1.11 Memories Part 6

“You knew about that didn’t you,” says Legacy accusingly.

“How could I not?” replies Ceta, “David and I fought you and Atavari on many occasions.”

“And you didn’t warn me that I was once a supervillain?” grumbles Legacy before moving onto a slightly different topic, “What was I like? Back then, when I was Shattered Hope?”

“A good person at your core, but was manipulated into doing bad things,” answers Ceta, “Atavari had good intentions, but believed that the ends justified the means. She tricked you into believing that your actions would save the world and bring peace. What you weren’t told was that that peace would be brought about by uniting the world against you and she was going to sacrifice you at the end, both literally and metaphorically. She would claim that she is a good being that was corrupted by you and now you were gone, she and her new host would be grand heroes. And by then, Atavari would have killed you so you would be unable to contradict her lies. But when she did so, David was dying and he convinced me to take you on as the next Guardian. I gladly obliged him.”

“Thank you for doing so,” says Legacy.           

“There is no need to thank me,” replies Ceta, “Helping others and saving lives is what the Guardian is. And you have yet to disappoint me as the Guardian.”

“I am glad to hear that,” replies Legacy, “So what happened?”

“Oblivion attacked your world and at the end of the battle, David was killed, you become the new Guardian and Atavari fled to pick her new host,” says Ceta with anger in her voice, “I despise Atavari. She is a monster in the guise of a hero. She claims to help others, but does so by destroying innocent lives. Atavari is a coward and lacks honour.”

“So what happened to her?” inquires Legacy.

“Since we ended up on the Earth we have been residing in, Atavari probably just continued with her plans uncontested,” snarls Ceta, “Claiming credit for your sacrifice and dishonouring your memory for her own glory.”

“Is there anything we can do about it?” asks Legacy.

“Unfortunately no,” replies Ceta, “I do not currently know the way back to that Earth and if we do, exposing her would cause much chaos and harm. I would leave such a choice up to you.”

“I would need to evaluate the situation in person before making such a decision,” states Legacy, “So what now?”

“Would you like to know what powers David had as the Guardian?” asks Ceta.

“Yes I would,” replies Legacy.

“He had an innate talent for technology, both using it and coming up with his own creations,” replies Ceta, “Additionally, he wasn’t limited to more advanced technologies as you are. So while he lacked your technopathy, David was very versatile in what he used and his strategies.”

“I wish I got to meet him,” says Legacy wistfully.

“You did,” replies Ceta, “His fairness, compression and good-nature made him your favourite superhero. On the flipside, his skill, ingenuity and initiative made him your least favourite foe to fight. Especially since you always held back due to feeling bad if you hurt him.”

“Really?” inquires Legacy.

“Yes,” replies Ceta kindly, “The feeling was mutual. David never enjoyed fighting you and never when as hard on you as he could have done. He would always try and convince you to become a superhero rather than a supervillain and that Atavari was manipulating you and would betray you. But Atavari’s grip was too strong on you and she convinced you that David meant well, but simply didn’t understand what you and her were trying to do.”

“So how much long until I can return to the real world?” asks Legacy, “I am missing my friends and teammates.”

“I understand,” replies Ceta, “I haven’t seen many of my own in decades. I’m not sure how many are still alive or-hmm, now that is interesting.”

“What is?” asks Legacy curiously.

“It appears we have guest,” explains Ceta, “Shall I invite Jaylyn in?”

“Definitely,” says Legacy excitedly, “I can’t wait to see her again.”

Ceta is silent for a moment and a young girl materialises next to her.

The girl appears to only be six years old with sleek blonde hair and shining blue eyes. Her features are mixture of both Leo’s and Joan’s.

An interesting avatar, but not unsurprising. It shows an accurate representation of Jaylyn, unlike others who would try to hide who they are. But Jaylyn has always been proud of who is and has never tried to hide who is from those that know of her.

“Hello Jaylyn,” says Legacy as Jaylyn runs towards her.

“Aunt Legacy,” cries Jaylyn as she wraps her arms around Legacy, “You’ve been gone for months!”

“I know,” replies Legacy as she notes that hug lacks the warmth of a physical hug, “I missed you too.”

“Father has been searching for you,” says Jaylyn, “Ever since you fell in battle against Armageddon. He has never stopped.”

“I would expect nothing less from a person such as him,” replies Legacy, “So how did he find me?”

“Oh, he detected a trace signal of unknown origin and composition when I got Ceta’s message,” replies Jaylyn, “He also detected from when you died. Father then when to the sample and checked your nanites for the signal. When he found it, Father has been trying to trace it back to the source. Once he found it yesterday, we sent part of me in to see what was waiting in the other side.”

“It is a very impressive feat to be able to trace the signal back here,” says Ceta, “Is Leo doing anything else?”

“Oh, he is modifying one of Koizumi’s inventions to be able the follow the signal in person,” replies Jaylyn.

“Koizumi?” inquires Legacy.

“I should tell you about him shouldn’t I?” answers Jaylyn as she lets go of Legacy.