Even more villains?

Die, hellish monster from hell!

I quickly used my hell attack on this large enemy. Honestly it's probably the hardest battle I've ever had, I know there aren't many but that has to count for something.

However…no matter how hard I try, it seems unchanging.

Still, I can't give up, if I give up here how can I fulfill my dream of being the greatest heroine on earth?

"You leave me no choice… I admit it, you are strong."

I pulled my secret weapon out of my pockets. I honestly didn't want to do it, I liked to give all my opponents a fair chance (lie), this wasn't it.

"Still, it's time to go, old rival."

"What kind of nonsense are you talking to that window?" Maddy's voice, who was lying on the couch reading what seemed to be the newspaper (Who does that anymore?), interrupted my excited speech.

"Maaaddy! Can't you see I'm in the zone right now?"

"The zone? About what exactly, cleanliness?" Urgh, kills all my fun, why not?

When Maddy told me I was grounded for not telling her I was late yesterday, cleaning our entire bedroom with a toothbrush while I had my powers disabled wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I have no idea where she got the idea from, but it's evil, if a little cartoonish. Does she secretly like cartoons? She honestly doesn't seem like the type, but she seems to have a tendency towards Gap Moe anyway. What does anything else matter?

It's the day after my fight against Whirlwind and we both have the day off today. Kind of a shame because now that I'd had my debut I was itching to talk to Peter once more, I decided to give him some space so he could call me whenever he wanted for that spar, but it's been a week now and he hasn't even deigned to talk to me in class. On Monday I'll definitely talk to him, but for now?

Let's keep cleaning, those hellish stains won't go away on their own, but this time I'll use baking soda.

A few spots and passionate speeches later and Maddy's voice rang out once again.

"Hey Rogue, you're in the newspaper."

"What?!" Not even Dispatch would let me get to Maddy as quickly as I just did right now.

"Let's see, let's see."

"Here in this box."

In a small box in the corner of the newspaper there it was. The new vigilante "Rogue" prevents a robbery at QA Jewelry by beating up six suspects who were at the scene and the criminal mutant Whirlwind. The police have not yet given details regarding the innocence or guilt of those involved, but it is known that Whirlwind is in the hospital with a contusion on the head and several broken ribs. According to rumors, the robbery was an operation by the well-known international mafia known as the Maggia that is said to be trying to expand in New York. Will this new Rogue be another of those hidden vigilantes or are we facing another "hidden threat" like Spider-Man?

"Holy Scion I'm in the paper…" I think the implications of yesterday hadn't quite sunk into my head yet, but after seeing myself there in the paper, it's clearer than ever.

I'm moving forward.

After almost 15 years of stagnation, I am finally moving forward.

When I came into this world with the goal of being someone important, it seemed like some kind of nebulous path. I tried everything during that time, to see where I could stand out, hell I even tried the cliché of writing novels and drawing manga from my world before this one, although that attempt didn't last long.

When I found out I was in the Marvel world at age 12, I knew what I had to do, but no matter how hard I tried, I never seemed to really move forward.

I learned how to fight, about weapons, first aid, I even practiced my speech for hours in front of a mirror, but even with all my preparation, I was still an unknown outcast living in a house with parents who were basically strangers.

No matter how hard I tried, no SHIELD secret agent showed up to recruit me, I didn't find any ninja around, no magician showed up to tell me about my hidden power, no telepath read about my hidden knowledge, hell I would have even appreciated if Mystic came to recruit me on the orders of her psychic girlfriend like in the original story, but even that was just a dream.

Not for lack of trying on my part definitely.

And when I saw on the news the appearance of Iron Man, the destruction of Harlem or the disaster of the Stark Expo, I knew one thing.

I was running out of time.

Soon the Avengers would be here, there would be disaster left and right, the heroes would take up all the spotlight, and I would still be here as just another spectator watching this world move forward with no intervention on my part. Could there be anything worse than that?

So the letter to the Empire State Building was a balm for my soul, an opportunity. I knew that New York was basically the center of everything in most stories, I knew that if I wanted to make a difference that would be the ideal place. My parents basically kicking me out of my house was just a way of telling myself it's now or never.

I know that going out that first night wasn't the smartest thing to do, but I had to prove to myself that it wasn't all in vain, that I could change, that I had changed.

Because if I didn't... What was I living for in the first place?

As if feeling my carousel through my memories, Maddy let me have my moment, but the moment my thoughts went a little south, she pulled me out of the most negative side of my own mind with a strong hug.

As was apparently usual at this point my head was buried in her shoulder in a way that made me feel safe. Feeling the warmth of another person like I had never felt in either of my two lives reminded me of the most important thing of all.

I've definitely changed, and that's a good thing.

A few moments of cuddling later and Maddy and I are next to each other on the couch in silence. Unlike the other times though, it's not awkward, it just…is.

"I'm sorry for breaking up like that." I ended the silence

"No problem… Do you want to talk about it?" It makes me happy to feel like there's no pressure, just a friendly invitation to let me know that she'll be there for me if I need her.

It makes me feel things in my stomach.

"There's not much to talk about, it's just… It's my dream, you know? And seeing it materialized in front of me, made me feel… happy, excited, surprised, but also nostalgic and a little sad."

"You really do follow your dreams with everything you have, don't you? I admire that about you."

That surprised me. I wouldn't say that pursuing my dreams with everything I have is a big deal when up until recently my dreams were all I had. Still, the way she says it…

"Don't you have a dream to follow too, Maddy?"

"A dream, me? ...I don't think I've ever thought about it much, maybe I came here unconsciously looking for something like that I guess, that's why I admire that you are so clear about what you want and you go after it with everything, I don't think I could do the same."

"Then I will do it with you."

Maddy's eyes widened at my words, not caring I continued.

"No matter what dream you have, I will help you with whatever I have. If you feel like you can't continue, then I will continue for you and drag you all the way if I have to. That's my promise as your best friend."

Maddy looked at me even more surprised if that was possible. Her face went through a myriad of interesting expressions before she turned her head with a snort of laughter.

"God it's so embarrassing how you can say something like that with a straight face."

"W-what?! I'm being 100% serious here you know!"

"Pff"

That just made Maddy start laughing out loud.

"That's the worst part of it all!" she said with a laugh.

"Come on! This isn't funny! Pff" I said embarrassed before simply starting to laugh.

I don't know how long we were there on that couch laughing all the time until we ran out of air, but when we finished with the good vibe definitely rooted in the atmosphere, Maddy's voice called me.

"Rogue"

"Mmm?"

"Thank you." Another one of her beautiful smiles made its way across her face leaving me frozen for a moment.

I haven't thought about it in a while, but Maddy is really beautiful.

"Always."

I replied before getting up from the couch.

"Well, it's time for me to continue with my punishment, before that… Maddy?"

"Yeah?"

"You don't constantly clean our bedroom, do you?"

"No, I'm not used to housework, although I wouldn't mind learning,"

Yeah, I figured that, which makes this even weirder.

"I haven't done it this week either, but… isn't our apartment suspiciously clean all the time?"

Yeah, it's strange that I hadn't noticed before, but while I was cleaning with the toothbrush earlier, I noticed that the apartment was oddly clean, considering how little Maddy and I actually cleaned.

Maddy looked shocked when she realized what I had said, before seemingly coming to a conclusion. She didn't look very happy.

"That lying bald bastard is going to find out…" Maddy said in a dark voice, it seems like someone is going to be in trouble soon, well I doubt Maddy will do anything too drastic, so it's not my problem.

"Rogue, forget about the punishment, I have a call to make."

"Wait, that means…"

"Do whatever you want, but let me know if you change your schedule, okay?"

"Yes!" Thank you, you unknown bald bastard, your sacrifice will be remembered by all the people I will help today.

A quick costume change, a bunch of swords left in my room, and a quick goodbye to an angry Maddy yelling about promises on the phone and I was out of the dorm ready for another day of being a hero.

This time I had a goal other than going out to be the world's greatest heroine: Go shopping.

Due to lack of materials I had the equivalent of two useless powers (Well three, but Bastard Son is useless by choice on my part). Those are Golem and Flashpoint. Flashpoint will still be kind of useless because I don't want to routinely throw Napalm at my enemies, but Golem can be pretty good if I put some time into it, mainly its Thinker aspect, sensing enemies is pretty powerful as a certain insect controller has proven in countless situations.

So yes, shopping.

I decided to go to a downtown mall flying around with my sword. People gave me some space, some recorded me, kids and teenagers pointed at me with bright eyes and others gave me more disdainful or suspicious looks, but nothing I didn't expect when I started doing this.

Hah, how difficult it is to be as famous as me.

The mall wasn't too far away, but I was considerably slower so I could help anyone along the way. By the time I got there it was already midday, but I still had plenty of sunlight left so it wasn't a problem.

I was flying around the place while eating an ice cream that a kind man gave me after helping him get his cart out of a hole, when a scream caught my attention.

"Excuse me, miss in costume!"

Is he calling me? Is this the result of my newfound fame? What is this, my first fan? It was already weird, no one approaching me as I flew through the streets this morning, but I guess this is my time.

I turned to greet my first fan, and froze.

"Do you know that you are not allowed to ride boards in the mall? Please walk like everyone else."

"Y-yeah, sorry." My fan was a security guard. A pretty brave guard I must say to see a person in a costume flying around and stop them like that.

"Damn lunatics with powers think they can do whatever they want," he muttered under his breath as he turned around.

Or I guess he doesn't give a shit.

With a slightly sad look I looked at my Hoverboard Sword. I don't want to walk around the mall with a sword in my hand, so I guess I'll have to unsummon it. It kinda sucks really, if I want to fly again I'll have to summon all 169 swords again and I don't know if it's a good idea to leave them lying around for the rest of my patrol. Oh well, I guess I'll just walk for today.

Once I had unsummoned the sword, I continued on my way. I keep attracting glances, but this time less for being clearly a person with powers and more for being disguised.

I'm not a lunatic! I have powers!, right power?!

My power simply responds to me with another star to store.

You know what power? If I just need to be a lunatic in my own mind and wish you good morning to receive new powers, I'll do it as many times as it takes.

Wait for another star.

Nothing.

Well, screw you too!

Although I don't think the faces I was making would help my case for sanity as I walked through the mall despite the grimaces I eventually arrived at my destination, a toy store.

I definitely didn't go to a toy store because I like the bright eyes of the kids every time they see me in my costume and I definitely don't pose for them no sir.

20 minutes later, $20 down, two photos, and my first signature (My first real fans! They're 8 years old, but still), I later came out with the treasure that will make Flashpoint a useful power.

A water gun.

Yes, I spent $20 on a water gun, but not only is it made of good plastic, but despite being small it has a good shooting speed and best of all, it has refillable cartridges. It was definitely worth every penny.

While before people looked at me strangely because of my costume, now definitely no one took me seriously with my water pistol on my belt, but the joke is on them, I carry a gun that basically shoots napalm on demand, if that isn't metal I don't know what is.

Next stop the hardware store.

This trip wasn't as fun as the toy store. The guy at the hardware store gave me nothing more than a raised eyebrow when I told him my order and he delivered it without any problems.

Plates made from the most common building materials used in New York. As I said before, I won't be sewing these onto my costume like Golem did with his, so while it's not ideal, I'll be keeping these plates in my tool belt and using them situationally.

Choosing which plates to purchase was as easy as doing a little Google search on the most common NYC materials.

To summarize: asphalt for the streets, concrete for the sidewalks, streets and parks, stone for some other places and brick.

I also purchased steel, aluminum, iron, and wood to be able to neutralize some of the more common weapons.

Actually, there may be too many plates and it will almost certainly be difficult to quickly choose which one to use, but luckily I have a power that allows me to have all the time in the world (one hour) to do it. Although I will definitely practice choosing plates based on how they feel so I can do it quickly, who knows when I will need it.

With my shopping done, it's time to get back to work.

I left the mall and walked around the streets for a while longer until I found a building that looked good enough.

With the power of Moonsong I created a gravity well concentrated only on myself and used it to lift myself up to the roof of the building. Naturally, the people who at first looked at me as if I was crazy in a costume dropped their jaws to the floor while pointing in my direction. Others didn't miss the opportunity to film again.

Heh, that'll teach them.

I reached the empty roof before simply summoning all 169 Lionwing swords, taking one and leaving the 168 lying back there. I'll unsummon them in a bit, what's the worst that could happen? They're basically metal sticks.

With my new Hoverboard I'm back on the streets of New York, but this time I started looking for trouble early, but even from this high up it's easier said than done. I really need a reliable way to find crimes, right now I don't have a power for that, but I'll ask Mandy if she has a way to help.

I thought it would be another day of hours of non-stop searching, but just 30 minutes later I found it.

In an alley behind an apartment complex, a woman with worn-out clothing and unkempt hair was pointing a knife at an older man who was unusually well-dressed for the area he was in. The woman was yelling something at him, but I was too far away to hear.

Quickly before disaster struck I flew at full speed using Dispatch to get closer faster, when I was at a safer distance I used Dispatch once more to search for my new steel plate.

I was above them so they didn't see me when I canceled the bubble and used the steel plate to do a quick weapons search on the woman. It seems she only had a knife unlike the gentleman who was clearly slowly moving his hands towards the revolver in his jacket pocket.

I doubt the woman was sober enough to know she was about to turn into a golf course.

Another bubble, I put away the steel plate. And I prepare to make my entrance.

I cancelled the bubble before making my usual entry.

"Stop criminal scum!"

They both froze at my shout and looked up. The woman looked as if she was seriously questioning whether she was too drugged to see and hear a flying woman clearly.

The man, on the other hand, although he stopped searching for his revolver, seemed even more alert than before. I don't know why, I'm clearly one of the good guys, but I'll deal with that later.

The woman seems to have come to a conclusion as she looked ready to take off for a run, but before she can take a single step, I use Moonsong to lift her up and float off the ground.

"H-hey, what the hell is this! Put me down right now!"

The man was clearly shocked by what had just happened and looked at me as if wondering if I did it.

Of course I didn't waste any time in bragging a little.

"You're under arrest for trying to rob that poor man over there, stay still while I call the police."

Like I said I'm a woman who learns from her mistakes. Using Moonsong to float people was the way I came up with to catch them while also leaving them completely unharmed, hell they can't even tell I laid hands on them.

Of course I have to check that they don't have a firearm or something like that first, in that case I will destroy them with Golem or use classic violence to solve the problem.

I was about to carry out my warning to call the police when the older gentleman interrupted me.

"Excuse me, Miss Vigilante."

"I prefer the term heroine, but my name is Rogue."

He made a small face, but continued.

"Yes, Miss Rogue. May I go? I'd rather not deal with the police right now and I'm late for a meeting."

Huh?

"Are you sure? If you leave, the police really won't be able to do much against this lady without your testimony."

"Yes, it really is a shame, but I really have to go and I know that talking to the police will take time that I cannot waste."

"I understand…it's okay. Don't worry sir, I won't stop you in any way."

"Thank you very much Miss Rogue for your help."

I didn't respond to his thanks, something about this man smelled rotten. He continued.

"As a way of returning the favor, take this please" The man pulled a card out of his pants pocket. It seems that what they say is true, a man in a suit always has a card.

"I am a kind of talent scout and someone with your skills can be highly sought after in certain circles, if you ever need a job please do not hesitate to contact me."

With that the man walked to the main street before continuing his walk to wherever he was going.

I released Moonsong's power on the woman after taking the knife from her and giving her a small warning. The woman quickly fled through the alleys.

I could have called the police and had her arrested for something else, I'm not a lawyer, but I doubt walking around high on drugs and carrying a knife is exactly legal in New York, but I wasn't thinking about that, no sir.

I activate a bubble.

I was thinking about the distinctly suspicious older gentleman who just handed me a business card. Look at the logo on the front. A stylized M.

Considering I stopped them recently and their constant appearances since I started my career, I can definitely put two and two together.

I quickly grabbed my steel plate, canceled the bubble, and began flying after the old man who had left a few moments ago. Using Golem to sense his peculiar revolver, it wasn't particularly difficult to find, mainly because it wasn't too far away.

I followed him through the air, using the classic superhero world rule, people never look up.

At the same time I sent a photo of the card to someone who I think might know what it means.

Rogue_BHW: u kno wut dis means???

Lady_Boss: It's the Maggia logo. Will you fight them again?

Rogue_BHW: prob yea

Lady_Boss: Be careful, they are dangerous. We will talk about them later.

Rogue_BHW: dw I ll be fine

Lady_Boss: Okay, you seem busy, talk to you later.

Rogue_BHW: c u

Yep, looks like I was right. I guess that guy I just "rescued" is going to a Maggia's meeting, I wonder what they'll talk about. Maybe I'll even find a supply place.

In any case, it will surely be interesting.

I closed the phone and followed the man through a series of streets and avenues, until he was finally picked up by a vehicle. It wasn't anything fancy or anything, but it was common as hell.

A tree to hide in the forest eh…Not bad.

I followed the car to a perfectly normal warehouse. There were people working outside and trucks with loads of what looked like cement going in and out throughout the complex. It wasn't the typical abandoned factory you'd expect from a supervillain gathering, but clearly these guys were good at hiding.

The man in the suit, his driver and what looked like some kind of bodyguard got out of the car and began walking towards the entrance of the building.

Shit, if it was a typical abandoned factory I could look through the vents like that, but they're in a fully functional one and they've entered the administrative area. That would be a lot harder when everything is sealed off to prevent the air conditioning from escaping.

As they entered the building, I knew I had to follow them to listen to the meeting, but how? A good Stranger or Breaker power would be useful right now, but even if my power were to feel especially kind and give me something right now I would only have nine powers stored.

Would I spend one of my stored powers in the hopes of gaining a power that would allow me to find out what's going on? I honestly don't think it's worth it. No, I would do it in an emergency, but for these second-rate mobsters? No way.

As if urging me to use its power, another star made its way into my warehouse.

You know, it was a bit of a joke before, but now I'm seriously considering that my power is aware of my thoughts or actions.

Still, I refuse. I guess I'll just have to make do.

First I need to check my toolbox. Let's see...

Dispatch? It doesn't work very well in closed spaces and I can't use it to go through walls, even though it looks like it.

Contend? Useless.

Gwerrus? Likewise, useless.

Golem? Not bad, in fact, I have an idea.

I opened a bubble, before pulling a concrete plate out of pockets. And using it to feel the entire building. I couldn't exactly feel anyone's feet because the floors were ceramic (I'll have to get that plate at some point), but I could feel the pressure being applied to that ceramic traveling into the concrete. The place with the most constantly changing pressure is the place with the most people.

There. A room that seemed to be on the east end of the building. Luckily on the first floor too.

I could have known by following the old man's gun, but I wouldn't have known important details like the layout of the room or that there are at least 20 people in there.

If power plays are right, the boss should arrive last, which means that the old man's arrival doesn't mean the meeting has to start. That's good, because it gives me extra time to plan, although considering that the old man mentioned a possible delay, I doubt it's much. Five minutes maybe?

I also remembered the layout of the room just in case, but while I was checking the room I noticed something strange, apart from the entrance door, it seems that there was another entrance that led to a room next to it. I couldn't sense what was in that other room, but if there was something I could sense, first that there were at least four people, second and more importantly.

There was a window wide open!

If I wanted to get into the meeting, this was my best chance. I could get into the room, knock out those people, and listen to the meeting from behind the door.

Still, having a room right in the meeting place with people inside seems terribly suspicious to me.

I should wait just in case.

Shortly afterward the old man with the gun arrived at the meeting place where he stood for a while before moving around for a while and then staying still, I guess he reached his seat.

Shortly after, the people in the other room began to move towards the meeting place as if they were waiting for the old revolver.

I think I have an idea of what's going on. The people in the other room are the boss or bosses and their followers. They're probably watching the room from a camera or something and now that Mr. Revolver has finally arrived they can make their dramatic entrance.

This is convenient.

Once I sensed they had arrived at the meeting place and stood dutifully still. I flew/bubbled my way to the open window where I was greeted by pretty much what I expected. A fancy office with an expensive chair behind a huge desk and a decidedly uncomfortable chair in front of it, I guess to scare whoever is meeting him or her, more power plays.

I walked into the room praying to God that they didn't have any super tech detectors and hoping that he didn't have security cameras in his own office. There was a laptop charger still plugged in which I assume was where he was watching the meeting. It's a shame he took it, he could have used it to watch from here or he could steal it to find out if there was anything suspicious on it.

I vanished Lionwing's sword while using Moonsong's power to move in absolute silence and proceeded to walk towards the meeting place. I slowly heard the voices until I hid behind a wall from which I could listen without being seen.

"I'm sorry for the delay, Mr. Hammerhead. I have no excuses for my lateness today, but I have some information that could be very interesting if you allow me."

"Mmm? Interesting information?"

Holy crap, it's Hammerhead, I know he's a strong guy who's an enemy of Spider-Man. Is he also a mob boss? And Mr. Revolver... If there's something interesting he has to tell, it should be him.

"Today I ran into that new "heroine" Rogue, the one who caught our boys last night and cost us Whirlwind."

That's me! I know it's not nice to have supervillains talking about me like that, but I felt like yelling that at them. Too bad I sensed the numerous guns in the room, if they catch me it's going to get pretty ugly fast.

I kept listening.

"Rogue…that girl cost us a lot of money. Martello, give me the file we have on her from what we were able to get from our spies in the police."

"Yes sir."

Uuuu let's see what they know.

"Let's see… Female, young, between 16 and 20 years old, Caucasian. Alpha mutant (I'm not one!) It is theorized that she has control over space which she uses to teleport, create barriers, control swords and to store said swords in a pocket dimension. It is also possible that she uses her power to become stronger since she knocked out our boys in one or two hits. A possible weakness is that she cannot use said power on humans and her range and power are not very high. Anything you can add to that information?"

Space control? I mean, it sounds like a pretty solid theory when you put it that way. I didn't go out of my way to give that impression, but I might do so now to throw you off the scent.

"Yes sir. The aforementioned weakness does not exist, in fact, she is perfectly capable of using her power on humans. Today a woman tried to rob me and I was "saved" by Rogue, who lifted the woman a few meters into the air, rendering her useless."

"Mmn interesting. I wonder why she didn't do it before."

It would have made the fight boring.

"Let's leave her alone for now, she seems happy playing the heroine and not attacking our facilities. Those damn vigilantes are who are holding up our expansion. Any news on the Punisher?"

"Nothing new, sir."

"Does anyone else have anything to add before we officially start the meeting?"

A small breeze passed behind me.

"Well then let's talk about our expansion plans in Que-"

Suddenly Hammerhead stopped. Everything fell into a sort of eerie silence.

What happened?

I was very curious, so I moved away from the wall a little before activating a bubble.

The bubble covered enough space towards the meeting that I could see exactly the meeting, about 20 people all drawing their own weapons, Hammerhead standing up from his chair with a frown.

And most importantly. Some kind of wild beast was running at full speed (not much in here) heading my way with its sharp fangs showing in a huge savage grin. A large amount of white fur surrounded its neck and a yellow and brown skin covered its marked muscles, tense like a rope.

A closer inspection made me realize that I recognized that beast, no, that man.

Sabertooth was here, and he was coming straight for me.

Shit.

The worst thing is that even excluding normal men with guns and Hammerhead, Wolverine's favorite enemy was not alone.

Another kind of lion-headed, winged beastman also seemed to be looking in my direction, a strange humanoid griffin species.

Double shit.

Ohh I'm pretty screwed aren't I?

As usual my power decided to respond with another star. The tenth star.

Or maybe I'm not as screwed as I thought. A smile crept across my face, definitely not the smile a cute superhero like me should have.