by Fiona Price
"It's actually been great. In the beginning, Talia did threaten me and try to intimidate and scare me, but I accredited that to her adjusting to others in her territory. This was her life and her home long before we came along, and William is her father. She seems like a dominant alpha female, and I know how that can be. But how can I complain? I have my two best friends on the team with me and having Dike mentor me is a dream come true."
"Talk to me about Dike, Meaghan."
"What do you want to know? I mean, I don't have any nitty-gritty details for you. I think he and I have a really good connection. I can talk with him about anything, and he always seems to have a calculated and intelligent answer for me. Even though we're supposed to be the same person, he has this uncanny ability to see from perspectives that I can't, and that helps me better understand things like conflict. He knows what's going on between me and the other members of the team, and we're very close. He knows just what to say, and even in the bigger, more difficult times and events he's always there to comfort me."
"That connection you talked about, being very close and open, can you see that happening with the team right now?"
"Right now? No way. Maybe with lots and lots of therapy with everybody's full cooperation, sure. I think I got lucky with Dike, and I don't know how the rest of us are supposed to function the way we are now. There are some people that refuse to even try to make things work, and that'll be the downfall of us all."
Jordie was the next to be counseled. For being Menoetius, he sure was shy and didn't have a lot to say. He was oddly reserved for someone with a power so forthcoming and outright.
"Honestly, I've kept to myself. I know what I'm capable of, I know the amount of damage I can do. I don't always know how to control it or what will set it all off, so I don't engage with the group. That doesn't mean I don't listen or pay attention to what goes on around me. I see it all, but sometimes I have to stay so far away because a lot of the things that happen make me angry. I don't like how some of the girls are being treated, or how some of them are treating each other. Recently we all went to a club together, but I knew it was supposed to be just Maize, Meaghan and Peter. They had planned a friendship reunion weekend, but that got stomped on by the others. I tagged along to the club and I still wish I had Menoetius-ed out and intervened, but Maize got shit all over, and that was the worst event between us all to date. Maybe if I had said something all this time, things would be different. But then again, at this point, we might be too far in to fix."
"Do you feel guilty about some inaction, though you were looking out for yourself and the sake of everyone else as you prevented yourself from becoming explosively angry?"
"Yeah. I do. I know that there are some things I just can't let slide, but I do because I don't always know how to control myself. I know that's my weakness and I'm doing everything in my power to change that, and that's how I can alter the group dynamic, but sometimes it doesn't feel worth it. I feel like we're all going to fall apart anyway, and it won't matter what I do."
Day 4
Ariel and Angelina were both scheduled on the last day of individual counseling to have their session with Dr. Enders. Ariel was lined up to go first, but the two girls conversed outside of the office before they were called in. Ariel was the first to break the silence with a bout of courage. Angelina was hesitant to follow her lead this time.
"I'm going to tell the truth in there, Ange. I'm going to answer whatever she asks me honestly. That's the right thing to do, and I'm not afraid that Talia's going to come at me for saying what I feel. I don't think I should be scared of her anymore. I think I'm going to start doing things on my own now." Ariel said, coming to terms with her own morals as she was thinking about therapy.
And just like she promised, she told the truth about exactly how she was feeling.
"I actually like everyone here! They're a lot of fun from what I've seen, and I really wish I could have gotten to know them better because I feel like I'd be friends with everybody. But ever since the beginning I've been pressured to be by Talia and back up Talia, so I feel like if I were to try and make friends now, they'd all assume I was being fake and reject me. I thought Talia was my friend at first, and she really was doing her best to look out for me. I thought she had my best intentions in mind, but now that each day passes and new things happen, I see that she doesn't. I think we're all falling apart. We all got a bad start, all of us got off on the wrong foot, you know?" Ariel spoke with hope for the future, but solemn since she was aware of the negativity.
Dr. Enders took notes.
Angelina decided that she had to tell the truth, too. No one else was going to know what she said, and even though she had a hard time believing this would benefit anybody, she had to be open. She had less hope than Ariel, but she took a very important step towards healing.
"It's not that I don't like Maize. I just never got to know her. It doesn't seem like we have anything in common and we don't train together, so she's still a stranger to me. Talia told me that she was bad news and since I didn't know anything else, I believed her. Now I'm starting to doubt it all. I know that I might not like her for real once I get to know her, but I've gotta try to start. That's what being a team is all about. We still have to try and work together to reach a common goal, despite if we like each other or not. But it helps, if we know each other and don't have to be separated all the time. I mean, I'm open to starting over. I think we really should, and as soon as possible. I think we don't have the basic foundation to grow upon, and that was our biggest mistake of them all."
Day 5
"What's the verdict, doc?" William asked after a long week of sessions as he sat with Dr. Enders in his office. She was beat, this was a kind of case that she had never seen before and she was full to the brim with information and psychological analyzations of six young adults who had so many different personalities and perspectives.
"Everything you could possibly expect upon gathering a group of young adult strangers and making them live together. Angst, a couple of identity crises, borderline personality disorders, and a boatload of sexual tension, William."
"That's what I was afraid of. I guess we'll have to see what happens between the time Maize returns from Asgard and I send them out on their first mission together."
"William, you can't just wait and see what happens. Now is the time to take preventative measures and start them working together. I've heard all this week that they feel like they all got off on the wrong foot and they're just misunderstanding each other. They're all still strangers. Now is the most important time for them to learn how to communicate with each other, despite god complexes, personal vendettas, past history and present notions. They all have to be in this together, and it's been made clear to me some obviously don't want to. You've got your work cut out for you, Townsend. It's only a matter of time before they crash and burn."
William refused to let them fall apart, and damn if it wasn't a whole new team when Maize returned from Asgard before their initiation ceremony.
School Ties
"I guess we'll just have to see what happens when they go out on their first mission together."
♦️
A few weeks had passed since the initiation ceremony and the group was settling into their new roles and life had seemed to calm down. But not for William, he spent most of his days following the celebration in his office on the highest floor of their compound. He was piecing together intel he had received with some strange happenings in Queens; Meaghan, Peter and Maize’s hometown. It was something big and unnatural. William didn’t know what they would be facing or when, until the day came.
William rushed out of his office and tried to keep his composure, trying to hide the look of concern on his face or the sweat on his brow as he passed through the hallways in order to try and find Dike. When he did, he spotted him heading onto the elevator and William slipped between the crack of the doors to catch Dike before he continued about on his day. All he needed
were a few seconds to deliver the message, and he succeeded.
"William, what's going on?" Dike asked, growing in his concern especially after getting a look at William. He had bags under his eyes, and he was on edge, that much was obvious.
"Listen, I won't keep you long, but I've got some important news for you. Something is brewing out there and it's the perfect mission for three of these guys here. I'm thinking Meaghan, Maize and Peter. It pertains to their past and I know they're already close in their friendship and they know how to work together, so I want to send them off on this mission. It seems easy enough for them to handle, but I need to know if you've introduced her to her suit yet. I want her to get some training time with it."
"William, what's brewing? You're being vague and a little scary."
"You know how kids are always complaining about their teachers, saying that they're monsters?"
"No, when I was a kid we didn't dare disrespect-"
"Sorry, I forgot you're all about justice and respect, Dike. But this case, one of their former teachers actually is a monster, and if we don't intervene then something big is going to happen."
"Interesting. And you're sure those three can handle it by themselves? They've never been on a mission before."
"Sure. I've seen them work together and they've been trained by the best. We'll be there for backup. The suit?"
"I was going to get to that a little further down the line, but I can do that now so she's ready."
"Good. Keep me posted." William spoke before the elevator began to rise once more. Dike stepped off the elevator and made his way towards Meaghan's room.
"Oh, look what the cat brought in." Meaghan smiled as Dike knocked on her door, though she was a little annoyed he was late. Dike was never late.
"Yeah, sorry about that. William caught me in the elevator and wanted to talk." He explained as he stepped inside her room.
"I forgive you. Well, now that you’re here, why don't you come lay down?" She suggested. Dike knew that she wanted him to lay next to her, so he did.
"Hey Dike?" Meaghan asked, her curiosity running wild.
"Yes, Meaghan?" He answered.
"What were you and William talking about before? You seemed flustered."
Dike took a deep breath.
"Something's in the works right now. Once you're all rested up, I've got one more surprise for you. I hope you like it."
"Absolutely. Yeah, I was wondering if you had something up your sleeve. It’s rare that I catch you hanging out with me purely because you want to." Meaghan smiled, taking a long glance at Dike. “You should do it more often.”
Dike and Meaghan then went together to the Vault in the sub-basement of the compound. Dike was left alone with his thoughts and he discovered that he was terribly nervous about letting Meaghan go off into battle. He knew that's what she was there for and he had no doubts of her capabilities, but once Meaghan was in, she was in. He didn't want Meaghan to be rushed into her duties too soon, because the job takes a toll on everyone. He just wanted to keep her safe for as long as he could. But, this was Meaghan’s destiny after all.
Meaghan wore a lavender V-neck shirt, a cream-colored halter bralette, light wash jeans and white Converse sneakers, ready for whatever Dike was going to throw at her.
They took the elevator down to the Vault, and it was becoming clearer to Meaghan what she was about to encounter. She remembered another door to presumably another room when they were standing with the shield for the first time a little while ago, and that's where they were headed. Dike stopped at that door and turned to face Meaghan, who was sick with anticipation.
"William mentioned to me as I was on my way to you that there was a mission in the works that would be perfect for you, Maize and Peter that he wants to send you out on. So, I can't just have you out there in street clothes and the shield! I wanted to wait a little longer, but with this coming up I think it's time I introduce you to your uniform." He spoke with a little smile, seeing as that Meaghan was eager. He opened the next door and they walked in the negative pressure room where Meaghan's suit was held up on a mannequin inside a clear plastic cylinder. Dike had to swipe his ID card, scan his fingerprint and punch in a code in order for the door to open and the suit to be fully revealed to Meaghan.
"I'll let you two get acquainted," He spoke, standing on the far wall close to the door, letting Meaghan discover the suit for herself. Meaghan almost didn't want to touch it out of fear that she would somehow tarnish its newness or functionality.
"I worked with William to incorporate some new tech. Since you and I only have the shield and that makes our legs most vulnerable, we added some plating there for extra support. It's nearly indestructible. Those will stop attacks and bullets before you even know they're happening. Its custom fitted, so it should be just about perfect, why don't you go try it on?" Dike explained the suit and suggested. Meaghan couldn't wait until she had the suit on for the first time.
Dike turned around so he was facing the wall while Meaghan got into the suit, and it was easier than she thought it would be. She pulled on the top and the pants which fit her like a glove, and the leg guards and the metal hands locked into place without her even doing anything. Meaghan felt just as invincible as her suit was, and Dike turned around. He was in amazement; he was once again reminded of how well Meaghan fit the role. He was feeling like a proud soccer mom, but she also couldn't take his eyes off of her.
"It's missing something, though." He spoke, stepping into the other room and grabbing Betty off the wall and bringing it over to her. She got it situated and Dike helped her, and then both were satisfied. It had all come together just in time for the ground to rumble below them and the ceiling shake above them. Their time for admiration was cut short, and Meaghan became alarmed.
"What's going on?!"
"If I'm not mistaken, Thor and Maize have returned." Dike answered, knowing from past experience that Thor's return to Midgard always felt like an earthquake. Dike and Meaghan ran towards the elevator and took it up to the main floors, asking Jason on their way where the two were. At the same time Meaghan and Dike were in the Vault, William and Peter were making some final tweaks on Peter's Arachne suit. The two of them raced up to meet Maize and Thor, arriving at the same time as Meaghan and Dike. All three of the kids were suited up and it was adorable.
"Honey, I'm home!" Thor boomed deeply with a smile.
Thor stuck the landing and looked like a superhero, but the same couldn't be said for Maize. She lost her balance and toppled over, ending up dizzy on the floor. She turned over onto her hands and knees before slowly standing up, grabbing the wall pillar for support. She had bumped into a glass side table and made the potted plant shake, Maize reaching out to steady it. Everyone in the room was looking at her, wondering what the hell was actually going on in front of them, but Maize was oblivious to the people and their stares.
"Whoa, I don't think I'm ever going to get used to that," Maize spoke, looking and sounding disoriented from the interplanetary lightyear express. Meaghan was the first to approach her and open her mouth.
"Maize, you look so different! Amazing, might I add!" Meaghan complimented, seeing her best friend drop from the sky with Thor into the living room. Maize's textured blonde hair was cropped a few inches to her collarbone and her face looked incredibly mature. She was more muscular and had obviously been through a lot during her trip abroad to Asgard. She was fully embodying Thor in all aspects, including a glittery, iridescent cape to boot.
"Oh, my God, Meaghan, I can say the same for you! Look at you, you've got the shield and EVERYTHING!" Maize squealed, excited to see her best friend for the first time in about a month all suited up as Dike.
As Maize looked around the rest of the room, she realized that no one had tried to verbally attack her, and she wasn't getting any sort of notion that something bad was going to happen. In fact, everyone seemed like they were getting along great.
"Whoa, what the hell happened around here?!
Everyone actually seems to be getting along and trying to function like a team! What did I miss? Was my absence so greatly appreciated by all that you became normal?"
"William made us do some group therapy." Meaghan explained simply.
"Ah. That would do the trick."
Then her eyes met Peter's.
Maize walked over to Peter with a soft smile, her arms outstretched. It had been too long since they hugged each other, and Peter was a gracious recipient of her embrace. Their bodies molded together, and it always made Maize laugh that they fit together so well when they hugged. Maize was just an inch shorter than him, but it seemed to make all the difference in the world.
It took Maize a few more moments of affection for her to chuckle at Peter's suit.
"What? What is it?" Peter asked.
"I don't know, it's just that you and William have been working on this suit for who knows how long, and you both decided that the best thing to do was to make you wear tights?" Maize laughed.