[Few hours since the meeting]
"So are you trying to tell me that not only are you not from this universe, but that you are also from a couple hundred years in the future as well?" I brought GLaDOS up to speed on some things about myself in hopes that we could build some trust between us and make future cooperation possible. I don't really like her, but she has too many amazing and groundbreaking inventions under her that could largely benefit my world's development, as well as improve my dimensional traveling.
"Yes, that is exactly what I am talking about! Look, we have plenty of time. The best way for me to explain would be to show it to you, right? So how about this: I will give you the list of powers I can combine to make new units, so I can prove to you I'm not just making things up. You're most likely smarter than me, so you could probably come up with more unique and creative combinations." I tried to stroke her ego a little bit, hoping she'd really think about it and give me some interesting or unique ideas for them. She may be really petty or vain most of the time, but she is an undeniable genius, even more than Thrawn or Nezu, and that says a lot coming from me.
"Alright, I see you understand my capabilities. However, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't try to coax ideas out of me in the future without simply asking. Normally, I would just ignore you due to your idiotic attempt at tricking me, but you intrigue me, so I don't really mind it. Also, you did save me from that wretched bird. So, first of all, I have a few questions: Can you combine different combinations? Why didn't you make different types of quirks based on the same components? And lastly, how much can you stretch the functions of the components in these combinations?" I was a bit taken off guard by how quickly she saw through my ploy. If she's this smart while reduced to a potato, how much more is she capable of when fully functioning? I also took my time to think about her questions since they weren't really that relevant when I had to fight for survival. Then, the whole new nation business took up a large portion of my time. Eventually, after thinking through every answer, I spoke up:
"Well, first of all, I'm sorry I tried to trick you, but from our past interactions, I didn't think you wouldn't try to undermine me in some way. Now, to answer your questions: First of all, I can combine already existing combinations, but I haven't done it because I would need to make sacrifices to make them viable. Quirks have different 'sizes' based on their complexity and general genetic makeup. For example, 'Ant' takes up a lot less space than 'Black Hole.' Combinations are already quite large on their own, and if I combined them further, I'd have to pour exponentially more energy into them, or they'd suffer major drawbacks like missing body parts. I guess after my evolution I could try it, but it's still not very ideal unless the component quirks are really similar in nature, like 'Cryosculpt' with 'Hydrokinesis,' since they could combine relatively well without big problems, unlike something like 'Hydrokinesis' and 'Blazing Hair.' Now, onto your second question: To be honest, I never really tried to make different outcomes with the same quirk combinations; it didn't occur to me to even try, but I think it's most likely possible. Lastly, to answer your final question, I need to be a little less specific since it varies quite a bit depending on the quirk itself. It's mostly true that I can stretch the quirk's base function up to a point where it would count as a completely different quirk. For example, 'Blazing Hair' has two main parts that can be modified: the manifestation itself, being controllable hair, and the green flames. So, I could combine it with something to change one of these elements, but I can't fully replace both."
GLaDOS took her time to think about all the new information I provided to her, but she did finally answer me not long after: "Well, based on the information you provided, I came up with a few potentially good combination ideas. First of all, the most useful and versatile components are 'Black Hole,' 'Mirror Me,' and 'Mechanical Body.' The others aren't useless, but they aren't that impressive as base components. Now, I came up with four combination possibilities that could be useful in most scenarios and that you haven't tried yet. You should try combining 'Black Hole' with 'Mirror Me,' 'Voice' with 'Confusion,' 'Radiation' with 'Mechanical Body,' and finally, a step up from these: upgrading 'Anomaly' with 'Phantomreach.' To me, these seem to be the most ideal and interesting combinations." Since I didn't have anything against her ideas, I tried them out. To say they were interesting would be an understatement.
First, the combination of Voice and Confusion I dubbed Maddening Echo. This power allows the user to project their voice in a way that confuses and disorients enemies. By altering the frequency of their voice, they can induce auditory hallucinations, making enemies hear things that aren't there, causing them to become extremely paranoid and confused. However, if they put too much power into their voice, it can cause permanent psychological damage to the affected person.
Next, Radiation and Mechanical Body's combination was made, and I call it Nuclear Core. This allows the user's mechanical body to be powered by a small nuclear reactor, thus allowing them to generate radiation and release controlled blasts of nuclear energy. They can fire radiation beams from their palms or create an electromagnetic pulse that disables electronics within a certain radius. I found it fitting to create this power, especially now that I'm stuck in a place filled only with machines. After I stopped thinking about the accidental counter I made for this place, I went back to combining powers.
Black Hole and Mirror Me's combination created a power I dubbed Event Horizon, which allows the user to create a mirror-like barrier that functions as a black hole. Anything that touches the reflective surface is pulled into the mirror and trapped in a pocket dimension, unable to escape unless the user chooses to release it. The user can also reflect attacks back at the enemy by warping space through the mirror's surface. The major downside to this power is that if the user becomes incapacitated or the mirror is destroyed by damage to the unprotected side, everything in it becomes lost forever, be it friend or foe.
Finally, the most powerful combination I've made up to this point is, of course, Anomaly and Phantomreach. This is the first time I've attempted to combine a new quirk with an existing one. This upgraded combination, which I named Void Grasp, grants the user the ability to control the acceleration and deceleration of objects while extending their reach into the intangible plane. This allows them to control objects from a distance, manipulating their speed, weight, and trajectory without any visible gestures. The power itself is highly versatile since the invisible hands now generate a controllable zone around themselves and are no longer limited to the close proximity of the user. Because of this, the user can manipulate the space around them to a certain extent, including creating gravity wells, crushing anomalies, or even gravitational pushes and pulls. However, the significant downside is that the power requires the user to stay in one spot to avoid accidentally falling into the dominion of their own ability. Also, while the hands are invisible to normal sight, they can be revealed with a concentrated enough UV light source. Another downside is that the user may unintentionally harm their allies, as they cannot control who is affected by their power.
This was how four new units joined my roster of puppets: the Mindbreakers with Maddening Echo, the Gravitrons with Event Horizon, the Automatrons with Nuclear Core, and lastly, the Voidwalkers with Void Grasp.
"Alright, I think I've got them made. Which one would you like to see?" As I finished their designs, I turned back toward GLaDOS, who was currently being held by Snappy.
"Do you even have to ask that? I thought it would be obvious I'd be interested in the most powerful and complex one." Even in this form, I couldn't really read her emotions, but I could tell she was trying to make a deadpan face at me.
"Uh, okay, Miss Sarcasm. I just wanted to be mindful of you. Anyway, the new combination is called Void Grasp, and I named the unit type Voidwalker!" I proudly presented the tall but lanky cyborg. It was dressed in a black suit to hide most of its robotic parts. Its head, much like the other Anomaly's, was hidden by a helmet that covered a miniature black hole. However, in this case, the helmet was less reminiscent of an astronaut's helmet and more like a simplified human head with no features other than the orange glowing parts that connected the helmet to its mechanical body.
"That's it? Don't get me wrong, it's unexpected, but I expected it to be bigger or more intimidating. Also, what's up with your naming scheme? It sounds like you stole it from a fifth grader who thinks he's cool and mysterious." Of course, GLaDOS couldn't help herself and had to make some jabs at me. I tried not to show how much of a gut punch this was. It didn't help that I heard HJack laughing his ass off inside the vault.
"That may be true, but I doubt you'll still be talking big once you see what they're capable of." I quickly moved all of us towards the docking bay so we could test the new unit's abilities. I didn't forget to put up a colored light in the area so Chell would know I was here somewhere.
"Okay, Voidwalker, move a bit further into the dock so we'll be out of your range. Then raise your hands in defense, and we can start testing." They gave me a thumbs up and started walking away from us. I turned towards GLaDOS and asked, "Well, you're the super AI built for testing things, what should we do?"
"We don't have much time, so just test the basics. Toss something at it, maybe shoot at it, and see if you can order someone or something to try to approach it." While we were goofing off with GLaDOS, I heard something not far away make a noise. I stopped mid-throw, about to launch a few hundred-kilogram metal rod at Voidwalker.
"Did you hear that? We should check out that noise. It might be Chell, since there can't be anyone else down here except for us and maybe some birds." GLaDOS agreed, and our small entourage made its way back toward the Control Room.
That's when I saw her in her full glory—the petty, mostly silent, and vindictive Chell had arrived. We quickly went down to greet her. She was initially spooked by the large, dangerous-looking robots, but she calmed down when she saw me. I explained everything that had happened to me, my powers' capabilities, and even my temporary deal with GLaDOS. She wasn't thrilled, to put it lightly, but she understood the seriousness of the situation and reluctantly agreed to work with her. I even managed to convince her to drop the silent act, as it was now more of a hindrance than actually funny or useful.
"Alright, fine. We'll do this your way. I just want to get out of here, so I guess Team Aperture is a thing now? Yeah?" GLaDOS had to literally reboot due to the shock of hearing Chell speak—apparently, she still believed that Chell was mute or something. We had a good laugh at her expense. Maybe this won't be as painful as I first thought.