A/N Hot topics
Alt title: MALLROOM BLITZ!
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I'm in a discord server now! Soon I'll have a beta and the quality of my works will skyrocket!
Sadly, that also means they'll come out much slower.
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I'm going to be taking a break after this chapter. Sorry.
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Gogmazios: You're welcome!
Kaykaykaykayan: Lil'nerdy foxgirl she is! Sho pwecious!
I actually found out the origin for Stormfront's name! STORMFRONT is the name of the first online white supremacy chatroom!
RadChaos897: I'd respond more, but I am WIPED OUT. I've had a helluva week. From getting fed up with the discrimination my team lead throws at me, to quitting my department over the fact my coach covers it up. To joining the Shiro Gaming Omniverse discord and trying to get a beta, to my dog biting me today and now being put on a timer to be put down!
Still haven't read Abaddon borne.
Grimnosh: You'll find out here! And Assaults suit doesn't make a lot of noise. But it was an empty school. No ambient noise to cover up his foot steps.
As for the side note? Oops? Could've sworn Crystal had some super strength.
DancingLeaf: Same. I wish earth had more bioluminescence.
They intend to make it, very public that they've split.
Shatterbird would make Kitsu antsy and uncomfortable. But not even Kitsu's hearing can fully pick up on Shatterbird's song.
As for Crystal? The magical world of therapy and communication!
Redburndragon: SHOW ME YER WARFACE SOLDIER!
Casanova5424: Saw your PM! Got a good laugh myself.
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Disclaimer: I don't own Worm or any other characters in this work, other than my OC. All other characters belong to their respective properties.
-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
[Shard]
(Text)
*Sounds/Actions*
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-Somewhere in the Nevada Desert, Midday, April of 2008-
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Firebreather POV
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'Another boring day wasted in the sun.' I think to myself as I sit on the rock.
Found a few campers, pilfered some bags of coal. Caught a snake!
Tasted good enough. Coal isn't bad. But it's nice to add some variety.
So, I sit here on this rock. Lay down, and watch the clouds. Every time I try to talk to people, they run or shoot me. Sometimes the bullets even hurt.
Why?
Are people just mean? Am I that scary? I try and remember, something. To see if I can recall of people really are this mean.
But, all I get is the blurred image of a woman, taller than me, brown hair. And I feel, safe. She's wearing a long white coat.
And that's it. I don't know who she is. But, but, there has to be something there.
Why would I feel safe around her? If people were meant to be cruel, then why would my only memory from before, be of such a kind and safe feeling around another person?
I'm too tired to think about this right now.
It's with that thought, that I close my eyes. And let sleep take me.
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-5 hours later-
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*Clang* *Clang* *Clang*
"Huwatcha huh?" I shoot up as I'm woken up by the loud metal sounds.
"Good!" I hear one voice say as I rub the sleep from my eyes. "We got'em up!"
"Might make a good present for the Crowleys." Another says.
My vision clearing. I see I'm in a cage, cold metal bars surrounding me. Surrounded by people in white feathered clothes as all I see past them is a white tarp. Hinting at a tent of some kind.
"The feathered mother knows they love them some fifty three's." A woman says with a smile.
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-Wednesday, July 28th, Immaculata District, 1:23pm-
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Kitsu POV
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"Anne, she, well, she was a he." The man, Jerome says as he sits on the ledge of the ambulances bumper, a blanket covering him. "And, well, they made an example of'r. Took a pair of hedge trimmers and, made her a, her. God there was so much blood."
"Do you know what they did with her?" Aunt Sarah asks.
"Spare parts." He sneers as he shakes, in despair or anger. It's hard to tell. "Black market organs. Not a fucking piece left of her."
Sarah doesn't say anything. Instead just pats him on the back reassuringly.
"Is she good?" Assault asks, referring to the little Asian girl I'm healing of pneumonia.
"Oh yeah, she's fine." I say as I take my hand off of her head. "Sleep, rest, go home, that stuff."
"Thank you so much!" The lady says as she holds her daughter.
Oh yeah, they're all in blankets. No personal artifacts were allowed. Wallets were pilfered, phones were smashed, and clothes were burned.
I'm actually thirty something feet away Sarah and Jerome. In another ambulance as police gut the place.
And I mean, GUT. Armsmaster and Miss Militia are here. She's going through and looking at every room. Taking pictures and videos. While using her perfect memory in tandem.
After they case a room, the cops remove, everything.
This place is being torn, down. To the last pebble on the track field.
Human trafficking is already an issue with Lung. But he mostly targets rival gang members, debtors, people who've pissed him off, if they survive initially, basically those who won't be missed. And he rarely sells out of city, or even out of state.
The documents from the stockpile imply that Stormfront is going international, and is setting up with Gesselschaft to make a whole network.
This is still the same treatment that Lung's brothels get when they're discovered. It's just that this. Is a bit more pressing.
"Real quick." I say as I look to Assault. "How does the PRT have permission to dismantle a private school?"
"Hmm? Oh, we're not." He says as he looks to said school. "Well, not yet. As of now? We're just collecting evidence."
"Evidence?" I say with a raised brow as I very pointedly watch two cops move a cafeteria table into a movers van.
"They'll get everything back once it's proven that it has no value in the investigation, and after we conclude the staff of the school had no part in this." He says.
"Is that legal?" I ask with a tilt of my head.
"When villains are involved?" He says. "Yes. If this were say, some unaffiliated human trafficking ring. This would take a few more days for paperwork. The victims are also going to be put in M/S protocol. Just to be safe."
"Huh." I say as I turn my attention to Firebreather. Who is currently handing out food to the victims.
He, kinda nearly lost it. After he tore off all the bars of the cages. He was so upset he nearly set himself and the room ablaze. Crystal had to smack him.
It was kinda funny.
"I wonder how the others are doing." I say out loud.
"Hopefully something less exciting." Assault says.
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-Meanwhile, Edge of Old Industrial District-
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Victoria "Glory Girl" Dallon POV
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"Eugh." I groan as I slump out of the building I got tossed in.
I dust myself off before flying out and after the two capes in a territory war. Hookwolf is chasing after Mechanic. Who's evasive maneuvers are borderline supernatural.
Seriously. If we didn't know better, we'd think he was some form of precog as opposed to a Tinker. He's just so unpredictable!
Dauntless is chasing after them on foot. His boots empowered to enhance his speed. But it isn't enough. Pinky was with us, but she got lost a ways back after Mechanic drove off.
So far the only ones keeping pace are me and Eric. And Eric went back to find Pinky.
Which leaves, me.
We weren't supposed to find Hookwolf here! Cricket at worst! He's supposed to be consolidating his power!
I fly after and grab Hookwolf's metallic tail. And fly down. Planting my feet into the asphalt as he drags me. Tearing up the road as he doesn't slow, only when I try to fly back, does it do anything.
As in, his tail breaks off and I fly back.
"Fucking!" I shout. "Stay still already!"
"Vicks!" I hear Eric's voice from behind as I fly.
He slowly catches up as we round a few buildings. Following after the two capes.
"I can't slow him down!" I shout.
"I got an idea!" He says. "How hard do you think you can throw me!?"
Huh?
"What!?" I ask.
"Throwing!" He shouts. "Diatance! How!?"
"Pretty far?" I says.
"Do it!" He says as he holds out his hand and flies next to me.
Never fly too close to another flier in concert. That's something Aunt Sarah drilled into us. Too risky, you could easily crash and next thing you know you're waking up on top of a car.
But fuck it.
I grab his hand and spin midair while flying at top speed. Launching him ahead of me.
He rockets forward, catching up to Hookwolf. Just when they meet. He throws his hands out and Hookwolf barrels and splays against a blue forcefield. Right before it cuts out and he falls.
Mechanic speeds off as I catch up. I let him leave. Mechanic isn't the priority here.
"Damn brats!" His metallic, grating voice booms.
He runs forward at us, and I charge towards the truck sized metal monstrosity. And punch right through his head.
Kitsu said that so long as his core isn't damaged. He'll be fine. He could even grow back limbs. So I feel perfectly fine in smashing through him.
I turn around and shake off the metal hooks as my field comes back.
"Give up!" I shout. "You're out numbered!"
"I only see two."
A blinding flash of blue light takes his front leg out as a spear imbeds itself to the road.
"Make that three!" Dauntless says as he finally catches up and pulls out a short sword.
'Really playing the gladiator look there huh?' I think to myself. 'Hrmm, how would Dean look in a battle skirt? Or a regular skirt?'
Intrusive thoughts aside.
"Like we said!" I shout. "Outnumbered!"
"And yet, you are outmatched!" He roars as his leg reforms and charges against us.
As he does so. His head is blasted off by a double helix laser.
"Appropriate choice of words!" We here from above.
Craning my neck up to see the newcomer, though I already know who it is. I'm nonetheless blinded by the glowing brilliance of Purity's form.
Now that we know it's a breaker power armor and not just a suit. Kind of makes it seem less impressive. Just takes the whole, 'How does she do it?' awe factor away.
"Because from my point of view, you're out matched, and out numbered." Purity says.
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Kenta "Lung" POV
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I relax in my bed as I watch the security footage of Hookwolf, Mechanic, Purity, and the heroes fight.
*Ding*
Ooh! My ramen's done!
I hurry over to my microwave and pull out the hot cup. Wasabi Shrimp flavor! My favorite.
I head to my wine cooler and grab a bottle of fuji apple sake. Head back to my bed, set my food down. And continue to enjoy the show.
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Kayden "Purity" Anders POV
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"Good, just remember." Edward says through the earpiece. "Don't piss off the heroes. You either take down Hookwolf and leave, or drive him off. Just make it clear he's kicked out."
"Got it." I say softly.
Edward is acting as my PR coach. We're the good guys, but because of our more problematic and radical members. The PRT won't see it that way. Best thing we can hope for is to be seen as neutral. But in all reality we'll probably just be seen as the lesser of three evils.
"Hookwolf!" I say commandingly. "You were instructed to stay low! Why are you out here!?"
"Perfect."
"Same reason as you and the Nazi." He says. "Big boss is out, time for new management. And I got big plans! Starting with ridding this place of the junkies and ******."
"Blast him." Edward says. "Make it seem like you don't approve of the slur."
'Alright.' I mentally shrug as I do so. 'He didn't say anything wrong. The Merchants are nothing but addicts and criminals.'
But, Ed knows what he's doing. He has his dad's intelligence. Just not his charisma. So I'll take his advice for now.
I blast him back, causing his form to flip and launch against an apartment building.
"I propose a truce!" I shout to the heroes. "A temporary one!"
"As if!" Glory Girl says.
"What's your suggestion!?" Dauntless asks.
"What!?/Seriously?!" Glory Girl and Shielder say respectively.
"Temporary alliance!" I say. "For one hour! We deal with Hookwolf, then we part ways!"
"Like-" Glory Girl starts.
"Deal!" Dauntless shouts back.
"Nice to know the Trojan mascot has a brain." Edward says.
"Dude!?" Shielder says as he turns to look down at the golden hero. "What the heck!?"
"You want to fight Hookwolf and Purity!?" He challenges. "Or fight Hookwolf with Purity."
As he says that. Hookwolf bursts out of the apartment building. Likely having just finished regenerating.
He charges at us and I fire another beam. Before cutting it off and flying around to the other side. Pausing for a second to reorient myself as he gets blasted back.
Dauntless grabs his spear out of the road as he charges and I fire another beam. A two pronged attack that sees Hookwolf take a blast from both ends.
The flashes of white and blue light clear as we get a look at Hookwolf.
Missing the right, and front left limbs of his metallic meat hook body.
"Fucking! Fine!" He shouts in frustration as his body's hooks rearrange themselves. "Another day!"
He turns himself into smaller more agile form and takes off.
I go to fly after him.
"Don't!" Edward yells in my ear.
"Why?" I hiss as I stop.
"Chase him, and he's likely to start running through buildings." He says.
"So?" I hiss.
"People die, you get made the villain." He says. "Best to let him leave for now. Next time, try and kill him."
"Fine." I spit out. "I'll trust you to know what you're doing."
And so. Hookwolf runs off as the PRT and New Wave attend to the surrounding areas and damages.
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- Thursday, July 29th, Ferry Station South, 9am-
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Gully POV
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We're having a meeting of the Newest Wave. We're all in the main living room of the ferry station. With the older capes having just got back from report a few hours ago. As appointed leader it's my job to pass down the messages and make sure everyone is up to date on what's going on.
"And with Group two being rearranged, Kitsu, you'll need to be put with them to replace Velocity as their mover." I say to the girl with a beetle on her head.
She's officially moving into the housing here at the station.
Well, correction. Kratos, is. Mrs. Dallon won't let her make him any bigger than his current guinea pig size while he's still in her house. So Kitsu is moving him here.
No one has any real complaints. We all understand that this building is only here because of her. Giving away a room we're not using for her pet beetle, while absurd, is not much of a sacrifice.
"Yeah that's fine." She says with a shrug.
I really don't see what all the reports were about. Yeah, her behavior can be a bit erratic. But she's normally compliant. If anything, she's just mischievous and dramatic.
"Alright, aside from that." I continue. "We've been given a basic understanding of the territories the three splinters are occupying. The Aryan Empire, Stormfront's group, is holding ground in the industrial districts. Purity's group is holding onto the richer portions, with the exception of Immaculata. And Hookwolf is basically taking the rest."
Immaculata is all over the news. The prestigious private school being closed down on accusations of human trafficking? I didn't believe it. It's a school for crying out loud! There are children that go there!
But then Kitsu and Lady Photon confirmed it. And I had no choice but to believe it.
To think, such a thing could happen.
"What happened to Velocity?" Pinky asks.
"He got injured." I say. "I'm not allowed to say more."
"I don't remember any injury reports." Vicky says.
'That's because he wasn't injured on the job.' Is what I think. But don't say. It's not my business to tell.
"Regardless." I say. "We're expecting something big to go down. By this point the other gangs have recognized that the Empire Eighty Eight is fractured. Members fighting in the public have all but confirmed it."
"And it was announced on PHO." Kitsu adds.
"That too." I agree
"Why not lead with that?" Ben asks. "If they said they're not working with each other anymore."
"Because, there's this neat little thing humans like to do." Kitsu says as she takes Kratos off of her head and holds him in her lap. "It's called, lying."
"Oh, right." Ben says sheepishly.
"Anyway, Ben." I say, getting the young Tinker's attention.
"What's up?" He asks.
"We need to get in some training on your teamwork." I say as I cross my arms.
"Urgh!" He groans as he rolls his eyes. "This again?"
"Yes." I say. "You took off from your assigned group to chase after a robber."
"And I caught him!" He says proudly with a smile.
"You totally ditched us dude!" Jenny says defiantly.
"Not cool." Firebreather adds.
"Not my fault you guys can't keep up." He says.
"What if something happened to you?" I point out. "What if something happened to them? You'd be off somewhere unable to do, anything."
"Pfft." He scoffs. "Like that'll ever happen. I case you haven't noticed, I'm more than capable of handling my own problems."
"This again." Pinky scoffs from the recliner.
"But this is a team." I stress.
"Gully, can I talk to you in private?" Kitsu asks as she stands up and sets Kratos on the table.
"Um, can it wait?" I ask.
"Nope." She says and walks off towards the stairs.
"We're not done here." I say.
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-1 Hour Later-
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Benjamin "Ben" Tennyson POV
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"Alright, what is it this time?" I ask as we reassemble in the living room. Everyone taking their original spots. With the exception of Kitsu who is standing next to Gully.
"Simple." Gully starts off, though she seems. Hesitant? Is that the word? She looks like she waiting for something bad to happen. "Kitsu has announced that she's-"
*Squelch*
"Ahhh!"
"What the fuck!?"
"Huh!?"
Kitsu just jumped up and shoved a fist through Gully's chest. And ripped out her heart!
"Oh god!" Pinky screams.
Kitsu runs to her, jumps up and grabs her face. Knocking her over and tipping her chair back. Kitsu then jumps and tackles Fire and pins him to the wall before a sickening crack is heard and he slumps.
Pinky didn't get up.
'Crap!' I yell at myself. 'Think. Think! I need to think!'
As I'm screaming at myself to move. Jenny's hand reconfigures itself and Kitsu runs over in a blur. Seemingly teleporting in front of her. Before with a single movement. Kicks her head off!
"Oh shit! Oh fuck!" Eric is hyperventilating at this point.
"Hey ben!" Kitsu says cheerfully as she looks to me. "Why aren't you helping?"
Her eyes cheerful and uncaring as ever.
'What?' I think to myself.
"You can handle yourself right?" Kitsu says as she stalks forward calmly. "But can you handle others?"
She's in front of me now. And grabs my face. When all of a sudden, my body goes slack.
'Why isn't my watch activating!?' I panic.
"It seems, you can't." She says as I drop. "You're a bright kid. And have outstanding potential. I mean, if I was Hisoka, oh boy! SHWING!"
'What?' I think to myself as I stare at the floor.
"But back to the point." She says. "This is your potential. Wasted. If only, you had people you could count on. Vicky and Eric bolted as soon as Jenny dropped. You're all alone. If only you had a team.'
'What is going on!?' I try to scream in panic. But my body won't listen.
Why is she doing this!? Why did the others leave me?! Why won't my watch's failsafe activate!?
WHAT'S HAPPENING!?
"Alright! I think that's enough!" Kitsu says.
'Huh?' Is all I can numbly think as she grabs my head and my I regain movement.
I jump up in an instant. Ready to go Feedback and fend off the Endstopper.
Only. I stare in confusion as everyone is just, getting up and putting the chairs back.
"We good?" I hear Vicky call from the hall.
"Yeah!" Fire says as he sits back down. "You're good!"
"What?" Is all I can say. "But, but, but you?"
"People often get so caught up in my other abilities." Kitsu says. "That they forget my most powerful. Illusions."
"Why!?" I demand as I my heart still pounds against my chest.
"To show you there's always a bigger fish." Kitsu says. "You're actively refusing to work with the team. And Gully is too nice to do anything mean to set you straight. So I set all this up. To show you there are situations you can't handle on your own."
"That, that's not fair!" I say in defiance. "You caught me off guard! And there's no one as strong as you!"
All this for a stupid friendship lesson?!
"So?" She shrugs. "Villains aren't going to let you cycle through your watch. Strength isn't everything. And no one. Is strong enough on their own to deal with everything."
"What are the odds I fight someone who-" I try to defend.
"Keep being the way you are and it's a guarantee." She cuts me off. Losing her smile. "Refuse to be a team player. And you're off the team."
"That's not fair!" I say.
It's not! This, this is all I wanted! I just want to prove I'm as good as her! Why is that a bad thing?
"Life isn't fair." She says. "You're not the be all end all. Get over yourself, and be better."
She walks off after that. Taking her pet beetle to it's new room.
As everyone heads off to do, whatever. I stay here to contemplate what just happened. The whiplash of everything that just happened and how, I don't know.
"As harsh as that was." Gully says as she sits down next to me. "She's right. Things are only expected to get worse. And we can't have you running off like you have been."
I say nothing. There's nothing to say.
"We need you to be a team player." Gully says soothingly. "Not a solo act. What happens when you run off, and come across someone who has a paralyzing power. You're not in mortal danger so your failsafe doesn't activate, but you can't do anything."
She's right. Again.
"Your failsafe might keep you from being killed." Gully continues. "But you need to understand. There are worse things than dying. And as Kitsu showed you, you can't defend against everything. You need a team. And Ben? We want you on the team."
'But you don't need me.' I think to myself. 'If I don't, be better. Then, then.'
"Okay." I agree with a small nod.
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-Thursday, July 29th, Mall, 6pm-
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Carol "Brandish" Dallon POV
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"Okay, you need five notebooks, two packs of pencils, highlighters, graph paper, erasers, pens, scissors, and a ruler." I tell the little girl as she grabs a basket. "And no super speed. There are other kids here and I don't want to hear you barreled over another kid."
"Got it!" She salutes before marching into the supplies store as I follow after.
She insisted on wearing a pageboy hat and long coat for some reason. Something about going incognito. Not that I see how that's possible with her. Though people seem to not be bothered.
I see an area with a bunch of other parents all sitting and chatting near the checkout entrance. Deciding I have nothing better to do. I go and sit in an empty seat as I wait for Kitsu to come back with a cart as opposed to a basket.
"Which one is yours?" One of the parents asks.
Looking over to the mother. She's a taller woman with brown hair set in a bun. Pale skinned and wearing a pink shirt with jeans.
'Doesn't seem suspicious.' I think to myself.
"The one in a trench coat." I say.
"Trench coat?" She asks, her tone confused.
"She insisted on it." I say explain. "She's a bit of a fashionista and considers it 'Going incognito'." I say with air quotes.
"Oh, is she a bit of a diva?" She asks, making small talk. "My Samantha is all into fashion. She won't leave the house unless her hair and nails are perfect."
"Something like that." I say, keeping the conversation going without giving away too much. "We don't have any issues with her not being on time at least. Though, she's still indecisive on what she wants to wear."
"I wish." She says with a huff. "I don't know where Samantha got it from. I was always a tomboy growing up. Fishing with my dad, camping in the woods. And she's the exact opposite of me and her father!"
"Oh don't get me started on my husband." I say as I roll my eyes. "If he were here instead of me, they'd come back with an RC car instead if any school supplies."
"Daddy's little girl?" She says with a knowing smirk.
"Undoubtably so." I say with a sigh.
"She your first?" She asks.
"Third." I say as I hold up my fingers to indicate the number.
"Ooh!" She says teasingly. "Someone's active."
"Two are adopted." I correct as I look back to the kids and try to find Kitsu.
"Oh, there's nothing wrong with that." She says. "But he really shouldn't play favorites. Especially with his biological daughter while having two adopted kids."
At this point I'm about done with her. This started out nice. Now it's getting into self righteous territory.
"She's not his." I say. "She's one of the adopted."
"Oh." She says taken aback. "Is she the oldest? I can understand then, I mean if you tried for so long and only just got a-"
"She's the youngest." I say.
"Oh, well if the others are boys then-"
"All girls. Oldest is ours by blood." I correct again before turning my head to her with a fake smile. "How about instead of trying to rationalize my family you just focus on your own? Hmm?"
"Well at least mine isn't so ass backwards." She defends with an ugly look. "A father favoring the youngest adopted over his own blood? What kind of man wou-"
"Finish that sentence and I won't stop her." I cut her off as Kitsu turns visible next to her, just out of her range of view.
"Stop who?" She asks.
"Me." Kitsu says.
The woman swings her head to look at the girl. She has the cloak buttoned up and her tail tucked around her waist under the coat, making her look, big boned.
"Run along sweetie." The pretentious twat says. "Adults are talking."
"Can I kill her?" Kitsu asks as she looks to me.
"What do you think?" I ask rhetorically. "Did you find everything you need?"
"I did, and I think I wanna at least hurt her." She says.
"God your family is messed up." The woman says as she stands up and walks away.
Kitsu watches her go. The other parents watching the whole ordeal while pretending not to.
"Let's just go." I say as I stand up.
"Alright." She says with a shrug as she takes the hat off and unfurls her tail from under the coat. "These are itchy anyway."
"I thought you were going unnoticed?" I point out as we make it to the register.
"I just don't like when kids try to grab my tail." She says as she places her basket on the conveyer belt.
She got all the merchandized supplies. Vista pencil case, Panacea safety scissors. New Wave notebooks with everyone on them. A Vista themed ruler. And Armsmaster erasers.
"I thought you hated Armsmaster." I say as the pack of erasers gets rung up.
"Oh I do!" She says happily.
"Then why get erasers with his face on them?" I ask as I pull out my credit card.
"Because the more I use them, the more his face slowly fades away." She says wistfully.
"You have problems." I say as I grab the receipt and grab the bags.
"Name someone you know who doesn't." She counters.
I say nothing as we walk out of the store and head to the next for a backpack. She is right after all.
"Can we check out the food court after we get a backpack?" Kitsu asks.
"We have food at home." I say.
"I never said I was going to eat." She says as she skips forward and starts walking backwards in front of me.
"Then why would you need to go to the food court?" I ask with a raised brow.
*Rrrr* *Rrrr* *Rrrr*
Before she can answer. The security alarms start blaring as people start running to the exit in a panic.
"Oh come on!" Kitsu whines as she slouches. "We were so close to a normal day!"
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-Meanwhile, food court-
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Missy "Vista" Biron POV
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"Thanks." I say with practices smile to the boy. "I'm happy to know I have you supporting me!"
'Kill me.' I say internally. 'Someone, please.'
PR duty sucks. PR patrol is one thing. There's a chance something will happen and I'll get to do something.
Here I feel like I'm just a tool. Meant to play up the cutesy act for support from the public. It's so dehumanizing. Like I'm just an object for people to gawk at. Rather than appreciate me for my work, or my power. I'm appreciated for my role in being a mascot.
I don't know how the others put up with this.
"Hi!" A little girl of about five or six says as she walks up to me. "My name's Tatiana!"
"Hi there Tatiana!" I say with a smile. "How are-"
*Rrrr* *Rrrr* *Rrrr*
The alarm blares as people start running around the corner. Barreling past in a frenzied panic as they all rush to the doors.
"What's going on!?" I shout to Miss Militia at the other table.
"One second!" She shouts, her fingers to her ear's comms as she jogs over to me and Chris. "Villain attack! Rune is facing off against Viktor and Othala."
"I'll take out Rune!" Chris says as he takes his pulse pistols and sets them to configure into the hoverboard he's so proud of.
"No." Miss Militia says with a hand held up to stop him. "I need you two to cover evac at the exits."
"That's bull!" I say, irritated at the sidelining. "Let us help! We can-"
"I know you want to help." Miss Militia says as she starts her jog towards the action. "But the people need you more than I do!"
'This is bullshit!' I yell to myself.
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-Return to the otherside of the mall-
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Kitsu POV
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I round the corner to the source of the fighting.
"You just wrecked my favorite clothes shop dickhead!" A girl riding a broom says.
She's got a cutesy, goth magical girl thing going on. With a red and black cloak over red and black robes. Long blonde hair flowing down from under her hood. The hood itself covering her eyes.
"You need to get your priorities in check girl!" I hear a the man in red and black say as he breaks off some railing and tosses it at the floating girl.
"You're following Hookwolf of all people!" She counters as she floats out of the way.
The railing hits some lights in the wall. Imbedding themselves and sparking off as they lights shatter.
"He's got a vision for the bay!" The man who I now realize is Viktor says. "Something Kaiser was too afraid to have!"
Looking around, I see a trashed Hot Topic, a cleared out Starbucks, and a few other generic stores. Including the flower shop me and Dennis went to.
…
I go to the flower shop for materials. A plan in mind. Turning invisible as I do so, so as to avoid any attention from the two Neo Nazi's. Running through the shop, I spot a girl in a red bodysuit hiding behind a few ferns. Seeming to try desperately to blend into the foliage as she observes the two.
Gotta say. Girl got some curves. That bodysuit is working.
What? I can look!
But besides the butt, it's the red Odal rune on the back that gets my attention.
'Othalla.' I think to myself at the sneaky girl.
I grin as I look at the plants and get an idea.
No plan survives contact with the enemy. And plans change.
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Carol "Brandish" Dallon POV
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'Where did that trouble maker go!?' I think to myself as I jog around the corner to the fight.
And immediately dodge back to said corner as a trashcan sails past me. Spilling its contents as it clatters to the floor.
"Give it up man!" The crimson teen on the broom says. "Unless you can fly you're screwed!"
I decide to stay here behind the corner and observe. All I have is my reinforced padding under my clothes. Enough for a fight with a crook. Not for a villain. So I need to play this safe and wait for the right moment.
"And you need to learn evasive maneuvers!" The crimson suited man says as he yanks two pieces of railing and throws them. Discus tossing one before twirling with the force to give him more wind up with the second throw.
"AAAAAAAAH!" A high pitched scream gives off as Viktor stumbles. Throwing the rail into the ground like a javelin as opposed to hitting the teen witch cosplayer.
"OTHALA!" He screams as he bolts towards the plant store.
I take the opportunity to run forward and tackle him into a headlock. My foot behind his ankle as I kick back and roll us. My legs wrapping around his waist as I catch him off guard. Forming two daggers and holding the two blades of light inches from his neck.
"Move and you die." I say sternly for him to hear.
"You're bluffing." He says. "You're a hero!"
"Stand your ground law." I bullshit as the sound of screaming continues, followed by choked sobs.
"Make it stahp!" The voice wails. "Pleashe!"
'What the fuck is going on in there?' I think to myself.
As I'm momentarily distracted by the woman's pleas. Viktor yanks my arms away. And, without touching the hardlight daggers, twists my arms to double chicken wing me. I dispel the daggers as my wrists tap my opposing elbows and he tosses me forward. Over the ledge where the railing would've been had he not torn it off.
"Fuck!" I curse as I tuck into my emergency ball to avoid the collision.
My heart pounds at the darkness surrounding me as all agency and perception fades.
I hate using this. But it was either the all encompassing darkness, or a broken leg.
I count to three as I start to wish I'd just taken the broken leg.
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Kitsu POV
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I smash Viktors face into the ground. Again and again until he stops trying to get back up.
I come out of the shop to find this PIeCeoF sHit tossing Mom over the ledge!
"If you hurt her." I whisper into his ear. "I'll make you an Asian woman and hand you over to Lung to be put in the bukkake pits."
I walk over to the edge were we're on the second floor of the mall. Looking over, I see mom's curled into her defensive ball.
"It's your lucky day Loser." I say as I turn to glare at the waste of genetic material. "She's fine."
I stumble as a pipe hits me in the back of the head.
"Fuck off freak!" I hear Hocus Racist call out. "This is a family matter!"
I turn to the scowling schoolgirl. Flying around on her broom. And decide to have a little fun. I already got Othala and Viktor. I've met my quota on nazi's to beat the crap out of.
"Who are you?" I ask with a tilt of my head.
Her sneer somehow gets worse as the pipe from before swings around a smacks me again. Only this time it doesn't do anything as I activate my immovable.
"Um, Racist Pocus?" I ask as the pipe smacks me again. "The ScribbleNazi! Sailor, White power? Aryankazam!" I say as she keeps smacking the pipe into me with her telekinetic powers.
Miss Militia skirts around the corner and aims her green smoke turning rifle at the walking Twitter cancelation. Firing once at the unsuspecting girl and nailing the end of her broom, causing her to tailspin into the third floor railings and fall off.
"Urgh!" She groans as she gets up and leans over on the railing to shout down at us. "Fuck you I'm out!"
"Wait!" I shout to the girl running to a bench.
"No!" She shouts as she does something to said bench.
"Go ahead!" I have her voice say from where she is with my illusions.
"Okay!" I say back. "I have a few more names I think fit you!"
I'm buying time here as I use my illusions to leave a decoy as I turn invisible and hop up to the third floor railing.
Othala is still screaming in the distance by the way. And I have to keep myself from laughing at it.
I'm using that trick more often.
"Fuck off!" She yells from her spot by the bench. Not breaking her concentration as she carves into the wooden bench. A glowing finger making its way slowly across the surface.
"That wasn't me!" I illusion.
She perks up a bit that one. Nearly losing her focus. "Wait that actually-"
"That one was me!" I cut her off as I sneak forward. "No it wasn't!"
At this point I'm just trolling her. Getting her more and more frustrated as she struggles to keep her focus.
"Yes it was! I regret every life decision that got me here!" I keep up the voices.
"Okay, that one isn't-"
"It's not true!"
"Fuck off!" She snaps, standing up and hopping onto the now floating bench.
"What?!"
"I just want a hug."
She rises up and turns the bench made hoverboard towards the skylight. In response to this, I form an invisible glass pane over where she would need to fly. Preparing to jump and catch her.
Only for that to prove unnecessary as a dart finds its way into her neck.
Surprised and frantic, she smacks her hand to the offending projectile. Pulling it out with a curious look as she inspects it. Before stumbling, her bench losing altitude as it drops. The girl falling back as the bench becomes reacquainted with gravity. Both come tumbling down in heaps as I run and jump.
Catching the teenage nazi Mr. Incredible style as we make it to the other side of the open area. We land on the flooring of the third floor, opposite of where we were.
"Fuggin, bullshit." She says as her head lolls to the side.
"Can it Puella Madoka Swastika." I say as I set her down. "Before I turn you into Mami."
She looks to me in a daze, her eyes losing focus with every second. "The, fuc-." Is all she gets out before her eyes shut and her body slumps fully.
Othala is still screaming and crying. Just, less so.
I take my time to look around the area. Taking in the destruction the C-List villains caused.
Torn railings, smashed stores, glass everywhere. For only being the veritable bottom of the barrel. They did a decent number on the place. I mean, literally anyone in New Wave could do more. But still, this is nothing to scoff at.
I turn my head back to the unconscious girl.
"Who are you?"
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Hana "Miss Militia" POV
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"Is she alright!?" I call to the girl as my power recedes back into me and I close the case on the pouch where I keep my tranq darts.
"Yeah!" Kitsu calls as I see Brandish come up on the escalator.
"Pleheheheeeese!" Othala pants. "It burns!"
"Brandish." I call to the other hero on site as I jog to the downed Viktor. "Can attend to Othala while I take care of Viktor?"
She regards me for a half second as she reaches the floor. "Yeah." She says tiredly as she heads towards the botany store.
"Pieces of shit." Viktor grumbles as I take a pair of cuffs and force his arms behind his back.
"You have the right to remain silent." I start as I heft him up by the cuffs.
"Fuck you and your rights." He says with venom in his voice. "We all know how this works."
"Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." I continue as he ignores me.
"I go through the court, and before I get caged. Hookwolf busts me out." He goes on as I bring a finger to my comms.
"You have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you." I finish off. "Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?"
He doesn't say anything as Brandish walks out of the botany store with a sweaty, panting, crying, red faced Othala in tow.
"O!" Viktor shouts. "What did that freak of nature do to you!?"
"I burnsh!" Othala cries. Her one visible eye wet and red from tears. "I jush wannit to shtahhap!"
"What did she do?" I ask Brandish.
"I just gave her a leaf." I suddenly hear next to me.
Swinging my head to the side. I see the fox themed girl by my side. Dragging the unconscious Rune by the back of her robes.
"What, kind of leaf?" I ask.
"One I modified to have more capsaicin than a Ghost Pepper." She shrugs.
"It burnsh." The pitiful image of Othala cries.
"You poisoned her!?" Viktor shouts as he struggles. Trying to break free, but whatever strength boost Othala gave him has since worn off.
"No, I just force fed her the worlds worst one bite challenge." She says as she reaches up to grab his arm.
In a split second. Viktor goes slack as he starts snoring. Fast asleep as his weight is forced on me.
It's a wonder anyone tries anything here with Kitsu around.
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Bonus
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Oddities
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-Merchant Warehouse Hideout-
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Joseph "Scarecrow" Crane POV
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"Fuck, fuck, fuck." I curse under my breath as I rummage through my lab. "Where is it, where is it!"
The Empire split apart. Kaiser is missing and the lieutenants have all gone off and made their own factions.
Hookwolf is rampaging. Desperately trying to increase his territory like the rabid dog he is. Mechanic has been driving him off, no pun intended. But there's only so much we can do from the defensive. Stormfront is kidnapping my people and selling them! Without Permafrost or Carnage there's little we can do to ward them off.
At least Purity is sitting still.
Mush is useless. A figurehead to keep non powered roaches from trying to claim the trash heap he calls home.
Mechanic can only do so much on his own.
And Snowflame is too busy running our drug empire to step in.
My men are antsy, we lost our two heavy hitters and have no prospects of recruiting more. So I have no choice. My test run of the vial gas was a success. I just need to condense it more. Make it more concentrated. So that I can make more capes for us.
Or that would be the plan.
If I could find the fucking vials!
And then I see it. Hidden under my desk. The metal case for the vials. Popped open and empty.
"WHO!?" I scream. "WHO TOOK THEM!?"
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-West Slums, apartment near Winslow-
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Melanie Alderos POV
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"You got the stuff?" Fiona asks as she opens the door to let me in to the apartment.
"Oh yeah." I say as hold up the cooler. "Right where the hat lady said they'd be."
"Who would've thought, powers in a bottle." Jason says as he reaches for the cooler.
"Still waiting to see to believe it." Gary says from the couch in Fiona's apartment. "Crazy lady says go here on this day at this time and do this, you'll have powers? Bullshit."
"Only one way to find out for sure." Sam says as they reach tap their thighs impatiently.
"It could be poison." Gary points out as he leans forward appreciatively. "Just, throwing that out there."
'He's right.' I think to myself as I Jason takes the cooler.
"Why set up this elaborate ritual just to poison us?" Fiona asks incredulously as she closes the door behind me.
"Why set up this elaborate ritual just to give us super powers?" Gary counters back.
"I don't know!?" Fiona says.
"Aaaand kiss." Sam says with a smirk.
"Fuck off!" Fiona and Gary shout to the non-binary.
"Someone needs to be the guinea pig." Gary says immediately. "And I'm not it."
"Don't look at me!" Fiona says with an offended look.
"You ain't tossing me to the fires like that." Sam says as they lean back in their seat. "I'm calling in that favor."
"Giving me a ride to work does not equal any life or death bullshit!" Fiona says.
"Guys, there's only way to settle this." I say as I step between the group, hoping to avoid any fighting.
"Nose goes?" Gary says after a brief pause.
"Nose goes." I say with a nod. "On the count of three. One, two, three!"
"Nose goes!" We all shout as we touch our index fingers to our nose.
"Who was last?" Sam asks tentatively as he scans the room. Looking for any indicators of a slow goer.
"Did anyone, where's Jason?" Gary asks suddenly.
"What's up?" Jason says as he pops around the corner of the kitchen as he uncorks one of the bottles and downs it. "Someone say my name?"
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A/N I listened to Epic The Musical and got inspired. Hence the name, Oddities.
But yeah. After everything that's happened in the last week. I just need a break. So, this story and all others are officially on hiatus until further notice.
I'm sorry.
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QUESTIONS!
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FOR NEWB!
RadChaos897: I've actually had a blue banana before, it really did taste like vanilla ice cream and it blew my mind. I also recommend those grapes that taste like cotton candy, those were also pretty good.
Newb: Lucky bastard!
I've had the grapes. Didn't like'em.
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FOR KITSU!
RadChaos897: Suggestion: create a line of fruits that taste like ice creams, you've already got vanilla, chocolate, and can easily do strawberry, so maybe you could do more complex flavors like cookies n' cream, rocky road, and birthday cake. Kitsu's Ice Cream Fruits!
Kitsu: I tried! The FDA hates me!
RadChaos897: Did you know that there is a fruit that tastes like marshmallows? It's called the "Terap Fruit", but you should also know that it smells like diesel fuel for some odd reason. A little biokinesis should fix that though, so no worries.
Kitsu: I do now!
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FOR ONE TIME ONLY!
NEIL!
None
NEXT TIME!
BEN!
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As always, leave a comment and tell me what you think! It makes my day when you guys leave reviews.
I'll see you all later!