Cosmic Combination [A Superheroine Merging Story] - Issue #3

Tier Reward for EB18

Issue #3

Walking into Cosmeta during the day felt wrong. Tristan was used to these hallways being empty and quiet, all the doors tightly locked so that all he had was his own thoughts for company. During the day, the place was bustling, especially after the robbery. Police were interviewing everybody in a white coat, and scientists bustled around trying to find better security for their various projects. 

The day security scrutinised him, looking over the ID he handed over with a fine-toothed comb. He could feel his cheeks heating up as they glanced between Lucie’s photo and himself. He was certain one of them would point a finger and announce to the whole world he was a man trapped in a woman’s body, but of course, they didn’t. By the time he made it to Lauren’s lab, he was already irritated and wanting this to be over, if it weren’t for the fact Lucie was wandering around in his body, he would have just gone home. 

“There you are! You’re late!” Lucie cried when he entered. 

“I am, in fact, ten minutes early.” He corrected, pointing to the clock.

“Well, it feels like you’re late.”

Lucie put her hands on her hips and screwed up her face.

“Don't slouch; you’ll ruin my posture.”

“I’m not slouching!”

“Yeah, you are, you always slouch.”

“You met me yesterday, I don’t think you’re the authority on what I ‘always’ do. Where is Lauren?”

“Right here!” 

The woman burst in carrying a large cardboard box stuffed with notebooks, fabric and several other items Tristan couldn’t identify. Her hair was slighty, frazzled, and her eyes tired, but she was buzzing with energy. 

“Have you been up all night?” Lucie noted with concern. “You look a bit…”

“Manic?” Tristan suggested. 

Lucie shot him a look.

“I was going to say tired.”

“Maybe a bit of both, just like you two! Haha!” she laughed. “Anyway, I couldn’t sleep, not with this happening, it’s far too exciting. I took down some preliminary notes…”

She produced a notebook that was almost completely full. 

“And a costume!”

Tristan felt his face fall while Lucie’s split into a massive smile. He watched with embarrassment as she clapped her hands together, bouncing on her toes in excitement like a teenager. God, watching his body doing that made him want to sink into the ground and die. Thank God, this room didn't have any of those observation windows. 

“Why do we need a costume? We’re supposed to be figuring out how to fix this body situation, not playing hero.”

“We’re not playing hero; we are a hero!” Lucie squealed, actually squealed, in his body. “Come on, the first step is to become Clara again!”

Tristan hated that she was right. 

“Here, have a look!”

Lauren pulled out the costume she’d prepared, and Tristan felt his mood falling even further. It was a white leotard with a halter neck that left the shoulders exposed and a triangle of space in the middle to act as a boob window. She then reached into the box and pulled out a pair of golden knee-length boots with black soles to go with it. Tristan and Lucie had exact opposite reactions to it. 

“It’s amazing!”

“It’s pornographic!”

Lucie rolled her eyes. 

“We have super strength and speed, so we don’t want a lot of fabric friction or strain when we flex. The boots will help us deliver some hard-hitting kicks as well. We are going to kick some serious criminal ass!”

She jumped for joy and punched the air, only to wince as she landed on his bad leg. Tristan winced in sympathy as she flexed my injured hand a few times as well. Funny how just one night in a new, working body made me forget the ever present ache in both those limbs. Unlike him, though, Lucie seemed to instantly forget about the pain when Lauren started talking again. 

“I’ve made it from the most durable synthetic polymers I have access to, and it should be bulletproof and fireproof.”

“Great!” Tristan said. “Wish it covered more of us. What’s the scientific reason behind the boob window?”

Lucie’s face went red, and she muttered something he couldn’t hear under her breath. 

“Enough chit-chat! Let’s get to it!” Lucie cried, grabbing his hand. “How do we do this? Maybe we focus on each other or something?”

Tristan had secretly been hoping the change would happen the moment they touched, just to make it easier, but no. After a minute of holding hands like children, Lucie rolled her eyes.

“Come on, you’re not even trying.”

“I don't get what I am supposed to be focusing on, how do I focus on somebody just standing there?”

“Focus on your hand in mine. How it feels.” Lucie said softly. “How it feels right.”

He smirked. 

“Are you coming on to me?”

“Oh my God, would you stop kidding around and focus.”

“Alright, alright.”

He threaded their fingers together and tried to focus on the warmth of Lucie’s palm against his. It had been so long since he’d held hands with anybody he’d almost forgotten what it felt like. It would have been nice if it weren't for the scar tissue. He could feel it resting against his fingers, that permanent reminder of how everything in his life went wrong. But then something else happened: a strange tugging sensation that started in his palm moved up his entire body, and then one moment of disorientation later, Tristan was gone and Clara was in his place. 

“Amazing…” Lauren breathed as she began furiously writing in her notebook. “Your clothing merges as well, that means your powers can slightly affect things outside your body. A rare skill.”

“I’m just glad I don't end up butt naked each time they do this!”

Lauren went so red in the face she’d have made a beet jealous. Butterflies started to dance in their stomach, and Clara’s Tristan side started to chafe. 

‘Can we unmerge now and see if I am in the right body?’

‘What? No way! We need to test out our powers and try on Lauren’s outfit! Look how excited she is! We will break her heart if we stop.’

‘You just want to fly again.’

‘And you don't?!’

A finger poked into Clara’s cheek and she jumped, hitting the ceiling and wincing.

“Ow…I think I cracked the concrete…”

“Sorry!” Lauren called. “You were staring off into space.”

“Sorry, the different parts of me were arguing.” They laughed, then blushed, realising their outfit still included the mini jeans Tristan had put on which left very little to the imagination from this angle.  

They quickly descended, and Lauren cleared her throat. 

“So you are not just one person, but two?”

“Three, I think.” Clara mused. “Sometimes it’s just me, as a sort of mash between them, but when they don’t agree on something, I sort of become them both at the same time? It’s hard to explain.”

Lauren wrote so fast it was a miracle her pad didn't burst into flames from the friction. She circled them, taking measurements and muttering to herself. Only stopping when she got particularly close to an intimate area and had to force herself to take a step back.

“Purely academic!” She said, with a voice that was slightly too high as she wrapped the measuring tape around Clara’s bust, followed by her arms, legs and other places. 

Her mad passion was sort of endearing. Clara found herself smiling right up until the costume was thrust into her hands. 

“Try it on!”

“Um…”

“Oh! Right! I’ll uh, wait outside.”

‘I think she likes us.’

‘No! Really!? That’s awesome!’

Clara slipped into the leotard and found that it fit perfectly. Lauren must have been one hell of a seamstress to have made it so quickly and without any measurements. Still, she couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed about how skin-tight it was. Her cleavage was on full display thanks to the boob window, and the leotard cupped her ass tightly, making sure it was perky and on full display at all times. The Tristan in them felt humiliated, but their Lucie side was jumping for joy. With a grin on their face, Clara walked up and down the lab, stretching out their legs and taking in the supple curves. 

 ‘Quit making us parade around like that!’

‘Come on, if I looked like this all the time, I’d be showing it off! It’s too bad this outfit covers our midriff. I’ve never had abs before.’

“Are you chan-? Oh! You look amazing!”

Lauren was flushed with excitement this time as she looked over the costume. 

“Do you think I could get a cape?” Clara asked. “My uh…my butt is pretty prominent in this.”

“Of course! Why don't we test out your powers, and I can get started on it?” Lauren suggested. “Go out and throw your weight around, within reason. See if you can get a definite power set nailed down. Just don't push yourself too hard, we can get your power levels later once we actually know what we are working with.”

A tingle of anticipation ran down Clara’s spine; it was time to experiment and let loose! They looked at themselves one last time in the reflective surface of one of the metal tables and frowned. ‘They’ didn't seem right; she was a woman, no matter what her Tristan side thought. With a grin, she took to the air and pushed open the skylight with a single finger. She was so strong, it felt great! 

A bright blue sky beckoned her forth, and Clara raced up into it with an excited cry. Barrel rolling a few times before backflipping through the air, it was like swimming, but with no resistance.

“Woohoooo!”

For once, her two halves were in perfect sync, both revelling in the feeling of being powerful and in control for once. Her blonde hair flew behind her, and the air passed over her curves with ease as she streaked across the sky. Up here, nothing and no one could touch her; she was utterly free to be whoever or whatever she wanted to be. Clara let her eyes fall closed as she flew, feeling the open air surrounding her. This was her personal, private playground. 

Until it wasn’t. 

Suddenly, she collided with something solid. No, not something, someone. 

“Ow! Watch where ya goin’!”

Clara blinked, a young woman about her own age was floating next to her, rubbing her side and looking irritated. She had flaming red hair, bright green eyes and a face full of freckles. Her costume was skin tight and white with a leather battle skirt and cuirass over the top, and a pair of golden wings that seemed to be made of pure light slowly flapped behind her. She would have been beautiful if it weren't for the sneer on her face. 

“Sorry.” Clara blushed, “I just… didn't think there would be somebody else up here.”

“Yeah, well, that’s what you get for flying with your eyes closed and letting your guard down.” The woman said snootily. “A real hero is always on guard.”

Clara crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow.

“Like you?”

“Exactly.” She smiled smugly.

“If you were on guard, how did I manage to run into you then? Without even looking. I wasn't exactly sneaking.”

The smug smile dropped, and the sneer returned. 

“A lapse. It won't happen again.” The woman looked her up and down. “I know you. Thunder Clap talked about some blonde bombshell hero who made her debut the other night.”

“I wouldn’t really call it a debut.”

“Neither would I. Considering you didn't even stop your first crime, a small crime at that.”

‘Yeah, okay, I am not putting up with this.’

“Are you always such a holy bitch, or is this a special occasion?”

The red-headed woman’s mouth opened and closed in shock.

“You can’t speak to me like that!”

“Can. Did.”

“I am Valkyrie, which you would know if you had any sense.” She reached out her hand, and a shaft of light appeared, forming into a spear. “I’m the Justice Guild’s latest member, and I am already one of the strongest members. Of course, you botched your chance to join, so I guess you won’t be much of a hero.”

“I could beat you in a fight!”

‘Uh, Tristan…maybe we shouldn't go picking a fight, heroes are supposed to save people, not-’

‘I am not letting her get away with talking to us like that!’

‘This is only the second time we’ve transformed! We don’t know how strong we are yet!’

‘Strong enough to beat her!’

Valkyrie was oblivious to the internal fight happening right in front of her. She just laughed smugly and twirled her spear. 

“Go on then.”

Clara didn't hesitate, she rushed forward, fist at the ready, only for it to slam into a barrier of light just inches from Valkyrie's face. Spiderweb cracks appeared over the surface, but it didn't break, though the other woman blinked in surprise. Clara pulled back and punched again, this time, the barrier shattered, and Valkyrie had just enough time to dodge out of the way. 

“Bit of a bruiser, aren’t you?”

“But of a smug ass, aren’t you?”

‘Stop antagonising her!’

‘Stop holding us back!’

Clara punched again, but her two halves were at war, and her aim was off. Lucie was trying to pull back, while Tristan wanted to push forward. It meant Valkyrie could easily dodge out of the way. Her spear poked and prodded at Clara, but luckily, her skin seemed tough enough to withstand it. 

Clara spun through the air, turning her whole body to roundhouse kick the other heroine in the stomach, she brought up another barrier of light only for it to shatter instantly and take the full brunt of the hit. 

“Ha!”

Clara punched again, this time shattering one of those golden wings of light. Valkyrie’s eyes went wide and then, to both their horror, she began to fall. 

‘Oh my god! You killed her!’

‘No, I haven’t! Quick, we’ll catch her!’

Luckily, it wasn't necessary as a new wing sprung into existence just in time for Valkyrie to catch herself above the rooftops, but she looked thunderous. Seven more spears appeared at her side, ready to skewer Clara through, when there was a resounding;

BOOM!!!

The shockwave caught them both off guard and forced them to land on the nearby skyscraper, clutching their ears. A second later, Thunder Clap landed next to them with a heavy thump, having jumped from the next one over. 

“Valkyrie! What are you doing?”

“She started it!”

“I don't care who started it; I’m finishing it, and you know better!”

The wall of muscle stood up to his full height, and Clara felt a little intimidated even with all her new strength. 

“Clara, I believe.”

He raised an eyebrow, and she resisted the urge to shrink. 

“Yes, uh, sir.”

“Sir,” He chuckled. “Wow, that’s odd to hear. Just call me Thunder Clap. Now, what on Earth is going on here?”

“Why are you asking her?” Valkyrie cried. “I can tell you-”

“Valkyrie, I think I already know your side of the story. Let me hear hers.”

“Um, well…”

‘We can't tell Thunderclap you started a fight!’

‘You mean we.’

‘Oh no, that was all you Tristan!’

‘Well, if you hadn’t held me back, we would have ended it before he got here!’

A large hand gripped her shoulder, and Clara jolted back to the present, Thunder Clap was staring at her, his dark lips in a thin line. 

“Valkyrie, I think you concussed her.”

‘Great! Now Thunder Clap thinks we’re a bad fighter!’

‘Why do you care what he thinks?’

‘He’s one of the most famous heroes in the city, duh!’

“Oh no! Sorry, I was just thinking!” Clara insisted, but Thunder Clap shook his head. 

“We’d better take her back to the Justice Guild and have Remedy take a look at her.”

‘I changed my mind, this is great, let’s go.’

‘Are you going to fangirl over every hero we meet?’

Valkyrie was already summoning her wings and ran her hands through her red hair to neaten it. 

“I didn’t even hit her that hard, if she’s hurt, she must be pretty weak.”

Thunderclap rolled his eyes fondly and then, to Clara’s surprise, ruffled Valkyrie’s hair, instantly messing it up again. 

“Don’t mind her; she’s our latest junior member and eager to prove herself.”

“Junior member.” Clara grinned, “You left out that first part.”

“Shut it, boobs for brains.”

“Bitch.”

Another, smaller shockwave rumbled from Thunder Clap as he brought his hands together.

“Shuush, both of you.”

Valkyrie reluctantly led the way in the sky while Thunderclap jumped from rooftop to rooftop below. Clara glanced at the town clock as they passed and noted the time; Lauren would probably be waiting for them. 

“Will this take long? I have somewhere to be.”

“More important than going to Justice Guild Headquarters?” Valkyrie snorted. “Unlikely. If it were up to me, you wouldn't be coming at all.”

“Really?” Clara said in mock surprise. “And here I was thinking we were becoming such good friends.”

“The Justice Guild is a place for extraordinary heroes. I can create and control solid light.” She preened. “You hit things.”

“You don’t know; there might be more to me than you think.” 

Clara rolled and floated on her back, letting the wind be her mattress as they flew, she watched as Valkyrie looked her up and down and looked unimpressed before shrugging.

“I don’t think so.”

~

Clara was practically vibrating with excitement when they reached the large silver tower that was Justice Guild Headquarters. It took on a cliff face at the edge of town, a giant structure of silver metal and glass watching protectively over the city. Clara’s Lucie side was practically squealing with excitement, she’d drawn this place as a child, then studied it as an adult. Already her mind was filled with the list of heroes that worked here.

‘We could run into Silverwind! Or The Boulder, or Crag, or Jaguar or-’

‘Are you going to list them all?’

‘How are you not excited about this? I get that you’re a bit of a grump, but even you must have been a little boy once, playing with action figures and dreaming of wearing a cape.’

‘I grew up.’

‘How boring.’

That strong hand gripped her shoulder once again, Thunder Clap gave her a sympathetic look. 

“Don't worry about Valkyrie; she has a short fuse. If she’s done any damage, I’ll make sure she apologises.”

“I will not!” Valkyrie called as she flew overhead, opting to enter via a balcony rather than the front door. 

“She will.” Thunder Clap insisted. “Now, come on, I was actually hoping you’d show up again. It’s a good thing I was the one who found you. We don’t need a scandal.”

“Scandal?”

“Well, two new heroes brawling over the city skyline, not a good look.”

“Oh….”

‘See!? I told you picking a fight was a good idea!’

The doors opened, and they stepped into the Justice Guild lobby. Clara's boots clicked softly against the smooth, polished floors, the sound almost drowned out by the quiet murmurs of other heroes scattered throughout the massive room. She glanced up, her wide eyes taking in every detail of the grand architecture, from the soaring arches to the intricate murals on the walls that depicted legendary battles between heroes and villains. A hero in silver and red zipped between pillars, jumping across balconies with ease. For once, both her halves were in harmony, in awe of the place they were standing. Thunder Clap leaned in close with a grin.

"It's pretty cool, isn't it?"

Clara giggled, there was something amusing about a huge mountain of a man talking like a little kid.  

“I never thought I’d actually be here."

"Well, you're here now," Thunder Clap said with a wide smile, Clara felt her heart jump. Inside her, Tristan squirmed; there was such confidence in his smile. It had been so long since somebody looked at Tristan that way, like they believed in him. 

“Come, let’s have Remedy look you over.”

They walked through a large hall, and Clara stopped. There was a plaque engraved with names. Names her Lucie side knew. All the heroes the guild had ever had. Quietly, she reached out and ran a finger over the names.

‘All of these people were great. History will always remember them and the good they’ve done…’

"Don’t let the names intimidate you. They’re just people, same as you. Just remember, they’ve got the same goals—protecting the innocent, keeping the world safe." Thunder Clap said. “Come on, the medical wing is down here.”

‘Oh my gosh, Remedy is amazing. He can heal broken bones just by touching you! And he can diagnose stuff instantly; there is a theory that his brain functions at  a higher level than most humans.’

‘Wait, diagnose people, do you think he will be able to tell that we’re…not a real person?’

‘...Oh shit.’

“Um, actually, I am feeling fine!” Clara insisted. “And I just remembered, I um, left something in the oven, so I need to get going.”

Thunder Clap raised an eyebrow.

“Well, I suppose I don’t want your house to burn down. It was very risky leaving something like that going while you were out.”

Clara just blinked in surprise.

‘Holy shit, he’s an idiot.’

‘He’s one of the city's greatest heroes!’

‘And an IDIOT, I can’t believe that lie worked.’

‘Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.’

‘Was that a fucking joke at my expense?!’

All of a sudden, there was that tugging sensation; they were coming apart!

“Gotta go!” 

Clara managed to choke out before flying as fast as she could out the door towards the city. Her two halves were at war; Tristan was furious, Lucie was confused. They streaked across the sky so fast their suit was pushed to the limit. Part of her was worried it might come right off, but there wasn't time to worry. Suddenly, the pulling sensation became too much to bear; there was a tearing sound as the fabric separated and reformed and suddenly they were Lucie and Tristan again. Tristan sat up, blood boiling and swore. Tits. He was still in Lucie’s body.

“What the hell was that?” Lucie gaped. “He believed us, somehow! Now all he’s going to think is that we’re some sort of weirdo.”

“We are some sort of weirdo!” Tristan snapped, getting to his feet and scowling. “And you started it, making that jab.”

“What jab?”

“Don't play dumb, you were making a joke about my fucked up hand.”

Lucie blinked a few times, then looked down at his scarred hand, her hand for now. She flexed it and winced, then shook her head in disbelief. 

“You seriously thought that was about you? Have you never heard the saying before?”

Tristan felt his cheeks start to burn with embarrassment. When she said it like that, it sounded like such a silly thing to get angry about. Maybe it was, but it had been a trying few days. He was at the end of his tether.

“Of course I have, I just…never mind. Come on, we have a long walk back to the lab.”

“We could just try merging again?”

“No thanks, I want you out of my head. It’s bad enough having your voice on the outside, let alone on the inside.”

Lucie screwed up her face and then sighed. 

“You know, we are stuck in this situation together, like it or not. Trying to scare me away isn’t going to do either of us any good.”

Instantly, he felt his hackles rise. 

“That’s not what I am doing. Funny as it is to think, I just don’t like you.”

“Alright Mr Tough Guy. Keep it up.” Lucie shrugged, not sounding at all bothered, for some reason that made him feel even more annoyed and guilty for the argument. 

Deep down, he knew he should apologise and merge again if only to save her the walk with his bung leg, but he couldn’t make the words leave his mouth. 

“How did you get hurt anyway?” Lucie asked after a few minutes of walking.

“It’s not important.”

“I think it’s very important. To you anyway.” She paused for a second before adding. “It might help to talk about it. When I went to your apartment, I didn’t see any pictures or anything. Do you not have friends? Or a family?”

“So what if I don’t?” He snapped, and Lucie held up her hands defensively.

“I’m just saying I’ll be your friend if you like. But you have to stop being such an ass all the time. You could talk to me about how this happened.”

She held up his injured hand, and Tristan bit the inside of his cheek. There was this innocent look in her eyes, her expression was so open and seeing that look on his own face reflected back at him made Tristan want to punch himself. More than usual. 

“No. I really can’t.” He muttered. “Come on, it’s a long walk.”

Slowly, they made their way back towards Cosmeta, with Tristan slowing his pace to one he knew would be easier on his leg. Guilt gnawed at his stomach; he’d never been in a situation like this, where somebody was forced to stick around by circumstance. No matter how much he tried to convince himself that she was a pest he wanted to be rid of, there was a quiet doubt in the back of his mind. Maybe her being around wasn’t so bad. He silenced that part of himself as quickly as possible though, balling his hand into a fist. Lucie wouldn’t be sticking around or asking to be his friend if it weren't for this situation. She didn’t actually care about his injuries; they were just getting in the way of her being a superhero. So there was no point being friends, no point being attached. Once this situation was sorted, she would be long gone just like everybody else.