A/N Target On Your Back
Alt title: Dark Kitsu Arc! Rawr!
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Originally I was going to make a big, 30k word special to send Kitsu off with a bang. But then I realized 2 things.
1, I do not have the patience for that. My patience was exhausted making the Cyril chapter that's 22k words.
2, there is, WAY too much going on to encapsulate it all in just 30k words without making it feel rushed as all hell.
So, here we are.
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YeTianshi: Sorry for the narrative whiplash, but basically everything at the end there was happening at the same time.
Grimnosh: I made a little schizophrenic girl who wanted nothing more than to make the voices stop, beg for death as she was groomed into having a heroin addiction.
How evil am I?
And I agree, pets are family. But Kitsu made Kratos on a whim, Mark took her in on his own. Amy warmed up to Kitsu through months of bonding and effort. And Missy accepts Kitsu for (almost) all of her faults and is willing to look past them.
Kratos, while he can't be replaced, he can be replicated. Same cannot be said as easily for the others.
RadChaos897: a bit to unpack, but I'll skip to the tail end.
The Faerie Queen, did harvest quite a few people. More than half. The rest? Out and about in the world. The 28 people left behind, are just those who refused to leave. People who think nothing good will come of escaping.
Kitsu is really in an unstable spot right now. Literally one push away from snapping. As shown in the Bad Ending bonus, all it took was Mark dying for Kitsu to turn into Nilbog 2.0
bobzilla001: Possibly, but she'd risk alerting the network as Bonesaw's shard is active and alive. Meaning one wrong move, and Scion is on the scene.
Mangouschase: I kept thinking what I could do with Queen Admin. Without making Taylor a master, and I just thought. Eidolon has the Thinker version of Taylor's shard. So a trump power is well in the cards.
Pun intended
GideonBlackthorn: Kill one of Kitsu's family? Only an insane psychopath with major delulu would, oh wait.
Bastion: I'm glad you enjoy it! I started about a year and a half ago and, it honestly feels like it's been longer. Yet, not at all. Kitsu is, genuinely a milestone in my life. Writing has distracted me and brought me away from, so much shit.
Where was I going? Oh!
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy my writing.
Wwolko: Yeah, gonna need a doctor for that whiplash.
Someone asked a while ago, and I said I would never do any bonuses with the Nine, purely because I want their appearance in the bay to come out of left field and be an absolute surprise. Like in canon Worm.
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
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-Saturday, Sep 25th, 1:45am-
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Touya "Hellfire" Todoroki POV
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"Shit." I feel my shoulders slump as the newly awaken Trump in front of me starts commanding my fires. Using the blue flames to free herself of the beam trapping her leg.
So here she is, commandeering my power. Controlling the blue flames I've come to see as a horrid reminder of my biggest regret. And again, here she is, controlling my flames.
Shittiest part is, she didn't have to accidentally burn her family alive in a house fire to get those flames. My old man deserved it, but the rest?
"Fuck off!" She roars and brings me from my thoughts as the flames are sent my way. Washing over me as the heat does little more than burn the white shirt under my leather coat. Revealing the blackened skin grafts underneath.
"Yeah, about that." I say as I feel something beat in my chest for the first time in a long time. Like, a drum, like there's something fueling me. "If you want to burn me. You gotta come with something more than borrowed flames girly."
Something about this. About seeing her use my flames, in a burned house, sirens in the background. This feels, too familiar. Bringing up some old memories.
"You know, I'm curious." I say, feeling a grin form as I conjure more and more flames, scorching the rubble around us as the scent of molten metal and burned flesh fills my nose. "Let's see just what you can do!"
I don't have the power to control my flames anymore. That part is cut. I can feel it tethering out to her. And it pisses me off. But, that just means it's up to her. Not my fault the flames are burning everyone indiscriminately.
I feel my skin start to heat as I make the flames hotter, and hotter! Holding the worst of it in as I feel it ready to explode. The fires turning white hot in my core.
Then, I let go.
Flames cover the land and air around me, all the way out to the street. All is vaporized to ash as bright blue, nearly white flames sear out in a violent flood. Blinding my eyes with the light as I hear the heat crackle wood, sear flesh and boil blood, warp metal and crack glass.
"Oh it feels good to let go!" I let out a sigh of relief, throwing my arms out as I feel the rush of the flames fill me.
"I know how you feel!" I hear another call from above, before I'm picked up by my shoulders. Blood slipping down my shoulders as claws pierce through my leather coat and into my flesh. "So don't take this too personally!"
I look up to get an idea of who or what has me, and see the orange scaled face of New Wave's Firebreather. Before he lets go of me about thirty feet up while reeling back a fist and unleashing a hook to my chest.
"Ack!" My eyes are forced wide open as the hit connects. The force sending me right back down just as fast as I was pulled up.
Feeling some of my control return, I blast flames out beneath me to reduce my fall. And softly land as I feel my control slip again.
'Seems the closer I am, the more she siphons part of my power.' I piece together as I look to the scared, black haired girl.
I don't get to fully contemplate that before I'm tackled from the side. Carried away from the scene. Heading up and over the city.
"Fuck is it now?" I groan as I look down to my side at the woman in a tan flight jacket and white skintight suit.
She doesn't say anything as she lets go as well. Putting a bit of distance between us and throwing her arms in front of her. Firing a red beam as I extend my flames in front of me to protect myself from the worst of it.
But I get hit in the back regardless. Sending me flipping forward and unable to see what hit me.
"Oh I'm going to be sick!" I nearly puke, before I'm caught mid air, and held in a princess carry as I regain my senses.
Looking up I see the calm, almost hollow green eyes of the boss as we descend to a nearby building.
"Sorry about this Hellfire." He says softly as he lets me down to my feet. "This is my fault."
"Nah, I'm the one who agreed to it." I say as I dust my long coat. "Shit went sideways is all, it happens."
"Still, this can't go on." He says as he turns to the side, and I look in the same direction. Watching as the hero duo, colloquially known as Crystal Fire, charges at us. With Lazerdream taking point, and Firebreather right behind.
The boss raises a hand out, and I take a small step back as I know what's about to happen.
"Get ready." I hear the boss whisper. And the heroes pause as Firebreather wraps his draconic wings around Lazerdream.
But, The Boss makes a fake out. And a smoke screen explodes out from him rather than an actual explosion, covering our escape as we turn tail and jump off of the building.
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-Brockton Bay General Hospital, 6am-
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Taylor Hebert POV
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I sit in the quiet room with Emma as the heart monitor beeps steadily and the oxygen tank keeps her breathing. It's been four hours. Four hours of silence. Of nothing, nothing but the horrid sound of the heart monitor and the oxygen tank leaving me to my thoughts.
The emergency servicemen wouldn't tell me anything. But they let me in here after it was found she'd be fine. She just has to wake up. That's all, just, waiting for her to wake up.
"Emma!" I jolt as I'm spooked from my chair by the bright yellow and orange zigzagged girl that is my friend, Madison, bursting into the room.
"Maddie!" I hiss at the wide eyed catgirl as I, I don't even know right now. "She's, she'll be fine."
Maddie looks to me, then to Emma. Seeming to calm down as her ears come up from being splayed back. Her tail relaxing as well.
"What happened?" Maddie asks as she steps into the room proper, and stops. gasping as she sees the side of Emma's burnt face. Covering her mouth in shock as her ears splay back.
"We, we were attacked by a villain." I say as I, I struggle with the memory, the helplessness, the fear, the knowledge that everyone around me was dying and I could do nothing about it!
Even with my power, all I could do was keep him from incinerating Emma. I couldn't do anything for anyone else. That's why the servicemen won't say anything. I failed to save her parents. They're dead and they don't want me to freak out.
"Taylor!" Maddie shakes my shoulders, snapping me from my thoughts. I look up to her bright blue eyes, and pink face with orange zigzag lines on her cheeks. Cat ears splayed back in concern.
I still haven't cracked the code on what all the patterns and colors mean. Well, aside from the obvious ones.
"Hey, you don't have to say anything." She reassures me with a gentle smile. "Just, it's okay. It'll be okay."
It's really not.
"Thank you Mads." I say with a smile, and watch as her fur turns purple with red swirls. "I just, I'd enjoy some quiet right now."
Still haven't learned what purple is. Though it does show up often.
"That's fine." Maddie says as she moves to sit by me, and lays her head on my shoulder.
A few moments go by in silence. Aside from the damned heart monitor and oxygen tank. But, I suppose-
"Taylor!" I'm jolted to attention as my dad bursts into the room.
"I'm fine dad." I say as he looks around, sees me and and rushes over. Dropping to his knees and pulling me into a bear hug. "Less fine!" I gurgle out as he crushes me.
"Oh, oh thank god." He starts crying. "I, I'm, I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you too."
And now I feel bad, and awkward. Mostly awkward as Maddie switches between patting my shoulder, and patting my dad's back. The sound of my dad's crying echoing through the room.
But through it all. I still hear that damned heart monitor. Reminding me. With every beep, I hear the sound of fire and screams. And it sounds so much like the sirens. The beeping.
How this is my fault. I had the power to save someone there, but all I could do is save one person.
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Please, just wake up already. I, I need to know I saved you. At least you.
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-Undersiders' hideout, Saturday, Sep 25th, 11am-
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Lisa "Tattletale" Wilbourn POV
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"Fuuuucck me man." I sigh as I crash back on the couch.
Alec and Brian are across from me. Just last night, Alec was forced to kill a man in front of a crowd. Not that it was really hard. Just had to latch onto a more reputable drug dealer from the Merchants and make him walk into oncoming traffic at a busy intersection. Which, we're hoping it still counts.
Odds, inconclusive. Need more data.
"As much as I'd love to, I don't think I'm in the mood." Alec quips, earning a light shove from Brian. But nothing more.
Usually, Brian would say something. A quick telling off, but I guess he sees Alec's need for relief. And doesn't press him.
Alec is stressed due to Reikos kidnapping. Alec is no longer attempting to hide stress. Alec does not feel remorse over death of the Merchant.
"We can't keep sitting around and doing nothing." Brian says as he stands up, raising his voice towards the end.
"You think we want to just sit on our asses and twiddle our thumbs!?" Alec snaps back, jumping to his feet as he stares Brian in the eye.
Alec is stressed, Alec feels powerless. Is reminded of his powerlessness and is lashing out at the cause of said reminder.
'Phrased odd but, okay.' I note as I try to think of something to say that won't start a fight.
"I know! I know, but, okay let's start from the base." He says as he starts pacing. His hand to his chin as he thinks. "Tats, what do we know?"
"Alec's batshit crazy big sis is in town to recruit him to the super murder hobos for no other reason than shits and giggles." I add helpfully, hoping he gets the hint that he doesn't know anything we don't.
"Come on Tats, you ain't got nothing else?" He gestures a hand out with a hopeful expression. "You're, normally on point. When will they reach out, who's test is next? Who are the other candidates?"
"No leads that won't lead to speculation." I sigh with a shake of my head as I lean forward. "You already know-"
My eyes go wide as I realize my power hasn't gone off. And Brian is asking questions he already knows.
'He's an impostor.' I realize as I school my expression. 'And he's got a power that suppresses mine. A stranger?'
"What, you got something new?" 'Brian' asks with a hopeful face.
"No, just, it's." I try to think of something. "Alec, can I talk to you in private?"
Looking to the curly haired teen, he gives me a pensive look as he slowly stands up.
"Sure." He says slowly.
Alec is suspicious, Alec does not notice anything wrong.
'Yeah, I figure that bit out.' I snark.
"What's going on?" 'Brian' asks. "You got something?"
"Yeah, just need to ask some more, private questions to see of I can figure out more." I say easily as I walk past him, heading to Alec's room on the loft.
"Fair enough, if it's something I don't need to hear then… just fill me in on the relevant details." He says, raising his hands in surrender as he steps back.
'I'll give them credit, they've got Brian's mannerisms down good.' I notice as I walk up the stairs and turn around. "Real quick, what happened to your tattoo?"
That's code for Alec to know I suspect Brian is either mastered, or a stranger. None of us have tattoos. So it's a trick question for any stranger or master with direct control. Like Alec himself.
"I never had one." Brian says immediately.
'So a loose master?' I wonder, and wait for my power to go off.
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"Nevermind, I was thinking of something else." I say as we enter Alec's room.
And, it's trashed. Dirty clothes everywhere, bed unmade. TV screen cracked with a remote through it.
Alec is used to Reiko cleaning his room, Alec is depressed. Alec misses Reiko, Alec has become increasingly irritable and distracted with Reiko's kidnapping.
"So, what's the idea?" Alec asks softly, keeping his voice down as he crosses his arms and leans against the wall next to the door. "Master, or stranger? Or some sort of changer?"
"I'm thinking stranger." I say softly as I turn to face him. "Or a master stranger combo of some sort. Because my power is not working on him. Like, it's not even registering he's there. Anything he does, just, nothing."
"Well shi-" Alec goes to say.
Before we both jump back as the doorknob is ripped from the door with a ping. The part on our side falling to the ground and rolling away as the hole is left.
The door creaks open as Alec steps behind me.
Alec is scared, Alec is concerned. Alec is putting obstacles between perceived threat and self. Alec intends to use Lisa as-
'I get it.' I cut the power off as my heart pounds in my chest. 'Alec is a chicken shit who's not above using me as a human shield.'
"Honestly, surprised I got as far as I did." 'Brian' says as he steps forward, and sort of breaks away as he turns into a swarm of bright blue and purple butterflies that scatter behind him and disappear into glittering motes of light. Revealing a blonde girl, just over half his height.
"Hi!" The girl with blonde tiger stripes on her cheeks and shoulders says with a smile. "I'm Kitsu! But you already know that."
She's also got blood splatters on her outfit. So that's, disconcerting. And mildly fucking terrifying.
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Kitsu POV
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"Soooo." The pretty boy starts off slowly as he stays behind Lisa. "What uh, can we do ya for? Also, is Grue dead? Kinda need to know that."
"He's fine." I roll my eyes and wave my hand to dismiss the idea. "I just knocked him out and shoved him under a bed. He'll wake up in an hour."
"Cool, cool." Lisa nervously, smacking her lips as I hear her heart thud. "So um, how do you uh. What's going on?"
"Okay, so I'll be blunt with you!" I smile and start twisting in place. "I want info on the next challenge, whatcha got for me?"
Both her and Alec's eyes widen as I say that. Probably realizing something, not that I care what it is.
"You're the other recruit." Lisa says with a bit of a fearful shake in her breath as the color drains from her face. "The one they were chasing after."
I know now that the Nine were following me. Anywhere I visited where I made a major appearance, got a nearby visit from the Nine a few months later. I just never connected the dots due to the time lapsed and how they wouldn't always show up.
"Yep!" I say with a smile. "Now, answers. Chop chop minions!"
"Usually the one making demands doesn't make it so-" Lisa starts to snark, and I speed up. Grabbing her shirt collar and pulling her down to eye level.
"Don't make me hold a gun to your head Lisa, Mary, Sarah or whatever name you choose." I say as I keep my smile, faking calmness. "Answer me, or this gets painful. Possibly humiliating."
She gulps as Alec tries to slowly back away. Heading closer and closer to the window. Likely hoping to jump out to the fire escape just out the window.
I use a hard light construct to slam him into the wall and hold him there by his neck and wrists.
"Now, the Nine, where?" I ask plainly.
"We-we don't-" She starts to lie, but I can see inside her brain.
So, as a deterrent. I make an adjustment I know she won't like. Crystal has nymphomania, so does Aunt Sarah. So, lets just, move this, and that. And now, crank it to TWENTY.
"Know, wh-what is, why am I." Lisa starts panting as tears form in her eyes. "What, did you do!?"
"I tweaked a few things in your brain." I answer with a shrug. "I originally thought to just break your arm. But that'd be too loud, and bothersome. I mean, I can tell you're lying now, but while under pain? Bit trickier so I gave you Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder."
I watch as horror and disgust fill her face. And I struggle to stop laughing as she somehow gets even paler.
"Why!?" She demands to know as she grabs my wrist. Gritting her teeth as she squirms.
I stop laughing and move my hand to her throat. Adding more strength than necessary as she chokes and gags.
"Because you lied." I growl. "Now, I don't have time. Because my family is currently being held captive and you are my best bet at finding them. So talk! And I'll remove the disorder. Lie again, and I'll give you dyslexia."
I loosen my grip on the asexual I just made perpetually experience sexual stimulation. Now that I think about it like that, it feels a bit rapey. But I don't care that much.
"Cherish is their lookout. She can keep a constant eye out for emotional spikes and keep track of people based on their emotions." Lisa says quickly, giving me valuable info on how to plan their deaths. "Other than that, we just know they're somewhere in the slums. Merchant territory, likely the boat graveyard."
"See?" I ask with a smile as I undo the disorder I gave her. "Was that so hard? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd take your power. But I doubt it'd end well for me."
Lisa's shard genuinely likes her. And unlike Maureen's shard, I can't just kill Lisa and take the power. Mainly because Lisa's shard is incompatible with [Conduit] so examining a dead component won't do me much. Like a mechanic who works on cars, looking at a helicopter. Yeah, there's some overlap. But they're too different to really, you know. Work.
Shatterbird was different, because that was a Thinker shard, [Conduit] just subsumed it entirely. Because it was too dead to fight back or alert the rest of the network.
"What?" Lisa asks as her face returns to being deathly pale and no longer squirming in my grasp.
"Don't worry about it." I say as I pat her cheek and let Alec down from the wall, where he falls flat to the floor.
I walk over to the window, ready to use the same exit Alec tried. When said master grabs the back ribbon of my Irida outfit.
"You better have a good reason for stopping me." I say cheerfully as I turn my eyes red and look to him with a smile. "Otherwise Alec is about to become Alexia, or just dead. Depends on your answer and how petty I'm feeling."
"They took, Reiko." He pants, catching his breath from falling on his face. Not even flinching at my threat. "And Cherish, she's my sister."
"Make like a knife and get to the point." I tell him, not willing to sit through a monologue. "Want me to save Reiko? Kill your sister?"
"Make it slow." Alec says, and lets go of me.
"Sure thing!" I say as I return my eyes to normal and give a winning smile.
Turning to the window, I open it from the bottom and step out. A plan in mind to head off to the Boat Graveyard and deal with this.
But not before I take a detour to make a few, adjustments to myself. And set a few things in place. Get everything set up for the big game.
Pulling my phone out, I dial my favorite thinker.
"Kitsu?" Wade says on the other end of the line. "What the hell!? Where have you, I, there are so many questions I need answered it's not even funny."
"First, language." I say as I leap from roof to roof. "Second, I have the Nine narrowed down to one district. Wanna help me with my countdown?"
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-Main Square, Commercial District, Monday, Sep 27th, 8am-
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3rd Person POV
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The early morning's rays just start to peak over the tall buildings of Brockton Bay as the people go about their day. A certain trepidation and unease can be felt as they all go their own ways. The mayhem from two days ago fresh in nearly every mind. The peace and panic that the PRT tried to preserve by hiding the fact that the nine were in town being broken by carnage forced upon the city. The lack of any glass on the buildings and on the cars being a staunch reminder.
The only solace the people take, is in the fact that the Nine can't possibly kill everyone. Sure, they commit mass murder that borders on genocide, but they can't get everyone before the heroes drive them out.
This fact, is punctuated by the fact that on the night of the first test. One of the Nine was they themselves, murdered in cold blood by the most famous, or infamous depending on the circle you frequent, individual in the city.
Kitsu had murdered Shatterbird, not even an hour after her song.
But, everyone's morning was about to get a rude wake up call.
On the main square advertisement board. Currently showing a commercial for Dior cologne. It switches to the image of a man who can best be described as, roguishly handsome. With an ocean view backdrop, the man is immediately recognized as the infamous killer, Jack Slash.
"Thank you Manniquin." Jack says as he looks just past the camera. "Are we ready? We're on? Good. Hello and good morning good people of Brockton Bay! Many of you likely know of me, but allow me to introduce myself. I, am Jack Slash."
Some panic and rush off in random directions. Others, remain rooted in place. Stuck in wonder or horror transfixed as traffic screeches to a halt. With some cars even getting rear ended. The passengers and drivers stepping out to see what's going on, only to have their attention drawn to the screen.
"Apologies for interrupting your morning routine, but we had no means of reaching out otherwise." Jack says with a smile. "Besides, it's a Monday! Why not spice up the monotony of the droll? Start the week off with something to REALLY remember? Regardless, this is a message to the candidates of our games. Congratulations to Carnage for the murder of not only the top realtor of the slums, but also Sky High! Way to over achieve buddy!"
The news of New Wave's Sky High being murdered, was a shock to all watching the feed. Sky High was a source of comfort for many. Always there, some even wondered if he slept with how often he pulled patrols. Now, Jack says he's gone.
"Then there's Bakuda, making the chief of police announce his will on live TV? Chef's kiss!" Jack does the motion. "Hellfire, don't know what your plan was there, but killing the Lawyer TECHNICALLY counts. He is a high end lawyer. So, we'll go easy and say you passed, if only barely."
That, was a bit troubling to the people of Brockton, Hellfire is one of the Teeth's lieutenants. And he killed a high end lawyer? Most were unaware of this, though it can be forgiven as the PRT kept a tight lid on the incident, seeing as it was also a Trigger Event for another.
But, none were prepared for the next words Jack was about to speak.
"Now, for our special girl." Jack says with, what appears to be genuine amusement. "Killing Shatterbird was, bold to say the least. She was our announcer, though we can always fill her role with something else. You'll be glad to know, after much thought and debate. We determined that you did in fact, follow the rules. Hell, you even asked if killing her was permitted! And she merely scoffed at you. Shame on her for not being clear." Jack clicks his tongue and shakes his head in mock disappointment. "And you completed the task first so, you'll be glad to know that Missy Biron will be let go and set free at an undisclosed location at about lunch time today. Unharmed, and in perfect health. No strings attached. Just as promised to show we are people of our words."
A sense of dread fills the people of Brockton. The capes and civilians alike. Kitsu, is one of the candidates? She killed Shatterbird as part of the challenge? So, she's participating?
What does this all mean? Is Kitsu a villain, gone vigilante, a hero forced into an unfortunate circumstance? Or is Jack just trying to rile the people into a panic by claiming the Endstopper Child as a potential member of the nine?
"And to my candidate." Jack says with a softer smile, one filled with mirth and belittlement. Like an adult looking down at a child's poor attempt at a drawing and congratulating them for the awful attempt. "Times ticking, you know the first task by now. Kill someone of note, with a hundred or more witnesses. I can't wait to see what you'll do. Until then-"
The feed cuts out. Fading to static fuzz before another appears. Showing a new individual on screen. One the people know more intimately. Dressed in a tattered brown trench coat. Ragged clothes underneath and having a mask reminiscent of a more sleek world war two gas mask. Backdropped by a shadowed red brick wall.
"Oh trust me, I know." He says in a raspy voice as the image flickers. "Remember, our deal is that I could only use my gasses three times. Not that I had to. So, with that being said, I feel this is the perfect time to reveal the hypocrisy plaguing the people of our society. To show them, well, you'll see."
With that, Scarecrow holds up a button, and presses it. Causing panic to flood many people as they expect something horrible to happen. But all that happens, is the video feed changes once more. Showing a recording from the angle of a security camera.
In the screen, is Manpower. On the ground in the captain's cabin of a ship. Some of the onlookers see, and recognize this as New Wave Ferry.
Scarecrow, mask off but face blurred, gives the downed Manpower a device and tells him to choose. The people, or his son. Explaining the consequences of both, and starts to dawn on many as they realize what's about to happen.
Even still they watch in disbelief as Manpower condemns the people to the gas that mutated thousands and killed even more. Choosing the life of one, over the lives of dozens upon thousands of people. And they watch, as he destroys the devices, and hides the evidence.
"Heroes, are no better than Villains." Scarecrow says as the footage switches back. "Only difference is, we're honest about our agenda. With us, you know what you get. With the heroes, how do you know you can trust them, if they'll condemn you behind your back?"
The feed goes dead. And a new commercial for Arby's plays as the people are left reeling from the bombshell of information dropped on them. With emotions running wild and high, some run home. Others just stand there in shock. Others, are filled with a mix of panic and rage. The sheer whiplash of events just revealed, no one knows how to feel.
Well, almost no one.
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Kitsu POV
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"How, many?" I say with a shake in my voice as I see the video cut out.
Leaning on a guard rail of an apartment buildings roof. My chest growing tight as my head pounds. Anger and fear roaring throughout my body. My blood pumping fiercely in my veins as I turn away from the screen and grab my head. Gritting my teeth as I growl and try to just, just do my best not fucking FREAK!
I want to scream! To yell and hit something! But I can't.
"Why? Why can't, just give me time." I beg through gritted teeth as the frustration drives me to tears. "Let me solve just one problem before another pops up."
It's fine. I'm fine. Everything will be fine. Missy is fine, Amy will be fine. Dad will be fine.
'I should probably find and check on Missy.' I think to myself as I turn towards the east and jump from the roof I'm on, landing on another.
Before a thought stops me in my tracks. My heart thudding as I land, and I slowly stand up straight. My eyes staring off into the distance as I, I come to a hard decision.
'She's fine, right now. But what if they decide to do more?' I think to myself. 'What, the PRT will try to capture me. Get info out of me and while I'm stuck in some debriefing room. Amy and Dad are in danger.'
I, I can't go. I need to keep going. I can't stop, can't take a break.
I need to stay away, and keep going. After all this is solved, I'll snuggle Missy into oblivion! Schedule more plant time with Amy! Get Dad involved in my streams. Spend time with them all more. Never let them leave my sight.
Maybe enhance them in their sleep to make them more superhuman and able to defend themselves so that this doesn't happen ever again!
But first, I need to take care of an issue. A certain scarecrow thinks he's clever. Whatever task Jack gave him involves him limiting himself in some way, so he's taking potshots at my family to get by.
I never went after Scarecrow because outside the Ferry attack. He just, kept to himself. And I know that killing the head of a gang only causes more issues if you haven't already destroyed their infrastructure.
Turning around, I head to the slums, Merchant territory. He'll be there, he has to be if he doesn't want his gang to fall apart.
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-The Towers, Monday, Sep 27th, 12:32pm-
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Missy "Vista" Biron POV
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"Wakey Wakey!" I hear a cutesy voice announce, not that I'm unused to it. But something about this voice is, off. Like, same tone and all but it's not Kitsu.
'Maybe it's just the grogginess.' I think with a groan as I get up from the, hard gravel? 'Wait, when did I go to sleep?'
My eyes snap open as I shoot up. My vision honing in on the blonde with two different colored eyes. One green, one blue. In a blue, bloodied dress.
"Morning!" She says cheerfully with a cutesy sway.
"U-um, good morning?" I ask shakily as I recognize the serial killer in front of me.
"Silly billy! It's midday!" She giggles with a hand to her mouth.
"But, you just said-"
"Well duh, that's what you say to someone when they wake up!" She says, all smiles and cheers.
"Now now." My blood runs cold as I hear the voice behind me, being that of a grown man with a silken, deeper voice. "She just woke up! And it's been almost a week, no need to poke fun at her Bonesaw."
I flinch, my heart dropping as I a pair of large hands place themselves on my shoulders. My chest burning in fear as I feel ready to throw up. The smell of blood and mildew filling my nose as I quickly figure out who's behind me.
"Come now dear, no need to be so afraid." He gives my shoulders a little shake, his voice right next to me as I feel the heat of his breath on my ear.
'Stanger Danger!' My mind screams as I'm forced to remain still out of fear. My body not doing as I scream at it to do.
"You have our word." He says, sounding as comforting as a used car salesman as he takes a knee to kneel beside me. His right arm wrapped around my shoulders as he gestures with his left. "See, a bit of a catch up session is needed here. Right now we have this, thing where we pick new candidates for our family. And we are a family. But that's besides the point. The point, is that five years ago… we had an opening. So, we were looking to adopt. A brother, cousin, uncle, aunt, sister."
'Why, where is this going?' I feel my throat go dry.
"And we found just the cutest little sissy for me!" Bonesaw squeals. Clenching her eyes shut as she brings her fists to her chin and hops in place. "She's so cute and mischievous and silly and perfect!"
"But, she ran away." Jack says with a smack of his lips as he lets his arm fall. Shaking his head in disappointment as Bonesaw stops bouncing. "I mean, it happens. Kids runaway from home all the time. But, as a responsible and loving family it's our job to get her back and put her back on the right path."
I feel my spine crawl as he takes out a knife and holds it up the sun's light. Old, rusted and chipped, it looks to be well past time it got thrown out.
"This is the knife I used when I cut her." Jack says nostalgically. "She could be back then, didn't have powers yet. But… I sensed something in her, something special. And boy oh boy. I was right." He finishes with a loving smile as he brings the knife closer. Until it's right in front of me. "You know, if she failed. We'd have carved you up like we did her."
The edges of my vision pulse as I feel ready to pass out. My hands sweating until they become slick and oily. My throat drying up as I hold back tears. A lump forming in my throat that just keeps getting bigger.
"A slash on your back." Jack starts off. "Few gashes from Sibby's claws. Then, we'd break an arm as we carved words into it. Right down to the bone."
"Wh-what are, why are you telling me this?" I ask after taking a gulp and swallowing my fear. Or at least, enough to talk.
"Why indeed. Hmm." Jack says as he taps his chin, and lets me go as he stands up. Patting me firmly on my back before walking over to Bonesaw's side. One arm behind his back as he thinks. Turning around to face me once he reaches the deranged girl, he answers.
"I suppose, I'd just like to thank you." He shrugs. "For your part in helping our family get back together. I mean, if she's anything. Kitsu is stubborn."
'Oh, fuck!' I feel my heart stop as I realize they were talking about my girlfriend.
I, had a feeling. Deep down. But I wanted so desperately to believe I was uninvolved in this. That this was just random. That, that it was just bad luck and nothing more.
"So thank you. You truly helped us a great deal." He says with a bow, and Bonesaw mimics his gesture of gratitude with a curtsy. "Now, as I said. We won't hurt you, Kitsu did as asked and completed her task. As promised, you are released and unharmed. And we are people of our word."
"What, what was her task?" I voice out loud, though I didn't mean to. Because, I really don't want to know.
"Oh, she just had to kill someone with an audience watching." Jack waves me off, before checking a nonexistent watch on his arm. "Well, it's about time we head out. Much to do, things to see. You know." He gives me a gentle smile before turning to the door of the-
Are we on a roof?
"Come along Bonesaw!" Jack calls to the smiling girl as he opens the roof's access door.
"Coming!" She says happily as she skips along after him, turning around and skipping backwards as she waves to me. "Have a nice day! I'll tell Kitsu you love her!"
The door closes behind her. Putting an end to the, honestly horrifying yet mundane interaction. And I'm left alone with my thoughts as I consider all that was said, and all that I learned.
'Did, did Kitsu murder more people?' I wonder. 'Whether it was for me or not. She promised, and the Nine have been after her? Why?'
What do they see in her? What is she hiding from me, from everyone? Is, what has she done? What will she do? Where is she? Is this my fault? Is this her fault? I, I could've died.
I feel tears stream down my face as I'm overwhelmed with questions I have no answers for. And questions I know the answer to, but wish I didn't
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-The Rig, Ward's common room, Monday, Sep 27th, 1pm-
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"It's good to have you back Vista." Armsmaster says as he hands me a cup of hot coco.
"Hmm." I say as I set it down on the table next to me. I don't feel like coco right now.
"Hmm." Armsmaster hums in return as he looks to the coco and then back to me. "Would you prefer, something else?"
"Who are you?" I ask immediately, causing him to freeze in place. "Armsmaster is an unrepentant asshole and quite frankly, a dick." The man frowns. "So cut the crap, I've got a lot on my mind and am in no mood to play games."
"Your, opinion is noted." The man says snappishly. "But I would like to remind you that while I do not still hold the same rank as I once did. I am still your superior."
"See, that's more like it." I say with a condescending smile. "Now, what do you want?"
"Seeing as the nice approach didn't work. I'll be blunt." He says in that, annoying monotonous tone. "What can you tell us? What happened?"
I feel my heart pick up at the memory. And I repress the urge to yell at the tin man.
"I already told you, one moment I'm on the boardwalk waiting for my date to get there." I say and take a breath. "The next, I'm getting up and learning she's been thrown into a murder game by a group of psychos who are dead set on having her as a member. And that I was one of the pawns used to get her to play along. Just, I just want some answers."
And to not think about how I was at the mercy of, of anyone. To know that, at any moment my life could've been ended or worse. When Stormfront attacked, that was different. I could fight back, I had some control in the situation.
I, I just-
"Where is she?" I ask softly. "Where's Kitsu? I want to hear it from her."
Armsmaster is silent on the matter. Either not having an answer, or not wanting to give it to me for some reason.
"Hear what, exactly?" He asks after a bit of silence.
"I, I just want to know what's happening." I force out. "And I know she won't li- I know she'll tell me what I need to hear."
"Kitsu has gone rogue." Armsmaster says plainly. "Soon after she learned of yours, Panacea and Flashbang's kidnapping-"
"What?" I ask, feeling my stomach tie into knots. "Amy and Mark were kidnapped as well?"
"You didn't know that." Armsmaster grunts as he looks away from me.
"No!" I say as I nearly jump out of my seat. "What else don't I know? What's going on?"
"I'm, not sure I'm the best one to tell you this." Armsmaster says as he looks back to me. "I'm not good with subtlety."
"No shit sherlock. You have less emotional intelligence than a pet rock!" I yell at him, before realizing I said that out loud. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean-"
"Yes you did." He cuts me off. "But that's fine, while I disagree with the technicalities of your statements. I also understand that you are frustrated and under a great deal of stress."
'You're not even trying at this point.' I frown.
"I just, I don't even know." I groan as I sit down and hold my head. Feeling my throat run parch, I reach for the hot coco and take a drink. "I just, one moment I'm waiting, the next. I just want to, it doesn't matter." I look up at Armsmaster. "When do I go back out on patrol? I just, I need to get back out there."
"After you've gone through Master Stranger protocols." Armsmaster says as my vision pulses with darkness, and I feel my head grow heavy. "Sorry, but we couldn't risk you resisting if you were."
'The, hot coco.' I realize as I, feel more hurt than I think I should.
"You could've just, asked." I say as I lay my head down. And say one more thing. "Fuckface."
I'll just blame it on the drugs. Because fuck if that didn't feel good to let out.
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-East Slums, Tuesday, Sep 28th, 8am-
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Joseph "Scarecrow" Crane POV
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"Uh, boss man." The nervous goon says shakily as I work in the back of the van.
"Just, keep driving." I order the mindless muscle. "I need to focus on this."
"She's closing in!" He says shakily.
"Do you want to die right now!?" I yell as I draw my gun and aim it at the back of his head. "This car has a safety pilot, so I can afford your death."
He doesn't say anything, and keeps driving as I turn back to the mobile chem table. Mixing up something I think might work against the nightmare chasing us.
'For all her power and indestructible bullshit. You'd think she wouldn't be fast, but no. Because fuck me if life could be that easy.' I think to myself as I mix the ammonia in with the sulfuric concentrate.
This truck is the last thing that headache Mechanic left behind for us to use. The rest of his vehicles being stolen or having broken down without him to maintain them. Mine being the only one left due to its, relatively tame modifications. The most advanced thing it has is almost supernatural suspension.
"Uh, Sir?"
"For FUCK'S sake Perry!" I yell as I pull my gun on the driver. "What!?"
"Sh-she stopped again." He says nervously, causing me to pause as I look to the rear doors.
Clicking the safety back on, I head to the doors and slide the armored plate on the right window. Peering out to the street as I stare at the naked tiger woman slowly disappearing as we put distance between us.
"That's the fifth time." I note as I close the slide.
I head back to the chem table. Reach under the table and pull out a map. I mark down and record the time and path we took. Making a cross reference as to the time lapses and distance driven.
Accounting for turns, I get a decent average for both.
The times are the most inconsistent, the longest being fifty eight minutes, the shortest being twelve. But the distance, the distance gives a clearer average. The shortest, seven hundred and thirty feet. The longest, eight hundred and twenty.
"I think I figured it out." I say out loud, coming up with a plan to flush out my real target. "Jerry, take us to Captain's hill. On the other side of the city."
"Y-yes sir." He says as I turn to a compartment above my chem table. Revealing a laptop hooked into the car's circuitry. "Sir, we got cops again."
"Do what you need to." I sigh with a roll of my eyes as I hack into the citiy's CCTV system. And focus on a certain set of cameras, namely the ones we'll be going through. "Take the most direct route you can Terry. Pass as many cameras as you can."
"You actually got my name right that time." He mutters, but I ignore him as I keep my eyes on the cameras.
'Come on, I know I'm right.' I think as I stare at the screens.
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-Captain's Hill, Tuesday, Sep 28th, 11am
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Kitsu POV
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I wait, perched at the edge atop the roof of the, dubious restaurant. Invisible as I managed to track down Scarecrow. Mostly by following his Jeepers Creepers truck. Just had to keep that in site as I roof hopped, now I'm just waiting for the Siberian.
I was going to kill him and make him pay for targeting my family. But then the cannibal tiger herself showed up. And I thought, two birds one stone!
I know she isn't 'real'. But I also know you can break her projection, It's just hard to do. And I'm hoping that doing so, will count as passing another trial. Seeing as her test is always to survive her. And right now, Scarecrow is being tested.
I would track down Manton, but he's actually a lot harder to find. Right now, I just know he has to be nearby. But how close is anyone's guess. And in a city? I might as well carpet bomb a district.
'But that doesn't seem necessary.' I think as I see said tiger lady bounding over the hill and charging the parked van. Whereupon tackling the side of the van and toppling it over. Two people run out of the vehicle and take off. One being some nameless mook, the other being Scarecrow who gets to his feet and starts to run off. But is tackled by the Siberian who straddles the man's waist and holds him down.
I feel my back ache as I look at her. The memory of being so much smaller and under her foot coming to the surface of my mind.
I force myself to ignore as I watch. Not hearing much other than my own heartbeat as I focus on the woman who has not changed a bit in the last five years.
In any other situation, the scene before me might have been the opening to a weird porn parody. Seeing as she's completely naked and very anatomically correct. But, this parody is quickly turning to a snuff film as she grabs his hand. Smiling before she bites his right pinky and ring finger off.
"Aaah!" The man gives out a pathetic squeal of pain, and I choose now to launch down at the serial killer.
I connect with her side, causing us to tumble as I force her off of my next target. Though, she lands on top of me as we start to fight. Her clawing at me with a grin and me grabbing her wrists, holding them away from me. Where I use my strength to force her back as I get out from under her, and stand up. Much to her confused surprise.
She gives a gentle smile as I get to my feet.
"You look, so right like this." She says with a grin. "This is you, you know it."
I narrow my eyes and smile as I yank her down to her knees. Making us eye level as she smiles back.
"Debatable, but first." I say as I twist her arms, enjoying the fact that she winced. And thus proved she can feel pain. "I want to see how much pain a projection can feel."
Her eyes widen as I say that. And she makes a genuine effort to pull away, only for me to turn immovable. Locking her in my grasp.
"You know, everyone always talks about how strong I am." I say as I refuse to give any ground. Even as she moves her legs from under her, planting them on my chest as she pushes as hard as she can. Looking like a recreation of Vegita versus Android 19. Only this time, the one who's helpless, is the one caught. "But my greatest strengths, are in my defenses."
The moment she lets up a little. I swing her up and turn, slamming her into the ground behind me. A spider web design forming from the cracks in the concrete as she bounces a little. But still not destroyed.
"Not enough?" I ask happily, putting on a cheerful façade. "Good! I was worried this would be boring."
I take the naked woman by her wrists and swing her around. Letting go and slamming her into the bottom of the overturned van, denting the bottom of the vehicle inward as she crashes into it. Her black hair cresting over her head as she lands. Before she quickly flips it back with a jerk of her head. Looking up to me with a truly manic grin.
She says nothing as she steps out of her metallic seat. Where she grabs the rim of the bent door behind her. Never looking away from me with that manic grin of hers as she lifts the van up above her head.
I turn invisible, leaving an illusionary copy of myself in my place so I can speed behind her as she throws the van at me. Or where I was, shattering my illusion like glass. Weirdly enough, it both looks and sounds like shattered glass when that happens.
"You know that's bad for your back, right?" I ask, causing the projection to turn around and look down at me. "Should always lift with your knees!"
She swipes my face, doing absolutely nothing to me as I tilt my head. Smile still plastered on my face.
"Well, not that it really applies to you." I say sweetly. "I mean you can't really grow old to regret decisions, if you don't grow old."
She grabs my head and tries to lift me up. But I become immovable and watch as she grows frustrated, then confused as I don't budge.
"Do you get it yet?" I ask as I grab her wrist and force her back down again, staring her in her black irises. "I'll hold you here as long as I need to so that-" She punches me in the face, and kicks, and just goes absolutely animalistic in my grasp. "Okay look, I humored your attempt at a fight, least you could do is-"
"He's in trouble!" She shouts. "Scarecrow is there! He needs me! He'll die!"
Raising a brow. I turn to the trench coated man currently soiling himself against the wall of the diner. Holding his bloodied hand as he tries desperately to stop the bleeding. Still here for, some reason. And not-
Then it clicks.
'That's not Scarecrow.' I realize as I turn to the Siberian with a real grin this time.
"Well now." I say as I just, refuse to move. Enjoying the growing fear in Siberian's eyes. "Guess we get to play a game. It's called red light, green light. You know how to play, right?"
I watch as she gains a look of unbridled despair. Refusing to answer me as she thrashes.
I turn my eyes red as I grin at the helpless killer. "Red light, you're not allowed to move."
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Joseph "Scarecrow" Crane POV
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Swinging the back doors of the rusted van open. I aim my gun and fire at the old man looking up from a can of ravioli.
"Agh!" He cries out as he flies back, clutching his chest. "Ah! Wh-why!"
Stepping up into the, horridly decrepit car. Looking rancid and horribly messy. A real pigsty with empty bottles of water and cans of soda strewn about.
Better than some areas of the slums at least. Though that's not a compliment.
"You follow me throughout the entire city. Constantly stopping to make sure I'm in range." I say as I crush a can beneath my feet on my way to him. "And you didn't think I'd figure it out? You're either arrogant, or dumb."
I aim my gun down at the withered man with sunken eyes and greying hair. Yellow teeth gritted in pain, he opens those sunken eyes and utters a single name that stops me.
"Crane? Jonathan Crane?" He says, spitting up a little blood. "Puh, pa, I, I thought you were dead. That, you killed yourself."
"He did." I say, still not recognizing the man, though he recognizes my resemblance. "How do you know my father?"
"You're, oh." He says as his eyes soften considerably. "You're, Little Joe. You're the spitting image of-"
I fire into his shoulder.
"Ah!" He cries out, rolling to his side and backing up further. "Why!? Oh, oh god above!"
"He won't answer you." I say as I slowly walk forward, kicking trash out of my way as he scoots against the back of the driver's seat. "Trust me, I know. Now stop stalling and answer."
"He, was a peer!" He grits out, holding his shoulder in pain as blood spittles from his lips, staining his yellow teeth red. "In the field, my, my only real peer. His research into, into trigger events and how they form the basis of powers manifested. It, was, it formed the basis of the PRT's threat assessment."
'A peer in the field of parahuman research?' I ponder, never taking my eyes off of the man. 'Only one name really comes to mind, but he's been dead for, oh.'
"Doctor William Manton." I say slowly as I begin to see some resemblance. "The writer of The Determination of The Common Cause And Limitations of Powers In The Modern Day?"
"What, no!" He spits out, his face going red with anger. "That was written by my junior during his internship with me. A poor paraphrasing of my previous research, but he dumbed down the text for layman to understand so I didn't take issue."
"Just checking." I say, now certain he is who he claims to be. "You're the Siberian? What are you doing here? Is this some long term experiment to, to establish a baseline of the extremes of psychopathy and the interaction of powers on the human psyche?"
He chuckles, letting out a bit of blood as he does so. Still holding his shoulder as he moves his other arm back to prop himself up.
"AGH!" I shoot his arm moving to prop himself up, causing said limb to jerk out and toss the gun he was holding. "Fuck me! Oh you bastard!"
"You're trying my patience Dr. Manton." I say as I move my aim to his head. "What, are you doing here? A man of your intelligence, there has to be some reason for you to be… gallivanting across the continent going on mass murders. Some purpose.
He looks, almost lost as he stares up at me. Blinking slowly before he lets his hand go slack from his shoulder.
"Before, I answer." He sighs, his breath coming out in heavy, labored pants as he loses more and more blood. "Answer me this, how… did you find me? Figure out I was, the key to her?"
"I kept track of the distance and time in which the Siberian was following me. And realized she was limited by range, and must have a master." I answer him. "Once I figured that out, I hacked the CCTV network. Kept an eye on the traffic cams as I went to the other side of the city. And noted the one vehicle that kept showing up on the same cameras I did."
"Damn." He chuckles, more blood leaking out of his mouth. "Put like that, it sounds easy. I've gotten sloppy."
"Now, my answer." I demand.
"There is none." He gives me a sad smile. "I just, I couldn't deal with life anymore. So, I just, I don't know."
I stare at him, trying to detect any amount of falsehood in his statement. Searching for anything that might clue me into his real motive. Because I refuse to believe such a brilliant mind is wasting away here.
But, I find none. So I pull the trigger and put a bullet in his chest and one in his gut. His lung, and right around where his mesentery artery should be.
"Agh!" He groans in pain. "Wh-why?" He gets out through bubbles of blood.
"The fox is facing off against your projection." I say as I turn around and start walking. "Soon as you die, her hands are free." I hop out the back of the van and turn around. "I intend to be gone by then."
"Couldn't even-" I don't let him finish as I shut the doors and turn to face the nearby woods. The only other thing nearby being the empty parking lot I'm in at the base of Captain's Hill. Captain's hill diner, and the barren road leading to the city.
One is going to have PRT flooding down it soon. The other has an active fight between two brutes. Making my destination obvious.
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Kitsu POV
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"Please, he's dying." The Siberian begs as she flickers and fades in and out of existence.
"It's too late and you know it." I say, a genuine smile on my face as I feel a twisted sense of triumph fill me. "Besides, what can you do to save someone?"
She goes to say something, but only manages to let a tear fall down her cheek as she fades. No shattering of glass like my illusions breaking, or sparkly effects like when I dispel them. Just, fades from existence.
"Hmph." I huff in contempt. "To think I ever feared you." I say as the phantom pains on my back fade.
Turning to the mook frozen in fear. I glare at him, then look at my faded reflection in the dusty window of the diner beside him. And realize the Siberian tore my top, leaving just my training bra covering my modesty.
Marching up to the mook in Scarecrow's gear. He puts his hands in front of himself and says some things as I grab him by the collar, and push him back against the wall. Slamming his head into the brick hard enough to knock him out. Not hard enough to kill him. Possibly fracture his skull, definitely leave him with a concussion.
That, was because the Siberian ruined my top. And I can't take it out on her. But now I need clothes. Looking down to the unconscious man wearing, more than one layer. I shrug to myself.
'I've dealt with worse.' I muse, and take his trench coat off. Ripping the bottom to better fit my diminutive size, then look to my faded reflection. Ripping the sleeves to fit my arms. I frown as it's still a bit baggy, seeing as it's meant for a grown man and I'm a little girl.
Going back to the man, I take his belt and use it to tighten the top around my midriff so that it's not so baggy.
Inspecting my reflection, I shrug. Knowing there's not much more that can be done.
"Meh, needs more pink." I muse to myself as I start to head into the diner. Not stopping as the waitress bussing tables looks up. And goes to write something down on a notepad and show me. But I ignore her and go into the kitchen.
"Hey! You capes ain't allowed back here!" The chef yells as he throws a metal ladle at me. "We gots a deal!"
I look to the angry man at my left, and stick out my tongue as I walk to the back door. The back door being my goal.
I didn't want to walk around, and was feeling too lazy to jump.
Heading out the back, I walk to the edge of the hill and just, walk off. Landing in a parking lot at the base of the hill where I heard the gunshots from earlier just before The Siberian faded.
I turn to one of the only vehicles here, and the only one with a strong scent of blood. The van itself being piece of crap. Like it's older than mom. Rusted over so badly it might as well be dirt camo. A real rust bucket of a car.
Walking over with hopes of my secondary goal is still obtainable. I grab the doors and swing them open to reveal the mess of a room that is this man's murder scene. Laying slumped against the back of the front seat, blood leaking down his chin and staining his shirt in various spots. I grin as I see his head is in tact.
Just gotta hurry up before the PRT get here.
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Virgil "Static Shock" Hawkins POV
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Riding up on my saucer. I scan the area as I report to my team.
"FastTrack, Kid, you got anything?" I ask through my comms as I look out at Captain's Hill. A man unconscious on the ground out front near an overturned van outside the diner, and a van parked at the base of the hill. Back doors open as I fly around to get a better view of the situation.
"Um, I'm uh, guys?" Kid says as I see him hover around to the lower parking lot.
"Nothing on the roads." FastTrack says as I look over, seeing the guy blur towards us.
"Guys? What do I do?" Kid Win asks shakily. "There's, there's."
Sensing something up, I soar down to back Kid up and look inside the van. And feel my blood boil as I spot the rogue herself. Patting her bloody hands off on her tattered brown long coat. In front of her, a dead man. His blood smeared on the floor and leading to his current position.
"Hmm?" The psychopath hums as her ears perk up, whereupon she turns towards us with a smile.
Something I notice, is that she now has blonde stripes on her cheeks. One on each cheek.
"Oh!" She says with a smile as she recognizes us, and waves enthusiastically despite being only five feet away. "Hi Kid! Hi Ver- oh crud. I mean Static!"
"Kitsu." I say through gritted teeth. Keeping my temper under control. In spite of the clear murder she just committed. "What uh, what's going on here?"
I send a small shock to one of the hidden components in my visor. A relay switch sending a signal bac to HQ, letting them connect to my visor and see what I'm seeing.
The current protocol should we run into Kitsu being to report and await orders. We don't have all the details regarding the nine, and we likely won't unless she gives them.
"Oh, just taking care of a few loose ends with the Nine." She says and starts walking towards us.
"Stay back!" I say as I hold my hands up, electricity charged and ready.
"Um, are we still on this?" Kitsu asks, her eyes turning red as she rolls them. "Because I've got too much on my plate for you to be adding your extra self to it."
"Hey! Hey, let's just keep calm here." Chris says shakily as he steps in front of me and reaches his hands up to my forearms. Pulling my hands down as I keep an eye on the serial killer in the making. "We need the details okay? Make sure we know what's going on! No jumping to conclusions remember?"
"What's there to question?" I ask, trying to delay as I wait for my damn orders.
And I see her electromagnetic aura separate from her. Meaning she turned invisible and left an illusion of herself behind.
"Don't move!" I say as I raise my hand back up to face the aura trying sneak out the front. "I can see through your tricks, or did you forget."
She reappears, sitting on the dashboard of the van. Arms crossed as she glares at me.
"Yeah, no." She says as she crosses one leg over the other and bounces her foot. "I have places to be, people to kill, family to save. You can do as you always do and stay here, making a fool of yourself as you wait for your orders like a good boy."
"You think you can- aaaaah." I wheeze as I find myself staring at the sky. Knocked off of my saucer and with a new pain in my gut.
"Well said." My eyes snap open as I hear a familiar voice.
Rolling over and launching back. I get to my feet as I look up to confirm my fears.
Under the van, a shadow extends out. A blackened hand coming out from the pitch.
"Hello, hero." Ebon says as he crawls out of the shadow.
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Kitsu POV
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"Huh, who are you?" I ask as I step out of the van, landing next to Chris.
"Name's Ebon little lady." The deep, silky voice of the man says to me as he turns to me. Then turns back to Vergil. "Love to talk more, but I have a bit of a score to settle. Been locked up a while, need to shake me some rust off."
I could do something and step in here. But I ain't a hero. And I have things I need to do. Fighting an unknown cape is not going to help me here.
"Well, you do you I guess." I shrug and start to walk away, only for FastTrack to get in front of me.
"Hang on." He says as he holds his hands out awkwardly. "Um, uh." He then leans on the door of the van. "Sup?" He nods his head with a smile.
"You, if you don't move." I say and turn my eyes red again for good measure. Causing him to go wide eyed as he struggles to find any words.
I don't get to say anymore, as a blast of electricity sears through me. Causing me to scream out in pain as my vision goes white for a split second. After a few seconds the pain fades, leaving me on my knees and reeling from the pain.
Chris and FastTrack are trying to say something. But I ignore them in favor of looking to the culprit with narrowed eyes. Gritting my teeth in anger, I charge after him as he shares a dialogue with Ebon.
I don't believe for a second that the stray shot wasn't intentional. Virgil's had it out for me ever since what happened with Maureen. I do not put it past him to take a hit and try to play it off.
I jump and tackle the teen off of his saucer as soon as he turns to face Ebon. Startling him into shocking me again as I grab him by his face.
"Aaaaahhhh!" I scream as my muscles seize. But I don't let go, mostly because my body won't move.
As soon as he does let up on the shocks however, I slam his head into the parking lot. And let go before he can shock me again. I then take a breath, and scream. An enhanced scream with a specific frequency that I can now use due to absorbing Shatterbird's Corona Gemma.
It's not as melodic as Shatterbird's, rather it's a warped and sickly sound. Like palkia's cry from the pokemon anime put through a higher pitch.
I stop as soon as I see the glass on his visor crack. Taking a step back from him as he covers his ears in pain.
"AAAAAH!" He whines. "WHY!? WHAT DID YOU DO!?"
I don't answer him as I turn around, and see the others on the ground. Covering their ears in pain. Save for Ebon, who comes out of the ground from a shadow.
"Damn girly." He says as he crosses his arms and nods his head. "Got some balls on you. Respect."
I don't respond as I head towards the woods. Not willing to put off my goal anymore. I've let myself get distracted enough. I need to find Crawler, Cherish, Manniquin, Jack and Bonesaw.
"Kitsu!" I hear an even more familiar voice. Making me turn around and see Crystal flying my way.
"Stop!" I send another enhanced shout, not wanting to delay any longer. Seeing her flinch back in shock, I don't waste any time as I speed off. Leaving the rest to deal with this clusterfuck on their own.
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Crystal "Laserdream" Pelham POV
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"Damnit!" I shout as I touch down, and turn to the on sight Wards. "What the hell happened here!? It was a simple nine one one call!"
I then notice the black guy. Like, fully blacked out in shadows.
"Who the fuck are you!?" I demand to know.
"Me? I'm just leaving honey." He says as he begins to sink down, while turning around to face Static Shock as said kid gets to his feet. "See you around, hero."
He leaves, the shadow beneath his feet fading as I'm left to try and piece together what the fuck just happened.
"Okay, who the hell was that!?" I demand to know of the first response team. Looking between Kid Win, FastTrack and Static Shock.
"Ebon." Kid Win shrugs. "I'm, I don't know?"
This is a headache and a half.
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Bonus
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Carol "Brandish" Dallon POV
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I sigh as I step through the doors of my empty home. No Vicky playing loud music as she texts her friends. No Kitsu to launch herself at me and complain about Vicky's loud music. No Amy at the table with her fifth cup of coffee as she ignores both of them. No Mark, no Mark keeping them all in line as he makes sure the house is in order.
The place is a mess. The trash needs taken out. What few dishes there are, are piled in the sink as takeout bags are crumbled up on the kitchen and counter.
I walk into said kitchen, tossing my suitcase onto the table. Not caring if it lands or not as I make my way to the fridge. Throwing it open, I sigh as I realize I've yet to go grocery shopping.
That's usually Mark's job.
I open the freezer and see nothing but a few frozen pizzas. Pulling one out, I see the scotch tape and writing on top of the packaging.
'Kitsu's pizza! Do not steal, I will bite!'
And I lose my appetite. Tossing the pizza back in as I go back to the fridge and pull out a bottle of wine. Unscrewing the cap and taking a swig.
"Not even a glass?" I nearly choke on my swig as I picot towards the hallway. And feel my blood turn to ice as I spot the white shirted, black pants and frizzy brown hair of Brockton's previous overlord. Leaning against the doorframe as he swirls a glass of wine "I've been there at a few points let me tell you."
"You, you, you're." I stutter as my heart pounds in my chest. "What are you doing here!? You should be locked up for life!"
"Yes, that was part of our deal." He says as he takes a sip of the red wine, level a calculated glare at me. "Your end of the bargain, should I recall correctly. Was to keep Amelia safe."
He pushes off the wall and walks closer to me. Reaching the end of the table opposite of myself as he sets the wind glass down.
"Now tell me." He says, his smile fading into a frown. "Where's my daughter?"
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A/N
So, yes. Emma is officially an orphan now! Yay? I mean, what good origin story is complete unless you have dead parents?
Maybe now Madison can get on the Emma train. Or get Emma to ride the Maddie train.
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The Butcher had asked Hellfire to go along with the trials for now, his idea being that they could infiltrate and kill off most of the Nine.
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The reason Missy was drugged and put into M/S protocols, is twofold. One, she just walked away from the nine unharmed. So that alone is suspicious. Two, with the massive Birdcage breakout, they can't take ANY chances.
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I will answer all questions in the next A/N
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Unless it's QQ, then just ask.
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More comments! I want them all! Every one of them! Especially speculation, I love speculative comments.
Fuel me my NOOBIANS!
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Find me in my channel, newb's-grotto, on the discord.
Link to the discord: discord .gg/DarkWolfShiro