Inheritance - Consequence 4.5

For those following for Original fiction updates, this is a chapter of my most popular fanfic, Inheritance. If you're curious to check it out, follow this link!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/36326725 

***

Tuesday May 10th, 2011

Amelia snored lightly, finally asleep after her harrowing evening.  That Carol fucking Dallon would attempt to sell her children to the Protectorate was enough to make my blood boil, but I had to take solace in the fact that she was safe for the moment.  Lisa was stroking her hair, smiling softly down at her from where she laid on Lisa’s lap. 

“That shit is too damn sweet,” Fester said. 

Chisel however was focused on something else.  “We’re skinning that bitch first chance we get.” 

There was a round of agreement from the collective, and I wasn’t about to deny them.  In fact, I wanted it just as much as they did, perhaps moreso.  Seeing Amelia finally at peace warmed my heart in a way that was difficult to ignore.  Knowing that she was my line in the sand, that I was willing to kill heroes for her if needed?  The only other person that made me feel that way was Chrissie, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to dig into what that meant. 

“Oh come on, you know exactly what —” 

I shoved Sanguine down, mostly because he was right, I just wasn’t ready to unpack that mess and it wouldn’t be fair to Amelia to try to after the… everything she just endured.  My hand reached across the couch, finding Chrissie’s and squeezing gently.  We had taken up flanking positions around Amelia and Lisa, to make sure she knew that the people that cared about her were close at hand. 

That still left Victoria, who was currently sitting on another loveseat and talking in low tones with Ashley.  I hadn’t expected Victoria to join the fight, let alone the absolute screaming match she got into with her mother. 

“The soccer kick into the Bay was pretty damn great though,” Knockout said with a grin. 

The memory of the absolutely primal rage that Victoria unleashed, followed by Brandish’s annoying ball form being launched out towards the Bay, would probably remain with the Butchers for the rest of time — and easily rank up there with some of the best moments in Teeth history. 

“Now we just need her to become XVI so we can claim it as our own!” Sabertooth said. 

Taylor rolled her eyes.  You just want her so we can finally fly. 

“Do you blame us?” Quarrel asked.  “Admit it, you want to fly too.” 

Well, they weren’t wrong — I just wasn’t ready to become a voice in someone else’s head.  I wanted at least a few years in the driver’s seat before that happened.  Besides, that would just dump more stress on Amelia, which I wanted to avoid at all costs. 

The collective chittered in laughter, but wisely kept their comments to themselves.  Outside the sun had begun to rise, and I knew the coming day would only lead to new headaches for the Teeth.  Amelia had made one hell of a public declaration of her loyalty.  Hell, I could hear some of the partying minions singing songs in celebration!  

“You mean hella badass,” Butcher cooed.  “That girl is Teeth to the core and you know it!”

I rolled my eyes as I let my senses sweep through my swarm, taking stock of my territory.  That was a bit of a misnomer these days given all of Brockton counted towards that.  Amelia’s relay bugs allowed me to perceive all of it, including the conversation currently underway in the Wards area of the PRT building.  They had some anti-bug measures in place, but there was never a truly bug free environment, especially when someone wanted those bugs in place.

Madison was standing alongside Lily and Missy, arms crossed and glaring at a cape that I didn’t recognize through my bugs’ limited senses.  I hadn’t been paying it much attention at first, but the standoff had drawn my metaphorical eye to the escalating altercation.  I couldn’t make out what was being said either, but I did recognize that Madison had their cube in hand and ready to be crushed. 

Each of my people carried one no matter where they went in the city, the fly within were modified by Amelia to stand out to my senses and it would send out a signal upon death to all nearby relay bugs, drawing my attention to it even when sleeping.  With the city on the verge of boiling over, I didn’t want to leave anything to chance after my father needed to shoot a cape in his own office. 

“It is strange that nothing has come of that,” Stratego muttered. 

His power was less than helpful in determining what strategic advantage the PRT wanted by just treating the event as self-defense, and we were missing too many details.  Obviously they were planning something, since they knew that we were related.  I didn’t have a secret identity, and thus it was officially known that Danny Hebert was the Butcher’s father.  Was that enough for them to overlook his actions?  It certainly didn’t feel like it, especially with a faction working to replace the Teeth with the Elite. 

I knew it would come back to bite us, I just wasn’t sure how. 

“At least he claimed the trophy,” Fester said.  “Few unpowered ever managed that, and it earned him a lot of respect around here.” 

I still wasn’t sure how I felt about my father coming back to headquarters with me, but he had indeed followed through on the tradition of claiming a trophy, even if it wasn’t a body part.  A piece of the man’s mask, still stained with his blood from the killing blow, was more than fitting.  That it meant we were at the arena when Amelia arrived was an added bonus and I couldn’t help but suspect Omen might have pushed things a bit in that direction. 

Lily had stepped forward, and seemed to be dictating terms to the person addressing them.  The bugs on Madison were picking up a subtle shaking that I recognized as laughter.  Whatever was going on, I would no doubt be hearing about it next time they came by the arena. 

“They’re hardly the first hero the Teeth have corrupted, but I think they might be my favorite,” Sabertooth said. 

I couldn’t help but smirk.  Is that some shapeshifter solidarity?

“Damn right it is.” 

I wanted to laugh but it would disturb Amelia and that would be the greatest sin in the world at the moment.  So, I just squeezed Chrissie’s hand again and snuggled closer to Lisa, letting myself relax as best I could.  It was hard not to listen in on others, especially with my ever expanding domain.  I didn’t want to pressure Amelia, but there were good odds that she could come up with bugs that I could hear or see through just as well as I could with my own senses. 

Of course, now that the Protectorate knew Amelia was a biotinker, they would be coming for her.  Pandemic’s debut removed any and all doubt, and the PRT could hardly ignore the danger.  I needed to be ready for whatever bullshit was coming, and I knew it meant I might need to kill to keep her safe. 

“Bring it,” Butcher said. 

I didn’t dispute his words, and simply let myself drift off, content to be with the people most important in my rather complicated life. 

*** 

“Five more minutes.” 

A grunt escaped me at the sound of a familiar voice, all I wanted was to curl up with the source of warmth and so that was what I did.  It squirmed a bit, then I felt a gentle softness press to my lips.  I leaned into the contact, returning the kiss with a smile.  My eyes flicked open, but rather than deep red locks, I was instead greeted by a frizzy mess of brown. 

The collective howled their approval even as my eyes shot wide open and I pulled away.  Amelia was still in a half daze, and reached for me as I jumped off the couch in a panic.  Shit, did she kiss me in her sleep thinking that I was Lisa?  I slammed the entire collective into the darkness to get a moment to think, and even then I could still sense their amusement at my predicament. 

I knew that I had feelings for Amelia beyond friendship, but I’d always chalked it up to being part of the Butcher experience.  She had Lisa, however, and I didn’t want to do anything that might ruin that for them.  The rest of my senses began to catch up with me, and it was with a very deliberate slowness that I turned my head towards the kitchen where Chrissie and Lisa were standing at the island. 

Lisa had her signature smile firmly fixed on her face, but Chrissie’s expression was far more complicated than anything I had seen on her in weeks.  The last time she looked at me like that, it had been when we were fighting.  I almost reached for the furthest bug I could sense, Pyro’s teleportation itching to pull me from the (social) danger, but I quashed the urge. 

Amelia sat up, rubbing at her eyes as she did. 

“Too early,” Amelia muttered. 

Lisa shook her head, walking over with a steaming cup.  “Here, drink this.  I think we all need to be awake and alert before we have this conversation.” 

Amelia winced as she accepted the cup.  “How bad is it?” 

Lisa paused.  “Right, we have two conversations to get through.  Well, easy one first then.  Someone posted a video of your little debut to PHO, so that cat’s out of the bag.  The mods spent long enough wondering if, with you being an open cape and all, it counted as being out of costume.” 

I had taken the opportunity to get up, slipping over by Chrissie, but my girlfriend wouldn’t look at me.  I almost let some of the collective back out, but I had a feeling that wouldn’t help matters, so I kept them suppressed.

“That’s bullshit!” Amelia thundered.  Her clothes rippled with the declaration and it was only then that I realized she was still effectively wearing her living costume.  “You’re telling me that even after all that I don’t get the benefit of a secret identity?” 

“Oh but you do!” Lisa said with full confidence.  “See, now you fall under the same umbrella as the rest of us.  Everyone knows who we are, and they know that if they fuck with that, the Butcher will turn them inside out.” 

Amelia looked away, muttering under her breath as she did.  “I could do that too.” 

“That you most certainly could,” Lisa said, flopping on the couch beside her.  “The Protectorate had an emergency meeting about things, and then a second meeting without anyone they even suspected might be in the Teeth’s corner.  I didn’t get much out of that one, but I do know that Madison stuck up for you when things got heated in the first.  They’ll be by shortly to fill everyone in, but suffice to say that Carol doesn’t have many fans locally at the moment, including your cousins.” 

Amelia let out a heavy sigh, but still curled around her cup before leaning against Lisa who feathered a kiss to her forehead. 

“That does bring us to the second point,” Lisa continued after a moment.  “You kissed Taylor.” 

I winced at the bluntness of the statement, and I sure as shit didn’t miss how every bug I had on Chrissie could feel the tension coiling in her body.  I wanted to say something, to insist it wasn’t on purpose, but something told me that was exactly the wrong thing to say at the moment.  It would also be a lie, because I had been thinking about it ever since the collective put the idea in my head.

“What?” Amelia asked in what seemed to be genuine confusion.  She looked between Lisa and myself, and her eyes widened when she caught sight of me.  “No…  Oh fuck.” 

“Yeah,” Lisa said.  “You might have been mostly asleep, but it’s something I think has needed said for a while, and this seems to be as good of a time as any to bring it up and have that talk.” 

“What’s there to talk about?” Chrissie said, Stratego’s power blaring warnings about her body language.  “Who doesn’t want to fuck the Butcher?  It’s sort of a tradition among the Teeth.” 

“She’s not wrong,” Damascian said.  I almost pushed her back down, but she was also one of the few Butchers that I actually trusted to give me sound advice, so I let her continue.  “Naturally, Chrissie harbors no small volume of apprehension concerning abandonment.  The situation is complicated by the fact that Pandemic is an exemplary Teeth cape with alarming synergies with your own ability.”

“She’s worried you’re going to leave her for Amy and her tentacle monsters!” Ironsides snapped.  “Can you cut it with the diction already?”

They descended into squabbling — though snollygoster and cockalorum were excellent additions to my insult repertoire — giving Fester the chance to speak.  “Just be honest and talk to her, Taylor.”

Butcher himself nodded from the edge of the depths.  “Ain’t none of us want to mess up this thing you got going.  The Teeth have never had this much power or respect before, and hot damn do people fear us.”  

“Well fuck me,” Sanguine said sarcastically, “even Butcher can mellow out.” 

“Oh good, they’re not going to mess this up,” Lisa said, eying me.  “Chrissie, first of all, Taylor thought it was you kissing her, right up until she realized it wasn’t.  You saw how she reacted.” 

“I did,” Chrissie said bluntly.  “I’ve also seen how these two eye fuck one another.” 

“I won’t deny that,” Lisa said.  I glared at Lisa as a tiny swarm buzzed around us, but she didn’t seem intimidated in the slightest.  “Meanwhile, Amelia and I probably never will.  I’m ace, and she most certainly isn’t.” 

“Your point?” Chrissie snapped. 

“Be honest, you think Amelia’s cute too.” 

Chrissie froze at Lisa’s words, then averted her gaze.  I could only blink and even the collective seemed momentarily surprised at the silent admission. 

“You haven’t been worried as much that Taylor will move on,” Lisa continued.  “You’ve been worried that she would leave you out of it.” 

“What?” Amelia whispered, her face tomato red.  “Why would…  She has Taylor!  I’m just, well, me.” 

“Poor girl is an eight in a family of nines and tens,” Chisel said.  “It’s no wonder she has self-esteem issues.” 

“Eh, I don’t think anyone in New Wave is a ten,” Alkaline added. 

“Did you see Manpower when he was just starting out?” Sabertooth asked.  “Dude was absolutely a ten back in the bad old days.” 

“You’re pretty damn cute, okay?” Chrissie muttered, silencing the collective as she eventually dragged her gaze from Amelia and back to me.  “Both of you are.” 

Lisa’s grin widened but all Amelia could do was gape at both of them.  Hell, I wasn’t doing much better as my brain tried to figure out just what the hell was happening. 

“Lisa’s getting this polycule rolling, that’s what’s happening,” Pyro said, rubbing her metaphorical hands together.

“About damn time too,” Fester agreed.

Wait, what? 

“You know, sometimes I feel like I can pick up the conversations you’re having with them,” Lisa said with a smirk.  “And they’re right.  You’re all being useless about this, and it’s kinda sad that it’s falling to the ace girl to set you all straight.” 

“None of us are straight,” I said petulantly. 

“Exactly!” Lisa chirped.  “Now, Chrissie, come over here and kiss me and prove your girlfriend right.” 

Chrissie’s eyes widened and darted between Lisa and I, then at Amelia who was sitting there in stunned silence.  It was very clear that Lisa was the only one that knew just what the hell was going on at this moment, aside from the raucousness of the collective cheering for whatever the hell was happening. 

“We all know we won’t be able to out-talk Lisa,” I said with a sigh of defeat.  “She won’t shut up until someone makes her.” 

“Then why don’t you?” Pyro asked sweetly. 

Lisa nodded enthusiastically.  “I’ll admit, I’m mostly doing this for the cuddles.  No matter how good either of you might be at kissing, I’ll never really enjoy it the way you do.” 

“Oh, that was a challenge if I ever heard one,” Fester said.

Chisel huffed.  “Prove that bitch wrong, for the honor of the Butcher!” 

While I was listening to my predecessors’ demands, Chrissie seemed to take up the challenge herself, though before she closed the distance she did spare one last glance back at me.  I gave her a nod and next thing I knew my girlfriend was kissing Lisa.  Something inside me twisted, but it wasn’t unpleasant like I expected, instead it was almost excitement. 

“You’re watching two hot girls kiss, it’s the natural response,” Alkaline said enthusiastically.  

Ironsides grunted.  “You’ll get another turn, don’t worry.” 

My face lit up with warmth at the thought of joining in with them, and the Butchers were throwing all sorts of memories of their own at me to show just how normal it was for the Butcher to have multiple partners.  The recent memories of Alice were the most distracting, as well as the most numerous.  She was old enough to be my mother and they were so damn insistent that it would happen at some point.

I shoved down each of them that was prodding those memories.  I didn’t need the distraction, or the encouragement, as my girlfriend pulled away from Lisa.  Chrissie was frowning softly at Lisa’s grinning visage, not a spec of pink on the girl’s face. 

“See, I can tell you enjoyed it, but I’ve got nothing in that regard,” Lisa said.  “Now, kiss Amelia.” 

Chrissie blinked, looking at the still shellshocked biokinetic sitting on the couch in stunned silence.  At the same time Lisa stepped over to where I was standing, and grinned up at me.  Before I realized it, she kissed me with every bit the enthusiasm that she had kissed Chrissie.  I wasn’t sure what to think of it, and just let myself roll with it, returning her enthusiasm with everything I had and all the tricks the collective had learned over their lives.  Yet, the bugs in the air could tell that Lisa wasn’t getting anything out of it like I or Chrissie were, the scents were all wrong.  Bloodsight confirmed that for me, and I broke the kiss. 

“Yeah, that girl is definitely ace,” Pyro said.

“Damn, all those lifetimes of experience really do amount to something,” Lisa said. 

I had to admit, it stung my pride a bit for her to brush me off so easily.  Chrissie and Amelia on the other hand… 

“Can we get in on that?” 

Whoever had asked that went ignored as I watched the two women, my heart thundering in my chest as I did.  I barely even noticed as Lisa gently pushed me towards them, or when they both looked up with lidded eyes and I licked my own lips on reflex.  The collective was cheering for me, throwing out suggestions with reckless abandon.  Chrissie reached up, pulling me close, and—

“The hell did I just walk in on?” 

I’d never spun so fast in my life.  Across the room, standing in the doorway, was Madison.  They wore one hell of a glare on their face, but it was aimed at Lisa who was too busy laughing at how someone managed to surprise me.  This time I did silence the collective for their calls of drama and requests to get them to join in on the fun.  There was no way in hell I’d ever make out with one of the trio.

The rumbling from the dark was pointedly ignored.

Chrissie laughed, and I could tell she was playing it up a bit to hide how flustered she was.  “You should have seen how many people were fucking in the open during Tay’s introduction party.” 

“Was it worse than the victory over the Empire celebration?” Madison asked with a raised eyebrow.  

Lisa just laughed harder.

“Laugh it up, Lise,” I said before that could get out of hand.  “Sorry about that, we let the Thinker talk.” 

“Oh don’t try blaming this on me,” Lisa said with a smirk.  “All I did was give everyone a little nudge.  The rest was all you.” 

“I really don’t want to hear this,” Madison muttered, walking over to the kitchen.  She pulled a hard lemonade from the fridge—one of Alec’s—and downed half the bottle in one go before letting out an absolutely thunderous belch.  “PRT is a shitshow right now, and funny enough Amelia’s little defection barely rated compared to the spectacle of Li—Flechette throwing down Youth Guard policies to prevent half the Wards from being relocated without notice.” 

“We’ve all met Lily, remember?” Lisa said, but I could tell she was getting lost in thought.  “Let me guess, they wanted to move you, Missy, and Sophia?” 

“They know Sophia left,” Madison said, throwing a glance around the room as if looking for the girl.  “They apparently don’t know about Lily and Sabah being friendly with Teeth.” 

“We’ve tried to keep that out of the headlines,” I said, gesturing towards the rooms where Sophia was still sleeping off the night or something.  “Sabah doesn’t want anything to do with cape stuff, so we just pay her to make cool clothes for us.” 

“She doesn’t even know I helped make sure her shop was completely above board,” Lisa added.  “Something the Elite no doubt already learned when they tried their usual legal pressures.  Have I mentioned how annoying their shit is with Medhall?  I’ve got another board meeting coming up and I know they have something up their sleeve.” 

“Oh the horror,” Madison said flatly.  “Not like you have to deal with a bunch of government types trying to ship you off to St. Louis just to make room for capes they don’t think will hang out at Teeth parties.”  Lisa opened her mouth but Madison just held up a single finger.  “Trust me, I’d rather be shot at.” 

“Self-biokinesis,” Amelia said.  She wasn’t quite composed, but seemed to be grasping for the distraction to avoid talking about what just happened like the rest of us were.  “You shrug off bullets like silly putty.” 

Madison huffed.  “A shot to the brain would still drop me for good.  I’m not a proper Brute, even with my telekinesis, I can just fake it with the best of them.” 

“Your skull is literally bulletproof,” Amelia snarked.  “Seriously, I used your bone composition as a model for Lisa’s enhancements.” 

“You did?” Madison asked, their eyes wide.

Amelia let out a heavy sigh.  “Your powers are far more instinctive than mine.  I can twist nature at a whim, experiment as much as I want, but I still have to study and learn.  You can just turn yourself into a Xenomorph in seconds.  I still haven’t figured out how to make one that will live for more than five minutes out of my care.” 

“Wait, you’ve been—” 

Lisa slapped a hand over Madison’s mouth before they could finish the question.  “So, someone’s trying to clear out the capes that have backed the Teeth in the past?” 

Madison nodded.  “Assault and Battery got assigned to Armsmaster’s team, they’re deploying to Boston with Legend to clean up the second Boston Games.” 

“They need the PR win,” I said.  “Especially with the whole thing with Amelia being the leading news story today.” 

Amelia winced, looking away.  “How did the PRT take that?” 

“Lots of yelling,” Madison said with a frown.  “Brandish threw a shit fit, and that’s when Assault mentioned a certain photo they had seen.” 

The pointed look from Madison was all that needed to be said, but when had that ever stopped Lisa before? 

“Oh, was that all?” Lisa said sweetly.  “Maybe we should show them a picture of us all making out next time?” 

“Not helping,” I said, putting a finger to Lisa’s lips.

She licked it.

I almost rotted her saliva in retribution, but Lisa pulled away the moment the thought crossed my mind.  She looked back with wide eyes as I fluttered my eyelashes innocently at her.  A pouting glare was thrown my way, but I ignored it in favor of turning towards the next person to stumble into the loft. 

“Too early,” Sophia muttered. 

“You missed the Wards meeting,” Lisa said. 

Sophia flipped her off.  “They all know I quit.”

“Actually, officially you’re AWOL as you weren’t allowed to quit per your plea deal,” Madison said.  “We were given a detain on sight order if we ever see you.” 

“Didn’t think you were into bondage,” Chrissie said with a smirk then shrugged.  “Eh, you do you.” 

Madison suddenly sprouted a second head, both speaking in unison.  “Technically I could.” 

“Kinky,” Sabertooth said.

Shaking her head, Sophia pulled a box of cereal from the cabinet, then glared at the spider sitting on it.  I had the little guy wave at her before it jumped off and scurried back into the shadows. 

“And I thought Clock’s pranks were bad,” Sophia muttered, taking a seat and pouring a bowl without any milk.  “I’d say go fuck yourself, but…” 

“Is it just me or has joining us dislodged the stick up her ass?” Knockout asked. 

“That or she’s smoking Amelia’s weed,” Alkaline said.

“Anything in the meeting about me?” Sophia asked. 

Madison snorted.  “Everyone forgot about you after Pandemic made her debut with a public defection to the Teeth last night.” 

Sophia froze, her spoon part way to her mouth.  “No fucking way.  I thought you were trying to keep that under wraps, the fuck did I miss last night?” 

“That was intentional,” Lisa said.  “We didn’t need wildcards in that mess, so I made sure to hand out some Cactus for everyone the moment I realized what was happening.” 

“I didn’t take anything though,” Sophia said with a frown.  “I remember drinking some tea, then I laid down…”  Lisa started to snicker and Sophia jumped to her feet, pointing with a snarl on her lips.  “You fucking drugged me!?”

The Butchers howled with laughter, but I didn’t find it nearly as humorous as they did.  It was turning out to be a day where I would probably be better off keeping them in the dark, but I was proving to be too emotionally compromised to keep them there.

“Not cool, Lisa.” 

“Oh come on, most people in the Teeth are happy to get a free high like that,” Marauder whined.

“Better than her accidentally killing someone, or getting killed,” Lisa said.  “Brandish was out for blood, that’s why I made sure Victoria held her off instead.” 

I quickly felt out my swarm and located Victoria in one of the spare rooms, she was being held in Ashley’s arms as they watched something on TV together.  Gentle sniffles escaped the Brute, and Ashley just ran fingers through Victoria’s hair, comforting her as best she could.  A box of tissues sat half used, my bugs reporting the smell and taste of snot and tears soaking the pile nearby. 

“She’s locked in a room crying,” I said, again glaring at Lisa.  “I know you’re a Thinker, but sometimes you should try to remember the human element.” 

Lisa’s shoulders slumped and Amelia moved to pull her into a side hug.  “I know, but the entire situation was beyond fucked and I didn’t want to have to console our girlfriend because Carol was a dumbass and committed suicide by Teeth.” 

I opened my mouth to retort, but quickly shut it.  That was entirely fair and even with everything that happened I didn’t want Carol dead, even if the only reason was entirely selfish.  Amelia didn’t need that guilt on her shoulders.  With a heavy sigh, I stepped over and joined the hug, pulling Chrissie in with me. 

“Oh god, tell me they didn’t all bang,” Sophia whispered to Madison. 

The shapeshifter shook their head.  “Pretty sure I walked in before it could get that far.” 

“Unfortunately,” Sabertooth muttered. 

“Ignoring that whole mess,” Sophia said, turning back to face Madison.  “So, what had you in such a tizzy that you walked in on one of the Butcher’s fuck buddies?  Even I know better than that and I’ve been here for a day.  Some of the guys have some wild stories…” 

I flipped her off but she wasn’t paying any attention only to be pulled into a kiss by Chrissie that was brief but full of warmth.  Her eyes shone with something, and I knew we needed to have a very long talk and see just what the hell all of this amounted to.

Madison recounted the details again, and Sophia crossed her arms in thought.  “No shit.  Sounds like someone wanted everyone out of the way and they’ve just about got all their pawns in place for it.  Any word on the new Director?” 

“Nothing I’ve heard,” Madison said.  “I asked Legend about the Tagg rumor, but he assured me the Chief Director would never allow that.” 

Sophia hummed, lost in thought for a moment.  “Unless the brass send him in.” 

“He’d need Congressional support,” Lisa said from her place in the hug pile.  “He’s a military man, so he might be able to get it.” 

“He shot a twelve year old joke villain three months ago,” Madison said.  “He’s not well liked at the moment, even if she did survive.” 

“Not liked by the capes,” Lisa corrected.  “His men follow him with an almost cultish fanaticism that will be a major problem for us if he does get the gig.” 

“Who better to throw at the Butcher?” Sophia asked.  “He either gets eaten by bugs, or he somehow pulls it off and gets rid of her.” 

“Definitely eaten,” Marauder snickered. 

“Sounds like this Tagg guy is someone I should kill at first sight,” I said with a nod and a resounding agreement from the voices in my head.  “Any downsides to that approach, or should I at least try for reasonable cause first?” 

“With Tagg, reasonable cause is basically a given,” Lisa said.  “If he becomes Director it will turn into a bloodbath within forty-eight hours, easily.” 

“Without us firing the first shot?” Chrissie asked. 

“Yes,” Lisa said. 

“Oh, I like the sound of that,” Knockout said. 

Quarrel laughed.  “Another excuse to show up the heroes!” 

I groaned, dropping back to the couch as I ran a hand over my face.  “He’s the worst case scenario?” 

“He is,” Madison agreed.  “Director Senica is also in the running from Alaska.  I’ve heard good things about him.” 

Lisa hummed.  “He’s not likely to start problems, but he won’t tolerate a lot of things either.  We’ll need to find a balance if he gets it, but it shouldn’t mean open warfare.” 

“Think you can help that one along?” I asked.  “I’d prefer someone reasonable rather than premeditated murder.” 

“Never thought I’d hear the Butcher balk at that,” Sophia said. 

“It’s the only reason you’re still alive,” I said to Sophia as I drew upon my swarm for effect.  “I’m still me, deep down.  Just because I am now Butcher XV doesn’t mean I stopped being Taylor Hebert, I just have fourteen other lives to draw experience from.” 

“And what you’ve done with that,” Alkaline said with pride. 

“Hell of a lot more spine though,” Sophia said. 

I couldn’t help but laugh.  “No, I’d say I have less, if anything.  I’m just quicker to use violence to remove annoyances.” 

Chrissie laughed.  “Oh please, you know how the prior Butchers were.  Even Damascian didn’t hesitate to break faces when she ran things around here.  Remember, she’s the one that brought the Teeth back to Brockton.” 

“Hard to forget when I can still remember the planning sessions,” I muttered.  “I remember lots of things I’d rather not, and some of them are things I experienced myself.” 

“We’ll just have to make new memories for you,” Lisa said.  “Though, you’re going to need to get a bigger bed.  I don’t think the four of us can fit on your mattress.” 

I blushed looking away even as the collective started to chant about an Alaskan King.  The idea was certainly appealing, even if I was hesitant about the possibility of expanding my relationship to be more than just Chrissie and I.  We were still working through things from our first fight, and adding another two people to our dynamic would only strain that further. 

“Still nice to have it in the open, though,” Lisa said with a grin. 

I flipped her off. 

“It’s okay, we aren’t going anywhere,” Lisa added, pulling Amelia in closer.  “Just keep an open mind and communicate and it will all work out.” 

“And they’re back to talking about fucking,” Madison muttered.  “Hey Sophia, wanna have a round in the pits?  I need to work off some shit from those meetings.” 

“Sure,” Sophia said, shoving the rest of her breakfast into her mouth.  “Should be interesting to fight you without all the kid friendly restrictions.” 

Madison’s mouth shifted, the extended mouth of a Xenomorph extending from it.  “Oh, you have no idea.” 

Their form rippled as flesh distorted, black carapace sprouted all across their body as Madison’s form melted into Ripley.  The now Xenomorph followed Sophia over to the railing that overlooked the arena below with disturbing quickness.  Sophia stepped over the edge calmly, but Madison scurried along the walls as they raced down.  The few people awake pointed and I just knew word would spread quickly.  Chrissie disengaged from us, her curiosity winning out.  I didn’t need to leave the cuddle pile thanks to a few different bugs I kept around.

Amelia grumbled about something, then pulled out her phone.  “Shit!  I need to go to school!” 

Chrissie and I shared a look, then began to laugh.  Technically we were blowing off school too, but nobody would dare mention it, especially with everything in the news last night.  My identity was the worst kept secret in the city, and finding someone with the balls to come after the Butcher for playing hooky would be rather difficult. 

“Amelia, think this through,” Lisa said, taking her girlfriend’s hands in her own.  “Do you really want to go to school today, with the Wards, right after you’ve officially joined the Teeth?” 

“Would send a message,” Amelia muttered, looking away. 

Chrissie laughed.  “It certainly would, but counterpoint!” 

She nodded to me and I grinned.  “Come with us to Winslow today, let people see you.  There’s no restrictions on gang colors either, so you can wear your hoodie in the open.” 

“She was already doing that,” Lisa said. 

“That was one time,” Amelia said with a pout.  “I was told it wasn’t allowed, even if it was a gift.” 

“Well there you go!” I said.  “Lisa, think you can work out the paperwork to make her transfer look all official for next year while we go about causing chaos today?” 

“Already made up the forms, but I’ll need to get them printed so Amelia can fill them out herself.  If I do it all electronically like the Protectorate tried with you, it would probably be ruled a Thinker plot and thrown out.” 

“Joy,” Amelia muttered.  “Lise, you still have my change of clothes?” 

Lisa chuckled, shaking her head.  “You act like I don’t have a full wardrobe on standby for you.  I already dropped off some stuff in Vic’s sizes as well, so don’t worry about her either.” 

“Does this mean Demolition Dallon is joining us in Winslow?” Chrissie asked.

“Probably not,” Amelia said.  “She’s already got full credits to graduate, she’s just been going for the experience.  I’m pretty well finished on my end as well, though I’ve got another year thanks to Carol lying about my age.” 

“Which means you’ll get to spend it with us!” Chrissie exclaimed just as Madison almost speared Sophia with their tail then shifted it into something electrified that clipped Sophia’s shadow form and sent her sprawling.  “Fuck her up, Ripley!” 

Madison moved atop Sophia’s prone form, pinning her down with a shifted claw that sparked with energy.  Sophia tapped the ground twice and Madison backed down with a wicked grin, offering the former Ward a hand up.  At least a hundred people had filed into the stands since the bout began, and were cheering for Ripley’s win. 

They moved back to their starting points, but this time Sophia drew a knife before squaring up with the shapeshifter. 

“Oh, this ought to be interesting,” Sabertooth said. 

Stratego narrowed his eyes.  “The question will be what Sophia intends to use the blade for.  I do not think that superficial cuts will have much effect on Madison.” 

I was tempted to join Chrissie by the railing and watch the fight with my own eyes, but at the same time that would mean untangling myself from Amelia.  Yesterday that wouldn’t have been a question, but after the events of the night, as well as Lisa’s manipulations, I was hesitant. 

Alkaline scoffed.  “You’re really gonna bitch that a Thinker is trying to get you laid?” 

Warmth crept to my cheeks and Amelia looked up, no doubt noticing my shifting biology through our skin contact, of which I was now hyper aware of.  This was all Lisa’s fault, I just knew it, but at the same time, Alkaline was right.  Why the hell was I getting upset about this?  Sure, I’d need to talk to Chrissie first, because no doubt she had her own thoughts on everything.  If she was okay with it, then we would need to talk to Amelia without Lisa present, then again with her once we were all sorted. 

It would be a process, but it wasn’t something I was actually against. 

Just another footnote on the list of things that the Taylor of last year would be freaking out over if she saw happening through some ghost of futures past bullshit precog effect.  Well, if school was going to happen, we would need to get ready soon if they wanted to make it in time for lunch.  Morning classes were in full swing and making it before lunch would be cutting it close even if we hurried.  It was the rather ridiculous idea of having Chrissie on one arm, and Amelia on the other, that was just too tempting to let go of. 

“Oh yeah, it’s all coming together,” Fester said. 

“That would be my line,” Stratego said. 

Pyro laughed.  “Like you ever had a romantic bone in your body.” 

I left them to that argument as Sophia managed to phase her blade into Madison’s arm, or claw…  They paused, looking down at it, then their body shifted, the flesh molding around the chunk of inorganic matter until it fell to the ground with a clang.  Sophia glared at the weapon like it had both offended and betrayed her, then Madison kicked it back over. 

“That answers that,” Knockout said with a sigh.  “Shapeshifters are bullshit.” 

“Not always,” Quarrel muttered, sending a mental glare towards Sabertooth. 

“Oh not this shit again!” Sabertooth roared.  “You gotta stop blaming me for your shitty allergy!” 

She wouldn’t, I knew that, just like Quarrel would never truly forgive me for being the one to deal the killing blow and inheriting the mantle of the Butcher.  When it finally came my turn to become a part of the collective, I imagined I would hold a similar grudge against whoever ripped me away from those I loved. 

“You should get Stalker a pair of ice picks,” Stratego said suddenly.  “Or hammers.  Anything that she could phase into someone then rip out in the most brutal way possible.”

“That’s hardcore as fuck,” Butcher said, almost in awe.  “Where the hell did that come from?” 

Stratego sent a wave of smugness at the praise from our namesake and basked in the cumulative preening of the collective.  Personally, I filed the idea away for later once I was more assured that she wouldn’t turn those weapons on me when my back was turned. 

“Come on,” I whispered.  “We should get dressed if we’re going to go through with this plan and throw further wrenches into the hero’s PR plans.” 

“But comfy,” Amelia said as she looked up, her eyes full of fire and defiance, as well as something that I still wasn’t ready to quantify. 

I didn’t even need to turn to know Lisa had her smugest of grins plastered on her face from her place in the cuddle pile.  Still, the day was slipping away and there was only so much I wanted to just stay in, a statement needed to be made. 

“The PHO thread this spawns will be entertainment for days,” Alkaline said with a giggle. 

Sanguine chuckled.  “Could you imagine social media in the bad old days?  It would be a true trainwreck, and not that pretender that Robbie ganked.” 

That was an understatement if I ever heard one.  Hell, I hadn’t even dared look at the current threads, let alone imagine them.  If anything would get me banned from the forum, it would be sticking up for Amelia in the face of whatever the mindless masses were spewing about her, or the neverending propaganda being spread by all the PRT plants that operate on the forum.

“Sophia, Madison!” I said through my swarm.  “Wrap it up, we’re going to school today to show the flag and make a statement.” 

Madison didn’t need to be told twice, their form already shifting back to the cutesy teen girl that nobody would ever suspect of being a five hundred pound shapeshifting beast of flesh and acidic blood.

“Come on,” I said with my own lips this time.  “We can chill some more once classes are over.” 

“That a promise?” Lisa asked.  “I’m going to be busy at Medhall today, but I can certainly cut things short if you need me for any discussions of a polyamorous nature.’ 

“Foot off the gas,” Chrissie said, stepping between Lisa and I.  “Just because I’m pretty sure we are both more open to this than either of us realized,” she spared a glance back at me and I nodded in agreement, “doesn’t mean you need to overplay it.  Just, let us work through this on our own, we’ll let you know when we’re ready to expand the discussion.” 

“Just keep me in the loop,” Lisa said with a wink. 

I didn’t need bloodsight to know that Amelia was positively glowing from embarrassment.  Hell, my face wasn’t much better and Sabertooth’s shifting wasn’t nearly as good at hiding that as Madison’s. 

“Deal,” Lisa said.  “Alright, I’m off to make some Nazi supporters cry as I render them broke and destitute, I’ll send you the recording.” 

“Oh, that girl knows exactly what to say to moisten m—” 

I shoved Fester down before she could finish the statement.  She pouted at being cut off, but got the point.  The woman was like an aunt to me and it was really fucking difficult to stay in the mood when she was making sexual comments that often involved my own mother. 

It didn’t take long for us to split off and find something to wear, the hoodies that Parian made for us were the dress code for the day, everything else was just window dressing from there.  I made sure to grab a half box of cold pizza from the fridge for us to nibble on for the ride which Chrissie pulled from my hands with greedy glee, then passed it over to Amelia who was a bit more skeptical about the contents. 

It was fun, having all of us getting ready together, even if Sophia was the odd one out, I was already coming to accept her as part of our circle.  She’d chosen the Teeth, and despite any worries I had about her one day seeking the mantle, she was one of us and I’d treat her as such right up until she stood across from me in the Arena under an official challenge. 

Just as we were about to head out the door I stopped to turn the TV off when I froze in place and every bug in the city began to frantically scurry about.  A press conference was being shown live from a location that I couldn’t locate anywhere inside of my range, but the news made it clear that it was about Brockton Bay. 

There was Miss Militia standing alongside a cape called Luminance which was easily the most half assed rebranding Purity could possibly have received, as well as a Ward by the name of Scribe who I already knew to be a rebranded Rune thanks to Myrddin. 

They were coming back to Brockton Bay, despite my promise to kill any of them if they did have the gall to return. 

“Well, this will be good,” Butcher said, rubbing his hands together.

Marauder grinned.  “Looks like Nazi is back on the menu.” 

“Along with a side of bootlicker,” Fester said. 

Marauder was positively ecstatic.  “The question is, which are we capping first?”