Persona BLEACHED 4: Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Back to Insanity
September 22, 2031
Max Jadefang had been to New York once, during the cross-country trip where he'd reunited with his friends. As he looked down from one of the top floors of the massive Planetary Defense Force building in the heart of the city, he could see some similarities to the city of his world.
Of course, there were no flying cars, or people using magic to keep their phones charged. Some things were the same. Others couldn't be more different. This wasn't a cognitive production or Metaverse construct. This was reality.
"10/10 transport, boys!" Commander Max said to a group of men in lab coats, standing by an enormous circular device. "And I have all my hair this time!"
"You'll have to give our brilliant engineer your compliments, Commander." one of the men replied.
"Yeah, compliments and another Vocaloid figure. Alright, back to business, gentlemen. I've got a grand tour to give." The commander turned his attention to his young counterpart. "Boggles the mind, doesn't it? All this advanced tech, powered by magic."
"Yeah, it's...a lot to take in." Max replied.
"Hope you're ready to play sponge, because you've got a ton more to absorb. First thing's first, let me introduce you to the people that keep me sane. Hop to it."
Max followed after the commander. They took an elevator down to the 17th floor. They walked down the hall, past several workers, including human-sized, blue robots, with the P.D.F. emblem on their backs. Many of the workers greeted Commander Max as they walked past. "This is our R & D department. Here's where we work on the combat droids we use as backup. Ship repair goes on in the underground workshop. We've got some world-class robotics experts making sure everything's smoother than a 70s dance party."
They entered one of the labs. Inside, there was a woman with straight brown hair, wearing a lab coat over a violet blouse, blue jeans and violet heeled boots, with a blue scarf around her neck. A golden light emanated from her hands, and she held her arms up. "Up up up, like this..." Two robots seated in front of her mimicked her movements. "Like this..." Just her right arm. "And this." Just her left arm. "Okay, joints are good. I'll see you both in two days for weekly charging. You two are dismissed."
The robots got up and exited. "Is it my turn for a checkup, Dr. O'Donnell?" Commander Max asked.
"That's for after-hours, Commander O'Donnell." the woman joked. The two kissed. "Got home in one piece this time, I see. And no bald spots!"
"('This time'. Does he get teleported around often?)" the younger Max thought.
"So I'm assuming this is our otherworldly guest for the foreseeable future." the woman said.
"Doesn't look like any aliens we've run into, does he? Unless he's hiding tentacles under that jacket." the commander replied.
"I do NOT want to know why that's your first thought." Max replied.
"Anywho, formalities. Kid, this is Violet, my good half."
"Letty is fine. I'm the head of R & D here. Though I'm far from the best machinist. That would go to a certain someone tinkering away in the barracks again." Letty said.
"I'm, uh, Max. Same as your husband." Max replied.
"Ohhh yeah, we're gonna have to come up with a system here. It's gonna get confusing in a hurry. You got a middle name we could use?" Commander Max asked.
"Yeah, Dillon."
"Rats. Same as me. Uh..."
"Starbolt. Call me Starbolt."
"You know we don't go by codenames here, right?"
"That's what my mom calls me."
"Y'know it's a real cool name, and that's totally what we're going with. Starbolt it is!"
"Smooth save, honey." Letty teased. 
"So, that thing you were doing with the robots..." Max said.
"It was a puppetry spell. Taking control of non-organic matter and having them mimic my movements. It's to make sure there's nothing wrong with their joints. Wouldn't do to send them into battle with faulty parts."
"Starbolt here's gonna need a crash course on how magic works here. And since you're super smart as opposed to my only sounding smart..." the older Max said.
"We both know that second part's not true. But I'm more than happy to enlighten him. So what do you know about our magic?"
"Just that supposedly everyone in this world can use it. And that all of your technology runs on it." the younger Max replied.
"That first part needs a bit of elaboration. The vast majority of people have at least some aptitude with magic. Most of them only have enough to use rudimentary spells to make their lives easier. Powering their houses, mostly. Those with greater aptitude tend to go on to join the P.D.F. in varying capacities. Some, like my Max here, have great enough potential that they can hone their powers in one particular branch of magic."
"In my case, I've more or less mastered electricity magic. Along with a bit of weather manipulation. Not everyone focuses on just one set of spells, though. Some dedicate themselves to being full-fledged mages that can use all sorts of magic. It's an old-fashioned way of doing things, but there's quite a few that still take that path. Like someone I know. You might meet her if she ever gets her nose out of her books." Commander Max added.
"I've heard that a small amount of people in your universe have powers, so I hope this isn't too much to grasp."
"It's weird to go from only me and my friends having powers to everyone having them. And the airships. And robots." Max replied.
"Kid, you haven't seen anything yet." the commander said. He turned to his wife. "Baby girl's in the lower barracks, right? Let me go say hi. C'mon, Starbolt." He started for the door.
"Mr. Jadefang, before you go." Letty spoke up.
"Yes?" Max responded.
"I know this must be impossibly hard for you. You wanting to go by that nickname tells me how much you miss your mother. We're never going to fill that void, but we're going to make this as smooth a transition as we can."
"....." Max breathed out. "You two seem like great people, and I'm grateful to your husband for saving my skin yesterday. I was so ready to start moving on from everything that's gone wrong, and now here I am, a world away. I'll try not to make any trouble for you all, and I'll help as best I can."
"I'm not asking for anything more than that. My Max thinks you're a great young man from his interactions with you. You're in the right hands. Just one other thing. You're going to be seeing our daughter in the barracks. She's around the same age as you, so I hope you can get along. She can be a bit...enthusiastic. Be prepared, is what I'm saying."
"That's not foreboding or anything."
"Don't take it as a negative. See you for dinner, Mr. Jadefang. I'm *sure* my Max will be inviting you over."
Max left the room, entering the elevator with the commander. "So, what do you think? Brains *and* beauty, right?" the latter asked.
"You got yourself a catch, old man. How'd you pull that off?"
"I've got zero clue myself. It'll be twenty-two years of matrimony next month. She's brilliant with machines, on top of being an awesome mom. I don't know how I got so lucky."
"How many kids do you have?"
"Two. Both girls. Oldest is twenty-seven, the youngest just turned twenty. She's mine and Letty's."
"And the older one isn't? Were you married before?"
The older man paused. "I was."
Max could tell that he had to tread carefully. Before he could let out a response, the elevator stopped. 
"Alright, ground floor. Let's hop to it." Commander Max stepped out.
"(There's a story there. Best not to pry on Day 1, though.)" Max thought.
The bottom floor was a huge underground space, with vehicles of varying sizes and different states of repair lined up everywhere one could look. "So...this is one girl's workshop, huh? One twenty year-old girl is working on all this." Max questioned.
"Not just any twenty year-old girl. The smartest person on the planet. I'll bet my entire retirement fund on that. At the very least, the best engineer. Every cruiser you see flying the skies? Every droid that you see walking around? She's got her fingerprints all over them." Commander Max replied.
"Good day to you, Commander O'Donnell." a robotic voice chimed. 
Max looked up to see a small, metallic black bird perched on the wing of one of the fighter jets. "...did that pigeon just talk?" Max questioned.
"Excuse me! I am NOT a pigeon! I am clearly modeled on the 'Corvus corax', otherwise known as the common raven! What part of me is remotely pigeon-like?!"
"Calm down, Hugo. Don't get your feathers in a bunch." Commander Max urged.
"It has a name?" Max questioned.
"My voice is quite clearly male!" the bird griped.
"Do robot birds even fall under the gender binary?"
"Commander, where did you find such a rude rapscallion?! Does your world know no manners?!"
"Guess she put your personality setting on High. Where's Her Highness, anyway?" Commander Max asked.
"Old man, what's the deal with this bird?" Max asked.
"Hugo's my daughter's pet-slash-assistant-slash-nagging butler. She built and programmed him herself. Alright, I'm bringing her out." He whistled. "Happy Chaos!"
The door to one of the airships popped open, and a girl stuck her head out. "Hi, Daddy!" She jumped out, sprinted over to the older Max and leapt into a hug. "All in one piece! The transporter's working perfecto! Not that I'm surprised or anything!"
This bubbly young woman's demeanor was matched by her colorful appearance. She had long, bouncy silver hair, with a black streak on each side. She wore a light blue P.D.F. jacket, opened to reveal a neon pink undershirt, with an image of a girl with long blue pigtails. Her jacket had several small buttons pinned around it. She had mid-length blue pants, tall blue boots with high pink socks, and black fingerless gloves, revealing neon pink nails. Blue goggles were perched on her head.
She turned to the younger Max. "Oh, you're Daddy's Other, aren't you? You look totally human to me, but I wonder if there's anything else going on..." She darted around him, looking beneath his arms and his jacket, confusing him.
"Lady Cynthia, I urge you not to agitate this ruffian! Lest he confuse you with a common pigeon!" Hugo chimed.
"Oh don't be such a birdbrain, Huey! Observation's the key cog of discovery! I'm doing my due diligence!"
"Maybe he's got a point, Cind. Introducing yourself by poking around might make him feel like he's part of an experiment." Commander Max said.
"Meeeeh. Okaaaay. I'll be more proper-like." She saluted. "I'm the P.D.F.'s primo engineer extraordinaire! Cindy O'Donnell, at your service!" She immediately broke from her stance and grabbed the younger Max by the hand. "Okay! I've got a trillion questions to ask! For research purposes! I'm gonna take my lunch break, Daddy! C'mon, Other Boy!"
"Wait up, I haven't even--YIKES!" Max couldn't get another word out before being dragged off.
"Aaaaand there she goes. Go make sure she doesn't drive him crazy, Hugo." the commander said.
"As you wish, Commander O'Donnell. I'll be a good pigeon." Hugo said as he flew off.
---
"And here's my card. Thank youuuu~." Cindy chimed as she took two smoothies from a stand close to the P.D.F. building.
"Gonna guess you're a regular from how they knew your order on sight." Max said, taking one of the cups.
"I pop over every once in a while." The two sat down nearby. As people walked past, some took passing glances at them.
"Hey, who's that guy with Cindy?" one questioned.
"I thought her boyfriend was Japanese?"
"I thought he was English."
"Starting to get the sense that you all might have some local clout." Max surmised.
"I've done a few mag covers and some public projects here and there. No biggie." Cindy replied.
"Don't understate your achievements, Lady Cynthia." Hugo, perched on her shoulder, chimed in. "Large parts of this city wouldn't be running as efficiently if not for your expertise. You may as well be the mayor."
"Ohhh, stop it, you. Just trying to butter me up." Cindy pet him with one finger.
"I saw what kind of magic your mom was doing with robots earlier. I can't imagine what kind you're pulling with everything I'm seeing and hearing." Max said.
"Well, see, here's the kicker. I'm not doing any magic."
"You're...you're not."
"Nope."
"Everything you do is completely by hand?"
"Yep."
"How in blue blazes--"
Cindy put her index fingers on each side of her head.
"...are you trying to read my mind? *Can* you read my mind?" Max questioned.
"Is there anything in there worth reading?" Hugo sniped.
"Shut it, pigeon."
"The secret to my brainyness is in here!" Cindy pointed out.
"You mean...your brain."
"I'm talking about what's inside my brain, silly! It's half-robot!"
"Half-robot...mind telling me how that works?"
"When I was a baby, I got really really sick, and my brain started to shut down, so my Mommy outfitted it with cybernetic implants. Now my mind processes info faster than anyone on the planet! Only problem is, now my magic potential's next to zero."
"The robot brain more than makes up for it, right?"
"Oh yeah, I'm not bummed about it or anything! I've made a ton of gadgets to do all sorts of things. Like Hugo, here!"
"Hear that, pigeon? You've been relegated to 'gadget' status."
"Now I know you're merely doing that to incite me!" the robotic bird griped.
"Yeah, guess my ex is wearing off on me, after all."
"Now that I've spilled my bio, you HAVE to tell me about your universe! I'm really interested in these powers you and your friends use, I think they were called...Personables?" Cindy asked.
"They're called Personas. They're...complicated. So in our universe there's a dimension called the Metaverse, that's made up of the collective consciousness of all of humanity."
"I see, interesting."
"When we go to this dimension, there are versions of ourselves there called Shadows. They're reflections of our innermost feelings. Once we come to an understanding with them, they combine with us and become our Personas, which we can summon to fight."
"Is that what Daddy meant when he said you summoned Ultraman?"
"Yeah. I can summon Ultraman."
"I wanna see! Can you do it now?"
"Like *now* now?"
"Yeah, I wanna see it in action!"
"First problem with that is that we're in the middle of a crowded city, and as magical and techie as it is, I think Ultraman just appearing in a street in New York City would bring the wrong kind of attention. Second, I don't even know if my powers can work here. Like I need certain conditions--" Armor materialized around Max's arm. "Hello!"
"Whoooooa that's so cool! Did you just do that with your mind?!"
"I guess I did. Usually this only works inside the Metaverse or where there's high amounts of spiritual energy. Guess a world where magic's an everyday thing has plenty of that to go around."
"I wanna see the whole suit! You've got a whole suit, right?"
"Yeah, but...not in the open. Kinda defeats the shadowy superhero image."
"Eh, I wouldn't worry about it. Everyone knows who we are. And you're not from around here, either."
"I don't want to start any poor habits. If people in my universe saw me putting on this armor, things would get messy in a hurry. I'd prefer to keep things as normal as possible."
"Fiiiine. But I'm getting my paws on that armor sooner or later."
Cindy looked up. Perched on the side of a building was a single blackbird with glowing yellow eyes. It was staring directly at Max.
"Oh. Looks like someone's interested."
Max looked at the bird. "Don't tell me that's another robo-bird?"
"That one is very real. He is unmistakably Muno. He is the animal familiar of Lady Cynthia's elder sister." Hugo explained.
"Yeah, other me mentioned having more than one kid. What's she like?"
"She's not like the rest of us at the P.D.F. building. She's a witch. A crazy strong one, at that. She doesn't come out of her apartment very often. Muno's her eyes and ears throughout the whole city. She's all about getting more knowledge. And from how he's staring at you right now, I'd say she's mighty interested in you." Cindy explained.
"Is that a good or bad thing?"
The bird flew off.
Max returned his attention to Cindy. "So, this sister of yours doesn't show herself to too many people. What's the--"
Cindy's alarm went off on her phone. "Oops! Gotta head back to the office. Don't want Daddy to think I kidnapped you or anything. C'mon, let's head home!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him along.
"Alright, just one sec--gah!" "(More question dodging. There's a lot they're not open to telling me yet. My head's spinning enough as it is. I haven't even scratched the surface, it feels like. What kind of den of madness has this other me dragged me into...)" Max thought.
---
"So is your daughter always that energetic?" Max asked. Him and his older counterpart were going up an elevator.
"She doesn't have an off switch. 'Bouncy' would be an understatement. You lucked out that she didn't go on one of her rambles. If she finds a topic she's into, she'll let you know how much she knows about it."
"And how long do those tend to go for?"
"Well, we started up Endgame one time, and when we got to the scene of Tony Stark and Nebula drifting in the ship, Cindy went into hypotheticals about what it'd be like to be stranded in the middle of space. That lasted until about thirty minutes after 'I am Iron Man'. So...that long."
"Remind me never to see an MCU film with her. Least that still exists here."
"Is 'Thor: The Dark World' still a beloved classic where you're from?"
"It never was."
"I'm joking. That movie's asinine in any universe."
The two stood around. "How many floors are in this place, anyway?"
"Ninety-seven. Ninety-five is where we're headed. The P.D.F. oversight department. Basically, you break the rules, you have to answer to the lady upstairs."
"What are you throwing the book at me already?"
"Nope. Here's where the person I trust more than anyone else works. I take it from your farewell that you've got someone like that, too."
The elevator stopped. "(He's already introduced me to his wife, so...wait. Does he have a...?)" Max thought.
"Afternoon, ladies and germs." Commander Max greeted the department workers.
"Good day, Commander. Judge O'Donnell is in her office." one woman responded.
"I wouldn't expect her not to be."
"'Judge' O'Donnell?" Max pondered.
The two walked into a large office, with law texts lining the shelves in the back, the P.D.F. emblem featured predominantly on banners hanging from the ceiling. The Scales of Justice sat on a desk lined with paperwork.
Max felt a chill in the air. "Brrr...someone a fan of the AC?"
"That's not the air conditioner, kid."
The office's occupant picked her head up from her paperwork. "There you are. Enjoy your little cross-dimensional errand?"
The woman had long silver hair, and wore a navy P.D.F. uniform, though her jacket possessed fur on the collar, and reached down to just above her knees. She wore similarly navy pants and heeled boots, along with leather gloves.
"It was alright, I guess. Probably not as fun as whatever you're doing." the commander replied.
"Oh yeah, writing up an instructor for gluing a trainee's water bottle to his locker. Exactly what an enthralling day should be."
"Sure sounds like it."
"So is this the, ah...other you that you've brought along?"
"You can tell, right? It's like we're connected." The commander put his face up against Max's.
"It really isn't." Max deadpanned.
"It totally is. Kid, this is--"
"Barbara. It's Barbara, right?"
"Smart kid. You'd be right. It's Bobbi to most. Welcome to the home of the craziness. Max, could you give us a minute?" the woman said.
"Sure." Both Maxes replied.
"I meant Max O'Donnell."
"We're both, we're both--" the older Max replied.
"I mean, I'm technically not anymore--" the younger added.
"Old man! My brother! Keep yourself occupied!" Bobbi griped.
"Right, on it! I've got some...commander business to attend to." Commander Max exited.
"Please, have a seat."
Max did as directed.
"I'd like to formally welcome you to our New York headquarters. As the head of employee conduct and disciplinary practice, I'd like to ask. Do you know exactly what you've signed up for?"
"I didn't exactly sign up for it. Your brother volunteered me so I wouldn't be banished or executed."
"I understand that you're not here under the best of circumstances. But I and the rest of my family here still expect you to act as a proper agent of the P.D.F. would. Has my brother told you what it is we do here?"
"Just that you fight aliens."
"That actually takes up a small part of our duties. Most of the threats we deal with are earthly in origin. Magical extremists who reject technology, criminal organizations trying to undermine us, things like that. Only occasionally do we have the odd extraterrestrial trying to stir up trouble. Most of the planets we've made contact with are on peaceful terms with us."
"So is talking with these other planets part of the job description, too?"
"If the situation calls for it. We have trade and defense agreements with several other races. Contact usually only comes once in a blue moon. Your duties will primarily involve peacekeeping patrols and the like. New York is our primary area of operation, but if any other branch calls for help, it's our duty to assist. We serve the world. The people of Earth look up to us as their protectors, and we're expected to act as such. Otherwise...you'll be sitting across from me in this office. And I won't be as pleasant as I'm being right now."
"So I take it that you're judge, jury and...executioner?"
"Only if I get pushed beyond reason. I don't expect us to have any major issues, but if it comes to it..." Cold air started to gather in Bobbi's hand, and an axe made entirely out of ice formed. She grasped it with both hands. "I can be your best friend here, or your worst enemy. Anyone that's broken the rules in the past can tell you that the latter is not someone you want to be. Got that?"
"Got it. You are *definitely* not my Barbara."
"What is your Barbara like? I'm curious."
"Well...she's definitely not someone that 'dispenses justice', or what have you. She hates fighting. The idea of hurting someone makes her sick."
"I'm definitely not her, then."
"She's the most kindhearted girl you could ever meet. She's an actress, a dancer, and the most beautiful singer. Not much of a cook, though. I'm the one that got my mom's genes in that department."
"All topsy-turvy from here. I wouldn't call myself the next Bobby Flay, but at least I haven't burned down half the kitchen trying to figure out an air fryer."
"How the--they're the easiest thing to use!"
"You'd think the man with an engineering degree would have zero trouble with a normal kitchen appliance, and yet..."
"Yeah, that sounds familiar. My Barb nearly blew up our professor's kitchen trying to cut up a fish." Max slumped in his chair. "I screwed up bad. I didn't see her for over a year. Then when we reunited, we went our separate ways almost right after. I promised her that I'd go see her theater production in LA before Christmas. Then we'd all spend Christmas together in Tokyo. I could just see the look in her eyes when I told her I had to leave again. Heartbroken would be putting it lightly."
"Joined at the hip since birth, huh? Getting super worried when you're separated for too long and doing everything to protect her because that's what a good big brother does."
"Least you two understand--wait, *big* brother? HE'S the older one?!"
"You mean you aren't?"
"No! I was born second, and she NEVER lets me forget it!"
"Join the club. Sometimes he forgets that I'm a grown woman who's *very* capable of defending herself. I appreciate the thoughtfulness, but it's not like we're kids walking down the street past the high school thugs looking for easy targets. I'm okay with it mainly because we've done and experienced everything together. You'll see, this is just one more obstacle to get through. As long as you're a team player. Because the other option is a kind of frostbite you won't be forgetting."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"One last thing before we're done. If you happen to see a raven flying around, and you notice it looking at you strangely..."
"I've seen it already. It's your niece's eyes and ears. What's the deal with her, anyway?"
"She doesn't mean any harm by it. She's always been obsessed with learning more and more. And as she's gotten older, she's become more of a recluse. Muno is how she stays up to date with everything."
"Other Me and the kooky engineer girl were being a bit dodgy about talking about her. Like I haven't even gotten her name."
"Her name is Emily. She's an exceptionally proficient witch. When it comes to talking to the rest of the family, though, she's definitely evasive. Her public appearances have fallen off over the years. If she does come out of her room, it has to be a legitimate threat. Her and Max's relationship is...complicated. He tries so hard to include her in holidays and big public events, but it's a coin flip if she actually shows up or not. Don't even get me started with how she gets on with Letty. And poor Cindy reveres her. You've seen Hugo, right? She built him so she'd have something like Muno. To try to be closer to her sister. But Emily isn't what I would call reciprocative."
"Why's it so tense? Is it cuz something happened to her mom?"
Bobbi went silent. "...it's not my place to talk about it."
"Yeah. Fair enough. I've only been in this universe for less than a day. Can't expect all the answers. Thanks for the hospitality. And the informative, yet mildly threatening talk. Guess I'll go back to the grand tour."
"Smart decisions, Mr. Jadefang. I don't want you sitting in this chair again."
"('Smart decisions'. Where have I heard that before?)"
"I'm always telling people, I think Bobbi went for this position since it lets her have a tiny hammer to hit people with--" Commander Max spoke to one secretary, while playing around with a gavel.
"Yo, bossman. I'm done with your sister...threatening me? I couldn't tell." Max walked past.
"That's Bobbi for you. She can seem so pleasant, but when you read between the lines, she's letting you know she's no one to be messed with."
"And the Frost Queen is absolutely *no one* to be messed with." one secretary chimed in.
"Hope that you don't have to learn why, Starbolt."
"Yeah. Nothing like my Barbara." Max commented.
---
"Ta-da~! Your home away from home!" Cindy chimed.
Inside of an apartment building adjacent to the P.D.F. headquarters, Max walked into his housing accommodations. It was a two-bedroom apartment with all the modern necessities, though it still possessed an air of advancement beyond what he'd seen.
"So how am I gonna be powering all this? Do I zap something and it just keeps everything on?" Max questioned.
"No, silly. Everything's powered by generators. *Those* generators are what's powered by magic. They're fully charged and maintained by a dedicated team every couple of weeks. The little sparky spells everyone knows are usually for portable phone charging. It'd get kinda annoying if everyone had to be their own generator all the time." Cindy answered.
"Well that's good. I've always been taught to keep my fingers out of the outlet."
Max went to one of the bedrooms, and dropped his bag on the bed. He sighed.
"I know it's a little low on personality right now, but I can lend a hand on that! I'm an expert home designer!" Cindy proudly declared.
"I believe the word you're looking for is 'chaotic', Lady Cynthia." Hugo chimed.
"It's alright. I don't need a whole lot to get by." Max opened up his bag, and took out a familiar red doll, placing it on the nightstand next to the bed.
"Ooh, I've seen those before on Japan trips!" Cindy exclaimed.
"You've been to Japan?"
"Mmhmm! We're close friends with the Tokyo branch of the P.D.F. I've been there a bunch of times. And there's this guy, ahehe..." Cindy blushed. "A-anyway, I know what these are called, they're--"
"They are called daruma dolls. Symbols of encouragement and good fortune for the people of Japan. Based off of the appearance of Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism and alleged forefather of the Shaolin martial arts." Hugo dictated.
"The birdbrain has internet. Great." Max uttered. "Is he just for research, or...does he look up other things?"
"What are you suggesting?"
"I dunno. Shiny bird like you has to be on the market for a mate, right?"
"Are you saying that I'm using Lady Cynthia's programming to try to hook up with other birds?!"
"I didn't say that. You did."
"D-don't believe this slander, Lady Cynthia! I would never--"
"So what's the story of this little guy? Has to be mighty important if you brought him." Cindy was holding up the daruma.
"Did you not hear a word of that?!"
"This little guy..." Max began. "Was a gift from my girlfriend. Her grandmother gave it to her to give to someone she wanted to spend her life with. So she gave it to me. For encouragement. I've been through so much with this girl already, and it felt like I was finally gonna get a peaceful moment to be with her and that be that." He sighed. "But I learned a long time ago that there's always a 'but'. So if I'm gonna be away from her for a long time, I want to at least have something to remind me of what I need to get back to."
"Awww, I just love lovey-dovey things like that! That tears it! I'm gonna make it my personal mission to get you back home ASAP! Love can't be denied, not even by the walls of time and space!" Cindy proclaimed.
"I doubt he realizes what he's just signed up for..." Hugo uttered.
"Okay, I'm gonna let you unpack and unwind! Mommy and Daddy are having dinner at their place a couple floors up, room 79! I'm right down the hall in 57 if you need anything! Toodles~!" Cindy bounded out with her robotic companion following close behind.
"I've never seen a girl with that kind of energy. To think she's built up half of this city with her tech. And she's only twenty. I think Care's got some competition." 
Max looked out the window, at the advanced buildings and the ships cruising through the New York sky. It was beginning to sink in, just how far from his mother's cozy Tulsa home he was. He sat down on his bed.
"Super geniuses, birds flying around spying on people, frost queens dispatching justice...and it's only Day One. I haven't even touched this family's inner workings and drama, have I?"
He layed down on the bed to get some rest before dinner, having no idea just how correct his assertion was.
---
Hours later, Max was looking at a shelf that was covered with an assortment of family photos. "Heck of a big family you've got, old man. They all work for P.D.F.?"
"Most of 'em do. The one niece is in Japan visiting her girlfriend. The other one's out at sea. Both should be back before week's end." Commander Max replied.
"Nieces, huh? Are they Barb--Bobbi's kids?"
"The one out at sea is, yeah. The other one...it's a bit complicated."
"Yeah, what isn't in this place?" Max mumbled.
Letty walked in. "Okay, people, dinner's all ready."
"Music to my eardrums." Commander Max responded.
"Yay~!" Cindy sprang up from the couch, putting down her game console.
"Hey..." Letty whispered to her husband. "Is she coming?"
"You already know the answer to that." the commander replied.
"You know I have to ask. More food for us, I suppose. Better to avoid a night of needless tension."
"Letty..."
"I know, she's a grown woman and can come and go as she pleases. I've accepted that she'll never see eye-to-eye with me. She made that perfectly clear when she was five. It would just make things a lot less awkward."
"So, um..." Cindy interjected. "I guess Emmy's not coming tonight either, huh?"
"Doesn't look like it, sprite. Don't let it get you down." Commander Max replied.
"Nah, it's fine. I'm used to it."
"Lady Cynthia, the probability that you are being facetious is 92%--" Hugo chimed. Cindy pressed her finger down on his head. "BZZBBZZZT."
"(Profound awkwardness. You're soaking in it, Maxie.)" Max thought.
Everybody sat down at the dinner table. "Okay, so while we dig in...you don't mind some more questions, do ya?" Commander Max asked.
"Come now, dear, he's been answering questions all day." Letty responded.
"No no, it's fine. I'm an open book." Max replied.
"Alright, so...'Jadefang'. I've been curious about that. There any good reason for changing it, outside of it sounding cool?" the commander asked.
"It's my mom's name. She changed it back after she left my dad. Me and my sister changed it after we turned eighteen."
"I'm gonna take a shot in the dark and say that your old man isn't an upstanding person."
"Understatement of the millennium. He was scum. I could spend all night talking about how much he destroyed me from the inside out. It's not something I enjoy talking about."
"Yeah no, totally get it. My old man was a bit rough around the edges, too."
"Did he ever tie you to a tree and leave you overnight in the freezing cold because you accidentally knocked his beer over?"
"....." Everyone else was quiet.
"Ah...why don't we talk about something a little less morbid?" Letty suggested.
"Please, let's." Max replied.
A knock echoed out. "Who could that be?" Letty questioned.
"I've got it." Commander Max got up and opened the door. "...!"
The younger Max listened in. He could hear a woman's voice, speaking with what sounded like a Mid-Atlantic accent.
"...alright, come on in." the commander said. He walked back into the dining room. "Hey, Starbolt. Someone wants to talk. She's in the living room."
"To *me*?" Max questioned.
"Is it Emmy?! Did she actually come?!" Cindy excitedly asked.
"Don't leap out of your seat, sprite. You know how she is. She's probably gonna chat, and then head home." the commander responded.
"...aww." Cindy slid back in her seat.
"She's not one to beat around the bush. A bit of advice, Mr. Jadefang. She knows more than you think she does. Be mindful of that when you're talking to her." Letty cautioned.
"Noted." "(You don't sound terrified of her at all.)" Max thought. 
He went over to the living room. "Huh?"
Standing by the door was a woman, covered up by a black hooded cloak, with gold trim. "Good evening to you, Max Jadefang. A word, if you don't mind?"
"(So this is the old man's daughter, huh? Guess the aesthetic fits for a witch. What's with the accent, though?)" Max thought. "So you know who I am."
"There's very little I don't know." A raven flew in from behind the woman, perching close to her. Max recognized it as the same bird that was observing him earlier.
"You gonna play the witch's covenant role for this? Have to tell you, where I'm from, people in hoods with ominous sayings don't exactly rub us right."
"Alright. For the interest of comfort."
The woman snapped her fingers, and the cloak dissolved away. Underneath, she wore a black button-down blouse, a long black skirt, and black-and-gold heeled boots. Transparent, gray sleeves covered her arms, extending around the bottoms of her middle fingers. Her nails were painted black.
What made Max do a double-take, however, was her hair. Long, and black as the night sky. Two pink streaks lined the sides of her hair.
"Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Emily Lunaria O'Donnell, the Arch-Witch of this reality. It's a pleasure."
"That hair...no way. You have to be kidding." Max uttered. "(Now that I think about it, the old man was awful curious about Kat's hairstyle when he first showed up. Now I know why.)"
"Does this hair strike you as familiar, Mr. Jadefang? Reminds you of the girl who gave you that scar, perhaps?"
"...! How do you--"
"Please, have a seat. We have much to discuss." Emily took notice of the trio of the older Max, Letty and Cindy peering in from the next room. Dark energy emanated from her hand, and she made a motion, causing bricks to suddenly appear and stack all the way up until their access was blocked off. "Alone."
"Hey!" Cindy griped.
"You'd better take this down before you leave!" Commander Max joined in.
Emily sat down on the couch, not responding to her family's complaints. Her crow perched just next to her. Max sat on the recliner.
"So...Arch-Witch, is that what you called it? I'm guessing 'Sorcerer Supreme' and 'Master of the Mystic Arts' were already taken?" Max questioned.
"Cute. You share my father's sense of humor, at least. But from what Muno's told me, your origins and actions have a much darker tone to them. That's what piques my curiosity."
"Curious enough to come see me yourself when all reports tell me you're something of a shut-in."
"Heh. Who was it that told you that? My father? Or perhaps his mistress?"
"You mean his wife?"
"If that's what he wants to call it. Where my mother comes from, marriage is a sacred, eternal bond, sealed with a unifying spell that ties people together for all time. Nothing my father does will ever change who his first professed love was."
"I know I've only been here less than a day, but Ms. Letty seems like a nice enough lady. Don't you think you're being a bit harsh?"
"No. Not in the least. Violet is fully aware of my feelings on the matter. But this isn't about me, Mr. Jadefang. When I catch wind that someone has entered from another reality, and that someone happens to be an alternate version of my father, I'm naturally going to be curious. And from what my feathered companion here has told me, you have quite a few skeletons buried deep within. Skeletons that I'm sure my father isn't aware of."
"How much do you know?"
"Quite a bit, 'Captain Thunder'. How your plan to become a superhero involved forcefully converting people into ideal versions of themselves, and increasing your friends' fame and notoriety in order to prop yourself up. And only because those same friends stood against you were you brought to your senses. And how in spite of all of that, they've allowed you to rebuild your life, along with a woman who you controlled, yet somehow found it in her heart to not only forgive you, but profess her love for you."
"You feel like writing my biography? We could sell it to a streaming service and make a killing."
"What struck me about everything I've learned about you is your potential. One half of you greatly resembles my father's heroic inclinations. Yet there's a part of you that is far more cunning and ruthless. A vengeful side that firmly believes that evil must be dealt with in a swift and, dare I say, brutal fashion. You are equal parts fascinating...and dangerous."
"You're sounding a lot like the people that shipped me to this universe in the first place. Are you here to kill me?"
"Of course not. I'm here to assess you for myself. Not much about you suggests that you pose any immediate threat. For all the issues that I have with my father, I can acknowledge that he is noble in his intentions. Often to a fault. If he believes that you are to be trusted at the moment, then I have no reason to tell him otherwise. There is a belief amongst my mother's coven, that the essence of oneself can be discovered when they've gone far from home. Being outside of your zone of comfort forces you to adapt. Muno sensed your misgivings and fear about being away from the people you love. But I would take this as a trial for you to overcome."
"You've got one weird as hell bird, if you don't mind me saying."
"Aha. I've heard far worse." Emily produced a business card from thin air. "My address is across town. Contrary to what certain others might think, I'm not as unapproachable as I come across as. If any supernatural matters beyond your understanding should arise, my doors are open." She motioned, and the bricks disappeared. "And now, I must bid you adieu."
"Wait, Emmy!" Cindy appeared. "Can't you stay around for a little bit? I haven't seen you in a while..."
"Sorry. Some other time, maybe."
Cindy was noticeably hurt.
"...like lunch tomorrow, perhaps."
Cindy immediately lit up. She ran over and hugged her sister. "Yay~!"
"You're hugging me."
"I'll get you the deets in a little bit! Yaaay~!" Cindy bounded back into the dining room.
"(How the hell are those two related?)" Max thought.
"In any case, I'll be on my way. Be forewarned, Mr. Jadefang. The threats here are numerous, and unlike anything you've faced before. Tread carefully. Good luck to you. I'm intrigued to find out just what kind of Max O'Donnell you really are." Emily snapped her fingers, and her cloak reappeared. Her crow perched on her shoulder, and she exited the apartment.
Commander Max peered in. "So she just up and left, huh?"
"She knows how to put on the charm, old man. Someday you're gonna have to tell me what the deal is between you and her."
"Someday, maybe. All I'll say for now is that I don't blame her for it. C'mon, while your dinner's still warm."
"Sure, sure." "(I thought I was getting Kat's twin for a minute there. The way she talks, though...it's like Kat and Professor Kubo got fused together. What a day. All I know is, I haven't seen the last of Emily Lunaria O'Donnell. Not by a longshot.)"
Outside of the apartment building, directly across the street, Emily stood on a rooftop, looking up to where she'd just been. "What's that look for?"
"Caw."
"It's not that weird to be intrigued by someone. Not just him, though. Those two women you told me about. Kit So-yin and Ringo Kubo...I'll admit, I'm curious. I have a distinct feeling that something astounding will happen so long as I stay close to that boy. Maybe he's the missing piece to putting some of our open threads to bed. We shall see, indeed...what kind of Max O'Donnell you are..."