Her attention had briefly settled on the disguised cape. Aegysthos. In this city, everyone knew Aegysthos. Publicly he was called a beacon of hope, to criminals, he was seen as a bringer of death. A hero who had willingly killed before, why they presumably sent him to watch her made her uneasy–
Evelyn appeared to be beyond pissed. Juniper guessed that their unassuming guest wasn’t supposed to be here.
What does he even want from her?
[Judging by the way he’s eyeing you, I’d say he wants you.]
Juniper made a juvenile grunt.
[Ooooh, scary cape man has entered the chat. What’s he gonna do? Stare at you harder? Maybe monologue about justice? I bet he smells like overpriced cologne and regrets. Seriously chill out, you’re harm free.]
She wasn’t in the mood. She summoned Sys-chan for assistance, not snarky commentary.
[Okay, okay. Real talk—They’re probably just taking precautions. You’re an unknown factor, everyone knows you’ve got at least two power sets, and that makes you spicy. Like, “we-need-to-keep-this-one-on-a-leash” spicy.]
No. I’m not spicy at all.
She didn’t have the energy for that line of thought. She promised herself to keep her internal thoughts to herself or rather on the task at end.
A few OBB capes had invited themselves, to stare at her, mainly two of the group she was the least acquainted with Morrigan, and Praemor. Francesca was there, waving to her carefree. Evelyn observed silently, she was stern, unreadable, quiet, eyes set on the Hero who invited himself. There was going to be a political aftermath because of this, and she was in the crossfire.
Juniper groaned.
Do they all have to come out and stare at me, I can tolerate Francesca but…
[Hey! You should be flattered! Every classical hero had an army of simps—er, I mean supporters. You’re basically the main character in their heads. They’re probably placing bets on how many flips you’ll do through the obstacle course. It’s fine. Totally fine.]
Their eyes crawled over her, peeling her apart piece by piece. She did not want to be examined by strangers, put under their microscope, she just had too much of it. She really wanted to this be over with already. Their stares pinned her down, dissecting her like a bug under glass, every moment was stretched out. A suffocating ordeal.
Maybe she should’ve gone full villain—smuggled her siblings out, ruled by fear, played video games at night.
[Queue the Dark Neet! (?—?—) Never took you for a chuuni?]
You think I’m joking!
[Hey, hey, hey—intrusive thoughts alert! We talked about this. Maybe not with words, but I feel like we have an unspoken agreement to not spiral into Evil overlord mode before lunchtime, think of those cookies.]
I’m coping.
[And, I’m trying to keep you sane.]
“Ms Pinewell,” Engelman summoned her, directed to a closed off but smaller contained obstacle course. “One lap. Go around and through the obstacle in what ever way you deem necessary. Then report back.”
He handed her an electronic strap. Forced it in her hand, “Wrap that tight around your wrist.”
Juniper held it up. “What is this?”
“It's an AI-enhanced energy monitor. It tracks your training data to assign you a proper rating.”
“Rating?” she questioned. The head doctor nodded.
“Yes, no hero, operates without one, it’s fundamental for the SCRA, and even your respective ‘agency’ to know what they are dealing with on the field. And vice versa.”
She listened, she was curious, but she didn’t want to ask unnecessary questions. She nodded. Then he motioned for her to start. She looked to Evelyn who sat crossed arms, staring down the masked cape.
Very well, then, it shouldn’t be that difficult.
A part of her wondered, did normal cape tests, even go as war as this. Was it dynamic based on the individual's abilities, or how much of a threat they represented? Was it a play to analyze her strength and weaknesses, to keep her under the wraps of the government.
[Oh, it’s definitely dynamic. Why else would they make you do a hearing test? Like, girl, they know.]
Juniper broke into an awkward jog. The loose uniform bunched and shifted, slowing her down. Darting forward, she weaved through a small corridor of annoying barriers, She attempted vaulted over a metal plated wall, her hands loosing momentum just before she reached the top. She slipped—momentum yanking her down hard onto her ass.
“Dammit.”
She shook off the dust and dirt… The machine beeped nonstop, a high-pitched, grating pulse drilling into her ears. The ground lurched beneath her. Loose earth slid under her boots—mud, dust, and grit caking her skin. Low hanging beams, stood in front, of her, triple stacked into the air a meter apart. The only way was under, she went prone, and crawled through it, dirtying her face in the process.
The next hurdle came in one fluid motion. She hit the slide and went down fast—friction burning through her uniform, the heat scorching her skin under the relentless sun. Breathing became uncontrolled sharper, every movement became a test of reflex and endurance. Her muscles burned, raw and torn like sandpaper on flesh.
Her breath came fast and ragged, chest heaving, lungs burning. She finished the circuit, returning to the note jotting professor.
What the hell was so interesting!
[Only you, of course.]
“Uh… very good, Ms. Pinewell. A bit unorthodox for a cape of your caliber.’ Engelman’s tone carried an angle of disappointment…”. She turned up her nose as he said it. “But now, feel free to use your ‘obtained’ abilities.”
Juniper nodded reluctantly.
This time, she didn’t just run, making good use of her powers. She traversed the course. She warped space, slipping between the poles like they barely existed, the metal wall became as simple as pushing her feet into the air. The hanging beams were simply fled beneath them, nearly bumping her head against the next wall. She turned around the corner and sped back, over the large net, avoiding it completely. It occurred to her, that everyone were still watching her. Studying. Dissecting her every move.
Juniper stopped again. She halted, locking eyes with the scrutinizing medical team.
“Very impressive, Ms Juniper, tell me do you believe your powers are weaker than your counterparts, the normal ones.”
Of course. She was figuring things out as she went, still leagues behind Emery and Anne.
Juniper sighed and nodded. The doctor unclipped the AI strap from her arm, replacing it with another without a word. They shoved her towards where a yard full of obstacles resided. Old vehicles, tires, broken appliances, lots of paper and trash.
She stared at the doctor.
"What we want you to do to is to destroy those obstacles, as much as you can muster however you can manage, you are limited, to what four power sets yes? Three being destructive?" The man asked. “We’re 26 percent of the way where we want to be.
26 percent oh, god, this was going to take all day…
She nodded, a lie. She wasn’t going to expose her Pyrokinetism. No one needed to know yet.
Juniper turned, as she felt an overwhelming presence move in her direction.
Aegysthos approached, slow and deliberate, unreadable behind his mask, Evelyn didn't stop him. Was he really that much of a problem? Or was everyone just too afraid of him?
He snapped his fingers, turning to Engelman. "You got what you needed, didn’t you?" Aegysthos’s voice was flat, cutting through the tension.
“Yes, but… the readings can be pretty inconclusive, we’d like to run more tests.”
Aegysthos answered. “I don’t recall my initial inspection being this extensive,” he said.
“No, every cape is different you should know this, we’d need at least one more test, to establish a proper rating, if not we wouldn't be doing our job as members of Superhuman Response Team. Ms. Juniper can transform her powers at will, we’re interested in knowing why?"
"You require a few more readings? A test or two?" he asked. They nodded. And he turned towards Juniper.
She took a step back.
“Very well. Ms. Pinewell,” Juniper turn her attention to him, stern at the edge, waiting. “Let’s get this over with, shall we?”
It was a hard deal, but yes, she was done being watched like a specimen. If it could get it over, then she wouldn’t mind.”
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“The device on your arm should give you an accurate reading base off one, how well you can fight.”
“Yes?”
[Ohhh nooo. Oh no, no, no. Alert! Alert! This dude will pummel you.]
Strap it on. She did, jaw tight. He stepped closer, towering over her, She looked up, stomach twisting. He was too close.”
[Juniper. Bad idea. This is a bad idea. Throw in the towel. Pull a muscle. Fake an allergic reaction. Noob versus veteran on day one?]
Juniper frowned. So what this was about?”
“It’s complicated, I’ve been watching you for a while, ms. Pinewell, since the bank heist. You have a lot of power in your hand, power that can be misused for all the wrong things.”
Juniper raised a brow. A lecture now? Seriously? This didn’t sound related to training.
“I’m sorry sir, but I don’t need a moral lecture, I can carry myself responsibility."
“‘Indulge me,’ he said. "I want to see what you’re capable of.”
Evelyn walked closer, agitated, like she didn’t expect this to happen.
“Aegysthos!”
Aegysthos seized her by the collar and yanked her up. Effortlessly. Like she weighed nothing.” There was no effort to resist. He just did it, and her legs lost her weight, she soared upwards in his hands. Too fast. Too high. The world blurred, then—sudden stillness. The wind slapped her face, air knocked from her lungs.”
‘Come on,’ he said. ‘Hit me with everything you’ve got.”
Juniper gritted her teeth. Could she even hurt him? People called him invincible for a reason.”
“Why! What do you want from me, Sir”
Juniper questioned, hovering on her own.
“People are concerned, that you’re going to be a threat, snatching powers left and right, if left you're unchecked we’re afraid you'll turn into a catastrophe.”
“What? I’ve never hurt anyone. Just last week, I ran into a burning building—why the hell am I dealing with this?”
That’s hardly the point, I’m not here to gauge your heroics. It’s about potential. Now, humor me…”
Juniper lunged, throwing a punch. He blocked, barely shifting, then shoved her back with effortless grace. Throwing her downward, she was used to feeling the air pressure much lower. It was hard to adapt. She tapped into her light powers, stabilizing herself midair. From below, she watched everyone staring but doing nothing.
He fired a beam of light—blinding, searing. He walked through it like it was nothing. “I’ve seen that way too many times.” It’s all too familiar to me, I know where you got that.
Juniper gritted her teeth, and fled above him, tapping into Iron drive she amped up once midair and like a bomber came crashing down on him. On the poorly maintained, clothing that was his mask came. Came off, he wiped mild blood from his face.
Did he not care about his identity?
[Apparently not, either way you have the opportunity to kick him in the nuts.]
He circled. Then collided with, sending her flailing back. Unfazed. Deadlier than ever. “Is that all he shouted.”
No!
She used two powers at once, Gravity churned in her palms. Sunlight flared, bending unnaturally, snapping like a live wire. She bounced forward, fist driving into his face. The impact sent him soaring—he winced, for the first time Juniper’s bones ached and her muscles seized.
“What the hell are you made of!”
Aegysthos staggered. She heard it—his limbs creaking, bones groaning under the force. The blast had seared into him. Burning through his clothing. He climbed back up as quickly as he felt his boots dragging, smoke curled from the wound, raw and blistering. He stumbled, dragging himself forward through sheer will.
Juniper sucked in a breath, her vision swimming. Her limbs felt like lead, gravity dragging at her in retaliation. Too much. She’d poured too much into that hit.
Aegysthos recovered, scowling. He shot forward at full speed and slammed into her. The impact crushed the air from her lungs, her body spiraling downward. She plummeted—then, just before impact, strong arms caught her, lowering her gently.”
She panted, but he put her down. He yanked the device off her arm and tossed it to the doctor, who fumbled to catch it.
She coughed as she tried standing up.
“Juniper Pinewell, I don’t trust you. You’re a threat. But I don’t think you’re a bad person. This was abrupt, I know—but after the summit next week, I want to talk. Privately. Will you?”
She pondered, so was this the SCRA she was dealing with? The paragons? Or was it Aegysthos himself.
She stared at his unmasked face. He was older—ten years, maybe. It made her self-conscious. Why would an older man be so pushy on her.
“I..I don’t know sir, people expect so much from, you want to be added to the queue?” she asked. Her racing heart, slowly coming to crawl. He was a person of recognition, it was only normal that she treat him with greater respect, and yet, he wanted to be added to the chaos. “Make my life a little harder.”
“I assure, I have no Ill intent, please, It’s urgent.”
Juniper swallowed. Evelyn interjected. “You’re under no obligation to accept anything, Juniper, he’s more of a troublemaker than you’ll ever be.”
Aegysthos frowned, “Don’t let her corrupt you, Juniper Pinewell, I don’t know how she got her hands on you, but trust hers is stained in blood.”
Evelyn did not react, Juniper stared at her stoic boss.
He turned to the SCRA-men. 'I’m done here.” Then, without another word, he shot into the sky, leaving Juniper reeling.
Juniper’s mind raced. Did she even want answers? This felt personal, like a vendetta. He wasn’t done. He was assessing her. But for what?
The doctors scrambled, fingers flying over their portable computers. Machines beeped, data spilled onto screens. One of them handed her a blue slip—covered in terms she didn’t recognize. Her eyes darted all over and Sys-chan started stirring in her head.
Key subject: Super mimicry
NOTE: Brackets indicate changing potential.
[Velocity – F-(D)]
- Unremarkable without powers. With powers, can outpace a speeding vehicle and predict upcoming attacks.
[Resilience – E(D)]
- Slightly more durable than the average adult woman.
- Withstand more pain.
[Force – F (C)]
- Can be a force to be reckoned with.
- However, in an amped-up state, her ability diminishes.
- Can lift the weight of a car in an amped-up state.
[Transformation – S]
- The cornerstone of her power.
- Can mimic any power without direct consequence, albeit at weaker power levels.
[Influence – N/A]
- No indication of intrinsic mind-altering effects.
[Innovation – N/A]
- No indication of advanced information processing.
[Flux – F-(B)]
- Possesses abilities similar to known paragon capes, results inconclusive.
- Can emit sun-level energy blasts.
[Insight – F (E)]
- Intelligent tactician.
- Readings indicate she can make spontaneous decisions in the midst of battle, likely a result of her power.
[Edge – F(D)]
- Nothing remarkable.
- Physically adept but lacks form.
- In an amped-up state, loses precision.
[Adaptation – B]
- Body shifts to adapt to power states—a key trait.
[Override – S]
- Copied abilities appear to be permanent.
- A significant concern for cape society.
[Veil – N/A]
- No indication of stealth-based abilities.
[Distortion – F (B)]
- Due to gravity manipulation.
Catalyst – N/A]
No indication of being able to cause flux states in other’s.
Conclusion: Noteworthy Power ratings—Override (S), Adaptation (B), Transformation (A).
Threat Level: F – User is calm and controlled but prone to anxiety. B – When anxiety fuels their abilities, they can rapidly outpace most capes, making them a high-priority individual who should not be underestimated.
Final Results Inconclusive: SCRA CENTRAL Intelligence Bot recommends further testing, preferably under duress or during real-time ability shifts, to assess full capabilities.
Juniper scoured the page, she didn’t exactly understand what was on the page, just that it was a loose assessment of her abilities. One thing they didn’t know was that she possessed skills outside the boundaries of these power sets, as well as a little helper in her head. The doctors, returned to her computers, tapping away, administering and logging.
Juniper exhausted. Looked to Evelyn, who seems to have a smug smirk on her face. “You sure handled him good”
“These tests, are horrible.” Juniper looked away, then started to complain. “None of this is pleasant, I don’t want to be here any longer. Can I go, no other obligations today?”
She just wanted this off her mind, she did what she was asked to do here, and it was done.
Evelyn nodded. “You’re right, good job, girl.” She held out her hand to high-five. Juniper hit it relunctlantly.
Juniper went over the page. “So are all capes classified this way?” she asked Evelyn, who nodded.
“Indeed. But if you grow stronger, they’ll press to reassess. That’s why we take precautions. Anne-Marie is an S in Distortion—she had to train hers just to keep herself in check. If she lost control, she could flatten a block. Francesca? Level A in Transformation. Could be even stronger if she wanted. But she’s really gentle at heart.”
Juniper got curious, “What about you boss.”
Evelyn chuckled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Me, don’t worry about me, my charming good looks of course.”
Juniper narrowed her eyes, part of her wanted to observe, another part felt it was a bad idea, she let the idea go. What if she saws something she’s not supposed, she knew Evelyn had this weird charisma thing going.
[What are you afraid of? Look. Look.]
No! She didn’t feel compelled to. It might be harmful.
[You know, If you let me study that page, we can totally assess our enemies weaknesses better. I’m talking real-time analytics! It’s way more efficient than just raw numbers! Think of the data we could gather!]
Can we not do it today, I’m tired?
[But think about it! We'd be so prepared! Like a high-speed, fully-loaded knowledge train! Choo choo! All aboard the victory express! Come on, we need those Power sheets!]
Evelyn handed juniper her phone. “It pinged several times, so I grabbed it.”
“Uh..thank you.”
Juniper’s hands tapped on it, and her face lit up, and everything so far went to the trash bin. “A message from Kanako, a miss call too. It was short, mysterious even.”
Kanako: Meet me tonight. Let’s clear the air, I have things I want to tell you. Let's talk. I’ve noticed…. You’ve been busy I see, you look cute on that big scooter, if not a bit weird. ”
Heat rushed to Juniper’s face. Evelyn arched a brow, amused. Juniper quickly tried and clear the awkward air. Evelyn smiled at her. For a boss, Evelyn sure didn’t act like she needed to be anywhere. She also looked like she wanted to say something but kept quiet.
Juniper killed her phone, and was ready to move out.
“Is that it?” Juniper asked. “The Assessment things.”
“No.
“It was a mock test, those two doctors are legitimate, but they were trying to see how’d you react to Aegysthos.”
“What do they want from me?”
“They're looking for problems, excuses, places you’d fuck up in. But don’t worry, I’ll be here for you.”
Of course, they did. Fighting a human torching maniac wasn’t enough for them, they wanted her dissected if she died.
“I saw his face. So did everyone. He didn’t flinch.”
“Because we’ve all seen him unmasked before, just not the public, even members of the SCRA, knows. You don’t get into large cape fights without being torn to shreds.” Evelyn stretched her legs. “Now, juniper, if you’ll excuse me. I have issues to sort out. ”
As Evelyn walked away, three individuals walked over to her. Praemor, morrigan and Francesca.
“Amazing performance, Juniper, I’ve never seen one of our get to hit broody boy before.” Coming from Morrigan, Juniper didn’t know if that was a compliment or an insult.
Praemor, for once out of silly uniform, slinked over like a nervous hen.” Nice job, I guess. But with all those flashing lights, you looked like a damn carnival act.”
Francesca slapped across the head. “Learn to treat women with respect, moron.”
Juniper grunted. “I don’t have time for this, I’m sorry, I’m in a hurry.”
Morrigan stopped her. “Juniper, you want to go out with drinks with your seniors, come have a little adult's night out, I know where all the pretty boys go at midnight.”
Juniper giggled. “I’m actually–uh, never mind. I can’t” She was not going to the “I’m bisexual” but mostly gay thing. Let them figure it out.
Praemor gave her a sideeye.
After what Morrigan did to her, she was skeptical, but Francesca looked optimistic, she shook her head. “I’m Sorry, Francesca, I have… a thing on tonight,”
Francesca studied her, eyes narrowing. “You’re bleeding, Juniper. You want to head into base, we have tanks and tubes that’ll fix that wound.”
She rolled her shoulder. The ache screamed, but she wasn’t about to show it. “Thanks, but I got to go, It's just a flesh wound, I’ll catch you later.”
Juniper turned her head away from the three, she had other things to worry about. Bigger things, like aliens and relationships. First, clean up. Then? The real fight—tonight. Hydrate, a little makeup, maybe some exercise and a long bath.
[She said meetup, not let's go on a date, also are you Just not going to reflect on these tests. ]
Juniper clenched her fists, gritted her teeth. This did not go unnoticed by the trio. They all shared looks of confusions.
Grrr…let me win for once goddammit. Wait, where am I supposed to meet her.
She started typing a message back.
Please reply. Please reply.