24.x (Interlude, Chevalier)

Worm, Chapter 24.x (Interlude, Chevalier) Summary:

Hero welcomes Chevalier into the headquarters, introducing him as the last member of their new team. Nine young, costumed individuals eye him—five girls, four boys. A boy in a professional black and green costume, with a leaf emblem, stands out. Beside him, a girl in a less expensive outfit seems drawn to him. Chevalier notices a silent, older woman with burned hands behind her, perhaps a vision related to fire or magma.

At the far end, a girl with a homemade mouse-eared helmet, sword, and shield grins, having given an overly enthusiastic welcome. Two others stand near her, one with strange writing on his skin, the other swirling with smoke. Two more members—a boy in a vigilante-style black costume, and a girl in urban camouflage with a blue scarf and shield emblem—complete the group. The girl with the scarf sits, toying with a knife.

As Chevalier looks at her, the knife disappears, and a flare of images appears: a cluster of frightened, bloodied children. The girl changes the knife into a gun, then a machete, meeting his gaze.

Hero instructs them to take a seat. Chevalier, drawn to the girl with the weapons, sits beside her. The boy in the professional costume remarks that she doesn’t speak English well, but Hero counters that she speaks some. Hero discusses the team’s purpose, emphasizing that they have time to figure out who they want to become. Legend, Eidolon, and Alexandria enter, adding to the serious atmosphere. Hero suggests a celebration, and the mouse-eared girl’s group cheers.

Chevalier asks the army girl, Hannah, if she wants cake. She nods. He gets her some cake and a cola. Hero comments on Chevalier’s choice to sit next to Hannah, suggesting she could use a friend. The mouse-eared girl interrupts, implying Chevalier is attracted to Hannah. The boy, Reed, reveals that Chevalier is the vigilante who went after the Snatchers, a group of ordinary but bad people. Chevalier explains that Alexandria stopped him from killing their leader, offering him a choice: jail or joining the Wards.

Hero stresses that this is a fresh start for everyone, a chance to support each other. After the party, Hero hints at a secret room stocked with video games and movies for the kids.

The scene shifts to Chevalier scrolling through a list of Endbringer attacks. Behemoth’s repeated assaults on cities across the world paint a grim picture. Chevalier feels weary, realizing that the Wards’ ideals have eroded as they’ve been drawn into more and more fights.

He looks at the current situation in New Delhi. Key teams are absent, including San Diego, Vegas, and Brockton Bay. He reflects on the complexities of coordinating these attacks and the criticisms the Protectorate faces. His thoughts drift to Hannah, his former girlfriend, and how she’s grown.

Chevalier meets with Rime and Exalt, discussing the upcoming fight. He wants them to focus on the battle, not the administrative aspects of leadership. They agree. As the ship lands, he prepares for his first time leading such an important battle. He knows that this could be a turning point—a loss here would be devastating.

He retrieves his Cannonblades, weapons he’s combined using his power, giving them the appearance and cutting edge of one blade, the weight of another, and the durability of a third. He suits up in his similarly modified armor and steps out to address the assembled heroes.

Later, Chevalier speaks with Mr. Keene, the PRT liaison, about the unexpected arrival of the Yàngbǎn, a group they can’t trust but are still an asset. He then meets with Accord and Tattletale, who criticize his plan to fight Behemoth in melee. Accord points out the flaws, while Tattletale notes that something is off about Behemoth’s behavior, suggesting he’s toying with them.

Suddenly, a Yàngbǎn member appears, attacking Chevalier. The assassin is shrouded in a storm of trigger event images, making him difficult to track. Chevalier fights back, his Cannonblade easily cutting through the attacker’s forcefield. The assassin uses a time-stop power to evade, but he’s sloppy.

Chevalier positions himself to limit the assassin’s movements, trying to protect Accord and Tattletale. He feels a sudden, intense pain as a laser hits him, and he loses control of his power’s balance.

Chevalier wakes up in a hospital bed, with Tattletale nearby. She communicates using a notepad app on her phone, informing him that Behemoth is still at full strength, despite the damage he’s taken. She theorizes that his outer body is cosmetic, meant to scare them, and that his true core is elsewhere.

Chevalier, in immense pain, insists on rejoining the fight. Tattletale helps him put on his breastplate and retrieve his Cannonblade. She points out that Behemoth’s core is likely in the deepest part of his body, at the base of his throat.

Chevalier struggles to his feet, making his way down the stairs of the temple, now a makeshift hospital. He sees the devastation and the bodies of those he failed to protect. He pushes through the pain, fueled by a need for revenge, much like when he hunted down his brother’s kidnappers.

He reaches the front lines, where only fifty heroes remain. Behemoth is heavily damaged but still fighting. Chevalier uses his power to enlarge his Cannonblade, slamming it into the ground and firing at Behemoth’s weakened leg, causing him to fall.

Usher’s power allows Chevalier to enter Behemoth’s kill range, feeling the heat but remaining unharmed. He attacks Behemoth, aiming for the core. Behemoth shifts, using radiation, forcing others to retreat.

Tecton, Weaver, and two Wards arrive, using a powerful weapon to sever Behemoth’s arm. Alexandria drives Behemoth to the ground, but he’s about to collapse on top of Chevalier, who is trapped in his melted armor, his power spent.

In a desperate move, Chevalier uses his power on anything and everything around him, causing his armor to come apart. He extends his slagged Cannonblade into the wound Weaver’s team created, aiming for the core. As the blade touches the core, his power fails, and the weapon falls apart.

Behemoth knocks Chevalier down, shattering his ribs. He watches as Behemoth attacks the remaining heroes, killing many. Behemoth burrows, signaling the end of the fight.

Scion appears, too late. He heals Chevalier slightly, then attacks Behemoth, driving him into the ground with a beam of golden light. Behemoth fights back, but Scion keeps the pressure on, eventually tearing the Endbringer in two and obliterating the pieces.

Behemoth, in a final act of spite, tries to turn himself into a bomb, but Scion obliterates him. The remaining heroes cheer as the effects of Scion’s light fade. Chevalier, listening to the cheers, imagines the whole world joining in.