Worm: Friends From Other Places

Sorry for taking so long, had a busy few months. Anyways! Enjoy!

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Chapter 2

Taylor looked at the capes who surrounded her.

A sense of pure awe and wonder washed over her as she gazed at the capes that had been summoned by her newly triggered powers.

She could feel a powerful connection in her that connected her to them and an inexplicable assurance that they were there for her, to protect her, to help her.

It wasn't just Homelander's comforting warmth or the all-consuming power radiating from Alastor. It wasn't just Sukuna's cheeky confidence mocking every possible form of danger that lurked. And it was more than Deku's sincere promise of hope and protection.

She knew who they were.

What they are.

And what they are capable of.

The crowd remained silent, too stunned by the strange spectacle before them to react.

Emma, Sophia, and Madison - the trio who'd taken sadistic pleasure in tormenting Taylor - could only quake in terror at the raw power radiating from these capes.

They stood rooted, unable to move an inch.

She looked down at the flute in her hands, now perfectly intact as if it had never been broken.

Her power had chosen these capes, had reached out across worlds, across dimensions, seeking assistance, seeking relief.

And it found them.

"There are thousands of ways for me to make your souls scream in agony~ I'm curious to hear what sounds your mortal bodies will make as I tear apart your very existence~!" The overlord of hell smiled all the while as he said this, the shadows beginning to distort around him.

Everyone, sans the king of curses, shuddered and backed away at the way he said it as if he was talking about something as mundane as the weather.

The bitches three were especially shaking as they felt their very souls screamed at them to run as their very shadows painfully wrapped around them instantaneously. Chaining their arms and legs in place so they couldn't escape or struggle, while a bit of their shadows blocked their mouths before they could scream out for help.

"Hmpf!?!?"

The two heroes of their little group looked at the sinner in alarm. Finding what the overlord was about to do was more than a little over the top for punishing the three high school bullies.

The sorcerer, who was beside her, found it absolutely hilarious.

Taylor looked up from her mother's flute with her eyes wide as she tried to stop him before he did something impossible to take back. Even if her bullies maybe deserved it, it was still a step too far for her taste.

"N-No wai—"

Before she could even take a single blink two figures blurred and appeared in front of and beside the demon before he could do anything to her bullies. One was covered in green and red lighting while the other simply appeared as a red and blue blur to the human eye.

"H-Holy shit! I didn't even see them move!" Someone from within the crowd whispered but it came out as more of a scream than anything else.

Homelander, his eyes glowing with a threatening radiance, put his hand on Alastor's shoulder. Stopping him from enacting his threats on the trembling girls.

"I think that's too much, don't you? A little dramatic for some teenagers," he chided, his tone both stoic and menacing as he tightened his grip on the demon's shoulder.

Alastor let out an amused chuckle at him but didn't push back.

Deku, who was exuding an aura of calm, was in front of the girls with his eyes focused on the overlord.

"People make mistakes," he said softly, his gaze intent on Alastor. "Let's try to help right their wrongs instead of causing more harm, please?"

The crowd held its breath as the powerful capes locked eyes, especially Sophia who looked as if something shook within her very being. There was an undeniable tension in the air. A power clash that could easily ignite a ferocious conflict was culminating before their very eyes.

The sheer energy pulsating through the room was so thick it could be sliced with a knife. Helplessness consumed the crowd of students while they observed what seemed like the setup of a battle royale between very powerful capes.

Emma and her two friends were particularly horrified thinking they were going to become collateral damage at any moment. They could feel the shadows that bound them were more than capable of tearing them apart with ease.

Taylor noticed Madison in particular was already crying her eyes out as a hot streak of tears fell down her terrified eyes, more than likely regretting her choices in life that led up to this moment.

Alastor's amused gaze lingered on Homelander and Deku for a moment longer before he broke into a broad smile again, an unsettling sight considering his last decree of soul-decimating torture.

"Such cute idealism," he chuckled, indicating Deku with a wave of his microphone staff. He then turned towards Homelander, "And such precipitous heroism..."

Ignoring the lethal glint in Homelander's eyes as though it meant nothing at all, he backed away but not without adding his last two cents.

"Your gallantry is sweet but rather misplaced. It's not a 'little dramatic' when they were sadistically snuffing out the light of a beautifully spirited girl. Yet, I see your point, messieurs, but only if Taylor requests, I shall comply."

With his statement echoing in the room, Alastor smoothly pivoted on his heel and strolled away from the bullies as if nothing had happened, the swirling shadows obediently retracting around him. The girls fell down onto the floor like puppets whose strings were cut, trembling all the while.

His departure was marked by his lighthearted humming that gave an unwelcome contrast to his earlier threat.

The demon locked eyes with her, making her shudder despite knowing he would not her.

"Well, darling~? Do you wish for me to leave your little bullies in one piece?"

She couldn't nod her head fast enough, getting an amused laugh from him.

"Haha! Very well~"

The crowd slowly started breathing again after watching the confrontation airily diffuse into nothing more than mere words. A ripple of confusion stirred through them before whispers gradually began buzzing in the corridors.

Emma and her friends were left shivering in their fear-induced paralysis as they watched this spectacle unfold with helpless terror.

Taylor watched as Deku kneeled down beside them, checking them over in concern and giving them comforting words despite knowing what they did to her.

Sukuna leaned back on his heels and watched Alastor's departure with unrestrained amusement. He turned to Homelander and Deku with a playful smirk, "You guys are going to be difficult about this aren't you?"

The curse got a resolute nod from the two heroes, getting him to chuckle before shaking his head.

He moved towards Taylor and bent down slightly to be at her eye level.

"If they do that bullying shit again while I'm here, they'll wish red over there got to them first." His voice held an unapologetic warning that made it clear that he wasn't prone to being as understanding or forgiving as his fellow companions.

She shakily nodded her head, not finding anything wrong with what he sai-

"THE PRT HAS YOU SURROUNDED!"

A loud voice echoed through the air, pausing all mutterings within the crowd. The students looked around in terror, eyes focusing on the glass windows falling on the large, armored vehicles that were now surrounding the school.

Someone must've called them during the chaos.

Armed soldiers emerged against the backdrop with weapons that looked like they had come straight from another world. They were quick to order the students to back the hell away and get the fuck out of the area.

Some listened, but most didn't.

Panic surged first, then froze in silence as an army of PRT squads streamed into the hallway wielding weapons that were aimed at the four capes. Students instinctively backed away from them, flattening themselves against walls while shock still painted their faces.

Everything had escalated quickly, too quickly for anyone to comprehend fully.

The PRT had been specifically established for dealing with parahumans - people with powers or capes as they were often called. They were trained to handle situations like this but ironically, they found themselves quite shocked by what they stumbled upon.

Alastor's amused laughter broke the panicked silence again. He didn't seem at all perturbed by the PRT forces amassing around them, only finding the whole situation entertaining.

The one leading was clad in an armored suit, who many knew as Armsmaster, swiftly sized up the situation, his gaze lingering on Alastor and Sukuna with suspicion before it settled on Homelander and Deku. He took a step forward towards them, managing to collect himself despite the palpable power in the air that surrounded the four capes.

"In accordance with Parahuman Response Act Section 9, I hereby declare an immediate surrender of all parties involved," he announced in a loud and clear voice.

Homelander seemed about to respond when Sukuna interrupted, "Sorry to break it to you officer but we ain't exactly your run-of-the-mill parahumans."

This got him a glare from the caped hero which he returned with a smug smirk.

Deku stepped forward amidst surprised gasps and bewildered murmurs from the crowd. Even in front of a fleet of heavily armed officers, he remained calm despite the tensing of his shoulders, troubled by their sudden appearance.

"We really don't want any trouble," Deku began, his eyes fixed on the armored man as he walked closer to him. "We're just here to help Ta-."

He stopped before he could take another step as every single gun was now aimed at him.

"Stay where you are!"

Taylor watched in silent shock as more PRT forces arrived on the scene. She thought their intimidating presence would make the four capes consider backing off. However, it was clear from their relaxed demeanor and Sukuna's smirk that they were completely unperturbed.

Soldiers breached into the school, demanding everybody stay still for their safety as they aimed their guns at the four capes… and noticed some were pointing at her…

Why were they pointing their guns at her!?

Alastor merely waved a dismissive hand in their direction, still chuckling to himself while Deku positioned himself defensively in front of Taylor, causing her to blush as his arm gently pulled her back behind him.

Homelander stood their ground, taking up a ready stance as well, and flashed the soldiers a warning look, ready to intervene if necessary.

"Tell your men to stand down and lower their weapons," he called out to Armsmaster, never breaking eye contact.

One soldier stepped forward, someone of rank based on his ornamented uniform. Without acknowledging Homelander's words, he pointed his weapons towards her.

This caused her four capes to quickly lose their relaxed attitude which everyone who had eyes noticed.

"We were ordered to detain the new parahuman and take them to headquarters, comply, or be taken by force."

Deku shifted uncomfortably as Homelander let out an annoyed sigh while Alastor's staff only laughed louder, and Sukuna simply rolled his eyes.

Armsmaster breathed out a sigh, his grip around his weapon tightening in irritation at the soldier who spoke out of line.

"Is that a threat?" The caped hero asked as his eyes narrowed at the uniformed soldier. He took a step forward, his immense stature causing more than a few soldiers to flinch back.

In an instant, the tension in the room spiked exponentially, every pair of eyes flitting nervously between the capes and the PRT forces. There seemed to be a silent standoff happening, one where no words were spoken but threats were subtly implied.

Even in the midst of utter chaos, Alastor's cane echoed in the unnerving quietude. Sukuna shrugged casually when Armsmaster turned his gaze on him as if this was just another tedious task he had to deal with.

"I highly suggest you revise your plan," remarked Sukuna, his carefree demeanor not matching the dread that was slowly coiling around them. "Or else it won't end well for you or your men."

It was not a threat; rather it sounded more like an answer to how things could go awry if provoked unnecessarily. Armsmaster's stern gaze swept across them once more before meeting Homelander's challenging stare again.

Taylor found herself holding her breath and gripping Deku's jacket tightly. She felt an undeniable urge to somehow defuse this volatile situation as paranoia took over her rational thoughts of what was about to happen if she didn't.

Deku pulled Taylor further behind him and tightened his hold subtly, attempting to reassure her while never tearing his gaze away from their potential opponents.

Before anything could escalate beyond control, Armsmaster who had his hand on his helmet locked his visored eyes with hers causing her to freeze.

"Taylor Herbert! Your powers summoned them, correct? Tell them to stand down before they do something that you'll regret!"

Taylor had one question screaming in her mind as everyone, and she did mean EVERYONE looked at her with bated breath, wondering what she'd do.

WHY HER!?!?