[A/N]: Alright, let's kick the week off strong! First goal is 200 Powerstones for TWO bonus chapters. If you're having fun, please vote, comment, and share!
"Welcome to Savage Land. This is a small piece of comfort we stole from the world, and you are our first guest. But I guess we aren't doing that well in hosting you, huh?"
Heather stared at the dinosaurs again, processing them. Then at Jay and Domino. Then back at the dinosaurs. Her brain trying to catch up with reality.
After a moment, she threw her hands up. "Right. Okay. Dinosaurs, glowing mountains, teleportation to Power Broker's secret base. Sure. Why not? I've fought aliens in New York. This is just... this is fine. Totally fine. Not losin' my mind at all."
Domino grinned. "Ooh, I like her."
Jay gestured toward the interior. "We should talk inside. And you'll want to sit down for this."
They moved into the base. Comfortable furniture with books and tech scattered around. The sound of the waterfall came from outside. Heather sat on a couch, still processing and adjusting to the weirdness that was Jay and Domino's life.
Jay sat across from her, and Domino sat beside him. Both watching Heather carefully.
Heather finally spoke. "So, what'd you need me for? Who should I kick or punch? I'm ready to help however I can."
Domino's grin widened. "See? I knew I liked her."
But Jay said. "We're not fighting anyone, not physically at least, not with her of all people, hopefully."
Heather looked confused as her brow furrowed. "Then why do you need me for?"
Jay leaned forward, his expression serious, as this was the hard part. "I recently met a young hero. He goes by Spider-Man, just a teen, a kid with superpowers. His uncle recently had an accident; he was hit by a bullet and was in critical condition. Fortunately, he's saved now, but the kid went through too much and had a complete breakdown right there in the hospital."
Heather's expression softened. Understanding. "Poor kid. That's rough."
Jay continued. "In the middle of his breakdown, he asked me something. Questions I couldn't stop thinking about. 'Why does everyone always need a hero? Why do people get hurt again and again? Why are heroes always needed for people to live their simple lives peacefully?'"
Heather was silent, processing the weight of such questions from someone so young. From a hero who should still be in school. Her hands clenched. "I sometimes think those same things. I've been a hero for a few weeks now, but even in such a short time, I've seen so many people hurt and nearly die. From small accidents to bullets to some random power-crazy villain attackin' a shopping center. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the opportunity to help. But I feel a special connection with these questions since my power literally works around savin' people. That's why they call me Lifeguard, I guess."
Jay hummed and continued with growing confidence. "But what if that wasn't the case? What if we could make the world itself a savior? Imagine Earth sensing danger. The planet itself stepping in to rescue people or stop threats before they escalate and giving it's people better chances."
Heather's eyes widened. "Is that even possible? We're talkin' about the planet becomin' a caregiver! And from what I know about the sea, nature's pretty cruel and indifferent, mate."
Jay stood. His confidence building and voice carrying conviction. "Of course it's possible! We're in the age of heroes, no, we're in the Age of Marvels! For God's sake, anything and everything is possible now! Norse gods are real. Aliens invade from portals. People like me can bend reality with their minds. Why shouldn't Earth itself be able to protect its people?"
He turned to Heather directly and looked her in the eyes.
"And you, Heather Cameron, are the key to all this."
Feeling Jay's fervor, she got up, all eyes on him, her heart racing. "Yes, I'll do it! Whatever you need, mate. Just tell me what!"
Jay and Domino both became downcast. The energy in the room shifted as Jay's confidence faltered slightly.
"Well, that's the hard part," Jay said quietly. "As you know, I'm the Power Broker. I deal in powers themselves. And I need your powers, Heather. I need Lifeguard."
Heather stumbled back, her enthusiasm draining only to be replaced by shock and hurt. "What? But why mine? They're nothin' special compared to yours! You can do bloody anything!"
Jay shook his head, holding her shoulder and consoling her, his voice apologetic. "Your powers are the key to everything. Listen, now you have Danger Detection Response- the ability to sense threats to human life automatically. And on top of that, you have Situational Biomorphic Adaptation- with which your body manifests whatever powers are necessary to save lives in that specific situation. Wings to fly, gills to breathe, armor to protect and strength to lift. The variety of your manifestations appears almost limitless."
He paused. Let the words sink in.
"Now imagine that power spread across the entire planet. Not just you sensing danger in your vicinity. But Earth itself sensing every threat to every person. Thousands of Lifeguards ready to make hundreds of thousands of interventions and, in turn, saving millions of lives. All because of your power."
Heather sat down, heaving as tears built in her eyes. "How do you even know all of this? Even I didn't know I could do so much! I just reacted to save people."
Jay just said with a self-deprecating smile, "It's what I do."
Domino moved to Heather's other side. Put a hand on her shoulder and said nothing, just offered presence.
Jay sat beside her, his voice soft now. "But more importantly, imagine what would happen if there were multiple people- No, multiple Lifeguards with your powers all around the world, ready to respond in moments of disaster and risk to life of normal citizens! A global network protection!"
Heather loved her new powers, her golden looks and even the way she helped people.
The looks she got weren't always kind, but she'd grown used to them because she loved the feeling she got from saving people. Seeing them smile despite the danger they'd just faced and knowing she'd made a difference.
But she could also see Jay's vision. A world where powers like hers existed everywhere. Where danger couldn't catch people unaware, and where kids like Spider-Man didn't have to become heroes to keep their families safe.
This was why she became a lifeguard, wasn't it? To save as many people as possible. To make a difference and protect those who couldn't protect themselves.
But it didn't lessen the pain of her next decision.
She said with misty eyes and voice thick with emotion. "I get it. When you put it like that, I get why my power is necessary. But it's just… it's hard, yeah? These powers, they're part of who I am now. Part of my identity. Lifeguard isn't just a bloody codename. It's who I am."
Her hands shook, but she clenched them. "But savin' people is more important than anythin'. More important than me feelin' special and my pride. I would give anythin' to save as many as possible. That's why I became a lifeguard before all of this, because savin' lives matters is the only thing that really matters."
Domino squeezed her shoulder; her own eyes were suspiciously moist. She'd seen mercenaries face death with less courage than this girl was showing right now.
Jay's mood was very heavy as he bowed his head in genuine respect. He clasped his hands and earnestly thanked her. "Thank you so much, Heather. You have no idea what you've just done for this planet. If we succeed, if this pays off, millions and billions in the future will be saved directly because of your effort. And I can't even begin to imagine the sacrifice you're making. So please, if I could do anything, no matter what, please just name it."
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