Terra got up in the morning. It was early. She went down to the gym in the apartment complex and worked herself with her normal hardcore workout regimen. She thought about the dojo from yesterday. Her chaste training was a blessing and a curse. She kept in shape, and could face up against anyone in a fight. But her training was way ahead of normal dojos. Hours pass. An alarm went off on her phone. Terra rushed up to her room and clicked on the news. A newswoman came up. "Breaking news" came up on the TV.
Newswoman: Popular celebrity and progressive entrepreneur Jilaya Springer has pleaded guilty to multiple crimes. Including human trafficking, unlawful imprisonment and other crimes. She has been arrested and labelled a terrorist after the attack on San Francisco that was caused by her. Here we have the video conference of her pleading to her multiple crimes.
Jilaya sat in front of a camera in an empty room.
Jilaya: I, Jilaya Springer plead guilty to unlawful imprisonment, Lying to the government, destruction of U.S soil and landmarks, possible genocide against metas and mutants, unlawful experimenting with humans without their consent.
Jilaya kept going, and going. So many crimes. And she knew them all. The newswoman came back on.
Newswoman: This shocked the president. Who had been working closely with her for some time. Here we have president Jayden Borden in a press conference.
President: This is a tragedy. I can't believe I let this slip under my nose. She had the backing of the government and multiple others. And I was not allowed to interfere. To me, Jilaya was not only a partner. But a true friend. Many super powered individuals were put into these jails unfairly and against their will. It is here that I announce that forty six million metahumans and mutants. Are freed into the world. We will be making sure jobs are opened for them. And multiple shelters will be made up in place of the MFI's jail camps.
Terra shut the TV off. She got a text. It was from Millie.
Millie (text): We did it! Come on, let's meet up at Bibble and Sip.
Terra texted back with a "sure." She took a quick shower and threw on some clothes and got to Bibble and Sip to meet with Millie.
Millie: So? How do you feel?
Terra: I'm as excited as you! I mean come on. I freed that many people? I'm like the next Abraham Lincoln!
Millie: Without the hole in the head. And instead of getting taller you shrank.
Terra: Eh. I gained an inch. It's probably the last one. I'm 5'4"!
Millie: Well I bet you feel pretty big after all that.
Terra: All those people had to be freed. But I feel problems on their way.
Millie: I mean, there will probably be some shit that comes up.
Terra: Where are the millions of people who were freed going to live? How many of them slipped past and are still bad? Everyone deserves to be free. But there's going to be consequences.
Millie: It's like time. The bad always has to be balanced out by good.
Terra: I guess you could put it that way.
Millie: I mean. You can see it everywhere. Bibble and Sip is more busy now. I see it everywhere. I mean, imagine how many decided to move to New York?
Terra: I thought the problems would be over once Integer was taken care of. I should've thought ahead.
Millie: It'll pass. People will get used to it.
Terra: I hope so.
Millie: Oh. It's almost time for Amelia's conference.
Terra walked out of Bibble and Sip. She walked down the street. Towards her apartment. She felt her phone ring. It was an unknown caller. She picked it up.
Terra: Hello?
???: Terra Lorenz. Come to 280 St Nicholas Ave. It's in harlem.
Terra: Who is this?
???: Doesn't matter. Come armed if you must.
Terra: Tell me who you are. And maybe I'll think about it.
???: The president wants to speak with you.
Terra kept down her laughter.
Terra: Is this some kind of joke?
Someone walked up behind Terra. The man behind Terra was slim. His hair was practically white. He wore a black suit of armor with a mask over his mouth. He had words on the front of his armor. T.H.O.R.N. He swiftly got her into a chokehold and put his hand over her mouth. He dragged her into an alley. And his grip was too strong. Terra blacked out.
???: Target secured.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Terra awoke. She sat up and looked around. The same blond man from earlier walked into the room.
???: This way of securing you was much easier.
Terra: Who the hell are you?
???: Tempest! Back off. We don't want to scare her.
A dark skinned man in a blue and black suit with an eye patch came in front of Terra. His dark hair was spiky.
Tempest: This is President Borden.
President: We just wanted to talk. Sorry for the harsh way we had to take you in. But you weren't complying-
Terra: The president of the United States?! Wants to talk to me?! It's so good to meet you...uh..sir! Oh, sorry. Go on.
President: I want to talk about what you did.
Terra: What do you mean? Shutting down the MFI?
President: Now we know you definitely did it. I'm just about as excited that so many people saw peace. But metas are crowding areas now. People are getting mad. Metas don't have homes, nor jobs. And another thing. While the ones who deserved to rot in jail did indeed keep rotting. Some slipped under our radar. And crime rates are going up. I want you to clean up the mess you made.
Terra: Why don't you have your little assassin do it for you?
President: What do you think they have been doing? We want you. You caused this after all. And with your armor. It shouldn't even be a problem. I pay well.
Terra: Actually. I do need money. My rent deadline is almost up...And it's my first rent!
President: If you do these simple tasks you'll get paid handsomely. So slap on that armor and I'll give you your first mission.
Terra: Well here's the thing. I don't necessarily have it.
President: What do you mean?
Terra: It was destroyed in the fight against Integer.
President: Of course it was. So your just another human?
Terra: No! I might be weaker without my armor. But I can still hold my own.
Tempest: I can test that.
President: No, I trust her. Her level is still well over the level of a human. You are even more powerful than most metahumans.
Terra: What makes you say?
President: I can see your power level.
Terra: Oh. So you have a soul blade?
President: Yes I do. Either way, what you did was great. But there are more problems that are arising at the moment. So we have to think about that first. Now I have a few metas we want you to take out. I'll give you a modest first job. Vera Thorne. Take her down and bring her to me.
Terra was quiet.
Terra: I wanted to live a normal life for at least a month. And it's been two weeks!
President: You are late on your rent, aren't you? This is a good paying job. I would take it if you know what's good for you. So what'll it be?
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Terra was wearing black, thin pants, her grey button up crop-top. With a black jacket over it. She pulled her hair into a ponytail. With her bangs left hanging down. She took a deep breath. Terra, Leon, Millie, Amelia, and Riley were all grouped together. Around the graves of Amala and Michael. Everyone said words about each. Amala first, They moved on to Michael's memorial services. Everyone went up and gave their condolences. Riley came up.
Riley: Until I met Mike, I was manipulated by everyone in my life. More or less. He motivated me. I'm going to make everything right now. He showed me that kindness and taught me to use my speed. He wasn't' even from this world. And he fought to protect it.
Not long after everyone was outside the cemetery.
Leon: We still doing dinner?
Riley: Dinner?
Terra: Why not.
Everyone else: Alright.
Millie: I have to pick up Kris from school. Then I'll meet you all there.
Millie went to leave. And Amelia went with her.
Millie: Amelia. Try staying with them. Spend some time with your sibling.
Amelia: Fine.
Riley: Doesn't Kris go to the super school?
Millie: Yeah actually. GS Super Academy.
Millie left. While everyone tried tracking down a restaurant. Amelia walked silently with the group. Riley looked at Amelia. She realized Amelia was wearing dampening cuffs.
Amelia: What?!
Riley was startled by Amelia's harsh tone.
Riley: You look good. Less disheveled from last time I saw you. Who did your outfit?
Amelia: ...What? Um, Millie helped me pick out this outfit. Apparently I have "horrible" fashion sense.
Riley laughed. Amelia took a second, but she smiled and chuckled too. Then went back to her "I want you dead" expression.
Terra: Hey Riley, what do you like? There's Cabby's cabbyshack diner, Dan's delectable dishes, or Henry Hall's Tasty Snacks.
Riley: Cabby's or Henry's.
Leon: Dammit!
Terra: Amelia, what do you like better?
Amelia: Henry's a pervert.
Leon: Cabby's it is!
Terra: I'll tell Millie.
Terra took out her phone. Now a normal phone and not a flip-phone. Before she could text Millie she got a call from Themis. She let it ring out. No more distractions. A normal life. Going to eat was a normal thing, right? She texted Millie the restaurant they were going to.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Millie was driving Kris to the restaurant. There was an additional person in the backseat. She had pale skin and wore a beret on her head and had pigtails. Along with a black shirt with the band "CA/CD" on it and a red flannel. She had grey pants on.
Millie: So Kris, whose she exactly?
Kris: Don't act like dad! She's a friend.
???: I'm new to the school just like him.
Millie: Nice to meet you. What's your name?
???: I'm Mallory. You're Millie. Right?
Millie: The one and only.
Mallory: Shit...Your sister really has a robotic arm?
Millie: Cool, huh? How do you two know each other?
Mallory: We both agreed that most of the kids in school were egotistical assholes.
Millie: It's high school. That shouldn't come as a surprise. Either way, we're going to dinner with a bunch of family friends. I hope it's not awkward for you.
Mallory: Don't worry. I don't care.
Kris: We do have some weird friends.
Mallory: Weird how?
Kris: One's clinically insane and she's Millie's girlfriend.
Millie: Me and Amelia are not a thing yet!
Kris: You said yet.
Mallory: I dunno Kris. You're pretty weird. You talk to invisible people.
Kris: I-It's mediumship!
Mallory: You mean ghost whispering. Right?
Kris: It's all the same. What's your power again?
Mallory: I can mimic most powers. You know this already.
Kris: Show her what you can do Millie!
Millie: I'm able to counter any attacks as energy blasts. I can also do other stuff.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Everyone got together at a table. They ordered drinks and were all waiting for their food.
Amelia: So why can't I drink again?
Millie: The doctors said no. That's all I got.
Riley: You were right, little dude.
Riley gestured to Kris.
Riley: They act like a couple.
Mallory: Or a mother and a baby with a knife.
Terra: It's weird that I've never even done this.
Riley: Done what?
Terra: A gathering at a restaurant like this.
Millie: What is it you're going to say? "I'm from the woods so it's weird."
Terra: I mean, I am pretty much from the woods.
Leon: There's not much of a normal anymore. It's like it's nonexistent.
Terra: It is! I'm like a weirdness magnet.
Mallory: Is that right?
Terra: Who are you again?
Mallory: Kris's plus one. Don't worry. When you said weird I hope you didn't mean good weird.
Mallory shook Terra's hand. A server walked behind them. She fell to the ground and dropped a couple drinks. Mallory laughed, and jumped out of her chair and helped the server up.
Mallory: Sorry about that. Are you okay?
Server: It's not your fault! I'm not usually this clumsy. Thanks for your help.
Mallory sat back down.
Kris: Why did you act like it was your fault?
Mallory: I did? I was just helping her out.
Everyone received their food and ate to their heart's desire. Terra ate all of her food. She had gotten a triple decker reuben. Along with a side. She even ate some of her friend's food. There weren't many days that Terra could eat this much in one sitting. Terra and Leon were outside chatting before the night winded to a close.
Terra: You wouldn't believe how much I need a job right now. My rent's almost due.
Leon: Why don't you get a job at a fast food joint or something?
Terra: I really just want something that I can apply my skills in.
Leon: Like fighting?
Terra: That's not my only skill! But yes.
Leon: I know someone that might have a job you could help with.
Terra: That sounds extremely shady.
Leon: Big money. And don't worry. Amala knew her.
Terra: What's her name?
Leon: I'll text you the info. If not, Just get a shitty job as a cashier. We've all been there. Don't take the high road Terra.
Terra looked at the info Leon texted her.
Terra: Leon. This sounds like a drug deal or something.
Leon: I don't think it is! Listen, there's a reason I think you'd wanna help.
Terra: Try me. And don't say money.
Leon: The MFI might be tied up in the mess.
Terra stopped talking.
Leon: Terra?
Terra: Leon, after I took Integer down I thought you would stop chasing after danger like I did.
Leon: I get everything Integer related was hard. But I can't just slow down. I don't know if you remember. But I'm still trying to learn magic. Without Amala to guide me it's been...weird. Either way, whether you go or not is your choice. Do as you please.
Terra: Thanks for the help. I'll see you around. Be well.
Leon: Same to you.
Terra walked away from Leon. She checked her phone. She had gotten a voicemail. She played it back. It was President Borden.
President: Today is the day you said you would be ready. And I was willing to wait. Go to the alleyway Tempest pulled you into. And you'll meet one of our agents from B.L.A.D.E.
Terra responded in a video message.
Terra: On it.
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