looking at the team assembled "I'll have the spiders prepare dinner but for now your all cleared for those of you interested I will be in the wreck room" He told them nodding his head before turning and moving to exit the training area. He was half way there when his COM beeped and Averys relief filled voice filled the line.

"I knew he would be" John said smiling and pulling to a stop "If you want you can I would like that if its to much to see every one we can go to my office" He suggested.

..........................................

THUNDERESS POV

"I better head to medical as well" Orror said moving away from the larger group "And see how my sister is doing"

She said her good byes to the assembled group (sadly as well as she had been looking forward to training) and started making her way to the medical wing. She followed the two in and watched with interest as the young man was diagnosed. She sighed in relief when she found out he was going to be okay. She glanced at Avery knowing the weight it would pull off of her and gave her a reassuring smile as she exited.

"Excuse me Lynx" She said coming over the minute she moved away from the wolf "I wanted to come and see how my sister is.... Did you find out any thing?" She asked unable to hide her concern and overall her curiosity.

.............................................

RUNNER POV

"Well time to go relax then" Maya said sighing and feeling her heart start to slow down. She knew it was coming, the crash. Her powers would burn out in a couple of minutes and just like that she would be exhausted struggling to recover. The drugs in her body were just as addicting as any that were internally taken. She hated the high but loved it at the time. If only her parents knew that what they fought so hard to keep her from she willingly volunteered for......

"Im going to crash any moment" She said to Imogen forcing a small smile on her face "I am going to go find a couch or some thing" She told her patting her back and leaving the training area. Sure enough it hit forcing her down to her knees for a few seconds before she slowly rose. She managed to find the rec room and as couch and flopped down on it groaning as her entire body became sore and lethargic.

"Damn you" She hissed shaking her head "Damn you"

......................................

SPECTRE POV

"I am going to go ahead and call it a night" David said his jump suit morphing back into his usual hoodie and jeans as he turned human "I wont be here in the morning guys so please have a nice night!"

He waved at them and turned moving to go to the boys dorm room as he did he reached up activating his COM and opening a channel to both Avery and John.

"I didnt get a chance to tell you with all that happened" He said stepping into his room "Tomorrow ill be gone for half the day I have a private job to take care of is that good?"

"Fine by me" Came Johns voice

............................

SPIDER POV

"And here we are!"

Gregory stepped out of the teleporter turning and raising his arms as if he was some grand conductor.

"The entrance to our little base!" He said grinning like an idiot "Im so glad you decided to come back with me!" He told her oblivious to the double innuendo.

"I just uh" He said blushing and rubbing the back of his neck "What I mean is a girl like you.... Well your a powerhouse of course" he said gulping.

"Anyways! Shall I show you around?" He asked her blushing furiously.

 

[KimaniNight]

Defenders' Lunar Base, Medical Area

POV Lynx

"The scan isn't complete yet," Lynx replied, looking at her tablet, "But I'm inclined to say that their isn't a physiological cause for her episodes. Still, she has about half an hour before the scanning is complete. Would you mind sitting down, so we could talk about this? Perhaps a cup of tea while we do so?"

 

[KimaniNight]

Defenders' Lunar Base, Training Area

POV Zuya Wagner

Zuya didn't know what the Commander was going to do, but she didn't envy him. It was an unfortunate fact of life that people got hurt, even killed, during training. And considering the "line of work" they were all in, nobody could afford to ease up on the intensity of training required. It was a maxim one of her early training officers had taught her: the more you sweat now, the less you bleed later. Except sometimes the bleeding came now, and not later.

No time for maudlin recollections, Zuya decided. If they weren't going to train, she had an Irish warrior woman and the ultimate gamer girl to track down.

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Defender's Base

~Cloe~

The fact that John cancelled training was no surprise to Cloe. She watched as he made the announcement and exited the room. He was muttering through the comms, and she only hoped the news from the medical bay was good news. Or, at the very least, not bad. She sat on her crate for a moment and she could see Peter watching her out of the corner of her eyes. If she hadn't said what she said, and gone and kissed him like the fool she was, things would be okay between them and she would go and join him, see what his plans for the afternoon were. Instead she rose, stretched her limbs, and decided to spend some time in the rec room. She figured that the other team members would be gathering there. She had been out for the most part of the day, so it was time she got to know her new team mates and catch up with the old ones too.

When Cloe arrived in the rec room there was only one other person there. A pretty young woman who had curled up on one of the overstuffed lounged and fallen asleep. She decided it would be best not to wake her, instead making her way over to a wall which held a picture of the group not long before the disbandment. A smile cracked on her face as she took in the friends, the people in her life who had come and gone, and sent out a thought to those who were no longer with them.



~ Avery ~

"No problem David," Avery replied to her old friend, before switching to a channel between just her and John. "No, there are things to do," she said, a new resolve in her voice. "We missed dinner last night and it is our responsibility to take care of the team. I will make my way to the rec and get room assignments out of the way before dinner."

Avery shook her limbs out and took a deep breath. She could do this.

"Attention all new Defenders, room assignments will be listed in the rec room in fifteen minutes." Her voice came through all of the base speakers as she made her way slowly to the rec room.

 

[Wolfias]

Trapped in the Infirmary.

Opening his chocolate brown eyes the bright overheard light of the examination bed made Adam groan, quickly closed his eyes as he couldn't move his left forearm. After his eyes adjusted quickly to the light he wants to sit up, as he feels great looks around wondering why he's in the Infirmary. Wanting to reach up to run his fingertips over his scalp to check for lumps. Also wishing he could run his fingers through his hair as it became a habit as a long ago. Seeing everything on the bed is wireless Adam looks around for a panel at the head and foot. Spotting a tablet on the bedside table, he's just itching to take it in hand to figure it out.

He could just Shift and rip through these restraints, wrongly assumed he could do this. It'll piss off the one in charge of his care, whoever that is. Getting in trouble with the big scary Commander Hulk who's damned intimidating. On top of all that for some strange reason he knew it would hurt Avery's feelings. Sighing Adam behaves himself to keep his ass out of trouble. Stomach growling loudly as the Shifters hunger grows, he really wanted out of this damn bed.

"C'mon...let me outta here...I feel just fine."

 

[KimaniNight]

Defenders' Lunar Base, Medical Area

POV Lynx

"All you have to do is ask," a soft voice answered from a distance, with more than a hint of humor in it.

Lynx asked Orror to give her a moment as she went to tend to the awakening Adam. A tap on her tablet released the bed's restraints.

"Just making sure you didn't hurt yourself while you were asleep," Lynx told Adam with a smile. "And there is a fairly well-stocked...snack room just two doors down," she added, pointing to the medical area's entrance/exit. "If you don't care to go all the way down to dining area, that is. Once you're finished 'restocking', come back up here. You're okay," she assured Adam, "But in the future, there's some small adjustments we need to make to the protective wear to accommodate your abilities."

 

[Armphid]

Defender's Lunar Base, Rec Room - Makoto ; Teleporter Access Hallway - Glory

Makoto wasn't sure what to do now. Peter now seemed lost in thought and hardly in the mood to talk to one of the rookies. She didn't have a room assignment yet, though it would be easy enough to break into her old room...but best not to. John would be going to the rec room. She sighed and absently pushed a long lock of black hair over her right shoulder. She should try to get over her shyness and talk to the others, old and new alike.

She took a slow pace to the entertainment area, taking the time to take off the gauntlets of the suit and nestle them snugly in the control crown for ease of carrying. When she arrived, she noticed Maya was lying on one of the couches and she nodded. Given the young woman's description of her powers, she must be experiencing a crash. Makoto glanced over at the radiant Cloe, the nature empowered beauty looking over the pictures on the wall.

She licked her lips. It was best to face one's fears, wasn't it?

Makoto set her helmet and gloves beside the couch Maya was on. She looked down at the younger woman. Ara, so pretty and so worn. She would have to get her into the lab tomorrow for a few tests and then make the gadget she had in mind to help her. She spread her hands and the nanites flowed and answered her silent call to work the air and dust; a blanket of black fleece weaving seemingly weaving itself into being in her hands. She bent down to drape it over the prone girl. "I will help you, Maya-san. Tomorrow, I think there is much I can do for you. For now, if you want something, let me know."

Then she straightened up and squared her slender shoulders. Makoto walked towards Cloe like she was walking into a gambling den. Her eyes flitted to the picture and she smiled a but sadly, "They all look so happy and confident." Her eyes found her old self and she shivered. "Ready to make the world anew and better, no hint yet of what would happen to u-them. To all the world."

That was an awkward start. But she was trying!

~~~~~~~~~~~~​

Glory shook her head at Gregory's flustered welcome. The boy was cute but trying way too hard. "Take a deep breath, Greg. Relax, don't push it." Her golden eyes swept around the room they were in. Looked high tech, all right.

The statuesque black girl strode ahead of the technophile and into the adjoining hallway and then stopped dead. Her lips formed a perfect "o" of surprise. She stepped up to the wall and stared out the long window at the lunar surface. "Oh." That was the Moon out there. She was on the damn Moon! A smile split her face and she felt a little twinge in her eyes. "Well, raise my rent." Thanks, Cleavon. "It's all true."

She glanced back at Gregory, "Your crib's got a nice view." Her gaze went back to the window. "It's beautiful."

 

[SinisterSpiders]

Defender's base, Recreation Room

Cloe watched over her shoulder as the new Black Ant formed a blanket out of thin air and let it settle over the sleeping girl. She smiled to herself, turning back quickly to the photograph of the old team, hoping the young Japanese woman hadn't seen her. Cloe's eyes slid over to Makoto in the picture, taking in the form of her old friend and seeing so many similarities between his suit and the one that the new Black Ant was wearing. Hers was pretty much just a feminised version of his. From that quick gaze at the woman's face Cloe was thinking that she would have been quite young when Makoto perished. She wondered who this new person was, what relation she held to her old friend. Surely she wouldn't have been a colleague at her age. Perhaps a friend, or even a sister? Cloe hadn't remembered Makoto speaking of a sibling, but the old days blurred in her mind so she couldn't be sure.

"They all look so happy and confident.Ready to make the world anew and better, no hint yet of what would happen to u-them. To all the world."

Cloe turned to the young woman and smiled.

"You are correct there," Cloe said, her eyes returning to her own smiling face. Almost six years younger and none the wiser to the horror to come. "Though everything in life is like that. We make choices, and then we must live with the consequences."

Cloe took a few more moments to observe the picture, keeping her emotions under wraps, and then turned to the new Black Ant.

"My name is Cloe, or Natura if we're in the field," She offered her hand to shake with a warm smile, realising they hadn't been formally introduced.