Outsider Chronicles: Empress of Escalation

Isekai. A Genre I love to bits and one of the few that I would quite happily jump into with both feet. However, I don't care what kind of god killing powers I get out of it, finding myself as Taylor Hebert following a close encounter with the back of a locker is NOT what I had in mind!

And we're back. Nothing really to say here, so lets get started. Enjoy!

Chapter 11

A couple of days after the Dragonslayer fight, I found myself being cornered by Vicky along with Buffy between classes.

"Alright guys, since I know my sister, I'm willing to bet that you don't know that her birthdays coming up soon, do you?" she asked.
Buffy and I glanced at each other.

"No, but to be fair, we haven't known each other for that long," I said.

Vicky snorted.

"Thats not an excuse," she said, "Anyway, since I don't want to see her mope around and ignore it again this year, I was thinking that we could have a little get together. Just you two over for dinner, since Amy really doesn't like big parties. Sound good?"

Buffy twitched slightly.

"Um, I...don't think that'll be such a good idea," she said, "I mean, I don't have a problem with it, but my folks...well, lets just say they don't like heroes much."

She scowled.

"Well, to be specific, they don't think that the PRT or New Wave are the heroes…"

Vicky fixed Buffy with a sharp look that I suspect she learned from her Mother.

"Your Parents are Empire," she said.

"My Aunt and Uncle actually, but yes," said Buffy, "And no, before you ask, I don't believe a word of the crap they spew. I used to, but its amazing what talking to people and getting a proper look at how the world works can do for you."

For a moment, the two blondes stared each other down, before Vicky smiled.

"Good, I'd hate to find out I busted one of my sisters friends," she said, getting a stifled wince from Buffy, "What about you Taylor?"

I turned my attention back to Vicky, putting the wince aside for now.

"Sure, I'd be happy to," I said, "When did you have in mind?"

"Well, Amy's birthday is on Saturday, so does then work?" she asked.

"Sure," I said, "I'll have to check with Dad, but I doubt he'll mind."

Vicky grinned.

"Great, in that case, I should get going," she said as the bell rang, "See you guys later!"

She zipped off down the hall, apparently not noticing as she nearly barged past some people who had to jump out of the way.

"Well, that was interesting," I said, "Lets get to class before we're late."

"Wha...hang on, thats it?!" spluttered Buffy, "I just told you have Empire connections and you don't react at all?"

I glanced back at her and raised an eyebrow.

"And should I have?" I asked, "You don't believe in their shit, right?"

Buffy still looked taken aback.

"Well no, but…"

"Then I don't really see any reason to react in any other way," I said, "Unless you want me to throw a fit and stop being your friend?"

Buffy looked rather confused for a moment, then snorted and shook her head.

"You are a very strange girl Taylor Hebert," she said.

"So I've been told, "I said, "Now come on before we're late for class."

Two days later Buffy and I hit the shops for cards and gifts. Admittedly, I was terrible at picking out gifts at the best of times and I hadn't really known Amy that long, so I'd probably end up getting a gift card or something, but I'd feel better if I at least tried. Unfortunately, I'd forgotten to keep track of the date and the nice day out was abruptly ended by a loud and dreaded sound.

For a moment, everything froze as the distinctive rise and fall of the Endbringer siren echoed around the city in a specific pattern that indicated that the attack was happening elsewhere, before the echoes of the horrible sound slowly faded away. For another moment, utter silence filled the city before things slowly started moving again. I glanced at Buffy, who was stood stock still and had gone white.

"Buffy, are you alright?" I asked.

She swallowed and glanced at me.

"Y-yeah, fine," she said, "Um, I gotta…"

She was cut off by her phone ringing. She checked the screen and gulped.

"I gonna go," she said and jogged away, answering the phone as she went.

"Good luck Buffy," I muttered, "Make sure you come back."

"Are you ever going to talk to her about that?" asked Ddraig.

"Not if I can help it," I said, "Trust me, some things are best left alone."

"If you say so."

I sighed, then jumped as my phone started buzzing in my pocket. I pulled it out and checked the screen to see it was my Dad.

"What does Dad want?" I muttered as I answered, "Hey Dad, wha…"

"DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT YOUNG LADY!"

I winced and pulled the phone away at the yell and switched hands.

"OK, first of all, ow," I said as I rubbed my other ear, "Second, you don't actually think I'd be dumb enough to run off to an Endbringer fight in my current state, do you?"

There was a moment of silence, then a sigh down the line.

"No, I guess not," he said, "Sorry Taylor, I just heard the siren and panicked."

"S'fine Dad," I said, "Don't worry, I have no intention of fighting any Endbringer that doesn't attack the Bay until I've got a lot stronger."

"I'd rather you didn't fight even if they do attack here," said Dad, "But I know better than to try and stop you. Besides, what are the chances of that?"

"Heh, yeah, what are the chances," I muttered, "Anyway, I should go. I still gotta find something for Amy. Talk to you later."

"Sure, see you later."

We hung up and I lent back against the wall with a sigh. A part of me wanted to get on my armour and run down to the PRT HQ, but I wasn't dumb enough to believe that I stood a chance against the Simurgh as I am now. I'd need my Balance Breaker at the very least.

I pushed off the wall and headed off in the direction of another bookshop to keep browsing. Its not like there was much else I could do.

The next day, the Dallon sisters skipped school. I honestly can't blame them though since, while Vicky didn't attend, Amy and the adult members of New Wave did and, even with the Simurgh being less outright destructive than her siblings, the aftermath was worse and I had no doubt that plenty of people still died, despite being evacuated to the Triage center. I made sure to call Vicky once school got out to make sure that we were still on for tomorrow.

"Oh yeah, definitely," said Vicky when I asked, "Amys in a right state right now, so having something to distract her will be a good thing. Besides, she shouldn't be this sad on her birthday."

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow then," I said.

"Will do. Bye."

I returned the goodbye and hung up, then sighed and started heading home. I still had some important stuff to do that, for once, didn't involve my mask and armour. After all, you didn't need Magic to cheer people up.

Saturday came and I headed out with a bag of gifts on my back. Dad gave me a lift across town and dropped me off near the Dallon house.

"Have a good time kiddo," he said as I hopped out of his truck, "And tell Amy happy birthday for me."

"Will do Dad," I said as I shut the door and jogged up the path to the door.

I rang the doorbell and a moment later, the door opened to reveal Carol Dallon. Now, I really don't like Brandish very much for obvious reasons, but one thing I can't deny is that the woman had presence. Her stance screamed danger, even in her business attire, and her entire demeanour projected an air of deadly competence, whether armed with a pen in the courtroom or her blazing weapons on the battlefield.

Now if only she wasn't such a bitch I might be tempted to consider her a decent role model.

The blonde lawyer, eyed me up and down with an air of mild disapproval probably directed at my slightly worn jeans and hoodie.

"So, your Taylor I take it?" she asked.

"Um, yes ma'am," I said, not really wanting to be disrespectful to a woman who could make lightsabers, "Taylor Hebert."

"Hmm," said Brandish, "Well, come in. The girls are upstairs."

"Thank you."

I stepped inside and took off my shoes as directed, then headed upstairs. It wasn't that hard to find Amy's room since both Dallon girls had nameplates on their doors, complete, rather amusingly, with their Cape symbols. I knocked on Amy's door and a moment later, it opened to reveal a grinning Vicky.

"Hey Taylor, nice timing!" she said and pulled me inside.

Amys room was...well, it was a teenage introverts room. It was actually a lot like mine, albeit with nicer furniture and a couple of large bookcases that were stuffed nearly to capacity. A bed with a checkered comforter was in one corner and a low table covered in a bedsheet was in the middle of the room, surrounded by cushions on one of which a slightly grumpy looking Amy was sat.

"Hey Taylor," she said.

"Hey Amy," I said, "Happy Birthday."

Amy pulled a face and muttered something under her breath. I ignored her as I pulled off my bag and pulled out a couple of Tupperware boxes.

"I brought cakes," I said, "I had no idea what to get you, so I decided to break out my Moms old baking stuff and see if I could still remember how to do it."

I deposited the boxes on the table and pried the tops off, revealing a chocolate cake and a number of small cupcakes of various flavours. Vicky and Amy looked between the baked goods and me with wide eyes, before Amy hesitantly took one of the cupcakes and took a bite. She let out a low groan.

"Ohhh god, I think I can live with it," she said, "This is really good!"

I grinned smugly. Mom had been an amazing cook and had taught me a lot. I haven't done much cooking and no baking at all since she'd died, but I'd decided that I didn't want to keep letting my grief get in the way, helped along by the perspective brought by the extra memories. Dad had looked a little choked up when he found me digging out the old baking supplies and Moms cookbooks, but hadn't said anything. I think the lasagne I'd made might have had something to do with that.

I sat down across from Amy as Vicky tried one of my offerings and apparently achieved a foodgasm in the background.

"So, are you alr…"

CRACK!

"OUCH!"

I yanked back my hand from the table.

"Static shock?" asked Vicky as I sucked on my finger, "Yeah, that things lethal. Amy's the only one who doesn't get shocked at least once when she touches that thing."

"I...see," I said, eyeing the 'table' with a slight amount of trepidation.

That wasn't a static shock. It was a Magical barrier designed to keep unauthorised people from touching whatever was under that sheet without permission.

"Yeah, I'm not surprised," said Vicky, "Everyone seems to get zapped by that at least once and Moms stopped touching it all together."

She huffed and floated to her feet.

"Anyway, I'ma gonna have to leave you nerds for now. I've got an essay that I need to finish or Moms gonna ground me. See ya!"

She swiped another cake and zipped out of the room, leaving Amy and I alone. There was a moments silence as I eyed the covered table, then slowly touched it again. It didn't zap me, but I could feel the power thrumming in whatever was under the tablecloth.

"Amy, what is that?" I asked.

"Huh? Oh, its something I got from my Mom," she said, "My real Mom that is. I can't get the damn thing open and no one has the keys, so I don't know why she bothered."

She pushed the old looking leather bound book that she'd been reading before I came in off the surface and removed the sheet, revealing a large steamer style trunk painted an attractive cherry red with black leather straps held on by silver rivets. A row of seven silver keyholes ran along the lid above a crest painted on the lid, consisting of a shield split into four with each quarter holding a different animal around a stylized M. A wolf, a stag, a dog and a rat, which had a large cross scrapped over it. Now that the table clothe had been removed, the entire thing was practically radiating Magic.

"Ah, so thats it," said Ddraig, making Amy jump, "I thought I recognized that Magic. have to admit, I never thought I'd see that trunk again."

"W-what the fuck?!" yelped Amy, scrabbling back slightly, "Taylor, why is your hand talking?!"

"Yes, I'd like to know that too," I growled, "What the hell Ddraig?!"

"Sorry kiddo, but I'm not sitting this one out," said the Dragon, "This is important, not just for Miss Dallon to get some closure, but also potentially to keep her from genuinely hurting someone."

"Taylor, whats going on?" asked Amy, staring at my hand with a strange look on her face, "Who is that?"

"Oh, sorry," I said, "Well, this wasn't really how I wanted this to happen, but I guess its as good a time as any."

I summoned the Boosted Gear, making my friends jump again.

"W-wait a sec, your Ddraig?" gasped Amy, then frowned, "Wait, thats not possible!" said Amy, "Your not a Parahuman!"

"Correct, shes not a Parahuman," said Ddraig, "However, there is more than one way to have powers in the Multiverse and Taylor got lucky enough to get the Boosted Gear and me, the Dragon of Domination, the Red Dragon Emperor and Welsh Dragon, Y Ddraig Goch!"

There was a moments silence as everyone stared at the Boosted Gear that was somehow radiating smug satisfaction.

"You know, modesty is a virtue," I said.

"Not for Dragons whelp," said Ddraig.

"Do you want me to bring up your other nickname? Because I will bring up your other nickname.

"Don't you fucking dare!" growled Ddraig, "I just got rid of that Ophis be-damned thing, I don't need to be reminded of it now!"

"Fine fine, but I hope you have a good explanation for all this," I said.

"Ddraig…" muttered Amy, staring at my Sacred Gear with a strange expression, "The Boosted Gear… I've heard those name before…"

"Hmm, I imagine that your Mother mentioned me and my last wielder in her journals," said Ddraig, "I also think I may have some idea as to how I came to be here, in this world."

"Wait, really?" I asked, "I thought you said you had no idea how it happened?"

"I didn't," said Ddraig, "But now I believe that I do and it has to do with Amy's Parents."

"Wait, you know who they are?" I asked.

"Indeed," said Ddraig, "They worked with Issei a number of times and Hermione even served under Lady Beelzebub in the Underworlds research division for some time. A brilliant young woman to be sure. Bloody foolish Wizards had no idea just what a gem they were tossing aside simply because she wasn't from a so-called Pure-blooded line."

"Wait, what?!" we both yelled for completely different reasons.

Ddraig completely ignored us.

"Harry on the other hand...well, he was an interesting man to put it lightly," said Ddraig, "Some people called him a hero, others a monster."

"Why?" asked Amy, looking like she didn't want to know the answer, "And what do you mean by Wizards?"

"Hmm, perhaps I should start at the beginning," said Ddraig, "Alright, my original world, and that of your Parents Amy, doesn't have Parahumans, but it does have Magic. It is a world where the Age of the Gods never ended and the mythical lives alongside the mundane."

The two of us listened with various degrees of disbelief as Ddraig gave us a brief rundown of his world and a bit of background on Amy's Parents and their origins. Apparently, they had in fact been Harry Potter and Hermione Granger from a version of the Wizarding World that was unforgivably awful and unwilling to change, to the point that another Dark Lord appeared just ten years after the defeat of Voldemort and the exact same thing happened again. The Wizengamot refused to do anything and the Death Eaters and their families, who hadn't been punished other than some 'fines' that could barely be called it, started rallying around him and targeting Mundane Humans and first generations.

Unfortunately, the idiots had decided it was a good idea to target the Longbottoms and managed to kill Neville in an attack, which lead to Harry going completely ape shit and activating his dorment Sacred Gear he apparently had, slaughtering the lot of them and leaving their bodies impaled on spires of bone. Needless to say, the Wizarding World didn't take kindly to that. The Light, hypocritical idiots that they are, accused him of going Dark for killing the racist murderers and what was left of the Dark wanted revenge for the deaths of their decent, hardworking family members who definitely couldn't be said racist murderers. It didn't help that Sacred Gears were, naturally, considered to be Dark and Evil due to being something rare and unique.

It was so bad that even some of Harry's closest friends turned on him, including the Weasleys, leaving only Hermione and Luna to remain loyal. The three of them ended up leaving the Wizarding World for the wider Mystical World and finding work as mercenaries, during which time, Harry received a reputation of being ruthlessly efficient and impaling people who pissed him off to badly on spires of bones.

"Wait, hold on, are you saying my Father is Marquis?!" spluttered Amy, cutting off Ddraig in mid explanation.

"Indeed, I believe that is the name he went by in this world," said Ddraig, "I'm not entirely sure why, but to each their own I guess."

"That...explains a lot actually," said Amy, "Marquis huh…"

She frowned slightly.

"You said that he and Mom came from another world, right?" she asked, "I'm...guessing that its not one like Aleph?"

"No, not exactly," said Ddraig, "People thing of reality as a straight line or a tree if they are aware of alternate timelines, but its closer to a forest made up of many different trees, each one different in their own way. Some are full of Magic, others, like this one, only have the bare minimum necessary for life to exist. Aleph would be another branch of this tree, while my original world would be another tree entirely. Normally, its impossible to travel between different 'trees', but sometimes the branches touch or outright intertwine. When that happens, things can pass between or even have entire worlds combine together."

"If its so hard to travel between...trees, how did my Parents and you get here?" asked Amy.

"Ah, now that is an interesting question," said Ddraig, "The truth is, I have no idea and I doubt I'll ever know. Your Mother was an uncommonly brilliant woman, almost certainly the brightest mind of her generation, Magical or otherwise. She figured out a way to bring our branch close to another reality lines branch and then hop across. It was a one way trip, but I don't think they cared anymore. They'd lost so much and their old world refused to leave them alone."

"I...see," said Amy, looking thoughtful.

I eyed my friend with a slight frown.

"Your taking this rather well," I said.

Amy glanced at me and sighed.

"Well, I've got my Moms journals and a few books from her," she said, "It mentioned some stuff I didn't understand that now makes a lot more sense."

"Fair enough," I said, "Certainly makes trying to figure out a way to prove it easier."

I sighed and dropped my arm since it was starting to ache.

"So Ddraig, do you have any idea how to get this open?" I asked, prodding the trunk with my foot.

"Without the key?" asked Ddraig, "Not a clue. It wouldn't be difficult to break the enchantments, but that would cause the expanded interiors to collapse and destroy everything inside."

"I'd rather you didn't do that," said Amy.

"I'm kinda surprised you don't have a key already," I said, "It seems kinda pointless to give you something you can't open."

"Your not kidding," said Amy, "The only good thing about this thing is that it makes a good table."

She sighed.

"Mom actually left a note in one of her journals telling me that my Dad had the keys and would give them to me when I turned eleven, but if hes Marquis, I guess that won't be happening," she said, "Magic or not, theres no way he can get out of the Birdcage..."

As if summoned by some cosmic coincidence, the moment the last word left Amy's lips, a blast of flame erupted out of thin air and a swan sized bird with crimson feathers and a golden tail appeared out of thin air with a triumphant cry.

And done. Well, that was certainly interesting. Before we get onto the closing words, I am aware that this HP thing seems to be dominating the story a little at the moment, but don't worry. Once I've finished setting it up, it will mostly become a side thing, similar to the DXD aspects of it. These first chapters can be considered the first arc, which is coming up to an end pretty soon. I have one more big event planned before we get up to the start of canon and when Taylor will really start having to fight for her life.

So, anyone not figured out who Buffy is yet? Cus Taylor clearly has.

If your wondering why Vicky didn't immediately fly off the handle at the reveal that Buffy is technically part of the Empire, its largely because she's got to know her and rather likes her. So long as shes willing to change (or has changed and is just stuck), shes willing to meet Buffy half way.

Yeah, not sending Taylor to fight Ziz. While she would actually be able to do some damage, shes just not ready. Plus, Danny would probably have a heart attack. Also, don't give him to hard a time for his overreaction, hes a Father and was genuinely worried that Taylor would run off to fight the Simurgh.

I can't find any mention of Amy's actual birthday and its not like it would actually matter anyway. Unless its relevant to the story, a characters birthday is completely arbitrary.

Quick explanation for how reality works in my verse. And yes, I do mean the entire thing. The forest metaphor applies to how the entire Outsider multiverse works.

And I think thats everything. Don't forget to leave a review and all that, PEACE!