Have an Interlude! Some insight into Ivy's psyche and Kassandra's motivations is revealed! Hope you have fun reading! There's a poll at the end, make sure to express your opinion if you want!
"Thanks for writing the speech, Ivy. I gotta say, it's brilliant. I've… never been able to put my message into words before, so this is really helpful." Kassandra said gratefully.
"No problem, Kassandra. I'm pretty good with words." Ivy smirked.
Kassandra chuckled. "Good indeed. Anyways, I'll see you at the award ceremony tomorrow, rest up!" With that, the superhero flew out the window.
Ivy shook her head as she closed the window. "I swear, that woman is so bad at this secret identity thing. Good thing we won't be doing it much longer." Ivy touched her lip. "Hmm… my sneer is upside down… how strange." Ivy decided to ignore it.
"Oh well. Now that she's gone, let's review my plans one more time." Ivy snapped her journal into existence. See, this journal was special. Physically, it rarely exists at all, since every time Ivy's done with it, she would burn it, and every time she needs it again, she would twist it back into existence. The perfect security measure.
Flipping open the journal, Ivy perused her plans.
Step 1: Gain Kassandra's trust ✔
Step 2: Take down a major threat ✔
Step 3: Take advantage of the public's attention on us to expand the team
Step 4: Become the publicly recognized and ONLY superhero team of the USA
Step 5: Break minor laws and test how far we can push the US government
Step 6: Use public relations to pressure the US government
Step 7: Expand to become international
Step 8:
"Hmm, doing good so far. But the hard part is going to be keeping Kassandra's trust while we expand." Ivy hummed to herself. "Ah, the expressions on those stuck-up government stooges when my plan comes together… It's going to be so good." Ivy's eyes glazed over as she imagined it. Utterly decimating governments was Ivy's favourite activity, hence the whole 'taking over the world' thing. There was just something about it that made Ivy shiver with pleasure.
"Man, I should have thought of this sooner. Using public perception instead of brute force takes more time, but beating these politicians at their own game is so damn satisfying~" Ivy closed her little black book and turned on her phone, scrolling throw social media next.
It has been a day since the incident, and already, Fortuna and Ignatia are an online sensation. News outlets had been covering their 'courageous rescue' and digging up past achievements. Approval ratings were through the roof, and they had tons of fans.
"What's this…?" Ivy opened a link and read through the first few paragraphs. "!?!! What the fuck!?" Ivy quickly closed down the page, blushing bright red. "Ah! What idiot is writing fanfics shipping me and Kassandra!? The fuck do you mean I was stare at her butt while we fly around? That's NOT why I fly behind her!" Ivy tossed her phone on the bed and covered her face with her hands, bringing her knees up to her chest.
"Fucking hell… as if it wasn't bad enough in the last timeline when idiots online claimed we were quareling lovers…" Ivy groaned.
"Ah, whatever. The drama is good for keeping attention, I guess." In the end, Ivy wasn't particularly concerned. "Besides… it wouldn't be bad or anything. Kassandra…" Ivy thought about her long-time rival turned ally.
"Well, she's the only person in the world who can keep up with me… and she's not bad looking… hmm." Ivy considered it a bit more. "On the other hand, she's been a thorn in my side for so many years… but I don't really hate her." Ivy mused to herself.
"I've always wanted her as an ally… her opposition to me didn't change that. She's supremely useful and powerful… and it could be nice to have someone I can be straight with. Or, well, gay…" Ivy giggled at her own pun.
"Hmm… you know what, I'll try it. Call her over to hang out after the award ceremony. No harm in it, after all. It's not like Kassandra will drop me as a teammate or anything, so my plans are safe and sound." Ivy nodded to herself. "Alright, it's settled. Operation "Get closer to Kassandra so I can enjoy myself more" is a go!"
Taking out a lighter, Ivy lit the journal on fire and dropped it into a metal bin, watching as it burned away to nothing.
"So many new things in this timeline… so many enjoyable new things… how exciting." Ivy grinned. "Who knows… maybe I'll even find something better than conquest… Nah. No way." Ivy kicked back and turned on the TV to her other favourite activity, second only to conquering the world. Snapping a bag of chips into existence, Ivy watched with a smile as videos of cute puppies played on the screen.
Meanwhile
"Man… Ivy sure is great at this stuff," Kassandra exhaled as she flopped down on her lumpy little couch. "Damn… this thing isn't comfortable at all." She pouted at thin air, crossing her arms over her chest.
"At least I can afford an upgrade soon. Even if we set aside half the money for superhero funds, the rest is more than enough to get a better apartment and a bed that doesn't suck." She poked her sofa/bed with a finger, grimacing at how little give there was.
"New York City has seen noticeable improvements, though. Weekly death counts have dropped from 400 to just 30. Violent crime is down 70%. People can walk around without fear hanging over their heads anymore. All thanks to my ever-mysterious friend-from-the-future." Kassandra mused.
"Ivy's power is such bullshit. We've fallen into a routine now, keeping the city safe. But there's still so much violence, so much pain, in this country, not to mention the world. How long will it take to achieve my dream?" Kassandra stared at the ceiling. Some days, despite what they do every day, Kassandra can't help but wonder if she could do more. And how many were suffering because she couldn't? She cut that thought off.
"No, no, be positive. We'll get there one day. Rushing will do no good. One step at a time, Kass, one step at a time." Kassandra exhaled sharply.
"What a wild ride, though. Scientists always theorized time travel was possible, given the mysterious nature of powers, but it really is something different when you're personally affected." She folded her hands behind her head. "Still, I'm thankful. Having an experienced hero here to guide me through this is so helpful. And the speech… well, I sure couldn't have put my thoughts together that well."
Kassandra looked at the pile of papers on the coffee table. "To create a world where everyone can afford to have hope… I don't know if I can do it, Mom. But I'm going to try, and nothing will stop me. I'm going to make you proud. I swear it."
The fiery superhero closed her eyes, cutting off her sight towards the faded poster of a red-clad heroine flying on plumes of fire. The poster was titled "Never give up" and signed "Elpis". A rather simple message, but one both mother and daughter believed in wholeheartedly.
"The golden age of superheroes might be over, but my fight isn't. As long as there are still people living in despair in this world, I will not stop fighting. Until the light of hope shines on every crevice and dark corner of the world." Kassandra quietly recited the final line of her upcoming speech. "Now… what to do about that team name…" Kassandra turned some ideas over as she slowly drifted off into Morpheus's embrace.
Updates might get a bit more infrequent from now on, since I'm going to be pretty busy with school. But don't worry, I'm not planning on dropping this story anytime soon! In the meantime, if you got some free time, please check out my newest idea, "Hope and Consequences", with a brand new twist on causality, here on Scribblehub! Completely unrelated to this story, by the way, even though one of the characters has a similar name. Hope you had fun reading, and have a great day!