Floating off the coast of Brockton Bay was an autonomous drone that was upgraded to withstand harsh weather conditions. It was beaming video and audio data that was then received by special dishes placed in multiple locations all around the city.
Without a doubt, this was one of the biggest advantages of having such a huge lead time before an Endbringer attack. It allowed the various PRT, Protectorate, and government personnel to have a better idea of how much time they had, which then allowed them to enact the pre-planned measures intended to reduce casualties on all sides.
Even at that moment, Dragon was simultaneously tracking evacuation reports and the approaching storm that was just making its way over the horizon.
That it got so many departments involved without any of them getting in each other’s way is already a miracle. Though a lot of that can be attributed to her autonomous systems, Tattletale sitting in the coordination node, and Imago providing additional data that was missed, despite everyone’s best efforts.
More and more capes are arriving every minute, both heroes and villains. A few rogues were even in attendance, which, by itself, was a point of interest.
Then again, as Dragon focused on getting her suits in position, she wasn’t entirely surprised. From start to finish, this particular Endbringer attack was different. It was known days before it happened, for one. For another, the cape that alerted them to the fact had been gaining international fame and infamy.
So, it’s not at all that strange for Parahumans from as far away as the UK and Germany to participate. Many of them actually expressed the desire to do so when they learned of Leviathan’s destination. That several are self-professed survivors of Kyushu who were forced to immigrate elsewhere was also understandable.
By and large, Seraph was a huge contributing factor to such record attendance.
While he was still covered in a veil of mystery, his willingness to work with the authorities to combat Endbringers, combined with the powers he had already displayed, made him a known factor that erased much of the wariness with which he was regarded. Whether he knew it or not, for such a powerful Parahuman to voluntarily stand with the government and its sponsored heroes in the face of destruction, despite being an Independent, inspired hope in many people.
The PRT’s Image department has certainly been instrumental in spreading the word of his role, albeit in a subdued manner.
Apparently, this was part of Glenn Chambers’ plan to draw attention away from Seraph, in the first place. It was a huge gamble that came with numerous counterintuitive parts, but he was confident that it would work, regardless of how this Endbringer attack turns out.
Speaking of the winged cape, Dragon wasn’t entirely sold on the opening part of the battleplans.
The young man has expressed full confidence in his ability to deal with Leviathan multiple times, and to his credit, the previous incident involving Imago certainly proved that he was no slouch. There were still a lot of unanswered questions regarding how that particular occasion was resolved, but there hasn’t been enough time to go into it.
With the sky slowly darkening, Dragon looked to the stormclouds, which were now much closer than they were before.
“Dragon,” Legend’s voice came through the comms. “How’s the evacuation going?”
“It’s going better than expected, Legend.” She certainly wasn’t exaggerating here. “Tattletale and Imago have been immensely helpful in this regard.”
“Excellent. We just got word from New York that Vates predicts no civilian casualties as a direct result of Leviathan’s attack, so that tracks.”
Vates, derived from the Latin word Vātēs, which meant seer. The young precog certainly knew how to stir the pot with her naming sense. When asked why she chose such a name, she would only smile. Such was the trouble with capes who could predict the future.
“What about the Parahumans in attendance?” Dragon asked.
“Unfortunately, she couldn’t provide a clear answer,” Legend said regretfully. “Endbringers are still a blind spot, and with Seraph and Imago in attendance, Vates couldn’t provide us with any prediction regarding how the battle would go.”
That was unfortunate. From the moment Dinah Alcott was brought to their attention, it was clear that she differed from other Thinkers that fall under the same category. For starters, she suffered no migraines after extended use of her powers. She was extremely helpful in streamlining their preparations for Leviathan, yet only complained of exhaustion and a sore throat after two hours of discussion.
Armsmaster wanted to push for more questions, but was overruled. Not only was the girl ostensibly under the protection of an extremely reactive Trump, but his opinions were deemed a conflict of interest. After all, their first meeting was something of a fiasco.
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“In any case, we’re ready to fly out,” Legend continued. “Tattletale says that everything is in place. Can you confirm?”
Quickly running through the mountains of data, Dragon noted the positions of the response teams, search and rescue groups, emergency triage centers, and the central command node. All of the active wristbands provided to participating Parahumans are in working order, as well. After double-checking the positions of the national guard leading the civilians away, and emergency services finishing up their rounds to gather anyone else left behind, the Canadian Tinker concluded her assessment.
“Yes, everything is in place.”
“Good,” Legend said with relief. “Then, it’s time for me to give a speech. Should be historic, eh?”
Dragon could only chuckle at the comment. “Hopefully, in more ways than one.”
“Then you'd best set your equipment to start recording,” Legend quipped. “For posterity and all that.”
“Already done, Legend.” She meant it, too. If this day ends as they all hoped it would, then it’s important to have a record of it.
“Glad to hear,” he said before switching channels to broadcast. “Everyone, this is Legend. I hope you can hear me. It’d be really awkward if I were just talking to myself.” Despite the seriousness of the situation, Dragon saw several capes through her equipment staring at their wristbands attentively, with several actually smiling or chuckling. “First of all, I would like to thank all of you for heeding the call to fight an Endbringer once more.”
The change in tone from humorous to sober rippled through the various groups scattered all over the city.
“We’re fortunate enough to have been given several days to prepare for Leviathan’s coming,” Legend said as he floated over downtown. “If nothing else, this will be the first Endbringer attack that will involve no civilian casualties thanks to the efforts of the PRT, the local government, and our boys in uniform. We would never have been able to evacuate in such numbers without their help. So, from the bottom of my heart, I say thank you.”
The various civilian, federal, and military camps situated further away from the city were also tapped into the broadcast. A luxury that they had never been given the opportunity to afford during previous Endbringer incidents. Legend’s words rang clearly through their speakers as they did through the wristbands.
“Now, normally, I would say that the odds of survival when going against Endbringers would be one in four, and that’s on a good day. This would be the point where I caution first-time participants against careless actions, particularly with Leviathan, as he can move much faster than he looks. However,” he paused, and Dragon could see him look to Seraph in his Blue form, who was staring at the horizon, “we are in a much better position today than we have ever been in the past. I cannot promise that all of us will survive this day. I cannot promise that this will be an easy fight because that will never be the case when facing Endbringers. But we have some of the most powerful Parahumans in the world, heroes and villains, standing as one to fight an enemy greater than all of us.”
Once more, Dragon was in awe of how well Legend could inspire with just his presence and his voice. With a simple change to the volume and tone, numerous capes straightened their shoulders and spines. Even with the clouds looming closer and the air getting heavier, their faces were clear and their eyes were bright.
“We have some of the best healers in the world waiting to put us back together,” Legend extolled. “Some of the most effective search and rescue teams have been formed so that no one will be left to die if they can be saved. But, most importantly, we have gathered in greater numbers than ever before. Many of you already know how this was possible, but just to be sure, all of this was only possible due to Seraph.”
Several screens changed their displays to feature the armored form of the flying trump from multiple angles. He neither smiled nor frowned. From what little was visible of his face, the line of his lips, the tightening of his jaws, and the rigidness of his posture, all of it spoke of extreme focus.
“Together with him, Eidolon, Alexandria, and I will meet Leviathan in his own turf,” the Blaster declared, voice reaching new heights. “If all goes to plan, we will have inflicted severe damage on the Endbringer long before he reaches land. Should we succeed, this might be the day when we finally bring a reckoning to one of these monsters!”
A resounding cheer reverberated throughout the city, and Dragon captured them all on video. Legend was intentionally highlighting the positives of their initial strike while downplaying the risks. Seraph had already explained what he intended to do for their opening move and what the next steps would be, whether he succeeded or failed.
None of them could point to a better option, at least not with the time constraints. So, now, they have no choice but to send one of their greatest assets into the jaws of the beast in order to preserve the largest number of lives and have the highest odds of success.
“So, take heart, stick to the plan, and rely on each other,” Legend said. “Whatever happens by the end of this day, we have already made history.”
With the end of his speech, all four figures flew out to sea at speed. Dragon switched to the specially made drone that was still hovering over their destination. It was already being buffeted by strong winds, and the thermal lenses went into effect due to how dark it had become. As for the sea, towering waves are churning the waters.
There were still no signs of Leviathan, but that was fine, for now. Seraph already knew where he was, and he would have alerted them of any dangerous developments.
Five minutes after leaving the city, the quartet arrived at the drone’s location.
“Dragon,” Alexandria spoke up. “Have you sighted Leviathan at all?”
“Negative, Alexandria,” Dragon answered. “Neither visuals nor thermals.”
“It’s fine,” Seraph suddenly cut in, his voice concerningly devoid of emotion. “He’s already here.”
“Where?!” Eidolon growled, looking around, and his hands were glowing with a malevolent crimson.
“Down in the depths,” Seraph said almost casually, an eerie calm suffusing his voice that almost reminded Dragon of a child. “The lizard man seems to be waiting for us to make the first move.” A grin was on his face, jagged and unhinged. What on Earth was going on with him? Is he even fit to fight?
“He’s not coming up?” Legend asked with concern.
“Nope!” Seraph answered cheerfully, his manic words dreadfully clear over the deafening waves and the howling winds. “He’s playing hide-and-seek! Now, that’s not very nice, Levi-poo! I’ve been waiting so long to meet you, you know? You and your siblings seem to be the only things that make sense in this world. Don’t go all shy on me now!”
“Seraph?!” Legend called out, his concern turning to dread.
“Oh, I know!” A cyan glow slowly encompassed Seraph’s form. “He needs a playmate! One more suited to his size!”
Without warning, an intense blue beam of light from the Trump pierced the waters below. Just as that happened, a familiar dark green figure rocketed out of the water, 60 feet long from its head to the tips of its tail. Its normally hunched shoulders were fully extended, and one of its gangly arms that ended in claws sharper than any razor was reared back.
Leviathan has finally appeared, and his target was unmistakable.
Rather than express fear or evade the oncoming Endbringer that seemed intent on chopping him to pieces, however, Seraph howled in laughter before screaming in defiance of storm and sky.
“Blue Sea Dragon!”
Leviathan was literally inches away from the foolish boy when he was intercepted by one of the strangest creatures Dragon had ever seen. It shot out of the water directly beneath Seraph, rammed the Endbringer in the chest, before then sending Leviathan back to the churning sea with a powerful jet of liquid.
It would appear that the PRT will need to update Seraph’s threat ratings once more. Not only is he a powerful Trump comparable to Eidolon, but he evidently has his own Endbringer.
