The feeling of an odd shambling wobble was the first thing I could detect as my senses returned to me, a fluttering in my hair seemed to indicate that I was moving.
"This plan seems worse the longer we do this." A deep male voice grumbled nearby. "You grabbed her right in front of Armsmaster."
"And we got away no problem. He didn't even know where she went." Replied the voice of the person who had apologized right before attacking me. I was almost annoyed as my sluggish mind recalled the details of a stun gun.
"This just seems stupid. With who she looks like, its bound to attract a lot of attention."
"That's probably why the boss wants her. Tinker plastic surgery is a thing, sure it'll cause a buzz but nobody with any brains will really think this is Saturn." If I could feel my face I was certain it would look suitably exasperated.
"If the boss wants her then why not take her back to base, or if not that one of his many safe-houses. It just seems odd, I got a bad feeling about this."
"She could be a changer for all we know. It's dumb to take an unknown back to base, an abandoned business building will do just fine for what we need."
As I slowly regained my sense of touch I felt a rough bumpy surface under me. The repetitive wobble, clarified as the gait of some creature that I was lying on.
"Trickster, I think she's waking up." A smooth feminine voice spoke from nearby.
"We're almost there, don't worry."
Blinking heavily to try and clear the blur that had fallen over my vision. The first thing I could see was the green-grey scales of the creature that was carrying me. I was lying on my stomach, tightly secured to its back by what felt like thick ropes. Shakily lifting my head the best I could I tried to assess my situation. We were moving into an empty blacktopped lot that my memory informed me looked like the back of a shopping plaza.
"Ballistic, that Blockbuster is gone, get the backdoor open." The voice of the man in the red masked ordered, Trickster; I connected.
"Am I the only one that sees the irony in breaking into a Blockbuster?" I heard from my other side. Raising my head I turned to see the slim form of the girl that had spoken earlier. She was wearing a tight armored black suit with red suns emblazoned on predominate places. She notice me looking at her, as her visored helmet turned down toward me.
"Just stay calm, we're not going to hurt you." She stated, and I could hear a bit of regret in her tone.
"A bit late for that." I growled as my neck throbbed, tingles and numbness still fluttering along my body. A stray thought crossed my mind, that I had wound up in a cliché video game plot. However, I didn't know if the intrepid knight would come rescue the kidnapped princess. As soon as the thought finished I was struck that I had thought that before I had really recalled what a video game was. I didn't know if I should take that as a sign that my memory was getting better or simply more strange.
A sharp thump sound came from the direction my kidnappers were heading. Again craning my neck around I was able to see another red and black clad man with a suit of blocky armor pulling at a previously featureless door that now had fist sized hole in the middle of one edge. Setting his foot along the wall he was able to gain enough leverage that the door opened with a stressed screech. My three captors quickly slid into the new entrance, however the beast carrying me struggled to work its bulk inside. I couldn't get a good view on the creature as every time I tried to look where it's head would be my view was obscured by a thick lock of traitorous hair. It was eventually able to work it's bulky limbs inside as its thick middle rubbed along the door frame with a repetitive scratching noise from its scales.
Inside we passed several darkened doorways before we entered a large room occupied with dozens of empty white shelves. From my position I could see the tops of several large windows that despite being fogged with dust provided the room plenty of light. The creature followed Trickster as he walked into the room's distant back corner, and the blocky Ballistic pushed several shelves to create a barricade that combined with foggy windows should obscure any easy views from the outside.
"Genesis put her down." Trickster ordered and what I had thought were thick ropes loosened their hold, eerily raising off of my back. I caught a glimpse of what looked like a snake's body curl along the creature's side. However, I couldn't get a better look as my ride lowered and with a tilt I rolled limply onto the blue carpeted floor.
Being restrained hadn't helped my limbs recover from the ache of being stunned, but I tried to push myself into a sitting position. The sun themed girl helped pull me up, and brushed my hair way from my face allowing me to get a good look around before she stepped away. The creature I had just been released from looked to be a large misshapen crocodile. It's scales, elongated jaws and general quadrupedal shape matched what I expected, but after that the comparison fell short. It's limbs were too long and thick, and it's core was too rounded and bulky compared to a streamlined form meant for swimming. I could also see what had secured me to it's back, as several extra limbs had curled up along it's side. They looked like the long bodies of constrictors, and I almost thought they were until I saw that where a head might be merged into the scaled creature.
I wasn't given long to examine my surroundings before the man in the top hat crouched down to my eye level. "Hi, sorry about the rough treatment, but we really didn't want a struggle. So who are you?" He asked in faked pleasant, cool tone.
"It is extremely impolite to demand someone's name before introducing yourself." I tersely stated, summoning as much righteous indignation I could in my weakened state. While it was rude of them, I didn't think they really cared. I just wanted more time to think as well as know more about my captors.
"How rude of me. I am Trickster, that's Sundancer, Ballistic, and the beasty that gave you a ride is Genesis." He stood taking off his hat and giving me an exaggerated bow, before answering pointing to each in turn. "I guess she's not the best mount for someone who seems to think they're royalty."
"Thank you." I nodded determined not to show weakness. "I am princess Saturn and I demand to know why you've kidnapped me."
It seemed my response had the desired affect as Trickster looked around at his team. I was beginning to realize that while I was struggling with how to respond to recent situations, others seemed to be uncertain how to deal with me. If I didn't know how to handle the deepening paradox that I had somehow become, I doubt anyone else would either.
"Princess.. riiight." Trickster paused before turning to Sundancer. "Why do I suddenly have the feeling we're being pranked?"
"Or Coi- the boss is setting us up for something." Ballistic grumbled. "I told you I didn't have a good feeling about this. What did he tell you again?"
"Not much, a girl looking exactly like Saturn showed up. He just wanted us to get to her before the Protectorate, secure her and call him when we were somewhere safe." He muttered. "Genesis head into the back, just make sure you don't hear sirens or something. I don't think there's anything to worry about but we'll ask her a few questions before calling the boss."
The large reptile turned around inside the cramped barricade, it's tail slapping against the wall as it squeezed back the way we had come. I didn't stand now that the tingling feeling was fading from my limbs. Without my magic I doubted I could overpower the three, that being said I did feel as though my magic was recovering. Ever since the statue and learning of my planetary mark appearing I had felt slightly stronger, I was hopeful I would soon have enough power to fight. Sadly, for the time being I was still near useless without the magical strength to defend myself.
"Sooo, princess. Not what I was expecting, despite the dress." He started, before shaking his head, and squaring his stance. "Alright, let's cut to the chase. I didn't sign up to hurt you, so help me out here. Why do you look like Saturn?"
"I am Saturn." I answered honestly, keeping my embarrassment hidden.
"Come on." He groaned. "I was there when Saturn died, be honest; I don't want to have to hurt you."
"Very well." I sighed. I doubted that he would believe a lie, and I could hardly believe the truth. However, I didn't think the truth could make my situation any worse. "To the best of my knowledge I am Saturn. Earlier I woke up in a park, I don't know how I got there, and yes; I know I should be dead."
The group was quiet for several seconds glancing at each other before the man in bulky armor broke the silence.
"Holy fuck!" Ballistic cursed. "I know powers are bullshit, but this opens up a huge can of worms!"
"Look we know Saturn was a girl in high-school, not a princess." Trickster grunted looking at his teammates. "There's no need to jump to extremes, well; the most extreme I mean. A bio-tinker or something out there probably has a sick sense of humor. She even has some sort of cape's stamp on her forehead."
"Even if that's true this could still blow up in our face so fast." Ballistic argued. "If she told Armsmaster that, the Protectorate is going to be crawling out of the woodwork. Even if she's a clone or whatever."
"We should call the boss and let him deal with this." Trickster said.
"So he can what? I wasn't alright with this mission anyway." Sundancer grumbled. "Getting her and asking her questions is fine, but kidnapping her so he can have a new pet isn't something I signed up for."
"She might not even be a real person." Trickster snapped, swinging his hand to gesture at me.
Even if I was confused, I wasn't going to stay quiet when he insulted me like that. "Yes I am!" I scoffed.
"We don't know what she is!" Ballistic huffed, his voice raising to just below a yell.
"Alright, alright." Trickster hissed, raising his hands before pausing and shaking his head. "We won't call him just yet. You talk to her or something, I need a smoke."
He stepped away before pulling out a small package. I didn't get the epiphany of sudden realization as my memory filled in a lack of details, I simply knew they were cigarettes. It gave me some hope that perhaps the paradox of my twin identities was sorting itself out. Regardless I was glad for the lack of additional confusion.
"Go find a window. We don't know if the fire alarms work in here." Sundancer commented, causing him to head into the back instead of lighting up in the other corner.
"He always does that when he needs to think." Ballistic whispered. "Its like his brain needs nicotine in order to work."
"I can't really blame him." Sundancer replied. "This was supposed to be something easy, not this."
"So what now?" I asked whimsically, when they paused looking between each other and me.
"Shouldn't you know?" He scoffed. "Isn't kidnapping a full time thing for princesses?"
"This is my first time being held captive." I answered glancing around looking for an opportunity to escape now that there were only two. That hope was lessened when the reptilian figure of Genesis emerged from the back. "You'll find that in most cases, princesses should never be kidnapped."
"Why are you saying you're a princess? Even if you did just suddenly wake up in a park, Saturn wasn't a princess even if she wore a tiara." Sundancer questioned.
"How certain of that are you?" I asked, deciding that while outright lying wouldn't help me, they didn't need to know my own woes with a conflicting memory. "A tiara is usually an indicator of royalty, nobility at the least."
"If that's true then Princess Glory Girl is the stupidest title I have ever heard." The bulky man chuckled. "Alright, let's just say that you're Saturn and nobody knew you thought you were a princess before you died. Now if you're really Saturn, use your powers."
"I can't right now." I growled, his smug tone annoyed me as it all but declared that he thought me trapped. "When I awoke I felt weak and I haven't recovered completely."
"Uh huh, convenient." He replied, crossing his arms in a very self-satisfied manner.
"Convenient for you!" I snapped back. "If I had the strength I wouldn't be held here!"
"Calm down there, killer." Ballistic placated sarcastically. "Wouldn't want you to go all purple pillar of death now."
"Still a scary thought." Sundancer muttered, before breathing out in a huff. "This has already gone too far, what does he want with her?"
"Yeah, I wanted to just call it off when we saw her with Armsmaster but Trickster had to switch her out and grab her." Ballistic nodded. "Look, I can see it these three ways. Either she's fucking with us, lying about everything. She thinks she's telling the truth, and like Trickster said, some cape out there has some complex plan involving a brainwashed girl they made look exactly like Saturn. Or, she's telling the truth.
"Either one of those options is still messed up. If she's lying, she's a very good actress that's been changed to look like Saturn or a cape herself. If the second option, who would want to pull something like this? Or the third option, and I am not equipped to deal with that."
"Well if it's of any help I do believe I am telling the truth, and I don't think I'm insane. And, if I were to be lying I have no idea what the truth would be." I shrugged. I felt so surreal, here I was calmly talking to my kidnappers, while I myself was struggling with an internal conflict of identity. I felt like curling up and crying till everything made sense again. However, I stubbornly resisted the urge because it wouldn't help, and as a princess such a display would be shameful.
We sat in silence for several minutes as my captors waited for their leader to return. I had hoped that something would happen, or I would see an opportunity that would allow me to escape, but nothing had occurred. Any plan I came up with seemed doomed to either be swiftly stopped by the three nearby, or I would likely be transported back by their leader. Eventually the man in the black suit returned, the smell of tobacco still clinging to him.
"Alright so did you find out anything?" He asked.
"Not really." Ballistic answered. "Basically she's either lying, and we're going to have to force her to tell the truth. She's crazy, or this situation is crazy and she's telling the truth."
"Yeah I thought the same sort of thing. So here's what I say, it would be easiest to just let the boss handle this; but!" He waved passively at Sundancer as her shoulders stiffened. "I agreed this could be big, like Triumvirate kicking down doors big. So I have that know it all Tattletale's number. If we either get our princess to her, or Tattletale here I bet she could get us more information."
"What would we do when we know more about her?" Ballistic asked.
"We can figure that out as we go." He shrugged. "You know, cross that burning bridge, depending on what she might find."
Seemingly sensing a consensus from the other members, Trickster pulled out his phone; poking around its screen. I remained quiet trying to divine how best to handle the situation, I felt so worthless in my current state. I hated the feeling of absolute lack of control, even when I first woke up lost and alone I had more influence of my own choices. Leaning back with a groan, my head thumped into an empty shelf. The only warning that things weren't going in my captor's favor was when Ballistic spat out a rushed curse.
With a loud crash the front windows shattered inward, leaping to my feet I saw a shimmering mass of twisting metal had landed inside. The moving amalgamation of metal shifted taking a shape of a wolf made of blades and hooks. My captors were only caught off guard for a moment as Ballistic stepped forward touching one of the empty shelves before it shot away in the blink of any eye. The improvised projectile hit the large metal beast solidly, but only caused it to stumble slightly. Not phased Ballistic reached out and sent another shelf zipping away.
"Genesis get Hookwolf, keep him occupied! Ballistic, the girl!" Trickster yelped, as he ran toward the back.
The larger man turned away from launching shelves and grabbed my arm pulling me toward him. As I stumbled forward he leaned down causing me to impact his shoulder before he lifted me off my feet. I might have squawked slightly as I was tossed up on his shoulder my hair falling around my face, when he spun around to followed his leader.
"That's not how you are supposed to carry a princess!" Sundancer gave a laughing scoff as we passed.
"Tough!" Ballistic grunted.
Looking though the veil of my own hair, I saw a spark of light appear between Sundancer's hands and it quickly grew to a bright ball of fire. Turning she left the fist sized ball in the middle of the passage. Ballistic's armor was very uncomfortable as I bounced on his shoulder as he ran. My right hand was stuck between my body and the arm that he had wrapped around my middle, but my left hung free behind his back. Finding a place on one armor plate I tried to push myself up enough to see where we were going. I wasn't able to position myself before I heard Trickster utter a curse, and I resigned myself to falling back down so I could look under my captor's armpit.
My dress obscured my view slightly, but I saw a slim woman with what looked like a birdcage on her head land bringing a small bladed weapon down toward Trickster's neck. Right before the blow landed, Trickster was suddenly replaced by a large blue trash bin. The blade of the weapon dug in and caught in the bin's thick shiny plastic. I lost sight of what was happening as Ballistic turned violently, my loose upper body flailing around as he moved and I quickly lost my sense of direction. Sounds and noises disoriented me and there was suddenly an intense heat and light that passed by. In the midst of the ungraceful handling I tried to regaining a grip on an armored panel so I could recover and keep my head from bouncing off Ballistic's back. I wasn't given the chance to regain my baring as with the noise of a deep thump Ballistic grunted and the sense of vertigo washed over me.
Protecting my head I was shaken as my captive's grip around my middle came loose, and I rolled away. Tossing my head back I swung my ruffled hair out of my face and was able to take a second to assess the situation. Ballistic was lying on the ground just out of arms reach, he was clutching at his side his mouth open as he vainly tried to gasp for air. I was able to guess he had been struck with the chunk of shattered rubble that had suddenly appeared not too far away.
I couldn't feel bad for the bulky man as he took a shuttering gasp and reached toward me groggily. Rolling away I sprang to my feet and ran. An intense wave of annoyance washed over me as I was struck with the impracticality of my dress. I couldn't get a full stride as I was forced to hold the hem up, and my comfortable soft soled slippers were not designed for running. Not looking back I sprinted for an alley that I hoped would offer me an escape.
The loud crack of a gun caused me to duck my head as I fled, almost making me stumble. Chancing a glance over my shoulder I saw a small figure in a red and black robe riding a floating slab of concrete, that looked suspiciously like a sidewalk slab. Whoever she was she seemed to be occupied keeping herself away from the car sized miniature star that was slowly following her as well as blocking her view. Ballistic seemed to have recovered as he and Trickster used the new conglomeration of rubble to fight the woman with the birdcage. I was only able to briefly admire the woman's impressive acrobatics as she dodged Trickster's twin pistols and Ballistic's attacks, before I heard someone call my name.
"Lady Saturn this way!" I looked forward to see a man in armor wielding a long spear beckoning to me from the mouth of the ally. I didn't know who he was or whether I should trust him, but I didn't seem to have much other choice; at least he seemed to have a sense of propriety.
I almost stopped and turned around when I saw ghostly mirror images step away from the man and rush toward me, the only thing that stopped me was that I could see the doppelgangers move to either side of me rushing to the battle I had left behind. Continuing to run I was intercepted as the armor clad man stepped up to me with a brief salute
"Come with me!" He said, in a tone equal parts pleasant and commanding, as he reached out his hand.
I was getting very suspicious of anyone who covered their face, but I didn't want to run from someone who seemed to be offering me support I took his hand. Whatever plan the knight had I wasn't able to find out as he disappeared, replaced by Trickster now smugly holding my hand.
"Well hi again, we shoul-" He cut off as I surprised him, violently driving the heel of my other hand into the middle of his face. As he stumbled away I ran, hoping I had stunned him long enough that he wouldn't be able to perform his switching power.
Rushing though the alley I ignored the sounds of battle behind me and quickly exited into a shopping plaza on the other side. The Blockbuster wasn't the only store that was closed as several other store fronts were dark, or covered over. However, there was a large department store that was still open. I slowed slightly as I decided where to go, the department store should provide some cover, or I could attempt to seek help at the nearby busy road.
My decision was taken from me as with another sound of shattering glass Genesis's scaly body tumbled through one of the Blockbuster's previously intact windows. The beast was covered in shallow wounds, and one of its snake like limbs hung limp and bloodied along it's side. The metallic wolf was quick to follow and the two continued their fight. It was obvious to me that Genesis was losing ground, but its tough hide helped protected it from its opponents whirling blades. The problem was that the two were fighting in the middle of the quickest path to the road and I didn't have any time to waste.
Fearing that I might be unable to acquire help along the road, as well as the possibility of getting hurt from the wrestling beasts I ran for the department store. As I sprinted through the parking lot I was thankful when I felt a burst of my magic filter through me, I didn't feel so helpless as my weakened magic helped wash some of my fatigue away. Reaching the edge of the parked cars I ducked behind and chanced a look back.
Genesis and the metal wolf still fought, but the reptile looked to be on its last legs. Above the abandoned store I could see the bright sun still hanging in the air. The red robed girl launched one of her many chunks of rubble down at an unseen target before a blur shot up and impacted the concrete platform she stood on. She wobbled in the air from the impact, then her previously stable ride cracked splitting into multiple pieces. Shakily floating down to the top of the empty store she turned around, reaching out to touch a metal box on the roof. As she did so her head snapped up, I couldn't seen her eyes but I knew she was looking at me.
I cursed myself, and turned to resume my escape, while they did provide the distraction for my escape I didn't feel very trusting at the moment. There was an odd feeling about their group that I couldn't put my finger on, best to play it safe.
The parked cars became more numerous as I ran, eventually reaching the large glass doors of the store. I only faltered for a split second as the automatic door languidly opened. Inside was a group of customers that had their phones out, recording the fight from around edges of the glass. I didn't stop, if they were brave or foolish enough to stay, I doubt they would flee if I rebuked them. I did catch one watcher following me with his camera, his exclamation of, "Oh my God, she looks like Saturn!" was not missed.
Running past the multiple colorful signs designed to draw attention, I saw that the store still had a multitude of customers milling around baskets and carts still full of merchandise. Stopping in the middle of a thoroughfare I looked around trying to decide on my next course of action. The only obvious exit was back the way I came, and as I glanced back I decided that was not where I would be going.
Outside in the parking lot was the metal wolf. It seemed to have finished its fight with Genesis and was leaping from car to car, crumpling roofs and hoods swiftly heading here. With wide eyes I turned, choosing a random direction I headed deeper into the store. The store was large, and I could easily get lost in the maze of aisles and displays. However, there were too many long slight lines that if I hid down one aisle I could be easily spotted by someone in the right position.
My flight through the store was interrupted as a shrill piercing buzz sounded through the store, and lights placed in the center of red rings marked with Fire flashed. The patrons that had been giving me odd looks before gasped looking around in alarm. The distinctive pops of gunfire soon followed by distant screaming echoing through the store.
Slowing to a stop I saw that I had run blindly into the middle of the store. I was near the electronics section, televisions of multiple sizes all played a sports game, the image repeated in an eye-catching dazzle. Not too far away was apparel, and the tightly spaced racks of clothing could provide me some easy cover.
Making my decision I moved toward the clothes and searched for a promising hiding spot. Hopefully things would calm down, and I could stay hidden until everything passed by. It wasn't the best plan, but as long as I wasn't noticed the city's guards would eventually arrive to establish order. Parting a thickly packed rack of hoodies I ducked into the middle, a sense of nostalgia washing over me as I remembered that I had done something very similar with my friend when I grew up in this city. I was still struggling with my intermingled memories, as I tried to slow my racing heart I noted that my surroundings had lost much of their alien feel from before.
More sounds of gunfire rang through the store and the heavy thumps of booted feet reached my ears, rapidly approaching my hiding spot. I tried to not even breath as the distinctive clodding noise approached, slowed and stopped well within earshot.
"The fuck man!" A man's baritone complained with a gasp. "We arrive late for a cape fight and now they want us to blitz a wal-mart!?"
"Shut up and find the girl!" Another, with a gravely voice commanded. "Rune said that she didn't see her running out any of the exits."
"Who the fuck we looking for again?"
"Do your ears not work?" The man she guessed was in charge growled. "Young girl, long purple dress, black hair, looks exactly like Saturn, shouldn't be able to miss her."
"Saturn! The fuck man!? Ain't she dead, why would we be looking for her?" The first man questioned.
"Maybe she is, maybe not. Whoever she is, Kaiser wants to get this girl brought into The Empire's protection." The leader rumbled, before barking out an order. "Spread out and find her, we need to make this quick."
A series of yes' and acknowledging grunts sounded as thumps of boots headed in different directions; their footsteps quickly drowned out by the shrill fire alarm. I stayed still and silent as my memory piped up with the mention of 'The Empire.' It was the way he said Kaiser that had allowed me to connect memories with the uncertain feelings I had received from the recent capes. Examined the revelation I was able to recall the basics of one of the cities gangs, modern day nazis. No wonder I had felt such uncertainty with what might have seemed to be my would be rescuers. I had very narrowly evaded a bear by running into a forest fire, and now that fire seemed to have caught up.
I stayed concealed for less than a minute before a shrill scream could be heard from the nearby electronics department. "Look what I found here! A nigger bitch was hiding under the counter!" The man from before laughed and I could hear the sounds of a scuffle over the fire alarm.
"Calm down bitch!" He snarled, before a loud hollow boom echoed through the store, silencing the sounds of a struggle.
"Next one is going in your chest!" The gravely voiced leader growled, reinforcing his threat with the distinctive 'schick chi-chunk' of a shotgun. "You see you have to really drive the point in with these animals, they're all action; can't think before they just do."
"Yeah thanks." The foul mouth man laughed. "Now, did you see a girl in a purple dress come this way?"
"I just work here!" I heard her say before a squeaking noise was accompanied with the sharp sound of a slap.
"Monkeys speak no evil!" He yelled. "I fucking asked you if you saw a white girl, in a fucking purple dress!"
"N-no, there were a lot of customers I didn't see her!" the distraught woman answered.
"Bitch! Then what good are you?" He hissed, and I chanced a look out. Pushing my head above the hangers I saw the two nazis. One had a thick blond beard contrasting his shaved head, watching with a shotgun pulled into his side. The other man with short red hair, with a bat held at the end of his tattoo covered arm. He raised his weapon high, his intent clearly to bring it down on the dark skinned clerk.
"Wait wait! I can help you find her!" The clerk yelled and I pulled my head back down.
"We don't need-" He was cut of as the sound of a boom and rumbling sound shook the store causing the shelves and racks of merchandise to rattle. "The fuck was that?"
"More capes I bet." The leader muttered. "We need to find the girl, we've wasted enough time with her; step away."
I immediately realized the racist' intent and struggled with a split second decision. It was a choice of staying safe and letting her die, or trying to intervene. I couldn't fight the two men, but I could distract them from killing the woman. Making my choice I pushed out of my cover, the hangers ringing noisily as I ran toward a nearby aisle. Looking over I saw the Nazi's eyes tracking me, their eyes widening before I broke line of sight down rows of large plastic bins and waste baskets.
"Get her!" I heard the leader yell, and I hoped my distraction had been enough. I wished I could do more but while my magic was slowly growing stronger I still couldn't do anything impactful with it. Snagging some of the merchandise as I passed I pulled it down behind me, if the foul mouthed man followed my path he would have to navigate through it.
There was so much noise filling the store, the alarm continued to buzz and yells and screams echo from different directions. From one corner of the store a battle seemed to sound as gunshots and bangs filtered to my ears. I looked behind as I heard a hollow thump, the ginger nazi had kicked a plastic tub in his pursuit of me.
"Hey, wait!" He called to me futilely, looking back ahead my feet slipped as I tried to avoid a rack of blankets in the middle of an inter-junction. Catching myself on a shelf I pushed off, spinning away from the display of bargain items, and skidded to a stop when a newcomer rounded a corner. He was obviously a cape, masked in a bright red and yellow costume, with the chest, legs and arms covered in obvious armor. A star-burst with a red core and yellow swirling, radiating lines stood prominently on his chest. As we eyed each other he seemed shocked by my appearance as much as his surprised me, sadly I had wasted too much time in my startled condition and my pursuer had gained ground.
Ignoring the newcomer I ran perpendicularly from him into another aisle. I glanced back again as the Nazi shoved off the bargain items before he screamed, dropping his bat and covering his face. The air around shimmered with the hazy distortion of heat, and the exposed skin I could see flushed red like he had suddenly received a sun burn.
"Vector, down kitchen supplies!" I heard the new cape call, and I feared my options of escape were slowly being cut away. I stumbled as movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention. Another cape wearing grey was standing upside-down jumping between the crossbeam supports high above. He was already ahead of me and moved to cut me off, then he jumped and it seemed like gravity corrected itself pulling him away from the ceiling. With a half flip he corrected his inverted state and landed heavily on the ground in my path.
Looking to the side I snatched the first thing I might use as a weapon, trying to look intimidating despite feeling very foolish in my choice. Fear me, for I am Saturn, wielder of the mighty spatula!
"Whoa whoa!" The man held his hands up passively. I could now see his chest that bore a black star-burst, the blocky lines radiating from the core ended in arrow heads. "I'm Vector, a-are you Saturn?"
"Yes!" I gasped not lowing my fearsome weapon.
"A-alright I can help you!" He said, a touch of skepticism coloring his declaration.
The boom of a shotgun sounded from back where the red and yellow cape was, cutting off any need for my response. "Damn it. Vector, a little help!" Could be heard before another shotgun round was fired.
"Heat Sink one sec! Um- stay here." He commanded uncertainly before he leapt, coasting high over my head; before landing softly at the end of the aisle.
Ignoring his order I pulled up my skirts again and ran. As I moved from cover to empty aisle I tired to avoid anyone I saw, it didn't matter if they looked like a gang member or just a store patron; I became very paranoid. Eventually after dashing down racks filled with pet food I neared an outer wall and spied an exit. A sliver of daylight streamed in around the edges, and I stepped up to it and pushed; immediately regretting my action.
Just outside was the familiar metal wolf engaged in battle with a man in bright sliver and gold armor. The man held what looked like a shield made of light defensively in front of him, and using a spear that sparked with electricity he fended away the reaching blades from the wolf. Both combatants looked up for a moment as the door loudly slammed on the outside of the building as it opened fully.
I felt like screaming in exasperation, but I didn't have the breath to waste as I turned on heel and ran. Moving along the outer wall I hoped that I could find another exit without powerful combatants outside of it. Moving along racks of toys and playing balls I ignored the distant memory of recognition I had felt from the man in shining armor. He had the vague feeling of 'good guy', regardless I didn't want to risk becoming collateral damage.
I felt so foolish, desperately running from everything, I wished I had stayed in the park with the children. The only benefit could I find was that the stress of the situation seemed to have a rousing effect on my magic. My power was slowly rising, I hoped it wouldn't be long before I could perform my basic transformation; if I didn't die beforehand.
Passing an aisle of fishing poles I spotted a red exit sign and ran toward it. My hope, of course was shattered as I saw two gang members standing under it. A thin nazi with a prominent swastika on his shirt stood beside a man wearing only tattoos on his upper body. Sliding to a stop, I decided I wasn't confident enough in my skills with a spatula to fight the thin man's rifle, and the tattooed man's pistol and heavy chain. Pushing off a kayak I headed back into the middle of the store.
Ignoring their calls to stop I ran, only pausing to pull a large box of fitness equipment down. The man wearing tattoos came to the corner of the aisle and raised his pistol aiming at me. Using the only tool I had available I threw my mighty spatula, causing him to reflexively duck back. I almost felt a slight sense of loss without it, while it didn't provide any real protection it was something to hold to keep my hands from shaking. Scrambling away I was able to reach the edge of the aisle and gain cover, moving into an assortment of furniture.
The store seemed to only be getting louder as gunshots echoed from every corner and a siren was heard from somewhere outside. Ducking behind a stack of metal chairs I looked around for another way out. The sharp sound of shattering glass drew my attention as someone in dark red fell through a distant skylight. From my angle I couldn't see what happened to that individual but I did see a familiar red and black robed figured following, floating down on what looked like a crumpled car hood. That area of the store became even noisier as I saw and heard racks of merchandise scattering their contents across the store.
I didn't have time to waste as there were still two nazi thugs somewhere nearby and I continued my flight. Nearly tripping over a coffee table, I realized that I wasn't too far from the clothing and electronics section where I had began my dash through the store. Sprinting out from around a cabinet I turned toward the back of the store, running directly into a ghostly knight. Bouncing off the surprisingly solid surface of the doppelganger I stumbled backwards.
Shaking my head clear I heard the pleased tone of the ghost's creator. "Lady Saturn! There you are, you haven't need to run anymore!" Looking up I saw the nazi knight, standing surrounded by a squad of his ghostly summons. Despite some new dents in his armor he seemed ready for combat, and several of his spectral soldiers swiftly moved to cut off my paths of escape. His full helm concealed his face, but I could almost feel the wide grin that was certain to be present on his face. He was less then ten paces away when he held his hand out expectantly, and I knew he could easily stop me if I decided to run.
"Saturn!" A call sounded form behind me. Looking back, my hair swaying around my head, I saw the two men in red and grey. Seeing who was near me they lurched to a halt, crouching into readied combat stances. My head whipped back, looking between the two groups of capes, my breath catching in my throat. I was trapped, caught at one end by two potentially powerful capes, and a nazi with a of squad ghost knights.
I was certain I would be killed. I was the prize that they would fight for, each pulling on me until I broke. I needed to be able to fight, to escape! It seemed that my fear, and desperation caused my magic to slip loose of whatever had been binding it. I felt it infuse my being causing me to smile, I wasn't near my full strength but it would be enough.
"The power of the Planet Saturn!" I chanted, a sparkle of purple light flickering around me. "TRANSFORM!"