Elsa was trying hard to avoid all of Merida's strikes when her phone rang. It distracted her for a second and the vigilante's right foot hit her hard on the side.
"Owww!" she whined as Merida shook her head and sighed.
"You're not focused enough!" her friend said reproachfully. "You should have stayed home if it was to practice like that."
Elsa groaned and got back into position, making sure not to rub her side because she didn't want Merida to know that it actually hurt like hell. Still, she couldn't help but wonder what her sister wanted. And with what happened yesterday, I should answer her...
Merida sighed again and rolled her eyes. "Go look at it, or I'm gonna end up hurting you badly."
"Thanks." Elsa quickly went to the opposite side of the room to fetch her phone. She opened her sister's text and cursed when she read it.
"Something wrong?" asked Merida.
"Well, it appears you won't make the front page tomorrow. Anna had planned to write about your rescue and she hoped it would help her get a steady job at the Arendelle Gazette."
"Damn, journalists don't like me anymore. What are they gonna speak about? A new political scandal?"
"Hmm, I don't know." She quickly asked her sister and read her answer. Haven't you heard? There's a video of a criminal throwing fire out of his hands. Plenty of people are saying it's legit. Can't believe how naive they are.
Elsa's face turned livid at once and she turned towards her sparring partner.
"What?" asked Merida, a bit worried.
"I think there's a criminal with powers out there right now."
It seemed to pique her interest and she got closer. Elsa went on the web and had no trouble finding the video. It did show what her sister had said, and there was no doubt in her mind that it was real.
"Well... I guess I've got work to do." said the redhead.
Elsa gulped before speaking up. "Don't you think it's more of a job for me? I mean... I've got more appropriate tools." She wasn't sure she was ready yet, but she couldn't see how Merida would be able to take him down without powers of her own.
"It wouldn't be the first time I'm fighting against one. And I'm not sure your powers would really help. I mean... he's throwing fire around. It's like your weakness or something, right?"
"Huh... I don't know. You know, it's not real ice."
"Yeah, but still..."
"Come on, Merida. How long are you planning to make me wait? This is definitely a job for me. Well, for us. I promise I won't get in the way. And I'm pretty sure he expects you, but he doesn't know I can fight him with the same powers."
She could see Merida was still hesitating, but there was a breach and Elsa couldn't let it go. "Admit it, it's the perfect opportunity."
"I'm not sure you're ready yet."
"I'll never be ready like you want me to be. I think I have to learn on the job too. Were you just as good as now when you started?"
"Of course not..."
"And what better way to make my appearance as a vigilante with powers than now? It's a godsend."
"Yeah... I have to admit it will make things easier for an entrance..."
"So...?"
Merida took a while before answering, and Elsa just hoped she would say yes.
"Ok, let's do it."
"Yes!"
Merida chuckled. "I just hope I won't regret it. It will be the first time I'm not on my own."
"So... tonight? Or right now?"
"Unfortunately, the whole masked vigilante thing doesn't work well during the day."
"Of course."
"In the meantime, I've got a birthday present for you."
"That's... is this really the time for that?"
"Yeah, it is. Follow me." Elsa followed, intrigued.
"To be honest, it's just a coincidence that it happens close to your birthday. I had it made a couple months ago."
"It?"
"Patience, young apprentice." She knows I'm more than five years older than her, right?
They finally arrived in a room that Elsa had not visited yet, and Merida turned on the light. It was apparently the place she stored the gear she used when she went outside. Elsa was starting to get an idea about what her gift was.
"Here it is!" said the vigilante as she dramatically took off a curtain to reveal her gift.
Elsa's eyes opened wide. "Are you kidding me?"
"What? You don't like it?"
The blonde blushed and muttered. "There's no way... no way I'm wearing that."
"Why? I'm sure it would look good on you."
"I... I can't wear that." she repeated, gesturing toward the costume on the dummy.
"Try it, at least!"
"This is way too short!"
Merida laughed and shook her head. "It's not that short."
"What's the point anyway? I mean, you're not wearing a skirt, why should I? I'd be perfectly happy with black pants like yours."
"Hey, I didn't design this just for you to show your pretty legs. It's the perfect disguise for you."
"A disguise? It won't hide anything!"
"You're the complete opposite in real life. Always hiding behind your large clothes and thick glasses. With that suit, the lenses I got you for our training sessions and that mask, nobody will ever recognize you."
She's got a point. Even Anna wouldn't recognize me if I wore that.
"Ok, let's try it now!"said the redhead enthusiastically.
Elsa grabbed it half-heartedly and went to change into the next room. What is she thinking? I can't go around in that ridiculous thing! I want to be a vigilante, not a lingerie model! Still, she put on the ridiculous white mini-skirt and the blue top. She felt extremely uncomfortable when she came back inside.
"So? What do you think?" asked Merida, smiling.
"I like the top." It was maybe just a bit too form-fitting, but she felt good in it and she liked the color. "But the skirt is still way too short."
"Ok, ok. I thought you would be stubborn, so I had another one prepared just in case." She took out another skirt from a drawer and handed it to her. Elsa went back outside again, feeling a bit relieved, and changed into the new one. It reached her a little above the knees, which was still short, but it was better. Way better.
"Ok, I definitely prefer this one." she told her friend as she came back.
"Great! That's settled then!" Merida answered with a wide smile, and Elsa looked at her suspiciously.
"What?"
"Did you make me try that insanely short thing just to make me accept wearing this one?"
"Whaaat? I would never do such a thing! Anyways, put on your mask now."
"Actually… I think I've already got this covered."
"Oh?"
"Yeah..." Elsa was feeling a bit embarrassed because the one Merida had made her was quite beautiful, but she had worked hard on this. "I thought I could make one with my powers. And it will be stronger, I think."
"Let me see."
Elsa opened up to the Source and carefully weaved the threads of magic together to create a mask. She had done it plenty of times in the last weeks and it wasn't too hard to make it appear above her hand.
"Whoa, it's beautiful!"
At first she had just tried to make it functional, but she often ended up trying to embellish it with delicate lines and different shades of ice. Once she was satisfied with the way it looked, she bound the threads and took it in her hand.
"Thanks. It took me quite some time to get there."
"Well, if vigilantism doesn't work out for you, maybe you can open a jewelry shop." Merida said jokingly, and Elsa chuckled.
"I'd quite like that, actually." It felt nice creating beautiful things, and she would love to be able to share them.
"Ok, put it on then!"
Elsa complied, and Merida whistled. "Damn, girl. You look good."
The blonde was thankful for the mask because it hid her pink cheeks quite well.
"Try unbraiding your hair."
"Isn't it dangerous in combat?"
"Honestly Elsa, you will mostly rely on your powers. It's important for you to know some martial arts, but it would take you years to be really proficient in hand-to-hand combat against trained or multiple opponents."
"I guess you're right." She undid her hair and shook it out in one swift motion. Merida was looking at her strangely.
"Something's wrong?"
"Nope, you're just seriously hot."
Now she knew her cheeks were crimson red.
"Seriously, I know you try to hide your beauty to keep people away, but you're goddam gorgeous. People are going to fall in love with you. Hell, if I had time for these sorts of things, I'd try hitting on you myself."
Even if she felt incredibly embarrassed, Elsa had to admit it felt nice to receive such compliments.
"Look at you." the vigilante added, bringing her to a mirror.
If there was one thing Elsa was sure about, it was that she would usually never wear something like that. She had light blue boots that reached the top of her calves, and then her legs were bare up to the short white flowing skirt. She tried not to think about what would happen if there was too much wind, and brought her eyes higher, past the leather belt. The blue top showed her toned stomach (She does want me to go as poorly covered as possible!) but covered her chest and had long sleeves. What she liked the most, though, was her mask, glowing in the light with dozens of different shades of blue and white. Her lips were still visible, as well as her eyes, but the upper part of her face was well hidden behind it. Her long blond hair was set loose behind her, and she had to admit she looked great.
"So, aren't you gorgeous?"
"Yeah… I guess I am." She said with a smile.
"This is good for us. Many people might get afraid of your powers at first. You have to appear confident and charismatic. And being beautiful and a bit sexy will help too."
"And you're right, nobody will ever think I'm actually shy little Elsa."
"Yep! Want to add a cape to that? It would be bad-ass."
"Hum… it wouldn't be very practical, though."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. You need this, though." She said as she handed her a small square device the color of her skin.
"What is it?"
"Ever wondered how I changed my voice? Just stick it against your throat, and voila!"
"How does it work?" she asked, curious.
"Do I look like a tech geek?"
"Huh… yeah, well, as long as it works..." Elsa shrugged and put it on before trying it.
"How do I sound?"
"Different. That's what matters. At first I just tried speaking in a lower voice, but it really hurts your throat in the long run."
Elsa chuckled at the vigilante's tip and put the device back in her hand.
"Good. What now?"
"Well, I was up all night, so I'm gonna rest and I suggest you take a nap as well. We'll be outside all night. Let's meet again tonight."
"Ok… thanks for the gift."
"You're welcome. Are you sure the mask won't melt?"
"Yes, I told you, it's much stronger than real ice."
"Ok then. I'm gonna hit the bed. See you tonight and don't freak out too much."
Elsa nodded and left, stopping in front of the mirror for a minute first. I do like bad-ass. Maybe the cape wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.
By the end of the day, Anna was exhausted. She had gone all over the city the entire day for little to no result. Everywhere she had been, the place had been swarmed with other journalists. The neighborhood where the video had been taken was closed off by the police, and the hospital had decided to forbid access to anyone from the press. At least the police are doing something today.
The only information she had managed to gather came from Kris. She had called him to ask him how things were going at the station, and he had told that, surprisingly, the chief of police had ordered them to forget everything else and focus on finding this guy. It seemed everyone was starting to take this thing seriously. Unfortunately, Kris wasn't in the loop and didn't know anything more. He had been assigned to the blockade, and had received no other information but to stay there and keep people out. Honesty and ethics really don't pay up here.
It was already late when she came back to the newspaper's headquarters, and everyone was gathered around the boss. Surprisingly, Jasmine was standing next to him, smiling brightly.
"Thanks to your new coworker", Jafar was saying, "tomorrow we will be the only newspaper in the city to have a clear picture of our marvelous fire-throwing convict, alongside an interview of a firsthand witness. I want tomorrow's edition to be all about him, so send me all your articles and I'll make sure to publish the best of them."
People nodded and Jafar spoke again. "Now let's congratulate our new full time employee, Jasmine."
Anna clapped alongside the others, but she wasn't really feeling like it. Of course she was happy for her, but she would have loved to be in her place and she couldn't help but feel jealous. How the hell did she get a photo and an interview?
"That's enough. You can get back to work now." The boss finally said, and everyone went back to their desks.
Anna sat down and wondered what she could write about. She had no real information about the mysterious prisoner and what had truly happened or why. So she could either write an article full of assumptions and questions or get back to the article she had written this morning about the Red Mane. She took it back and started writing about how the city needed the help of the vigilante in these particular times, casually stating that she had again saved dozens of people in a restaurant the day before. That's the least I can do. Then she continued on how she would help them face their new threat. It was only when she finished it that she realized she had started believing the man everyone was looking for truly had supernatural powers. Well, if that's the case, I do hope the Red Mane has other tricks up her sleeve than her bow.
Notes: Sorry, we still don't know who that guy is! I promise we will learn more in the next one!
Also, I may have been heavily influenced by one of Super Girl's costume ^^
Finally, for those of you who read Only One Year and are interested in reading a bit more about it, I'll publish a Christmas one-shot soon!
