18.6

Worm, Chapter 18.6 Summary:

Skitter throws away her armband after Tattletale warns her it’s dangerous. It turns radioactive, confirming Noelle’s ability to turn matter into radioactive dust. Grue can counteract this with his darkness. The group retreats from the clone Vistas, one of which is causing buildings to collapse, another creating barriers, and the third, a tall, zig-zagging figure, turning matter radioactive.

Raymancer targets the rooftop Vista, but she bends space, not light. He hits her, but she continues her destruction. Grace is launched towards the rooftop Vista but falls short due to the distorted space. Rachel and her dogs attack the barrier-creating Vista, while the others face the radioactive one.

A feint by the radioactive Vista exposes Raymancer to radiation. Grue tries to use Raymancer’s power, but it’s ineffective. Wanton, in his telekinetic form, attacks the radioactive Vista, while Imp tasers the barrier-creating Vista, whom Rachel’s dog then kills.

Rachel heads towards the rooftop Vista, while Tecton and Grue attack the radioactive one. Skitter uses her bugs to tear open an artery on the tall Vista’s arm, causing her to bleed out. The rooftop Vista is subdued, and the heroes move on. Raymancer is critically injured from radiation exposure.

Tattletale orders quarantine and decontamination, and the group decides to check on Ballistic. Tecton stays with Raymancer, while Wanton remains in his telekinetic form to avoid radiation poisoning. Tattletale explains they need Tecton’s help against more potential Vistas.

They pick up Grace and continue towards Ballistic’s base, Tattletale driving fast as a preventative measure. They encounter another Vista clone, dispatched by other heroes, and are ordered to stand down as Eidolon has found Noelle.

Tattletale asks why, but her message isn’t relayed. They discuss the situation, realizing that Eidolon, who is losing his powers, is risking a confrontation with Noelle to strengthen his abilities, similar to how some of their teammates get stronger under certain conditions. This is extremely dangerous given Noelle’s abilities.

They learn that sunrise, when Dinah predicted things would get worse, is in nine minutes. Tattletale tries to warn Miss Militia, but the message doesn’t go through. Grace wants to follow orders, but Tecton agrees to go with the Undersiders, believing they might know what they’re doing or are at least committed enough to their plan to risk a kill order.

They discard their armbands to avoid being tracked and head towards Eidolon and Noelle. They find Eidolon speaking calmly to a massive, multi-mouthed Noelle, mentioning Coil and Cauldron. Skitter can’t get a clear read on Noelle, as her bugs disappear upon contact, but she senses Noelle is as large as an African elephant. The chapter ends with the confrontation ongoing.