Her finger is broken, as her power so helpfully tries to inform her in grotesque detail every time she so much looks down at her hand. And yet… Lisa doesn't care. Yes, her finger might be broken, but fuck was it worth it if it meant that fucking bastard got what was coming to him.
His shock, his confusion, his rage… all of it is so damn delicious. Lisa can't help the giggles that spill forth from her lips, the cocktail of medication swimming through her leaving her unable to really control her reactions. Dinah is the same way, the two of them both just giggling helplessly in the face of their captor's impotent fury.
When Coil had first gotten his hands on her, Lisa had immediately begun making plans to try and get out from under his thumb. Unfortunately, they hadn't worked out in her favor. He'd caught her, no doubt through use of his own parahuman power, and Lisa had quickly discovered what little leash she'd had could vanish with a snap of the bastard's fingers.
Dinah had it both better and worse. The Mayor's Niece had triggered from the stress of her first few months at University, only to be picked up by Coil and sequestered down here shortly after Lisa's plans had fallen through and she'd found herself imprisoned.
Together, they formed the reluctant backbone of Coil's operations. Through them, he'd managed to gain much more of a foothold in the city than he would have otherwise, up to and including taking control of the PRT Directorship.
At first, Lisa had hoped that Coil overstepped when he took Dinah. After all, Lisa was nobody. A stray. A runaway from out of state that nobody in Brockton Bay would miss. But Dinah? Dinah Alcott was related to the city's Mayor. She was a beautiful young adult woman who had been publicly attending Brockton Bay University before she was taken.
Surely they would be hunting for her. Surely there would be a boatload of resources put towards tracking Dinah down at all costs… right?
When Lisa's power had 'helpfully' informed her of that particular achievement after gaining enough context clues from Coil's questions to realize WHY he was asking some of the things he'd asked, her hopes of rescue had plummeted.
If Coil was able to somehow subvert the massive amount of testing that every PRT Director was subject to in order to avoid precisely this possibility, then what chance of rescue did they have? If he was the head of the very organization that should have been looking for them and in turn saving them from HIS clutches… then they were doomed.
Until now. Until tonight. Lisa almost hadn't noticed it. Staring up at the ceiling blankly, she'd simply been existing. Really, she'd been waiting for the next time that Coil came to demand questions and already anticipating the headaches that he would push on both her and Dinah to get what he wanted from them.
But then she'd seen it… a bug moving along the ceiling. That wasn't entirely unusual. Coil ran a tight ship, but they were underground and insects were always around. Lisa had seen plenty of bugs in her time as Coil's prisoner, using them to amuse herself and pass the time.
This bug though… was strange. It was like watching someone trying to pretend to be normal. The movements were just slightly off. Eventually, Lisa's powers had helpfully informed her that the bug was acting so weird because it was in fact being controlled by a parahuman. A parahuman doing reconnaissance on Coil's base. A parahuman that she'd been given the dossier for just a few days ago. Weaver, the Independent Hero.
Immediately, Lisa's hopes had begun to rise. After all, if Weaver was here… then maybe Portent was too. And if Portent were here, then Coil could be potentially rendered helpless. That would mean he could be taken down and she and Dinah could be rescued.
When her powers had then informed her that Weaver and Portent were only here to scout things out however, Lisa had grown a little panicked. Sure, maybe they would come back eventually, but what if they didn't? What if something happened to them? What if Coil caught wind of their snooping and moved her and Dinah somewhere else entirely?
That couldn't be allowed to happen. Lisa couldn't allow that to happen. Fortunately, she'd been able to find one of Weaver's bugs on the floor and send the Independent Hero a message. And fortunately, there were still good people left in this shithole of a city, because Weaver and Portent had listened. They'd come.
Lisa knows that Portent's presence gives Coil debilitating headaches because he shuts down the snake-themed villain's active ability. Likewise, asking Dinah any questions about Portent caused the young woman serious damage. But for Lisa… for Lisa, it was just blissful, blessed silence.
Looking at Portent now, he is the most amazing thing she'd ever seen. Not just because he was here to save them, not just because he and Weaver had come for her… but because the little voice in her head that would have told her every nasty, terrible thing about him is completely and utterly quiet.
Slowly, Coil begins to raise his hands.
"Very well. I can see when I'm beat. I surrender."
Lisa's giggling ceases and she starts to pout. She would much rather have had them cave in the bastard's face when he tried to resist in some way. Unfortunately, he's making the right call. Given the whole base is shaking from Glory Girl on a rampage above their heads and Coil's guards here in the room are both frozen in a form of stasis by Portent's powers, there's really nothing Coil can do.
But that's not good enough for Lisa. That's not- oh. Lisa's eyes widen as she finds herself looking at Weaver's body language and picking up some interesting information. She might not be able to get anything from Portent, but Weaver was a different story. The other woman was an open book to Lisa's power.
Her bugs surge forward, surrounding Coil and even climbing up his legs as he stiffens in response.
"Insurance, Calvert. Stay where you are and I won't need to do anything else to you."
That causes Coil to go even more still, and Lisa's smile to grow even wider. Ohoho! They already know! Somehow, Portent and Weaver already know about Coil and his secret identity! No wonder they'd done what they'd done. This… this was perfect.
"… I'm not sure what you're talking about. I understand the two of you are rather new to the cape scene, however. And someone like Glory Girl wouldn't explain it properly. There are these things called the Unwritten Rules, you see, and-!"
"Fuck that!"
All eyes turn towards her at that outburst. Lisa snarls as she points her incredibly puffy, very broken index finger in Coil's direction.
"Unwritten Rules don't cover infiltrating the position of PRT Director, asshole! And don't give me that look either, they already know exactly who you are Thomas Calvert! Why do you think they called in Legend?!"
Lisa's smile by the time she's done talking is positively maniacal. Weaver was who her power had picked up that information from. Legend was coming. Her power was certain of it. Weaver and Portent had contacted Fletchette, who had in fact been a Ward back in New York under Legend before she'd eventually moved to Brockton Bay upon moving up to the Protectorate.
Fletchette would call Legend and Legend would come. Lisa was sure of it. And Coil… Coil studies her for a moment and clearly manages to read that smug certainty from her face, his entire body language shifting in an instant in a way that has Lisa's eyes widening.
"DON'T LET HIM SPEAK!"
To their credit, they have incredibly reaction times for newbie Independent Heroes. Or at least, Portent does. Weaver reacts far slower to Lisa's words, but Portent flicks out his staff and Coil winds up in the same sort of stasis as his guards before the man can even get a word out.
Lisa breathes a sigh of relief and collapses back onto the bed. Of course, Portent and Weaver are looking at her now, probably expecting an explanation of some sort.
"He… didn't like the idea of Legend showing up. Guessing he had some sort of contingency plan in case he found himself in the custody of the local PRT, but it didn't account for one of the Triumvirate being the one to make the arrest."
Groaning, Lisa stares up at the ceiling for a long moment.
"Fuuuck my finger really hurts. Hope Legend isn't too far away…"
If this were a fictional story of some sort, that would have been the perfect moment for Legend to show up, Lisa figured. It would have even made sense, given Legend's powers made him very, VERY fast. But… no. Silence reigns for a moment before Weaver suddenly jolts and moves forward.
"Sorry I… I have some basic supplies here."
Lisa blinks as Weaver's bugs carry a small bag to her and the independent cape starts taking out first aid supplies. Nothing that can really do a LOT for a crushed finger, but she nevertheless begins trying to splint and wrap up Lisa's digit.
Hissing, Lisa squeezes her eyes shut in agony, which prompts Portent to speak up.
"If you'd rather not deal with the pain, I can Seal you like I did Coil. You're not aware while you're Sealed, so we can keep you like that until we reach a hospital."
Eyes snapping open, Lisa shakes her head vehemently.
"N-No… no, don't. You might still need me. I can handle a little pain, so long as it ensures Dinah and I get out of here intact."
The other female Thinker just whimpers from over on her bed. Her giggling has stopped and her eyes are currently shut. Maybe she's trying to avoid her power inadvertently interacting with Portent in any way. Lisa gets it, sort of. She certainly hadn't liked seeing Dinah with her eyes rolled back and blood pouring from her nose the last time Coil had tried to get an answer about Portent out of her.
"Understood. You don't have to worry though. We're not going to let Coil get away, let alone keep you. You're safe now."
She believes him. Or at least, she trusts his sincerity. Funny how the one man her power doesn't work on is able to gain her complete trust so quickly. However, just because she can feel in her bones that he's telling the truth as he sees it… doesn't mean she believes his claim.
"… Coil isn't the only one who would love to get their hands on us. This might be the end of his little empire, but that doesn't mean we're truly safe."
Portent frowns at that, his gaze flicking between the 'Sealed' Coil, her, and Dinah. He opens his mouth, only to close it again a moment later in thought. Finally, Weaver finishes splinting and wrapping Lisa's broken finger as best as she possibly can with her level of inexperience.
Pulling back, the female parahuman looks Lisa in the eye.
"We won't let them have you either. We'll protect you from anyone who wants to use you like Coil did. You have our word."
She means it too, Lisa's power oh so helpfully informs her. Weaver is someone who has had a rough life. She's the kind of person who has suffered horrible things at the hands of others. And yet, it didn't break her. She came out the other side stronger… but also incredibly reliant on Portent and his approval in the process.
From the way Portent smiles and straightens up, Weaver has said precisely what he wanted to hear from her. Weaver in turn straightens up a little bit as well, pleased that she's made him happy.
"Weaver is right. We won't let anyone hurt you ever again, Lisa."
Lisa smiles crookedly at that and tilts her head to the side.
"… Not even the PRT? The Protectorate?"
Portent opens his mouth to reply, but before he can the actual door to the room suddenly opens up, causing him and Weaver to both whip around. Lisa isn't surprised like they are however. She'd noticed a minute ago how the fighting above their heads had died down and silence had filled the space.
There, standing in the doorway with Glory Girl just behind him… is an eminently recognizable man. Wavy brown hair and a square jaw. Handsome features hidden behind a blue and white mask. A tall, lean yet muscular physique that's accentuated by his skintight sky blue costume with lightning bolts to complete the aesthetic.
Slowly, he steps into the room, taking in his surroundings. From the frozen guards to a frozen Coil with frozen bugs massing on his legs. Then onwards, to Portent and Weaver as well as Lisa and Dinah on the bed. Lisa notes how he even takes note of her finger, her power helpfully informing her of a small burst of guilt from the man that he hadn't been able to prevent the injury.
"Apologies. I came as soon as I could."
This is the leader of the Protectorate, and one of the Triumvirate. This is Legend.
-x-X-x-
The Vote:
[ ] Stick with Lisa POV - 20%
[X] Switch to Legend POV - 73%
[ ] Switch to Jason POV - 7%
-x-X-x-
A/in Chapter 13)