My World, My Justice Ch.19

Today is different compared to other days—not so different in my deeds, but how I perform them. I'm spreading justice in a rather unusual manner, escorting a group of elementary school kids around the city—the safe parts, obviously. It's a mini excursion to Brockton Bay's few important cultural and historical points.

Who knew this crime-ridden hellhole actually had museums and landmarks worth visiting? Certainly not me.

This wasn't my idea or Oracle's. The whole thing was a sudden opportunity that presented itself by mere chance, and I took it. Nobody seems to be looking for trouble, which... fair, I took down Hookwolf, one of the boogeymen of this city and half of the Empire capes by myself. 

Anybody with a functioning brain would think twice before picking a bone with me.

Unless they were beyond high, but surprisingly I haven't seen much if anything from the Merchants, which is weird. Not even their hobo thugs seem to be causing trouble. Maybe they finally got the message that dealing near schools is a fast track to meeting my fist.

The entire idea and mini-event actually came from the Claw Patrol—who are quite dedicated to community service and the "hero for the people" thing. Still a shame that they had to rebrand themselves; Wild Wild Pussy Cats was a much better name. Either way, they're mostly focusing on building trust within the community rather than just kicking ass and taking down villains. Though watching Tiger's massive frame lead the group, there's no question they could handle themselves in a fight if needed.

I've already led the group for the first portion of the tour, holding a big flag and a warning sign, with the kids happily trailing behind me like ducklings. Now it's Tiger and Pixie Bob's turn to take the lead while I hang back with a large signboard that reads 'FIELD TRIP IN PROGRESS - HEROES ON DUTY.' I'm walking behind the main group alongside the team leader, Mandalay, and a middle-aged female teacher who looks like she's gotten some time to relax—can't blame her, teaching in Brockton Bay probably ages you like presidents.

A small Hispanic girl sits perched on my shoulders, giggling as she plays with my blonde hair. Her name's Maria, and she declared herself "True Might's lookout" about ten minutes into the tour. Meanwhile, Ragdoll is somewhere around us keeping watch—the spotter job, just in case some idiot villain decides today's a good day to mess with a group of children protected by five heroes.

"BEHOLD THE WONDERS OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, YOUNG JUSTICE SEEKERS!" I bellow as we pass an old monument. The kids cheer, completely unfazed by my volume. A few passersby jump slightly, but most Brockton Bay residents have gotten used to my... over the the top enthusiasm.

"ARE THE YOUNG ONES ENJOYING THEIR EDUCATIONAL ADVENTURE?" I boom at Mandalay, a little bit of help. 

Several kids turn and roar, raising their tiny fists.

"YEEEAAAAH!"

"They're having the time of their lives," Mandalay replies with a calm smile that contrasts with the chaos around her. She gently redirects a boy who's straying too close to the street. "We've been trying to arrange more of these community events. Shows people that heroes aren't just about fighting."

Her gentle demeanor doesn't hide the sharp eyes constantly scanning our surroundings. She's more perceptive than she lets on.

Maria tugs my hair again. "Mr. True Might, are you really super strong? Can you lift a whole bus? Tommy says you can't, but I told him you could lift TEN buses!"

"THE QUESTION STRIKES AT THE VERY HEART OF HEROISM, YOUNG MARIA!" I proclaim, causing the kids nearby to gather around expectantly. "The powers of justice know no bounds, valiant seeker of truth! A bus would pose no challenge to arms strengthened by righteous call for justice! Ten buses would merely stoke my righteous flames! FOR JUSTICE EMPOWERS THE WORTHY!"

Mandalay is holding back her laughter.

Christ… But the kids are eating it up, so whatever works.

Internally, I don't think I can carry ten buses simultaneously, but only because they would just fall off while trying to balance them or just crush themselves by the sheer weight and then fall. I haven't found a limit on how much strength I actually have, but I think I have enough to lift an Endbringer. Not that I'm eager to test that theory.

YET.

"Don't give them ideas," Mandalay says with a gentle laugh. "Next thing you know, they'll be cheering you on to juggle school buses when we return."

"Oh, please don't encourage him," the teacher says with a weary smile. "The kids already tried to convince me to have him lift their school during recess."

Mandalay gives me an amused look. "The kids haven't stopped talking about you since we announced this field trip. You're quite the celebrity with the elementary school crowd."

Then she looks toward her more exuberant teammate who's currently showing off by creating a miniature Mount Rushmore out of dirt. 

"It's good for them," the teacher chimes in. "Most of these children... their exposure to the cape scene is usually seeing villains terrorize their neighborhoods or watching cape battles destroy their streets. This is different."

I nod, careful not to dislodge my small passenger. I did miss this a little, just bringing some joy to kids who probably don't see much of it in this city. Makes a change from punching neo-Nazis through walls, though I won't pretend I don't enjoy that too.

"The path of heroism leads through many valleys!" I announce, feeling Maria bounce excitedly on my shoulders. "Some filled with hard battles for the righteous crusade against evil, others with the nurturing of our future champions of justice!"

These are the moments when my stupid crippled speech pattern is an asset rather than a cringe-inducing pain. The kids love it, and honestly, I'm enjoying playing the part for them. It's easier to be True Might the bombastic hammy hero when your audience is genuinely delighted by every over-the-top proclamation and play-along.

Ahead of us, Pixie Bob now is animating small earth creatures for the children's amusement, tiny dirt dinosaurs and cats prancing around as the kids try to catch them without straying too far. Tiger stands watch with arms crossed, his massive frame intimidating, but his eyes constantly scanning for threats. The Claw Patrol takes their responsibility seriously, even during these lighthearted events.

"This city doesn't give these kids many chances to just be children," Mandalay says quietly, watching the scene ahead. Her calm expression carries a hint of sadness. "That's what the Claw Patrol is really about—creating safe spaces, even if just for a bit."

"It used to be the same for us back in Japan," she continues. "Different problems, same need for children to have moments where they don't have to be afraid." She glances at me with a knowing look. "Even if it means we have to play the part."

Wow, that's just wow. I was a little too far up in my thoughts that I totally forgot that now there are people who genuinely believe in the hero ideal. And I'm that ideal given form because it was thrust upon me. Looking at Mandalay, I wonder if she sees through the act or if she's putting on one of her own.

But yeah, it's about these moments, a little girl feeling safe enough to play with my hair, kids chasing dirt dinosaurs without looking over their shoulders in worry. A brief window where Brockton Bay isn't a cesspool of gang violence and despair.

"THE NOBLEST PURPOSE OF HEROISM!" I boom in agreement, raising a fist to the sky dramatically. "TO GUARD THE INNOCENT JOY OF YOUTH! THERE IS NO GREATER JUSTICE THAN THAT!"

Mandalay nods, her calm smile returning as she gently redirects a straying child back to the group. "Exactly. Though perhaps with a bit less volume near the museum we're about to enter?" she suggests with a teasing glint in her eye.

"THE HALLS OF KNOWLEDGE DEMAND RESPECTFUL CONTEMPLATION!" I announce at the same deafening level, before catching myself and making a show of lowering my voice to a still-too-loud stage whisper. "The forces of justice shall proceed with tactical stealth!"

The kids giggle at my "whisper," and Mandalay shakes her head with amusement. Maria pats my head approvingly.

Honestly?

I actually mean every cheesy word.

And little Maria is pulling my hair a little harder than she should, tugging enthusiastically at my blonde hair.

"Maria, be nice to True Might," Mandalay says gently, her calm voice carrying just enough authority to make the girl pause.

"Fear not, friend Mandalay!" I laugh boisterously, carefully lifting Maria from my shoulders and holding her up like she's a precious treasure. "The enthusiasm of the young is the purest form of admiration! Children's laughter is the greatest victory we can achieve as heroes, for evil cannot fester where smiles stand tall and proud!"

Maria giggles wildly as I spin her around once before setting her down. She beams up at me with missing-tooth smile. Ok, that’s just way too adorable, it is really so hard to not just hug her but I don’t want to crush her.

"Go join your friends now, valiant lookout! The halls of knowledge await your exploration!"

She scampers off to join the other children gathering at the museum entrance under Tiger's watchful eye. Pixie Bob is counting heads with another teacher, making sure no one has wandered off.

Mandalay watches with a soft smile. "You're really something else," she says with a light laugh once Maria is out of earshot. "The kids adore you."

We position ourselves near the entrance as the elementary schoolers file into the museum, their excited chatter fading as they disappear inside. The teacher gives us a grateful nod as she follows the last stragglers.

"We'll wait here," Mandalay explains. "Tiger and Pixie Bob can handle them inside. Ragdoll is still on perimeter."

She leans against the wall, her posture relaxed but her eyes never losing that sharpness. "You know, after seeing the kids I cannot help but think back about the UA project. It's a shame what happened to it," she says after a moment, a hint of sadness in her voice. "When the PRT took over, we thought they'd build on what was started, but..." She shakes her head. "They haven't done much with it, they said it was for the Wards program but nothing has changed. We knew several heroes who really wanted to teach, help kids understand their powers before they made life-altering decisions."

That must really suck. And as dumb as that sound a school to train heroes would be very useful but at the ame time this world is so fucked that it would cause a lot of problems as well, I do remember part of the original plot of My Hero Academia, in Earth Bet that would exponentially worse compored to what those kids went through.

"Never surrender the noble quest for knowledge!" I proclaim, my voice echoing off the museum walls despite my attempt to moderate it. "JUSTICE WILL SPREAD ITS ILLUMINATING LIGHT ACROSS THE LAND! THOUGH MANY JUSTICE SEEKERS MAY LOSE THEIR WAY, WE CANNOT YIELD IN OUR SACRED DUTY!"

I actually mean this, ridiculous as it sounds. If kids had better mentors, fewer would end up as criminals or villains. Of course there are more motives but we could fix one at the very least.

"We are the beacons guiding the new generation!" I continue, gesturing dramatically. "Even if we reach but a single soul, we gain a new ally in the fight for justice! and a single new ally is better than none!"

I do plan to turn Taylor into a true hero, although first making her like a sidekick so she doesn’t end up becoming a world threat villain.

Mandalay giggles, shaking her head. "I don't know why I expected you to say anything different," she admits. "But when you say things like that, I can't help but believe they'll actually happen."

"I am honored that another champion of justice has placed her trust in me!" I declare, placing my hand over my heart in a solemn gesture. "I VOW NEVER TO DISAPPOINT YOUR EXPECTATIONS, NOBLE MANDALAY!"

Her smile softens as she looks toward the children visible through the museum windows. "I've heard stories about Brockton Bay for years. The Claw Patrol actually had plans to come help out, even if just for a little while." She turns back to me, with an expression that looked genuine. "But since your arrival, things have changed so much that... well, there's no need to worry about disappointing me. You've already surpassed my expectations."

She sighs, leaning back against the wall again. "It's a little frustrating, honestly. We've spent years working tirelessly—both hero work and civilian outreach—trying to find a balance. And you've managed to accomplish so much in so little time."

Well, that’s because I have a really big advantage over the rest. But then again, there are other who CAN change things but don’t with the excuse about balance or the greater good.

"It is simply justice at work, paving the path for all to follow!" I announce, striking another heroic pose. "NO SACRIFICE IS TOO GREAT AND NO INJUSTICE IS TOO SMALL FOR THE CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE!"

Mandalay tilts her head, seeming to ponder my words. She hums thoughtfully, then quietly repeats, "No sacrifice too great... no injustice too small." She nods to herself, as if committing the phrase to memory.

Suddenly, their fourth members appears seemingly out of nowhere, bouncing toward us with manic energy.

"Maaaan-da-laaaay!" she shouts, waving enthusiastically and blinking rapidly. "Perimeter's all clear! Nothing suspicious for blocks! I checked everybody! All forty-three people within three blocks! Nobody suspicious! Nobody dangerous! All safe!"

Mandalay sighs, rubbing her temples as Ragdoll jumps forward and hugs her, resting her chin on Mandalay's shoulder like an affectionate cat. Well, she is technically a cat themed hero sooo…

"Must you always be so loud?" Mandalay murmurs, though there's a certain fondness beneath her exasperation.

But then, Ragdoll's gaze shifts to me, her yellow eyes narrowing with a strange focus. She hums loudly, bouncing from foot to foot as she approaches, stroking her chin thoughtfully while circling me.

Ok, what a weird way to check me out.

"Hmm... interesting, interesting, interesting!" she chatters, staring at me with unblinking intensity, her body never completely still. "Something's different!"

And that’s when I feel a sudden tick in my head—an uncomfortable sensation I haven't felt since... Tattletale. 

"JUSTICE CHOP!" I declare, bringing my hand down gently but firmly on the top of her head.

"Owie!" Ragdoll yelps, hopping back and rubbing her head dramatically. "Unexpected! Why can't I see anything? Anything! It's like looking at fog!"

"I am so sorry," Mandalay interjects quickly, her calm demeanor briefly flustered. "Ragdoll, what did we say about respecting boundaries?"

However, the hyperactive heroine continues rubbing the spot on her head, bouncing on her toes. "Everything was normal, but then I noticed... he's like a blank spot! So interesting! Fascinating! I couldn't resist trying to get a good look and, you know... stuff!"

She stares at me again with those strange, hyper-focused yellow eyes, blinking rapidly, and I feel that annoying tick in my head return.

"JUSTICE CHOP!" I repeat, my hand coming down on her head once more.

"Owie!" she whines again, more theatrically this time. "Still nothing! Nothing at all!" She grins mischievously, bouncing in place. "Did you know Mirko kept bragging about your boxing match? She was all 'his form was decent' and 'he actually landed a hit' which for her is—"

"Ragdoll!" Mandalay cuts in quickly. "That's enough."

"And when she watched you fight those Empire capes and how you were talking with Pixie-Bob, she was actually—"

"Ragdoll, please stop—"

No no, please continue, woman.

She suddenly turns to Mandalay, blinking rapidly, then gasps loudly. "Oh! OH! Mandalay too! You're attracted to him! Just recently?! Since he's been so good with the kids! You love kids too! Your pulse just jumped and your cheeks are—"

Huh, so Futaba was right.

"TOMOKO!" Mandalay shouts, so loudly and sharply that several birds take flight from a nearby tree. "THERE'S A—LOOK OUT—SOMETHING OVER THERE!"

The confusion works momentarily as Tomoko whips her head around, giving Mandalay just enough time to grab her teammate's shoulder and pull her away forcefully. "Go help Tiger and Pixie Bob with the children. Now."

"But—but—but I was just getting to the good part!" Ragdoll protests, still bouncing with energy. "Did you see how his posture changed when I mentioned—"

"NOW, Ragdoll," Mandalay says firmly, her voice carrying unexpected authority despite her reddened face.

Ragdoll skulks away, still bouncing with each step, blinking rapidly and muttering to herself. "Fine, fine... just trying to understand...."

Mandalay watches her go, then turns to me with a frustrated sigh, her composure quickly returning though a hint of color remains on her cheeks. "I honestly don't know what I'm going to do with that woman. If we don't keep her in check, she's going to end up in a big fight."

I think back to the day I defeated the Empire capes when everyone assembled and got ready for a big fight. I might have not been able to hear but I remember Ragdoll saying something that really infuriated Mirko. If Tiger hadn't intervened, Mirko probably would have splattered her all over the street. And she failed, simply because she wasn’t fast enough to catch the cat.

Must be a pain dealing with her daily. Especially with that power of hers.

"FEAR NOT, FRIEND MANDALAY!" I assure her with a booming laugh, pretending I didn't notice her embarrassment or what Ragdoll revealed. "The bonds of camaraderie withstand the tests of enthusiasm! I admire the dedication of my fellow allies of justice! The flames of curiosity burn bright in the hearts of true heroes!"

That seems to relax the woman, as she holds her chest and sighs in relief. And a perfect way to shift the conversation to much calmer grounds.

However, that’s when my phone buzzes with a message notification. I quickly check it and see a message from Oracle.

‘Are you free? Need to talk. Important.’

‘Will come later.’ 

That's all she needs to know for now.

"Is something wrong?" Mandalay asks, noticing my brief distraction, her composure fully restored as a confident team leader.

"THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE TURN PERPETUALLY!" I announce, slipping my phone away in to the pocket space. "Merely a reminder of future righteousness to be dispensed!"

She raises an eyebrow but doesn't press further. We return to our posts, watching through the windows as the children move from exhibit to exhibit. Maria has her face pressed against a dinosaur statue display. Another boy is tugging on Tiger's arm, pointing excitedly at something out of my view. In the background, I can see Ragdoll giving directions.

"BEHOLD!" I proclaim, gesturing toward the children. "The future champions of justice absorbing the wisdom of the ages!"

Mandalay chuckles softly beside me. "You really don't have an off switch, do you?"

If only she knew how much I wish I did.

--------------------------------

One big group picture later—heroic poses all around with the Claw Patrol and a crowd of beaming kids—and with Mandalay's business card tucked securely in my belt pouch, I'm finally free to address whatever Oracle needs. 

I use a portal to reach Futaba's place, entering at the designated spot she'd established for my comings and goings. Best solution as I would be visiting her place many times so, nobody would see me arrive and leave and start making connections.

Before heading over, I stopped by my pocket apartment to grab a PlayStation 2 and a bag filled with games. I was given a lot of videogames so that was a nice touch, although not that I have much if any time to sit down and play games. I'm not giving her everything at once, though. I have a feeling that she'd disappear into a gaming black hole and never emerge again if given unlimited access.

So let's ease her into it.

I step through the portal and into what I barely recognize as Futaba's apartment. The place is... clean, spotless? The gamer girl actually tidied up her place, so she wasn’t lying about cleaning day.

Futaba spins around in her computer chair when she notices my arrival, her eyes immediately locking onto what I am holding.

"Is that a PlayStation 2? With actual games?!" She practically teleports from her computer chair to my side, vibrant orange hair bouncing wildly as she adjusts her large glasses to examine my bags. "You've got Crash Bandicoot 2! And God of War! Man, I remember seeing the new Kratos with his beard looks so much cooler than this version, but this game is still a classic!"

She continues rattling off game titles at lightning speed, examining each case with reverence. "Silent Hill 2! Final Fantasy X! Metal Gear Solid 3! This is the good stuff, not the watered-down propaganda garbage they push on Earth Bet. Did you know their version of Call of Duty has you fighting 'villainous parahumans' instead of actual historical conflicts? It's embarrassing."

Finally, she catches herself and takes a deep breath.

"Thanks for this. Seriously," she says, adjusting her glasses. "You have no idea how bad gaming is on Earth Bet. It's like the entire industry peaked at E.T. levels of terrible, and everything's just thinly-veiled propaganda these days. I was only able to survive thanks to retro indie games."

That must really suck.

Still I pull out my phone and write my answer.  ‘You asked nicely and I don’t really use these.’

"Duh, punching the bad guys takes most of your time.” She snorts before she picks up her phone and holds it out to me. "By the way, congrats on the collab with the Claw Patrol. The internet loves it." The screen shows a photo of me striking a heroic pose with the feline team, surrounded by grinning kids who imitate my pose.

And that’s on their official profile.

“Thank you  for your help, True Might!”

You’re welcome.

Futaba then swipes to my official hero profile.

"WHEN JUSTICE CLAWS WITH FELINE MIGHT, VILLAINY TREMBLES BEFORE THE SCRATCH OF RIGHT!"

Don’t judge me, it actually sounded cool when I shouted it.

She starts giggling before turning into full laughter. “I-I admit, that never would have occurred to me. You are totally natural at this.” 

"Anyway," she says, setting down the phone and pivoting back to her computer. "Let's move on to why I called you here."

She jumps into her chair, pulling her knees up to her chest. Her fingers fly across the keyboard as multiple windows pop open on her monitors.

"I've got a basic sketch of the plan, but I need your input on how we will approach this so I can make all the necessary adjustments. And continue with the rest."

Oh, that’s a good reason to call me over.

I set down the PS2 and move closer to see what she's working on. Except there is a small problem.

‘What am I looking at?’

The screens are filled with maps, timelines, and what appear to be personnel files. Futaba's workspace resembles a digital war room, the multiple monitors casting a blue glow on her face.

"Operation: Dragon Slayer!" she says with a dramatic flourish, adjusting her glasses. 

I look over her elaborate setup again. The screens display partial surveillance footage, maps with marked locations, newspaper pictures, pictures of Lung in various transformation stages. Huh, she's been working hard.

‘We're doing this loud. No stealth approach.’

Futaba merely grins as she nods. "I knew you would say that, fitting for the great and invincible True Might." She quickly closes several windows and opens a detailed map of Brockton Bay. "In that case..."

She highlights three locations with red markers. "These are the places where Lung is most likely hiding. Based on patrol patterns and a few informant reports, I'd put my money on this one." She taps the location closest to the docks.

Switching to another map, she traces a route with her finger. "Once you grab him, you'll want to follow this trajectory. Throw him as hard as you can in this direction—" she draws an arc that touches the outskirts "—and that should get you both clear of populated areas. That would drop the potential civilian casualty rate to virtually zero."

I nod, studying the route. It looks simple enough and I am sure I can be fast enough to throw the man as far as possible, besides he will survive the fall so I don’t have to worry about accidentally killing him.

"Now, since this is about the company mission," Futaba continues, " I forgot to ask about how complete we are talking about?" She pauses, then waves her hand dismissively. "No, wait, just pass me all the parameters you want to fulfill."

I pull up the mission details on my phone and copy-paste them to her, starting with the conditions.

• Do not use blackmail, threats or mind control to make him surrender.

• Only your Retinue members may help.

• Bounty tracker is disabled until the end of the mission.

And then I paste the objectives.

Objective 1: Let Lung reach the same size he reached against Leviathan, then defeat him. Objective 2: You or a Retinue member must defeat him on their own, without any assistance. Objective 3: Do not use stealth to attack him before he transforms. 

Objective 4: The fight is filmed and posted online.

Futaba reads through the list, her expression gradually shifting from interest to disbelief as she lets out a low whistle.

"Uh, that's pretty much a 100% completion rate... yeah, that complicates things significantly." She gives me a sidelong glance. "You REALLY want all those rewards, don't you?"

‘The faster I pay my loan, the quicker I can get stronger and improve my defenses.’

Futaba sighs, closing all the pop-up windows with a few keystrokes. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Ziz is really scary along with Zion. But damn, I knew this was going to be difficult to get right but this just made it significantly worse." She rubs her temples. "My original plan just went straight into the trash."

Wait what?

‘Does everything needs to be scrapped?’

"Yeah, it does," she groans, stretching in her chair with several audible pops and cracks. "Like I told you, I need to figure out how to avoid the entirety of the ABB capes going crazy after you grab Lung. The amount of heat this will cause will be absolutely batshit crazy."

She stands up, pacing a bit to work out the kinks in her back. "I've been helping New Wave take down a couple more ABB capes, but I guess I'll have to involve other heroes to keep weakening them without alerting Lung or having him start to worry and lash out." She slumps back into her chair and holds her head. "I really should have asked you for mission details much earlier. Ughhhhh."

‘So what's our new approach?’

Futaba sighs, closing her eyes for a moment. "At least we already discussed some of this..." She pulls up a new window showing what appears to be network of communications.

"Alright, so we stick with the original core idea—I'll misdirect the strongest independents with false intel." She smirks slightly. "They would never doubt me….”

She trails off, typing rapidly. "But the biggest challenge is still getting Lung to Leviathan-size without destroying half the city in the process. He needs to be fighting hard enough to escalate, and while I don’t doubt you I do think you might take him out by accident."

Yeah I worry about that too, and if I show overwhelming power he will just turn tail and run too. I highly doubt the man is a glory hound or cares something about honor or pride.

‘We'd need an area at least—" she makes quick calculations as he mumbles "—500 feet in diameter to accommodate the final phase of the fight without risking collateral damage, so that means the outskirts again."

‘And the filming requirement?’ I write.

"That's actually the easiest part," she grins. "I will just pay Uber and Leet to film the whole thing, they had this thing called… the snitch if I remember correctly. Pretty safe for them too so I don’t think there should be a problem, or we just tell your sponsors. They definitely will get something fast and show it everywhere. I vouch for the second option.” 

I suddenly remember the business card and pull it from my belt pouch, handing it to Futaba.

Her eyes light up as she takes the Claw Patrol contact information. "Oh sweet! I needed their contact info. Now I can add them to the plan! With Ragdoll's power, things will go much smoother and we can predict..." Her expression suddenly falls. "Oh shit."

‘What?’

"I totally forgot about Coil," she says, spinning back to her computer and pulling up a new set of files.

‘Coil?’ I frown as I remember about that guy.

"Yeah, Coil..." She taps her chin. "Uhh, he was a black guy? Damn, that's all I remember. You don't have more details about him?"

I shake my head because I don;t know about him..wait, the catalog!

‘His name is Thomas Calvert.’

"Oh right, that was his name," Futaba nods, typing rapidly. "He hasn't been doing much lately, so I totally forgot about him. But he's a problem with his whole weird timeline splitting thing so he can get the best outcome for him." She glances at me. "Oh right, you have your defenses against all that."

I nod confirmation.

"Okay, I guess that makes sense. He's probably scared in his bunker underground." She pulls up a map of what appears to be subterranean structures beneath the city. "I remember Lisa saying how extremely reliant he is on his power. Whenever it starts to fail, he freaks out and never leaves or calms down until he recovers full control or understands what's happening." She looks up at me. "But your company defenses are messing with him pretty badly."

‘So will Coil be a problem for Operation: Dragon Slayer?’

"He's a problem in general, but right now he's subdued," she says, creating a new folder labeled 'COIL'. "If it remains this way for too long—which I think he's reaching his limit—then the Lisa of this world will figure out his identity and get rid of him. She really hates the man." She adjusts her glasses with a small, devious smile. "But now that you've given me the name, I can pass it to her directly. She'll clean it up fast."

That’s good news, a problem that will take care of itself.

‘Do you have another mission for me while you prepare for Dragon Slayer?’

"Weeelll," she drawls, stretching in her chair again, "I don't really have much to tell you. I'm way too focused on the whole Dragon Slayer thing—that's everything that's eating my time." She pushes her glasses up and slumps a bit. "The faster we take care of Lung, the better. Otherwise, information might start leaking, rumors will spread, and that will make the situation bad, especially with so many capes around. We'd have an instant gang war and soon external organizations would start moving in to carve a place for themselves" 

And she finishes by groaning dramatically. 

She really is slumped with work, lets be a little nice with her then.

‘Need me to bring you food while you work?’

"Are you offering to be my personal delivery service?" she perks up. "Because I wouldn't say no to some real food. Not that instant ramen isn't the food of champions, but even champions need variety."

‘Consider it a small price to pay for your help. I'll drop something off later. Meanwhile, I'll patrol the usual routes to maintain appearances.’

"Look at you, being all responsible," she teases, already turning back to her screens. "Just be careful out there. Don't engage with any ABB if you can help it for now. We don't want to tip off Lung that something's coming."

I nod and open the protal, but pause as Futaba calls after me.

"Hey, Daniel?"

I turn back, surprised by her use of my real name instead of the cape name.

"Thanks for the games," she says, her usual intensity softening for a moment. "And... be careful out there, okay?”

“Justice always prevails against the wicked!" I give her a thumbs up.

She grins, already turning back to her screens.

As I leave through the portal, I hear the familiar startup sound of the PlayStation 2 behind me. 

The portal takes me into an empty alley first which I quickly leave to arrive at an empty street. Not like I’m complaining really, makes things a lot more smoother. Also, I guess it is time to do a check-up on Taylor. Although I have no idea what name she'd take to fit my image and as my new sidekick, fighting crime and all that. 

Also help her to develop a different motto… probably?

Or what color and design for her suit, since she controls insects. How can I make an insect-themed hero harmonize with justice?

That's a good question.

Butterfly wings?

Or Dragonfly?

Huh… I will have to ask for someone's input in that department.

However, without warning, something crashes into me from above like a meteor. The impact sends me face-first into the pavement with such force that the street buckles beneath me. My body carves a deep furrow through the asphalt as I'm dragged across the ground at tremendous speed, creating a massive shockwave of debris and dust in my wake. Buildings shudder as I plow through the street, leaving a trench nearly half a mile long before I can react.

I plant my hands and feet firmly, the friction causing the asphalt to melt beneath my fingers as I bring myself to a complete halt.

I push myself up from the crater I've created, chunks of road falling from my shoulders as I rise to my feet. Obviously this didn’t do shit to me, like not even a scratch but that was seriously annoying.

And I hate being caught by surprise, I am definitely buying  a sixth sense when I finish paying off my loan, I don’t want to be caught by surprise ever again.

But that’s a problem for later as I look up to see a caped figure hovering above, electricity crackling around his muscular form. He's dressed in a red suit with a purple cape, a golden eagle emblazoned on his chest. He is wearing a contemptuous sneer on his face.

"The Fatherland weeps as a mongrel has tainted its purity."

Fatherland?

Is he an Empire cape? No, the Empire capes are racist pricks, but they aren't THAT zealous about their ideals. 

"Half your blood may be pure, but the other half is tainted. A race traitor must be punished before being educated, especially one such as you." His eyes narrow with a hateful intensity I haven’t seen before. "For the mere fact that the purest and most sacred of Aryan blood runs through your veins, now filthy and disgustingly mixing with the mongrels of these barbaric lands."

Lightning crackles around him as storm clouds begin to gather overhead. "A disgrace, parading around in the colors of American filth!"

Okay, that was totally uncalled for, you fucking prick. And what the hell is he talking about? 

Whatever, I am putting a stop to his bullshit.

"BEHOLD THE SHORTSIGHTEDNESS OF EVIL!" I declare, planting my foot down dramatically, creating a small crater in what remains of the street. "YOUR DISCRIMINATING WAYS SHALL FACE THE RIGHTEOUS WRATH OF JUSTICE! FOR JUSTICE KNOWS NO BOUNDS OF RACE OR CREED, ONLY THE PURITY OF RIGHTEOUS DEEDS!"

And fuck you. I will make sure to rearrange your face and a break a few bones.

"Silence, half-blood! he roars, more electricity intensifying around him. ”The Gesellschaft has marked you for cleansing. You will not sully the old blood any longer!"

Oh, he is an actual nazi from that organization.

I will make sure to break more than a few bones then.

The flying Nazi raises his hands, as more lighting erupts from his fingertips, but a glowing lasso suddenly appears, wrapping around his neck and yanking him downward with surprising force. He crashes into the street, face first, with a satisfying impact that sends cracks spiderwebbing across the pavement that wasn’t destroyed.

"WELL WELL WELL! What do we have here? A SHOCKING development!" A cheerful, theatrical voice rings out, making me turn around to see a woman land beside me in a somersault. Her mouse-eared helmet gleams in the sunlight, and her cheese-patterned cape billows dramatically as she strikes a pose, sword in one hand and shield in the other.

Wait, I do know this woman.

"Looks like someone's having a BAD HAIR DAY! Is it the static electricity? Because I'm POSITIVE you need an attitude adjustment!" She cackles at her own puns, spinning her sword in a showy flourish.

Okay, seeing somebody speak like that is better than being the one doing it.

The stupid nazi finally breaks free of the lasso, electricity crackling around his body as he summons more black clouds above his head. "I am Stormfront, you American clown!" Lightning arcs between his fingertips as he rises back to his feet and then back to the air. "The Gesellschaft's sword of racial purity!"

A zealot through and through.

"GESELLSCHAFT? More like GESELL-SHAFT, am I right?" Mouse Protector snorts loudly at her own joke. "And who ordered the extra Nazi with a side of BORING? Everyone knows the lightning schtick is SO last season!"

Yep, I like her already.

And as expected, Stormfront's face contorts with rage. "You dare mock me? I will burn the flesh from your bones, you degenerate!"

"Oooh, I'm quaking in my boots! Which, by the way, are MUCH more stylish than yours!" She nudges me with her elbow. "Hey, True Might! Wanna show this storm cloud what happens when REAL heroes bring the thunder?"

Hold on…

She slides into an exaggerated heroic pose, and I find myself mirroring her, both of us pointing dramatically at our villainous opponent.

Oh no…

"BEHOLD VILLAIN!" we declare in unison. "THE ULTIMATE SANDWICH OF JUSTICE HAM, WITH EXTRA RIGHTEOUS CHEESE!"

"And a side of MOUSE-TARD!" she adds with a cackle.

Fucking kill me…

--------------------------------

AN: And the cliffhanger comes for you all as the dream team up has arrived.

Anyway, just to let you all know there IS going to be lewds in this story just building up for the moment, cannot just put sex unless we going for maximum comedy as then having our hero screaming, "Justice thrust!" "Justice cum!" or should I?

Jokes aside, I'm asking for a little patience, I promise it will be worth it.