A/N: Shootout!
Alt Title: This was, an idea
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Next up is a chapter of The Wild Tale of Cyril Leon
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YeTianshi: Noted, more past Kitsu Shenanigans as soon as I think of them.
Kaykaykaykayan: Sophia will never learn
And some people just embody the fact that Darwinism does not apply to humans. Hence, Darwin awards.
Redburndragon: oh absolutely, Ed is just working to make sure it all burns. Not just most of it.
Ben Turner1: We've all been there.
RadChaos897: Yeah, I know what you mean. I really need to find a new job myself. My boss, the one who got me my job and has been at the company for 10 years, just got fired for a single documentation error and now the entire department I work in is falling apart. The real reason he got fired is because the Store Lead has several ethics claims and abuse of power claims on his record, and my boss was one of 2 people qualified to replace him. Now there's only one.
This place fucking sucks.
Anyway! Enjoy the chapter of guerilla warfare fox!
Gogmazios: You're welcome!
Grimnosh: the incident with the truck happened 3 years ago. But aside from that, here's the chapter. I'm half awake while writing this so, sorry.
DancingLeaf: I've been avoiding other fanfics to keep them from influencing my writing too much. That and I don't have time.
Rc Jackson: not really.
Mintcakes: Hello from FFN!
recon100035: You're welcome!
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First half FUN! Second half not fun.
That's all you need to know for this chapter.
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
[Shard]
(Text)
*Sounds/Actions*
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-Thursday, August 19th, The Rig, Cafeteria, 9am-
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Kitsu POV
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Hopping down from my perch on the makeshift hill, I run towards the group of confused Wards. Eager to began my live game of team death match!
"Aegis and StopWatch are captains!" I say excitedly as I reach them.
Carlos with a neon green splatter on his chest. And Dennis a neon pink splatter on the side of his helm.
"Okay." Aegis says. "What's that mean? What's the deal here?"
"Glad you asked!" I say excitedly. "Team death match! Softcore. You get shot in your arm, you can't use that arm. You get shot in the chest three times, and you're out! Shot in the head? Out!"
They all share a look towards each other, some questioning, some bored, some I can't tell because they have their face covered.
"Oh! And no powers!" I say quickly.
"Fuck that!" Sophia says as she turns around and leaves.
I watch her leave, not too bothered by her refusal to play when she knows she might lose. She's petty like that. And I'm petty enough that I'd probably be the one targeting her.
"I'm not interested." Vergil says before leaving abruptly.
Odd.
"Alright, should make this interesting." Carlos says with a crack of his neck. "So, we choose our teams?"
"Yep!" I say excitedly. "Negotiate, take turns, however you want!"
"Take turns, rock paper scissors to see who picks first?" Dennis offers.
"Sure." Carlos says with a shrug.
"One two three shoot!" They both say as Dennis reaches a hand out and freezes Carlos just before he extends his hand fully.
"Paper beats rock." He says before turning to us.
"That's cheating!" Missy points out.
"Sue me." He says. "No powers during the game. Never said anything about before."
Missy looks to me, likely to mediate or clarify. Truthfully I found it funny. So, I'll allow it. And give a shrug in response.
Missy gives a long sigh at my noncommittal answer. While Dennis just looks out at the group.
"Hmm, Gallant." He says, pointing to the teen. "Get over here and join team winner!"
Dean shakes his head softly as he walks over to stand behind Dennis.
"I'm going to regret this." He says softly.
"Maybe." I say before turning to Dennis. "You know I'm also playing. Right?"
He turns to look at me for a bit, before looking back out at the other Wards who had lined up to be picked.
"Hey!" I scoff, slightly offended at the antic.
"Aegis!" He says, looking to the Ward's leader. "It's your turn to- oh, right."
Who is still frozen.
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-1 minute later-
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"Scissors!" He says as he extends his fingers, before looking around. "Fuck!"
"Language!" I call out. "Also it's your turn."
Carlos looks to Dennis and points a finger at him threateningly.
"I'll get you for that one." He says before turning to me. "You said no powers, right?"
"During the matches." I nod enthusiastically. "And I'm playing! So you can pick me!"
"Right, Kid Win." He says without any hesitation.
"Hey!" I shout.
"We work well together." Carlos says evasively. Almost too quickly.
"My turn." Dennis says. "Vista, get over here."
I can't even say anything to that. On one hand, I was passed over again. But, I can't insult my girl!
"FastTrack." Carlos says.
"Dude!" I yell.
He doesn't even look at me this time.
"Invisiline." Dennis says.
"Both of the noobs?!" I say dejectedly.
I'm the last one.
"Kitsu." Carlos says.
"Kinda pointless now." I grumble as I trudge towards where I stashed the weapons.
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-3 minutes later-
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Carlos "Aegis" POV
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"Alright, everyone suited up?" I ask.
Getting a round of confirmation from the two guys and, comically short girl. Who is wearing a PRT Riot helm she got from, somewhere. I go over the plan again.
"Right, Kid Win, get to the corner and give the callouts. FastTrack, stay behind cover and take out anyone you see leaving cover. Kitsu, try not to get shot." I say to all of them. "When the clear is given, charge ahead and take out anyone you see moving."
"Roger!" Kitsu's slightly muffled voice comes out.
Truth is? I'm aware of how, athletically challenged Kitsu is. That's why I didn't pick her. And why I'm sure Dennis didn't either. He shared a gym class with her, and I've heard from Vicky how she sucks at anything without her powers.
"Alright, we ready?" I ask.
Getting a round of affirmation I shout over the room.
"We're good!" I yell over.
"Same!" Dennis shouts. "On three!?"
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
Neither of us say go as I just snap my fingers at the group and motion my hands for them to move.
Kitsu runs out from our makeshift fort to take cover at a table-
*Pop*
Only to get domed immediately.
"Headshot!" I hear Missy's voice callout.
Kitsu just lays on the ground motionlessly.
"If any of you step on my tail I'll kill you!" She shouts from her position.
This may be harder than I thought.
*Pop* *Pop* *Pop*
"Got your arm!" Missy calls.
'Damn!' I think to myself.
*Pop*
"Headshot!" Missy again!
Peeking my head around the corner of our fort, I look around, and spot Missy popping up from behind cover to aim right at me!
*Pop*
I duck back just in time to avoid a sim round to the face.
"How the hell?" I think out loud.
*Pop* *Pop* *Pop*
"Hah!" I FastTrack shout victoriously. "Nice try sis!"
*Pop*
"Ahhh!" He gives a high pitched squeal.
"What do nutshots count as?" Missy asks.
"Body shot!" Kitsu shouts.
*Pop*
"Headshot!" Dean calls.
"I would just like to Argue that a nutshot is a headshot!" Dennis shouts.
"Wrong head!" FastTrack whines.
"Hey, uh, do bunker taps count?" I hear Dean behind me.
Knowing Kitsu, I immediately swing my gun around and headshot him. Catching him off guard with a point blank shot to the helm.
Benefits of having a body with the adrenaline always turned on.
"Ah!" He shouts in surprise as he shoots me in the gut out of reflex.
"No!" Kitsu yells from her position. "None of that sissy crap! Shoot or die!"
"Good to know." I say.
*Pop* *Pop* *Pop*
Only to get shot three times in my back.
"You're out man." Dennis says from behind me.
Seems I got flanked in my own fort.
"Is that everyone?" I ask as I turn around and face the guy at the other 'entrance' of our 'fort'.
"Yep." He says with cocky nod as he strikes a pose with his hand on his hip and his gun on his shoulder. "Still got Vista, you got none."
"Neat." I say and switch my rifle from semi to auto, then raise the gun to his head and unload my clip.
*Pop**Pop* *Pop* *Pop* *Pop*
"Dude!" He yells as he's knocked over by the force of five sim rounds to the face.
"Told you I'd get you back."
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-Round 2, 9:30am-
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"Okay, Kitsu, keep your ears out and act as our radar. Kid, you're taking the other entrance, Track, you're taking offence." I tell them.
"Why is it just me?" He asks.
"Because last time it was you and Kitsu, Kitsu got sniped immediately." I explain to him. "I'm trying to see if they have some sort of strategy, or if Kitsu just sucks."
"Hey!"
"Alright, fair enough." He concedes.
"Hey!"
"Alright, we ready?" I ask.
"You guys ready?!" Dennis shouts.
"I'm ready/Same here." Chris and FastTrack say.
I look to Kitsu, who is still wearing the helm. Only with a big pink splatter on the side. Arms crossed and likely pouting.
"Ready?" I ask.
"I do not suck." She says defiantly.
"Okay, you don't." I say, placating the fourth member of my team. "Ready?"
"Fine." She grumbles.
"Ready!" I shout back.
"Three?!" Dennis shouts, initiating the countdown.
"Two!" I continue.
"One!/One!"
"Go!" I wave FastTrack out.
He takes a running start, unpowered, towards the nearest bit of cover.
*Pop*
And barely dodges a round to the head as he power slides. Stopping himself with his foot against the leg of the overturned table.
"That was Vista." Kitsu says. "She's got her eyes on him, and huh, Gallant and Invisiline are advancing on the other side."
Looking towards Chris, I nod to him as he peaks out over the side of our fort. Quickly raising his gun, he fires off a few shots. Three at a time as he takes controlled shots.
"Got Gallant in his arm." Chris says as he ducks back. Avoiding a few rounds that splatter against the wall we're up against and the sheet he's hiding behind in bright colors. "Couldn't get a clean shot at Invisiline though."
"That was Mi-Vista taking shots by the way." Kitsu relays.
'What?' I think to myself. 'Since when did Missy turn into a professional sniper?'
"Oh, and you did hit Invisiline." Kitsu says to Chris. "You got her foot."
"Got it." I say before turning my head towards FastTrack, peaking my head slightly to address him. "Try to advance!" I order.
"Roger!" He says and jumps over the table.
*Pop* *Pop*
"Headshot!" Missy calls, again!
"What the hell?" I think out loud to myself.
"Forget this!" Kitsu says as she charges out with her rifle raised. "KIIITTSSSSUUUU!"
"What no!" I say as I try and reach out for her, only to narrowly miss her shoulder as she charges out of the makeshift fort.
I ball my fists in frustration before letting out a sigh.
*Pop* *Pop* *Pop*
"You know." I say softly as I lean against the 'wall' of our fort. "This is actually going about how I thought it would."
*Pop* *Pop*
"Hah!" Kitsu yells victoriously.
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Kitsu POV
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Ducking behind a table right next to the girl I just downed, I keep my ears out for any footsteps. Before I realize my helmet is messing with my ability to hear, I pull it off and toss it out to the side.
"So, do I just-" Violet starts.
"Shush, you're dead." I say to the girl currently painted in ink.
I expected Missy to take a few shots at the helmet I tossed, but nothing.
*Tap* *Tap*
I hear Dean slowly making his way towards me. How do I know it's him? The sound of his armored shoes. His is heavier than Dennis's.
Looking over to Violet, I get a devious idea.
"I don't like that smile." She says with a concerned look on her face.
"Hush up, corpse." I say and push her slumped body over, just past the table's cover.
*Pop*
"Argh!" Violet cries as she holds the side of her head.
"Sorry!" Missy cries.
*Tap*
I quickly peek around the other side and unload my clip into Dean. Catching him more than five times in the chest.
"Hah!" I say as I run past him, using him as cover to make it towards closer cover, now halfway across the room.
Human shields!
I'd drag one of them with me. But this is no powers, and I can barely lift forty pounds unpowered. Dragging a body would be, over encumbering.
Curse this tiny body!
"What's going on?" Dennis asks.
"I think she figured it out." Missy whispers.
"Why are you whispering?" Dennis asks.
"She has like, super good ears." Missy says.
Taking the opportunity. I run out from my cover as they're distracted by their conversation.
"Crap!" Missy hisses. "She's moving!"
'How does she know?' I think to myself as I dive behind another table.
*Pop* *Pop* *Pop* *Pop*
"Headshot!" Missy calls.
Looking back, I see Chris had ran out from the fort and got lit up. His helm now sporting three different colors.
"Well." I say softly. "Me thinks this be a bit of a kerfuffle."
Keeping my ears up, I listen for any movement. Hearing it from back at my side, I look back to see Carlos charging forward from the opposite side of the fort.
*Pop*
He dodges a shot from Missy by ducking behind cover, now halfway across the room. Just a bit further back than I am.
"I'm going." I hear Dennis say before he starts running.
Peeking up, I get to raise my gun just in time to shoot him, as Carlos gets up to shoot him as well.
Which all leads to a half second exchange that ends in me shooting Dennis in the side twice, Carlos getting him in the chest once, and Dennis getting Carlos in the head.
"Bodyshot!" I call.
"Headshot!" Dennis calls at the same time.
Dennis looks around, and seeing me wave at him. He looks down to his side to see the bright patches of ink. With a shrug, he lays down on the ground as Carlos slumps over his cover, the table.
Now it's just me, and Missy.
"Who's out!?" Missy calls.
I've pieced together that she's using her power as a radar. Which, I should've figured out sooner. I'm the one that pointed out to her she could use it like that.
Her radar however is, not very precise. And it's always on, so it's easy for her to just, tune it out as white noise unconsciously. The best way she put it, is it's like breathing. When you focus on it, then it's at the front of your mind, but it's very easy to let go if something catches your attention.
So, taking advantage of that, I dash out of cover and towards the enemy fort. Jumping around the side I aim my gun at the surprised girl.
"Gotcha!" I shout victoriously as I pull the trigger.
*Click*
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I stare at her.
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She stares at me.
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I hold my gun to chest and ramp up the cutesy act in a panic.
"You wouldn't really shoot me, would you?" I ask sweetly.
She raises her gun.
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-Round 3, 10am-
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Missy "Vista" Biron POV
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I shot her.
And it felt better than I care to admit.
Not shooting her!
Winning against her. She's so good at so many things that, It's just satisfying to beat her at something.
I doubt she sees it that way, what with how she's now sporting a bright blue splotch of hair. And an adorable pouty face.
"Revenge!" She says as she aims the gun at my gut.
She's currently on top of me.
"Shoot me and you get no kisses for a week." I say quickly.
She stays still, the gun still aimed at my gut as she remains motionless.
"Are you kidding me!?" Carlos shouts.
"You're dead!" I shout back.
He and Dennis have been targeting each other, and the rest of us have been taking advantage of it.
"Consider this the voice of the damned!" He shouts. "Shoot her!"
"Do I still get cuddles and scratches?" Kitsu asks.
'That's what was keeping her!?' I think incredulously. 'I mean, it's flattering to see where her priorities are.'
"Cuddles yes, but they may be reluctant." I say. "Scratches? Only if you do something to earn it."
"I can live with that." She says and lets off three shots into my chest.
"Owww!" I groan as the fake bullets hit my leather padding.
They still hurt!
"Does my Missy need kisses to feel better?" Kitsu tries to act seductively.
"No kisses!" I shout.
"Meanie!"
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-Round 4, 10:15am-
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Dennis "Clockblocker" POV
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"Okay." I pant as I press myself against the cover. "You can do this."
So far the score is our favor. Picking Missy was honestly a stroke of luck. I never thought that her power's Manton Limit also acts as a sort of radar for living things. The only issue is when they're grouped up, it becomes hard for her to separate the entities. Hence why Invisiline got headshot.
Current plan? Try and bait them out. Let Missy snipe them.
"Fastball special!" I hear Kitsu rapidly approaching.
Peaking over the corner to see her curled up and hurtling through the air towards our fort!
"I thought you said no powers!?" I shout as she crashes into our fort, collapsing the structure as Missy dives out of it.
"No powers!" Carlos shouts. "She's like, forty pounds! Super easy to just throw!"
"Fucking course." I curse as I sit back down.
*Pop* *Pop* *Pop*
Kitsu just took out Missy.
"Vista why!?" Kitsu says as she definitely uses her powers to speed over to the girl, catching her in her arms as Missy goes limp. "Why? We could've worked this out! We didn't have to fight! Why cruel world!? Why must you tear at us so!? To take two lovers who-"
I cut her off by raising my gun and headshotting her.
*Pop*
"Blegh!" She says as she falls back, Missy on top of her as she falls back.
"You're a dork." Missy laughs, giving Kitsu a light slap on her shoulder.
"I am, ded." She says.
*Pop* *Pop*
Shit!
The others are still here!
Getting up and looking over the cover. I'm met face to barrel with Carlos's gun.
"Fuck." I groan as I realize Kitsu was likely a distraction.
*Pop*
And my helm is blacked out by the ink.
"What the hell is going on in here!?" Piggot's voice sounds out.
I don't like that tone.
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Kitsu POV
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All good things, come to an end. Whelp! Time to bail myself out of this one!
I have a plan. Basically I'll just tell them how I got ahold of everything. Revealing the massive holes in their security and using that to walk away from all of this.
"We were about to tie before you interrupted!" I shout.
"You!" She says pointing to me. "Who gave you authorization to acquire our simulation rounds and our guns!? Or approve a whole training exercise!?"
"You stole all of this!?" Missy asks as she gets up.
'Ooh.' I feel my face heat up in shame. 'Didn't, think about that.'
"Um, well actually it's." I stutter at Missy's glare. "Not exactly."
The doors open again as I struggle to come up with a way to placate both of them. I can't lie and say I got them with permission, Piggot's right here. And I can't admit I stole them, Missy's right there.
"That's quite enough darling." The shorter woman from a few days ago says as she walks into the room. "I'll take it from here."
"Director Mode." Piggot says, turning to the fast paced shorter woman. "I appreciate the concern, but this is not your jurisdiction."
"I wasn't talking to you." She says as she walks past her and to me.
She turns on her heels and addresses Piggot. Seemingly for me.
"I asked her to do this." She says.
"What?" Me and Piggot say at the same time.
She turns her head slightly, addressing me in a soft voice.
"Honey, when opportunity presents itself you strike." She says before addressing Piggot in a clearer voice. "I asked her to take on this little venture. A fun game to prove my point."
Piggot's face seems to blow a gasket as she looks down at the shorter woman.
"You mean to say you had a guest, steal government equipment and perform an unauthorized training exercise in an unsupervised environment. Without any authority to do so!?" She glowers at the woman.
Better her than me.
"Well as they say darling, forgiveness and permission." She says. "Besides! This is perhaps the best example I could hope for to prove my point!"
She quickly turns on her heel and points to Missy.
"You! Green girl!" She shouts. "To the infirmary alongside Invisiline if you would?"
Missy for her part just looks between the two directors. Seemingly unsure as to what is going on. And I'm not so sure either.
"Vista, stay." Piggot says. "She has no authority over you or anyone here."
'Oh, I see what's going on!' I think to myself. 'Politics.'
"That is correct." The shorter woman says. "But if you'd like for your bruises to be attended to."
"I'm not bruised." Violet says. "Well, maybe the back of my head because I wasn't wearing my full helmet."
"Same." Dash says, raising his hand.
I can't see her face from how she's standing in front of me. But I can tell she has a shit eating grin from Piggot's glare.
"Vista, infirmary." Piggot says. "Same with anyone else who believes they need to be seen!"
Missy slowly gets up, along with Chris and Dennis as they all tentatively head out of the training room. While the two directors stare at each other.
"Kitsu, how did you get ahold of the munitions and armaments?" Piggot asks without looking away from Edna. "I assume she helped you?"
"Um." I'm not sure how to answer.
"You can be honest darling." Edna says as she walks towards the door. "My work is done here."
Looking back and forth between the two. I realize I may have fucked up more than I thought I would.
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-2 hours later, PR department-
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Walking into the office alongside Vicky and Mom, who is not happy. I'm met with the scent of various cleaners and really overused cologne.
"As you can see these designs are horridly inappropriate." I hear Edna say heatedly from one of the glass officed areas. "No ballistic weave, no peripheral circuitry, zero utility. It's as though you want to lose Wards."
"The Wards are to make the people more accepting of capes." I hear a low, almost oily voice reply. "They don't employ the usual protections because they're not meant to see active combat!"
Oily as in smooth, but low and almost stuffy.
"Darling you are a fool." I hear Edna say in the plainest way possible.
Following Mom as she opens the door to the meeting room. I'm met with the sight of Piggot, Edna, Costa-Brown, Missy in her Vista costume, Carlos in costume as well, Miss Militia, a random guy in a suit, and the Incredibles. Oh, and Armsmaster in the corner. Looking even grumpier than usual.
I wonder why.
"Ah, the young protégé." Edna says with a smug tilt of her head. "Now that my partner in crime is here, we can fully begin."
I am so grounded once this is over.
Taking a seat next to Mom at the corner of the table, Chief Director Costa-Brown stands and looks to me.
"Public relations can wait." She says. "For now, Kitsu. This is twice you've proven to us that our security methods are ineffective-"
"Twice?" I hear Missy mumble.
"What I'd like to know, is how this one came about." Costa-Brown asks. "Specifically, did you receive any assistance?"
"No." I answer.
"Truth." Armsmaster says.
"Then how did you manage to secure not only twelve rifles, but forty eight mags of simulation ammo?" She asks pointedly. "And how did you hide all of it?"
Taking a breath, I begin to go through how I did all that she asked.
"Well, I stashed all of it in Training Room three. Mostly by turning invisible and moving the cameras sligtly to hide all of the stuff just out of view." I begin.
"Impossible." Costa-Brown cuts me off. "The cameras have been checked and verified to be untampered with."
"I never said the cameras in the room." I correct. "In the vents."
There's a bout of silence that follows my statement. As everyone takes in the knowledge that I'm in the vents.
"Okay, and the tables?" Miss Militia asks after she regains her composure.
"I took them apart piece by piece and stashed them under the benches in Training Room three's observation room." I answer.
"Truth." Armsmaster says.
"How did you get a hold of the arms in the first place?" Costa Brown asks.
"I used my biokinesis to get past the retinal scanner, and use an I.D. I pickpocketed off of a guard to make an illusion of a guard requesting the supplies." I continue.
"There is no way a singular guard could acquire twelve rifles and forty eight magazines worth of training ammunition without the proper forms." Armsmaster corrects.
"I caught the teller watching porn on the job and blackmailed him." I answer, much to everyone's blank faced surprise.
"Seriously?" Vicky asks, leaning over to look at me across from Mom.
"Armsmaster?" Costa-Brown asks.
"Kitsu, how much do you weigh?" He asks all of a sudden.
"I'll have you know I'm a dainty forty pounds!" I stick my tongue out at him.
"Lie." He says.
"Fine!" I say with a huff. "Forty two."
'Jackass' I think to myself.
"Truth." He says. "She was telling the truth in regards to the staff member that gave her access to the armory."
"Porn on the job at The Rig?" Mr. Incredible says to his wife. "Either the bravest or dumbest man here."
That earns him a slap on the shoulder from his wife. Who tries to hide her smile with a frown.
"How often have you been navigating through the vents?" Piggot asks.
"A few days." I answer. "All I do is avoid triggering the pressure pads at the vents entrances and turn invisible to avoid the cameras."
Costa-Brown takes a deep breath and turns her attention toward Piggot.
"Find the staff who allowed her into the armory, see if you can't find evidence of his, misconduct." She says. "Other than that, you have your security holes."
"With all due respect, I highly doubt anyone else to be capable of infiltrating in the same manner." Piggot defends. "And that's not even taking into account the clear breach in protocol Director Mode oversaw in authorizing this."
"If a twelve year old little girl can figure out how to avoid our security measures, so can others." Costa-Brown says.
"Chief Director, her thinker power presents a unique-"
"My thinker power never gave me any insight into any of that, everything I did." I cut her off.
Piggot looks to me with a glare as I say that, before looking to Armsmaster.
"Truth." He says. "And I agree with the Chief Director on this one. If a single hyper active cape can so soundly maneuver-"
"That'll be all Armsmaster." Piggot silences the man, much to his annoyance.
"It seems we still have much to improve upon here." Costa-Brown says. "Director Piggot, I'm aware that this seems unfair and that this paints your leadership in a negative light. But understand that the security measures here are the same across the entirety of the PRT's compounds. This does not reflect poorly on you, but on the PRT as a whole. Please understand that."
"It is not my image that I am concerned about." Piggot says before motioning a hand towards Edna, who is casually inspecting her nails. "But my authority being so openly disputed and undermined."
"And trust that it will be rectified." Costa-Brown says sternly. "But for now we have other matters to attend to."
Translation?
Suck it up, there are more important things here than your feelings.
"Right, the important matter." Edna says as she glares at the suited man.
"My good director, I assure you that whatever misgivings you may have, no matter how well intended." The portly man says. "Are unfounded."
"Can I go now?" I whisper to Mom.
"No." She says in a stern whisper. "After this little stunt? You're not leaving my sight."
I am, so grounded.
"We need people to feel safe around our Wards." The man says. "Children, as much of a blessing they are-" He gives a, disturbing smile towards the Wards, and me. "-are well known to be temperamental and emotional. And as such, we strive to present a more disarming image."
"By literally disarming them?" Edna says plainly with a condescending look. "The people will feel safer, when our Wards are safely apprehending criminals."
"They shouldn't be apprehending criminals!" The man interjects. "That's why we keep them at the safer areas. And as such we use less resources keeping them safe, by reducing the need to keep them safe!"
"They're going to be out there when they graduate sweetie." Edna says with a wide smile. "You are arguing to prepare the road for the children, as opposed to preparing the children for the road."
"Blatant sophistry will not earn you favor here." He counters. "You're wanting to turn our children into soldiers. Not heroes! Chief Director, we've been over this-"
"Times change Mr. Chambers." Costa-Brown says. "That's why we're here. And looking over the medical reports, it would seem a change is needed."
"I assure you." The man says. "The designs are fine as is."
"Vista darling." Edna says suddenly, surprising said girl.
"Yes, Director Mode?" Missy asks, regaining her composure.
"How many scars did you have before Panacea healed them?" Edna asks with a knowing smirk.
'Scars?!' I think almost panickingly.
"Um, well, twelve, scars." Missy answers hesitantly.
"That means nothing." The man says. "A few scrapes can come from anywhere-"
"How many did you get from patrols darling?" Edna asks.
"Seven." Missy answers.
"Lie." Armsmaster says.
"Eight." Missy corrects dejectedly.
"You only have seven recorded injuries that would result in scarring." Costa-Brown says with a pointed stare.
Missy sits still as I imagine her giving shifty eyes under her visor.
"I, may have neglected to seek appropriate medical attention for my, first injury." She says in a soft, quiet voice.
"You're, first injury?" Costa-Brown asks. "When was this?"
"A, few weeks after I joined." Missy says. "On my, third patrol."
"You mean the one where Hookwolf tore through the Boardwalk?" Carlos asks. "You said your dress was just torn and nothing else! Why didn't you say anything?"
'Yeah, why didn't she?' I find myself thinking in agreement.
"The why is not important." Edna says. "The fact that it could have been prevented with proper outfitting is key here."
"An outlier, there will always be exceptions and accidents." The man presses. "You would have them outfitted as some sort of paramilitary force. Of which I can guarantee the public will not respond positively to!"
"Are they not a paramilitary force?" Edna challenges. "Besides, my region suffers no complications from this matter. I fail to see why yours would. If they can be hurt by simulation rounds, they can be killed by real ones. And trust me darling, there are more real threats than fake ones."
I can kinda see the divide here. The Northwest had a period of massive instability in the nineties or eighties. I don't remember. But the long and short of it was that capes were pretty much forced into hiding after riots and lynch mobs were indiscriminately targeting parahumans. It was in my social studies class. People died.
"If I may." Mr. Incredible raises his hand. "I may be uh, a bit biased here but, I fully agree with Edn- Director Mode. If it weren't for the safety and added precautions she enforces I, don't think I'd let my kids patrol."
It was the PRT's intervention in the early two thousands that worked to undo that mistrust and general fear of capes. But, it's still present. So I don't imagine Wards are as safe in the northwest as they are here. Hence the added defense to their costumes.
"And that is understandable given the circumstances the northwest saw." The man says, earning a glare from Mr. Incredible. "But things are different here. People accept the capes as part of everyday life! And we can't risk that by reforming them. People would ask why they need more safety, and that will lead to doubts as to their own safety. If the Wards need more protection, it means they aren't safe, if they aren't safe, are we?"
Ooh! That callout!
"Objection! Speculation!" I call out as I raise my hand. Leaning over the table and standing on my chair.
Everyone looks to me in varying levels of surprise and confusion.
What? I got bored.
"I just wanted to be included." I say as I sit back down.
"You just earned another week of grounding." Mom says sternly.
I need to learn how to shut up.
"She's still right." Edna says.
"Speculation it may be, but it is still a very real possibility." The man says.
"As is the fact and precedence that the Wards encounter life threatening danger." Edna says with a smirk.
'Ooh.' I think to myself as I see the man's face turn beet red. 'Cornered!'
Still bored.
"It's clear that this will only continue to go in circles." Costa-Brown says as she starts gathering papers. "Besides, I've made my decision. Edna, get with the design team and draft up some prototypes. Glenn, as for you, your job will remain the same. See to it that the public receives the changes well. That'll be all."
"If, that is all." Glenn grits out with a huff as he stands up. "I can see my breath will be wasted on any further, debate."
Edna meanwhile, looks like she just got nominated for a noble prize.
"If everyone barring the Dallons and Director Piggot will please leave? Glory girl, please leave as well. I've already called Mark up and he should be here shortly." Costa-Brown says suddenly.
"Shit." Mom says under her breath before looking to Costa-Brown. "You don't honestly mean now? Do you?"
'This, does not bode well.' I think worryingly.
The Incredibles, Wards, Glenn and Edna all get up and file out of the room.
Once the last one leaves, Costa-Brown finally answers her.
'Am I in more trouble?' I think as I spare a glance at Vicky, who only returns my confused look back at me.
"I do. Mr. Freeman has been rather, persistent in his requests to meet." Costa-Brown says. "And, legally speaking there is no precedent for this. He has a right to meet with his daughter."
"He literally never knew of her until you stepped in and went behind everyone's back to perform an illegal and nonconsensual DNA test!" Mom suddenly bursts out, standing up hard enough to knock her chair back. Scaring both me and Vicky.
"Mom, what's going on?" Vicky asks as I hug my tail.
"Not now Victoria." Mom says, raising a hand to block Vicky without even looking at her.
"And we've been over this." Costa-Brown says. "If you-"
"Bitch I'm already in the process of filing suite!" Mom yells. "You think a bitchy mother is a headache? Trying dealing with one who has yhe second biggest law firm on speed dial!"
Yeah, I think it be best if I just, I'm not here.
I turn invisible.
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Mark "Flashbang" Dallon POV
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Following the secretary to the outside of an office I-
My thoughts all stop in place as I'm met with the familiar sight of the strawberry blonde man. Stern blue eyes and rounded face. Dressed in a suit, for once in his life I assume.
"Mark." Michael growls from beside the door.
"Michael." I return with the same amount of friendliness.
"I go by Mike now. And I see you're still leashed to my sister." He says curtly. Showing off that gruff charm he left with.
"Happily so." I say with false kindness. "Does Sarah know you're here?"
"I didn't intend to be here long enough to see her." He says. "Besides, this has nothing to do with her."
I resist the urge to punch the man. No matter how strong that urge is.
"It's a family matter." I correct him. "Then again I doubt you'd know much about that. You abandoned yours after all."
"I jumped a sinking ship." He says with a deeper frown.
'Don't do it.' I tell myself.
"And left everyone else to drown." I point out.
"You all chose to drown yourselves." He says with a bit more bite. "I can't be held responsible for looking after my own."
'You're better than that.' My conscience tells me.
"That's rich coming from the man who literally told his sisters they can 'Die on their own hills'." I scoff at the man.
"Says the man too wrapped up in his own problems to care for his own daughter." Mike jabs at me with a glare.
…
Huh, you know what?
"Says the man who left his fiancé's dream to die the moment she did." I say with a condescending glare.
Guess I'm not better.
Mike's face becomes absolutely apocalyptic with rage. If his face were any redder he'd pop a vein.I prepare myself for a fight, as he raises a hand-
"You're lucky I'm trying to set a good first impression with my daughter." He says with a finger in my face.
"She's not your daughter." I say through gritted teeth. "You have no right to anything in this family. Now get your hand out of my face before I break it."
"You don't tell me what to do." Mike challenges.
"Bet." I say as I smack his hand away.
We glare at each other for a good while. Though with Mike being a good half a head shorter than me, his glare loses a bit of its bite.
*Krt*
"Uncle Michael?" I hear Vicky's voice say from my right. "Is that you?"
We both look over to her, seeing Victoria's confused face only solidifies my fears.
"Great." Michael, Mike says under his breath. "Hey sunshine, how've ya been?"
"Who's Michael?" Kitsu says as she leans out from behind Vicky's legs. Startling her as well as me.
I knew I should've stayed in bed this morning.
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Bonus
Dallon House DND pt 3
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-Castle Salazar, Phandallin-
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Leyawen POV
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Staring up at the vampiric lord casually brandishing his broadsword in one hand.
This isn't how it was supposed to go! Elder vampire's are reliant on magic, not martial ability!
"I'll admit." The Lord of the castle, Waxilliam Salazar says as he walks towards me. "You were decent entertainment. That's more than can be said for most."
(Death saving, throw, that's a nat 20, what's that do again?)
(You're back up with one hit point.)
(Cool, I use my reaction to-)
Salazar brings up his blade and plunges it forth as I close my eyes.
I dread the thought dying here. My soul trapped and unable to recycle to the next elf. My immortal spirit, caged here forever. Just like Yuri's.
*squelch*
Something wet hits my face, and I open my eyes to see Hateron! He, jumped in front of me.
"Sorry lass." He says, looking back to me with a smirk as he holds Salazar's blade. "Was take'n a quick nap."
He looks backs to Salazar. All I see is Hateron's back, and the sword mere inches from my face.
(Death saving throw, success.)
(Same.)
(Constitution, fail. Fuck!)
My body refuses to do as I say, to move and do, anything as I watch Hateron struggle.
"Not bad." Salazar says. "But not good either."
"Oh, you wan'a good one?" Hateron says through coughs of blood. "How 'bout this'un?"
(I take out the Bowling Ball of the world.)
(Um, what's that do again?)
(On a failed con save the enemy is trapped in the ball. If their HP is lower than my spell casting modifier then it's permanent.)
(When did you get that?)
(The wondrous trader, in Neverwinter.)
…
(How long ago was that?)
(Like, ten sessions ago?)
(We've been trapped here for so long.)
With one hand holding the blade still, Hateron reaches into his bag of holding and pulls out the large glass orb. Swirling purples and blues cover the sphere inside the orb.
"Wait, no." I mutter deftly.
Hateron smashed the orb against Salazar's face.
(… Well?)
(It's at advantage gimme a sec!)
(…)
(…)
(… You got another nat one, didn't you?)
"Argh!" Salazar says as he fumbles back. Holding his face as blood seeps down his nose. "Just for that I'll make your death slow!"
"Heh, if you have time." Hateron says as he drops the orb and falls to his knees.
Salazar glares at Hateron in confusion, before noticing the blood from his nose dripping towards the orb. He looks on first in contemplation, then gives us a steely eyed glare as more and more of him draws into the orb. Like dust swirling towards the ball.
"Well played." He gives a single line, before he fades completely.
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Amy "Panacea" Dallon POV
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"And thusly, with a blade in his gut, Hateron falls to his side." Kitsu narrates the little figurine illusions. "Blood spilling out."
"You said we can choose to fail our saving throws right?" I ask Kitsu.
"Um, yeah." She says.
"I fail my death saving throws." I say.
"What!?" Missy asks.
"Why would you do that!?" Vicky asks.
"I'm bored with this character." I shrug. "Wanna be cleric barbarian."
"But we have a cleric." Mark says, pointing to himself. "And a barbarian." He points to Missy.
"Yeah, and you can't heal for crap!" I point out. "I want to be to be able to heal you guys, and then beat the crap out of you myself for your dumb decisions."
"I think you're taking the whole catharsis by proxy a bit far." Kitsu says.
"Let me have this!"
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Oog POV
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Getting to my claws and knees, I hold my head as I look around the dark room.
"Ooh." I groan as I stand up. "I feel like my shell was removed and shoved back on backwards."
"Hateron?" I hear the young elven druid call out.
Looking around, I spot Little Leya over Hateron's body, blood pooling around him as Salazar's sword lay beside him.
"Hateron!" Leya yells, shaking him.
I rush over to investigate, my heart pounding as I fear the worst. Making my way on shaky legs, I see my fears confirmed. Cold, lifeless, dull eyes in my haregon friend.
(I try and see if I can't revive him somehow.)
(okay, but real quick, Dad.)
(Alright I got this.)
…
(Nat one, looks like two people are dead.)
(Damn it Amy!)
(How is that my fault!?)
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Bonus
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Collin "Armsmaster" Wallis POV
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"My armor is spotless." I grumble to myself as I disinfect my workdesk. "There is no perceivable way I just got this."
"It's a common enough fungal infection Collin." Dragon says in my comms piece.
"Fifteen years, I've not had a single illness in fifteen years." I respond as I scrub. "And suddenly I get a break out of hyper aggressive athlete's foot? I call sabotage."
"Collin, you're being dramatic." Dragon responds.
"I am not." I say as I move to my two hundredth and thirty eighth tool.
"Yes you are!" She argues. "It's bad enough you tried to cauterize the infection, now you're saying someone gave it to you. It's an extremely commoninfection! Especially for those who are as active as you. The fact you've gone nearly two decades without contracting athlete's foot, with how much you travel? It was a matter of time."
Stopping in my ministrations, my tool half disassembled. I realize she may be right. And that I'm blowing this out of proportion.
"Perhaps, you're right." I say as I resume cleaning the rest of my tools.
"Thank you." She says.
"I'll just have to redouble my hygienic practices to ensure my risk is even lower." I assure her.
"God damnit it Collin!"
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A/N Cliffhanger!
Idea for the Dallon House DND pt 3 goes to LordVortex on discord
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Mike is here! How will this effect things?
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Missy definitely has her suspicions that Edna's "request for Kitsu" is bullshit. Just more to pile up!
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As always, leave a comment and tell me what you think! It helps me write and gives me ideas moving forward. I especially love it when you guys speculate or make guesses as I do use them.
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Find in newb's-grotto at the discord!
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Link to the discord: discord. gg/DarkWolfShiro