A/N Blindfolds and bindings.
Alt Title: Not a BDSM chapter
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I'm back!
MAN! Has this been a shit month for me.
Not getting into it.
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This chapter is split in two. The first half is to give everyone an idea of what's going on in the city.
I might explore into them more in future chapter's. With each one focusing on a character or two's perspective. Or I might just jump to the next part of the story.
On a high note, I got 1k follows on this story now!
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DancingLeaf: I actually only write for an hour a day, five days a week.
I would get, lost, in VR.
Kaykaykaykayan: In this case, it's the Simurgh's influence messing with their judgement. They were exposed to her song for a ridiculous amount of time. And it really shows.
T4ndoris: to be fair, it was Scarecrow super knockout gas. That's why it worked so quickly.
Redburndragon: maybe, maybe not.
Guest: Hey, give them a break. The Travelers have fucky judgement skills because of The Simurgh's song.
Gogmazios: You're welcome!
RadChaos897: Hope you get better! And thanks for the compliments.
Guest 2: Yep! Lilyrael is coming to FFN! You know, it's funny that Lilyrael is the second character I've made that is a 13 year old girl. Especially when I rolled for age and gender separately.
Deathchill: No spoilers, but Kitsu is spiteful and likes to play with her food. And Letting them keep her for an extended period of time, will only make the hammer that is the government and New Wave hit harder.
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I was recently informed that the disclaimer does nothing. So long as it is posted on a fanfiction website.
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
[Shard]
(Text)
*Sounds/Actions*
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The City
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-Friday, August 6th, Dallon House, 8am-
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Carol "Brandish" Dallon POV
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"No I can't come in today!" I tell the lead of my firm as I pace around my kitchen.
"Why not? Last I checked you don't have any events coming up today." He says.
"Because." I hiss at him. "In case you didn't notice, one of my kids, has been kidnapped!"
"Well how was I supposed to know that when I promised this deadline!?" He defends.
"Next time, don't make promises on other people's behalf!" I yell into the phone.
"I am still your boss Mrs. Dallon!" The rat tries to pull. "I can still-"
"You have my answer." I say and hang up the phone. Tossing it to the table the table as I massage my temples.
"Everything will be fine." Mark says reassuringly as he pats my back.
"How can you be fine with this!?" I turn around and snap at him. "Kitsu's missing, kidnapped by who the fuck knows who! Being forced to do who the fuck knows what! And all you can say is, it'll be fine?"
"Because all I know is that yelling about it won't help anyone." He says calmingly. "And with everything going on, I don't know what else to do, other than wait for Kid Win's tracker to come online."
Right. The trackers put in Kitsu's hearing aides should she ever go villain or gets mastered. Kid Win is getting them online, but for some reason they're being blocked. Someone knows about the trackers. And the PRT are scouring her social media's to see if she told anyone about them.
Because if not. Then we might be dealing with a mole in the PRT.
"Come on, we've got patrol." Mark says. "Firebreather and Triumph are waiting for us at the ferry station."
"Okay, okay, just. Go start the car." I say as I calm myself down.
It's clear that Mark is putting on a brave face. Kitsu is his daughter in all but blood and legality. I genuinely think he my go off the deep end if something happens to her. And the idea that she's fine and everything will be fine, is that's keeping him together.
"Sure thing." He says and gives me a quick kiss. "Love you."
"Love you too." I say in return.
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-Friday, August 6th, Central District, 11am-
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Robin "Velocity" Swoyer POV
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Kitsu still missing. Her hearing aides went online and we found them in a trash compactor. Much to Kid Win's horror and agitation. No one's told the Dallon's yet and no one wants to.
Good day all things considered. Aside from the ongoing search. Started out good with a nice peppermint mocha frappé. Stayed good with a perfect blueberry waffle, no calls, just a standard patrol.
So far today's been quiet. Kinda just waiting for shit to hit the fan. It's like the calm before the storm. Things have just gone too well today. You know?
*Crash* *Boom*
'Well, someone picked up the phone.' I think sarcastically as I run to the sound of screaming and collateral damage.
'Because I, fucking called it!' I mentally finish with sarcastism as I see Hookwolf chasing The Undersiders. In broad daylight. Through heavy traffic!
They're riding on transparent gold boards as a rock song plays. The Offspring I think.
Good taste.
They zip down fourth and Foreman's as my comms flare up. Dodging and slipping out the way of Hookwolf's lunges as he tears up the road.
"Velocity, I'm getting several repoorrrtttttsssss oooooofffffff-
Triumph's voice slows to a crawl as I run and push people out of the way. Knocking them over and out of Hookwolf's path. Doing my best to do as much as I can with my limited influence.
Some scrapes and a few bruises are better than them being caught on his barbed armored form. Tearing them into mincemeat as he runs.
I run forward to a woman pushing a stroller, right in Hookwolf's path. I push her back and kick the stroller forward. Attempting to knock both out of the villains way.
I get myself clear. running to the side and out of immediate harm as I lower my speed.
-injured and dead, what the hell is going on?" Triumph finishes.
"Hookwolf is tearing down Forman's and turning onto Barley!" I say into the comms. "Several dead and dying to say nothing of the collateral. He's chasing after The Undersiders! Calling in an immediate Class Six Crisis Level!"
Looking back. I see the destruction and carnage. And just how little I was able to help.
Only half of the people I moved, actually survived. With the woman and child, not being a part of that. My reduced force in exchange for speed. Limits my ability to actually save people.
It's sad, that this doesn't phase me.
'No time to think on that!' I think to myself as I speed after Hookwolf. Not that I can do much against him, but I can at least keep track of him.
Dodging around the debris, hopping on a car that gets tossed, momentarily stopping all speed as I return my full mass. And then immediately reactivate my speed. Doing so applied my full weight to the car for a split second. And lessened the force of it being tossed.
As I run, sliding under a light pole that gets tossed my way by Hookwolf's rampage, I roll into a runners position and keep going. Only to notice, something, keeping up with me?
Looking to my side, I see a man in a blue, I want to say it's modified football gear. But I don't know sports well enough to make that call. Turning my attention back to the rampaging villain, I make a mental note of the speedster, resolving to report him for later. I don't think he's with Hookwolf, mainly because he's black. The shaved head and visible jaw giving his race away.
Fuck! This would be so much easier with Vista. But without Kitsu around the Youth Guard won't budge on the matter. Kitsu's healing and invulnerability were all that allowed the Youth Guard to give some leeway here!
As I think this, lost slightly in my thoughts, another car gets flung at me.
'Shit!' Is all I think before a flash of blue and grey consumes my vision.
Regaining my senses. I cut my speed and return to reality.
The sounds of the world come crashing back as I watch the blue blur follow after Hookwolf.
"Who the, huh?" I ask to no one in particular.
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Reginald "A-Train" Franklin POV
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'Can't stop won't stop don't stop! Can't stop won't stop don't stop!' I mentally cheer the mantra in my head.
The fox is missin, and the mice are running unchecked. And the heroes are stretched too thin to do jack shit. So, I'm steppin up!
So here I am. An unregistered independent, running after one of the biggest ops, solo. My best bet being keeping him contained. Maybe distract him.
Jumping up and running along the bottom side of a parked car that Hookwolf flipped. I see an opportunity. You see, I ain't a mover. I'm a breaker. When I activate my speed, I can't be hurt, now, I aint bust'n through no walls, but ain't nothing stopping me!
So, with that. I place my foot on the lamppost and kick myself forward. Overtaking the metallic mutt, and landing with a roll as I hit the ground running.
Running interference might not be my specialty! But momma didn't raise no quitter!
So, in a do or die maneuver, as the mutt runs up on an intersection. I make a sharp turn into his front leg. Tripping us both as I roll under him and hit a hydrant on the sidewalk. Yeah, they aint so easily broken as video games make'em out to be.
Luckily my power keeps me safe while I'm in motion, so the hit didn't hurt. But seeing as I just stopped, the world returns to me in full.
*Crash*
*Rrmm* *Rrmm* *Rrmm*
Looking up to the scene of tossed cars and torn pavement, I see the crumpled metal shit bag climbing back up to his feet. Looking around him as several PRT vans pull up and start to box him in. With a few of them New Wave capes flying in.
At that, I get back on my feet and take my leave, speeding off. The authorities can handle this, and I don't wanna get mistaken as a villain. And my neighborhood still needs me. Stormfront's hunters are making their way into the area, and I can't have that.
Stopping crooks and patrolling our home. Hope I'm making you proud little bro.
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-Saturday, August 7th, Medhall General Hospital, 10am-
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Amy "Panacea" Dallon POV
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Currently, I'm healing a boy with a fractured spine. I have a score of people coming in injured and dying. People really underestimated the effect Kitsu's presence had on the city.
Hell, not eve I noticed it until she was gone. She was such a deterrent for crime, not a day after her very public kidnapping and all of the gangs in the city go nuts.
Stormfront is holding rallies. Hookwolf is rampaging in the streets along with a new group calling themselves The Oddities. Purity and her group are running defense on their territory. The ABB are taking no shit. And Mechanic is tearing through the streets.
It's been two days!
"Okay, he'll be fine." I say to the father. "Just-" I try and think of something to say, to help prevent this from happening again. But what can you say when the issue is a racist looking to make examples of 'race traitors'?
"Try and stay inside." I is what I decide on as I get up and leave the gurney.
"Thank you so much!" The man says.
I ignore his continuous words of gratitude as I head to the next gurney.
"Ames, you could at least say you're welcome." Vicky whispers into my ear as she hovers above.
That's another thing that changed. Mo- Carol, refused to let me out of the house without an escort. After what happened with Kitsu. She's beside herself and wracked with stress on what to do. She only let me out on the condition that Vicky never leaves my side while we're out of the house.
Hell, there are three PRT squads in the hospital as well, just in case. Carol called up the Rig and managed to get them to send escorts for me as well. Arguing that if they went to the hospital to kidnap Kitsu, they might be after healers.
"No time." I say as I move to the elderly woman on a respirator. "Need to keep going."
I am, so tired. My power needs me to direct it. And the more I use it, the more it gets harder to do. The more it wants to do its own thing. And the more I want to let it do its own thing. To just, let go and make people better.
I miss me and Kitsu's plant time. At least then I could just let my power do its thing.
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-Saturday, August 7th, The Boardwalk, 1pm-
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Missy "Vista" Biron POV
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I could maybe condense the city bit by bit. Narrow down any places that she could be by letting my power tell me what's not effected? No that would take ages. What if I just start making potholes in the road? Threaten to keep them that way until Kitsu is returned? Or I could go to a skyscraper and maneuver the air and light to make it easy to spy on people? But I'm only one person!
"Vista!" Dean yells.
"What!?" I snap at him, upset at being taken out of my thoughts.
In response, he just points to a man running down the boardwalk with a bag.
"Thief!" He shouts. "We need to get him!"
Annoyed. I swipe my arm in front of me. About fifty feet away, the board walk collapses in as I squish the edge to the sidewalk. Causing the thief to hit the railing as he fails to slow down in time, and flip over into the water with a yelp.
"There. Done." I say as I go back to thinking about what I can do.
It's so, frustrating! The moment someone kidnaps my girlfriend, which, oh yeah, SOMEONE KIDNAPPED MY GIRLFRIEND!
Anyway, the moment she's out of the picture. I'm back to being treated like a baby! No more patrols with New Wave, put back on the buddy system. And now I'm forced to patrol the safe areas only. Again!
It's, it's, ARRGHH! It both tells me that no one respected me, and were just respecting Kitsu. And that all of my experience and power mean nothing! My hard work and years of effort are nothing because my age is too big of a factor.
"Vista!" Dean yells again.
"Gallant." I say calmly as I turn my head to look at him. Calming myself I ask. "What is it?"
"We, still need to get him." He says awkwardly as he points an armored thumb to the rail where the thief took a dip.
"Fine." I say with a sigh as I walk to the railing to see where I need to warp to get the guy on the boardwalk again.
Making it to the railing, I spot the thief trying to swim away, his bag being left to float on its own as it crashes into the boardwalk's water guard. Using my power, I don't even bother with the hand motions as I bend and squeeze space to create a funnel for the guy to get suck into. Pinching the boardwalk down so that the tide pushes him, and his backpack, onto the part of of the boardwalk now partially underwater. I let space return to normal, the thief and his stolen goods now wet and five feet away from me.
"There, don't see what was so hard about that." I say as Dean walks over and puts the guy in cuffs.
Maybe Lyra's dogs can help? She's almost cleared for integration. She's gone a whole week without punching anyone! Except for Sophia, but nobody reports that. So it doesn't really count. Maybe her dogs can track Kitsu's scent?
"Hey!" Dean says as he shakes my shoulder.
"Oh for the love of, what now!?" I snap as I am once again forced out of my thoughts by my ex-crush.
"Vista, are, you okay?" He asks.
'You're the goddamned empath! You should already know the answer to that!'
"I'm fine." I say as I turn to walk down the boardwalk. "Let's hurry up, we have patrol to finish."
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-Sunday, August 8th, The Rig, 2pm-
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Director Emily Pigott POV
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"Yes I understand, I can send a dispatch of Wards to-"
"I'm not leaving the safety of my men in this transport to children! Much less with this maniac." The Chief of police says. "Aren't there any heroes you can send?"
"With all due respect, we're stretched thin as-"
*Beep* the phone sounds, signaling someone else is calling.
"I'll have to call you back." I say and press the button to switch lines. "Director Pigott of the PRT Headquarters Brockton Bay, to whom am I speaking?"
"Helloooo~ Emily." The familiar voice of one Anthony Stark rings through the phone.
"Mr. Stark, I trust this is important?" I say as I reign in my annoyance. "I was dealing with something important."
"Oh, just wondering if you needed my help with your gang issues." He says. "Thought I'd take the initiative since, well, I know you bureaucratic types and all that. You love to drag your feet."
"Not all of us are so bereft of responsibility and consequence that we can walk into a meeting hungover, and get away with it." I point out. "Some of us have this thing called restraint, and tact."
"Oof, really aren't letting me live that one down?" He chuckles easily. "Oh well, we both know how this is gonna go Emily, you accept my help, or you put it off until the situation gets so bad you start calling in outside PRT Capes. If you haven't already."
I have. The moment Kitsu got kidnapped I called in everyone I could. Alexandria and Legend are on their way already, as well as a handful of other capes. Tecton offered to show up as well, so he's on his way along with the Incredibles family coming in from Seattle.
And I still have yet to inform the Dallon's that Kitsu's hearing aides were found in a dumpster. And that we only know of a handful of groups that could've done it. Not who.
At first the Fallen were considered. First the Mather's or Herren's because Kitsu's a healer and of clear Aryan descent. But the one who kidnapped her was Arabic or indigenous ethnicity. Hard to tell but his skin tone made it clear he wasn't with the two groups of fanatics. Then the Crowley's due to their hatred and bigotry towards Case 53's. But that made no sense seeing as they only target weaker Case 53's and they've been mostly content to stay in the southeaster portion of the U.S.
"What do you get out of this Anthony?" I ask pointedly.
Anthony may have a teenager's sense of humor and responsibility. But it's a dangerous combination when paired with genius intellect. And that was before he became a Tinker.
"Friends can't help each other out of the goodness of their hearts?" He asks in a sarcastically concerned ton.
"No." I say simply as I am unwilling to play his games.
"You always were the competent one. Well, long story short, one of my New Wave Capes, has a bit of a grudge against an infamous master with a habit of collecting women. And one of his kids is in Brockton Bay." He starts explaining. "She's put me in a rather tight spot. She wants to beat the shit out of the kid and find their dad, I, can't really let that happen. So, compromise."
"You get me to agree to your help, she gets to hunt down one of Heartbreakers kids." I summarize.
"Bingo! You're good, say if you ever need a career change-"
"No." I say immediately.
"You're no fun. Anyway-"
*Beep* the line goes off telling me another person is calling.
"Wrap it up Mr. Stark." I say curtly. "I have someone else trying to call me."
"Fine I'll make it simple, yes or no?" He says smugly.
"I'll think about it." I say as I hang up and answer the next call. "Director Pigott of the PRT Headquarters Brockton Bay, to whom am I speaking?"
"Director, we have an issue with Vista." I hear Miss Militia's voice say.
And now this? I'm the director, not the babysitter.
"And what, could be so bad that you had to call me?" I ask as I feel my headache get a head start on my stress.
"She uh, she's threatening to go rogue."
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-Ward's common room-
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Carlos "Aegis" POV
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"Look, just think about this rationally." I say to the pissed off teen. Wait, I am a teen. Should I be regarding others as teens?
Regardless! Missy is taking Kitsu's kidnapping, poorly. And we're all trying to calm her down.
"I've done nothing but think!" Missy says as she stomps her foot. "For four days! Armsmaster! What are the odds of finding a missing person after two days?"
"With adults, eighty seven percent chance of finding them within two days." He says.
"And what about missing children after three?" She asks
"Two percent." He says unhelpfully!
"Dude!?" I yell to him. "Not helping!"
He looks to me in what I can only assume is a glare underneath his helm.
"I may not be your commander Aegis, but I am still your superior." He says before turning to Missy. "Regardless, Vista, think this through."
"I'm done thinking!" She yells. "It's about time we start doing!"
"Then do something about your attitude or you'll be removed from the team." He says.
'What the fuck is he thinking!?' I think to myself in a panic as he has a stare down with her.
"Fine." Missy says.
"I give up!" I say as I throw my arms up and head to the fridge.
No point in trying to play negotiator when I have sergeant social sabotage on my ass. Actively negating and shooting down everything I try.
"Very well, you should know what you're signing up for in this case." He says, listing off the services she'll be giving up. "Firstly, you'll lose your trust fund, which is a one million currently and about to raise."
'Shit!' I think to myself as I fish through the fridge for my grape soda.
It's easy to forget that she'll have three and half million once she graduates. Hell, I'm only getting a million, and that's barely.
"You'll be losing your Wards license and renouncing any and all specialty PRT support, you'll be turning in your costume and gear. Your cape name, Vista, is copyright of the PRT. You will no longer be allowed to go by that name."
Oof.
"That's not-" Missy tries before being cut off.
"You'll be cut off from all specialty support. That includes console access, tinker access, medical, your entry into Arcadia is no longer guaranteed. And you'll lose access to our information network and you'll no longer be allowed in on joint missions." He continues. "Meaning if we do find Kitsu, and you've already quit. You won't know."
I look at the scene with anticipation as I sip my soda. Nothing he said was wrong. And Missy's red faced silence says she knows it as well.
They have a bit of a stare down as the door to the common's opens. Looking over, I see it's Sophia walking in as she unhooks her mask and tosses it on a table.
*Krzzt* The intercom blares to life. Stopping everyone as we listen for the announcement.
"Will Vista please come see me in my office?" Ms. Piggy says over the speaker. "I repeat, will Vista, please come see me in my office?"
*Krcht*
"What, the baby get caught with her hand in the cookie jar or some shit?" Sophia snarks.
"Shove it you mean girls reject!" Missy snaps back as she stomps off.
"Ooh! Did the baby get her first period?" Sophia smirks.
Missy says nothing as she grabs her visor from the counter. Only right before she leaves, Sophia trips as the edge of the counter juts out slightly. And Sophia turns into smoke just in time to avoid losing her teeth.
"The fuck!" Sophia yells after the fuming shaker. "Bitch don't just think you can walk away!"
Only for her to slam the door shut with her power.
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-Monday, August 9th, Hookwolf's Central Hideout-
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Melanie "Circe" Alderos POV
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"And with that, the Undersiders are out of our hair!" I say to the group.
We managed to drive them into Merchant territory. We intend to quietly take over the other gangs while Hookwolf keeps the PRT occupied with his rampages. Gary, Geryon, has already infiltrated two groups as his third stays here to relay all the info the other two get.
"For now." Sam, Lernaen, says as they check their claws.
Yeah, for some reason. Whatever the juice did to give us our powers also, kinda fucked over Sam. Though, they don't seem to mind. They're basically a lizard man now. Green scales and yellow eyes. Nose flattened into slits on their face. And they're going all in on the look. With a loincloth and leather harness to complete their look.
It messed with me too, but just my eyes.
"Hey, better than nothing." Jason, Charybdis, says back. Jason got one of the better powers in my opinion.
He makes whirlwinds. He can lock then in place, let them run wild, or center them on himself. His favorite thing to do so far has been to attach a cyclone around each leg and have them spin in opposite directions, giving him a massive mobility buff.
His outfit is a pair of scuba goggles, a blue shirt, blues cargo pants, and a bandana mask. Making him look like a blue, gender bent Miss Militia cosplay.
The others aren't here. Fi and Gary are off doing, something. I don't ask.
"Well, it's better than nothing." I shrug. "Now we just gotta take out the merchants. All of their members, the capes that are left at least. Are guys, so, gimme a week and we'll have them under control."
"Have fun." Jason says with a grimace.
My power makes people, addicted to me. To making me happy. The more intense any attraction they have for me, the stronger my power latches on. Hell, an hour of letting Hookwolf pump in and out of me was enough to get him to be my obedient little doggy.
"Just remember to use protection." Sam says as they kick their feet up on the table. "Who knows what those creeps have going on downstairs."
"Oh, I'm not going alone." I point out.
"What?" Jason asks tiredly. "You got a harem to accompany you already?"
"Yep!" I say cheerfully as I stand up. "You two! I need body guards and Gary and Fiona are off doing, whatever. So, you two are coming with me!"
"But! My show comes on in three hours!" Jason whines.
Me and Sam just stare at him as he looks between us.
"What?" He asks.
"We're not going now." I say. "What, you think we're just gonna walk over halfway across the city with no plan and just , sneak in?"
"Oh." He says with a blush.
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Kitsu
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-Thursday, August 5th, Sewer Hideout, 8am-
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Francis "Trickster" Krouse POV
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Making my way into the room we have the Endstopper subdued in. I stop to regard her current state of duress.
You see. We're labeled as villains. So we can't just ask a hero to heal Noelle. We needed to take the most surefire route. Dropped in concrete, only her head above her neck is visible. There's a plate on her chest to give her chest room to breathe. She's blindfolded as well, and it's superglued on. We also got rid of all her electronic devices. The phone and bluetooth earbuds. All in a dark room forty feet below the city.
Hey, might as well go all the way. And you can never be too careful.
"Are you awake?" I ask the subdued girl. "The sleeping gas should've worn off by now."
She doesn't respond.
"Well, I suppose we'll need to wake you up." I say and leave to go get a bucket of water.
Stepping out of the room and into the little cistern we're currently hiding in. I'm immediately greeted by the wheelchair bound Jess. Looking up at me disapprovingly.
"Don't give me that look." I say as I walk past her.
"Only giving you the look you deserve." She says as she wheels around and follows me.
"We do what we have to." I say with a bit of stress in my voice.
"Do we?" Jess asks with a condescending tone. "Because last I checked, we don't kidnap little girls Francis. That seems to be a you thing as of right now."
"What would you suggest? Hmm?" I ask snipidly, turning on my heels to address her. "Waltzing up to a New Wave cape as we are? Going to an independent faction of heroes who we know are desperate for good PR? We'd be in the birdcage and Noelle would shipped off to a lab before we knew it!"
"You didn't even try!" She shouts back. "You couldn't even be bothered. You took the direct route, not even once considering-"
"Consider what? Jessica?" I snap. "That I'm putting us in danger? That Noelle's only hope is in the hands of a temperamental little girl that we likely just pissed off? That we just painted a massive target on our backs? That it was my call? That this all hinges on how well we can get that girl in there to do what ask? That this whole thing isn't FUCKED!? BECAUSE NEWS FLASH! I, HAVE!"
By the end of my rant, I'm breathing heavily at the wide eyed redhead. Not in fear, but surprise. I don't normally raise my voice.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." I say through my hands as I rub my face. "I just, there's so much going on right now. And with the shit about to hit the fan. I'm, I'm just stressed. I shouldn't have yelled."
"I forgive you." She says after a bit of silence.
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"This is normally the pa-"
"I'm not sorry." She cuts me off. "I said my piece."
She wheels past me and away. Leaving me to wonder, for the umpteenth time. Whether or not we're destined to fail.
"This is all for Noelle." I whisper to myself. "Remember that. Once she's healed. This will all be better. We'll figure everything out later."
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-1 hour later-
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I step back into the room with a bucket of water.
"You awake yet?" I ask the girl.
Only to be met with silence and the slight echo of my own voice in the room. No response from her. So, I walk forward, and toss the water on her.
Only for the water to fly back and hit me in the face. Soaking my shirt and causing me to snort and cough as water goes up my nose.
"Cack! Cagh, urgh, fuck!" I curse at the burning in my nose. "Oh, fuck!"
"Pfft!" The girl snorts and chuckles. "Ooooh, man. You had so many options, and you chose the best one for me to turn on you."
"And what?" I say with a sneer as I flick the water off of me. "Might that be?"
"The old bucket of water to wake someone up schtick." She says. "Yeah, I been here awake. Whole time actually."
"Then why not say anything?" I ask, my irritation growing.
"To mess with you of course." She says with a sassy bob of her head. "have a little fun before I bust out."
"In case you haven't noticed." I say to the irritating little girl. "You're stuck in a slab of concrete. Five foot thick on all sides."
"Should've made it a slab of steel." She says, completely unbothered.
"You sound awfully confident for someone who can't move." I point out.
"Oh?" She says as she starts shaking her head from side to side. "What's this? I'm moving!"
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"You know what I mean." I say. "Regardless, you want out? Just do us one little favor."
"Hmm, quick question. How long was I out?" She asks.
"I'm not telling you that." I answer.
"Are we still somewhere in Brockton Bay?" She continues.
'She's fishing for info. And poorly at that.'
"Again, I'm not telling you." I answer. "Just help us out with one thing. And we'll let you go."
"I have no reason to believe that." She says. "If I'm in a block of concrete, how are you going to get me out?"
"We have our ways." I say.
"And I have no way of verifying that." She says. "But that's fine, I'm a patient gal. I just hope you're prepared to deal with the more impatient people I know."
"Look, we just want your help." I say evenly. "As, counterproductive as this seems."
She moves her head around as though to look around.
"Got a neat way of asking for help." She says. "Who taught how to ask people for help? Your mother? Or Guantanamo Bay University?"
Ok, that was good. Irritating, but I can respect a fellow annoyance.
"Both, actually, my mother taught there." I quip back.
"Ah! So you didn't have to sleep with the teacher to get grades, gotcha." She says with a nod, before her smile turns into a smirk. "Or maybe you did? Explains the crappy interrogation rig here. I mean, come on, these restraints suck."
"You're stuck in three foot thick concrete." I point out. We may not be able to hold her for long, I know how strong she is. But there is no way to break concrete quietly. And there are pressure pads around her, set to release more sleeping gas if she does.
No need to mention any of that.
"Should've made it steel." She says.
That'd defeat the point of the pressure pads.
"We work with what we have." I lie easily. "But, agree to help us and, we'll let you out. I promise, it won't involve any-"
"Nope!" She says with a smile. "I don't negotiate with terrorists."
I was going to say it won't involve anything illegal. Before she cut me off.
"I assure you, we mean no harm to anyone. We just-"
"I don't care." She says. "You could genuinely be asking me to solve world hunger, I won't do it."
"And why not?" I ask, feeling my blood race.
"Because, first impressions last a lifetime momma's boy." She says.
"We won't let you out until you agree to help us." I say. The carrot didn't work, so I'll have to use the stick. I didn't want it to come to this.
But if it's for Noelle, nothing is off limits.
"I'm prepared to wait." She says confidently. "Are you and your friends?"
"Trust me." I say as I turn around and walk away. Realizing I'm not getting through to her today. "We are."
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Kitsu POV
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Okay, so I learned a few things. He made a big mistake. He took off my hearing aides. So I can still hear. Even better in fact. And blinding me makes it easier to focus my ears.
It was muffled. But I heard his argument with someone named Jessica. So I know one name. Didn't catch his unfortunately. But I know that whatever group caught me. Is not unified in purpose. I can use that.
Then there's my questions. His heart rate rose when I asked where we are. So we're likely still in Brockton Bay. And if that's the case, it's a fifty fifty on whether or not I've been out for a long time.
The only reason I'm not busting out is because I have no idea who I'm up against. Only that they're all cauldron capes.
[Affirmation]
See? None of them are active. Which narrows it down some. Okay, a lot. But I still don't know. This could be a whole thing orchestrated by Cauldron. And if that's the case then fuck them twice!
I'm not agreeing to what they ask. I have no problem helping villains. Unlike Amy, I know what it's like out their. I know things aren't black and white. Heck, it wouldn't have taken much for me to go villain. Had they just asked. I likely would've tried, depending on what it was they need.
Now?
No way in hell. They kidnapped me out of a hospital. Took my phone. Took my hearing aides. And dropped me in a slab of concrete. No way am I helping them after all that. Hell, I could forgive them for it if not for one thing.
The hell it'll take to clean my tail after this!
They can rot.
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- Sunday, August 8th, 2pm-
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Marissa "Sundancer" Newland POV
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"Fucking, bratty little, entitled piece of." I hear Francis mumble as he rounds the corner.
Upon seeing me, he schools his scowl back into the cocky, arrogant face he always puts on.
"Ah! Mars!" He says as he walks towards me. "Didn't know you were here. Tell me, would you mind attending a little favor for me? I'm, I need to cool off."
"I mean, it depends on what it is." I offer easily. "But, it depends on what it is."
He shrugs easily. Putting one hand on his hip with the other up in the air as he shakes his head.
"Out, guest, is demanding pizza." He says. "Won't eat the burgers we got her. And seeing as we need agreeable."
He leaves that bit unsaid.
Not many of us are happy with the, actions taken. Noelle is doing her best to play mediator. Arguing that this, while harder and more trying, is the most secure way to go about this. While Jess is completely against this.
"Yeah, I can go get some." I say with a shrug. "Did she say what kind she wanted?"
I'm, admittedly undecided. I can see the advantages. But, that doesn't mean I have to like it.
"Mushroom stuffed crust." He says.
Eew!
"You sure?" I ask. "I mean, the only thing worse is Hawaiian."
"Hey!" He says in mock offense, putting a hand to his chest. "Hawaiian pizza is the epitome of sweet and savory!"
"I'll go get the pizza." I roll my eyes as I leave, shouting back to him before I go. "But you owe me! It's hell up there right now!"
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Kitsu POV
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Negotiating one oh one. Never be the first to set the price. It gives an idea of what you want, and what you're willing to give while telling the other side what you think the worth of what you want is.
Basically. All you're doing, is telling the other side what you know, and what you're willing to give. And bluffing that price is a risky game. Too high, and the other side might think you're joking. Too low, and the other side might take advantage of you.
That being said.
"Thanks for the pizza!" I say as I finish off the last slice.
None of that applies to my current situation.
"Will you help us now?" The smug man asks.
"Nope!" I say with a smile.
I laugh as he stomps out of the room. He knows how to negotiate. Which was why he got the pizza. But he clearly doesn't know how to coerce a hostage.
I am so going to enjoy destroying these assholes.
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- Tuesday, August 10th, 10am-
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"You've gotta be getting cramped in there." The smug voice of the lead asshole says as he opens the door.
"A little." I say honestly as he walks in with someone else. "Who's this?"
Lying and saying I'm not comfortable will only make it seem like I'm putting on a brave face. Being honest, lets him know I just don't care.
"A friend." He says evenly as they stop before me. "He's here to help me convince you to help us."
"Oooh! You gonna torture me?" I ask with a smile. "That's gonna be interesting."
"I, really don't have a good feeling about this." The other guy says. "She's too calm about this. Something's off."
'He's smart at least.' I think to myself.
I've been slowly practicing with a new, ability of mine. No spoilers! But it's been making it so that I don't lose any energy while I'm awake. And even gain a little. I just can't use it too much or else it'll be obvious. And I can't have that.
"She's bluffing." The leader says. "We know you can't be injured. But, we also know you can be hurt, you still feel pain."
"Or, you might be playing into a fantasy of mine." I tease. "I mean, I can get out of here at any time. Yet I'm still here. I could just be taking this opportunity to live out a tantalizing and taboo roleplay fantasy of mine."
There's a noticeable silence as the two take in what I just said. Likely debating the validity of my statement.
I mean, I am a bit of a masochist. You don't get the juice for your powers from getting hit and electrocuted without learning to at least ignore it. After a while there are only certain things that genuinely hurt. And well, some things you learn to enjoy.
Get your mind out of the gutter! It's not a sexual thing!
"Yeah no fuck this." The other guy says evenly before leaving.
"Lu- hey!" The leader almost slips as he calls out to the other guy. "Come on! She's fucking with you! Why would she say all that if it was true!? All she'd do is prevent it from happening!"
Oh, oh this is so fun.
They both step out and close the heavy metal door behind them. And I focus my ears to listen in on them. Gaining more valuable info.
"No way, I am NOT fueling a little girls masturbation sesh!" The other guy says.
In case you're wondering, I've slowed all my bodily functions to a crawl. So I haven't had to poop or pee. Yet. The moment I do though, I'm out.
"Luke, she's bullshitting you." The leader says. "She's trying to get in your head. You can't listen to everything she says."
"Yeah, but on the off chance she's telling the truth? Fuck no!" The now name Luke hisses.
"Look, please?" The leader begs. "We're running out of time."
'Oh? And why might that be?' I think to myself.
If they're on some sort of deadline, then I can wait them out. Again, I can break out whenever I want. But I'm nothing if not spiteful. And all good things come to those who wait.
And the longer I wait, the more worth it it'll be when I break out. They'll pay.
Maybe if I play my cards right. I can pull a Julius Caesar and befriend them before coming back to slaughter them all! That was Julius right?
[Affirmation]
Oh yeah! We've been catching up. Not that, there's a lot to catch up on. We know the same things. Mostly. It's just a matter of two differing perspectives. In this case? I'm not worried. [Conduit] is apprehensive over any unknown capes. None of them are active shards, so the odds of them having bullshit powers is high. We're mostly just waiting this out to verify who these asshats are.
As I finish the recollection. The door opens again with the two walking back inside.
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Luke "Ballistic" Casseus POV
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'Fuck this bullshit.' I mentally grumble as I prepare a rock to hurdle at the girl.
We've done some morally apprehensive things. And I know for a fact some of us are signing up for therapy after this. Hell, I might be one of them after this.
But if it helps Noelle, then we can focus all of our effort on getting home. And we won't have to move around as much or worry about Noelle rampaging again.
But never in my life, would I have thought I'd need to torture a little girl. And as I prepare for it. I get the all too familiar sense of something in me dying. Another piece lost.
'Just, put it aside Luke.' I tell myself. 'Just like the rest. Morals are luxury we can't afford.'
"Now." Francis says as he steps in front of me. "Will you help us?"
The girl, Ki-
'No!' I yell at myself. 'Don't attach a name! Don't humanize! It'll make this harder.'
Our guest just smirks at us. And I imagine that if I they weren't blindfolded, I'd see a mischievous gleam in their eyes.
"Nope!" They say.
"Then you leave us no choice." He says as he nods to me.
"Do it!" They goad with a self assured smile. "Bet you won't!"
Right as they say that, I imbue the rock with my power and fling it at them. Their head snapping back as the ballistic impacts ferociously. And I let out a breath of relief at seeing they are invulnerable to harm.
Had they not been. Well, I really would need therapy.
"Mmn!" They groan as their head swings back to face us. "Harder daddy~"
"NOPE!" I says as I turn around. "Fuck this! Uh-uh! No way! I'm out!"
The only way I could've left faster is if I sprinted.
I'm vaguely aware of her laughing in the background. And I'm well aware that she likely was just fucking with me. And you know what? I don't care. I feel so many levels of mental violation right now, I need brain bleach.
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Kitsu POV
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"Ha! Ha, haaaa~" I finally stop laughing. "Oh, oh that was awesome."
His reaction was fucking priceless! Oh! Oh that was one of the reasons I stuck around!
"You just don't quit, do you?" The asshole asks.
"Hmm, nope!" I say cheerfully. "Hey, can I get some watermelon? I'm in the mood for some fruit."
I laugh as he stomps out of the room. Clearly agitated at my behavior.
I've learned who they are. And now know they don't have anything they can use against me. Except maybe Noelle.
That's something I need to think about. Little miss mini Endbringer. Hell, I might just heal her to get the issue done with. Right after I turn her boytoy into a girltoy.
Heck, I've scanned Crystal enough to know the brain and hormone chemistry for nymphomania. Might make Noelle a hermaphrodite just for Francis. Or would it be Francine when I'm done?
'Oh I just thought of a horrible pun!' I think to myself.
[Inquiry; Iteration: What Is It?]
'Would you love me if I was a Worm!?' I think to [Conduit] as I start laughing at my own joke.
…
[No]
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-Monday, August 11th, 9am-
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The door opens again. And I recognize the scent of the guy I creeped out. He's also carrying
"Oh?" I say with a teasing smile. "Is daddy here to punish me again?"
I laugh as I hear him nearly hurl. Barfing up a little baby barf in his mouth.
"Aww, what's the matter?" I ask sweetly as I pout. "You have a cute little girl trapped and at your mercy. You're prepared to torture her, and yet her liking it, is where you draw the line?"
He says nothing as he ignores me. And continues to do something with the water. Moving things around as I try and piece together what he's doing.
"Hey, hey pedo bear! Stinky face! Incest baby!" I just keep going, trying to get his attention. "Tommy two face! Gorgonzola baby! I'm running out of things to say!"
"I noticed." He says as he finishes whatever it is he's doing.
"He speaks! Rejoice in the name of the lord!" I mock him. "So, wanna tell me what you're up to big boy?"
"Eugh!" He gags. "Okay, if I tell you what this is, will you stop? Like, for good?"
I'm breaking him!
In all seriousness, I'm getting bored here. It's been at least a few days soooo, yeah. Soon as I decide. I'm out.
"Mmmmmaybe!" I say with a grin.
"Water drop torture." He says as he clicks something. "Ever heard of it?"
"No, can't say I-" I go to say.
*Drip*
I'm brought out of my sentence as I feel a cold drop of what I hope for their sakes is water.
"Okay, is that all?" I ask.
*Drip*
"Yep." He says as he leaves. "Have fun!"
I don't see how this is-
*Drip*
Supposed to do anything. I mean it's just water bei-
*Drip*
…
*Drip*
"Okay yeah, I can see how this can get-"
*Drip*
…
*Drip*
'Hey [Conduit]! Wanna swap out?'
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A/N
I have a Beta now! They go by Old man of the mountain
If that seems familiar, it's because he's one of The Dark Wolf Shiro's editors. I'm on the discord! I even have my own Chatroom and junior author role! My chatroom is called Newb's Grotto!
Though my ADHD impatient ass can't sit still long enough to let him edit before I do it myself.
I even got bullied into writing a Gacha Gamer fic by The Dark Wolf Shiro himself.
How?
I said maybe I'd do a gacha fic, and he sent a gif of emperor Palpatine saying "dewwit"
…
That's it.
…
Anyway! I rolled for everything in making a Character. And got a Female, 13 year old Snow Elf. In Skyrim.
…
The races and world setting were completely random. It is sheer coincidence that I got a Snow Elf in Skyrim.
So, that's currently up on QQ. Gonna crosspost soon. So look forward to that and seeing how I make that work!
Also! Before I forget!
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Here's the link for the discord: discord .gg/DarkWolfShiro
You've got all sorts of authors there, me, The Dark Wolf Shiro, Mirlnir, Infonticus, Flamesclawsxx, and I'm too lazy to put any more.