I has another update! I was so stoked to write it. X3 A special thank you to all my readers for sticking around to check it out. (: Also, I'm not very good at writing accents, so just imagine Ace saying it in your head like I do. Same goes for Slam. XD
The police office was drafty, Rip noticed. He only noticed because he was still shirtless, a fact which left him rather self-conscious. Maybe he could slip back into the tower and get his jacket, at the very least. However, he remembered Ace's words after retrieving Baker: "Stick with us for a little while; we've still gotta talk to you." Sighing, he crossed his arms over his bony chest and approached the others, who were currently questioning the adolescent girl. She was cute; he'd give her that. Of course, he couldn't exactly give her anything else, considering she'd burned several people to death and almost done the same to Ace and Lexi.
"Look, I'm telling you that it wasn't my fault!" The girl shouted, looking rather distraught, "I wasn't doing it on purpose! It was like someone was controlling my body or something!" Rip perked up at that comment, eyeing the girl curiously. Something about her disposition told him that she wasn't lying. Entering the interrogation room, he stood next to Ace, who was currently questioning the teenage girl.
"Rip, you might wanna leave the room; she's a dangerous criminal, after all," Ace pointed out.
"Ace, can I talk with you for a second? She's not gonna do anything in those." Rip pointed at the insulated glove-cuffs that the girl was wearing. After a brief moment of thought, the rabbit consented, leaving the room with the young roadrunner.
"So, what's on your mind, kiddo?" Ace asked, crossing his arms as Rip had.
"Well, I heard what she was saying about feeling like she was being manipulated…" Rip mumbled, his hands sinking into his pants pockets, "I believe her. I know what it's like when something takes over and leaves you with the mess." Ace gave the roadrunner a sympathetic look, patting the young man on the shoulder.
"Look, Rip, you should try not to get emotionally involved in a case like this," Ace said, looking the teen in the eye, "I'll ask her a few questions about being mind-controlled, but I can't guarantee that I'll believe her. Now go sit down; you need your rest, kiddo." Rip disliked being treated like a kid, but he did as he was told. He returned to the room on the other side of the two-way mirror, taking a seat near the left wall. The Loonatics remained crowded about the window, waiting for answers. They needed something to report so that the case could be closed.
Ace returned to question the girl, taking a seat across the table from her. She looked up at him through her silver hair, her mascara having run a few inches down her face in his absence. His expression softened, although the others wouldn't have seen it; his back was to them.
"Alright, I'm curious about your story. What were you doing before you went on your rampage?" Ace asked, receiving another glare from the pale young lady.
"Like I said, I didn't go on a rampage; someone used me to go on a rampage for them." Candlestick grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Alright, fine. What were you doing before someone used you to go on a rampage for them?" Ace grinned, clearly not taking her story seriously. Just because Rip believed her didn't mean that he did.
"Well, I was taking my shift at 'Penta Graham's', the occult store a few blocks from here." The teen recounted, hands placed in front of her on the table, "I was showing a few of my friends this cool superpower I got the other day after that weird shockwave, and-"
"Shockwave?" Ace asked, cutting off the girl's story, "You mean that shockwave gave you powers?" The girl nodded fervently, her guillotine earring jingling quietly as she did so. Ace looked over his shoulder at the two-way mirror, hoping to transfix Tech in his gaze. The coyote squirmed uncomfortably, his stomach leaping up into his throat. Was this all because of the Impact Reversal Ray? He cast a sidelong glance at Rip, who wasn't really paying attention to the interrogation. Had his ray gun bestowed superpowers instead of removing them?
The coyote had a bad feeling that those three and Rip weren't the only ones who'd been granted powers. He had some research to do when they returned to the tower.
"So, as I was saying," Candlestick continued, drawing Ace's attention back to her, "I was showing off my power for my friends. They thought it was cool, and all that junk. Then this dude walks into the shop all mysterious-like. He's wearing this high-collared coat, black gloves and this cool fedora, right. I can't see his face very well, but I know he's carrying one of the spell books we sell. He asks me if he can return it, and I ask him for his receipt. Then, he looks me in the eye, and his eyes do this weird flashy voodoo sort of thing. I didn't think much of it until I realized I wasn't in control of my body anymore. It was like watching someone else play a FPS; I could see what I was doing, but someone else was in control."
Ace's curiosity peaked, the rabbit rubbing his chin thoughtfully. If that was really the case with the pyro, then the other two in their trio must've met a similar guy.
"That's all I need to hear, for now. We're gonna keep you here for a little while, until we question the others you were in cahoots with." Ace said, standing up, "Guys, take her into custody and bring out the old lady." The teen sighed softly, seeming resigned to her punishment. She didn't struggle as she was escorted to the holding area, merely shuffling along behind the officers.
The Loonatics were now holding a press conference at city hall, the Mayor seated in her usual spot. They had important news to give the city, especially regarding its safety. Tech squirmed in his seat, considering he'd been appointed to speak to the public. Even though all of this was his fault, he didn't really see the need to give the speech himself. Ace could easily have done so and blamed him. However, this was probably the fairest way to punish him, considering how badly he'd messed up.
The Mayor said something, but the coyote hadn't been listening. Rev gently pushed the scientist, who quickly rose to his feet and shuffled over to the podium. He cast a pleading look back at the other Loonatics, although only Rev showed sympathy. That didn't mean the roadrunner would take his place, however. Tech knew his friend better than that. Sighing, he stood behind the podium, looking up at the citizens of Acmetropolis.
"As you all know by now, a wave of cosmic energy cascaded through the city yesterday afternoon, causing several minor injuries and a few power outages." Tech began, sounding much more confident than he felt, "This 'shockwave,' if you will, has also affected the city in other ways. If the incident earlier today involving three new superpowered individuals wasn't enough of a sign, I'll say it now. That wave of energy has bestowed superhuman abilities to certain citizens of Acmetropolis."
The room was filled with murmurs and whispers, citizens speaking with their neighbors. Tech waited patiently for them to quiet down, although the Mayor's gavel was a much more effective silencing tool.
"Unfortunately," Tech continued, his ears drooping somewhat, "That was not what the wave's intended effect was. I developed a ray gun to depower the supervillains residing in Acmetropolis so that you could all rest safely."
"So this is all your fault, then!" An outspoken man shouted, standing up from his seat, "Because of you, loads of people are in the hospital, and innocent people got killed by superpowered freaks!" The hall was in uproar, insults and complaints shouted vehemently at the coyote. Tech's ears fell flat against his head, and he accepted the verbal abuse, the guilt returning once more. Another few bangs of the Mayor's gavel, as well as several angry shouts, silenced the room, leaving the dejected scientist to his thoughts.
"I apologize for the trouble I caused." Tech said clearly, despite looking down at his feet, "However, I do have something else that you all need to be aware of." The coyote looked up, conviction in his eyes. Even if the citizens were mad at him, he still had information that they needed to hear.
"There is a dangerous man on the loose with hypnotic capabilities." Tech stated, the faint buzzing about the room becoming deathly quiet, "Those three individuals who robbed and attacked the city were under this man's control. He has not been located yet, but we are on the lookout. The individuals he manipulated all described him as wearing a black, high-collared coat, black gloves, a fedora and dark jeans. Be sure not to make eye contact should you encounter an individual that matches this description. All accounts made have stated that his abilities take hold through eye contact, and he can maintain control until his connection is lost."
"Did they give you any facial characteristics to look out for, Tech?" The Mayor asked, worry evident in her voice.
"All we were told is that he had 'doll eyes,' as if he weren't really alive." Tech explained, "If you see an individual matching this description, make sure you send word to the authorities as soon as possible." He knew that Zadavia would contact them if the city was in danger, but she wouldn't be able to monitor suspicious individuals. Well, as far as he knew. With his message delivered, the scientist returned to his teammates, who all stood to leave. They had matters to attend to back at headquarters.
Ralph and Harriet were waiting for the Loonatics back at the tower, apparently having finished scolding Rip. When they'd brought him home an hour or so ago, they'd had quite a few things to say to the youngster. The Loonatics all joined them at the meeting table seconds before a hologram of Zadavia appeared at its center.
"Good job on apprehending those individuals, Loonatics. And it seems we owe special thanks to you, Rip, for helping to ensure that they succeeded." Zadavia said, her hair flowing in that mysterious way it did when she wasn't there in person, "As a matter of fact, I would like to make an offer to you, young man." The adolescent raised his head, now clad in his usual jacket and blue t-shirt. Zadavia wanted to give him something?
"Um… sure. What's the offer?" Rip asked. His parents frowned at their son; he wasn't allowed to accept any offers at this point. They'd just grounded him for the next week for leaving the tower without telling them where they were going, and ignoring the order to remain in bed.
"The offer," Zadavia began, a small smile forming on her face, "Is to join the Loonatics as a seventh member." Everyone around the table looked shocked, aside from Rev and Rip's parents. In their case, they both looked distraught.
"But-he-can't-just-go-off-and-become-a-superhero!" Ralph shouted, "He's-still-got-schoolwork-to-do, and-if-he-goes, who's-going-to-take-over-the-family-business? Who?" Rip rolled his eyes at his father's display, finding it to be just a little more than melodramatic.
"Besides, miss-Zadavia, he's-grounded-right-now-for-leaving-the-tower-without-permission-to-go-save-the-Loonatics, and-even-though-I'm-glad-he-did, he-still-didn't-have-permission-to-leave." The blonde took that into consideration, crossing her arms as she thought. After a moment, she decided to make an offer.
"Mr. and Mrs. Runner, I believe that your son will be a great asset to the Loonatics. In regards to his schooling, we will make a request that his teachers send their lesson plans to Tech, who will assume all duties as his teacher." Zadavia stated, ignoring the look the coyote gave her, "Does this sound fair? Rip could benefit greatly from education from Tech." The roadrunners conversed for a moment in hushed tones, rapid-fire speech passing between the two. After a minute or so, the two nodded their heads, before turning back to face Zadavia.
"We've-decided-that-Rip-can-stay, so-long-as-someone-else-is-in-the-room-while-the-coyote-is-teaching-him, in-case-the-coyote-gets-hungry." Harriet said, "And-his-curfew-is-10-o'clock-because-he-can-be-a-little-sour-puss-when-he-doesn't-get-enough-sleep." Rip looked thoroughly embarrassed by that comment, and quickly hid his face in his hands.
"I have a name, you know." Tech grumbled, although he was thinking more of his newly appointed duty. Zadavia could have at least asked him if he was willing to teach Rip. He may have been a genius, but that didn't mean he would make a good teacher. Ma and Pa Runner didn't seem to pay any attention to Tech's comment, and instead opted to say their good-byes. After giving handshakes to the other Loonatics, save Tech, and hugs to their children, the two roadrunners left the tower, although they were lacking the usual spring in their step. They were going to miss their son.
"Please show Rip around the tower, so that he may be familiarized with it." Zadavia stated once the teen's parents had left, "Rev, for now, you shall be sharing a room with your brother until his own room is prepared. Tomorrow, you will all come down to my headquarters, where Rip will receive his supersuit and an access card. Zadavia, out." With those two words, the blonde alien vanished, leaving the Loonatics with their newly appointed member.
"Well, I guess we should show him around. Nose game!" Ace shouted, touching his nose quickly. Rev was second, followed by Slam, Tech and Lexi. Duck hadn't caught on quickly enough, and he was left to show the newcomer around.
"Oh, you're all despicable. Well, I suppose I could always take the boy under my wing, show him how to pick up the ladies and whatnot…" Duck grinned, about to stand when Lexi beat him to the punch.
"I'll show him around. We already have one Duck… can't imagine what'd I'd do if there were two of him." Lexi frowned, making her way around to the other side of the table. Rip stood and followed the pink rabbit, who proceeded to give him a guided tour of their living quarters. It would certainly be more detailed than the last tour he'd taken, since now she was obligated to show him their training simulator and other such things.
"Like putty in my hands." Duck chuckled, placing his feet on the table and his arms behind his head.
Well, there you have it. This chapter contained much more dialogue than I'd have preferred, but it needed to be that way. Hope you guys enjoyed it. (: