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Teen And Up Audiences
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Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
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F/FGen
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Parahumans Series - WildbowCelestial Forge CYOA - Lord Roustabout
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Original Characters
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SI in Brockton BayAlternate Universe
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Published:2023-12-07Updated:2024-08-08Words:103,661Chapters:32/?Comments:96Kudos:283Bookmarks:88Hits:26,256
How Monstrous Is Your Heart
Zira
Chapter 3
Chapter Text
The trip actually finds Zira and Dauntless in an actual hospital, where Dauntless is given nasty looks by nurses as Zira is placed on a medical bed. Their stuff is put on a chair while Dauntless explains, and after awhile - the entire time, Zira is trying to change back to normal - an overworked looking young girl walks in, saying, "Dauntless, get out. Doctor Patient time. Leave."
"Uh, she can't exactly talk, Panacea."
"Meowth!" they protest, 'Fuck you!'
Panacea looks at them, saying, "Once for no, twice for yes. Do you consent to parahuman healing?"
'Yes, yes.' "Meowth, meowth."
"Leave, Dauntless."
He does so reluctantly, and Amy touches Zira cautiously. "I'm not sure how I'm supposed to fix you. I mean, I can't fix a case fifty-three. You are the worst case I've ever seen, and-"
Sheer frustration seems to work, since Zira changes and is now back to being normal again. As normal as they can be, they suppose. "Shit, that hurts." Their bones ache, and their body is shaking. They kinda want to vomit.
"Ah… are you okay?"
They shiver and shake, "N-not really, my fibro is fucking me up."
"Oh… I can't really do more than treat the symptoms of that. It's in the brain, and I can't affect the brain."
A lie, but one Zira isn't willing to call out, nor cares to call out. "That's… that's fine. I can't do more than deal with the symptoms, either."
"You're a healer?"
"Y-yeah."
"That's good! Are you planning on working here or-"
"I'm planning on finding my dog first," they interrupt gently. "I think Hookwolf has him. I'd be happy to help you heal, but I'm in a lot of pain right now, and I want my dog."
Amy blushes, moving closer, "Do you consent to parahuman healing?"
"I do." And with a touch, the pain is lessened, almost gone, then gone. Oh, they know it will be back. It will always be back, but it's nice to have it gone so fully. "Thank you."
"It's not a problem, I do it because I-"
"Do you consent to parahuman healing?" Zira asks, picking up the waterskin from the chair. They pop it open, and make a face, pouring it down the drain of the sink, since this is the skate water.
"I... I do?"
"Cool." As that drains, they pick up the second waterskin, and walk over to Amy. "Hop onto the bed, and tell me what hurts."
Amy does as she's told, and says, "Well, uh, my feet hurt, and so do my knees."
"Pretty typical if you've been up and about, walking around for hours. Could you remove your shoes and socks? It'll make healing easier. You can leave on your pants."
Amy slips off her shoes, and says, "Feels weird to be on this side of the healing."
"It's understandable. You're the miracle healer. No one thinks about you, when they really should." They slowly work their way up from Amy's toes to her knees. "You mind if I do a full workup?"
"... You know what? Go ahead."
They nod, making sure to keep their hands off the kid's body, just letting water touch her. They don't want Amy to think they're a creep or some shit. They're not interested in teenagers. Gross. And they have a wife, thanks.
"You have something up with your lungs, some slight smoke damage. Probably from childhood. You know if there was a heavy smoker around you when you were little?"
Amy shakes her head, "Not that I know of?"
Zira shrugs, "Well, I fixed it, nothing to worry about." They pause, "Anymore, anyway."
"Was there before?"
"I imagine you had trouble running very far before. You'll probably do better in gym class now. Your lungs work better than before, so you'll notice the difference there. Otherwise, no? Not really?"
"Okay, good."
"Want me to see if I can fix your hair?"
"... What's wrong with it?" she asks defensively.
"It's all dry and frizzy, is all. I wanna see if I can fix it on you. The worst that happens is that you'll have wet hair. The best that happens is that you have perfectly conditioned hair because a Parahuman asked if they could see if they could heal it."
Amy touches her hair, thinking about it. But unfortunately, as she's deliberating, Zira's powers reach for another power, and she braces for another possibly life changing bullshit power and gets a load of pokemon things that add to more pokemon things that they need to go into their warehouse for, but don't change their body.
Thank fuck.
Still, responsibilities press down on them, and they feel the need to go into their warehouse to free those in lockers. Even as they feel like they should go find Chucky.
Amy says, "Yeah, see if you can fix my hair."
Refocusing on the task in front of them, Zira works on Amy's hair. It's not even hard, just pulling the oils from the scalp and infusing them into the hair. When they finish, they pull away, saying, "Okay, done."
Amy touches her hair, blinking, "How did you do that?"
"Mostly by infusing the oils of your scalp into the hair, and by using the magic of the water to-"
"Magic."
"Uh," They sigh, "Fine, my power infused with the water. It's just easier to say magic when explaining to others who want an easy explanation."
But honestly, they have no real clue how it works anymore. Their Rosu education says it's infusing chi into the water. The setting they're in says it's a power. And their brain says it's powered by FM, you know, fucking magic.
"You shouldn't do that," Amy scolds them. "It makes people think you're part of the Adepts, or like Myrrdin."
"I get it, I get it," they nod. "But I have a favor to ask you."
Amy looks at them apprehensively, "What?"
"Can you call up your sister, and see if she wants to help me find and take down dog fighting rings? I need to find my dog."
Amy blinks, "... You want Glory Girl to help you take down a dog fighting ring?"
"Or just some dog fights in general. I need to find my dog. Here, look at him." They pull up pictures of Chucky. "He's not a young boy anymore. If they have him, they're gonna use him as a bait dog, and he's going to die."
Amy takes the phone, looking through the pictures, "And I take it, you've checked the pounds and rescues?"
"First place I looked after a day of searching for him on foot."
"Huh." Amy returns their phone. pulling out her own, "Don't think I'll do this all the time."
"I don't expect you to," they respond honestly.
"Why don't you ask Dauntless, anyway?"
"Because, if I'm real? I don't think the PRT will be willing to help me find my dog in time. They'll want me to sign up for the PRT, and then still not help me find my dog."
Amy makes a face, but sends a text. There's a buzz in reply, and Amy sends another. Amy says, "Why do you think that?"
"Because I've been searching for my dog all yesterday, and all of today. I feel like I'm running out of time. If Chuck's been found by a Nazi for a dog fight, he's gonna be used as a bait dog, and be killed soon. No one cares about him but me. I want him safe."
"And if you got him safe with-" The phone buzzes, and Amy gets distracted, writing a response. Once she's finished, she returns her focus on Zira, "Once your dog is safe, would you join the Protectorate?"
"Once I got my dog, I'll be a hero, sure."
"What are you now?"
"I'm not anything. I just got here, lost my dog, and have powers now. I want my dog."
Amy stares at them, "You just got to Brockton, and you lost your dog?"
"Yeah."
"That's… shitty luck."
"Yeah."
"Why were you a cat when you came to me?"
"That's part of my power. I randomly change sometimes and gain-" Amy's phone buzzes. "You gonna get that?"
Amy scowls, "Right." She replies, and says, "Vicky is on the roof."
"Cool. Let's head up." Zira gathers all their stuff, putting it on, and looking over at Amy. "Aren't you going to put on your shoes and socks?"
"... right."
They wait for Amy, then say, "Wait, would it be more wieldy for me to be a cat?"
"What do you mean?"
"Would it be easier to carry me around as a cat?"
"Probably, but no one can understand you as one, so I'd prefer you like this."
"Okay, but if your sister is taking us places, it might be best if I'm a cat, so you can hold me."
"... We'll see."
They get out of the room, and Dauntless gives them a relieved look, "Oh thank goodness, you're okay!"
"Yeah, sorry about that. Look, we're heading to the roof to see Glory GIrl."
He looks visibly taken aback, but doesn't stop them, just starts to follow them. "May I ask why this is?"
"She wants her dog," Amy says.
"They want their dog," Zira corrects, since it's worth correcting capes they plan on trying to get along with. "I'm nonbinary. They/them, thank you. I also have a wife, but she's rather out of anybody's ability to get into touch with, including mine. I told you I have a list of reasons why the Empire might want me dead, Dauntless. That's only two of them."
"Oh," he says.
"... you have a wife?" Amy asks, in a small voice.
"I do. Not that I have any pictures of her in my phone. I'm not a big picture person. … More fool me," Zira says, voice cracking slightly at the end.
"Do… do you miss her?"
They put their hand over their heart, fingers clenching on the clothing, voice hurt, and tears gathering, "More than you could know." They use their other hand to flick away the tears. "More than you can know."
"What happened?"
"I don't want to talk about it," they say, voice choking, as they get on the elevator. How does one explain that they just showed up, and have no way to get home? That their 'home' is now a warehouse that has two houses inside of it? That they're pretty sure they're fake now, and nothing is real? That-
Their power reaches out for a new power and misses. It's just hitting something too big. Thank fuck. It does calm them down, at least, even if it makes them dizzy.
"Okay," says Amy, sounding subdued.
"Sorry," they say. "I don't mean to snap. I just…."
"No, it's okay," Dauntless says. "We all have hard things happen to us in the past. Some are just… fresher than others. I'm sure yours is pretty fresh, isn't it?"
Amy answers for Zira, "They said they got here just two days ago. Now they've been searching for their dog since then."
"And I'd really like to find him. Thank you. I believe you won't be allowed to help us, Dauntless, so that's fine if you leave once we get to the roof."
Dauntless makes a face, "I would love to help, it's just that I'd need permission from my higher ups, and-"
"If you can get it, you're more than welcome to join us on our hunt to find dog fighting rings."
"Is Panacea joining you?"
"I don't know. That is up to her. I think she is welcome to join if she wants to, but if she doesn't want to join, she isn't expected to join."
They get off the elevator, and Amy gives Zira a surprised look, leading them to the stairs. "I… I've never been invited to go fight?"
"Why not?"
"I'm a healer?"
"I'm a healer, too," Zira reminds Amy irreverently.
"Hey! That's right. Why are you going to go fight?"
"Because I know how to fight, that's why." Granted, most of their fighting experience is actually in the Meowth form. Using pokemon moves, at that. It's… not the best, no.
And Rosu practicing how to use half-seen stances the boys used.
Still, better than nothing.
"Besides," they add, "I'll have Glory Girl to help me with it."
"I guess," Amy visibly sulks. It's so clear that Amy wants to fight, too. Zira will need to shoo Dauntless away.
They walk outside to the roof, and Vicky waves, "Ames!" Her aura flares, and it … isn't as dazzling as most fanfics make it out? It mostly just lifts Zira's mood, making her smile and take a few steps closer. Maybe it's because they know about it, they stop walking and frown, refocusing on what's important. Who knows?
Zira shakes their head, saying, "Glory Girl?"
"Oh! Rosu, right?"
"Right," they hold out their hand in a fistbump, and Vicky happily returns it. "It's nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet a fellow hero!"
Hero, sure. Whatever. "Right, did Panacea tell you about my dog?"
"Yeah! You have a corgi you think might be a…" Vicky visibly saddens, "a bait dog, right? At least, that's what you were implying."
They nod once, "Yes. He's an old dog, and he isn't…." Zira's eyes close, "I just don't want to never find him. Or worse, find him in a pile of dead dogs. Are you willing to help me find him? I've been searching for two days already, and I'm scared."
"And Ames said you checked the shelters and pounds."
"I did."
"What makes you think he's in the dog fights?"
"Because I have either amazing or really horrible luck. And I would have either already found him by now, and we wouldn't be having this conversation. Or… or he's in a cage, scared and hurt."
"And what happens to the other dogs?" Dauntless asks.
Turning to him, Zira smiles, "I'm so glad you asked. If you can arrange for a shelter or two to be ready for them, that would be wonderful."
"Me?"
"You are the hometown hero," Amy points out, looking amused.
"It'll give the PRT PR points," Zira says.
Dauntless makes a face, "I'll get hold of someone."
"Thanks, Dauntless!" Vicky exclaims cheerfully.
He sighs, and walks away, putting a hand to his ear. Once he's far enough away, Zira asks, "So, Amy? Do you want to come with us?"
"Huh?" asks Vicky. "Since when do you want to fight?"
Amy scowls, biting her lower lip, "I have to work here, and-"
"Ah, ah, ah! Not what I asked. Do you want to come with us?"
"... I do, but, and this is important. I can't just go! I have to heal people, and-"
"Amy!" Vicky says, "C'mon! This'll be great! Let's go kick some Nazi ass!"
"Exactly," Zira says, pulling off their waterskins, and food pouch. "Vicky, could you hold this? I need to figure out how to change into a cat."
Vicky takes the items, more out of confusion than anything. "What?"
Zira stands there, thinking on how to do it, but after a moment sorta flips a mental switch, shrinking down. Flipping it again, they change back, shaking. "Oof, Ow. That sucked. Okay. I can do this. Amy, could you heal me once I change again?"
"I shouldn't, but okay."
"Thank you."
They flip the mental switch, and they're now a Meowth. Shakily making their way to Amy, they climb into the girl's arms, and relax as they get healed up. Purring softly, they wait as Amy is picked up in a princess carry.
Vicky saying, "This is weird."
"They said it's part of their power."
"Their?"
"Rosu is nonbinary."
"Oh, okay." Vicky pauses, "It's still weird that this is part of their power."
"It really is, no arguments from me."
Zira rolls their eyes, saying, "Meowth, meow, meowth, meow." 'If you think it's weird, try living it."
Amy pets their head, "I have no clue what you're saying."
"I wish I did," Vicky says. "Wasn't there an Aleph cartoon with one of whatever they are that could talk?"
Amy gives Vicky a confused look, "I don't know? Was there?"
"Meowth, meowth." 'Yes, yes.'
"I guess we'll never know," Vicky says.
Zira sighs in exasperation. If those two talk about Pokemon and have no clue what they're talking about, this is going to kill the Zira.
Suddenly, their power reaches out to find another power and abruptly they now know hand to hand combat. They're a master of it, in fact. Not something they expected from the Pokemon section of the powers, but it sure does help where they're going to. It fills in all the gaps they have with Rosu, and now they are just doing all together okay.
Other than the dizziness, of course.
Shaking their head, they focus back on the conversation between Vicky and Amy. Vicky saying, "No, I'm pretty sure it was a cat!"
"And I'm telling you, it was a meow."
Oh god, they're both wrong.
Zira puts a paw on Vicky's mouth, saying exactly what they mean, "Meowth."
Amy stares at Zira then says, "You're a Meowth."
They nod, putting their paw down.
Vicky says, "Shit, we were both wrong."
Amy shrugs, "Could have been worse. We could have argued, then agreed that you were right, only to be proven that I was right all along."
"Why is that worse?"
"Because it meant I never should have agreed with you in the first place."
"Ames!"
"Vicky!" Amy replies mockingly, putting a hand on Vicky's cheek in a caress.
Ugh. That's something Zira should put an end to, but also doesn't see how to. Part of them wants to see how best to expose Shadow Stalker, but, again, how do they do that?
Right now? They got their own problems to deal with. Once that's fixed, maybe they can deal with other people's shit. Until then? No.
----
Wordcount: 3004
Pokemon Trainer:
Free:
Bag: Bigger on the inside. Carries pretty much anything you want, and automatically organizes whatever you drop into it for you.
Pokegear: Kinda like a phone, only you can only talk to others with one. It also keeps track of your number of steps and finds hidden items. Useful in some situations.
Pokedex: Already filled
Five pokeballs: Good for catching pokemon in the long grass. Do you even have long grass in Brockton Bay? (No, you will not find any there, perhaps you should go searching in your warehouse if you have any open space!) (Will be refilled every three days)
Three potions: Healing in a bottle. Only for use on pokemon.
Hat: A red hat. Not really your style, but maybe you could make it work?
Bulbasaur: Your starter. You love her.
A Healing Machine: Normally only found in pokecenters, but you now have one in your warehouse!
Skills and abilities 400
Combat Training: You are now a master of hand to hand combat, and you keep your cool in a fight.
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