《The Friends of Giichi Hasegawa》


 Prologue - The Calamity of Starveil City

    Starveil City, the city of stars, is the site of an impending world-ending catastrophe.


    The midnight sky was painted red, with severe amounts of smoke and ash enveloping the vast city. Noticeable tears and rips have formed across Starveil, with demons and monsters of all kind pouring through. All across the streets, these demons were aimlessly destroying buildings and capturing people''s souls, reducing the living population of Starveil to nothing more than lifeless shells of their former selves.


    In a matter of minutes, these horrors beyond humanity were bound to spread out to the rest of the world. The reign of chaos is bound to take the lives of billions, dooming all of humanity to complete extinction.


    However, this incident remains isolated to Starveil. The demons found that any attempts to break free of the city''s borders are met with failure, as the creatures helplessly slam and tackle into a thick, durable, futuristic barrier. Their commonly dark red bodies clash against neon green walls, not leaving a single dent in them while... somehow burning their skin instead.


    The cause remained originally unknown until many of the more intelligent monsters traced the source of the barrier to the center of Starveil City. Inside its public park, adjacent to its broken water fountain, a large metallic egg was actively powering the barrier and several flying defense robots. With a surplus of electrical energy surging through every bit and piece inside, this twenty-foot-tall metallic wonder is the one thing protecting the rest of the world from the demons, and was the device that will eventually seal the threat away permanently.


    "Tch... they''ve grown wise to my plan...!"


    From the side of the egg, hanging from a wired harness, a purple haired girl was actively staring into a tablet. Goggles covering her eyes, her fingers going haywire on the screen as she maintains every technological defense measure currently in action, her otherworldly expertise was being put to its limit to combat hordes upon hordes of unholy demonic threats.


    Peritzal D''Errico, the prodigy dressed in a white lab coat and shorts, was the mastermind behind Earth''s defense against these monsters. Responsible for designing, programming, and maintaining the device, she was actively tapping into the city''s power supply to supply the egg''s functions. This gave them a time limit, having to keep the defenses up for as long as possible.


    Energetically swiping across her screen, focusing the aerial defense droids to put all their might on ranged sentry work. Rapid-fire energy bullets are shot from the mouths of the droids, laced with pure light chemically designed to burn demons alive on contact. Several of these are stationed throughout the city, operating on limited functionality due to the vast area and even vaster threat.


    Currently with Peritzal were nine helping hands. One pair being her equally smart twin sister, Papaya, set up underneath the egg. The other eight belonging to the eight identical little spider-girls, all of them named Verness, that were crawling all over the egg with power tools and rubber gloves. Differentiated between multiple rainbow colors in their eyes and overalls, Papaya was giving all of them as basic instructions as possible so they can better work on this power device.


    All hands were on deck for this project, as it was the city''s last hope.


    Peritzal''s plan is to initiate the defense egg''s "Final Stand" protocol, a gambit that had a statistical 5% chance of working. Power needed to be perfectly distributed through the egg for it to work. Too little, and the protocol won''t do anything to the demon armies. Too much, the entire city and other neighboring cities will be reduced to a nuclear crater.


    The odds were slim, but the D''Erricos have triumphed over the impossible before.


    Peritzal continues to swipe on the tablet, multi-tasking between managing defensive measures and working on the more complicated parts of the egg. While her drones were at work, she decides to check up on the rest of the city''s defenders, tapping the side of her ear to trigger audio devices. "Status report!"


    Static sounds out as Peritzal checks through audio channels, her goggles lighting up as images of profile pictures are projected into her eyes. Excluding Peritzal, Papaya, and the spider girls, there were five other fighters in the city that were relegated to different sections of the city. Their defensive numbers limited and exclusive to mutual friends that had their own powers to fight.


    The first voice to respond belongs to a black haired woman, a knight with devil''s blood flowing through her veins. Her name was "Nyx Katsuragi", her profile picture having her have a calm and refined look on her face. As if by juxtaposition, her voice is loud and maniacal, as if she was deriving joy from this experience. "GYAHAHAHAHA!" the voice laughs as the sounds of slashing and slicing could be heard. "PATHETIC CREATURES! NONE SHALL STAND VICTORIOUS, YOU WILL ALL PERISH BY MY HAAAND!"


    Peritzal ignores Nyx for the time being, and switches focus to a different icon. "Caspian Nepheleste", a relatively short and white haired man that was defined by his accessories. Covering the upper half of his face, a black visor. Sitting atop his head, a rainbow crown with fluffy blue earmuffs over his ears and plastic horns sticking out from his forehead.


    Peritzal hears the exhausted sounds of the guy breathing, as burning fire, crackling ice, and thunderous lightning are simultaneously heard. This is room for concern, even if these elemental noises came from his own powers.


    On top of taking charge over the egg''s construction, Peritzal served as one of the primary defenses to cover their lacking numbers. Hundreds of airborne defense robots are flying throughout the city, shooting laser projectiles at the hordes of demons. With a swipe of her finger over the tablet, Peritzal directs a couple dozen drones away from Nyx''s area to cover Caspian instead. "Nyx is stable, north side is covered. Sending some northern drones to the West, to cover Caspian..." Peritzal mutters to herself.


    Peritzal''s eyes narrow, however, as she opens up the audio channel of the fighter in the South. His location on the map the one closest to the emergency civilian bunkers, a man by the name of "Odette Cox". A pink haired man with living bunny ears sticking out of his head, a genetic alteration of his body while he still has his human ears. Prioritizing his audio for a bit, she calls out to him. "Report, Odette-"


    "OH GOD OH CRAP THEY''RE EVERYWHERE!" Odette shouts in absolute terror and panic, contrasting his profile picture having a stylishly cool smile. His voice loud and desperate, screaming over the terrified voices of the civilians he was guarding. "AAAAAA! STAY AWAY, NO!"


    Suddenly, Peritzal''s eyes widen as she hears the sound of building infrastructure crumbling to bits, distracted momentarily by this. She looks to the South to see a few buildings slightly rise and tilt, followed by the intense crackling sound of asphalt. Then, the sight of rising city street chunks being shot into the air, covered by a golden telekinetic light.


    "... Odette''s telekinetic, gravity powers are active, will make a note of that. Statuses, Quade and-!"


    Peritzal''s attention is suddenly taken away as a loud alert plays in her ears. Interrupted by this sound, she sees two warnings.


    One was a typical message warning her of the Egg''s excessive power usage and volatility, which... she ignores for the greater good.


    The second was alerting her to a massive horde of demons coming from the East, many of the defense drones taken out in that direction. The approaching crowd marches forward, stomping through that side of the park and closing in on the egg.


    Peritzal stares at this with a tense look, shouting as she swipes some aerial drones from the East to their coordinates. "Tch... hostiles eastbound...!"


    "Damn! Right on it, Peri...!" Papaya exclaims from under the egg, kicking out on her sliding board and hopping straight onto her feet. Dusting off the front of her black jacket and kicking the tips of her combat boots on the ground.


    Now, the D''Erricos were considered galactic prodigies when it came to technology. Peritzal had more knowledge on the subject, however, due to specializing and devoting her studies to software design and schematic design. Papaya, meanwhile, broadened her horizons as a jack of all trades genius. Electrical engineering, mechanic work on all sorts of motor and aerial vehicles, an intense study on physics, and - her favorite skill that she was about to use - gun work.


    Maintaining guns, using them, Papaya''s practically a gunslinging cowgirl at heart. On her possession at all times were her two trusty, holstered pistols, with electrical wiring lacing and connecting the trigger to the barrel. Any normal gun owner would question the practicality of this, confused about why someone would need wires on their modern weaponry.


    The practical use comes in when considering the fact she''s learned how to defy physics itself to make them shoot electric bullets. To anyone questioning the science-defying practicality of this, let it be known that Papaya is the type of girl to questions science regularly every time she works on anything by herself.


    As the horde reveals itself, charging in closer to the group, Papaya takes her first shot at the wave of demons. As she pulls the trigger, the electrical charge built up in her fingers spread somehow spreads to the bullet, filling it up with an immense amount of static electricity. In the next moment, the bullet is launched out of the barrel, and the resulting single shot ends up hitting into the demon, piercing through its body and setting off a massive spark that unleashes a wave of paralysis on the horde.


    Papaya keeps up a solid defense as she unloads shot after shot. Whenever one of her pistols were empty, she quickly one-hand reloads a new magazine into it while the other hand''s gun keeps shooting. A widespread effect that was, at best, temporary, but temporary enough for the plan to succeed before they have any chance of getting up.


    Unfortunately, as Papaya was focused on the horde itself, one of the demons sees an opening, and runs off to the side. The demon sprints along a lucky angle that maneuvers out of the drones'' view, its face deranged with glee as it evades the stupid robots. Once in position, the demon kicks against the ground and ascends high in the air, hurling itself at Papaya at an alarming speed. Claws extended, about to slash open her throat.


    "... Papaya, to your right-!" Peritzal shouts, seeing the demon incoming. With drones still en route, Peritzal urgently scrambles to reach for her rifle.


    Papaya looks up to see the demon incoming, her eyes widening as she aims her guns up and pulls the triggers. Not a single bullet comes out, as she was out of ammo. With the demon rushing too fast for her to reload in time, Papaya''s mind went into panic mode. "C... Crap!" she shouts, mentally preparing herself to try and smack the demon in the air with the bottom of her pistols.


    Fortunately, it never gets close enough to do anything. Right as it was about to attack, arm extended and about to slash, it was hit by the fist of a gorilla suddenly hurling itself into the demon''s face. Arm stretched, this fist halts the demon''s attack and sets the demon up for the next attack.


    The gorilla arm belongs to a lean, yet muscular human that had two pairs of them sticking out of his shoulders. Three out of his right side, while a single one sticks out his left. Quade McMurphy, another fighter on Peritzal''s profiling system, had rushed over upon hearing Peritzal''s broadcasted message. The man''s attire is visibly rugged, wearing a black and sleeveless sweater that shows off his toned human arms, a pair of red jeans with white straps hanging off the sides of his legs, and a black cap with a red brim serving as his signature headwear.


    Quade''s gorilla arms were created as part of his shapeshifting abilities, able to morph his body to take on animalistic characteristics, as well as human ones. After decking the demon in the face, his upper body turns to punch with all three gorilla fists, sending the demon straight back into the incoming horde as powerful as a stampeding bull.


    "Q-Quade!" Papaya exclaims, a look of relief on her face as her hands quickly reload. She smiles at the man, happy and relieved to see him. "T-Thanks!"


    Quade... wiping his forehead with the back of his human hand, swiftly looks to Peritzal and shouts at the top of his lungs. "East''s overrun...! How much ''till the contraption gets workin''?!"


    Peritzal nods, a blank sigh coming from her as she focuses back on the machine. "Tch... it''s going to be narrow! Five minutes to commence with the protocol before we run out of power, McMurphy!"


    "Got it...! I''ll keep them off of y''all the best I can! " Quade then looks to Papaya for a moment, taking the pistols from her. "Takin'' these, and I need a few extra guns!"


    Papaya- quickly nods, a pleased smirk under her mask. "Loud and clear! Verness!" she exclaims to the spider girls, having them on weapons duty before swiftly turning on the tip of her shoe, diving onto her mechanic''s creeper, and sliding back under the defense egg.


    Quade is then tossed two shotguns, two assault rifles, and an entire bag of ammunition by the Verness wearing a yellow dress. Armed and ready for combat, he briefly takes off the hat on his head, fanning over his face as his body grows an extra two arms out. His body back to being symmetrical, now holding all six of the guns as he rushes straight at the incoming demon horde.


    A look of fiery determination in his eyes, as he shouts out: "Ya ain''t getting past me, unholy sons of-!" Before his voice hides behind aggressive gunfire, Quade going guns blazing on a slaughter run against the threat.


    As Quade does that, Peritzal diverts her full attention back to the power level of the egg and the remaining time left. Visibly pleased by the sight before her. "We''re on good time...!"


    Suddenly, as if she jinxed it, a loud warning blares on the screen of her tablet. Critical warnings blare out, ranging from low power to certain parts of the machine and excess charge to the rest. The power distribution was outstandingly off, and the safeguards in the makeshift machine are experiencing fatal errors.


    Following this, loud and hazardous sparks echo out. Peritzal looks down immediately upon hearing this, seeing severe amounts of electrical surges echoing out and flashing. "Papaya, what''s going on with the wiring?!"


    "N-Not that good, falling apart down here...!" In the short time Papaya''s left the bottom unattended for defense, the wires experienced a sudden surge and malfunction. Sparks violently came from the exposed wiring, Papaya enduring the electrical conditions with urgency.


    Peritzal lets out a tense groan at the situation- which only gets worse. Her eyes intensely locked onto the tablet, staring at the excessive amounts of running processes on her tablet. With the errors, the time they had left was decreasing with... a 30% reduction in available power. One significant percentage that meant their approximate 4 minutes were reduced by one minute and 12 seconds...


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    "N... No, no, no, no, no...! Papaya, the egg is shutting down!"


    "S-Shoot!" Papaya exclaims, tensely blaming herself for this incident as she stares in horror. Quickly whipping out her multi-tool, aggressive amounts of screaming as she improvises a solution... somehow!


    Peritzal''s eyes begin to twitch in pure stress. moving to one of the malfunctioning regions and opening up the panel. "Damn it, damn it, damn it!" She could see, right before her eyes, the electrical damage that this one part alone was severely damaged, focusing on it closely.


    "C-Could we- we help with the electricity problem, P-Peritzal...?!" the Verness in the red dress asks, the closest one to Peritzal with a nervous look on her face. The other girls also briefly look over, waiting for instruction on what to do now.


    "Unless you are content with being violently electrocuted, no...!" Peritzal loudly shouts, her mind going absolute haywire. Every single thing that could be done to this part alone, there was some secondary reason as to why that change couldn''t be done. Estimated two minutes, thirty seconds...


    Most of the Vernesses were tense at this information, a feeling of hopelessness shared between all of them. Well, until the Verness in the yellow dress of them speaks up in a hauntingly calm tone. "Monochrome, thank you for volunteering to be the sacrifice."


    This prompts the Verness with a lack of color to her eyes and dress, her gray eyes violently staring at the yellow one. "W-What the heck?! No, why me?!"


    "For the good of the world, Monochrome, you have to," Yellow continues, putting her tools down and scurrying over to Monochrome - grabbing her by the shoulders.


    Monochrome, being picked up with ease, starts to thrash about as she''s being carried to the bottom of the device. "W-WELL, FORGET THE EARTH, I''M NOT BEING ELECTROCUTED FOR YOU PEOPLE! I''M STILL A LIVING LITTLE GIRL, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD-!"


    Peritzal loudly shouts, slamming her hand against the metal surface of the egg''s outer shell. "Quiet! Just stick to the- ghhh!" Her eyes widened with tension, the girl in... disbelief... as she starts to feel fear for the first time in ages. Her breath heavy, tense, trying to keep herself rational.


    Verness Red, continuing to feel concerned, crawls over and reaches her tiny hand out to pat the top of Peritzal''s head. Delivering emotional support the best she can.


    "..." Peritzal... calmly takes a deep breath in response to this, sighing. The best chance was starting 15% of the fixes and progressing from there... needing a backup defense, in case. "E... Everyone, listen up! One of you, take my rifle and head to Quade''s side to help him with defense! The rest of you, replace your rubber gloves with fresh new pairs from the box, and search the entire outer-surface of this device for any hot spots!"


    "L... Loud and clear...!" Red meekly exclaims, sticking by Peritzal''s side as she looks to the others. "U... Uhm, Blue, you handle the g-gun!"


    The Verness in the blue dress silently nods, remaining mute as she scurries over to snatch the rifle. Gun in hand, she hops off of the egg, quickly opens up the box of rubber gloves for the other girls, and then runs off to join Quade in the war.


    Peritzal lets out a tense sigh as she stares at the screen. Two minutes, estimated, decreasing more and more. "T... Tch...!" Holding a finger to her ear, alerting the others. "E-Everyone, I need to divert power away from the defense drones! Prioritize your safety and be aware of-!"


    Suddenly, a loud alarm sounds out, and several error messages pop up on Peritzal''s tablet. Instead of the egg device, however, the alerts were coming from several dozen drones to the East, all of them sending distress signals that indicate their complete and utter destruction.


    "W... What in the...?!" Peritzal mumbles in horror.


    "S-Spear!" the green-dressed Verness shouts. "Spear!"


    Peritzal swiftly looks to Green, not given enough time to process the destruction of the drones. Seeing where Verness Green was pointing, Peritzal locates a flying demon, an archdemon, boldly standing in view with no concern over any of Peritzal''s security. In its hand, a spear made of condensed human souls... trapped in a veil of demonic essence. Bits of metal wiring hanging on the tip of it, remnants of multiple defense drones on full display.


    If the spear was capable of breaking apart the metal of the defense droids...


    "... Q-QUADE!" Peritzal loudly shouts, looking around for the man. He was probably the best chance at stopping the spear from piercing the egg and destroying it.


    However, he was nowhere to be seen, and Peritzal only saw the horde of demons ahead. Failing to see him, she quickly checks her comms. "Quade! There''s an emergency threat! Status, now-!"


    Suddenly, loud and unhinged laughter echoes on Quade''s icon, followed by Quade''s screaming. The sounds of bones breaking, followed by the uncomfortably loud crunches of guns being crushed to pieces.


    Peritzal''s eyes widen, assuming the worst. "Q-Quade?! Report, now-!"


    Nyx''s mic shouts. "W-What?! What exactly- what''s happening to- is- IS QUADE OKA--?!"


    Before a sudden, sharp noise echoes out in the audio device, cutting Nyx off completely. An ear-piercing sound reverberating from her mic.


    This sound causes Peritzal''s ear-splitting headache, completely disorienting her due to the sound. Her eyes twitching and dazed as she falls limp against the shell of the device. Her vision distorted, growing faded and hazy, trying her hardest to recover.


    "P... Peritzal?!" Red shouts, climbing up the egg. "P-Peritzal!"


    Several of the Vernesses see Peritzal temporarily out of commission, panicking as they struggled to figure out what to do. Papaya couldn''t even say anything in response, actively focused on the electrical wiring.


    The spear holding archdemon continues to hover about, a maniacal grin on his face as he pulls his arm back and throws the spear straight at Peritzal. The girl unable to move or respond, struggling to hang onto consciousness, all hope was lost in that moment. Even as Blue takes aim with the rifle and tries to shoot it, Peritzal was completely defenseless, and faced certain death in three, two...


    ...


    Until a gust of wind blows into the scene, forcing Peritzal''s senses back to working order from the abrupt force. Peritzal''s eyes blink rapidly, and what she first sees was the spear stopped inches away from her face.


    The next thing she saw was who stopped the spear, currently holding it by its handle. The hand gripping the weapon tightly, the tall humanoid figure with skeletal wings sticking out of her back.


    In between Peritzal and where the spear had come from, a brown haired girl with twin-tails stands. A pure white horn sticks out the side of her head, jagged and sharp. Her clothes stained with building ash and rubble, scratch marks on the fabric of her shirt, tank-top, and short.


    "G... Giichi!" Peritzal shouts. "Y-You''re-!"


    The girl looks over her shoulder, a tense look on her red-eyed face. Visible frustration was on her face. "What... is taking you so long, D''Errico?!"


    Peritzal immediately retracts her statement after seeing the red eyes. This wasn''t Giichi right now. Rather, it was an entity that shared Giichi''s body: "Rosemary." Attributed by the crimson red mist passively coming from the girl''s mouth, Rosemary was the manifested life in Giichi''s dragon breath. She often took control of the body whenever Giichi falls unconscious, meaning...


    Currently possessing Giichi''s worn-out body, Rosemary turns back to glare at the demon that threw the spear, staring him down and preparing her next move. Shouting to Peritzal: "Well?!"


    Peritzal... shakes her head, looking to her tablet quickly. "... severe errors throughout the system, and communications cut off..." Actively tapping at her screen. "W... We have less than a minute left to make sure-"


    "Damn it, D''Errico!" Rosemary interrupts in a loud shout, gripping her hand tightly to snap the spear in half. The souls in the spear released, sent flying throughout the city. "You''ve whined about worse. If it''s such a biiiiig problem for the almighty Peritzal to do the ''impossible'' like she always does, then go on and do nothing! Waste away and let us all die, crybaby!"


    The dragon girl''s body arches forward as she forcefully flaps her wings. Yet another gust of wind blowing straight back, the empty space of the bones defying physics as her body is propelled forward.


    The archdemon stares at the incoming mortal, lunging towards it with its hand extended. Intent on grabbing the mere girl and crushing her to bits, he successfully grabs the flying dragon and the two are flying straight back at the egg.


    Rosemary, gritting her teeth, forcefully pries the demon''s fingers open and roars loudly. Her wings flapping to slow their movement, stopping them before impact. The strength of a dragon outmatches this demon''s fingers and body, and Rosemary goes to the level of ripping its fingers off of its body in gruesome fashion.


    In that instant, the archdemon stares down the red eyes of the dragon girl, its face tense after his hand became fingerless. Its victorious pride going down the drain, as it was face to face with a being of greater fury and rage.


    "... let''s GO!"


    Another flap of the wings, Rosemary and the archdemon are suddenly flying straight away from the machine at an alarming speed. The dragon girl flying straight through the demon horde, the impact of the bigger one steamrolling and splattering the massive horde into bits and pieces.


    Quade, currently on the ground with his gorilla arms dismembered and his human one broken, stares at the dragon girl zooming over him. A relieved look on his face, the demons surrounding him obliterated. "Giichi...!"


    The two then crash straight into a large building''s wall, large cracks forming on the side as the archdemon''s body slams straight into bits of rubble and shards of glass. The many demons caught by the archdemon''s body, squished to remains in this single moment.


    Enough time for Peritzal''s eyes to narrow tightly, gripping her tablet as her stress is turned to... irritation. Annoyance. She grits her teeth hard, fuel added to the fire that was her motivation. It was only one minute, she thought... more than enough time to absolutely decimate all of the demons. Spite fueling her body, energized by Rosemary''s very own rage. "I will not... be called a crybaby... by YOU, Rosemary!"


    Flying against the building, Rosemary stares at the unholy tension oozing from the archdemon''s face. A grin forms on her face as there was more to come. The skeletal dragon''s wings start to flap vigorously, a violent growl coming from her as she starts to force the archdemon''s body along the wall. Its body roughly sliding against the infrastructure, an onslaught of stone bits jabbing into its body.


    Then, at the end of the building, the dragon pulls away from the wall, spinning in the air and swinging the archdemon about. One hand on its shoulder, while her other one aggressively punches the archdemon over and over again.


    In retaliation, the archdemon - with his good hand - punches back. Both of them locked in senseless hand-to-hand combat, the world spinning around them.


    Peritzal, hands shaking and trembling as her eyes have grown wide, is absolutely sent off in a maniacal fit. Pulling off a miracle as the egg was coming back into working order with such narrow time. The Vernesses actively crawl around the egg, following Peritzal''s order as swiftly and strictly as they could. The egg was 60% repaired, and they were in a desperate last struggle with only:


    "Twenty seconds!" Peritzal shouts, tapping away on the tablet. Eye twitching as she was lost in her own world, her mind running at a thousand times speed. The number jumping to 65%, then 70%, 80%...!


    Demons start to flood into the park as they charge straight for the egg. Hordes of them from all surrounding directions, the Vernesses in an absolute panic as they see the incoming threats.


    However, a roar sounds out, reinforcements heading straight back as well. Nyx, swimming through the shadows in the ground, bursting out from the north and starting to cut apart the demons bit by bit.


    Following this came Caspian, flying through the air with fire out of his feet, spinning and kicking chunks of frozen air to crash down the west demons.


    And then, Odette, on top of a building, hands extended out to telekinetically grab a bundle of demons in the South side, and swinging them around senselessly as a last ditch effort.


    "85%! 90%-! C''mon, c''mon! Vernesses-!" Peritzal shouts loudly, at the top of her lungs, eyes wide to the impending time. 10 seconds...


    Rosemary, with bruises on the side of her face, stares down the archdemon. Tensely staring at the archdemon''s unfazed expression, seeing it enduring her onslaught. This demon was nowhere near defeat.


    "HAHAHAHA...! IS THAT ALL?!" the demon blurts out, glaring its unholy wrath down Rosemary''s eyes. Throwing another punch to her face, slamming its fist into her cheek.


    "S... shut the hell up!" Rosemary interrupts, shouting at the top of her lungs as she promptly throws the archdemon up and decking its bloodied face in the mouth. Launching it high in the sky, its body aimlessly spinning and twirling with the impact.


    Peritzal''s eyes light up. "... gah! 100%, JUST IN TIME!" Peritzal loudly screams, pressing her finger firmly against the tablet. "NOW! NOW, NOW, NOW!!! FIRE! FIRE!!!"


    The metal egg starts to glow brightly, putting all of its might into unleashing a wave across the entire city. The barrier surrounding the city going away, with all remaining drones and droids deactivated, the device begins to unleash.


    Rosemary, her face injured with time short, darts straight up with yet another gust of air from her wings. Flying straight towards the archdemon and unloading punch after punch against its body. Seething with pure anger, red gas oozing from the corners of her mouth.


    An eerie atmosphere spreads through the city, with every fighter on site waiting ages in the few seconds that followed. Papaya and the Vernesses at their positions, keeping things stable. Peritzal, holding the tablet up to her face, eyes glued to the screen as she waits.


    "3...!"


    And Rosemary, throwing her arm out in one final punch against the archdemon, decking it straight in the stomach area as she lets out one final roar.


    "RRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"


    One that echoes out throughout the land, filled with a pure anger and fury.


    "2...!"


    Carrying the hopes of humanity on her shoulder, her roar loud and violent, with all of her might...


    "1...!"


    ...


    ...


    ... and the machine fires, just in time.


    A massive wave of green light sweeping the city. The tears in reality sealing up with this light, causing the invading demons that came from them to start violently screeching and screaming in pain. Their bodies dissolving and turning to ash, their destruction put on a complete halt.


    The archdemon, especially, lets out a sudden scream of utter defeat and pure agony. Its form flickering a bright light, filled with an energy that was vaporizing it from the inside out, screaming and roaring.


    Its eyes gazing down upon its last sight... a green and yellow eyed dragon girl that was out of energy. Rosemary''s time was up, and she now lies dormant as Giichi''s unconscious self is staring at the body. Passing out in the air, starting to fall out of the sky after Rosemary put her all into it, descending down to the ground.


    "Y... YOU... YOU ARE... INFERIOR... TO... ME-!!!!!!!!!!" it calls out, before its body completely dissolves and disappears.


    Giichi begins to fall out of the sky, now out of energy, completely depleted of her fighting spirit. Her time was up, and she was now descending down.


    "I... I got you...!" Odette shouts, his hand out as Giichi''s body is enveloped in his golden, telekinetic aura. The man hold her body in the air, tensely pulling her to him, to safety.


    With the demons vanquished, the surviving citizens wake to the victorious aftermath. Cheers erupting throughout the city, celebrating in the near-destroyed city. Men, women, children, the elderly, all in Starveil celebrated their survival today.


    Their survival attained by the saviors of Starveil, those select few that fought for their lives to protect everyone...


    Peritzal pulls off her goggles and stares up at the sky, uncomfortably staring as her face was melted. Bits of her true face showing, a purple shade of gelatinous skin facing up as relief spreads throughout her body. "... all according to plan..." Lying against the egg and just recovering, letting out deep sighs as the adrenaline fades from her body.


    Papaya, sliding out from under the egg, staring up with joy. Her face completely melted after the electrical endurance test she went through, revealing sparkling lights of electricity coursing through her alien veins. "Woohoo! We freaking DID it! Yeah! Verness, celebrate as LOUD as you can!" Jumping up onto her feet, and throwing her fist into the air, energetically cheering loudly before falling forward and immediately going unconscious.


    Following Papaya''s instructions, the eight Vernesses start to wave their arms in the air, many of them cheering loudly in celebration. Most of them crawling down from the egg and picking up Papaya''s body, throwing her up into the air over and over, cheering with celebration.


    "W-We did it...! We did it!"


    "Yeeeeeeeah! Woooo!"


    "Hahahahaha! Take that, demons!"


    "D-Don''t mess with us again!"


    "Victory!"


    Nyx, standing over a pile of demons, unaffected by the light with the necklace defending her from this wave. Given her devil''s blood, she would have been a prime target otherwise. "Tch... it''s over...!" she proudly says, stomping her heel down on a dissolving demon''s stomach and throwing her arms in the air. "Victory is ours! Haaaaaaah! For Starveil!"


    The devil-blooded woman then looks around, remembering Quade. Seeing him a distance away, quickly running and rushing to his body in the ground. The knight crouches down and rests a hand on his broken arm. "Qu... Quade! Are you-!"


    "I''m... I''m alright, Nyx..." Quade calls out, lying with a smile on his face. He is currently unable to move, but he smiles through the incredible amounts of pain he was feeling right now. His body in the midst of regenerating and reshaping to heal itself. "We done did it..."


    "Yes... yes, we did..." Nyx responds, staring down at him with a relieved smile. Staring at him actively... admiration and relief in her eyes, currently resisting the urge to...


    Caspian would be on the ground of the park, steam and smoke evaporating from his body as he stands exhausted. "Holy... freaking... crap..." The visor over his eyes dropping to the ground, crown falling off of his head. Head slumped forward and down, continuing to stand through sheer determination. Too exhausted to register the pain in his eyes as their dark shield no longer protected him from the brightening sky... just enduring the feeling for a bit. "Ugh..."


    Odette, remaining on the building and just calming himself down with deep breaths. The absolute stress of it all fading as his abilities fade overtime, sticking with Giichi and taking breaths to calm himself. "... aaa..." Eventually- getting up with Giichi on his back, looking around for the exit down... walking up to the door and fiddling with the handle. Locked. "... e-ehhh...!"


    ... and the essential Giichi Hasegawa, sleeping peacefully after the death-defying last stand in recovery of the injuries currently plaguing her body. Rosemary lies dormant in her body, the lingering red mist not being breathed out at the moment.


    The city is at peace, and the world has been saved today. Its regular saviors: Peritzal and Papaya D''Errico, Quade McMurphy, Nyx Katsuragi, Caspian Nepheleste, Verness Kingston, Odette Cox, Rosemary... and Giichi Hasegawa.


    This is the story of the Squad, of Starveil''s living legends. The unstoppable forces of good, the fighters of demons and monsters...


    ... the story, of the Friends of Giichi Hasegawa.

 #1 - The Daily Life of Giichi Hasegawa

    Good morning, Starveil City.


    Starveil City, the site of calamity that spawned armies of demons and horrors hellbent on taking over and destroying the world.


    Around its end, the many survivors were celebrating the catastrophe''s conclusion. Shortly afterwards, the gravity of the situation set in as the lasting effects were felt, with citizen casualties suffered in the near hundreds. Buildings wrecked and destroyed by the hordes of demons and the actions of the city''s heroes. Many living in fear of another demonic invasion, or some other similar threat. Starveil was a long way from returning to normal, but the threat was subdued for the time being.


    And then, with time, the threat and damages completely faded.


    Days after, the morning sky was bright as ever. The rising sun''s bright rays reflected off the adjacent sea, city traffic as bountiful as ever. The majority of Starveil, even with catastrophe, didn''t live in fear. No, they had hope for the future. Life going on as normal, the city returning back onto its feet.


    And with that, Starveil''s protectors and saviors, the Heroes of Starveil, return back to their daily lives on this beautiful day, awaiting the next sign of danger and ready to act at a moment''s notice.


    Following her massive fight against the massive force, news spread as a mysterious flying girl made waves after her finishing blow. Her fists symbols of triumph, the girl soaring through the air and obliterating an unholy demon. Identity unknown, news teams unable to get clear footage of the fight, this hero without a costume has saved Starveil.


    This is Giichi Hasegawa. Half dragon, half human. Giichi was cozily lying in her bed. A single queen-sized bed with modest blue sheets, head resting against a thick white and blue striped pillow. Out like a light, she slept off the fatigue of yesterday and- ends up waking up without need of an alarm clock, as she usually did.


    "... aaah." Giichi lets out a content yawn, stretching her arms at the modest little calendar hanging on her wall.


    Saturday.


    Giichi crawls out of bed and rummages through her closet, putting on a fresh set of clothes. Her usual outfit was a shirt she didn''t know the name of, this one frilly white top that showed off her shoulders and had a brown string wrapped around the top. Going well with her dark-brown tank top underneath, black shorts that went halfway down her thigh, and white socks.


    She steps out of the bedroom once dressed, letting out a deep sigh. Sniffing her breath, as usual, Giichi... picks up a little bit of the usual morning breath.


    Immediate problem with an immediate solution. Time to brush her pearly whites.


    Entering the bathroom, she looks into the mirror as she spreads the toothpaste on her toothbrush. Right before her eyes, a hairbrush floats into the air and starts to brush Giichi''s hair on its own.


    "Oh. Morning to you too, Rosemary," Giichi speaks into the mirror, smiling. Even if she can''t see or hear the entity made out of her breath, she knows about Rosemary and knows its helpful nature. In the time it takes Giichi to clean her mouth, the gas ties her hair into her classic and iconic pigtail hairstyle.


    It was handy, just pretty nice to have a second set of hands to do what she never learned.


    Giichi holds her hands in a sort of bowl gesture underneath the running water, collecting as much as she could before rinsing her mouth of the foamy toothpaste. She stares at the mirror and grins widely. Minty fresh, clean and spotless.


    "Hehe."


    With teeth as fresh as a forest, Giichi walks over to her refrigerator, sheepishly looking for breakfast. All her fridge had was a single yogurt cup, a carton of orange juice, and sliced cheese.


    "... hm. Guess I need to go grocery shopping today..." Giichi tells herself, picking up the yogurt cup. "This''ll have to do."


    With the cup in hand, Giichi leaves through her front door and embarks on her grocery trip. Basking in the sunlight, the dragon girl starts each day by stretching her arms out and staring out into the beautiful industrial setting before her.


    Even as the city undergoes reconstruction, life was as bustling as ever. The rustle and bustle of people walking along and driving their cars in a famously crowded, daily traffic. The variety of busy windows belonging to hotels and company buildings, almost showing all the active work and life behind them. Dogs and cats and birds and such, a harmony of urban American life.


    Ahh.


    Giichi closes her door and locks up, staring at the engraved numbers in her door. "208". At the very end of the second floor''s "balcony hallway", alongside 7 other apartments. She pockets the key and walks along.


    First, she stops at Apartment 207, the D''Errico Twins'' place of residence. Happily knocking on it to greet the twins with a bright smile. "Riiiise and shine!"


    The door slowly opens, and Papaya is on the other side to greet her. Hair an absolute mess, her eyes squinted shut, she waves to Giichi with an exhausted and groggy look on her face. "M... Morning, Giichi... morning, Rosemary..."


    Giichi looks for a while, her smile briefly fading. "O-Oh, sorry, did I wake you up...? I didn''t realize you two were-"


    "Oh, nonono," Papaya responds, opening the door more and gesturing to the absolute mess in the apartment. "You didn''t, Peri and I just haven''t gotten a single wink of sleep since last night. We''ve been awake for the last fifteen hours, just kinda... stuff."


    Giichi looks over Papaya''s shoulder to see Peritzal on the couch, her eyes having that usual blank and dead look in them as she stares into the tablet. Hair as unkempt as always, she really gave off a look of "fifteen hours".


    "Huh... what are you two working on this time?" Giichi curiously asks.


    "Well, Peri''s a bit of daily monitoring for portals, anomalies and such... and, well," Papaya begins to explain, before pointing to the scrap metal on the coffee table. "I''m disassembling a toaster."


    Giichi blinks at the metal. "Oh..." A slightly sad look forms on her face at this news. "I liked your toaster. It was good at toasting bread... how are you going to get your toasted bread now, Papaya?"


    "Ehhhh, we''re fiiiine." Papaya just gives a waving off gesture to Giichi, grinning brightly. "If we ever do require toast, we''ll just come over and borrow yours, ''kay?"


    "... mhmm!" Giichi responds, nodding with a cheerful look. "Totally come over for toast sometime! In fact, I''m going grocery shopping right now! Do you need me to get anything?"


    "Oh!" Papaya smiles. "I mean, if you''re going, like, right this instant, could you get me some tacos, too? I got the money for it, of course~"


    "Ooh, yeah, tacos!" Giichi exclaims, smiling and giving a thumbs up. "I''ll get some on the way back! Crunchy, right?"


    Immediate head shaking. "Soft, please. Every time we get crunchy, the bits just- crumble awkwardly and spill on the first bite, remember...?"


    Giichi- blinks a couple of times. "Right- I keep forgetting that... alright, soft it is! With root beer and extra spicy sauce?"


    "Yep! Sounds good~" Papaya responds with a grin, before walking deeper into the apartment to get the taco money. As she rummages for the cash, she looks over her shoulder to her sister. "Got anything you''re in the mood for, Peri?"


    "Purchase a 12V lithium ion battery," Peritzal responds, lying on her side and continuing to fiddle with her tablet.


    "... food, Peritzal, food," Papaya responds as she steps out the doorway.


    "I know what I said," Peritzal responds, reaching for the tube of apple paste on the coffee table. "12V, please."


    Papaya... chuckles, looking back forward. "Let''s... amount that to a milkshake and a burrito, then," she says, handing Giichi the dollar bills. "Well, see ya and stay safe, Giichi!"


    "You too!" Giichi exclaims, turning away and heading to the apartment stairway. Leaving the twins to do their smart people work as she does her... Giichi work.


    Off on her own little adventure to get food and groceries, accompanied by the busy traffic passing her, she was contently just traversing the city at her own pace. Home, sweet home, as she considered it, Giichi loved every bit of the city before her. Every sidewalk crack a memory, painted by the tree leaves and colorful food wrappers, all of it was a cheerful delight for her.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    As she walks, a taxi pulls up next to her, window rolling down to reveal an old man. One that was in uniform, his thick beard and mustache on display as he looks to the two. "Well, howdy there, Giichi!"


    Giichi looks over, glances to see the man wearing a black hat with a red brim, and immediately recognizes the old man as Quade. "Oh! Mr. McMurphy!" she calls out.


    "Parker, Giichi," the old man responds, tipping his hat. "Coverin'' for Parker again."


    "Ah, right," Giichi responds, sticking her tongue out in a goofy way. "I keep forgetting!"


    "Heh." The old man, Quade, just nods, unlocking the doors. "Need a lift somewhere? I''m down to give ya a ride, if you''d like!"


    Giichi shakes her head. "No, no, I don''t wanna be too much of a bother. Just heading to the grocery store right down the street!"


    "Oh? Well, having a car to carry the groceries would be a mighty fine help. What groceries are ya gettin''?" Quade asks.


    "Mmm- maybe the usual. Instant noodles, a buncha microwaved dinners, some orange juice and bagels, and a pack of butter!" Giichi answers.


    Quade blinks a few times, staring forward as he starts to drive forward. "... is- that really it?"


    Giichi nods. "Well, y''know that I don''t cook, Mr. Parker... simple food''s the best! And I can carry it all pretty fine!"


    "U... uhuh." He just takes a moment of silence before continuing to speak. "Well, as always, you''re welcome to let me know if ya ever feel like learnin''. I''ll be happy to teach ya sometime. ''Till then, try getting the steak dinners. There''s a sale for every three of them, you get a free one."


    "Alright! Sounds like a plan, Mr. Parker! Until then, see you!" Giichi exclaims, waving Quade off energetically before she then turns to the backdoor of the car. "And see ya too, Nyx!"


    Quade blinks for a few moments at this. Giichi, pointing out that Nyx was- likely in the car as well. "Wait... Nyx?" Taking a moment to look over his shoulder and stare into the back seat. Knowing that she could hide in shadows as if the dark was just a liquid to her, he was now on guard- as Nyx had a... tendency... to hide herself near him and follow after.


    Giichi covers her mouth suddenly, having outed Nyx. "O-Oops...! I mean- uh- not, not Nyx. See ya, not Nyx!"


    "..." Quade sighs as he looks forward. He just ignores Nyx, and just focuses on Giichi for a bit before driving along. "Have a good rest''a your day, kiddo."


    The taxi drives off, and Giichi watches as a shadowy silhouette forms on the other side of the backdoor''s window, red eyes glaring straight at her with spite. Nyx was, indeed, in the back of the car.


    Giichi just shakes her head with an energetic grin, turning around and walking forward- immediately accidentally bumping straight into someone''s back.


    "G-Gah! Watch where you''re-!" the person shouts, looking over his shoulder and up at Giichi. The person immediately recognizes her. "Oh. Giichi."


    Giichi looks to see the white haired prince, Caspian. His rainbow crown and scarf in full display, recognizing him after a few seconds. "Oh! Caspian!" Giichi exclaims, looking down at him. "Good to see you! How are you?"


    Caspian takes a calming sigh as he looks at Giichi. Staring up at her through his visor, shaking his head with a sigh. "Doing alright, just... walking. Sorry for shouting at you."


    "Ah, no, it''s alright, I wasn''t looking where I was going," Giichi responds, smiling at him. "Well- uhm- you look like you were heading the same way! If you''re just walking- uhm, by any chance, do you want to come with me to the grocery store? We could hang out and stuff!"


    Caspian shakes his head. "I''m not particularly interested, really. It''s not exactly a-" Suddenly, the prince interrupts himself and glares at Giichi. "Okay, hold on, what do you mean by that?!"


    Giichi tilts her head in confusion, her eyes widening a little. Caspian''s sudden outburst bewildered her a little. "Huh? Uhm... I mean that we could hang out and get some-"


    "No, Giichi, I''m not talking to-" Caspian responds, continuing to glare. A few seconds of silence pass before he shouts in argument. "N-no! I''m not ''challenged'' by the process of buying people food, that''s completely simple and mundane, the fact you''re- ... okay, now that''s a lie, you''re just- okay, let me speak. Let me speak- oh my g-"


    Giichi continues to stare in confusion as Caspian aggressively argues with the air. Then realizes that he was, indeed, arguing with the air. Rosemary. The two of them engaged in another one of their arguments, one that Giichi just feels uncomfortable about. "Ohhh. You''re talking to- okay." She begins to walk off, not wanting to upset Caspian any further as she excuses herself. "Uhm, see you, Caspian, I''ll- we''ll talk to you some other time... okay?"


    Caspian, holding a hand up to his forehead, visibly annoyed. "No, hold on. Screw it. I''m coming with JUST to prove a point..."


    "You really don''t have to-" Giichi responds, a little uncomfortable. Rosemary was just coercing him into coming along at this point, and she didn''t- really want to force Caspian into coming along.


    It was too late to stop Caspian, however. He was dead set on coming along, now. "Yes I do, Hasegawa. Yes, I do. Got to come along now." Very annoyed grumbles from the prince as he tucks his hands into his coat pockets. "... I''m helping you with the groceries regardless of what you say now, I am NOT letting her win the argument."


    "W... Well, alright then, sure... uhm-" Giichi looks around for a moment. "Rosemary, can you- can you please be nice to him?"


    A long pause of silence.


    Giichi looks to Caspian. "... so, did she- did she say she would?"


    "No, but she didn''t really say anything," Caspian responds, shaking his head. "She''s just silent. Take it as her being nice if you want."


    "... that''s- good..." Giichi responds, looking forward. She just clears her throat and keeps walking with Caspian. "... oh, and, uhm- afterwards, we''re- also getting tacos for the D''Erricos, too. Papaya gave me enough to get her and Peritzal their breakfasts and lunch, and-"


    "Hasegawa, next time, lead with that and I''d be 90% on board to begin with," Caspian immediately responds. "I am quite thirsty and it has been dry lately."


    "... oh!" Giichi smiles widely, now that Caspian has an actual reason to want to come along. Caspian was biologically a cloud-person, so he exclusively only needs to drink water for sustenance. Grocery stores have a person pay for each bottle of water, while food places have drink dispensers and infinite refills until a person leaves. "Alright, well, sounds good! H-Hehe. Glad to have you along, officially...!"


    Caspian gives a thumbs up. "Mhmm. For now, water under the bridge between me and Rosemary, okay?"


    "W-Well, alright!" Giichi responds, smiling.


    The pair continue to walk along, Giichi now accompanied by a friend as they walk along. The city continuing to be as busy as ever, while the pair were the only two currently walking on that sidewalk. A lovely day today.


    "... so, we did one hell of a thing, huh?" Caspian asks, walking along with Giichi.


    Giichi, stopping at a crosswalk, looks to Caspian. "Huh? What thing?"


    Caspian looks off to the side, waiting alongside Giichi for the walk light. "The whole demon fight thing. Saving this city, taking out a bunch of demons."


    "Oh. That..." Giichi just chuckles lightly. "Rosemary- was the one who carried the fight, in the end. I was just- awake for the beginning part, and didn''t even do much..."


    Caspian scoffs for a moment. "I don''t know who needs to tell you this, but... Rosemary used your body to do all of that. You, inherently, are a major part of the victory. Just being your Giichi self as usual. For as long as I''ve known you, you idolized heroism and doing the good thing, and- you did, you did do good, and your body - AKA, you - saved lives that day."


    Giichi bashfully smiles as Caspian was saying this. "Y-You''re just- saying that..."


    "No, seriously, Hasegawa," Caspian interrupts. "I genuinely- can''t get that day out of my mind. It was the hardest thing I''ve ever had to do in my life. If it wasn''t for you, we wouldn''t be buying groceries, or getting tacos for the twins, or even just- walking and waiting at this." Pointing at the crosswalk. "You, inherently, are a hero. And... so is Rosemary, I guess, but you are deserving of my respect."


    "... well- heh, nothing to it-" Giichi responds, looking to see the walk sign light up. It was safe to cross the road now, in theory. She starts to walk ahead, looking back at Caspian. "W-We all did, it, y''know? It was a group effort, and I- I guess I just-"


    Giichi is then immediately interrupted as the sounds of screeching tires could be heard, and a car proceeds to ram straight into her body.


    Caspian, not even reacting in time, seeing the car achieve impact as his jaw drops. "G-Giichi-!"


    It was a red convertible going at 80 miles an hour in a 30 mile zone. A speeder, if you will. Reckless driving, the guy trying to run a red light. He was a tourist of Starveil, dressed in flashy cool guy clothes with slick blonde hair and a pair of sunglasses. There wasn''t even an attempt to hit the brakes, he just flat out hit Giichi with a car.


    And Giichi''s body reacted accordingly.


    Giichi, standing completely still as she was oblivious to the incoming car, remains standing. Not budging one inch. She didn''t even mentally process she was hit by the car until several seconds later. Her draconic durability was a gift that left her completely unharmed by a speeding car, somehow. At worst, it was probably painful, but her body recovered rather easily.


    The same could not be said about the car. When the car drove into her, Giichi remained unharmed as the car ends up splitting in half upon hitting her. The two halves of the car rolling along into the intersection, toppling over and stopping in the middle of it.


    The driver, absolutely mortified as the sunglasses fall off of his face, mentally processing what just happened.


    "..............." Caspian, staring at this, temporarily dumbfounded. "G... Giichi-"


    Giichi looks back at Caspian, a worried look on her face. She started blaming herself for that, as she was the reason the car ended up being split in half. Starting to hyperventilate, puffs of red gas being exhaled in bursts from her mouth. "I- I didn''t- I didn''t even see the car coming! D-Do you think he''s alright, Caspian?! I- I don''t- I''m scared to check, what if he-"


    "Hey, hey, Giichi, calm down-" Caspian calls out, as he takes a moment to look in the intersection, seeing the convertible''s driver running away in absolute terror. The reckless driver seems alright, just too shaken to mentally deal with the girl who destroyed his car into halves. No other passengers, he was just a single driver. "He... seems alright, no injuries. Maybe he''s in pain but- whatever, whatever, he''s running. Better question is, are you- are you okay, Hasegawa?" Caspian asks. "T-Take deep breaths. Deep breaths, now..."


    Giichi... follows Caspian''s cue, starting to breathe heavily. Slowing and steadying, starting to calm down with her friend''s help. "I-I''m okay, I''m okay-... I- I guess I''m doing better with being hit by cars...?" Giichi answers, uncertain. "I just- need to get better at seeing cars, I guess...? H- He really did just come out of nowhere, like-"


    "Yeah, he- he did," Caspian responds, looking back at the car... and- seeing smoke coming from it. His eyes widening. "... uh- Giichi, I think it''s- a good idea for us to go, come on," Caspian responds, walking past Giichi and gesturing her to follow.


    "W-" Giichi looks to Caspian in shock, still antsy about what just happened. "But, Caspian, shouldn''t we- or, I- stay around for the authorities and-"


    Giichi is immediately cut off by the convertible exploding in the middle of the intersection, the car engulfing in a fiery blaze.


    Caspian, looking at the explosion, his eyes covered and concealed by his black visor. If anyone could see his eyes right now, he''d have the most shocked and surprised look on his face. But he stares at the car''s remains, seemingly unfazed.


    Giichi, meanwhile, staring in absolute horror. It was lucky that no one- ended up in the explosion, but the bits of metal were- going everywhere. Pretty soon, her sense of responsibility was being outweighed by the absolute chaos that she couldn''t have prevented, and she was becoming mentally unable to handle this incident of chaos.


    "... s... so, we''re going?" Giichi nervously asks, walking after Caspian.


    "Y... Yes. That is best," Caspian responds, wanting to leave. "Let us be off. Immediately. Right now."


    The pair continue to walk along, awkwardly just leaving behind the wreckage and the severely congested traffic trying to work around the car remains. They had to go get groceries. It was grocery-getting time. That was the thing they were going to do, now.

 #2 - The Girl in the Vending Machine

    Yawning a little as she heads home, Giichi walks with the massive bags of groceries hanging over her shoulders. The bags of soda crates and "TV Dinners", those microwavable frozen packaged tray meals shaped like television screens, being lifted with ease despite being two inches from the ground. She was almost home, walking the way she came from and ready to eat what she considers a proper breakfast.


    Caspian, alongside her, having volunteered to carry the tacos and drinks that the two picked up. Both hands holding the cup holder with four drink cups, the bag of tacos hanging from his arm. He is contently just walking along as he takes sips from his cup every so often. "... before I forget, thank you for paying for me, Giichi," he says, expressing his gratitude as he takes a sip of his 12th refill that he left the store with.


    "Well, what are friends for, y''know?" Giichi responds, grinning widely. "... since you waited in line with me and Rosemary and all."


    Speaking of Rosemary, as the two were walking along, Caspian could see the entity just floating alongside Giichi. A cloud of red gas idly floating along, her shape about a few inches shorter than Giichi. The brown haired girl is physically incapable of noticing her own breath, while almost everyone else around her could see, hear, and smell the gaseous breath floating about five inches off of the ground. "Yeah, Caspian. Good job waiting with us. Glad to see you finally contributing for once," she mockingly commends him, making use of her invisibility to Giichi in order to be sarcastically rude to him.


    "..." Caspian looks off to the side, just ignoring Rosemary for now while he was walking with Giichi. He stares out at the street, seeing in the far distance one block away- the intersection of the car''s crashed halves, at the connection of Orchid Boulevard and Cotton Valley Avenue. Firetrucks on scene, with police officers currently routing traffic. They were fortunate to not be walking past that intersection this time, as they walked along Chestnut Street instead- just three to four buildings away. Giichi''s apartment building was a couple of minutes away, and they just needed to cross the street and they were golden.


    Before they could, however, Caspian suddenly stops once at the corner of the sidewalk. Taking a moment to listen over the distant, blaring sirens as he turns his head a few times. "... Giichi, do you- do you hear that? I- I hear something strange."


    "Strange...?" Giichi tilts her head in confusion. Stopping next to him, trying to listen- and failing to hear over the firetrucks and police cars. "Do you mean the- the firetrucks over there?"


    "No, nonono, this is- something else," Caspian responds, walking along and trying to pinpoint the direction. "Something- not car like. Rosemary, can you hear that?"


    The gaseous entity would float for a bit, before it visibly shifts itself to turn in a direction. "... actually, you''re right for once. I do kind of hear something..." Starting to float ahead, turning into an alleyway.


    "Huh. Alright, c''mon, Giichi-" Caspian says, going down Cotton Valley Avenue as he follows after Rosemary.


    "... not... car like?" Giichi asks, following along in confusion. Now that Caspian brought her attention to it and was leading her to the alleyway, Giichi now definitely hears a weird non-carlike sound: the loud pounding of hands against glass sounds out nearby.


    The mysterious sound came from a vending machine set up in the alleyway, right next to an apartment. To those unfamiliar, a vending machine is a large machine box storing shelves of soda, chips, candy, so on. Reinforced walls around it, with some glass screen to separate the goods from the person in front.


    Giichi stares at the side of the vending machine, wondering what exactly could be attacking the glass, if something got into it and was just stuck. She begins constructing a narrative of what it could be. Something lured by the deliciousness of chocolate bars, something that managed to get in... something was probably some wild animal. A racoon. Racoons like rummaging through garbage, why not vending machines? It''s small enough and could fit into the machine, what if a racoon got inside?


    "... Caspian, do you think a racoon got into the vending machine?"


    "A racoon?" Caspian asks, looking at Giichi with a bewildered look on his face. "Giichi, I... don''t think a raccoon''s strong enough to make a sound against vending machine glass."


    "... ominous," Rosemary comments in response to that, floating a bit closer to the machine and hovering right in front of it.


    Caspian looks to Rosemary. "Rosemary, do you know what it is?"


    "No, I don''t have eyes, idiot," Rosemary responds, prompting Caspian to glare at her as she continues to speak. "But I can hear. And if this is actually a racoon, then we face a racoon that has attained the strength of a living person, and such should address this with caution and-"


    "A-Ah! R-Rosemary?!" the voice of a little girl exclaims, interrupting Rosemary. It was not a what, but a who. Acknowledging the gaseous entity as a familiar "face", the voice in the vending machine is calling out for Giichi now. "G-Giichi! Giichi, are you there?! I- I need help!"


    Giichi gasps as she whips her head to the machine. "Caspian, it''s a talking racoon! It knows my name...!"


    Caspian stares at Giichi for a few moments in judgmental silence, before running up to the vending machine. He feels a sense of urgency now, as there was a little girl inside the vending machine. Furthermore, the girl knew Rosemary and Giichi, narrowing the possibilities. "T... the only little girl that we know is..."


    Caspian stands right next to Rosemary and looks Inside the vending machine, currently face to face with Verness.


    One of the Vernesses, to be specific. The eight parts of Verness, each girl defined and differentiated by eight different colors in their dresses and eyes. The one inside the machine was Cyan, sandwiched between the glass and the food behind her.


    Verness Cyan was the "anxious, cautious planner" that had exaggerated the panicking part of Verness, and is often the one who focuses heavily on responsibility and carefulness. She thinks things through before any of the Vernesses could do something wrong. The fact that it was this Verness somehow stuck in the vending machine is peculiar and strange.


    "W... What in the-" Caspian speaks, absolutely shocked by this sight.


    Giichi stands next to Caspian and looks at the little girl in the vending machine. "Oh! Hey, Verness!" Dropping one of her grocery bags accidentally, as she used her hand to wave to Verness.


    Rosemary swoops in to catch the bag, and is now carrying the bag. Acknowledging who it was, now, upon Giichi having eyes on her. "... oh, Verness. How''s it going?"


    "Giichi! Caspian! Rosemary-! I''m stuck! I''m stuck in here!" Cyan calls out, crying as she keeps weakly trying to punch the machine''s insides with her small hands. "H-Help!"


    Caspian stares in disbelief. "C-Cyan, how did you get in there?! M-More importantly, did- did someone do this to you?"


    Cyan takes a moment to pick up a candy bar, holding it against the glass to show the two. "G-Grandpa gave Green and me some money for candy, and we w-went to this one because it had the really good chocolate bar! I-It ended up getting stuck, so I tried to get it out and get it unstuck myself!"


    Giichi blinks for a moment, staring at the vent cover of the vending machine. She attempts to push it open, but the door remains stuck as Cyan''s legs were in the way of it. "O-oh, wow, it is stuck...! Well, we- we''ll get you out of there, Cyan! Somehow!"


    Caspian, hands against the vending machine, pulling on it to no avail. Completely locked shut. Looking down at the cover Giichi was pushing against, absolutely dumbfounded at this situation. "Wait, okay, so you just managed to squeeze yourself in through this small, small opening?! You couldn''t have gotten through this, that''s physically impossible for you to do!"


    "W-Well! I was with G-Green, and Green pushed me in!" Cyan exclaims. "A-And Green was heading off to go get help! She''s been g-gone for TWO HOURS, though...!"


    "That doesn''t explain how you managed to fit through the- ... wait, two hours?!" Caspian shouts, immediately tense and glossing over the impossibility of this. "Y-You''ve been here for two hours?! What?!"


    "W-Where exactly did Green go?!" Rosemary exclaims, sharing Caspian''s disbelief and bewilderment.


    Elsewhere, unbeknownst to the three, the green-colored Verness was actively walking up and down Starveil City''s commercial street, holding a white coffee mug with a badly drawn doodle of a vending machine with Cyan in it. Scribbled entirely in black, permanent marker.


    Every Verness had something unique about their personalities and behaviors, and often relied on each other to cover for what they lacked. Green''s, in this unfortunate case, was her forced way of speaking that made it impossible for her to say any sentences longer than one word. For the time she''s been gone, she''s been exclaiming: "Help!" and "Assistance!" to whoever passes, waving her coffee mug doodle around to try and get attention.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    People have been misinterpreting her cry for help as a child "begging for money". The way Green looked, people saw a poor and young girl rendered homeless and uneducated by this cruel, cruel society. Not even able to coherently speak anything else except those two words, which she probably only learned from living on the street for months- maybe years. Thus, many either paid her no attention or sympathetically filled her mug itself with spare change.


    Green has been shaking the mug to generate noise, and has been doing this for about two entire hours. She has obtained twenty four dollars in change, total, and has no idea what to do with it.


    Back to the vending machine.


    "I- I have no idea...!" Cyan answers. "I-It''s getting- really uncomfortable in here, the tight space is uncomfortable, and- I- I don''t know if I have enough air in here...!"


    "Oh g-!" Caspian tensely shouts, gritting his teeth as he puts the bag of tacos and the tray of cups down. Leaving it to the side, as he begins taking several steps away from the machine. "Stay still, Cyan, I''ll break you out of there!" Taking a deep breath as he focuses, lifting up one leg as the sizzling of fire in his foot could be heard. It should be as easy as kicking the lock of the vending machine, aiming his foot at the key-slot and melting the metal...


    Verness Cyan looks to Caspian and shakes her head. "C-Caspian, no! If you kick the machine open, we''ll be in really big trouble...!"


    Giichi, looking between the two, nods. "That''s right, it''s illegal to break open and/or set fire to vending machines, and- it''s probably loud enough to alert the police...!"


    "I mean, you totally should try, at least," Rosemary immediately chimes in, finding it really funny if Caspian gets arrested by the police. "Go for it, Caspian, you got this!"


    Caspian ignores the audacity of the breath as he lowers his foot, the sizzling fading. "No, no... I won''t risk kicking the machine open... a-also, wait, Cyan, real quick-" Looking straight at the child, realizing that she was still conscious. "Clearly you''ve been breathing in there for the last two hours. It seems like air can get in perfectly fine."


    "... oh," Cyan noises, visibly embarrassed as she realizes this herself. "I- I mean, the stress of being trapped by a vending machine was-"


    "No, no, I''m just reassuring you that you can breathe," Caspian responds, politely smiling to Verness for a brief moment. "... but anyway, if we''re not breaking this machine open, we need to come up with a different plan to open this machine up. How are we going to find the key to this...?"


    Giichi snaps her fingers, coming up with an idea. Pounding her fist into her hand. "I got it! Maybe we could call the guy who owns the vending machine and get them to open it! I remember there being this one guy at my apartment who handles it. If we find him and ask for his help, we can get Cyan out!"


    Cyan nods, smiling. "Y-Yes! We just have to... wait, no, Giichi, are you talking about that guy that owns the vending machine at the apartment...?"


    "Yeah, he should be able to help!" Giichi answers, smiling at Cyan. "He''s just a phone call away! He had a key, and fit it into the keyhole JUST like this one! It can''t be too different, we''ll have you out of there in no time!"


    "G... Giichi, he- he isn''t the only person to own vending machines in Starveil," Cyan explains. "V-Vending machines aren''t managed by one single guy, Giichi..."


    Giichi''s eyes widen as she was astonished by this information. "R-Really?!"


    "Y... Yes," Cyan responds, sniffling. "I- I think it would take ages to actually properly find the person who owns this specific one, s-so... uhm..."


    "Ah..." Giichi looks down, saddened by this information.


    Caspian moves to pat her on the shoulder. "... you''re trying, and that''s what matters."


    Giichi smiles at Caspian.


    "... actually, that is a plan, getting the key for this," Rosemary responds, starting to cover herself over the keyhole. "If I squeeze into this and mold myself into the shape of what''s needed for this lock, then maybe I could turn it and open this machine up."


    Caspian stares at Rosemary as she does this. "... Rosemary. I know you can- carry bags if it''s your entire mass, but squeezing a small part of yourself to open locks is out of your capabilities."


    Giichi, blinking at Caspian, looks back to the lock... and her eyes go wide, coming up with a new plan. She walks past Caspian and Rosemary, heading deeper into the alleyway as she leaves the two to handle the lock.


    "Yeah, I know, I''m not strong enough for that. So that''s your job, now, dork," Rosemary tells Caspian, shifting herself to expose the gas-filled lock. "Instead of fire, use your ice magic and freeze me. I''d be solid and we can just turn the solidified key."


    "..." Caspian takes a deep sigh, and - out of spite - doesn''t give Rosemary the credit for this. "Good idea, Giichi, that sounds like a good plan!" Looking in her direction, only to realize she wasn''t standing there.


    "B-But Rosemary came up with the plan..." Cyan immediately speaks up.


    "Yeah, Caspian, you imbecilic moron," Rosemary berates, remaining temporarily in tact while separated from Giichi. "Give me some credit."


    Caspian turns his attention back over to Rosemary, ignoring her. "Anyway!" Reaching his hand out and concentrating. The air around his hand starting to freeze, ice magic building up in his hand. "Alright... one, two-!" Moving in closer and holding his hand to the lock, starting to freeze Rosemary.


    This does not go well. "G-GAH, FRICKING-!" Rosemary loudly shouts, feeling excessive amounts of pain as the frozen part of her body is forcefully shot out of the lock and smacks Caspian in the face. The bits of solidified red smash to pieces against his face, a loud shattering sound ringing out as it knocks him over onto the ground with a thud.


    Cyan, witnessing this, lets out a gasp as she slaps her hands against the vending machine glass. "C-Caspian! Caspian, are you okay?!" she exclaims in concern, starting to sob as she was really worried about him.


    "Hggg..." Caspian sits up and looks to Verness, smiling at her. "I''m- alright, could be better. Don''t worry..."


    "T... That''s good..." Cyan responds, smiling.


    Caspian gives the spider girl a nod, before looking to Rosemary and glaring at her. "Okay, what the he- heck was that?!" Interrupting himself to say heck instead, in front of Cyan.


    "Well, excuse me for feeling PAIN, numbskull!" Rosemary shouts. "Apparently, being frozen hurts like crazy! Not my fault that I''m just NOW discovering that!"


    "Guess your idea didn''t work, huh?!" Caspian shouts at Rosemary, scoffing at her. "Too weak to move locks, and too weak to handle my ice? Pathetic!"


    "Y-You-!" Rosemary noises, offended. "Well, I wonder how it would have gone if we followed YOUR plan! Kicking a lock with fire, heating the machine up and burning Verness alive in there! Huh?!"


    "If you think that would have happened, why did you ENCOURAGE me to do it?!" Caspian shouts. "I have enough self control that the fire would have been contained only to the lock!"


    "Well- clearly I didn''t-" Rosemary speaks, before interrupting herself. "Cyan, cover your ears, I''m going to be saying bad words."


    Cyan- nods, and covers her ears, watching Caspian and the mist shout at each other. Both of them in violent argument, now, the spider girl incapable of doing anything to break them up. Caspian and Rosemary were quite considerate to not cuss and swear in front of Cyan, the former attempting to avoid directly hostile language while Giichi was around. However, upon Rosemary instructing the girl to cover her ears, the two proceed to use some of the most vulgar language to address each other. Their typical petty argument escalating to a full on shouting match, one that had neither of them cautious about volume.


    Their argument eventually attracts unwanted attention, and Cyan just watches Caspian turn away for a brief moment before running to hide somewhere. The gas following after him, and hiding with him. Cyan tilts her head in confusion, slowly pulling her hands away from her ears.


    "-shouting over here. No one has been spotted, investigating now."


    Cyan blinks as a manly voice says this, and was actively curious about who this was until she sees a police officer walk in front of the machine, looking around the alleyway. Her eyes widening at the sight, Cyan staring back at the officer when he eventually looks at the vending machine.


    "..." The officer was staring at Verness, seemingly unfazed for a few seconds before realizing. "W-What in the world?! Little girl, how did you get in there?!" he shouts, in as much disbelief of this as a normal person would.


    Cyan tenses up, finding it hard to answer. She knows it''s illegal to steal things, and thus could not answer the officer honestly as to why she was in the vending machine. So she froze up in fear, and started to cry.


    Caspian and Rosemary were hiding at a building''s corner, peeking to see the officer speaking to the vending machine. They had reacted in time to hide, hopefully- even though Caspian was the only one with a tangible physical form to recognize.


    "... crap..." Rosemary mutters to herself. "I sensed him approaching in time..."


    "Well... the police already found her, maybe it''s best we let them handle it," Caspian whispers to Rosemary. Both of them seemed to have let off some steam after that whole... incident, the police officer''s presence taking priority over their own petty disdain of each other.


    The officer was watching Verness cry, actively unsure how to calm her down. He could make his own assumptions about what happened, and was now prioritizing the girl''s safety. "I-It''s okay, it''s okay, little girl... we''ll- get you out of there, okay? Hold on."


    Starting to move away from the vending machine, the officer heads deeper into the alley and gets noticeably closer to where Caspian and Rosemary were. "Calling all officers to Cotton Valley Avenue, we have a child stuck in an alley vending machine between the intersections of Chestnut Street and Orchid Boulevard. Repeat, Cotton Valley Avenue between Chestnut Street and Orchid Boulevard. I am now currently in pursuit of the perpetrators potentially responsible."


    Cyan blinks at the officer saying this, smiling with relief for a few moments... before processing that last part. Perpetrators? Criminals? ... and she realizes the officer heard Caspian and Rosemary arguing, and was now under the belief they were responsible. "... w-wait! Officer, no-!" Cyan calls out to the officer to try and correct him, to no avail. The officer was too far away, already heading down the alley in search.


    Caspian''s eyes widen as he hears the officer saying this. "Pursuing the..." Realizing he was now being incriminated for putting Verness in the vending machine, he tries to quietly sneak away in order to avoid the trouble of this.


    However, he underestimates how close the officer was when he started sneaking. The officer turns the corner and immediately spots Caspian in clear daylight, recognizing him as a suspicious man trying to sneak away from a police officer. Seeing the potential sicko that was putting girls in vending machines, he shouts in an aggressively hostile tone. "You! Stop, in the name of the law!" Drawing his taser and aiming it at Caspian.


    Caspian would tense up as he hears the officer, hearing the sparks of the taser. All reasoning eludes him as he immediately assumes the officer just pulled a gun on him, intent on shooting first and asking questions later. This was an incorrect assumption, but one that sent tension through his body as he hastily reacts by kicking off of the ground and running away at an alarmingly fast speed. A burst of electricity sparking from his feet as he zooms away.


    The officer is astonished by this, seeing Caspian run away faster than he could use the taser. He immediately speaks into his radio. "All officers! Suspect is found, resisting arrest and fleeing on foot at an alarming superhuman speed! White haired, Caucasian male, wearing some kind of rainbow crown! Currently heading to vehicle to pursue!" Starting to run to his car, rushing past Verness and ignoring her calls for attention.


    Rosemary just blinks at the fact that an officer was now actually chasing Caspian. "... ohhhhhh crap. He''s screwed-" Promptly floating off to search for Giichi, immediately.

 #3 - His Name is Quade

    Quade McMurphy. 21, male, shapeshifter. Most distinguishable by his red-brimmed black cap, the man takes on countless forms and appearances in his daily life and has made a living using his ability to its fullest. As one of Giichi Hasegawa''s closest and most trusted friends, he finds himself occasionally involved in her adventures. When he isn''t fighting demons and helping "the Squad", as Giichi calls it, the man goes to work one of his main jobs: the jobs of other people''s.


    With the ability to shapeshift, Quade can take on the appearance and voice of anyone he wants. As a result, he reaches out and offers to take their identities for a period of time, often granting them days off when necessary. This ranges from covering for people in need of a day off to anyone who need additional help for each day. He''s worked as a driver, a handyman, a restaurant chef, a tailor, and so on.


    Right now, "Mr. Parker" -  a regular at his restaurant, and someone who needed to work to support his granddaughter - was the identity Quade took on. Their arrangement has Quade accepting 15% of the taxi fare in exchange for driving the taxi as him, thereby allowing Mr. Parker to gain an hourly paycheck as well as the fare. This was not a lot of money, sure, but Quade was more than happy to work this job.


    Plus, he''s good at it. Driving in Starveil was in high demand, especially with the high traffic congestion. Quade has the city''s map memorized by heart, understanding the intricacies of road safety laws and the optimal stops to drive. This job simultaneously gives him the opportunity of patrolling the city for any sort of immediate trouble, like crime or sudden anomalies that the D''Erricos are on constant watch for. Quade shares the same love of Starveil that Giichi has, finding the urban scenery comforting and pleasing to travel through.


    Of course, that only applies for when he doesn''t feel like he''s being watched by someone who can hide their entire body in shadows.


    "... so are you coming out of hiding now, Nyx...?" Quade speaks over his shoulder, using the voice of Mr. Parker to express mildly annoyance. "I know you''re back there, no use pretending like you aren''t back there."


    Confirming what Giichi had previously stated, a head peeks out from behind Quade''s seat. Revealing a woman with a devilish aura emanating from her body, her red eyes blink as she peers at Quade''s neck. "One problem. The sun is out," she informs Quade, a hint of elegance to her voice as she was playing innocent. "I hope that you remember my condition with... being in direct sunlight, dear."


    Quade lets out a sigh. "Would you believe me if I told you I prepared for this?" Reaching into the glove box of the taxi, taking out a light-reflecting blanket. "Here."


    Nyx looks at the blanket and- accepts it. Promptly crawling through the window separating the front and back of the taxi, her entire body contently seated in the passenger-side seat while she wraps herself up in the blanket. It was more than enough to cover her body, and she manages to use a corner of it as a makeshift hood.


    Nyx quietly stares at Quade with a calm look on her face, her eyes blinking at that statement.


    "..." Quade... uncomfortably shivers. The way Nyx stared at him, he felt her red eyes practically peering into his soul. Like a wolf or a bear, staring at a rabbit.


    "... Nyx, if I didn''t know any better, I''d assume you were out for my blood like a vampire," Quade tells her, chuckling lightly in an attempt to joke in honesty as he continues to drive. "What''s up?"


    "Nothing..." Nyx answers, looking out the window. "Nothing is up, Quade."


    "A... Alright, then," Quade responds, letting out a resigned sigh. Nyx was always vague like this. It was probably nothing, as she said.


    But in truth, it was not nothing. In the time Nyx has stared at Quade - passionately stared, by the way - she has proceeded to concoct an entire novel in her head about a vampiric story. In ten to twelve seconds, she has lived through a sort of romantic, twisted fantasy where Quade has been turned into a vampire and has been pursuing the fair maiden (her).


    The fantasy had a slow build up for the first half of it, progressing to the ending where the two of them [REDACTED INFORMATION OMITTED] and [MORE REDACTED INFORMATION INFORMATION] as Quade bites into her neck, claiming her mortality and [AGGRESSIVELY REDACTED INFORMATION OMITTED] in a shared heat of love and passion.


    Needless to say, Nyx needed to bury this fantasy after living through it. Shifting in her seat, biting her lower lip. It was not time yet, she needed the moment to be right, to be ready for Quade...


    "... listen, Nyx," Quade says to Nyx, eyes shifting to the right and in search of anyone calling for the taxi.


    Nyx, regaining her composure, interrupts him immediately. "I know. I am certain you are going to complain about my presence here once again, and will first inquire: why is it a problem that I am with you in this taxi, Quade?"


    "Well- first and foremost," Quade begins to explain, holding up a finger. "Even though I guessed you''d be following me anyway, you hid away back there and didn''t say a thing whatsoever. Not a single hello or anything. Got a reason for that?"


    Nyx nods, and promptly answers with her prepared excuse - refraining from telling Quade she wanted to bask in his candid presence. "... Quade," Nyx speaks, looking to the man with a calm look on her face. "One human''s nature. Blossoms in the light of man. All are beautiful. I did not want to disrupt your work by making my presence known, which- is why I kept secrecy of my presence."


    "... profound haiku, as usual, but- you did disrupt me, and now we''re here, so two:" Quade continues, gesturing to his old man face. "I am currently disguised as a different man. If anyone saw you with me like this, suspicion will occur. Someone could accuse an innocent man of cheating on his wife with a woman decades younger than him."


    Nyx is briefly fascinated at the thought of Quade being caught with her in public regardless of which form he was in, but- promptly shakes her head. "Well. I will concede that an affair is an issue. However, if I am counting the years appropriately, I am several centuries old. That issue alone could be-"


    "Not the point. Look, I''m-" Quade begins to speak, as their conversation is promptly interrupted by the sound of a phone ringing.


    Mr. Parker''s smartphone was positioned in the phone holder on the dashboard, secured for any personal calls or work calls. Quade was holding onto it to really sell the Mr. Parker shift, giving the man assurance that he would maintain character.


    Though, the call wasn''t coming from that phone. Quade''s own cellphone was ringing in his coat pocket, a flip phone that was currently beeping and ringing. "Oh, that''s mine..." Quade says, his voice shifting back to his normal one as he reaches for the phone, briefly glimpses at the unknown number on the display, and hands the phone to Nyx. "... Nyx, mind openin'' this up? Too busy drivin'' to open it myself."


    Nyx looks between Quade''s face and his phone a couple of times. "... very well." Taking his phone and opening it up. However, instead of holding it to Quade... she gets the idea to hold it up to her own ear. "Hello? To whom am I speaking?"


    Quade immediately tenses up as Nyx does this, mild annoyance turned to irritation. "D-Don''t answer on my behalf, give me the phone!" he demands.


    Nyx pulls the phone away, contently pressing herself against the door to keep herself far and distant from Quade. "Yes, yes, it''s me. Mhmm. Yes. Of course, he and I are currently exchanging an intimate moment. What is it? Oh. I see, well-"


    Quade grits his teeth as he pulls the taxi into a conveniently free parking spot in front of a frozen yogurt place, exhibiting his perfect parallel parking skills. Putting the car into park, before turning to Nyx and lunging his arm out to snatch the phone back. "I said, give it here!" he shouts aggressively. Holding his hand over the phone''s microphone, he promptly shouts at her. "If you ever do that again-!"


    Nyx is frozen still. Her hands trembling from feeling the warmth of Quade''s hand, even if the hand was not in the shape of his true form. Staring intensely at Quade with a blank gaze, processing the fact that Quade''s hands have taken something from hers. "..."


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Quade stares at Nyx''s hands, feeling... a little bad for shouting at her. It was enough to scare her, and- he believes he went too overboard, now. "... I- I didn''t mean to- ... sorry for shouting, just- quiet down for a bit..." he tells her.


    Quade then holds the phone up to his ear. "... anyway, sorry, please disregard my secretary-" he begins to lie as an excuse, before pausing and sighing with relief. "Oh, Giichi. It''s you. Done grocery shopping already? Ah." It was fortunate that Nyx didn''t speak into the phone with any of his other contacts.


    Nyx just stares at Quade speak into the phone, continuing to stare at him. The way he could just... switch from a fierce and scolding tone all the way to casual tenderness and familiarity. Hands folding on her lap, keeping herself together as her distant stare conceals the overwhelming obsession and infatuation flowing through her head.


    "I didn''t recognize the number, why- oh. You''re using a payphone? Ah. Yeah. Mhmm, Nyx was answering my phone, I''m still driving, yeah. Do you need a-? ..." Quade responds, about to ask if she needed a ride, but then pausing as Giichi interrupted him. "Wait, hold on, Cyan is... what?"


    Nyx blinks for a brief moment, returning to reality. "... Cyan? Is there an issue with Verness Cyan?"


    Quade holds a finger up at Nyx, listening to Giichi. "I- I see, okay. Cotton Valley... alleyway between Orchid and Chestnut- sounds good. I know a locksmith. Mind knocking on the door of the building this machine''s at? It''s good to get permission from whoever''s in there, and-"


    The man was immediately interrupted by something approaching the car, the distant sounds of police sirens approaching. Quade''s immediate guess was that it was... another speeder, and slowly brakes to be cautious.


    Quade then looks to the left, his eyes glancing at a passing Caspian dashing past the taxi. In one split second, as Quade was processing the sight, the two just look at each other in an indescribable silence divided between the taxi''s window. Then Caspian disappears with a blur, and a police car makes a sharp turn to chase Caspian.


    "............"


    Nyx looks to Quade, blinking at his silence. "So, what-"


    "Nyx. Seatbelt," Quade interrupts immediately.


    "Ah." Nyx reaches for the seatbelt and pulls it over herself, securing it with a click.


    Once Nyx was locked in, Quade promptly makes a swift U-turn and proceeds to continue driving. Going a little faster as he was now heading to the alleyway. "Giichi- you there? You said Caspian was with you? ... uhuh, got it. Just-" Quade audibly sighs into the phone. "Stay safe, I''m coming over there right now. Okay? Okay..." Pressing the end call button, and letting out another sigh.


    "Nyx, long story short, here-" Quade explains, handing Nyx his phone. "I need to make several emergency calls. Just press the numbers I tell you to. Keep quiet the entire time."


    Nyx, looking at the flip phone, nods. She gulps a little, feeling what semblance of a heartbeat she had as Quade was commanding her to operate the phone. It took every inch of her self discipline to refrain from responding how she instinctively would, simply just going: "U... Understood."


    Quade begins reading off various numbers, currently at least 15 minutes away from the alleyway. After Nyx dials the number, Quade''s locksmithing friend answers as the first number.


    "Huh? Quade? You sound panicked, I- ... oh, okay. Well, you called me at an inconvenient time, but- listen, you already know how to get into my place. To the left, second shelf from the right for the vending machine supplies."


    That''s on the way. Okay. Quade turns left and plans a stop there. "I see. Alright, Harvey, thanks. I owe you one."


    "Yep. I''ll call you later tonight."


    Quade then hangs up, and instructs Nyx to dial a second number. This time, a police officer speaks as the second number. One of his friends on the force.


    "... what? McMurphy, how did you know about- Okay- okay. Yeah, an officer saw a guy matching that description. He''s suspected of trapping a little girl in a- ... oh, you- know both of them? Okay. Okay, listen, I''ll try what I can, but don''t get your hopes up. This case reached up to the police commissioner, a child being stuffed in a vending machine is grave."


    Quade shakes his head and sighs. "Thank you anyway, Matts..."


    "Anytime. Are you free later tonight? I need a drinking buddy, the guys are really-"


    "We''ll talk later. Six O''Seven, I''m free to plan then." Hanging up and reading off a new number.


    Nyx wasn''t unfamiliar with the fact Quade had several... useful acquaintances. He has chatted like this before, but- this is one of the rare times Quade was urgently calling and cashing in his favors with clients. The sheer professionalism. Nyx just stares in pure admiration as she dials the next number, and-


    "W-What? Hold on, McMurphy? W-why are you calling me?"


    Nyx hears the voice on the other end, glaring at the phone immediately. It was a woman''s voice.


    In a fit of jealousy, she looks to Quade and was about to speak- prompting Quade to respond by reaching his hand out to block the phone and aggressively shush at Nyx. Glaring straight back at her, a deadly serious look as he wanted to make sure Nyx doesn''t say a single word.


    "..." Nyx just takes a deep breath and nods, keeping quiet.


    Quade raises his hand off of the phone. "... I''m calling in a favor. I need your husband to call the police commissioner, officers are chasing one of my friends."


    "W... Well, I- I mean, this is unexpected? I don''t know if-"


    Quade takes a deep breath, looking to Nyx and calmly saying: "Remember. Valentines Day dinner."


    "............ o... okay... I''ll- I''ll call him. S-So we''re good now, right?"


    "Yes, yes, we''re good," Quade responds, nodding as he hangs up. Continuing to drive as he pauses in silence. Giving Nyx ample time to ask questions.


    "So. Explain who-" Nyx immediately begins to ask, a hostile tone to her voice. The way Quade was familiar with this strange woman, this secretive one, it- spoke volumes to her. This woman was special to him for some reason, her blood boiling with overwhelming jealousy.


    Quade immediately interrupts Nyx, already knowing the question. "Wife of Starveil''s current mayor, happily married and has no intentions on changing that," Bluntly admitting one of his most powerful connections. "Went to their house on Valentine''s Day to cook a several course dinner for the two of them. She was self conscious about cooking dinner, and I let her take credit. It was romantic, they loved it, saved a favor with her the morning after."


    "... oh." Nyx blinks idly at this, starting to calm down. "I... I see. The way it seemed, I thought-"


    "Hold that thought, Nyx, we''re here," Quade instructs as he parks at the locksmith''s place. "Listen, stay here and keep watch over the car. Anyone calls on this phone, it''s a taxi job and you''re a taxi driver. Do not give your name. Answer and memorize EVERYTHING they tell you. Do you need a notepad?"


    Nyx- nods at all of this information. "Yes, I believe I need-"


    Quade immediately reaches for the glove compartment, opening it up and handing Nyx the notepad and pen. He writes something at the very top of the page, first, before he leaves the taxi. "Counting on you." Rushing straight into the building and urgently searching for the locksmithing kit.


    Nyx just... sits in the taxi, her eyes lighting up and sparkling as she was contently waiting for Quade. He- he trusted her with handling the calls. - looking at the phone as it promptly rings. "O-Oh!" Squinting at the screen... and pressing the green circle after some time.


    A deep breath as she stares at what Quade wrote. "Uhm- yes, hello. You have reached..." Squinting her eyes. "... Starveil''s Starwheels. Are you requesting a taxi?"


    "... uhm, I''m- this- this is Ernest Parker''s number, right?"


    Nyx blinks at the phone. Quade instructed her to be nameless. "... Ernest Parker cannot come to the phone right now. If you are in need of his services- please leave your name and phone number and we will get back to you shortly."


    "Well- uhm. Okay. It''s- Dahlia. 95 Clockwork Avenue. Can I leave a message?"


    "Yes, you may," Nyx responds to the caller, writing down the name and address. "What is your message?"


    "I love you. Please take me back."


    Nyx''s eyes widen at this. She remembers prior information Quade told her, how she couldn''t be seen with Quade because of a potential cheating scenario. Tensely staring at the phone, wondering how to respond. Having no clue whatsoever on how to handle this. Was Dahlia some sort of secret lover? Was this a part of the man''s personal life that not even Quade knew about? "... alright. Please hold for one moment. He- will be available shortly." Starting to write the message on the notepad.


    As Nyx was writing this, Quade- silently approaches the car, seeing Nyx speaking to someone on Parker''s phone. He waves to Nyx through the window, and points to the notepad as a signal.


    Upon Nyx showing the notepad and him seeing what Nyx wrote down, Quade''s eyes grow wide as he opens the door and quickly enters the car. Holding the lockpicking toolbox out to Nyx and placing it in her lap, before grabbing the phone and pulling it off of the holder.


    "Dahlia," he speaks into it, using his normal voice to Nyx''s surprise. A grim look on his face, visibly stressed. Trying to keep it together.


    "A-Ah! Quade, you''re- I thought you couldn''t- y-you got my message, right? Did-"


    "Don''t ever call this number again." Hanging up the phone immediately. Furiously sitting in place, before letting out a deep sigh... and starting to drive.


    Nyx blinks at that interaction, processing the entirety of what happened in that conversation. The person that called wasn''t- calling for the taxi driver. They were calling for Quade. And this infuriates her immensely. "... so, who is this Dahlia that-"


    "I don''t want to talk about it yet," Quade responds, staring forward as the car drives along. Determined to get Verness out of the vending machine and clear Caspian''s name and- "Other important problems take charge right now. I need to focus."


    "..." Nyx would- feel conflicted, looking to Quade with unease. His hesitance to answer... concerns her. She urgently needed to know about this woman, to know what connection she had with Quade. It wasn''t just of a client, she said she loved him. It was a confession. "Well, I simply want to know-"


    "Not." Quade firmly grips the steering wheel, a growl escaping as he grits his teeth. "Now."


    This effectively shuts Nyx up, and renders her speechless. She... begins to understand the full gravity of the situation, of how upset Quade was. Nyx desperately wanted to know who this "Dahlia" was, but...


    ... not now.


    And she can respect that. The two remain silent as Quade is driving to the alleyway. Nyx found herself temporarily unable to look in his direction, giving him all the space he needs. A solemn look on her face as she stares out at the passing buildings.


    "..." 95 Clockwork Avenue. Nyx makes sure to remember this.

 #4 - Overworked

    "... so you''re the guy called to get her out?"


    Quade, currently disguised as the locksmith, tips his red-brimmed cap as he addresses the one officer at the alleyway. Currently, the available police were stretched between pursuing Caspian and other calls that came into the station. "Yessir. You boys in blue get only the best. The owner''s not available?"


    The officer shakes his head. "No, he is busy at the moment. We did briefly call and inform him of the incident outside of his building, and that you were coming to get the girl out. Machine''s all yours," he says, stepping aside for Quade to pass.


    Quade contently nods to the officer, tipping his hat before walking down the alley with the toolbox of lockpicking supplies for vending machines.


    "Oh, and- another thing, ''Harvey''." The officer points at the cap. "Did more than enough. Got here and switched with the guy staying here. Dunno why, but the commissioner''s immediately calling off the chase and reports are being filed of the apparent misunderstanding. We good?"


    "..." A nod from Quade. "Yup. Thanks, Matts. Lemme just get Verness out, and we''re good."


    The officer nods, and waits outside the alley. Actively watching the street, idly thinking while on guard. Verness. Is that... like, Duchess or Princess? Furnace? Vernon? ... hm.


    Quade stands in front of the vending machine, putting the toolbox on the ground and starting to examine the tools available. "Hmm..."


    "...!" Verness Cyan lets out a gasp, seeing the man with Quade''s hat. "U-Uhm- Mister-"


    Quade nods. "Harvey. Gonna getcha out, Verness. Stay brave for us, okay?"


    "O-Okay..." Cyan contently nods. "U-Uhm- Harvey... the man they''re chasing, Caspian-"


    "Already being handled," Quade interrupts, starting to pick the vending machine lock. Taking a calm breath- before he turns the lock, and pulls the vending machine door open. "Alright. Come on out."


    Verness Cyan lets out a deep gasp as she gets out of the vending machine, breathing in heavily. "A-Ah! Thank you, thank you-" Moving to hug the locksmith.


    The officer just grins for a brief moment, and walks up to Quade. "So. Harvey."


    "Yup, I know. Talkin'' bout Quade and all? Dunno if I can show up, but-" Quade begins to speak, maintaining cover as the locksmith while addressing what they were previously talking about.


    "No, no, you said it yourself. Later," the officer interrupts. "I was just gonna ask- who''s the girl driving the taxi?"


    Quade would look past the officer to glance at Nyx, who was seated comfortably in the taxi. "Drove me here. For the record, I was driven here by Ernest Parker. Off the record- I drove here, and she just happened to be in the taxi."


    "Ah." The officer nods. "I see. Well, if that''s all. I''ll call in that the girl was freed from the vending machine. Get her home safe, okay?"


    "... are- you sure?" Quade asks, tilting his head as he pats Verness Cyan''s head. "Maybe the girl should stay with you, the police officer, until this case is officially over. It would be strange for a random locksmith with a taxi to escort her home?"


    The officer chuckles. "It''s all good. I vouched for you, in a way. Dispatch and the other officers are aware of her legal guardian being called to pick her up. Besides, we''re a little bit swamped today. Especially since some guy was caught with a DUI while speeding, and his car got split cleanly in half." Pointing off at an intersection nearby. "Right over there, actually."


    Quade blinks for a moment. "R... Really? D''yall have any pictures?"


    "Oh, yeah. Got pictures taken of the scene, have a few digital copies on me." The officer takes out his phone, presenting to Quade the images shown. "Quite the strange incident. Speed camera''s too blurry to really- tell what caused it, just that there was a figure there."


    Quade would blink idly at this. "Huh. How peculiar. That''s quite the predicament, Matts, I..."


    He lays his eyes on the speed camera picture, blinking as it shows the exact image of the car passing the crosswalk. Cut cleanly in half, yes, with a figure behind it standing on the crosswalk. A figure that was, indeed, difficult to see due to lighting. Fog and blurriness surrounding it, with a bright sparkling light making it hard to identify what the car ran into. Though, Quade could swear it was human. A person, somehow. Their silhouette somewhat distinguishable, round parts sticking out of the head with something sticking out of-


    Oh, god damn it. Giichi.


    Quade narrows his eyes as he immediately recognizes the shape of the horn. He even knows how Giichi managed to do this. 80 miles an hour with her small volume, the side of her body pointed towards the car. Built up draconic endurance to physical impact and a small habit of defying the laws of physics... yep. Giichi.


    The officer looks at Quade and raises an eyebrow. "Huh. You notice anything? Like, what that figure could be? The driver of the vehicle was too intoxicated to discern any features, but he said that he saw a girl and a guy, that he ran into the girl, and split the car in half. Kinda struggling to figure out the truth, though, since this footage doesn''t really- support this..."


    "..." Quade lets out a sigh. An exasperated sigh. "This... looks like a low quality picture, I reckon. Can''t make out what happened. Maybe the car''s in bad quality, Matts."


    "Yeah... do you think it''s maybe another demon? A possible invasion?" the officer asks, a worried look on his face.


    "Prolly not, Matts... just another mystery of Starveil, I suppose," Quade comments, covering his face with one hand and patting Cyan on the head with the other. "Well- if it''s alright for me to get this girl home, then- we''ll be off."


    "Oh!" Cyan noises, before separating from her hug and picking up the things that Caspian left behind. Cup holders full of drinks that had melted ice now, as well as a bag of tacos. "Uhm- so, we need to get these to Peritzal and Papaya, by the way...!"


    Quade looks down at Cyan saying this, and nods. "Sounds good. After you, Verness." Returning to the taxi with the girl, opening the back door for the girl.


    Cyan takes a moment to climb into the back, securing the taco restaurant food as she looks to the driver''s seat. "Oh, hi, Nyx-!" Cyan says to Nyx upon entering the back of the taxi, waving to her. "How have you been?"


    "... curiosity," Nyx begins to speak, moving back to the passenger''s seat as she looks at Quade. Seeing him walk around the front of the car, a slightly forlorn look on her face. "It burns and spreads like fire. I struggle to douse."


    Cyan interprets that haiku attempt and... nods. "I... I see. Hope you, uh, ''douse'' that fire...?" Reaching a hand through the window and patting Nyx on the head.


    Quade takes a seat in the driver''s seat, taking off his hat and fanning his face before shifting immediately back into Mr. Parker. "Ugh... okay... still need to work for a few more hours..." he mumbles to himself, leaning back. "First driving to Sunshine Apartments to drop off the tacos and drinks, then heading down to the Kingston house in South Starveil, heading back up to return the lockpicking toolbox..." Glancing at Mr. Parker''s smartphone, no missed calls. "Continuing to taxi, drop the taxi off, go to the bar with Matts-"


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "Quade..." Nyx interrupts his thinking. "I request you take a break."


    Quade looks at Nyx and- shakes his head. "... no, there''s a lot I gotta do, Nyx, I can''t just-"


    Nyx shakes her head. "Thirty minutes. A thirty minute break. There are no pressing concerns at the current moment. You are far from any of your immediate responsibilities. A brief break should do wonders. Verness, are you fine with Quade taking a small break?"


    Cyan would nod a couple of times. "Uhm- sure. It''d be bad if he was tired and, uh, accidentally crashes a car and everything... I say that he deserves a break."


    "Verness agrees with me," Nyx tells Quade. "A child recognizes that you deserve a break, Quade."


    "..." Quade... lets out a sigh, reluctantly agreeing as he rolls down the windows and turns the key to stop the car. "Sure, sure. Wake me up in exactly 30 minutes, okay...?" he asks.


    Nyx nods contently. "Yes, of course. Verness, please commence with the lullaby so that Quade may go to sleep."


    "Uh-" Quade noises, attempting to object. "Cyan, you don''t need to-"


    But it was too late, Cyan is now actively singing a song that she learned in music class. Quade, in his state of exhaustion and tiredness, grows drowsier with each passing second, his eyes fluttering a bit. It astonishes him briefly that Verness is good at singing lullabies... and then he sinks back into the driver''s seat, fast asleep. Arms crossed, head tilted forward with the brim of his hat shading his eyes.


    Nyx is contently seated, awaiting Quade''s slumber. A brief check to see if he truly has fallen asleep, discreetly waving her hand in front of his closed eyes. He was, indeed, out like a light, to be awoken in a matter of 30 minutes.


    "... Cyan, please try to keep him asleep," Nyx instructs the girl as she raises her hand, snatching Quade''s cap.


    "H-Huh?" Cyan asks, seeing Nyx take the hat. "W-Wait, what are you doing?"


    "Making sure that Quade gets his well deserved break," Nyx responds, putting on Quade''s hat. She takes a moment to pick up the toolbox, then holds her hand out to Cyan. "Now, hand me what I am to deliver."


    "U-Uhm... o-okay..." Cyan just- nods and hands Nyx the entire bag of Mexican food and the four large drink cups.


    Nyx then opens the passenger door with her foot, and leaps out of the car. Her body lunging out into the street, the girl running and sprinting across the street as fast as she could.


    For the time that she was in the sunlight, Nyx felt the sun aggressively burning against her skin, sizzling her body and inflicting great mounts of pain. She held the courage to force herself past it for Quade''s sake, dashing straight across the street and diving into the shadows of the city''s telephone poles and wires.


    Once she was in the shadows, she was safe. Nyx is able to hide herself and any belongings she possesses in dark areas - as long as it was deemed "shade", in any sort of way. Thus, the woman slips her entire body into the narrow shadows of the phone lines, now completely shielded from the morning light whilst in the ground. Poles, buildings, the underside of cars... so on and so forth.


    Nyx finds it rather trivial to traverse the day in such a manner, and her very existence is a bane to those that fear the night. The sun''s resting marks the moment she is permitted to roam free.


    However, she simply had less than thirty minutes to carry out her intentions. Nyx''s plan was as follows: pretend that she is Quade, albeit lacking in the abilities he possesses, and return to the taxi within the allotted time. Any further than thirty minutes, either Quade will awaken or his schedule will be interrupted. Time is of crucial essence.


    So she swims along the line shadows, traveling at her swiftest of paces. Leaping across the gaps of daylight between her ground, cautiously swerving and moving about. Upon reaching an intersection, however, the abundance of Starveil''s traffic on the busy road provides Nyx a blessing. Slipping underneath a car, planning her route.


    The closest stop was the apartment, simply right down the street of Chestnut Street. Ascending up the stairs quickly, arriving on the second floor and swimming straight to Apartment 207, Nyx knocks on the D''Errico''s door.


    The person to answer was Papaya, who was covered in ash and soot from their current project. "About time, where have you- ... oh- Nyx-" Papaya speaks, blinking at the woman. "Didn''t expect you today, what brings you-"


    Nyx promptly holds out the tacos and drinks to Papaya. "Yours."


    Papaya looks at the contents, astonished. Turning her back to Nyx as she puts the food on the kitchen counter. "O-Oh. Huh. Did Giichi send you to deliver this? I thought it a little strange she was grocery shopping for an hour, but-"


    She immediately pauses upon seeing that there was a lack of a Nyx at her door, left in the dark about what was happening.


    "... okay, uh, see ya later then, Nyx...?" she speaks, closing the door.


    Nyx continues to swim through the ground, planning her next act to return the toolbox. Her usage of traffic has yet to fail, as she hops from car to car.


    Once arriving at the street of the locksmith''s building, Nyx hides herself in an alleyway and rises out of the ground. Idly looking around for any nearby persons, Nyx''s eyes witness an umbrella that has been discarded. Utilizing an umbrella makes her ruse in the daylight a little more... believable, as she could actually stand as a person while shielding herself from the sun. Furthermore, the currently afternoon sun made it so the sun shines directly above her, making unnecessary the worries about which angle to hold the umbrella at all times.


    Her ruse begins now. Toolbox in hand, umbrella in the other, strutting out of the alleyway and turning to the locksmith''s front door. If anyone encounters her-


    "Huh- oh, hey, Quade."


    Nyx faces the person ahead, staring at the locksmith that Quade previously was. The name, Harvey... alludes Nyx at the current moment, but the man being here is rather convenient. She gives a content nod and holds out the toolbox to him. "Indeed. I have come to return the toolbox."


    "Ah- neat. You got the girl out of the vending machine already? That''s cool, cool. Sorry I wasn''t available-" the man answers, accepting the toolbox from Nyx. "... hey, so, actually, since you''re here already, I''m cashing in that favor you owe me right now. Cool?"


    Nyx shakes her head. "Sorry, but- I am admittedly busy, and need to tend to other affairs posthaste. You may... call me later tonight, as I have said."


    Harvey blinks for a bit, raising an eyebrow at Quade. "Well- I mean, should just take a minute at best, Quade. See, I just need to make Sheila jealous, the witch I was telling you about. It''s really important, I just need to record a short little video of me on a date with this blonde bombshell at my place, and-"


    Nonononono. Nyx cannot shapeshift. She absolutely cannot. She needs to stop this man... but the way he words it, this was a simple quick favor. Nyx cannot escape, either. Her approach must assist this man, while also refraining from shapeshifting. The approach should make use of her time, make it more convenient while maintaining Quade''s credibility...


    "Blonde?" Nyx interrupts. "That is very pitiful, going for a blonde woman. Why not a woman of this appearance?"


    Harvey blinks at this suggestion, astonished. "... uh- I- don''t know. A blonde''s hotter, harder to identify, and would work a bit better than this chick. Plus, isn''t she-"


    "Locksmith," Nyx interrupts, resting a hand on the locksmith''s shoulder. "Women with envy, they fall for the different. Go for abnormal." Making another haiku to emphasize her point, staring him down and nodding. "We shall go with me. This form is acceptable to invoke jealousy in this Sheila of yours."


    "... o... okay, dude-" Harvey comments, blinking at ''Quade'' and his weird... weird behavior, especially how Quade was referring to him as "Locksmith" rather than his name. Then again... it could be the character, the woman that Quade was disguised as. He''s never been wrong before... best to trust him for now, then. "If you really- want, sure. So let''s head on in and-"


    Nyx immediately shakes her head, deciding to make use of this favor by... multitasking. Getting this locksmith to escort her to her next destination, while also satisfying his needs for romantic jealousy. "No. What envy is there to be obtained when you utilize the same location you work in?" she asks, pointing at the building in disgust. "That is not worth jealousy from Sheila. We will film ourselves in a different location. Thus, you will drive us to 95 Clockwork Avenue."


    "Clockwork Ave-" the locksmith asks, blinking. "T-That''s all the way on the other side of the city! Quade, I thought you were in a busy hurry, why-"


    "There is no time to ask questions, Locksmith," Nyx answers, glossing past her erroneous judgment as she shakes her head. "We must be off. Where is your vehicle?"


    ... whoever this woman ''Quade'' was pretending to be was wild. "Uhm- okay. My... ''vehicle''... is just over here." Gesturing to the red motorcycle with fire decals parked at the curb in front of the building. The commitment Quade has with this woman to pretend he doesn''t even recognize Flameburner, with all the time he''s spent with it... "Let''s get on going, then."


    "Very well." Nyx sits down on the back seat of the motorcycle, holding the umbrella. "Get your camera ready. We shall begin filming."


    Harvey was briefly confused as to why Quade was sitting in the back seat, and then proceeds to feel further confused about Quade''s suggestion. "D-Dude, are you nuts?! I can''t drive and hold a phone at the same time, I don''t think-" Harvey objects, before- shaking his head. Quade knows what he''s doing, go with it... "Fine, fine, okay, you''re the boss... geez..."


    "Excellent," Nyx comments. Contently nodding a couple of times, thinking and pondering to herself. Approximately 19 minutes to go across town, to find where this "95 Clockwork Avenue" was.


    She blankly stares at the back of the locksmith''s head, briefly spacing out in her own fantasies again. Upon fulfilling half of his tasks and assisting this locksmith, Nyx will need a little bit of a... reward...~ for her services. Mmm...


    "... uh- Quade-" Harvey asks, a little unsettled at how in character Quade was. "I''m not recording yet, you don''t have to-"


    "Shhhhhh..." Nyx noises, continuing to visualize the fantasy as she wraps her umbrella-holding hand around Harvey''s waist. Pure passion and desire burning in her red eyes as she responds. "I am getting in character, locksmith. Do not interrupt my process."


    "... oooookay," Harvey comments, as he begins to drive the motorcycle. Quade, who the hell is this woman and how do you know her???

 #5 - Organized Crime in Starveil

    "... Rosemary. I know you can- carry bags if it''s your entire mass, but squeezing a small part of yourself to open locks is out of your capabilities."


    Giichi blinks for a few moments at Caspian, those words going through her head. Squeezing yourself to open locks. Locks. Without a key, you need a specialist to open locks. A locksmith, a guy who makes keys and picks locks for legal clients. People who prove they own the thing that the locksmith is working on.


    A lightbulb sets off in Giichi''s head as she walks away from Caspian and Cyan, letting Caspian and the mist handle the vending machine for now. In order to get the vending machine...


    ... she needed to call someone that knows who to call!


    Quade!


    "Good idea, Giichi, that sounds like a good plan!" Caspian exclaims. Giichi hears this from the distance, beaming. It WAS a good plan to call Quade!


    Grinning widely as she continues to run down the alley. She didn''t have enough to buy a new phone and didn''t have a phone immediately on her, but what she did have was enough to pay for a call on a payphone. There was one on the other side of the alley, one she managed to glance at while she was on the way home!


    And there it is! Payphone! Giichi rummages through her pockets for change, slipping it into the funny little slot that takes coins, then dials Quade''s number.


    "Wait, hold on, Cyan is... what?"


    "Stuck in a vending machine-" Giichi explains, leaning her back against a wall while holding the phone up to her ear. "Apparently crawled through it and all. We''re on- Cotton Valley Avenue, between the intersections of Chestnut Street and Orchid Boulevard."


    "I- I see, okay. Cotton Valley... alleyway between Orchid and Chestnut- sounds good. I know a locksmith. Mind knocking on the door of the building this machine''s at? It''s good to get permission from whoever''s in there, and-"


    Giichi nods idly, hmming. "Alright. Alright. What else?"


    Silence.


    "...?" Giichi tilts her head. "Uh... Quade?"


    "Giichi- you there? You said Caspian was with you?"


    "... yeah, he was?" Giichi answers, tilting her head. "I stepped away to call you, and-"


    "Uhuh, got it. Just- Stay safe, I''m coming over there right now. Okay? Okay..."


    Giichi raises an eyebrow, just... putting the phone back onto the payphone box. What was that? Is something wrong with Caspian? She starts to walk back down the alleyway to check on him, wanting to see if he was alright-


    Feeling something tug on her arm and pull her arm in a direction. Giichi looks at her arm moving back, blinking at it for a moment. "O-Oh! Rosemary. You were still back with Caspian, right?"


    The arm moves up and down, then continues to be pulled back. Rosemary rarely does this, but she was trying her best to communicate with Giichi and tell her not to go down the alleyway... the best she can do while not possessing Giichi, simply just grabbing Giichi''s arm and crossing the fingers on it.


    "Ah..." Giichi does get the message, and walks back out of the alley. A worried look is on her face as Rosemary is basically telling her not to check up on Caspian, the girl oblivious to the reasons why. "... well- uhm- hmm." Thinking to herself as she looks around, pointing to the alleyway on the other side of the building. "Here, I''ll go this way!"


    Giichi then walks into the alleyway, walking deeper into it. Idly thinking to herself how she could check on Caspian, to see if he''s alright. She doesn''t have a cellphone, nor does she really want to use the payphone again to call anyone else... maybe she can go into a place, use someone else''s phone to check on Caspian.


    Walking down the alley, she finds a restaurant that might have a phone. Located deep in the alleyway, on the first floor of an entire building crowded in between the surrounding apartment buildings, a noodle restaurant. It appears to be traditional in design, but... it may have a phone.


    So, Giichi walks down the stairs and opens the door, looking around for the owner to ask to use his-


    "So you''re gonna get us the money, geezer, or we''re gonna-"


    Giichi stands at the open door and overhears this, just idly staring at three shady men in suits surrounding an old Vietnamese man in chef uniform. Blinking her green and yellow eyes, visibly poker faced at this information.


    "..."


    "..."


    The three men immediately draw their guns on Giichi, focus taken off of the old man and now on this random bystander. "You walked into the wrong building," one of them say.


    Giichi just processes the scene, looks between all three of them, stares at the old man, and promptly steps to the side. Hands held up, tensely  "S... Sorry- I, uhm, I didn''t- I-"


    Suddenly, out of sheer compulsiveness, a nearby table is promptly thrown at one of the gangsters, cracking in half against the top of his head. Giichi watches in shock as the man remains standing for a few moments after impact, both exchanging looks at each other. A calm and composed look on the gangster''s face for a few seconds, before he promptly falls over and collapses like a ragdoll once his brain registers the pain of the table.


    Rosemary, the gaseous entity right next to Giichi, reacted rather hastily to the men pointing guns at Giichi. Unbeknownst to Giichi, this table attack was a power move on her end, and the gaseous entity is on the offensive. Shouting at the top of her lungs (or, rather, Giichi''s lungs):


    "DROP YOUR GUNS OR I WILL DO THAT AGAIN."


    The two remaining ones, briefly stunned in shock, are in sheer disbelief at this... and are absolutely seething. The center one calls Rosemary''s bluff, gritting his teeth and firing his gun straight at Giichi''s head. The trigger was pulled quickly, Giichi unable to dodge in time. In that instance, the bullet hits her forehead, and delivers a lethal blow that kills the girl.


    Or, at least, it would have, if bullets were even strong enough to damage her head.


    "G-GAH-!" Giichi screams, raising her hands to her forehead. Wincing in agonizing pain as she feels her forehead, the bullet falling to the floor with a clink. The bullets only penetrated down to her skin, unable to make a single dent in her skull. Giichi did feel the bruises on her forehead, but if she could remain relatively unharmed after an 80 MPH car drives into her, bullets weren''t going to do the job against her durability either.


    The two gangsters stare in shock at this, eyes going wide at the sight.


    And then Rosemary lifts up another table and bashes it over the head of who fired. Not even attempting to throw it this time, just simply swinging the table down for a fiercer impact, knocking the man unconscious.


    "I WAS NOT KIDDING," Rosemary promptly shouts, and commits to another threat as a third table is raised in the air.


    "............" Stunned and in shock at the sights before him, the last remaining and conscious gangster wisely drops his gun and falls to his knees, surrendering.


    Giichi- pulls the bullets away from her head, tossing them aside with a tense look on her face. "Hhh..." Rubbing her head in pain, looking around for where the old man went off to. "U-Uhm- a-are you okay?"


    "Y... Yes-" the old man answers, visibly shaky as he peeks out from the counter. Phone in hand, currently on the line. "I- I''m calling police..." Before redirecting his attention to the call.


    Giichi nods, contently standing in place. Taking a seat at one of the chairs, contently waiting.


    Soon, the door opens and Caspian rushes in, tensely breathing as he- looks around to see two unconscious men and a guy tied up in rope.


    "... uh-" Caspian noises in confusion- before seeing Giichi and Rosemary sitting on stools, understanding the situation immediately... before shaking his head. "A-Anyway! Giichi, I found you- listen, the police are currently on my tail, you gotta hide me...!"


    Giichi blinks a couple of times. "... b-but you don''t have a tail..."


    "I''m being chased!" Caspian exclaims, glaring at her. "I- I came back just because I was running away, and like- the police are EVERYWHERE! T-They''re not gonna stop until they catch me for putting Verness in the vending machine...!"


    "Oh! Uhm- well, I don''t think hiding here''s the best idea," Giichi comments, pointing her thumb at the three suited men. "The old man who owns this place is calling the police on these three gentlemen right now."


    "Yeah, I''m pretty sure you''re getting locked up along with these guys if we stick here. Miiiight wanna find somewhere else to hide," Rosemary comments, arms crossed as she stares at the gangsters.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    "S... Shoot...!" Caspian noises, visibly tense as he runs to the back of the building. Running through the kitchen to head out the back exit, starting to search elsewhere.


    Giichi shakes her head. "W-Well, wait for me, I- I''ll at least help...!" she calls out, running after Caspian as she passes the old man. "S-Sorry, mister, w-we have to go now...!" Exiting the back door.


    The old man just watches the three pass by, actively on the phone with the police. "Wait-"


    Immediately startled as the police enter through the front door, the officers in search of Caspian... and seeing three criminals just in the corner of the restaurant.


    "..." The old man briefly covers the phone, and smiles. "Speedy arrival... care for some food, officers? Free in 30 minutes..."


    One of the officers just- speaks into his radio to report the scene, sighing.


    Caspian, only having those officers off of him, just runs and darts around the city and its buildings, aimlessly just looking for a single safe place to hide without the police finding him.


    In response, Giichi was trying to follow and pursue him to help as well, but her running speed didn''t match his whatsoever. "... h-hold on!" Giichi calls out as she concentrates, her wings extending out of her back. Skeletal in nature, made completely out of bones, defying the laws of physics as Giichi manages to take off with them - starting to fly after the accelerated Caspian.


    In trying to keep up with him this way, however, Giichi would have her flight rendered slightly unstable, currently struggling to make every twist and turn that Caspian was making. She holds up for a while, before she ends up flying through a window of an apartment.


    "W... What in the..."


    Giichi lets out a groan as she lies on the glass-covered floor, tense and worried about whose place she broke into accidentally. Looking around to see several well suited gentlemen, and tensely just- clasping her hands together in apology. "I- I''m sorry! P-Please excuse me!" Heading out their apartment door and opening the window in the hallway to fly out.


    The gentlemen in question just stare in bewilderment, as they were in the midst of printing counterfeit money. Also gangsters.


    "Oh, what are the odds?" Rosemary asks, contently floating outside of the windowsill and having seen the men with Giichi''s eyes. Recognizing a criminal counterfeit operation with men dressed rather similarly to the people who fired guns at Giichi... after Giichi flew out of the building, the gaseous entity promptly and loudly shouts loud for the police on the ground to hear. "Police! Counterfeit operation up here, broken window!"


    "... you little-!" one man exclaims as he draws his gun and aims at the cloud, infuriated.


    "W-What are you doing?!" one of the other ones exclaim. "Those blokes''re now gonna get right on us! We gotta ditch the evidence, quickly!"


    Rosemary just floats off to follow Giichi while these gangsters panic with incoming officers. A content smugness in the cloud of gas as she flees the scene.


    Caspian has made no attempt to slow down as he was too panicked to stop. Running himself up a multi-story company building, managing to stick himself to the surface of the wall with each step as he runs. Multiple officers now pinpointed on his exact location, with police cars and vans driving through the city to keep up with him, as well as some police helicopters gaining a visual on the individual.


    At the same time, Giichi sees Caspian running up the company building and sees that he''s possibly going to reach the top and run down after. She starts to fly around the building to follow, wrapping around it and taking a shortcut to keep up.


    Rosemary, accompanying Giichi strictly, ends up catching a glimpse of something while Giichi flies around the building and over the sight. Two suited men... exchanging briefcases in the parking lot. Gang deal.


    "Police! Poliiiiice!" Rosemary loudly shouts, looking to the police chopper and gaining its attention before pointing down.


    "... what in the-" an officer in the helicopter noises, staring down to see the two men... his eyes widening. "H... Hey! A drug deal''s going on down there!" he exclaims to the others in the copter.


    "Drug deal?!" the helicopter pilot shouts, flying downward to close in on the deal. The police dropping out of the helicopter and intercepting the two men, pilot screaming into the chopper''s megaphone system. "Police! Hands up, drop the cases now!"


    The two men doing so, absolutely bewildered by this.


    This marks the beginning of a trend with these three.


    Caspian, currently with no clear destination in mind, running across the city from building to building, street over street, simply utilizing his enhanced and accelerated body to practically flee at alarming speeds from the cops.


    Giichi, attempting to follow and fly after him, either accidentally stumbling upon certain buildings or simply just trying to utilize shortcuts to keep up with Caspian.


    And by some sheer coincidence, discovering some criminal operation with gangsters on the scene, Rosemary loudly alerts the nearby officers of the criminals and leads to their arrests... out of sheer pettiness.


    This repeats over and over again as the three travel throughout the city, police absolutely swamped with arrests upon discovering the gangsters committing various crimes all at once in this short period of time. Hundreds of men taken into custody, Caspian exhausting all of his options one by one as he unknowingly leads Giichi and Rosemary to rat out a crime syndicate.


    "B-Breaking news!" a reporter loudly exclaims in a news helicopter. "S-Starveil City''s being overrun with gangsters and crime! It started with police in search of an individual suspected of putting a little girl in a vending machine and fleeing at an alarming pace. However, in pursuit of this individual and failing to catch him, the police have intercepted countless criminal gang members being discovered in the act... of crime!"


    Broadcast throughout the city, several news reporters were in the midst of recording the arrests live. The three from the restaurant, the four from the money printing apartment, the various people caught tampering with cars and vehicles with illegal explosives, brake cutters and such...


    "... you are not going to believe this, dispatch-!" an officer shouts as he and his partner discover two gangsters shoving a man into a vending machine. Effectively having proof of individuals shoving people into vending machines, clearing Caspian''s name?


    Caspian eventually... decides on the last place he can think of to hide away from the police. Somewhere safe, the very last place he wanted to go.


    "Huh. Nyx was just here, now you! Quite the surprise," Papaya says, answering the door.


    Caspian stands in front of Apartment 207, just visibly worn out. His legs weak and trembling, his breathing heavy. "D... Don''t... care... please... hide... me..." he begs, gritting his teeth hard.


    "Alright, but if I let you in and all..." Papaya hmms in thought, smirking. "... we basically need you to act as our little battery! 12V, kinda like a- oh, I dunno, lithium ion battery. Promise?"


    "Fine... fine..." Caspian mumbles, groaning as he brushes past Papaya. "Just... let me in- uhghhg..."


    Once Caspian was through the door, Papaya chuckles contently and reaches for the man''s cup that Nyx brought over. "Alright. That''s a deal, then~"


    Caspian takes a sip of the drink, gulping it down and replenishing his energy. The residual symptoms of his accelerated body dissipating as he drinks the cup down.


    "Want another?" Papaya asks, handing him Giichi''s drink. "The soda''s diluted, so Giichi probably doesn''t want this anymore."


    Caspian accepts the drink, chugs down the drink and absorbs even more water. Letting out a deep sigh into the cup, making sure the water vapor is contained to the cup. "Ahhh... so much better-" Caspian mumbles to himself, idly stretching. "Thank you, now- ... actually, wait, that was Giichi''s? You... you have the drinks?"


    "Yeah. Well, Nyx came here with the tacos that Giichi agreed to get us," Papaya says, picking up her half-eaten taco from the table and taking another bite out of it. "She did come without Giichi, who has been gone for hours, so I kiiiinda thought something was up," Papaya answers, chuckling. "We''ve been checking up on your little situation and all!"


    Peritzal sits up and lets out a yawn, a flying drone currently holding a burrito and a half melted milkshake. "Yes. Your name was cleared a mere five minutes ago. You no longer have a reason to take shelter in this apartment, Caspian."


    "I mean, totally stick around, you did just promise to be our battery," Papaya answers, smirking. "Got pleeeeenty of water if you get tired and all."


    Caspian... groans lightly, arms crossed and sighing. "I... did promise to do that, yes..."


    Papaya pats Caspian on the shoulder, and smiles. "Don''t worry, we won''t be taking long..." Gesturing him over to the corner of the room. "Peri, is the thing that needs a battery done yet?"


    Peritzal shakes her head, directing Caspian''s attention to the project they were working on this entire time: a tiny, miniature dancing cactus.


    "..." Caspian squints his eyes at it. "I... I''m sorry, how am I going to power this?"


    "Concentrate electricity into your finger," Peritzal responds. "We''ll measure the voltage appropriately, separate the finger from your body and use it for the time being..."


    Caspian lets out another sigh... "Why the hell am I friends with you people...?"


    And thus, as a now innocent Caspian agrees to be the battery, and while Nyx continues her ruse as Quade while he takes a nap...


    "... where- did- he- go...????"


    Giichi, exhausted while standing on top of a ferris wheel at the Starveil Boardwalk, heavily wheezing after having flown around the entire city for Caspian. Her breath extremely heavy, clouds of red mist spreading outward...


    <hr>


    Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location...


    A man currently in a suit, sitting in his dimly lit office. Receiving the news of the police seizing countless criminal operations, facing away from the men giving him the news.


    "... you''re... telling me, and- and I need you two''s to repeat yourselves, in case my hearing''s going bad..." the man speaks, his deep voice a heavy weight to these criminals. "... that over two hundred men have been apprehended by the police, simultaneously all at once, because of some exclamatory voice ratting you all out...?"


    "Y... Yes, boss," the gangster speaks, looking down at the floor. "That is what happened."


    The man, the boss, head of the syndicate that had its members arrested, takes a moment to slowly turn his chair to the men, leaning forward and placing his hands on the desk. His eyes staring at the gangsters before him, a look of bubbling irritation on his face, ready to burst. "I see. And are any of you men responsible for this? Have you brought me the head of the person that could have caused this?"


    "No, sir. We have come simply to... deliver the news to you, to... to inform you of it. Currently, we''re trying to figure out who could have done this..."


    "So you have not brought me the head of the person that caused almost the entirety of the Blackbird Syndicate to be arrested. I see."


    In that very instant, the boss raises his hands in the air, takes a deep breath, clenches his fists, concentrates all of his might into his vocal chords, and lets out a resounding...


    "GOD-!" Slamming his fists down with all of his might, violent fury unleashed from his mouth. "(BLEEP)ING DAMN IT! GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE AND FIND THE BUMBLING DEAD MAN, NOW!"


    "R... Right away, boss!" the gangster shouts, as all of them promptly leave the room.


    The boss just remains slumped over his desk, trembling and shaking. Starting to violently caw as he continues to release his pent up anger. A murderous look in his eyes, trying to visualize the person in question.


    The boss''s phone begins to ring, and he reaches for it. Clenching his chest and falling back into his seat, hyperventilating as his rage was blinding him and making him cease to function...


    ... and the crow takes off, flying to the cabinet in the corner and carrying a bottle of pills to the man, popping some into his mouth. The man reaches for the pitcher of water and the glass cup, pours the water out, and takes a deep gulp of water... taking a calm breath as the medication works its wonders, and he answers.


    "Hello?"


    "Sir," a voice speaks on the other end. "I have gotten into contact with Joey. He and the others are in custody, and... he has described the individual that has been responsible."


    "I see... I see. Scare," the man speaks, looking to the crow and whistling him over. The crow promptly flying and putting a notepad and pencil on his desk, the man preparing to draw. "Please go ahead and describe her."


    "Alright, so it''s a girl with brown hair..." the gangster begins to describe Giichi.


    "I have a pencil," the boss interrupts.


    "A girl with hair..."

 #6 - A Ruse of Jealousy

    Once the motorcycle was on the road, Harvey... starts to understand what Nyx was suggesting. As he held one handle of the motorcycle while holding the phone, Nyx has the umbrella-holding hand currently wrapped around his waist, and uses her free hand to hold the other handle. Leading to this rather... intriguing camera angle, that was in the midst of recording.


    "Hey, love~? Where exactly are your eyes right now...?" Nyx passionately comments, playing the part while looking over Harvey''s shoulder. Keeping her eyes on the road for the man, intending to convey a deep passion in order to invoke the pure jealousy of Sheila. "Your eyes better not leave me for a single moment, once we''re off this vehicle..."


    ... Harvey, recording a twenty second clip before stopping. "O-Okay, that''s enough- I''m going back to driving-"


    "Stop, Locksmith," Nyx instructs Harvey, realizing that he has stopped recording with the phone. She points to the flower cart up ahead, drawing his attention to it. "We must stop here, for the sake of your objective."


    Harvey takes a moment to pull the motorcycle up to the flower cart, and just... stares at Nyx. "S... So, what''s your plan, buddy...?"


    "Begin filming us again," Nyx commands, wrapping her arms around Harvey once more.


    Harvey... presses the record button, and-


    "Oh my gooooosh~" Nyx calls out, pointing at the flower cart. "Love, those are the prettiest flowers I''ve ever seen! Look at them...!"


    "..." Harvey slowly turns the phone to the flower cart, showing the man selling them. The man selling the flowers just- blinking and waving as he''s on camera.


    "They''re the most beautiful thing in the world...~ nothing, no one can compare to them!" Nyx boldly comments, before discreetly nudging Harvey with both of her legs.


    Harvey is- confused, before... "Uhm... I mean- they''re not the most beautiful... obviously, you are," he responds.


    Nyx gives a loud gasp as she hugs Harvey tighter. "Oh my gosh oh my goshhhhh~ looooove~" she calls out, feigning embarrassment as she nuzzles lightly into Harvey''s cheek...


    "..." Harvey proceeds to stop recording again, and just tensely sighs. "Quade, I-"


    "We have enough material," Nyx interrupts, staring at Harvey. "What was your plan to invoke this woman''s jealousy?"


    Harvey is just- bewildered. "I... plan? I was just- gonna s... send them to her? How else would-"


    "Locksmith," Nyx interrupts once again, her eyes narrowed. "Send it to her friends, any mutual ones you possess. Aim to notify the ones closest to you, who knew of your... relationship. Add in some of your additional friends as well, to cement the rationale. It will reach this Sheila."


    "Quade, Sheila''s not-" Harvey speaks up again, before... sighing. "... fine. Fine. Okay. Trusting you on this, dude..."


    "harvey"


    "who the hell is that b----?"


    "... oh my god, it worked," Harvey responds, briefly glancing at the phone after sending the videos. Somehow, the video reached Sheila rather quickly, and he just- he''s astonished. There she is, texting him.. "How''d- how''d you know that would work, Quade?"


    Nyx scoffs. "It is simple. Sending it to others will bring more attention to you, more attention that Sheila would not give if you sent it to her directly. Furthermore, I am fully aware of your social media, and posting it in that manner does not centralize the threat. Friendship will make it as if you deliberately have done it to celebrate a woman rather than gain useless publicity. This method crosses between both lines, provoking her ''allies'' to notify her of the mysterious woman who is enamored with you. If this Sheila is as much of a witch as you have indicated, she will be enraged. And she will give the desired response you are looking for."


    "You... you genius..." Harvey comments, looking at Nyx with a visibly impressed expression on his face. Ready for Quade''s next wisdom... "S-So you said we have to go to 95 Clockwork Avenue?"


    "Indeed," Nyx responds. "Reply to her with one single ''who'', as well as a question mark. Then turn off your phone until further notice. We will fuel her ire, make her seethe with rage." Clenching her hand into a fist, now reciting a new haiku. "We will face the stream. Growing, roaring waterfall, unable to be stopped."


    "... Quade, if things don''t work with Sheila, please hook me up with whoever this chick is," Harvey responds, grinning widely as he types that exact message to Sheila. "I''m genuinely kinda curious ''bout what my shot with her is."


    "Unfortunately, she would not be interested in romantic affairs due to... circumstance," Nyx responds, hesitating to inform the locksmith about her... deep connection with Quade. "But there will be plenty of maidens out there for you. Onward, locksmith, to Clockwork Avenue."


    "Loud and clear," Harvey answers, receiving a text notification from Sheila before turning off his phone. Starting to drive again.


    Meanwhile, in the taxi, Quade remains asleep. Cyan keeping watch over him, nervously just- looking around, waiting for Nyx to show up. It''s- almost thirty minutes, and there''s no sight of the woman... causing her to worry and panic.


    If Quade began to wake up... Cyan has no idea how she would stop him. She was thinking of an idea, how to-


    RING. RING. RING. RING. RING.


    Cyan would squint at the actively beeping phone, blinking as someone was- now calling Quade. Quickly, she lunges out to grab the phone, answering it quickly to silence the sound before ducking in the backseat.


    The cost is clear. Now it was time to address whoever this was. Holding the phone up to her ear. "... h... hello?"


    "QUADE-!" a woman''s voice loudly shouts, startling Cyan and causing her to fumble with the phone. Her ears ringing idly, the woman''s voice managing to transcend the limitations of phones that weren''t on speaker. "WHO THE HELL IS THAT B---- WITH HARVEY?!"


    Cyan is visibly tense and worried as she looks to the phone. "Uhm...!!! Q-Quade''s c-currently asleep, he can''t answer the phone right now, so-!!"


    "OH DON''T YOU PULL THAT LITTLE GIRL S--- ON ME, YOU DID NOT JUST PULL YOUR LITTLE ACT ON SHEILA," the woman''s voice exclaims. "GET YOUR BUTT SOMEWHERE YOU CAN SPEAK NORMALLY, NOW, BOY. NOW!"


    Cyan starts shaking. "I- I really-" Unsure how to respond, starting to sob a little as she''s being aggressively yelled at.


    ... and a hand quickly takes the phone from her, slipping it out of her hands.


    This startles Cyan as she looks up to see Quade looking back at her. Her eyes going wide as he has woken up anyway, realizing that he''s been snapped out of his sleep by the very audible voice that has been screaming in the phone. "U-Uhm! Quade-!"


    "... I- got this," Quade tells the little girl, smiling at Cyan as he holds a hand over the phone microphone. "Thanks for tryin'' to get me some winks of sleep, Verness, but I don''t want you answerin'' the calls on my phone, you hear?" Before holding the phone up to his ear and sighing. "Hello? Sheila? What is it?"


    "WHAT IS IT?! WHAT IS IT?! HARVEY SENT ME VIDEOS, THEN DECIDES TO COMPLETELY UP AND GHOST ME!" the woman on the phone exclaims, livid and furious beyond belief. "I KNOW IT WAS YOU, WHO THE HELL IS SHE?!"


    Quade squints his eyes. "I... what? What are you-"


    "I AIN''T PLAYING GAMES, MCMURPHY, THAT B---- OUT HERE TRYNA STEAL MY MAN, SITTING WHERE I SIT ON HIS BIKE?! WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY GOING, QUADE?!"


    This causes Quade to glare forward at the windshield. "Sheila, I seriously don''t know what you''re talking about, who exactly are you talking... a... bout...?" Looking to the side to realize Nyx wasn''t in the taxi. And also realizing he was missing his hat, and Harvey''s toolbox was not where he left it.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Putting two and two together almost immediately. As Sheila begins snapping and incoherently shouting at Quade with the furious strength and power of a wild bear, Quade looks to Verness with narrowed eyes. "Cyan, where''s Nyx?"


    "U-Uhm- I, uh-" Cyan responds, shaking her head. "I... don''t... know?"


    "..." Quade just nods contently to Cyan. "I see. Don''t worry, you''re not in trouble. Do you think you need to go home? Or can you help me out a little in the front seat?"


    "I- I can help out," Cyan answers, opening the back door and exiting the taxi to change seats.


    Quade then redirects his attention to Sheila, speaking to the phone once more. "Sheila- Sheila, Sheila, okay, calm down a little, calm- I said calm! Okay. Now, I want you to take a guess on the reason those two are set up." Quade starts the car once again. Looking back to Cyan and mouthing to her: seatbelt on, and hold this. The girl doing so, holding the phone.


    "OBVIOUSLY YOU, MCMURPHY, WHAT OTHER PERSON COULD SET THAT LOSER UP WITH A GIRL LIKE-"


    "No, Sheila, I had nothing to do with this," Quade responds. "Some wisdom from a guy who''s wised up to handlin'' people, I reckon you''re neglecting his needs and he shot his shot with a new woman! I''ll go and get Harvey right now, and you can do whatever it is you want to him, but maybe he wouldn''t do dumb plans like this if you showed him you care more often!"


    "W-WHAT?! ARE YOU ACCUSING ME OF NOT GIVING A S--- ABOUT THIS GUY? THE GUY WHO''S CHEATING ON ME RIGHT NOW?! HUH?! HOW DARE-"


    "Steve," Quade immediately speaks up. "He told me about Steve. Y''know. The one from five months ago."


    Audible silence from the woman on the other end, before she immediately hangs up.


    "..." Quade just sighs hard, holding a hand to his face as he shifts back into the taxi driver form. Starting to drive along, relieved.


    "U-Uhm... who''s Steve... and... what-?" Cyan asks.


    "Tell you when you''re older, Cyan," Quade responds, rolling his eyes as he pulls into traffic. "Grown up stuff."


    "Oh..." Cyan responds, closing the phone. "So where are we, uhm, going...?"


    "That''s a good question..." Quade now had to figure out where Harvey was going... no, where Nyx was taking him. They were on a bike, going somewhere. It''s likely Nyx was using him to go somewhere, but where...?


    ... his eyes glancing at the notepad as he thinks. Dahlia... 95 Clockwork Avenue...


    Harvey and Nyx arrive at the destination in question, shortly after Quade finishes that call. 95 Clockwork Avenue: a fancy restaurant, five stars. Gourmet cuisine served in a classy restaurant for the finest of clientele...


    Nyx glares at this building with unease. Growling faintly as she was trying to imagine this... lover... of Quade''s. Putting her hat on and just taking a calm breath... she needed to be ready, she needed to focus, she needed-


    "Ohhhhh my god!" Harvey exclaims as he checks his phone, he''s just in absolute disbelief. Fifteen missed texts from Sheila, as well as 10 missed calls in the short time he''s been driving! Harvey just looks to Quade with a wide smile. "Sheila''s going nuts, Quade!" Harvey exclaims, staring at the phone with absolute wonder. "Maaaaaan- we gotta keep going with this! You good with it and all? Or should we stop, before this girl you''re disguised as is-"


    Nyx immediately shakes her head, scoffing. "Locksmith. Do you take this girl for a coward?" A proud, hearty laugh as she crosses her arms. "Challenged, with no fear. She will fulfill her duty. Such is natural!"


    Harvey is genuinely considering meeting this real woman, at this point, staring at Nyx with awe as they enter. "Wild, man! ... but- wait, so, what''s- the plan? Are we getting a table, ordering food? This place is, uhm... I can''t really afford it, so-"


    "Well... we don''t need to enter," Nyx responds. "It''s too flashy to record ourselves enjoying a romantic meal together. We can simply film ourselves on the outside, and pretend that you have a reservation for us."


    "Really?" Harvey asks. "How does... how does that work?"


    "Well, we will frame it as you telling me to close my eyes in front of here. We will walk up to the restaurant, and you will frame it as a surprise," Nyx responds. "Something you couldn''t have told me prior, and- we''ll... get a little creative, to provide reason as to why you are not filming us in a restaurant. Compliment me and treat me as if I''m better than this Sheila, behaving like you''re deliberately trying to one up this Sheila now."


    "Okay- okay, so- alright. I''m ready," Harvey says, adjusting his phone. "Tell me when you are."


    Nyx holds both of her hands over her face, and nods. "Begin."


    Harvey presses the record button, backing up slowly with a pretend smile on his face. "Alright- and... you can open your eyes now!"


    Nyx lowers her hands, looks up at the restaurant again, and begins her act. "Whaaaat?!" Nyx gasps in absolute shock. "Ohhhh my gooosh- love, you didn''t- you-" Turning to Harvey and wrapping her arms around him. "H-How long have you been planning this?!"


    "..." Harvey smiles, and starts going along with it. The way Quade shifts between their personas- was this something the girl did? Or was it Quade putting his own spin to it? Well, no time to ask questions, time to play his part as well. "Well- I''ve- been saving it for... someone like you, y''know? You''re the kindest, sweetest, and-"


    Nyx lets out a tender ''awwww'' as she pulls Harvey close, staring deeply into his eyes. Giving him a very- passionate stare, selling the ruse. An intimate couple of inches apart, locking her eyes with Harvey to... "authenticate" this deceitful act.


    Harvey just... freezes in place, staring back into the red eyes. Growing increasingly nervous. Quade''s commitment to this is scaring him, maybe even- exciting him a little. B-But it''s just a character, it''s pretend, it''s completely- completely pretend, Harvey. calm down- calmdownnnnn...


    "Well...~" A hand slowly raised up to Harvey''s cheek, Nyx smirking. "You''ve gotten enough of my reaction...~? C''mon, turn it off, let''s make the afternoon something to remember, love...~" Nyx tells the man on recording, smirking at the camera. "Whoever this is doesn''t need to see... our personal affairs? I want it to just be completely... me... and... you..."


    Harvey- nods, and stops recording. Shaking in his feet, completely overwhelmed by this entire moment. It''s Quade, it''s Quade, it''s Quade, it''s Quade, don''t think about it, don''t- it''s not- he''s not- oh, but what if he''s... aaaaugh...


    "U... u... uhm- I... I think I- uh- that''s- enough for... S... Sheila..." he stutters, gulping. "T... Thanks... Quade..."


    "Wonderful. Send it to her posthaste," Nyx responds, walking to the door and putting the cap on. "I now have to meet with someone here. Do wish me luck, Locksmith, for this is a very crucial meeting."


    "G... got it, got it..." Harvey responds, taking several deep breaths and calming down. Mentally recovering after... that. "So... w-what''s next? Wait to see what Sheila d-does?"


    "Well, depends. There is a possibility that this Sheila will come here, her burning jealousy a wildfire in the woods," Nyx responds, rubbing her chin lightly. "... I suggest waiting outside, if possible. Sheila comes, and you tell her that this was a ruse, completely make believe. It will relieve her to know you want more attention from her, and she will be putty in your arms, Locksmith."


    "S... Sounds good," Harvey comments, blindly trusting "Quade" on this, not aware of the fate that will befall him once Sheila gets her hands on him.


    Nyx then enters the restaurant, leaving Harvey behind to examine the interior.


    "Ah. Good afternoon," the man at the front podium speaks. A finely dressed man in a suit, the ma?tre d''. "Master of the House", as it is called, a ma?tre d'' is an esteemed waiter that manages reservations, seats guests, and so on. The man looking at the hat for a brief moment, squinting his eyes. "... do you- have a reservation here?"


    Nyx nods contently. "The reservation is in the name of a Dahlia. She should be... expecting a Quade McMurphy."


    "... but of course. She has yet to arrive, but her reservation includes instructions..." Looking up and down Nyx. "... miss. Please, right this way."


    Nyx bows lightly and begins following the ma?tre d'' to the table, closing the umbrella once she was away enough from the doors. Contently walking as formal as she could, passing by several esteemed patrons. A vast sea of regality, an assortment of fancy attire, belonging to people she has no knowledge of. Yet, the air around them holds... weight to it, each of them holding themselves to high esteem, high reputation.


    And whoever this Dahlia is, she must be one of them.


    Nyx is seated at a table for two, her seat adjacent to a divider that separates the outer seats from the inner seats. She knows her manners, but... this was on an entirely different level. Her eyes gazing down at the assortment of utensils and the plate before her, reaching for the napkin and feeling it.


    The ma?tre d'' smirks for a moment, then leans in and whispers. "Pulling out this woman for your chat, Mr. McMurphy?" Looking up to the hat, now that they were in a more private area.


    Nyx- looks to the maitre d'' and nods. The ma?tre d'' is also one of Quade''s contacts. "... indeed. I believe it... best... to face her in this form."


    "If you insist. Someone will be out with you shortly, for your order. Miss Rosefield has insisted in her instructions that anything you order will be on her. She expects a ten minute conversation at the very minimum once she arrives."


    "Very well," Nyx responds. Hands on her lap, sitting straight, ready to wait for this woman.


    The ma?tre d'' continues. "Now, if you require any... assistance, I have informed staff to keep watch for your... signal. Someone will approach the table and ask if you need anything. Tell them that you need the scallops, and you will be out of here."


    Nyx... nods, unable to ask for what the signal is. However, she knows it must be something that is "undetectable", so it must be covert in some way. "Understood. Merci beaucoup, monsieur."


    "... je vous en prie, madamoiselle," the man responds, smirking a little before returning to the front of the restaurant.


    Left alone to her wares, as the waiter approaches to get her order. Nyx was passively in thought about how this conversation will unfold. The approach she must take, everything she must know about this Dahlia.


    Formal. A lover. Someone who Quade has a negative opinion of. There are many ways to go about this. Befriending her. Make a mutual relationship. Tell her off. Give her a reason never to speak to Quade again. These ten minutes were decisive and essential... and Nyx needed to prepare for everything.


    "Quade," a female voice speaks.


    Nyx looks to the woman, taking a calm breath. "Ah, yes. Hello, Dahli-"


    Face to face with the "woman" in question... Quade, dressed entirely in a waiter''s uniform, his hair significantly longer than usual. A woman''s haircut, yet his face and body remain the same. His eyes glaring down at Nyx, demanding explanation.


    "... a," Nyx continues, staring back at Quade. Having not... prepared for this.


    "We need to talk. Now."

 #7 - The Devil That Betrayed Quade

    Several minutes after Harvey sent the newest video to Sheila, a taxi arrived at the restaurant. Harvey didn''t pay the vehicle any mind as it parked, and just kept waiting outside as instructed. Sheila hasn''t responded yet...


    Then, Harvey looks up from the phone again, and notices Quade stepping out of the taxi. Blinking for a moment, astonished- did Quade sneak out the back or something? Was this a part of his plan, to use a taxi? The wonders that this man goes to... it''s- it''s getting so unsettling. Sheila''s already provoked, this is a really intricate plan...!


    Quade- Quade, furthermore, is just dressed in a waiter''s uniform, with extremely long hair. His face as toned and chiseled as normal, with just the hair and clothes different. What was his- what was his plan here? Was he going to get Harvey in the restaurant? Did he need Harvey to-


    "Harvey," Quade speaks, walking straight up to the man and grabbing him by the shoulders. Firmly squeezing them tightly, glaring at him.


    ... Harvey? Huh? "D... Don''t you mean Locksmith?" Harvey asks, confused, way too used to being called locksmith at this point. Starting to feel flustered again, in an absolute panic as Quade was up close to him again.


    He wasn''t going to- use this form to continue the recordings, was he? Oh no, oh god, no, don''t be a guy when you''re doing this to me, man, Harvey thought, visibly shaking in uncomfortable fear-


    "Where the hell am I?" Quade immediately asks, glaring at Harvey. "Do you know where I went?"


    "... w-what?" Harvey asks, blinking a couple of times. "Y... You''re here? Standing in front of me? I don''t-"


    "Change of words," Quade interrupts again, glaring. "What. The hell. Was I doing a moment ago?"


    Harvey stops being flustered and just stares at Quade as he asks this. Bewildered, perplexed, all those fancy words that indicate ''what'' to the man. "... you- I guess you said that... you were meeting someone here? So you told me to-"


    "That''s it," Quade idly responds, letting go of Harvey''s shoulder and heading to the restaurant door. Full confirmation that Nyx was here to meet Dahlia... his hands clenched tightly into fists.


    Harvey just- blinks at this. "Uh... so are we gonna-"


    "Harvey, go home, take a shower, knock some sense into your head, then go to Sheila''s," Quade immediately tells Harvey. "Making the one you love jealous ain''t ever worth it. Make up with her properly. She''s readyin'' up a storm ''cause of your little camera work. It sure taught her a mean ol'' lesson, and she''s ''bout to teach you one."


    Harvey''s eyes widen. "How... how bad is it?"


    Quade then enters the restaurant without a word.


    "... oh no," Harvey noises in mortal terror, running to his bike and starting to drive away. Regret plastered all over his face, already trying to come up with the words for his apology.


    Quade just takes a deep breath, and looks around for Nyx. Tensely on the search for Dahlia. He didn''t tell her he would be coming, so she isn''t here yet, but... it''s only a matter of time.


    "Good afternoon, sir," the maitre d'' welcomes Quade, smiling. "Do you have a-"


    "It''s me, Scott," Quade interrupts, arms crossed. "It''s me. Did someone come here, pretending to be me?"


    "Pretend-" the ma?tre d'', Scott, noises as his eyes widen and he leans forward. "... M... Mr. McMurphy?"


    "Yes, Scott. Long story short, this... person... is someone who has my hat, and is impersonating me," Quade responds.


    "Y... Yo, Quade. You- You freaking serious?" Scott asks, dropping his formal act as his real voice comes out in a whisper. "Ain''t no way- I- I had a hunch, but- man, I shoulda known from the beginning. You, talking to Dahlia?"


    So she is here for that... Quade just sighs, looking around the restaurant. "Is she here? Dahlia, I mean. Does she know I am here?"


    "N... No, she ain''t, but- you know her, prolly got eyes on you once..." Scott responds, nervously staring at Quade. "... Quade, should I retrieve the hat from this woman, get you out of here before she can-?"


    "It''s fine," Quade responds. "I can handle it just fine. If Dahlia comes here, stall as best you can. Just- what table did she arrange? Where is the other me?"


    "In the back..." Scott answers... taking a deep breath, and regaining his voice. "... but of course, sir. Allow me to show you to your table." Starting to escort Quade to the table Dahlia has reserved, leading the man to the back.


    Once Quade arrives, he has a full view of Nyx and glares down at her in the seat. Hat on her head and everything. His words could not describe how he felt in this moment. Bearing witness to her audacity, staring at her with an incomparable fury.


    If this were anyone else, he- he wouldn''t even be approaching them peacefully. Because this was a friend, he... he holds back his anger the best he could. Limiting his anger to his eyes.


    Quade takes a moment to wave Scott away, and points to his ear. The signal being to tug on his ear three times with his middle and index fingers, while his thumb was stretched out to the neck over his hair.


    "..." Scott bows lightly and walks back to the restaurant''s front, on watch for Dahlia.


    With that set, Quade returns his attention to Nyx, and calls her attention. "Quade."


    "Ah, yes, hello, Dahli-" Nyx speaks, looking up at Quade. A look of realization in her eyes as she gazes upon him, noticing his differences and all. "... a."


    "We need to talk. Now," Quade immediately tells Nyx, his teeth clenched.


    "Yes, very well," Nyx responds, gesturing to the seat across from her. "Go on and take a seat- I have ordered filet mignon, cassoulet de toulouse, and some cr¨¨me br?l¨¦e. Alongside a bottle of non-alcoholic cider, given the possibility I would need to drive. These are some fine culinary dishes, and I am willing to share them with you while we wait for-"


    "Quade..." Quade tells- himself... as he takes a seat across from Nyx. "I''m not eating. And you''re not eating."


    Nyx looks to Quade, and shakes her head. "The food is already ordered, we might as well-"


    "Look," Quade interrupts again, leaning forward. "You wanted to know who Dahlia is. And ''cause I wouldn''t tell you, yer immediate thought was to come here, pretending to be me to talk to her. Am I right, ''Quade''?"


    Nyx... narrows her eyes at this, a hint of worry on her face. She... she begins providing her reasoning, to try and defend herself, to justify her actions. "Indeed. But I wished to satiate my curiosity. This woman holds some significance to you, and... as a friend, do I not have a right to know her? To know what upsets-"


    "You DON''T have that right, Quade," Quade tensely tells Nyx, scowling at her with a raised voice that doesn''t disturb the restaurant. "What went through your head to think you should have done... this? That you were allowed to do anything you did today?"


    "..." Nyx... Nyx is caught off guard by that questioning. Starting to- hesitate, starting to grow increasingly concerned. "... because-"


    "No, hold on," Quade speaks up, leaning forward. "Really think about it. I ain''t got a clue on the metaphorical devil knight thing I can compare this to, so I will tell you bluntly. My closest friends don''t know everything ''bout me. Giichi doesn''t know everything about me. And you are not. Above. Any of them. At all. Not in the slightest."


    Nyx feels her- heart shatter as she was told this, eyes widening. It''s starting to dawn on her the gravity of this, how upset Quade was about this. "Q-Quade, I-"


    "You''re a creepy, downright terrifyin'' woman with a hyper fixation on me for some reason, but I let it slide, ''cause it was harmless enough, that you just wanted to hang out with me or somethin''. I thought you wouldn''t do anything crazy to me, but guess what? You did! You crossed lines today, and I''m absolutely- furious!"


    Nyx hesitates, falling back in her seat, shaking as she was subject to Quade''s anger. She wanted to say anything to remedy this, to own up to her actions and apologize with all of her heart. She did not see the errors of her ways, so she-


    "I just- do- do you even know what you''ve done?" Quade continues, before Nyx could do anything. "Do you know why I''m upset, Nyx? Without my knowledge, you intruded my job and potentially jeopardized a friend''s life had I not discovered you, you snatched my phone and carelessly spoke into it, and you lulled me to sleep. All of these I could handle, the last being... helpful and considerate, sure, that''s alright."


    Quade pauses to take a deep breath, and continues. Eyes locked on Nyx, unloading onto her his anger with the growl in his voice. "While I was asleep, you''ve done stuff out of my control. You used MY hat to impersonate me," placing his hand on the table, "spoke to MY friend and made him do something stupid," standing up, "decided to come to a restaurant after hearing a personal call," leaning forward and violently glaring at Nyx, "and you sit there, pretending it''s okay to be here."


    "..........." Nyx... looks down in shame. Hands on her thighs, holding them tightly as she was left speechless. She... she... she feels awful... absolutely rotten... absolutely-


    Quade doesn''t let up on Nyx. He was holding back as much as he could for this ''friend'' of his. "So. Tell me why you did it. Did ya have a real good reason to? One that doesn''t make me even more pissed off? More livid, angry, all those words we can come up with for downright mad?"


    Nyx... shakes her head, admitting her... her... errors, to Quade. Weakly... surrendering, weakly responding and answering... "... n... no. I... I don''t. I... I shouldn''t have... done... any of it... I''m-"


    "Okay. Glad we cleared that up. The best you should know is that I wear a hat, and that this hat is important to me." Quade speaks as he reaches over the table for the hat. "So I''m taking this back, and we are out of here, and-"


    However, his eyes glance to the side, tensely clenching his teeth before his hands could even touch the brim. Dahlia was here, and Scott- stalled her the best he could, but she was just walking in. She knows what table she ordered specifically. "... c... crap- Nyx- she''s- damn it...!"


    Nyx looks up, blinking at Quade- seeing him get up and back away from the table. His- his rage and her guilt on pause as Quade is- freaking out for some reason, moving far back into the restaurant. Keeping his face away from her. Nyx started to grow worried, and was ready to follow. Nyx-


    "Ah, Quade. You''re here."


    Nyx stops, before she could get up from the table. Freezing in place and keeping herself seated, as her eyes follow the woman that was taking her seat where Quade was.


    She was a red haired woman with fine, brown eyes. Dressed in a fine, silky red dress. From the glances of what skin she revealed, Dahlia had an excellent skin care routine, and... altogether, looks to be a well kept, attractive woman in modern standards. Something Nyx lacked, with her inability to pay for clothes and fancy beauty products.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    "... Dahlia," Nyx speaks, staring forward at her. "You''ve arrived."


    "Yes, indeed. I was- admittedly surprised, given how you spoke into the phone. But..." Looking up and down Nyx, seeing... interest in how Quade decided to appear. "... you did receive my confession, and chose to arrive here before a time had been arranged. So... I suppose that is alright. I expected much worse."


    Nyx takes note of Quade''s aversion to this woman, and... "Y... Yes... I- reckon... that you should- take a seat, Dahlia," the red-eyed knight responds, doing her best impression of Quade''s natural accent in her own voice. "We- need to talk ''bout that."


    "I see... so we will have this conversation with you looking like that woman-" Dahlia begins to speak, gesturing to Nyx''s entirely female body. "I mean- I''m fine with that... I enjoy whatever form you happen to be in, and all."


    Nyx watches as Dahlia takes a seat, her eyes glancing to Quade in the background. A calm look on her face as she had no choice but to go along with this. In contrast, Quade was just nervously staring, just- on standby, trying to see where this was going.


    "..." Nyx then looks to Dahlia. "So. ''Bout your message..."


    "Ah, yes... sorry, by the way-" Dahlia responds, smiling. "It''s just that my calls are immediately dropped and canceled on your phone, so- I did need to find your current character''s phone and all. So- right, I heard a woman''s voice. Is this- your... secretary? The one that answered the phone for you?"


    Nyx nods. "Y... Yep. She''s... a friend who was with me. I was picking something up for a- different job, and she was with me to help out."


    "What job is it?" Dahlia asks, leaning back with a smile. "Are you helping out your friends once more?"


    "... well, kind of, but... it''s a personal job for them. One that I just had to do, nothing really important about it," Nyx answers, deciding to take the secretive approach. This- this woman was... an ex-lover confessing to him again, so... Quade needed secrecy.


    Her eyes glancing to Quade, gauging his reaction.


    Quade was far back in the restaurant, back against the wall adjacent to the kitchen door. Staring at Nyx tensely, but- just contently listening in, nodding faintly. Able to hear the two of them even from this distance. Dahlia does know that Quade helps out his friends... that''s good enough to reveal.


    Dahlia squints her eyes at Nyx. "Personal? Wow. As secretive as ever... how''s your dog, by the way? Sparky."


    Nyx was... uncertain about this dog that Dahlia was talking about. He had no dog at his house, there was no dog in sight. This had to be a falsehood- but, she sees Quade in the back, just nodding his head actively. A signal that Dahlia was correct about his dog.


    Then, Nyx... deduces what happened, based on the absence of this Sparky. "... gone. He passed away... some time ago."


    "Mm..." Dahlia lets out a sigh, closing her eyes. "My- condolences, and my apologies. Let us change the subject to a more pleasant topic. How is Harvey doing, by the way? Harvey Smith."


    Nyx blinks for a moment at this. Harvey? Who was... that again...? "Harvey Smith. He''s... doin'' well. I still talk to him about..."


    Quade signals to Nyx his hand turning an invisible door knob, with his other hand holding some sort of stick up to it.


    ... ah. The locksmith. Nyx knows enough about the locksmith. "... his life, and all. His relationship, his business. One of my closest pals I rely on, y''know."


    "I see. I will admit that I believed him to be a... closeted homosexual," Dahlia speaks up, shaking her head before continuing. "But then again, he''s with Sheila. So..."


    "I would like to- change the subject and get back on topic," Nyx responds, eyes squinted. "About your confession-"


    "Yes, yes, that," Dahlia responds. "Of course, of course. I feel like addressing that. But if it is alright with you, I would like to order. I was thinking of getting some filet mignon, cassoulet de toulouse, and some cr¨¨me br?l¨¦e..."


    Nyx is... feeling a strong sense of... irony... as she speaks to this woman. Her words saying a lot about her character, her personality. As if it was a case of d¨¦j¨¤ vu, as if she''s seen all of this before. As if all of this was familiar.


    In fact... Nyx lights up upon realizing. Dahlia''s choice of topics, her persistent questioning. How she knew to- call the taxi driver''s phone. She does not know for certain, but...


    ... Dahlia Rosefield is a stalker.


    One that knew how to get information about Quade without his notice, one who knew he would be at this restaurant, one who knew a lot more about him despite them cutting off contact. Dahlia came to this restaurant not because she was notified- it was because she knew Quade was coming here, and instantly found herself here in a short amount of time from where she called from.


    Nyx keeps her cool, in case she was wrong. If Dahlia was a conventional stalker, Nyx would have spotted her countless times when Quade was alone. No. She could only speculate, but was on guard in case. The goal was to be friendly, to... to keep her here, to discuss things somehow. She does not know where this conversation was proceeding, but... but... it had to end with a rejection, in a way natural to Quade. "What a coincidence, I reckon. That''s what I done gone ordered as well, to- wait for you."


    "Really?" Dahlia speaks up, smiling. "I suppose I could- ... no, no, it- it is unbecoming of a lady to... split food with her lover in such a fine, fine establishment."


    "Yep..." Nyx responds, agreeing fully. Hesitating at this- information, now actively on guard. She was being rivaled by someone who is almost as creepy as her. A former lover seeking to know as much information of Quade as possible. "So-"


    "But- with you..." The woman takes a moment to get up, walks around the table and sits on one half of Nyx''s seat, closing the distance between the two immediately. "I... feel as if I could- betray society''s standards just this once, allow myself to... give in... to my urges..."


    Nyx- Nyx watches as Dahlia sits with her, forced to scoot a little. Unsettled at her- forwardness, how... how she could do what Nyx could not. "... that- Dahlia, I ask that you not-"


    And Nyx was interrupted, as Dahlia moves in, and presses her lips against Nyx''s. Stealing a kiss from her, locking their lips together.


    Quade''s eyes widen at this, shocked and visibly- tense. Worried for Nyx''s- safety, but... but hesitating to do anything as the two women kiss. He can''t reveal himself to Dahlia. If he was found now, he''d be unable to escape her. He- he couldn''t bring himself to stop Dahlia, powerless to do anything. Feeling tense as he bites the nail of his thumb, looking off to the side. A yellow bellied coward...


    Nyx... Nyx was caught vulnerable by this, a tense look as a twisted look forms in her eyes. The kiss throwing her into an impure fantasy, one that has her- kissing Dahlia back. Losing herself in the twisted visual of doing the same to Quade, of embracing his lips in such a manner, of stealing Dahlia''s role in this moment. Side by side with Quade, giving up her morals for him, and kissing him in a bold move to entice him. Her eyes closing and returning Dahlia''s kiss with her own passion.


    "..." Dahlia pulls away with a curious look upon Nyx returning the kiss. A faint sigh as a... blush... catches her off guard. "... m... my, my... I- I''m- sitting next to an impostor...~"


    Nyx- comes out of her... her fantasy, eyes fluttering as she stares back at Dahlia. A chill going down her spine as she felt like she was caught in that moment. W-Why did she know that Nyx wasn''t Quade? "W... What? Why do you say that?"


    "Quade... back then, even when you''ve changed bodies, you would always kiss the exact same way, ''McMurphy''," Dahlia explains, revealing that she didn''t realize Nyx wasn''t Quade yet. "The same boring way that you thought was... romantic... each time. It''s why I always led. Why I left, admittedly. I left a boring man who only ever behaved the same way with me, regardless of how much he can change. You were- boring, in every semblance of the word."


    Nyx- Nyx narrows her eyes at this, noticeably... offended, on Quade''s behalf. "... Dahlia, I- that''s- I don''t think-"


    "Quade, I''m talking about back then... you- you''re..." Dahlia states, elegantly taking Quade''s hat off of Nyx''s head and beginning to fanning her face with it. Absolutely enamored by the kiss, her blushing cheeks deep and rosy. "You appear to be more passionate since our breakup. Even- even though you were enraged, possibly uncomfortable with me, almost wanted nothing to do with me. Y-You still managed to embrace my- my advance with this newfound passion...! You''ve done enough to excel past my other lovers- I- I love you, Quade...~"


    Nyx is visibly panicked at this confession, and- ... and...


    ... and... stares at Dahlia, a violent glare forming in her eyes.


    Other lovers.


    Other. Lovers.


    "... other lovers...?" Nyx asks, her voice shaky.


    "Ah- yes... you will be happy to know that I called off my arrangements with them," Dahlia begins to explain. "Shortly after our breakup, I cut ties off with them. I tried to explain this, but never got the chance... but- they''re no longer in my life, Quade. I don''t need them, not anymore. So please, please, please... please accept me into your arms once more, I promise never to let you go again! I''ll make you happier than you ever-"


    Nyx then stands up immediately, slamming her hands against the table. Glaring down at Dahlia, the reason for their breakup revealed to her in that moment. "Silence yourself."


    "... w... what?" Dahlia asks, confused as she looks up at Quade with longing eyes. "I... I''m sorry, and-"


    "Silence!" Nyx loudly shouts, slamming her fist against the table as she kicks the chair over. Forcing Dahlia to fall over, collapsing against the floor. "What gives you the right to come back and look at me after what you did?! You, who dare tarnish the sanctity of a romantic connection with your infidelity!"


    There were countless eyes on the two as Nyx was making a scene and started to gain the attention of the other patrons.


    Quade stares with a tense look on his face, Nyx gaining his attention when Dahlia was kicked over. Tensely- needing to do something, and looking to Scott with his hand raised up to his ear. About to do the signal, as he pulls his ear once, twice, and-


    "Dahlia Rosefield!" Nyx exclaims, forcefully snatching Quade''s hat away from Dahlia. "You! You are a rotten woman who does not deserve a single ounce of respect. A wretched, foul, despicable rat in the midst of those in standing! To think you would show your face to me, show your face in public! Betray those lovers you falsely hold in your hands!"


    Dahlia lets out an offended gasp. "Y-You kicked me over and out of the chair...! You do not have the right to do this, to treat me this way! I-"


    Nyx continues to shout, disregarding restaurant etiquette as her voice could be heard by everyone in this restaurant. People who were eating this drama up, people entertained by this show.


    "You are a filthy, filthy woman whose mouth dare not come into contact with human flesh ever again! Lest you spread your pathetic harlot essence and stain any person with your pathetic, pitiable, horrendous manner of what you call ''kissing'' a man! You sicken me to my very core and do not deserve to hold MY hat, let alone be near it, with any part of your body. if I see you go anywhere near me again, there will be nothing to contain my fury."


    "..." Dahlia glares at Nyx. All love for Quade gone in that moment, her face showing her as the wretched and vile woman she was as she shouts back. "You dare say all of that about me?! You were head over heels in love with me, McMurphy! What exactly gives you the right to order me around?! If I want you, I will have you at any cost! Nothing I have done is wrong in the eyes of-"


    Dahlia is promptly interrupted as Nyx raises her hand and punches down on the table, a loud crack sounding out as the table ends up breaking. Several gasps sounding out, with restaurant patrons- both impressed, both terrified.


    None more terrified than the woman subject to Nyx''s wrath, a complete tone shift as her eyes gaze at Nyx in horror.


    "Guess what? I am not the Quade McMurphy you are bored of, the McMurphy you are trying to rekindle your relationship with," Nyx immediately declares. "I am far worse. Worse than you could ever imagine. The Quade that wants nothing to do with you ever again. There will be no waking moment of mine that you will ever approach me again. Your face will be gone from my memory, wiped clean to the point where I will never feel upset towards you again. Because guess what? Your love is not needed. I, myself, have another lover!"


    Quade''s eyes widen as Nyx exclaims this, a tense look on his face. Walking- closer, intent on breaking this up now, walking closer.


    "That is right, Dahlia. Her beating heart thunders and roars for the man you disregarded back then! Her passion for me as fiery as the sun itself. Someone who understood my worth, someone who could appreciate me for everything I do instead of treating my life like a game! Do you know about her?! Do you know what she would do to be in your position, to be regarded as something you took for granted?!"


    Dahlia was speechless, shaking, trembling. Every breath she took cold, nervously sweating as she- she feared what Quade was going to do to her. Every so often, her eyes glance at the broken table, then back up at ''Quade'', at the man she hurt...


    Nyx''s face darkening as her red eyes glow brightly. Glaring deeper into Dahlia''s eyes, staring into her soul. Unholy wrath on display for the woman, as her hand raises from the broken table. The handle of a sword visible as she was pulling out her trusty weapon she kept in the shadows. Dahlia has yet to see the sword, as the table blocks her view from it. "Now, I am going to be blunt with you. Explicitly clear. Dahlia, you will stay away, or I will show no mercy, and I will bury you into the-"


    Quickly, Quade grabs Nyx''s shoulder and begins dragging her out. "M... Miss, you''ve caused quite a disturbance in this restaurant. I will have to ask you to leave, immediately!" in a fake voice.


    Nyx''s eyes briefly glance at Quade, her face starting to return to normal... as she drops the sword back into the shadow, and complies to being dragged out. Staring at Dahlia with conviction, glaring at her as she''s escorted out.


    "..." Quade just leaves, walking past the maitre d''. Taking a brief look to Scott, mouthing: Sorry for the table.


    Nyx looks at the maitre d'' with a calm expression, her rage subsiding. Also mouthing: I am sorry...


    ... the sound of applause echoing throughout the restaurant.


    "Bravo! Bravo! That- that was magnificent!"


    "Good show! Good show! Jolly good show!"


    Scott turns back to see the restaurant uproar in applause, in disbelief as the entirety of the restaurant was applauding- all of that. A portion of them thought it was a show put on, that it was a spectacle arranged for the restaurant''s entertainment. The few that knew it was real, applauding the entire- rant that Nyx pulled off on a vile cheater. Everyone else unaware, simply applauding because everyone else was. Restaurant staff even joining in from the kitchen and throughout the restaurant.


    It truly was an "I did something, and everyone clapped" moment unfolding before Scott.


    The loud applause puts Dahlia into further shame as she remains on the floor, yet... she doesn''t feel that shame. She was still mentally processing that entire moment. Staring as the two were leaving, absolutely shaken beyond belief. Feeling her heart beating as she holds her hand over it, left in a cold sweat.


    ... w... who was that woman...? And why do I feel... feel...


    The restaurant would later be reimbursed for the table Nyx broke.

 #8 - A Heart to Heart Between Quade and Nyx

    The two entered the taxi. Verness Cyan saw the passenger side door open and took a moment to crawl through the window divider back into the backseat. It was... lucky... that the front of the fancy restaurant had a shadow cast over it past 2PM, so Nyx was able to safely enter the taxi. Quade and Nyx taking their respective driver and passenger seats now, silent after that as the applause rang out in the background.


    Nyx had a hand over her chest, staring out the window. She blurted all of those... words... out, as Quade. Taking- even more freedoms with his name. Doing more things he hates, angering him further. She couldn''t bring herself to face him, not after today.


    Quade, likewise, was taking a while to start the taxi again. Just staring out his window, lost in thought about this entire day. More and more have been shoveled onto him, and... now he was a witness to whatever feelings Nyx had for him.


    And Cyan was in the back seat, clueless to what was going on, but lost on what to do. Having no idea what happened in that restaurant, what the two went through to go through this awkward silence. A child bystander clueless to anything that was happening.


    Eventually, Quade just turns the key and begins driving. Starting to take Cyan home, now.


    He knows where the Kingston residence is. Starveil City is generally distinctly defined by the four cardinal directions, such as North Starveil, West Starveil, South Starveil, and East Starveil. South, in specific, takes a different approach to city architecture, as it is more... suburban, several neighborhoods of houses rather than buildings and apartments. Nice, cozy communities living out there, including Quade''s own house and Verness''s.


    It is a fairly distant drive from the restaurant on Clockwork Avenue, which was a part of East Starveil. Accounting for the notorious city traffic, it was bound to be a long and awkward drive to Verness''s house. One that Quade and Nyx were not going to break the silence of.


    "... u... uhm-" Cyan speaks up, being the one to speak first. "A-Are you- two- okay...?"


    "Yes... Cyan," Nyx speaks up first. "Thank you for showing concern, but I am fine. You are- fine as well, right? Quade?"


    "..." Quade continues to be silent for a while, keeping his eyes on the road as he drives along.


    "You see..." Nyx begins to explain for Quade, speaking on his behalf. "... we simply had an argument, Quade ran into a former friend, and I had to pretend to be him. Be angry for him, shout at her for being a... a bully."


    "A... A bully?"


    "Indeed. She hurt Quade in a grown up way, and we tried to handle it like grown ups," Nyx explains, continuing to stare out the window. "I simply lost control and told her whatever would enrage her the most. The things that I wanted to tell her, the truths I felt like exclaiming. All because she... she upset Quade."


    "Oh..." Cyan noises, looking down. "... I- I''m-"


    "I am sure that you are the Verness that understands to handle things peacefully, to prevent what I have done," Nyx chimes in. "In no circumstance should you be like me, and yell at people. You should handle things responsibly and peacefully. Understood?"


    Cyan... nods faintly. "U... Understood," she answers, before looking to Quade with worry. "... uhm..."


    Quade... tensely... looks over to Nyx, briefly, before redirecting his attention forward, eyes glancing into the rear view mirror at Verness Cyan. "I''m alright. Just a little shaky after today, and all, nothin'' to write home about. But- what ''bout you, kiddo? Doing okay after coming out of that vending machine?"


    Cyan- nods, lighting up. "U-Uhm- yes, I- I''m doing better! I- I just- hope Caspian and Giichi are alright, I haven''t seen them in a while..."


    "I''m sure they''re alright," Quade comments. "But- I''ll check up on ''em later in case they''re not. If my call went through, Caspian should be cleared of charges by tomorrow."


    "S... Sounds good..." Cyan noises. No one in that taxi is aware of any of the events that transpired with Caspian, Giichi, Rosemary, and the entire massive organized crime spree they foiled.


    Eventually, the taxi makes it to the Kingston household. Verness Green being the first to encounter them, running up to the taxi with her mug.


    "Oh-! Green!" Cyan exclaims, coming out of the taxi and running to her. "Where have you been?! You were gone for hours and... and..." Taking a moment to look at the mug, before glancing off to the side.


    Staring at the trampoline that was now in the front yard.


    "......... Green," Cyan speaks up, looking at her. "Did- you get a trampoline?"


    "Affirmative," Green responds with her usual one-word sentences.


    "B... But- Mom says those cost a lot... how did you-"


    "Assistance," Green answers, shaking the now empty coffee mug.


    Quade and Nyx just stare at the trampoline for a while, before Quade eventually begins driving. "Well- bye, Verness, have a good evenin'' and all. Say hello to your folks for me!" he calls out.


    Cyan and Green- then turn to the car, waving after him.


    "U-Uh! B-Bye, see you, Quade!"


    "Farewell!"


    Quade then rolls up the window, and continues to drive. Going down the road and beginning to drive Nyx... somewhere. The sun is still out, and Nyx risks going out and burning if he just let her out anywhere. It needed to be somewhere dark. So his vague, undetermined destination was simply somewhere back in the urban city.


    The man is trying to focus on driving. Just thinking of driving, as he was left alone with Nyx and didn''t know know how to respond or react. Before now, he believed Nyx to be a creepy woman. A woman with devil''s blood in her veins, coming with a mysterious past and a strange obsession with him. Now that they were alone, now that Nyx blurted out a confession of her own, all- all of it was recontextualized to her being someone interested in being romantically closer.


    It- it doesn''t write any of the wrongs, but Quade could see the rationale. Nyx simply wanted to help him. She was jealous of Dahlia, and sought to take the issue into her own hands. Nyx had no knowledge of his history with Dahlia, how much Dahlia had hurt him.


    But how does Quade handle this situation? It wasn''t a disguise or a character or a persona. Nyx is someone who knows his normal, default form, and Quade is stuck on figuring out a solution. It was easy for him to figure out what to do in regards to his forms, how he could shapeshift into people, but no.


    The unfortunate truth of the matter is, no matter how much Nyx loves him, no matter how much she may try to win his affections...


    ... Quade simply didn''t return the feelings.


    His heart simply did not feel the same way that Nyx''s did. No passion in his heart for Nyx. He doesn''t love... or like her back, in that way. Quade only saw Nyx as a friend, and that was it. He simply doesn''t want the connection that Nyx desires, and he felt bad because of it. That was why he couldn''t respond, why he didn''t know how to respond.


    It would have been easier to manage this situation if Quade could see himself falling for Nyx, but... he can''t. He can''t satisfy her with a lie, and he can''t tell the truth and reject her. Quade was at a roadblock, struggling to give a response that satisfies both of them.


    "... I''m sorry... I''m- I''m sorry..."


    Nyx weakly apologizes, as she keeps herself facing away from Quade. Tears trailing down her eyes, rendered helplessly vulnerable and heartbroken, left hand on her right arm and holding it tightly.


    The knight was holding it all back for Quade, to hide it from Verness. But as they were alone, with not a word to fill the vehicle, Nyx is left to think about how much he has hurt Quade. The gravity of the situation sinking into her, the events of the restaurant twisting and repeating in her head and flooding her with an unyielding guilt.


    It was as Quade said. Her actions were careless and foolish, and she jeopardized his entire life over an incorrect assumption that she could ever matter to him.


    There was no grounds to make that confession. Nyx had no reason to declare any of that out loud, under the guise of Quade. Even though she meant every word of it, it was declared at a time when Quade was scolding her and informing her of her entitled delusions, and with the intention of unleashing a pent up rage upon a woman she deemed worse.


    And each tear she shed, a drop of shame and understanding. How hurt she felt upon Quade''s words stabbing into her like knives, a justified punishment. As much misery as she felt, most of what Quade said- it was manageable, she was in the wrong for it. She could accept that. She could.


    ... and you are not above any of them at all. Not in the slightest.


    Nyx squeaks out a loud sob, eyes shutting closed with her teeth clenched. Feeling herself recoil in absolute pain, every ounce of her aching and burning. Those words in particular stab Nyx''s heart over and over again, inflicting deep wounds and informing her of what she is to Quade. How she was nothing to him. Nothing.


    After the time they''ve spent together as... friends. The time they have fought together alongside other... friends. Nyx- deluded herself into believing their relationship could progress past a mere, unrequited obsession. One that Quade knew as a hyper fixation with him. How much she''s wanted to be near him, to help and to love and to share a life with. How her heart yearned for more and more, to spend- every waking moment with Quade.


    Now, it all amounted to nothing. She was nothing but a hinderance to his life, an interruption and a nuisance. To Quade, she was no better than anyone. She interpreted his words as her being below all of his friends, below Giichi and... and Dahlia. She was at a level below that vile, rotten, unfaithful woman. A repulsive feeling that Nyx was forcing herself to accept. Unable to control herself, crying her heart out. Her emotions as rampant as usual.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    As Nyx cried, it was... uncomfortably obvious... to Quade, why she was crying, how Nyx had all the time to process what he said. As much as he was upset with Nyx, he- he felt that he was too harsh with her, in hindsight. Nyx was no stranger to him, she... she was an... an acquaintance. Someone with mutual friends, at the very least.


    Quade had yet to find a way to handle her confession, to figure out how to- properly handle this. And he could not come up with a direct way to... handle it, to handle everything that happened today. But... he had to do something. "... Nyx."


    Nyx... quiets her crying, holding her breath so that Quade may speak.


    ... Quade lets out a sigh. "Nyx... I... accept your apology. You seem like... you know already what you did wrong. So... I''ll give you a second chance and all. I... I still... trust you as a friend."


    "..." Silence.


    "... just promise you''ll never do it again," Quade tells Nyx, making a left turn. "And we''ll pretend today never happened. I can forgive you for what you did, and we can continue living our lives as if-"


    "I-" Nyx immediately interrupts.


    Quade stops talking, giving... Nyx the time to respond.


    Nyx looks down at her feet, thinking heavily, before... sighing. "I will... I will promise to never use your identity in such a way again, and I will respect your privacy and private life as best as I can. I understand what I have done wrong, and I will never... betray you in such a way, ever again... but I will not stand to let today be a forgotten memory."


    Quade shifts a little as Nyx says this, an uneasy look on his face as he slows the car down at a stop sign. "N... Nyx, I... I don''t want to remember today. All of it was a mistake, and-"


    "I did what I did today. I learned of Dahlia, I foolishly wanted to see her and know about her, I carelessly took actions as you to get to her... a... and... and all of it happened. All of that happened, Quade."


    "... but-" Quade speaks up again, tense. Openly ready to just sweep all of it under the carpet, if it meant he didn''t have to respond.


    But Nyx insisted otherwise. "It is my mistake, my burden to bear, McMurphy. I will accept it and face whatever consequence you see fit..." Nyx explains, sniffling as tears drip down onto her legs. "... but please, please don''t forget, don''t make us forget what happened. You need to remember that Dahlia will never hurt you again as long as I shall live. And that I am unfit to be around you, ever again."


    "..."


    "Please. Please, please... please..." Nyx pleads, begging with all of her heart for Quade to accept that... that he was... safe.


    Quade looks down at the steering wheel, taking a deep breath and a deep sigh. His hands gripping the steering wheel, glaring forward. If he was to remember today, if he needed to remember everything that happened today, then he... needed to address it. "... tell me why. Why exactly do you lo- ... why''d you- go on and tell Dahlia that you loved me?"


    "... because, unlike Dahlia, I meant every word of what I said," Nyx answers, turning to face Quade. Her teary face on display, staring at him with a look of sadness, yet brimming with conviction. "From the very moment we met. I... found myself longing for you, for your affections, for your attention. You are right, I am... hyper... fixated on you. The creepy woman I am."


    A brief pause as Nyx sits in the seat and stares at Quade, starting to unload her thoughts to the man. Every thought. "You may not know much about me, but you are a kind, hard-working individual. Dahlia''s hollow words, they are my full truth. I have fallen for the man behind all of these masks, all of these forms. Beyond your natural talents, beyond your appearance... I... I truly love every aspect of you. And it enrages me that this woman has experienced what I long for... what I wish to have. To know the things she knows about you... I would- do anything... to be in her position, to... to never take you for granted..."


    Quade... was speechless, gripping his steering wheel tightly. His gaze darkening as he was... comprehending all of that.


    But... Quade at least... understands where Nyx is coming from. He can grasp the fact that she wants to try. She wanted to... to know him better.


    Yet another deep, sighing breath escapes Quade''s lips, as he finds... the best compromise he could.


    "... I abandoned my family, Nyx."


    Nyx- stares at Quade as he says this, feeling herself hesitate as her eyes widen. "... what?"


    "You wanted to know more about me. So I''m telling you," Quade starts to explain. "Grew up in the countryside, plenty of states away from here. Something big happened and I needed to run away by my lonesome. Came to Starveil on my own. Grew up a boy in the working world. Faked my age to live off of money, took on several new identities to make ends meet. Years of meeting people and helping them out, doin'' their jobs for them and such. That''s part of how I make my living, and how I became the caring guy before ya."


    "..." Nyx sits back and stares at Quade, taking this information in. "... did... Dahlia know? About you? About your... struggles, your... age-"


    "I ain''t immoral with my powers, she''s just one year older than me," Quade explains immediately, shutting down that potential allegation. "See, we met in both our teenage years. I was sixteen, she was seventeen. Dated for a bit, and I did like her a lot. My first crush. But... she didn''t feel the same, as you- found out."


    "Mhmm..."


    "After Dahlia crushed me, made me feel... awful," Quade continues. "I cut her out of my life. Learned from the whole thing, improved myself better, made myself wise enough to not fall for another woman like I did with her."


    Nyx- picks up that last sentence, feeling tense for a bit... before... just... nodding. "... I see. I... I understa-"


    "And there you go. You know something that my oldest friends know, and... you are the- the second person I told," Quade responds, interrupting her. Attempting to make this a... consolation, instead of a full rejection. Reducing the- awkwardness, best he could. "I''d assume that''s enough for you. Having my... trust. Trust with this information. ''Bout the life that happened before now, and all. Is that... alright, with you?"


    Nyx... looks to Quade for a bit, wiping the tears from her eyes and face with a simple response: "Mhmm..."


    Quade... is relieved. It isn''t much, and- and he felt tense unloading all of that onto Nyx. But it was at least- something that could satisfy Nyx for the time being. Give him some time to think, to spend more time with Nyx as a friend.


    ... but Nyx wasn''t satisfied yet. Now that Quade''s revealed that, Nyx... felt like she needed to return the favor. As she was starting to calm herself, as she- pulls a handkerchief out of the shadows and cleans her face, she... she exchanges Quade''s... confession of his past, with one of her own:


    "... my real name is Aya Katsuragi."


    Quade looks to Nyx, blinking at this. "...? What was that?"


    "I am Aya," Nyx repeats, dropping the used handkerchief back into the shadows for later disposal. "Aya Katsuragi. I refrain from referring to myself as my former name for two reasons. One, we know ''Papaya''. Papaya. Aya. That is confusing. So Nyx came to mind, as a fitting name for one who stalks the shadows."


    "... and... the second?"


    "Well. Aya Katsuragi is a shameful woman," Nyx leans herself against the car door. "There are shames I hold from my previous life, the most essential being... I could not contain my emotions. As a peasant, I felt violent urges towards others. My devil''s blood flares up, and I lose control of my physical actions. Becoming a knight is how I found an... ''outlet'' to handle this. Blind rage suits a warrior, after all."


    Quade... Quade just nods. "I see."


    "..." Nyx then looks back to the side, gazing out the window once more. "Now we know something about the other person. A bond of trust, a mutual understanding of each other."


    "I suppose so... Aya," Quade responds, just nodding. "... I''ll... drop you off somewhere for now. I''m returning the taxi, and need to do a bit more before I go drinking with Matts. Is that alright?"


    ... Nyx nods and gives a noise of approval.


    "Alright." Quade continues to drive, just... calm. He believes this was the best way to handle this situation, and leaves it at that. Best to make this a future issue rather than a now problem. Nyx should be satiated enough...


    ...


    But she wasn''t.


    Nyx stares out that window with an overwhelmingly bright blush, her eyes forming into hearts as she helplessly loses herself in thought, in fantasy and delusion.


    Aya... he... he called me Aya... his voice, saying it, it sounds so... so...


    Biting her lower lip as she lightly trembles, riddled with an overwhelming rush of raw emotion, of pure love coursing through her veins. Quade does not notice this reaction whatsoever, too focused on the road to realize what he''s done to Nyx.


    Nyx had a flame light in her heart, burning with a roaring flame of unyielding need. Lost in a several minute fantasy of having everything done to her, countless situations of intimacy between her and Quade.


    Oh, how badly Nyx wanted to [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED AGAIN] with [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [DEFINITELY REDACTED] [OH MY GOD IT''S SO REDACTED] as Quade and her [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [RE. DACT. ED].


    The following three minutes, as well as multiple paragraphs coming after this, have been redacted from the story due to the inhumanely explicit fantasies going through Nyx Katsuragi''s mind. Fantasies that not even the most mature of stories on this website could handle, that not even the most twisted of humans could come up with.


    Even as Quade pulls into a parking garage, even as Nyx steps out of the taxi and into the safety of shadows, even as she sees the taxi drive away and stares after while standing in place. The fantasy continues as strong as ever, Nyx remains as obsessed as ever. Every second of the fantasy, each split moment spent together in her mind.


    Nyx.


    Was.


    Absolutely.


    In.


    Love.


    "... the rushing river..." Nyx mumbles out, a wide smile on her face as her passionate, demented mind steps out of her fantasy. "The ground carved out by its strength..." Swaying a little as she holds a hand over her chest, letting out several shuddering and deep breaths. "Will collide as one."


    Nyx spends the next few hours absent-mindedly standing in that parking garage, basking in the overwhelming euphoria coursing through her body from only the first step. The first step to gaining Quade''s love, the first step to make the man all hers. Hers, and hers alone. Hope brimming on her face, her rekindled motivation taking over all sense of rationality and realism. Almost herself forgetting everything that happened today, the lesson discarded from her mind. All sense of control gone once again...


    "..." Quade, driving away with an uneasy chill going down his spine, having a bad feeling as he was alone in the taxi...


    ... and suddenly, his thoughts are interrupted as his phone receives a call from Harvey.


    The two would speak as Quade goes all the way to the taxi garage, starting to discuss the aftermath of Harvey''s little jealousy stunt.


    "The first night will be hard, Harvey. I reckon you''ll be able to handle the weather this time of year," Quade explains. "You can do this."


    "... you are- a freaking- butthole..." Harvey speaks from the other end.


    "Hey, it was outta my hands, Harvey," Quade explains, deciding to... take credit for Nyx''s whole plan. "In the future, don''t even think ''bout doing what you wanted to do, and Sheila''ll let you sleep in a human sized house again. Talk to you some other time." Closing his phone and putting it away, shaking his head.


    Quade reaches a hand up to adjust the brim of his hat, shifting back into Mr. Parker. His eyes... glancing to the right, to the now empty passenger''s seat.


    Reliving old memories, now that he has some downtime.


    He told Nyx that she was the second person he ever... told. And the first was right there, in that seat. When he was first figuring out Starveil''s roads, how he incidentally met the first person he ever trusted in this city. That memory fresh in his mind, the moment that began his welcome into the city.


    Someone who wasn''t in love with him. Someone who was just a friend in every sense of the word, someone who was much simpler to understand.


    Reminiscing about this person now, remembering word for word the earliest memory with her...


    "... so- you''re, like, a shapeshifter? That''s so cool! Like, can you turn into doggies and stuff?"


    "Heh... something like that. The name''s Quade McMurphy. Good to meetcha, young lady."


    "Well, nice to meetcha too, Quade! And, uh, you''re- I- I''m not a shapeshifter, but I''m- like, half dragon! See the horn?"


    "... that''s- crazy! I thought that was- s- so- that''s a dragon''s? You''re really half dragon? Dragons exist and everythin''?"


    "Mhmm! Plus, I can do things like- pick up cars, pick up... bigger cars-"


    "Can you fly? Like, grow wings and all?"


    "Oh! Yeah! Here, let me show you, it''s actually pretty cool- a- ah! A-AHH! S-Sorry-! Oh- OH-! OH NO, OH GOSH-! IT HURTS, IT HURTS- OW!!!"


    "Huh? What exactly- OH! Oh, gosh, they''re lodged in there!"


    "DID NOT THINK THIS THROUGH DID NOT THINK THIS THROUGH OH GOD."


    "Uhm- uh- shoot- okay, take a deep breath, we can get them out, just- just carefully move a little to the-"


    "AAAAHH! OH, NO, THE DOOR-! THE DOOR! WAIT- AAAGH-! AAAAHHH!!! I- I CAN''T REACH IT!"


    "H-HOLD STILL! YOUR WINGS, THEY''RE-! HEY-! FOR GOODNESS SAKE, STOP! T-THE SEAT!"


    "I''M TRYING! I''M TRYING, BUT- AGH! NONONONONONO-! OH GOD I JUST HEARD A CRACK. QUADE-!"


    "THEY''RE NOT BROKEN, THEY''RE NOT, YOU''RE JUST- HEY-! HEY- OH, FREAKING JESUS-!"


    "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA...!!!!!!!"


    ...


    The smile remaining on Quade''s face, as he shakes his head. The start of it all, the beginning of his new life. A unique start that unfolded more and more, to get Quade where he was right now. A friend for life, leading to several other friends to... to make him feel welcome, to make him feel useful.


    A great deal of respect... for his first friend.


    "... to whatever comes tomorrow... Giichi Hasegawa."

 #9 - A Gangster Gets Vaporized This Chapter

    Giichi eventually decided to fly home, absolutely winded after today. A grocery trip turned flight throughout Starveil. Soaring through the air idly, too... exhausted... to care about who sees her now. She''s already spent most of the day just flying, after all, anyone who wants to see a flying girl could have already seen one.


    The girl lands gently on the ground in front of the building, a massive gust of wind blowing out from underneath her upon landing. She begins to walk up the steps, but bumps into a wall because she forgot to retract her wings. Instead of actually putting away the wings, Giichi begins to walk sideways up the stairs in an elaborate maneuver that takes even more time and energy.


    "Oh. Giichi, you''re back!" Papaya exclaims, peeking out the door to see Giichi crab walking past.


    Giichi looks to Papaya as she was passing by, her eyes narrowed with the word "tired" plastered all over her face. She didn''t recognize Papaya''s voice at first, but about five steps later and three seconds to remember that she was holding the entirety of her groceries.


    "... oh!"


    Giichi- shakes her head, and realizes there were no tacos! No burritos, no drinks! She also didn''t have her groceries?! W-When did she drop those?! Did she have them when she- oh no, there''s just bags of groceries and Mexican food lying around in an alley somewhere! "S-Shoot! Papaya, I got the- I got the tacos, but I left-!"


    Papaya just giggles and shakes her head at Giichi. "Nyx came by and brought us the taco stuff you got, like, a couple hours ago. You''re good."


    "O... Oh," Giichi noises, smiling. "That''s- good, then-"


    "More importantly, have you... just been- flying? For the last, like, two couples of hours?" Papaya asks, gesturing to the wings.


    "Uhm- yeah, and I forgot my groceries," Giichi comments, shrugging with her empty hands. "I might need to-"


    "Actually-" Papaya interrupts, slowly pointing to the... groceries... dangling from Giichi''s shoulders. "Aren''t- those your groceries?"


    "..." Giichi slowly looks to her shoulders to see the bags hanging from them. "Oh. Wow. Plastic bags get stronger and stronger every day."


    Papaya covers her mouth and giggles. "Okay, okay. Giichi, you''re obviously tired. Gimme your keys, I''ll put your stuff away for ya. Just- come on in and take a seat. Sent Caspian on a pizza run for dinner, told him to get three and all."


    "Oh, okay..." Giichi tells Papaya, pulling the grocery bags off of her shoulders, taking out the keys to her apartment, and holding all of it out to Papaya. The younger twin''s words taking a while to process in her head, before it clicks: Caspian.


    "... wait!" Giichi exclaims, remembering that the police were actively looking for him. "Caspian?! H- He can''t be out right now, the police is-!"


    "There is an outstanding trend with people in this apartment being completely clueless to recent events..."


    Giichi- looks to the voice in the apartment, seeing Peritzal''s disembodied head stuck to the couch. "... oh, Peritzal, didn''t see you there. Did you, uhm... get a... haircut...?"


    "Yes, that is correct. I have cut my hair recently," Peritzal responds, looking to Giichi with her usual dead-eyed glance as the remote to the TV levitates off of the couch cushions. The channel is changed with the press of a button, before the remote lowers back down and Peritzal continues. "And in further news, by the way, Caspian has been cleared of all charges. He was deemed innocent once another victim was spotted."


    "Huh..." Giichi noises, feeling herself nervously sweat a little. Staring at Peritzal for a really long time as she enters the apartment. Closing the door while leaving it unlocked for Papaya, Giichi just- enters, and sits down on the couch.


    The two just sit together on the couch, a wordless silence shared between them as the TV was showing an advertisement for later tonight, an upcoming late night drama: The Talking Pine Apple. Following the gay news reporter Eddie Pine and his magical talking apple, the latter of which recently fell in love with-


    "Okay, Peritzal, I''m not gonna pretend I don''t notice this, I clearly do and we''re not talking about it, so- let me start over," Giichi speaks.


    "Very well. Go ahead," Peritzal responds, her eyes remaining on the TV screen.


    Giichi then takes a deep breath, preparing herself to address the elephant in the room. Immediately turning to look at Peritzal''s flying, disembodied head with wide eyes. "P-Peritzal! W-Why are you just a head?!"


    Peritzal blinks for a moment, looking down at her lack of a body. "... ah. It appears I still have the suit on." Her head moving away from the couch as a few clicks sound out, followed by the sight of pure condensed light covering and coating where Peritzal''s body should be.


    Now, Peritzal''s body was back, with a black tracksuit laced with wires inside of it. Spontaneously regrowing her body?


    "Still have the suit on..." Giichi mumbles, a metaphorical loading wheel spinning in her head as she really thinks about it. How her body was, like, invisible or something. A suit... that makes... Peritzal''s body... invisible.


    Giichi thinks about this for the next two minutes, giving Papaya enough time to just- walk in as the dragon girl was really thinking about it.


    "... Giichi, do you require-" Peritzal begins to ask.


    "No, no, let her think, Peri," Papaya immediately interrupts Peritzal as she walks over and calmly tucks Giichi''s keys back into her pocket. "Give her a chance at least."


    "Mm." Peritzal redirects her gaze forward to the television. "So, Papaya. You simply missed an advertisement for the drama we are apparently fixated on. I want your guess, is it likely that this ''Eddie'' will be able to engage in combat for his apparent crush''s affection?"


    "Well-" Papaya noises, tilting her head from side to side. "As much as Count Narvald''s face is punchable and unlovable, Jacob is a pacifist. Eddie would never muster the courage to fight."


    Peritzal ponders on that statement for a bit, judging Eddie''s character. "... yes, but the inherent conflict is that the apple is an absolute imbecile. The combat is likely, given that the apple will coerce Eddie into-"


    "YOU MADE AN INVISIBILITY SUIT?!" Giichi loudly exclaims, interrupting the twins'' conversation about the show.


    "Oh, geez-" Papaya noises as she looks to Giichi, covering her ears. "Giichi-"


    "Sorry-" Giichi immediately apologizes, looking to Papaya with worry before turning back to Peritzal and whispering her question at an outstandingly quiet volume.


    Peritzal looks to Giichi as she whispers at an inaudible volume, then nods to her loud question. "... indeed. I have made an invisibility suit. That is why I requested a 12V battery earlier. The systems are powered by this battery, and create a sort of universal camouflage designed for portability and travel."


    Giichi blinks for a moment, receiving the explanation that was... actually pretty simple to understand. Camouflage, travel. Battery. "Huh... that''s really interesting! So you made a suit completely powered by just one- car battery?"


    "Indeed. Unfortunately, it merely holds a charge of ten minutes. Statistically, it has a 95% chance of draining the battery of all its sustainable energy, rendering it completely useless and obsolete."


    "... and the other five?" Giichi asks.


    "Spontaneous combustion, as the battery explodes from the inside out and hurls all of its bits an pieces everywhere in a fiery inferno."


    "Goes kaboom," Papaya simplifies. "Had to clean it up a bunch- really explains the burnt toast smell, right?"


    Giichi blinks idly at this, hmming. "That... does explain that, yep! Huh. But if I needed to get you the 12V battery, how did you-"


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    A man promptly kicks open the front door of Apartment 207. Dressed entirely in a suit, wearing a black fedora. Yet another gangster barging into the apartment, one that had escaped an arrest and ended up following the flying girl that busted everyone.


    "The don sends his regards!" the gangster shouts, whipping out his pistol and aiming it at the three. "Prepare to di-!"


    Giichi and the D''Erricos watch as this man draws a gun on them, and then - mid word - his entire body spontaneously flashes a bright green light, suddenly poofing. His entire body turned to a pile of dust, a mix of incineration and vaporization inflicted upon him in a span of a split second.


    Giichi stares at the resulting ash, taking her time to register what happened. Her eyes blinking at the sight, the metaphorical cogs in her brain creaking and turning before she lets out a gasp. "H-HUH-?!"


    Peritzal idly looks to the side after that entire display, sitting up from the couch with an idle look on her face. Unlike Giichi, she showed little to no energy in response to the sight. Almost expecting that to happen, really, staring with light contentment.


    "Holy-" Papaya noises, her eyes wide as she leaps right up onto her feet. A sort of surprise, albeit subdued with the same "oh, okay" energy that Peritzal exuded, until Papaya ultimately felt an overwhelming urgency at the fact a random man was spontaneously and instantly killed in their apartment. "D-Did any of you know who that was?!"


    "... a pile of ash, now," Peritzal responds, getting up from the couch and tugging lightly on the wrist of her jacket as several drones fly out of her sleeve to scan the resulting dust. "This is quite satisfactory. The system is in working order."


    "W-What the hell was THAT?!" spontaneously exclaims Rosemary, who is now speaking for Giichi. Giichi, the girl that just watched a man disintegrate and immediately fainted moments after upon this gruesome discovery. Giichi''s eyes now a bright red, with the mist taking control temporarily, glaring straight at Peritzal in absolute shock. "D''Errico, I need an explanation before I absolutely lose it over this!"


    Peritzal subtly nods to Rosemary. "It''s simple. Our new security system, which is outputting very satisfactory results. The targeting system has identified the unidentified man breaking into our apartment as a hostile threat, and appropriately fired transparent beams of light to highlight his various organs, disintegrate his skeletal structure, and incinerate the rest of his physical being as necessary."


    "... y''know, that sounds really bad now that you say it out loud, Peri," Papaya chimes in, a worried look as she glances to Peritzal.


    "Indeed. I will have to calibrate the systems, make it so a prompt is asked before-"


    "Shut up, not the point!" Rosemary shouts, tensely getting up and crouching near the pile of dust. "D''Errico 2, can the body be recovered?! We need this guy back to life. Guy was sent here by a don, a criminal leader! We need to get answers outta him before more like him come here!"


    "Well- I mean-" Papaya stutters, looking between Rosemary and the dust with the sense of urgency still overwhelming her. "W-We could try, but-"


    "But we don''t have the proper organic matter to reconstruct his body," Peritzal explains, shaking her head in disapproval. "Even then, recreating the brain is a lengthy process out of our hands, and- he is vaporized. We have done the impossible before, but this is on a level beyond our usual impossibility."


    "Seriously? Ugh...!" Rosemary groans as she stares at the dust, an urgently stressed look of pure tension on her face.


    Papaya reaches to pat Giichi''s shoulder, smiling faintly to the gaseous entity currently controlling her. Trying to smile through her own urgent panic with intent to comfort the entity. "Hey, Rosemary- we''re the D''Erricos. Between me and Peritzal- heck, now you, even, the three of us can come up with something to get us out of this mess."


    "..." Rosemary takes a deep sigh, a puff of herself exhaled out of Giichi''s mouth. "So what''s the plan?"


    Papaya smirks at Rosemary, staring at her with a delighted look, and the three girls get to brainstorming.


    "And so that''s why we need you to impersonate this man and replicate his blood so that we can clone his body, wipe all memories related to why he kicked open our door, and avoid being arrested for murder charges," Papaya explains to Quade.


    Quade was in the midst of sharing a drink after today''s events, called over as an emergency, and has been listening to Papaya and her entire explanation.


    Quade just stares at the picture of the man in question. Taken right before his vaporization, his full body in sight for Quade''s supposed usage. Then Quade stares at the pile of dust that used to be some guy, and then finally blinks at Papaya actively.


    The day he''s had, and it continues like this.


    "... I got several questions to ask, but I''ll hold off on ''em and give you one answer: no. That ain''t how my powers work."


    Rosemary stares at Quade with an annoyed look. "B-But aren''t you effin'' able to turn yourself into, like, anyone just by looking at them?! What kinda ''not how my powers work'' crap is that?!"


    "That''s the thing, Giichi-" Quade begins to speak, acknowledges her red eyes, and then corrects himself. "... Rosemary. It works by sight, sure. I can shapeshift all I want based on look, but it''d still be me. I can''t grow a new body, even if the man''s still in tact. I''m simply just reshaping my body, and taking my blood or DNA in any sorta form would just getcha another me... if you''d even be able to clone me in the first place."


    "Unfortunately, he''s correct," Peritzal explains. "Reminder, our organic material is limited. Our capabilities for cloning are heavily limited, near impossible if we attempt to create anyone with a special ability. We need the DNA of the in-tact, unnamed, generic human being in order to clone his consciousness and physical makeup to an exact replica."


    "Peritzal, I need ya to explain how you know that entire explanation," Quade immediately speaks up, a look of concern on his face.


    Peritzal clears her throat, and dodges the question. "So as of right now, we will be needing your... assistance... to conduct alternative solutions to remedy this situation. This problem is beyond all of our minds as scientists and Rosemaries."


    Quade holds a hand to his forehead, and lets out a sigh. "... okay, okay. " he reluctantly speaks up. "We''ll figure this out. We just-"


    "So what happened while I was gone?"


    The twins, Rosemary, and Quade are drawn to look to the voice, seeing Caspian returning with three boxes of pizza over his right arm.


    Appropriately, Quade and Caspian are welcomed into the apartment, and Papaya explains the whole incident again to Caspian after closing the door. The five of them now setting up for a pizza dinner.


    The three pizzas Caspian brought were a cheese pizza, a meat lover''s pizza, and a veggie pizza. Papaya enjoying the cheese, Rosemary enjoying the meat lover''s, and Peritzal deliberately choosing the veggie pizza. With Quade now present, the man was offered two slices from each of the twins'' pizza and one single slice from Rosemary''s.


    "... okay, so let me get this straight. In the time I was gone, a gangster kicks the door open, threatens you with a gun, and his body is just- poof, gone," Caspian speaks, gesturing his hands appropriately.


    "That ''bout sums it up," Papaya comments, holding a slice of cheese pizza. Taking a bite out of it and chewing.


    Caspian takes a sip of his soda, and just... nods. "Sounds about right. Body''s vaporized, can''t do anything- I guess the plus side is that there''s no trace remaining...?"


    "Buh fuh hugsh bad shide ish-" Rosemary explains, speaking with her mouth full as she was in the midst of chewing her slice. She pauses to swallow, then continues. "... the man''s a gangster, he was sent by a don! We need to get him talking and all, in case more decide to come and kill us or something! So what''s your whole- dumb dumb idea regarding that, huh?!"


    Caspian sighs at Rosemary, then thinks. "... I mean. There really is no threat. It was just one guy, right? Not like there''s another one bound to break open the door. Even if there was, can''t we just... y''know, talk to THAT guy?"


    "Huh..." Quade noises. "Y''know, that sounds like a plan. I''m down to stick ''round, see if y''all are really being targeted by a whole mafia."


    "Oh, yay," Papaya speaks up. "Sounds like a whole sleepover and all. Alright. Though, if a guy really does show up, we need to have a plan to-"


    Papaya is immediately interrupted as their front door is kicked in again. She and the other stare to see... another man breaking into the apartment.


    "You!" the gangster shouts, looking to Giichi (Rosemary).


    "... oh, god, Peri-!" Papaya exclaims, looking back at her sister.


    Peritzal reaches for her tablet, racing against time as she forgot to turn off the security system.


    The gangster follows up his exclamation by taking out his pistol and pointing it at Rosemary. "Prepare to die, you dirty-!" the gangster shouts, before he is promptly hit by the system as well. His body lighting up, a loud scream echoing out as he poofs into dust alongside his dust-ified cohort.


    "... oh sh-" Caspian begins to speak, his jaw dropping as he sees the vaporization for the first time.


    "M-Mother of God, that was worse than the video!" Quade exclaims, tensing up as he- covers his mouth and gags. Managing to prevent himself from throwing up... just- taking a few breaths.


    "D''Errico- what happened to adjusting the system?!" Rosemary exclaims.


    "I would have done that later, after the dinner, had an intruder not arrived as suddenly as he did!" Peritzal exclaims, reaching for her tablet and tapping away at it. "Here, I''m turning off the system, so if any more of them show up-"


    "We''re waiting for a third guy now?!" Caspian exclaims, visibly annoyed and pissed. "Damn it, guys, men don''t just grow on trees!"


    "If they did, we wouldn''t be having this problem, now would we?!" Peritzal exclaims, glaring at Caspian. "Papaya, close the door, the system''s going offline now!"


    Papaya- nods as she goes up to the door, closes it, and takes out her multi-tool to begin fixing the door that was kicked in twice already. "Yep- okay... Rosemary, can you get Quade some water?"


    "W-Why do I have to?!" Rosemary exclaims, shaking her head as she snatches another pizza slice and gobbles it down angrily.


    "I- I''m- I''m alright, just..." Quade mumbles, slumping forward and staring at the ground. "... I think I lost my appetite..."


    "Pizza''s still yours whenever, dude..." Papaya responds. "If water''s not enough-"


    "Thank ya, but... water''ll do-" Quade speaks up, just- calming down. "... I''ll just- get it myself..."


    "No, now I feel bad," Rosemary interrupts, getting up as she wipes the sauce off of her lips. "Just sit tight, I''ll getcha a glass-"


    Immediately, a foot is heard kicking against the door.


    Another gangster... trying to kick the door open... and failing to do so. Aggressively kicking at the door over and over again.


    Every single person in that room had the most serious of looks on their faces, aware of the fact that a third gangster is now about to threaten them with a gun. One of two things was going to happen the very moment that gangster breaches the door. One gangster versus five people who have fought demons, as well as a potential security system that vaporized two men before him.


    "... security is offline," Peritzal comments, sitting back with her arms crossed. "Let''s let him in."

 #10 - Squad Interrogation

    The 8th Amendment of the United States Constitution. "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." The last part there is the important one. "Cruel and unusual punishment".


    One would argue that Apartment 207 violates this heavily. For breaking and entering, as well as armed threat, two gangsters were violently disintegrated and turned to ash. Simultaneously cruel and unusual. A fate worse than death, an indescribable one.


    And when the third one''s on the doorstep, about to enter to join them, the security system is disabled. Not meeting the same fate as the door opens, as the gangster storms in and pulls a gun out.


    "Alright! You''re gonna pay, you-!"


    Immediately, Papaya catches the man off guard by whacking his elbow with a metal baton, causing him to drop the gun in pain. Eyes wide at this, gazing down at the girl and seeing her whack his ankle next with the baton.


    Following this, a man''s boot is raised in the air, the gangster''s jawline decked by the tip of Caspian''s shoe. Solid ice built up around the foot, smashing into his jaw, recoiling back and wincing in absolute pain.


    The gangster stumbles back against Quade, head bumping against his chest. Quade grabbing the man by the shoulders before locking him into a chokehold. With this, Rosemary lunges forward and puffs an aggressive amount of gas into the gangster''s face, completely disorienting the man and causing him to go unconscious.


    Quade carries the gangster in, closing the door shut.


    "... alright, good work, everyone," Papaya speaks up, wiping her forehead. "When he wakes up, let''s get him talkin''."


    "Sounds-" Quade coughs a bit as his hand fans away the lingering gas. Visibly tense as his face numbed from the slightest of whiffs, Quade continues. "Sounds good..."


    Caspian nods. "Alright, then, let''s get this guy ready, tied up and..." he begins to speak as he lifts the man up.


    Watching as... all four of the others just sit back down on the couch. Like. They just... they just sit down. Caspian''s the only one even focused on the unconscious gangster.


    "... okay, what- what gives?" Caspian asks, tilting his head. "Why are you just sitting down?"


    "Guy''s gonna be out cold for twenty minutes," Rosemary answers, letting out a sigh as she crosses her arms as Giichi. "... and that''s a minimum. Maybe it''ll be worse."


    Caspian silently just stares at them in disbelief, at how- casual all of them were now. Even Quade, who just decided to sit back and pick up another pizza slice. "I... I see, t... then when don''t we just- tie him up right now, and-"


    "The pizza is not going to be warm forever," Peritzal speaks up, sitting down and gesturing to the food on the table. "And the ice in the sodas will not last forever, either."


    "Yeah, plus our show''s gonna start, Caspy," Papaya responds, picking up the remote. "We got all the time in the world to take care of that guy."


    "No, we don''t, we have like- twenty-" Caspian objects, absolutely dumbfounded.


    "Tie the guy up all you want, dude, don''t let us stop you," Rosemary comments, rolling her eyes at him.


    Caspian... sighs, before he just nods and sits down. Taking his soda and joining them in their leisure. "Fine, guess we''re procrastinating..."


    "Mhmm, that''s how we roll," Papaya explains, taking another slice and sitting back. "Time soon to be well spent. Quade, pass me a slice?"


    "Here ya go."


    In the supposed twenty minutes of the gangster''s unconsciousness, nothing at all has been done to him. The group has been thoroughly invested in the newest episode of The Talking Pine Apple, that random drama show featuring a gay news reporter and a talking apple best friend.


    The TV was right at the climax of the episode. The riveting scene of Eddie, the reporter, engaging in a fist fight with a man dressed in a full body apple suit. The rain pouring down on the asphalt of the street, both of them beating the crap out of each other after Jacob escorted the scummy Count Narvald to the hospital.


    "... this is simultaneously the worst show I''ve ever watched, but I just- wow," Caspian comments, lying back on the couch with an intrigued glance. "I can''t look away."


    "Yeah," Papaya responds, lying back. "I kind of don''t like how out of character they''re writing Eddie, though..."


    "Man''s gotta stand up for himself," Quade interjects, crossing his arms. "Don''t really see the issue."


    "Quade, you weren''t there for the earlier episodes," Papaya responds. "Eddie loves Jacob, he gave up everything for him."


    "I mean, I''d punch Narvald if I were Eddie," Rosemary calmly says, arms crossed as she continues to possess the unconscious and sleeping Giichi. "Makes plenty of sense."


    "And we established how much of a bad influence the apple is," Peritzal comments, bringing up an earlier point that only Papaya was here to pay attention to. "Eddie would definitely fall into this sort of trap."


    "But- I mean-" Papaya begins to speak, before looking over to the gangster. "... oh, hey, he''s awake! Guys, the gangster''s getting up! Computer, pause the show!"


    The show proceeds to pause just as Eddie was about to finish the fight, pausing at the start of his right hook.


    All of their attentions shifting back to the gangster, moving quickly to prevent him from standing up.


    Rosemary is the first to do so, as she sits on top of the gangster. Using Giichi''s weight to secure the man in place as the others start to surround the gangster from all sides. Papaya crouching down and staring down at the man as she ties his wrists together with rope. Caspian, kneeling down on the opposite side, staring at the man''s front.


    "Y''know, if we did this before the show, we wouldn''t have needed to-"


    "Eh, don''t look to the past, Caspian, we''re totes doing it now."


    Peritzal stands at the man''s feet and begins to tie his ankles together, while Quade stands in front of the gangster''s head and puts duct tape over the gangster''s mouth.


    "... alright. Ground rules," Quade speaks, talking to the others AND the now conscious gangster. "I reckon I''m tellin'' this to both us and this man for fairness. Gangsters are tough, tight lipped, and the most loyal will not tell on their boss or co-workers. Depending on who he works for, he may be killed for telling us anything, making it hard for us to get anything of value out of him."


    "Alright. Sounds good," Rosemary chimes in, grabbing the man by the back of his head. Her fingers holding firmly, yet not too firm. "You hear that? You''re in for a looooong night, bud."


    "Mmph?! M-Mmmph!!!"


    "And that is precisely my next point," Quade speaks up, gesturing to Rosemary to let go of the man''s head. "Now. He may be a gangster, but he is also a man. A human being."


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    "For the sake of everyone here, elaborate," Peritzal asks, leaning forward with the need to receive more information.


    "We are not going to kill him," Quade begins to explain, looking to the others. "We are not going to permanently injure or cripple him. Anything physically done to him needs to be fixable. Mental is on the table, but his mind must be in tact with his existing memories. So, we will not erase his brain-"


    "Understood," Peritzal immediately comments.


    "... no memory altercations. He is to remember everything that happened before this speech, give or take some changes for our safety."


    "Alright," Peritzal comments again.


    Quade pauses again, narrowing his eyes at Peritzal, and thinking. "... and afterwards, he is to keep the freedom to think whatever he wants without fear of brainwashing..."


    "Sure, sure," Peritzal responds, typing this on her tablet.


    "........." Quade covers his face with a hand. He needed to cover all bases, given that Peritzal was in the room. "And for the sake of this man, you are forbidden from doing anything whatsoever without first telling me about it. Emphasis on. Me. The other three here, names redacted so this man cannot name us, optional. You have to tell me about it first before you do it."


    "..." Peritzal sighs in disappointment. "Understood, and-"


    "And you are not allowed to make him into a robot."


    "You are killing me!" Peritzal exclaims in pure spite at that. "There is literally NO action I can take to this man that doesn''t violate your ethical guidelines!"


    "M-MMPH?!" noises the gangster, in disbelief.


    Quade- lets out a growl as he glares at Peritzal, the audacity of this girl. "Y... You know what?! You are NOT to do ANYTHING AT ALL to this here man!" Quade exclaims. "You, in particular! You already vaporized two of ''em, now we''re here!"


    "U-Uhm- guys-" Rosemary speaks up, her head turning left and right to watch this unfold.


    Peritzal glares back at Quade, interrupting Rosemary by stomping her foot down. "This is MY apartment! I have the right to extract this man''s lungs and use them as bean bag chair inflators!"


    "No! No, you do NOT!" Quade shouts, stomping his foot down. "This man is to be kept in tact, COMPLETELY IN TACT. Do you understand me?!"


    "M-MMPHHHHH! MMMMPHHHHH!"


    Quade looks down at the gangster going absolutely nuts with the muffled noises. "... okay, okay. We''ll continue this lil'' talk later, got more pressin'' issues," Quade tells the others, ripping the duct tape off of the gangster''s mouth. "Now, are you willing to talk? Or will we have to-"


    The gangster immediately blurts out his surrender, after hearing that entire conversation. "I- I give up, geez! Been trying to give up for the last few minutes, you effin'' MONSTERS!"


    "Oh." Quade looks at the others, exchanging mildly surprised and pleased looks. "I see." Quade takes a moment to stand up, hand held out to Peritzal. "Good work."


    "Mmm." Peritzal nods as she slaps Quade''s hand, contently giving him a high five.


    "W... Wha?! But you two were- ... oh my god," Rosemary began to speak, hands clasping the sides of her forehead. "T-That whole argument was staged?!"


    Quade nods. "Yep. Good ol'' tactic and all," Before directing his attention back to the gangster. "Well, you said it, you give up. So, tell us who you work for, and why you''re here."


    "Wha..." The gangster narrows his eyes. "I-If that''s all made up, you- you''re not getting a word out of me!"


    Peritzal looks to Quade for a brief moment, then silently nods as she holds her tablet in front of the man''s eyes and, on replay, shows him his two companions being disintegrated over and over again.


    "The don sends his regards! Prepare to di-!"


    "Prepare to die, you dirty-!"


    "The don sends his regards! Prepare to di-!"


    "Prepare to die, you dirty-!"


    Rinse and repeat, over and over again.


    In fact, Papaya takes a moment to take out a bowl of mashed potatoes. Cold, refrigerated, made a while back. Then, to demonstrate a point, calmly shoots the bowl of potatoes to unmash the potatoes.


    "W-WHAT THE-" the gangster screams as he sees the potatoes unmash themselves. "F-FINE! I''LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING! GEEZ! JUST KEEP THAT THING AWAY FROM ME!"


    "Awesome!" Papaya exclaims, kicking the bowl of now actual potatoes away from the man. "Then get to talking! We got the gist that you work for some sort of don, and are here to kill us already, so..."


    "Tch- okay. Okay... so I''m- or... or we''re... we''re in the... Starveil Mafia, see. And apparently... me and the two-" the gangster speaks up, blinking as he stares at the dust right next to his face. "... guys... are- are here because we''re hunting the brown haired girl on me... she- she busted, like, hundreds of us just hours ago, and the boss is just- pissed... so we got a buncha guys sprawling all over the city, looking for you- and apparently we found you guys first."


    "Buncha guys, hm? How many?" Caspian asks.


    "W... Well, just- who''s left, really. I''d say- maybe... ten, twelve guys?"


    "Ah, yes, the gangster''s dozens," Rosemary comments. "Neat. Gonna tell us where you all are situated? It''d be cool if you did, make our job easier and all."


    "... I- I can''t- tell you that."


    "Aw, why not? Too scared? We''re not gonna, like, do anything stupid, get you in trouble and all..." Papaya comments.


    "N-No, no, it''s- it''s because... because it changes every day. We''re not told- where- to go, we''re all over the city... the don speaks to his subordinates, then those subordinates go further down and down... and- technically, I''m... second to last in this chain. The guys you incinerated are also second to last..."


    Papaya then hmms contently. "Alright, I believe you. The truth detector''s been going off that entire time. Right, Peri?"


    Peritzal... nods. "Indeed. The man has been telling the complete truth."


    The- gangster smiles idly. "S... So, we- we good...?"


    "Yeah, we good," Papaya responds, patting the guy''s head lightly. "Now, here''s what''s gonna happen, bud. We''re gonna let you go now, and- well, in case, just to let you know. Telling your lil'' boss about what happened today is going to get you killed. We don''t want that, we don''t want you to get in trouble."


    "Indeed," Peritzal continues. "So if you are to leave this apartment and go on your merry way, act as if you did not encounter us, you will be permitted to leave. And in the event you believe that you can double cross us..."


    Calmly, Quade pushes the bowl of potatoes back to the man, and Papaya shoots it with the same beam again. The potatoes spontaneously turned into potato plants.


    "I- I get it!" the gangster exclaims, just- wow. "Just- just untie me... I won''t cross y''all..."


    "Cool. Alright, system, untie this man," Peritzal calmly says to the computer system. Then, spontaneously, the ropes around the gangster''s wrists and ankles disappear and dematerialize.


    The gangster''s eyes- just- wide at this, as Quade helps him up. Standing once again, hands moving to dust his coat off. "... you... you guys are absolute freaks..." the gangster mumbles, sighing. "I... I kind of respect that."


    "Well, if you feel like an occupation change is due once we dismantle your entire criminal operation, we will keep you in mind, Lyle Silvers."


    "Ah, yes, that-" ... the gangster''s eyes widen as he stares at Peritzal, registering that she just said his full name. "H... How did you-"


    "Niagara Straws, the bar located on Yeast Avenue, North Starveil," Peritzal further comments, staring at the man with the blankest of expressions.


    "........" The gangster tensely- shakes. "I-"


    "Dude, we got the info, didn''t you hear me when I said ''we good''?" Papaya asks, crossing her arms and grinning at Lyle Silvers. "The truth detector. Detects the truth by promptly scanning your entire brain, even as you lie right to our faces like the dumb lil'' gangster guy you are, Lyle Silvers."


    "Yes, those ropes that we tied you with. They have been scanning your entire brain and its waves the entire time as you speak, Lyle Silvers," Peritzal further explains to Lyle Silvers. "Now we have all of the information you possess about your organization, Silvers. The location of tomorrow''s supposed meeting."


    Caspian gives a nod as he pats Lyle on the back. "Don''t feel bad, Lyle Silvers. We were true to our word and all... we don''t want you in trouble. As long as you don''t go and try to kill or hurt us in any, single, way, whatsoever."


    Rosemary then finishes. "Indeed. Just go back to 4502 Parmesan Boulevard, Apartment 602, and have dinner with your wife and two sons already, Lyle Silvers. Maybe stay there for the entire day tomorrow."


    The gangster''s eyes... were mortified with absolute fear. Staring at all five of them crowding him. ".............." Then- then slowly leaves the apartment.


    "... okay, today has been too much for me," Quade tells the group as he closes the door, sighing. "Feels wrong, scannin'' that guy''s brain and scarin'' him and all... I need to get some shuteye..."


    "Same, same..." Caspian interjects, yawning as he flops over onto the couch. "The gangster''s interrogated and all... we got a plan of what next to do?"


    "Yes, indeed," Peritzal answers, taking a moment to- finally clean up the ashes. "Next, if we are still going to engage in a sleepover, we are first going to sleep in this apartment before we go topple that entire mafia tomorrow."


    "Cool," Rosemary chimes in, before Giichi''s body spontaneously just falls over. Giichi just snoozes cozily against the floor while Rosemary instantaneously goes dormant for the night.


    Caspian nods idly, arms and legs idly stretched as he really just sinks into the couch. "Sounds... good, I guess. You girls got any extra soda?"


    "Yeah, got half a six pack left..." Papaya comments, walking to the bedroom to retrieve extra pillows and blankets.


    "Neat... Quade, get me one."


    Quade nods, going to the fridge. "... y''all mind if I make breakfast or somethin'' with what you got, tomorrow mornin''?"


    "You are welcome to," Peritzal comments, dragging Giichi''s body to the couch. "We will keep track of inventory and resupply as necessary, Quade."


    "Alright, then."


    For the rest of the night, no more gangster break-ins. A nice, cozy night to conclude today, as they began to get some much needed rest.


    The five of them began cozily lying on the couch together. Peritzal and Papaya on the rightmost side, Quade and Caspian sharing the leftmost closest to the door, and Giichi contently lying on the floor with Rosemary lying dormant.


    Lyle Silvers, the gangster, the one that these five spared, went home to spend what remaining time he had left with his family.

 #11 - The Squad Literally Storm A Bar

    Following the interrogation of the one surviving gangster, the inhabitants of Apartment 207 receive a good night''s rest. Awakening to the fresh scent of pancakes, four plates with stacks of fluffy brown stacked with syrup and butter, as well as four glasses of orange juice and one large pitcher of ice water.


    "... Quade, you spoil us..." Giichi lightly comments, smiling at him with lingering exhaustion. She was never a morning person in the slightest as she sits in front of her pancakes. "... what''s the occasion?"


    Quade looks to Giichi for a moment, idly- looking to Rosemary for a bit. Noting that Giichi was unconscious, he stares at the gaseous entity tying up and brushing her hair. "... we''re- getting up and at ''em for an outing. Gonna head to this one bar, and-"


    "Giichi, we will be storming a bar to potentially topple a mafia and destroy crime," Peritzal interjects immediately.


    "..." Giichi nods lightly as she processes those words. "Oki dokes... sounds good..."


    Peritzal looks over to Quade. "No point in lying to her. Best she knows our intentions."


    Quade blinks at this for a while, as he puts the rest of breakfast atop the coffee table. "... huh. Guess there''s no need to hold back and all. You sure you''re up for this? I reckon it''s gonna be a mess..."


    "I mean, it''s a buncha criminals, and they hurt an old man... let''s do it...!" Giichi responds with tired enthusiasm, jabbing her fork into the pancakes and starting to eat her stack as if it were a large puff of cotton candy. Syrup and butter trailing onto the page as she takes massive bites.


    "..." Quade nods as he begins to eat as well. "Yep. Besides us five- well, six, including Rosemary... we''re taking this place on in the morning, sunlight and all, meaning Nyx is out. Also, we''re keepin'' Verness far, far away from this, given she''s a literal child."


    "Why the morning? Isn''t a bar closed at that time?" Caspian asks, taking a sip of his ice water.


    "That''s the point. The bar will be closed," Papaya responds, taking a sip of the orange juice first. "No point in being illegal during business hours and all. If we''re to believe Lyle Silvers''s memories, then Lyle Silvers and the others''ll gather up and plan gangster things until this afternoon."


    "Huh... makes sense," Caspian responds.


    "Yeah, of course it does," Rosemary comments, continuing to brush and straighten out Giichi''s hair while in the pigtails. "Glad that even you can realize this."


    "..." Caspian takes a moment to adjust his visor, glaring at Rosemary before taking another gulp of water. "Alright... what about Odette? We calling him to help out with this?"


    Giichi lightly shakes her head. "Nah, I don''t wanna bother him... he''s got enough on his plate already..."


    Papaya nods in agreement. "Yeah. Plus, I''m gonna be real, he''s not exactly the best at this kinda stuff. Just gonna be us five- six."


    Caspian nods, takes another sip of the water, and... sighs. "So... what''s the whole plan?"


    "Eh, I don''t really feel like talking about it right now, let''s just eat our pancakes and something''ll come to mind," Papaya comments.


    "Alright..." Caspian noises.


    The five of them just continue having breakfast, Rosemary finishing up Giichi''s hair. The pancakes were like fluffy discs of pure joy, the orange juice complimenting the meal well.


    It was nice. Quite a pleasant get together and all.


    ...


    "... alright, let''s go eff up a bar of GANGSTERS!"


    Niagara Straws. A bar located to the north side of Starveil. Sandwiched between two large office buildings, this bar was contently at the bottom floor of the building with about three office floors above it. The bar was quiet at this hour.


    A man contently stands outside the entrance, sweeping the sidewalk with his buff and muscular arms. Serving as the bouncer of the place, he was in the midst of cleaning up for the day.


    "Heeeeya."


    The bouncer blinks as he looks to the approaching man. Seeing the gangster that stormed 207, tipping his hat lightly. "Ah, you''re here."


    "Yep. Am I late?" the gangster asks.


    "Well, it is closing, but you''re just in time..." the bouncer begins to speak, before- looking over the gangster''s shoulder to see two girls behind him. Purple haired ones, dressed in matching suits. "... and- these two are?"


    The gangster points his thumb at the two girls, Peritzal and Papaya, grinning. "Guests. Needed ''em to tail me after the whole... fiasco, yesterday. Y''know?"


    In truth, this was Quade, shapeshifting to look exactly like the gangster. His cap put away and kept safe in one of the others'' possessions for now.


    "Ah, right..." The bouncer nods, and steps to the side. "You three head on in."


    The gangster tips his hat lightly, and walks with the twins into the bar.


    It seemed to be a quiet gathering.


    "... now, he should be somewhere here..." Peritzal mumbles, currently looking around the bar for one specific man: the supposed superior to Lyle.


    "Mm... any reason we ain''t using the truth detector...?" the disguised Quade asks, arms crossed.


    "Well, the Truth Detector requires power, it''s not exactly portable," Papaya explains. "Lot of our cool stuff''s locked in our apartment walls. Not like we can just take it anywhere we want."


    "Yes. Plus, using it raises ethical concerns," Peritzal further explains. "We simply have to-"


    "Oi! Lyle!" a gangster exclaims, calling for the man with a pack of cigarettes in his hand. "C''mere a sec, need ya to light one up for me!"


    Quade looks over and walks. A moment of tension on his face as he nods. "On it. Light ''em up," he tells Papaya.


    "You got it, sir," Papaya says as she draws her gun and points it upward. Perpendicular to the end of the cigarette, pulling the trigger and firing off a shot to light the cigarette.


    "HOLY SMOKES-!" the gangster exclaims as a massive fire is now at the end of the cigarette. "DAMN, Lyle! You got a wild one on ya!"


    Quade nods lightly. "Yep." Before he and Papaya walk along, eyes now on the two after that show. The two of them walking over to a table to take a seat.


    Seconds later, every gangster in that room draws a gun on the two. Pistols whipped out, taking aim the moment they sat down.


    Papaya- blinks at this, uh- taking her gun out and taking aim at Quade.


    "..." Quade looks around, his eyes blinking. "Uh... fellas?"


    "Ain''t no one with us foolish enough to light it," a different gangster comments. "You''re supposed to be above that pitiful recruit in rank, and knock ''im over."


    "Plus, you ain''t even say hello to Bobby properly..." the cigarette holding gangster comments, glaring at them. "Everyone at Niagara Straws knows to say ''Good morning, Bobby'' to the bouncer. You two''s impostors."


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    Quade... blinks a few times, and sighs. "... alright, plan''s not working. Peri."


    Peritzal, standing aside, nods as she presses the side of her head. "Plan''s a no-go, commence with the storm procedure."


    Ten seconds later, the doors are kicked open as the bouncer is immediately launched through the air. Slamming his body against the bar''s back wall, groaning in audible pain.


    Giichi and Caspian promptly walk in, stylishly dressed in suits as well. The former cracking her knuckles as the latter wanders with hands tucked into his coat pockets.


    "Okay, let''s do this!" Giichi exclaims, proudly throwing her hands up and grinning widely at the gangsters. The group has brought to her attention that she was the target of the gangsters, and she was owning that role with a proud grin.


    "..." The gangsters pause for a few moments before a majority of them take aim at Giichi. Each one of them beginning to violently unload bullet after bullet onto her.


    Caspian retaliates by stomping his foot down, making use of his elemental magic as a wall of ice shoots out of the ground. The bullets cracking against this solid wall.


    Giichi stands behind Caspian, contently smiling at him. "Yeah! Woo! You got this!" Giving him emotional support by cheering him on.


    With most of the focus on Caspian and Giichi, the other half of the group take out their share. Papaya looking around with a proud grin, eyes locked on the few gangsters that still had their guns on her and Quade.


    "... we got us a standoff!" Papaya energetically calls out. "Aight, how we doing this, one by one, or-"


    Immediately, Quade is the first to notice that the gangsters are beginning to pull their triggers on the two, and acts quickly.


    Quade quickly kicks the table up, launching it onto its side in the direction of most of the gangsters. Quickly, he then sweeps a chair up with a sweep kick, grabbing it tightly in his hand as he makes cover.


    The gangsters begin firing bullets one second later afterwards, making up a small portion of the total gunfire as they have delayed reactions to this. The table fallen on its side to block some shots, with Quade holding the chair out to cover the other bullets.


    Papaya stylishly ducks to the ground, ejecting the cartridge of real bullets as her hand tightly grips the trigger. The adrenaline coursing in her body aiding in her swift movements as her gun fills with pure, condensed static electricity. Her eyes beaming a bright light with joy as she takes one! Two! Three electrical blasts, hitting into the gangster''s chests and nonlethally paralyzing them.


    Peritzal watches as Papaya takes out three gangsters, taking a moment to hold her hand up into the air. Taking a deep breath as a small drone flies out of her sleeve, pulsing outward... spontaneously snatching the pitiful guns out of the gangster''s hands with a magnetic pull.


    "........." The gangsters watch as they were disarmed, three of them paralyzed by the shots, just... questioning their life choices right now, what led them to being outnumbered by five random superheroes.


    This is further accompanied by Giichi winding up a punch, breaking the ice apart as buts of ice fly outward, a coat of them spreading out.


    Peritzal quickly throws all of the pistols forward, spreading them out into a wall to cover herself, while Papaya and Quade take cover and hide behind the shot up table.


    With a veil of frost over their unarmed bodies, sending them into cold shivers with chattering teeth, the gangsters- fall to the ground one by one in surrender, huddling together to try and warm themselves up.


    "Alright, allow me to begin first by informing you all of why we''re here," Peritzal begins to speak, having the audience of a cold and freezing bar as she bluntly tells them: "We have killed two of your men and are the ones responsible for incarcerating hundreds of you... by accident. It appears that you are all coming after one of us, so now you will gain the full ire of ALL of us."


    "Yep!" Papaya exclaims, grinning and joining in on Peritzal''s speech. "Now, send this message up to your boss however you see fit: ''we declare war on you, boss of the Starveil Mafia! We will destroy your criminal organization and send it crumbling to the ground, bit by bit!''"


    The girl then contently slams the cartridge back into her gun, before aggressively shooting up at the roof.


    "... o... okay-" the cigarette holding underling comments. "We''ll- leave the message..."


    "Cool. Alright, let''s go!" Giichi says to the others, before starting to leave. All of them walking out after Giichi, leaving the bar in absolute disarray.


    The five of them are now beginning their lively stroll. Making an entire day out of taunting gangsters and fighting the ones that attack as a backup plan. Sheer, raw pettiness fueling them as they walk around in matching suits, intending to exploit the fact that the gangsters were now on a lively hunt for Giichi in their stylish struts around town.


    "... ugh, this is going to be a pain..." Caspian groans as the five of them walk away from the bar.


    "Yeah. But we got this, guys!" Giichi contently smiles, grinning as she grips her hands into fists. Brimming with raw excitement. "We''re gonna look back on this day fondly as the day we beat up and fought crime like super cool vigilantes!"


    "Haha! Yeah!" Papaya exclaims, remaining a little hopped up on adrenaline as she smirks widely. Looking down at her suit and smiling, she raises a hand. Her hand immediately high-fived by Giichi. "We gonna roam ''round the city for a bit, see if any more of them show up?"


    "Indeed." Peritzal looks to Quade, nodding slightly. "Are you sure you are wise to trust me with your hat in my coat...?"


    Quade, continuing to be disguised as the gangster, nods. "Can''t have my hat out in public... too many people''ll recognize me. I know you of all people to be the safest to hold the hat."


    "I see. I feel honored," Peritzal admits, tablet out. "I will make sure your hat remains unharmed."


    Giichi then- suddenly and silently waves at the ground for a brief moment, suddenly, attracting the attention of Quade and the others.


    Prompting them to immediately go:


    "Good morning, Nyx," says Peritzal.


    "Oh! Hey, Nyx!" Papaya exclaims.


    "Huh- oh! Nyx," Caspian realizes.


    "Heeeeeeey," Rosemary echoes.


    Once again, Giichi is responsible for Nyx being immediately spotted.


    The one person who doesn''t greet Nyx is Quade, currently disguised as a different person. His eyes- blink for a minute, looking to the others with a tilted head. "Uh... who are we talking to?"


    ... Nyx knows, however. They literally had a conversation about his hat.


    Because of this, Nyx... remains awkwardly silent for a moment, continuing to be in the ground shadows before leaping into their shadows as they walk. Now following after them, their collective darkness blocking her off from the sunlight. "This appears to be a gathering of sorts. What is the occasion this time?"


    "Oh, we''re fighting gangsters," Giichi answers. "We would''ve called for you to join us, but it''s morning, so we didn''t think you''d-"


    "I will join you," Nyx immediately interrupts, deciding that she didn''t even need an explanation. "My blade is at your disposal. Do I need to wear a suit as well?"


    "Preferably," Giichi answers, smiling. "Peri, we got an extra suit for Nyx?"


    "No, unfortunately. But there is a bar of gangsters back there, that..." Peritzal begins to speak, before she goes completely quiet. Looking into the shadows, she- watches as Nyx''s upper body peeks out of the ground, realizing that Nyx was already in a suit. A frost covered one.


    Nyx was already dressed for the job.


    "..." Peritzal... calmly sighs. "On second thought... I do have an extra one. We are all suited for the job."


    "Sounds good!" Giichi exclaims. "This is going to be the best day ever, guys! I''m- I''m so excited!"


    <hr>


    Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location...


    The boss of the Blackbird Syndicate sits at his desk, finely dressed in his suit.


    "... so let me get this straight. For no reason at all, after two hundred of us were jailed, two guys found them and died, they assaulted a bar with superpowers knowing where one of our gatherings are, and now you''re telling me we are now at war with these people? These five people?"


    "..." The gangster nods slowly, shaking in fear as he is the only one in the room. Fear in his eyes as he answers his boss with complete hesitance.


    The boss takes a moment to take a deep breath, and... reaches for his cup. "I see." Taking a sip of the cup, drinking its contents.


    "... s... so. Uhm..."


    The boss shakes his head, putting his glass down. "There is a saving grace, they don''t even know the name of our organization. ''Starveil Mafia''? We''re dealing with absolute idiots who fell for our little ruse, giving the syndicate a different name depending on rank," the boss grumbles. "Must be an underling who told them..."


    "Ah. Yeah... yeah." The gangster smiles, spared the boss''s fury. "They will likely not know about any of the other spots... all they did was take on Niagara Straws, so-"


    "WAIT, THEY ATTACKED NIAGARA STRAWS?!" the boss immediately shouts, screaming at the top of his lungs. "BOBBY! IS BOBBY OKAY?! DID THEY DO ANYTHING TO BOBBY?!"


    "B-Bobby?! You mean the bouncer?! Uhm- uh-" the gangster hesitates. "... h... he hurt his back when the girl-"


    "GOD-!" Raising his hands into the air, then slamming his fists down. The glass in his hand breaking to bits, spilling all of its contents onto the table. "(BLEEP)ING DAMN IT! THESE FIVE ARE DEAD. LET EVERY REMAINING PERSON KNOW TO KILL THEM ON SIGHT! THEY''RE NOT GETTING AWAY WITH HURTING BOBBY!"


    The- the gangster nods, shaking as he didn''t avoid the fury after all. Quickly scared out of his mind, just- nodding and complying with that order. "Y-Yes, boss! I- I''ll let them know immediately!" Running out of the office for his life.


    Once again, the boss of the Blackbird Mafia begins to caw violently at the table. Realizing his milk has spilled, and that there was now glass in his hand. Whoever this brown haired girl is, it''s stressing him the hell out. Now they got Bobby, the freaking BOUNCER who works there!


    Absolute murder in his eyes as he wildly caws like a wild bird... prompting his actual bird, the crow, to fly and pour him a new glass of milk. The cup rested gently on the wet coaster, with the bird letting out some eager caws.


    The boss grabs this new glass, takes a long sip of his milk, then... takes a deep sigh. At least this time he didn''t need any sort of medication...


    "..." Sigh. "Scare... Scare, get me my phone... I need to call the hospital... and I need to talk to my little nephew right now."


    The crow, Scare, caws as it flies off to retrieve the phone. Letting the boss of the mafia call his relative, dialing a number, calling whoever was on the other end.


    The man holds the phone to his ear, takes a deep... deep breath, and smiles.


    "... pardon me. I wish to speak with someone who is visiting a patient at this hour. Is- is there a Joseph there? ... yes, yes. Joseph Hawthorne..."


    A pause as the boss listens, then- a smile. "Ah. Yes! Please, put him on." Taking another sip of his milk, starting to talk with whoever was on the other end...

 #12 - Starveil Travelers/Italian Gangstars 1

    With no actual plan other than "walk around in gangster suits" and "hope they all start attacking", the Squad - Verness and Odette excluded - were leisurely walking around the city as a whole, hoping that the villains would attack them one by one.


    "... and then he kisses the girl," Giichi begins to explain as they walk along. Holding a bottle of soda, talking about this one show she watched. "And then like the evil jerk he is, he tells the girl, ''You thought your first kiss would be with Joke, but it was I, Dog!'' Pointing his thumb at himself like... this."


    "... I- I feel like those names are wrong-" Caspian objects, almost offended at this.


    "Yeah, but... copyright law," Quade responds, idly tilting his head from side to side. Continuing to remain disguised as the gangster whose name is starting to fade from memory.


    Caspian- blinks under his visor, staring at the gangster. "Copyright law? For saying a buncha names?!"


    "Mhmm. Who knows? Sayin'' those copyrighted names in public could be a problem. Say that we were being tailed by some guy writing ''bout us. Could be enough to raise some legal trouble if not careful."


    "C... Could someone just say ''Starveil City'' and get in trouble?" Caspian asks, continuing to stare at Quade in disbelief, Tugging the collar of his suit''s shirt, visibly tense.


    "No, no, Starveil City''s fine, but take the girl''s soda here," Quade begins to explain, holding the bottle of soda for a moment. "If we asked someone if we needed a bottle opener to open a bottle of... this brand, it could be possible to sue if she then spat out the soda and called it the worst soda she''s ever had."


    "That... why do I hate that?" Caspian asks, hand held to the side of his head.


    "Well, because that sucks if it''s true!" Giichi exclaims, looking to Quade holding the bottle. "I don''t want people to get sued just for saying Starveil, or just talking about soda! That''s... that''s-"


    Immediately, a bullet shoots out from an alleyway, aimed straight at the side of Giichi''s head. The sound of the gunshot interrupting her speech completely, the girl slowly turning to face the bullet floating in the middle of the air.


    Rosemary shot out of Giichi''s body to hold the bullet, the gas suspending it in the air right before it could achieve contact. "... what the hell?" she asks, holding onto the bullet.


    The group, collectively, turns into the alleyway and stares at the gangster inside. All of them just staring at the gangster, glaring him down.


    "..." The gangster realizes that the bullet was caught by some red gas. Looking at the five people present, he... starts to back up slowly...


    ... finding himself stopping after he bumps straight into Nyx. The woman standing right behind him, having swam in the alleyway''s shadows to intercept him.


    "............." The gangster was about to- run for his life, his hand shaking in fear. "Y... You-"


    "Snatch-!" Papaya exclaims, taking Giichi''s bottle of soda out of Quade''s hands. "I know what you''re going to say!" Papaya exclaims, pointing the metal cap of the soda bottle at the gangster. shaking it as fast as she could.


    Conveniently, both Papaya and the stress-filled gangster - the one that was now taking aim at Papaya - say the exact same thing:


    "D-Don''t try anything, bitch, or I''ll shoot!"


    Papaya grins widely as she managed to perfectly predict this line, the gangster- gasping audibly. In the next instant, electricity began surging through her hand, sparkling and crackling- before she points the soda at the gangster. The cap shooting off of the bottle and launched STRAIGHT at the gangster''s finger.


    On contact... the cap twists and turns, contorting the gangster''s trigger finger to an inhuman level. Prompting the man to scream in pure agony as he falls back, leaning against Nyx. "AAA- AAAAAAAAA!"


    "H... Holy crap! Papaya, how''d you-" Giichi exclaims, before completely dropping the question altogether as she looks at the open bottle of soda. "O-Oh, thanks!"


    "Mhmm!" Papaya exclaims, handing Giichi the now open bottle of soda. Letting the dragon girl drink, as she now directs her attention to the gangster. "Now, guys... what should we do with this dude?"


    A pause between them for some time, as the gangster screams in pure agony in the alleyway.


    "... I propose we do nothing to him," Peritzal comments, turning immediately in the direction they just came from and starting to walk back to the bar.


    "N-Nothing? Why-?" Giichi begins to ask, as she follows after.


    "Because, I have come up with a better plan," Peritzal explains, looking to the group. "I believe we are all aware that they are exclusively targeting you, Giichi."


    Giichi- nods in response. "I- did start understanding that after Niagara Straws, yeah..."


    "Then it is more optimal to keep you in one place, rather than walk around aimlessly. We shall return to Niagara Straws and have you linger around, to really provoke them. But from there, we split into two groups. Giichi and Rosemary will be accompanied by three more of us, so that any attempts on her life will be met with strong back-up."


    Nyx immediately comments: "I think it''s best if I join that group. Remaining indoors will keep me out of harm''s way, and I can appropriately cut open any of-"


    "No killin'' any more of us..." Quade immediately objects. "... I think- we''ve seen enough death last night, the night that started all of this. Nonlethal only."


    "... very well," Nyx responds.


    "... meanwhile, I will wander off to conduct my own research. In the event of- complications, I will require backup. For now, I believe that-" Peritzal begins to speak, her eyes looking to Papaya and about to suggest that her sister accompany her.


    Immediately, however, Quade raises a hand. "Should be me. I''ll go with you."


    Even more immediately, Nyx loudly shouts: "ABSOLUTELY NOT! I REFUSE!"


    Startling most of the group with the sheer magnitude of demonic rage, as Peritzal... remains unfazed. "... Nyx has a point. I believe your role would be more suited in an enclosed setting," she answers, looking to Quade with narrowed eyes. "What purpose would there be in having you with me?"


    "Simple.... I should be as far away from the bar as possible..." Quade discreetly answers, his voice trailing for a bit. "As a gangster, I would be deemed a traitor, and... would be best suited elsewhere in the city, rather than the location where they will appear."


    A silence is shared between Peritzal and Quade, Peritzal tapping away on her tablet while Quade trails behind her. The two turn a corner, walking along as they were now a far enough distance from the others. Nyx, willingly going with the others, leaving her and Quade to talk.


    "..." Peritzal... sighs, and nods. "Very well, then... everyone else shall hold up in the bar itself. But I will take- input. Nyx, do you possess a problem with me accompanying this gangster?"


    Nyx was about to answer, but- ... found herself hesitating, and sighing. Keeping herself in check... just, unable to object for now. She had to be a good girl for Quade and comply with this plan. "... no. It''s fine. The points provided are fair. You... you are free to go."


    Peritzal nods, and she and Quade start to walk away as the others go back to the bar.


    "..." Peritzal then lets out a sigh as she stares at the tablet. "Alright. What is the real reason you are coming with me? Are you, in truth, concerned about the safety of your hat if I travel alone?"


    Quade shakes his head. "Nah, nah... like I said, trust you with that. I just- didn''t want to be in a bar with Nyx right now..."


    Peritzal hms with disinterest, tapping her fingers on the screen of the tablet.


    "I am not interested in romantic affairs," Peritzal bluntly responds.


    Quade... sighs. "I reckon that''s fair..."


    "..." Peritzal''s eyes blink as she looks up from the screen, looking at Quade.


    "...?" Quade looks back with a raised eyebrow. "W... What? I get you''re not-"


    "I was making an attempt at a tease, which Earthly social convention demands you say ''it ain''t romantic'' as a sort of banter," Peritzal admits, staring directly at Quade. "Your lack of response. Does that mean your current issue is romantic?"


    Quade just- nods as the two cross a street. "... yeah. Nyx confessed to me. Took my hat and spoke to my ex-girlfriend-"


    "Dahlia, yes, I''m aware," Peritzal interjects.


    "Right, and-" And now Quade looks to Peritzal with narrowed eyes. "... how d-"


    "Would you believe me if I told you Papaya guessed because we were listing names of the people everyone is most likely to date?" Peritzal asks, looking to Quade.


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    "... I would, yes," Quade responds.


    "Well, according to her guesses, I''m to date a William, Caspian''s going for a Minerva, Giichi miiiiight end up with a Percy, Odette with... well, we don''t know him enough. Nyx is a... ''Lance'', and we pinpointed a ''Dahlia'' to you."


    "..." Quade just... huhs at this.


    "And if you''re curious, Verness is too young to go through this experiment, and Papaya''s too scared to know the name of her guy in the event he''s too-"


    Peritzal immediately interrupts herself as she stares forward, seeing someone standing far ahead of them. Blinking at this person for a bit, watching his burling muscly arms holding a portable Gatling Gun - a heavy, rapid fire machine gun with a spinning barrel, bullets dangling between his backpack and the gun barrel.


    "... oh. Hello," Peritzal greets the gangster.


    "U-Uh- hey!" Quade exclaims, disguised as the gangster.


    "Cut the crap, we know you''re not Lyle Silvers," the gatling gun gangster comments, with a group of gangsters walking behind him. "And we know your little plan to have us go back to that bar..."


    "..." Peritzal blinks for a moment. "You''re... aware of the plan?"


    "Yes... not a single one''s going back to that bar," the gangster speaks up, as the two of them are now surrounding the two. "And the boss has said, kill on sight... guess who we all see, right now? Two easy targets we''re going to take out first on our turf."


    "Your turf...?"


    Peritzal and Quade both look around, now, seeing that - after they split up from the others - they were now surrounded by armies of remaining gangsters.


    "... oh, good grief..." Quade mutters to himself.


    Meanwhile, the group of four - technically, five - arrive back at Niagara Straws. Returning back to their scene of chaos, contently readying to set themselves up as the bait and beacon to draw the gangsters in. They were expecting to see an army of gangsters back at the bar.


    However, the ones with Peritzal and Quade were telling the truth. Most of the bar seems to be cleared out, except for the bartender... currently sweeping the floors with a broom, tending to the frost everywhere.


    "... oh, for f- you lot are back...?" the bartender asks, seeing the three people enter. "You all made a fine ol'' mess here... the hell do you want?"


    "Uh, so, we decided we''re gonna hang out here, wait for more of y''all to show up," Giichi explains, smiling at the bartender. "Is that alright?"


    "... no, I- no. Your plan is stupid, why would that be okay?" the bartender asks, narrowing his eyes at the two.


    Nyx, rising out of the ground, glares at the bartender. Harboring some pure anger as she glares. "Simple. Because-"


    The bartender immediately holds his hands up into the air, broom falling to the ground upon seeing Nyx. Filled with sheer, mortal terror at the sight of her, staring at her with horror. "Y-You! O-Okay! Okay. Fine. You all can stay, just don''t kill me!"


    Nyx, the devil knight of the shadows, decides to keep secret that she stormed the bar herself. She had intent on getting a suit the moment she saw the group wearing them, and found those that matched in the nearby bar... before she even knew they were gangsters, or knew that the group already attacked them. Once inside, as they were cleaning up, Nyx immediately snatched a suit from one of the gangsters in her size and put it on.


    Upon the gangsters acting against this, one of them approaching with intentions to punch her, Nyx countered immediately and threw a punch back. Her hand went straight through a gangster''s stomach upon this happening, having an inhumanly brutal strength behind it.


    Somehow, she managed to avoid every single vital organ and sealed his body up to still function with a gaping hole through his body. The man somehow surviving having a hole punched through his body was enough to scare out the gangsters, leading to the predicament before them. No gangsters in sight, the bartender absolutely terrified beyond all belief, intimidated into just completely giving up the VERY moment he risks becoming a glazed donut.


    "..." Caspian slowly turns to Nyx, staring for a bit. "He seems familiar with you."


    "Indeed..." Nyx calmly dusts off her suit and takes a seat at the counter. "Well, bartender, glad we have come to a mutual truce, and I thank you for your warm welcome."


    The gangster bartender is too scared to tell Nyx to go screw herself.


    Caspian- just... huhs at this, as he takes a seat at the counter as well. "So... got anything for us to drink?"


    "..." The bartender narrows his eyes at Caspian, offended. Pointing his thumb at the wall of bottles that rest behind a protective case, all of them in tact despite the earlier assault. "I don''t know, what do you think?"


    "Yeah, Caspian, what do you think?" Rosemary spitefully asks. "Does this place, a literal bar, have anything to-"


    "Anything that isn''t poisoned," Caspian immediately interjects, hostile in tone the moment Rosemary speaks.


    "Ah. That''s fair, actually..." the bartender responds, nodding in slight apology. "I would say- all of it''s safe. Contrary to... popular belief, with my affiliation, I don''t tamper my drinks with poison. Not even if the boss asked me to, himself. I make it a specific rule that anything I make has to be poisoned by another gangster after I serve the drink."


    Caspian nods gently at the bartender, hmming a little at this information. "Mm. I see. Question, though, is it fair to say I don''t really trust you?"


    "Is it also fair to agree that I don''t trust you either?" Papaya also asks, taking a seat at the counter as well. Legs crossed, both elbows on the counter.


    "And I do not care if it is fair, I just do not trust you or your word about poisoning," Nyx bluntly goes, resting her cheek against her hand. Elbow on the counter, with the other arm at her side.


    Giichi looks to the three, and just... nods to the bartender, nodding to her. "Well- I trust you! I''ll try it out, gimme something I can afford!"


    The bartender nods. "T... Thank you. I''ll prepare something for you, miss."


    Back to Quade and Peritzal...


    ... who were standing alone on the gangster street. Outnumbered in every way.


    "... Peritzal, do you have a plan...?" Quade whispers, tensely gritting his teeth.


    The girl nods. "Stay close... specifically, within five feet of me at all times," Peritzal explains, gripping her tablet tightly as she walks forward. Tapping away at her screen, intimidatingly walking forward.


    "Oh. You''re approaching me?" the gangster asks, grinning as he starts to wind up his gatling gun. "Instead of running away, you''re coming right to me?"


    "Well... we can''t beat the life out of you without coming closer..."


    "Hoho. Then come as close as you like!" the gangster speaks, starting to unleash rapid gatling gun fire onto the two. Streams upon streams of bullets fired to kill, with the surrounding gangsters watching...


    ... to see the bullets hit into some transparent, green wall that flashes upon contact.


    Peritzal tensely stands as her technology was in the midst of shielding her and Quade from the bullets. The gunfire hitting into the transparent wall, achieving impact against it with a thud. As if bulletproof glass was being shot into, with Peritzal actively directing electricity to maintaining these shields.


    "Quade-!" Peritzal shouts, tapping her foot forward with urgency. She wasn''t able to shout out something critical and crucial to their survival, inhibited by the fact that Papaya wasn''t here to perfectly understand her inner thoughts and machinations.


    The man notes Peritzal''s shout, quickly thinking about- ... the rest of the gangsters!


    Guns locked on the two, many of them about to fire and shoot.


    "... tch-!" Quade shouts as he bites his thumb. Quickly throwing himself forward and hugging Peritzal''s body, making sure not to disrupt her as he keeps himself over her. His skin hardening and thickening, starting to manifest. Thinking on his feet, what was hard enough to...


    ... armadillos!


    As the gatling gun gangster watches in shock and surprise, he- doesn''t let up on the weapon. Continuing to fire bullet after bullet at Peritzal, competing with her power supply and how long she can keep the shield up.


    Peritzal, in truth, could only maintain the shield in one direction... and her supply was limited. She was focused on diverting the power to this one wall to guard and shield against these bullets. If the shield itself runs out of power and cracks, Peritzal and Quade are dead, as the gatling gun could rip them to bloody shreds.


    Meanwhile, Quade continues to cover Peritzal in his body, morphing to cover her from the other sides. His face tensing up as the gangsters'' pistols shoot into his armadillo skin barrier. It wasn''t enough that he needed to focus to maintain the unusually large shape to begin with- he had to endure as the bullets repeatedly fire into the armadillo coverage.


    And he was visibly in pain, as... the shell itself was bulletproof, but not his insides. Serious damage to his internal organs, practically sacrificing his safety to protect Peritzal... as he- to the best of his ability- bounces the bullets back with the armadillo shell...


    "C-Come on...!" Peritzal growls, gritting her teeth as she keeps a close eye on the shield''s power level. "Come on!"


    ...


    And the gunfire stops...


    Peritzal- quickly disables the shield, just in time to maintain 1% of power left in her entire system. The bullets scattered all over them, a massive pile in front of Peritzal.


    Quade- collapses backwards, his body morphing back into his normal human shape. Lying on the rest of the gangsters'' bullets.


    "... there''s... no way... no one could just deflect my Gatling Splash..." the gatling gun gangster shouts. "D-Does anyone have a shot on-?!"


    Peritzal flicks a finger up, using her tablet to magnetically lock onto the bullets. In a single second, the mass amounts of bullet shoot outward, violently taking out every single gangster in visible sightline. All of their bodies collapsing one by one, taken out in an instant.


    Horrified by this... sight, this onslaught, the gatling gun gangster- shakes as he drops his gatling gun. No more bullets, holding his hands up in surrender. "P... Please- spare my life- it- it''s only a job...!"


    Peritzal glares at the gangster. "... ask for mercy from your target, your more ''forgiving'' brown haired target," she explains, lifting up a hand as drones spread out from her sleeves. Charging up bright lights, Peritzal intending to use the last of her power to obliterate this man. "Your gatling gun went after someone that had no intentions on sparing you in the first place."


    The gangster... drops to the ground, shaking with his hands in the air. "... I... I''ll give you- everything I have. Everything! Home- money- what''s your price?!"


    "Oh, please..." Peritzal responds, rolling her eyes at the sniper as she takes out Quade''s hat. Putting it atop her head and securing it, fingers on the brim. "You really believe you''re worth money? No... garbage bags should know..."


    Peritzal stands right in front of the man, a tractor beam shot out from one of her drones. Locking the man in place and lifting him a few inches up into the air.


    "... they cannot pay their debts with money!" Peritzal shouts, commencing with her attack.


    Peritzal''s drones start to shoot out blasts upon blasts of light, a barrage of pure condensed light shot out at alarming speeds. Each impact was stylized to be... nonlethal, to avoid any pesky homicide laws, but... they packed a heavy punch as they hit into the man''s body. Over and over again, quite like his gatling gun bullets.


    Jabs. Hooks. Uppercuts. The angle of the blasts attack the man from all over. It should be enough to do this for a short time, but... that entire incident was getting to Peritzal, adrenaline and irritation coursing through her body. Peritzal grits her teeth and lets out her pent up rage and annoyance in this onslaught, getting revenge for the gang doing any of this. For going after Giichi, forcing them on this little hunt and war, and for almost killing the two of them in brutal fashion.


    And because of earlier, because of Giichi and Papaya talking about... ''Joke'' and ''Dog'', the first thing that came out of her mouth is a battle cry: "... take this, take this, take this, take this, TAKE THIS, TAKE THIS, TAKE THIS, TAKE THIS-!"


    Aggressively locking all of her power into this, all remaining power into this onslaught. Brutally hurting this man as much as possible in 1% power. Severe amounts of internal damage as the gangster felt his body in unyieldingly high amounts of pain from this, his body screaming out in pure agony.


    With the depleted power notification shutting down her tablet, Peritzal shouts one last time: "TAKE THIS!" Losing the last bits of electricity she had left, the tractor beam disabling... as her drones charged and send one last blast into the man''s body. One final blow, with the force of a wrecking ball launching him high into the air.


    The gatling gun gangster screams in pure agony as his body smacks into the brick wall of the building. This wasn''t, by any means, strong enough to break through walls...


    ... but Peritzal watches as the man''s body falls downward. Conveniently having launched him in front of a building with a trash can.


    "..." Peritzal... victoriously stands in place, her body limp and exhausted. Looking back to Quade and staring at him, standing over his body.


    Quade, back in his normal form, his shapeshifting body in the midst of- ugh- being vulnerable, stares up at Peritzal. "..."


    "... thank you," Peritzal tells him, before she loses all feeling in her body and collapses over Quade.


    Quade, remaining under Peritzal, just... nods. Silently staring in the sky, hoping they get out of this aftermath alive.

 #13 - Starveil Travelers/Italian Gangstars 2

    Quade and Peritzal... remain lying against the ground, the former having helped the latter off of him so that they were lying side to side. His hat returned now that his disguise was over, both of them contently staring off.


    "... so... if you had brought Papaya..." Quade trails out, remaining limp against the sidewalk.


    "Papaya would have been able to shoot the gangsters while I was shielding us from the front," Peritzal explains. "Your strategy was excellent in protecting us, but I have the upmost faith that Papaya and I would have been unbeatable, and Papaya would not have been injured after. Plus, she would have been able to shoot the gatling gun gangster before my power completely depleted and my ''bones'' are unable to move. However, do not blame yourself for this, I understand your reasons."


    "I see..." Quade noises, sighing.


    Another silence between the two.


    "... so, I have killed most of the attackers," Peritzal admits, staring up at the sky. "Do you believe that we are prone to further attack after this?"


    "Maybe... but I hope not... I still got minutes before I can get up. My organs are still bruised from takin'' on all those pistol bullets..." Quade responds, sighing. "Armadillos ain''t completely bulletproof. That''s just a myth, one I quickly needed to do to protect us. Guess we''re both stuck in this situation, your body depleted of all them- electrolytes? Whatever it is that lets you move... while mine''s workin'' hard to fix itself with what lets it move. Gonna be here for a while, really opens us up to danger..."


    "I see," Peritzal comments, hmming.


    The clouds above them pass by, sun shining brightly down upon them. Currently lying in the midst of the "gangster aftermath". Survivors lying amidst bodies, getting themselves ready and back in working order.


    Meanwhile, back at Niagara Straws...


    "Huh..."


    The other three stare as one glass is placed before Giichi. Innocent enough, looking very... refreshing. The bartender didn''t prepare anything alcoholic, suspecting Giichi to be the... youthful type. The type of girl that can''t have alcohol yet.


    The gangster bartender nods to Giichi, smiling professionally. "Here you go. Enjoy, I''m gonna go out back and take out the garbage..." Walking out the back door.


    Giichi stares at the cup in particular, curiously thinking about the possibilities of poison... before holding onto it, intending to drink. "Welp! Bottoms up-"


    "Wait-" Papaya stops Giichi, before she can. "Wait a moment. We don''t know if he''s telling the truth for sure, Giichi, and we also know that you''re still able to be poisoned. Let''s... let the professional handle it."


    "Professional?" Giichi asks, tilting her head.


    Rosemary.


    The red mist lingers out of Giichi''s mouth, Giichi waiting as instructed as Rosemary examines the drink''s contents for anything- weird. Just floating and lingering in the iced tea for quite some time, really examining it.


    "..." Caspian looks around for a bit. "Guys, it''s... suspicious that there''s no other gangsters here... I''m gonna go out front, see if anyone''s coming in."


    "Sounds good, dude- stay safe," Papaya calls out, nodding as the prince leaves the building.


    And eventually, she gives her verdict: "... drink''s clear. It''s just normal iced tea, with squeezed lemon juice inside of it. You are good to drink."


    "Huh..." Giichi noises, as she smiles to the others. "Alright. Bottoms up, finally!" Promptly leaning back and starting to drink-


    Suddenly, something hits against her back. Giichi, startled, accidently shakes the hand that was holding the glass. Seconds later, a man''s voice shouts: "E-Eh?! What the hell do you think you''re doing?!"


    Giichi, Papaya, and Nyx were too focused on Giichi actually drinking the stuff that they didn''t notice the white suited man standing right behind her. Both Giichi and Papaya stare at this guy, not even having realized he was here to begin with.


    Was he- was he a gangster? If he wasn''t, why was he in a gangster bar, drinking-


    Before they could properly think about this, the white suited man grabs Giichi tightly by the shoulder and forcibly pulls her out of the chair. "Well?! Gonna do something about this, b----?!" He violently shouts, staring straight at Giichi. "Doesn''t look like you have cash on ya, and this here''s a hundred thousand dollar suit!"


    Giichi stares with mild shock and worry, caught off guard and panicked by this. "U-Uhm-"


    Before she could apologize one bit, the man continues to shout. Pointing to the back of the back door. "C''mon! Let''s take this to the back corner! Then I''m gonna make you pay-!"


    The man is immediately interrupted upon making this threat, as Rosemary takes over Giichi''s body and uppercuts the man in the jaw. The sounds of his jawbone breaking as the man falls onto his back, collapsed over with absolute anguish on his face.


    "So you''re our next goddamn gangster!" Rosemary shouts to the others, crouching down and violently staring at the man. Gritting her teeth and brightly grinning.


    "W-What?!" Papaya shouts, the panic on her face going away as she glares down at this white suited man. Both girls staring down at this white suited gangster, glaring at their next enemy.


    "So-" Quade starts to speak, back at the street with Peritzal. "... do you actually want to know about the situation between me and Nyx?"


    "I do not care all that much," Peritzal honestly answers. "But do you want to talk about it?"


    "Not really, no," Quade honestly answers. "But it''s on my mind and all... happened yesterday."


    "Then feel free to. I do not care, but I also do not mind. We have nothing to do but talk, anyway," Peritzal explains.


    "If you say so... see, it began when I received a call on... my... my phone!" Quade exclaims, eyes wide and looking to Peritzal. "Peritzal- my cellphone. I can call someone for help!"


    Peritzal- looks to Quade. "Y... Yes! You can!"


    Quade- Quade nods, starting to use his phone. "Okay, okay, someone to call- should I call Papaya?"


    "No, no, there is the possibility that the gangsters are deceiving us. Bluffing about how many of them are left. The bar could be full of them, and Papaya and the others could ultimately be in danger. Maybe even hiding," Peritzal idly explains, thinking to herself. "... don''t you have any nearby friends you can call?"


    "I''m not bringin'' them into this, in case any guys show up and- y''know, kill ''em..." Quade responds, sighing. "Has to be someone we both know, who''s readily available to-"


    Immediately, Quade- then receives a call from... the hospital?


    That''s... weird. He doesn''t know anyone who works at the hospital. Did... someone get injured? Oh... oh, no, an emergency contact situation at this time...? This is a real bad time to be getting one of these. Quade- just answers anyway, holding his phone up to his ear. "... hello?"


    "Quade! Quade, Quade! Someone''s- someone''s out to get Giichi. She''s got a mafia on her!"


    Quade... blinks at this, staring at the phone. "... huh? Odette? You''re- ... wait, you know about-?!"


    "L-Listen, they''re sending guys to- oh god, oh god-" Odette exclaims, hyperventilating. "Y-You gotta get Giichi and get out of town- she''s not safe, they''ll-"


    "Odette, slow down, we already know!" Quade exclaims into his phone.


    "You- ... w... what?"


    "Yeah... it... we know, Odette," Quade calmly answers, his eyes... narrowing. Staring at the phone, explaining the situation... with building skepticism at Odette knowing this information. "Y''see... some of them attacked the apartment, they DID find Giichi. She''s still alive, she''s at the bar where they apparently gather, and we''ve been dealing with them for most of this morning."


    Peritzal looks over to Quade as he speaks, also... starting to be skeptical. Overhearing what Quade was saying, watching as the man was on the line with a hyperventilating ally that hasn''t been informed whatsoever about the situation.


    So, she immediately asks: "... the question is, Odette... none of us told you or Verness about this. How exactly did you find out that those men are after her?"


    "... uhhh sorry no speak English need to go bye-"


    Quade blinks as Odette just hangs up, looking back to Peritzal. "... he knows something."


    "Yep. Call him back. He has a personal phone?"


    "Yep, got it saved," Quade answers, before glancing back at the phone and-


    BAM.


    A shot rings out of nowhere. The bullet pierces the phone and breaks the screen, making it impossible to make calls.


    Quade watches as his phone contently breaks, keeping his hand still as he... discerns that the shot came from a building down the street. Able to see a sniper that just missed his head, even though they were stationary targets. "... Peritzal- sniper! W-We need to move, now-!"


    "Not exactly a lot of options..." Peritzal groans, before she... clenches her teeth. A metaphorical lightbulb lighting up. "... Quade-! Phone! Mouth- put what''s left against my mouth-!"


    "W-What?!" Quade shouts at this demand. "H-Hold on, repeat that?!"


    "Now, McMurphy!" Peritzal shouts, closing her lips together.


    Quade- nods as he does so, putting the phone onto Peritzal''s mouth before the sniper could reload.


    "Don''t even try it, gangster!"


    Back at the bar, Rosemary and Papaya crowded around the man and began viciously kicking his side and stomping on his body. Really taking this guy out, making sure he was down for the count before his buddies show up.


    Nyx watches as this happens, staring at it for some time as she glances at Giichi''s iced tea. Reaching over and taking a small, gentle sip of the tea, smacking her lips lightly.


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    This was some good iced tea...


    "You tryin'' to start trouble, eh?!" "Take that, and that! And one of these!"


    And in the next moment, Nyx follows up as she begins to stomp on the man''s backside, violently growling and grunting as the group beat the man up.


    Aggressively violent noises come out of all three of them, ganging up on this gangster with no mercy - beyond being nonlethal, of course.


    "..." Nyx then- clears her throat and stops. "Hold it. Rosemary- Papaya- I don''t think this guy is a gangster."


    "H-Huh-" Rosemary noises, looking up at Nyx as the three others stop as well.


    "Look. The man''s unconscious," Nyx tells them, pointing down at the absolute trainwreck of a man. "He''s just a random man. No gangster affiliation."


    "Y-You''re kidding...!" Rosemary exclaims, her eyes flickering as Giichi immediately regains control. The latter of which shouts: "A-Are you for real?!"


    "Yep. Typical Rosemary moment..." Caspian suddenly chimes in, entering the bar again after hearing what they were doing. He looks down at the guy, staring at him for some time.


    "W-What do we do?!" Giichi exclaims, shaking with worry and concern. "W-We can''t pay for his suit...! H-How are we gonna get a hundred thousand dollars?!"


    "Wait, he said how much?" Caspian asks, closing the door and taking off his visor. Staring at the man''s suit with his beautiful, sky blue eyes. "There''s- no way that this is a hundred grand..."


    Papaya trails a finger on the suit as well, sighing. "... well, expensive or not, we just gotta wash the stain out, then we''ll let him go on his lil'' merry way... say that he got jumped by gangsters, then move on."


    "..." Giichi- takes an uncomfortable deep breath in, and... nods. "Sounds good... but- in case the stain doesn''t come out, should- should we at least pay for his dry cleaning or something?"


    The other three, and Rosemary, all collectively say no to Giichi.


    "No- nonono, don''t! Please-!"


    The sniper, back near Quade and Peritzal, stares in horror as the pure, condensed light of the Sun shines into his eyes. A reflective surface floating in the air, burning the man''s eyes with an unyielding brightness that passes through his eyelids.


    Peritzal has Quade''s cellphone against her mouth. Her tongue wrapped around the exposed wiring, sapping as much static electricity as she could from its battery as she uses her shield''s material to shine sunlight into the man''s eyes. Very visibly licking the phone, just juggling it like a cherry. "Lick lick lick lick lick lick lick lick lick lick lick lick lick..."


    "... so you''re- going to fix my phone after this, right...? I''m a little attached to the phone and SIM card on it, people need that number..." Quade comments.


    Peritzal gives a proud thumbs up, before her eyes flicker.


    "H-Hey!"


    Quade and Peritzal look over to the voice, seeing... Verness. The eight of her just approaching with backpacks and all.


    "Oh- Verness, uh-!" Quade hesitantly- noises, extremely- very much extremely concerned about the children being in the area with dead gangsters. "Y-You- uhm- I-"


    "Gang war?" Monochrome asks, chuckling. "Like the guys on TV?"


    "..." Quade just- nods. "Y-Yes, and uhm... we... can''t move. So-"


    "Say no more! We got this!" Monochrome exclaims, running down the street and starting to charge at where Peritzal was shining the light. Immediately lunging at the wall and climbing in, then throwing herself into the open window and inflicting a comedically large amount of child-handed violence on this grown man.


    Unbeknownst to Quade, all of the Vernesses are mostly just desensitized and ignoring the fact there were so many dead bodies around right now. The exceptions were Cyan, Monochrome, and Red. Cyan, who was just... outstandingly panicked by the sight and is just keeping quiet to calm down, Monochrome, currently punching and beating up a now blind gangster with her child-sized hands. And Red, who was wearing a blindfold because the Vernesses agreed that she was too squeamish to handle seeing any violence whatsoever.


    The other seven- well, six, Verness Red can''t see right now, the six of them watch Monochrome run off before looking down at Quade and Peritzal.


    "S... So, do you, uhm, n... need some help...?" Verness Red timidly asks... fidgeting as she holds Orange''s hand.


    "... we would love some help," Quade tells them. "Can you take us to the hospital? It- it hurts me to walk right now, and Peritzal can''t move whatsoever, so-"


    "Oh, s-sure!" Red comments, standing idly aside as the other six start to surround Quade and Peritzal. With the combined strength of these six little girls, four of them alone proceed to effortlessly lift Quade up, with the other two dragging Peritzal by the shoulders.


    Verness Red then- idly wanders over to grab Peritzal by the ankles, lifting her up and using the other two Vernesses to guide them along.


    "Monochrome! You can stop beating that man up, now!" shouts Orange, letting out a silly little chuckle. "We gotta go!"


    Verness Monochrome peeks out of the window and nods. "Aight!" Jumping out of the window now, descending as she carries along the sniper rifle and begins running after.


    "..." Quade just hms, sighing with relief as the Vernesses were escorting them to safety. "S... So, why exactly are you girls out here?"


    "Oh, because, uhm, Mom dr-dropped us off at Giichi''s for today, a... and she w-wasn''t home, so we looked all around for you..." Verness Red explains.


    "We even asked this nice man where you guys were, and he ended up saying: ''A-Are you with those lunatics?! J-Just- just go to North Starveil, leave us alone!''" Orange answers, smiling widely as she does her best impression of one of the gangsters.


    "Personally, I find his attitude a little bit concerning. Are you guys dealing with bad people?"


    "M... Maybe they are..." Cyan speaks up, visibly frowning. "Q-Quade, is Giichi in trouble? S-Should we go help?"


    "It''s fine- Giichi''s with the others. You kids are too young to understand what''s going on," Quade begins to explain-


    "Gang violence, we know," Monochrome bluntly speaks up, continuing to follow with her new sniper rifle. "We saw the men on TV, huge crime spree. Looked pretty cool."


    "I see- well, uhm, you''re still too young to-" Quade then watches as his entire body suddenly rotates 90 degrees, as the Vernesses were now walking up a building with their spider legs. "... w-why are we going up a building?"


    "W-Well, we''re going to a hospital, right? There''s a hospital in this direction, and time is short..." Cyan responds.


    "Shortcut!" Green exclaims.


    Quade just- nods, sighing. "... alright. Just- be careful and all..."


    Back at Niagara Straws, those four have effectively cleaned up the white suited man. Putting him in the corner with sunglasses on, the man passed out against a table while a glass of iced tea was spilled against the table.


    "So... you''re saying that guy took your iced tea and is now drinking in the corner?" the gangster bartender asks, having come back to whatever scene those four were doing.


    "Yes, indeed," Papaya contently answers, smiling at the bartender. "Guy took our drink and spilled it on his $100k suit, so-"


    The gangster bartender pbffts audibly. "$100k? Suuuuure... that''s an 80 dollar suit."


    "... 80 dollars?" Giichi asks, blinking. "R-Really?"


    "79, actually, but... yeah. Point is, ain''t no way that thing''s breaking into 3 digits," the bartender comments. "In fact, seen him a buncha places. He goes to places full of drunks, and exploits the dumb looking ones. They never even realize he''s there when he does it."


    "Ohhhhhhhhh...!" Papaya and Giichi noise, looking at each other. "Oh, phew...!"


    The bartender nods, putting four empty glasses on the counter. "So. You four want some drinks?"


    After their little- beating up incident, the four of them were more open to the drinks. They could potentially trust this bartender.


    "Sure. Four iced teas," Caspian tells the bartender.


    "Coming right up." The bartender picks up his pitcher and pours more iced tea, contently placing all four glasses in front of them. "And here you go!"


    "Thank you!" Giichi tells them, as all four of them grab their cups with their right hands. Conveniently, beating up a dude and standing outside on a sunny day puts up a nice thirst. Thus, they coincidentally move at the same time, drinking down the iced teas at the same time.


    Then the cups are put back down on the counter.


    "Ahhh! Phew! Y''know, you''re alright, dude!" Giichi exclaims, smiling at the bartender. "Sorry that we''re kinda going after your employers and all. Maybe once all of this is over, we could have some more drinks here!"


    "Aww, really?" the gangster bartender asks. "That''s nice of ya. Sure."


    Giichi nods contently. "Cool! Though- I mean, wouldn''t hurt if we had some more, how about-"


    "Wait- Wait, Giichi-" Caspian speaks up, covering his mouth. Being the most... liquid sensitive of the group, he- shakes and covers his mouth. "Oh- Oh god."


    "... Caspian, what''s the- ma... matter...?" Papaya asks, blinking as her vision distorts. "... oh- oh crap-"


    Nyx- twitches her eyes as she was starting to have her vision distort as well. "... the... the drinks- they-!" she exclaims, looking to the bartender in horror. The devil knight didn''t taste any of the poison with her tiny sip earlier, and- the bartender didn''t do anything to it! It was just the same pitcher of iced tea... "Y-You made that in front of us- how did- how did you... how did you spike it...?!"


    "..." The bartender narrows his eyes, grinning and revealing his trick. "I wasn''t lying when I said I don''t tamper with the drinks... I served you a pitcher of lemonade. Plentiful amounts of ice and all."


    It dawns on Papaya, being the first to realize. "Y... You... used... poisoned ice cubes...!" she exclaims, staring at the bartender. Reaching down for her gun... her fingers unable to grab it, before she falls down against the counter.


    Soon, Nyx and Caspian are the next to fall, Nyx falling backwards and hitting the floor, while Caspian falls to the side and knocks Papaya over- both of them falling to the floor. The devil knight didn''t taste any of the poison with her tiny sip earlier, but... the... the ice cube theory...


    "Heh..." the bartender chuckles, grinning deviously. His slight chuckle turning into maliciously evil laughter as he stares at the poisoned victims, glaring with pure delight. Watching them die before his eyes. That''s right, die. In a matter of minutes, these four were going to die!


    The bartender was congratulating himself, knowing full well that the Boss was going to reward him handsomely for killing these four. Not an ounce of remorse or regret, watching as he reveals his bartender code of honor to be fake. As he lets his gangster ways poison them from the very beginning!


    ... as he turns to Giichi and seeing that she wasn''t on the floor. She was - in fact - still awake.


    Her eyes glaring with a bright red, a murderous gaze on her eyes after seeing this bartender drug her friends. Sure, Giichi is probably poisoned and is at risk of dying... but that just leaves Rosemary in her place, to take over with the drive to correct her mistake now that the poison melted into the iced tea on her watch.


    "... n... now, before you do anything you might regret-" the bartender speaks up.


    Rosemary promptly interrupts him and grabs the bartender by the throat, lifting him up into the air.


    "I''m not going to regret any of this," Rosemary calmly tells the bartender.


    Afterwards, the girl promptly proceeds to hop over the counter and throws herself forward. Her hand slams the bartender''s body into the glass protective case, the glass shattering behind him with a loud smash. This bartender now face to face with an enraged girl with the strength of a dragon behind her hands.


    "Y... You...!" the bartender shouts, reaching for his-


    Then, forcefully, Rosemary runs along, dragging the man''s body to break every single bottle of alcohol this bar has before he could grab his gun. Countless alcohols that the gang''s bar owned, the bottles'' shards falling to the ground as this bartender is forcefully dragged through them.


    The man is thrown over the counter when they reach the end, and he screams in agony as Rosemary throws him against the wall. Back against the brick, the man breathing heavily at Rosemary, hyperventilating. His maliciousness going away now that fear courses through his veins.


    "Y-You- it''s- it''s just a job! It''s just a job! It''s JUST BUSINESS-!!!"


    Rosemary punches the bartender in the stomach, punching the air out of the man''s lungs as he coughs.


    "AND THIS IS PERSONAL, YOU PIECE OF S---!"


    Aggressively beating the man against the wall, punching and pummeling him against the wall. Rosemary was angry beyond all belief, knowing full well that - on her watch - Papaya, Caspian and Nyx were going to die. Giichi, possibly, too. It was because of Rosemary they dropped their guard. Each punch, the gaseous entity attempted to make up for this, all mercy Giichi and Rosemary had left for these guys gone.


    Violent amounts of draconic growling echo out as Rosemary attacks, as her growls turn to intense roars. Roars that echo throughout the bar, roars that start to bleed through the walls of the bar. Drowning out the man''s pure screams of agony as he was a man face to face with a monster.


    These sounds could be heard as Quade, Peritzal, and the Vernesses- were walking along the roofs of buildings. Giichi''s roaring echoing out, with the spider girls raising their eyebrows.


    "W... What is that? Is that Giichi?" Verness Cyan asks.


    "A-And is she b-beating a man up...?" Verness Red asks.


    "Oh, boy! Where''s that happening?!" Verness Monochrome exclaims.


    Peritzal and Quade just- blink as they listen to this. "... Vernesses, we-" Quade begins to speak, about to explain where Giichi and the others were.


    Then, immediately, Rosemary throws the bartender through a wall. A massive hole bursting out of the bar as his body is launched through, the Vernesses having a clear sight.


    "T-THE ANTIDOTE-!" the bartender screams. "THERE''S AN ANTIDOTE-!"


    "THEN WHERE IS IT?!" Rosemary screams at the top of her lungs.


    "... n- not on me right now! I don''t have any! B-But- but there IS an antidote for-!"


    Rosemary lunges forward and picks the man up, throwing him into the air. Wings immediately sprouting out of her back as she flies up into the air, soaring straight at the gangster.


    "P... Poisoned?!" Peritzal shouts.


    Quade immediately shouts. "V-Vernesses! We need to go down there, now! G-Get everyone in a pile and carry us out!"


    "O-Okay!" Red shouts in panic as the spider girls run as fast as they can, retrieving the poisoned and unconscious friends in the bar.


    Rosemary flies higher and higher to the gangster, screaming at the top of her lungs:


    "STARVEIL MAFIA! GET THE HELL OUT OF OUR CITY!!!"


    Before promptly slamming her fist into the bartender''s stomach, sending a violently brutal message to any remaining criminals that could see this. Punching him hard in the body, air forcefully shooting out of his body and blowing a massive, gaping hole into the clouds above.


    The bartender screams at the top of his lungs as he''s launched past the clouds, Rosemary effectively sending a man into a death sentence as he leaves Earth''s atmosphere. His body simultaneously burning and freezing upon entering space... flying far, far away from the planet with a horrified look on his face.


    Eventually, he stops thinking.


    Rosemary promptly... flies back down to the ground, seeing the others outside. Quickly picking them all up into her arms and flying as fast as they can. "POISONED! WHERE?! AM?! I?! GOING?!"


    "H-Hospital!" Quade shouts, pointing in the direction. "T-The hospital! Quick-!"


    Rosemary nods as she carries them quickly to the hospital, flying as fast as possible. "GRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!"

 #14 - Emergency Room Poison

    After the events of Niagara Straws, Giichi, Papaya, Caspian, and Nyx were poisoned by the gangster bartender. Rosemary in Giichi''s body was carrying them, as well as Peritzal, Quade, and the Vernesses to the hospital. Absolute raw panic running through the gaseous entity and her dragon girl vessel.


    Rosemary lands right in front of the hospital, avoiding whatever she could as her feet slam against the concrete and a massive cloud of dust sweeps around the area. The girl running to carry everyone in, barging into the hospital.


    "P-POISON! WE''VE BEEN POISONED-!" Rosemary screams loudly, raw urgency and panic in her voice, putting everyone down and picking up the three people who were actually poisoned. "M-ME AND THESE THREE! DRANK ICED TEA. POISONED. WE NEED HELP! QUICKLY!"


    Quickly, emergency services were at work, putting the three unconscious people onto wheel carts. All of them especially looking at Nyx, seeing her body burning. "T-This one, is she-?!"


    "J-Just can''t handle sunlight, that''s unrelated, but she''s still poisoned-" Rosemary explains, before- wobbling and falling. "A... And I''m poisoned too... don''t- know what it is... he put it in the... ice cubes-" Promptly falling over, as her wings retract into her back. Giichi and Rosemary now unconscious.


    Doctors- look at this, calling for another carrier to bring Giichi''s unconscious body along.


    Quade- groans against the floor, just- head to his head. Body continuing to regenerate and heal itself after his organs were damaged under armadillo skin. Taking more time than usual, given the amount. "U... Ugh..."


    "D-Do you need help as well, sir?" the receptionist exclaims, looking at Quade. "W-We can arrange extra hands to help with-"


    "Nono, I''m- fine, I can get up in a moment and get some grub..." Quade tells the receptionist, before pointing to Peritzal. "T-This one over here, however, immediately needs... electricity, though. In order to move."


    "E... Electricity? Why exactly...?" the receptionist begins to ask.


    Peritzal provides an explanation that sounds as reasonable as possible to medical staff. "In summary, it is connected to my life support," she answers. "I simply need a place to charge my tablet and I will be able to move my arms and legs again. A wall socket will do."


    "Oh! Interesting, well- alright, then-! Please follow me, o-over here will do," the receptionist says, starting to walk and- "... oh, right, m... miss, you can''t move-"


    Quickly, the Vernesses surround Peritzal and lift her up, carrying her in their many arms. "W-We''ll carry her...!" Red comments, smiling at the nice receptionist lady. "W-Where to?"


    The receptionist nods, and leads Verness and Peritzal off to the electrical socket in the waiting area. A large section of the front lobby dedicated for people to sit: about twelve rows of eight seats, grouped into row pairs back to back. A few sockets line up along pillars in the walls, and Peritzal is taken to the closest free one- Verness Blue taking a moment to pull wires out of the tablet to inject it into the socket. Starting the charging process to refill Peritzal''s tablet in a rather impromptu way.


    Meanwhile, Quade- gets up with a struggle, standing up and stretching. "Mmm..." Looking around the front lobby, seeing a vending machine. Walking up to it and reaching into his red jeans, pulling out some money to get some barbecue chips.


    Contrary to popular belief, junk food was good for the body! Well, in Quade''s case. With the bag in hand, Quade starts to eat... feeling himself nourished with each bite, organs regenerating and recovering their damaged areas. His healing sped up with a savory snack, taking a calming breath as he chomps on each crisp. Really just- taking in the flavor of this refreshing cheap stuff. If he had the time and place, he could make something much better than chips...


    "U-Uhm- Quade-"


    Quade blinks as he looks down to see Verness Red next to him, smiling up at him. He returns the kind smile, visibly grateful for the spider girls'' help out of the situation. "Howdy, Verness. This sure has been a hectic Sunday..."


    Red stares at Quade for a bit, blinking for a bit as he says this... before gasping. "O-Oh! I-It''s still the weekend. I completely forgot..."


    "Heh, yeah... feels like it''s been longer, yet- shorter and shorter at the same time, I reckon..." Quade tells the little girl, taking another bite of a chip. "... want one, by the way?"


    "O-Oh, no... I- I don''t like barbecue..." Verness Red comments, shaking her head. "I... uhm..."


    "Alright- hey, I got enough for another bag. Maybe one to split with the other seven of you and all," Quade tells the girl, turning back to the vending machine. "They got sour cream and onion- plain potato... cheddar, cheese puffs- got a favorite, Lil'' Red? Or-"


    Quade is then interrupted, feeling his hand being held and lightly pulled by Verness. He looks back down to see the little girl holding in her other hand the remains of his flip phone. The handheld''s screen in ruin as its keypad remained intact, the little girl holding it out to him.


    "P-Peritzal told me to give this to you... have you hold onto it until she can fix it a-and all... s-so, uh, you don''t need to get us chips..."


    "..." Quade nods as he accepts and pockets the phone. "Thank ya kindly, Verness."


    "Mhmm... b... but, uhm, if- if you do get us chips- the, the uh, the cheddar fries..." Red answers.


    Quade- hmms, looking at the vending machine. "... they got the spicy ones, not the normal."


    "T-That''ll do..." Red comments, smiling brightly- before she sheepishly and timidly shakes her head. "O-Only if- only if you want to, though...! I''m good if-"


    Quade promptly paid for the bag of spicy cheddar fries in the midst of Red''s fidgeting. Reaching in and handing her the bag right after she says the word ''good''. "Here ya go, all yers."


    Verness Red- accepts the bag, smiling and beaming at Quade. "U-Uhm! T-Thank you, M-Mister McMurphy...!" Before scurrying back to the other Vernesses with the bag.


    Quade just smiles at this, before... blinking for a bit. His phone. His destroyed one. The man staring in complete silence as he remembers the earlier call right before.


    "Quade! Quade, Quade! Someone''s- someone''s out to get Giichi. She''s got a mafia on her! L-Listen, they''re sending guys to- oh god, oh god- y-you gotta get Giichi and get out of town- she''s not safe, they''ll..."


    "..."


    Quade walks back up to the receptionist''s desks, looking about the lines. Passing by some people who were here by appointment, approaching the earlier encountered receptionist at her free counter. AKA, the "immediate" emergency worker... either for asking quick concerns, or directing people to a different line in the hospital.


    The receptionist looks up at Quade, smiling politely. "Ah. You''re back on your feet. That''s good. Can I help you?"


    "Indeed, you can," Quade responds. "Just got a question, miss, is there an... Odette, currently here?"


    "An... Odette? Last name?"


    "Mhmm- uh, Cox," Quade answers. "Odette Cox, to be- clear. Used your hospital''s phone maybe, like... I want to say, within the last hour or so?"


    The receptionist hmms. "... I don''t- think that person''s here, no."


    Quade hmms for a moment, tilting his head. If Odette wasn''t at this hospital, he''d have to travel to a different one, looking for him... "You- sure? Around- six feet tall, pink hair, rabbit ears- earrings with dangling gold tassels-?"


    "O-Oh!" the receptionist exclaims, as Quade saying ''rabbit ears'' made it evident to her. "Actually, yes, someone like that is in the building right now... are you- family of his?"


    "Friend," Quade corrects. "He called me earlier, and hung up. I just wanted to see if he was okay."


    "Well- he''s... he seemed a little panicked, and..." the receptionist begins to speak, narrowing her eyes at Quade. "... sir, I... remind me again, what was his name?"


    Quade- tilts his head. "Odette Cox...? Is that not the name he gave you?"


    "Well... I-" the receptionist begins to speak, a little tense. "I- It''s probably a privacy concern, so I can''t really-"


    "O-Oh, hi, Odette...!"


    Quade and the receptionist turn to Verness Red saying this, as Odette was walking away from the bathroom. Having splashed water against his face a moment ago, his pink eyes looking to Verness before- seeing Quade at the receptionist''s desk.


    "..." Odette- walks over and waves. "Uh... hi, Quade! What a surprise! N-Nice seeing you here!" Acting as if he didn''t just call Quade a moment ago.


    The receptionist blinks for a moment at this. "H... Huh. Sir, do you know these people?" she asks Odette, feigning a smile in slight concern-


    Odette, quickly, nods. "Y-Yes, they''re friends of mine! I simply gave them a different name to call me..."


    "A-Alright, Mr. Hawthorne, if you say so," the receptionist comments, taking a deep breath and looking back to Quade. "Sorry for the-"


    "No, no, it''s- it''s alright. We got the last name wrong," Quade answers, smiling warmly at the receptionist. "Thank you."


    "You''re welcome. In regards to your friends, we''ll make sure to give you updates, and if you need anything else, feel free to come back over," the receptionist explains, giving a polite smile and nod before returning to her work.


    "Yes, of course. Thank you," Quade tells the woman, walking away from the desk and approaching Odette. "... so, Hawthorne, hm?" Quade asks, tilting his head.


    "Y... Yeah... that''s- my legal last name..." Odette explains, hand- raised behind his head, scratching idly with his rabbit ears drooped. "... my mom kept the last name of my stepdad, so... I use Cox when introducing myself. But I''m legally... uhm... Joseph ''Odette'' Hawthorne."


    "Joseph? Huh..." Quade- gently nods. "I''m- gonna be honest... I assumed Odette was a nickname. It''s a girl''s name, after all..."


    "Y-Yeah, I... I know, but I- I like Odette better, honestly. It''s unique, so that''s... uhm..." Odette comments, just- nodding. "... so what- what brings you guys here? Did you bring the others here for a check up, or-"


    "Poison," Quade bluntly tells Odette, a serious look on his face as he whispers to Odette.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    A cold atmosphere forms between the two as Odette stares at Quade. "... w... what?" Odette asks, his skin going ghastly pale. Mouth straightened, giving him a poker-face with nervous smile turned to overwhelming concern. "Poison...?"


    Quade puts a hand on Odette''s shoulder, looking around. "Got any place we can quietly talk for a moment, Joseph? We... need to discuss the call."


    Odette... slowly... nods, shaking in his voice. "W-W-W... Well, I kn... I know one p-place... we can talk there..."


    Quade... nods gently. "Sure. Lead the way."


    The two men starting to walk to the elevator- Verness Red blinking as she and the other Vernesses get up to follow.


    "Uhm-" Quade noises, looking to the Vernesses. "Y-You should stick here with Peritzal, so-"


    As if on cue, Peritzal is seen walking to join the two, entering the elevator with them.


    "Verness- stay here in the waiting room for now," Peritzal instructs. "I''m sure you all understand how to behave yourselves. If any updates occur with the others, tell the receptionist that we''re with Odette- or, rather, Mr. Hawthorne."


    "Sounds good, Peritzal...!" Verness Red answers, as the other seven give their own varying responses of yes.


    "Excellent," Peritzal responds, nodding at the girls as the elevator door closes with a ''ding'' sound.


    The three adults left in the elevator, as Odette pressed the eighth floor button. The elevator rises in complete silence, going to the second floor, then the third.


    "..."


    Then... sobbing starts to fill the elevator.


    Quade looks over to Odette, his eyes blinking as Odette quietly sobbing into his hands. Tears trailing down his wrists and dripping down his elbows. In the enclosed space of the elevator, Odette felt the uncontrollable urge to cry. Fingers over his eyes, his breath shakily brushing against his fish-net covered palms.


    Odette was already panicked and shaken about the phone call, so... the poisoning absolutely devastated him. A massive weight against his back, as if the ghosts of his (yet to be) dead friends were pushing down on him. Wanting to crush him and flatten him, getting their revenges for letting them die. Pure guilt and agony riddling his body, just making him feel utterly miserable and responsible for what happened.


    Odette tried his best to keep a strong face, to wait until they went somewhere safe. But how could he? P... Peritzal was in the elevator. Peritzal. The person whose sister was poisoned! Odette kept blaming himself for everything, just screaming at himself inside his head.


    "... O-Odette-" Quade tries to speak-


    "I- I didn''t know that would happen! I really didn''t-" Odette exclaims in the elevator, his voice almost shrieking out. Looking to the two with absolute panic, frantic panic, pure and genuine panic. "A-All of the others got poisoned?! B-By those gangsters?!"


    Peritzal, looking to the crying man, bluntly nods. "Yes... according to Rosemary, they were. I don''t have enough power to know for sure how strong the poison is, but-"


    The elevator suddenly shakes as they reach the 7th floor, a flash of gold light covering the elevator as Odette lets out a stressed wail.


    "P- Peritzal-" Quade immediately chimes in.


    Peritzal looks to Quade. "I''m being honest with him, they-"


    "Shh-" Quade noises, promptly. He knows Peritzal to be the least empathetic of the D''Erricos, and just- tells her to be quiet for now. Looking to her with a serious expression.


    Odette- realizes what was happening, and grabs his- ears tightly, gripping them to stop the golden flash. He didn''t even realize that he grabbed the elevator in that moment... his stress just- making things worse. Hyperventilating through gritted teeth as the elevator continues to go up, squeezing his ears to the point where it started to hurt- his crying face exposed to the air as the tears wash down his cheeks.


    "I- I''m so sorry...! I- If I didn''t hang up, maybe they''d- oh god, oh god-!" Odette exclaims, shaking in absolute guilt. His voice picking up more as he was having a complete and utter grief-induced panic attack.


    Quade- Quade just watches as Odette cries. "H... Hey, Odette, w... we ain''t blaming ya for the poison... we-"


    "B-But I- I probably could have looked for Giichi and the others wouldn''t have been poisoned and maybe-" Odette frantically interjects.


    "Hey, hey- deep breaths-" Quade interrupts, smiling at Odette as warmly as he could. "Deep breaths, Odette- can you follow me for a moment? Please? Deep breath in-"


    ... the two guys proceed to take a slow, deep inhale. Breathing in, Odette following after Quade as the air builds up in their lungs.


    Ding. The elevator opens on the ninth floor...


    "... and a deep breath out," Quade says, both of them breathing out with slow sighs. "In..."


    Peritzal was surrounded by two deeply breathing men, staring forward to see people waiting outside the elevator. A mixture of doctors, wheel-chair bound patients, and family members just staring at the three. Quade conducting a breathing exercise with a crying pink haired rabbit man in front of an apparent crowd, the purple haired girl just blankly staring at them.


    They were... surprisingly understanding. Patiently just letting the men breathe in the elevator for a while.


    "... and out," Quade finishes, looking to Odette. "Good... good. How you doin'', man...?"


    Odette... sniffles and lets go of his ears as he walks out of the elevator. "O... O... Oka... okay..." Sidestepping around the crowd present, just- passing by.


    Quade and Peritzal- follow after, walking past the crowd and continuing to tail Odette. Walking through a hallway of patient wards. Passing many open and closed doors, the hospital as active as ever.


    And the three of them stop in front of a door, one with a nameplate of a patient on it.


    "... oh. Odette... you- took us to..." Quade begins to speak, staring at the nameplate. Jocelyn O. Cox.


    "Yeah... my... my mom," Odette responds, opening the door and entering.


    Before the three of them, a woman that was bedridden and comatose. Hooked up to a life support machine, her long blonde hair unkempt and messy.


    Peritzal blinks for a moment, remembering something Giichi said right before they began their "fight the mafia" plan...


    Nah, I don''t wanna bother him... he''s got enough on his plate already...


    "... has... has Giichi ever been here before?" Peritzal asks, staring at the woman. "I was- confused about something she said. We ultimately didn''t call you about our plan, because Giichi said you... had a lot on your plate."


    Odette... nods. "Y... Yeah, that''s... that''s..." He clears his throat. "... that''s how we met, actually. D... Do you- remember the day she randomly brought me to meet you guys?"


    Peritzal blinks several times at this.


    "Y... Yeah... Giichi, she''s... been here several times..." Odette explains, sniffling. "S... She comes here once in a while. Tells Mom some stories. S-She and Rosemary both, actually. Has- Giichi never told you guys...?"


    "No, I reckon she kept your privacy. W... We... never knew that your mom was..." Quade began speaking, before going silent. "... when- when did it happen?"


    "A... A few months ago..." Odette answers, crouching down by her side. "She''s been unresponsive and the doctors are... trying their best and all..."


    "I see... our condolences," Peritzal speaks.


    "... is it... really alright for us to privately talk in here?" Quade asks.


    A nod from Odette. "... yeah. The surveillance cameras are in the hallways for privacy concerns. As long as the door''s closed, walls are soundproof, and... Mom... Mom knows."


    "Knows?" Quade asks, tilting his head.


    Odette looks to Peritzal, nudging his head slightly. Peritzal looks over her shoulder at the open door, then closes it. Nice and private.


    "..." Odette takes a deep sigh. "M... My uncle. Uncle Talon. She knows that he''s... the head of the Blackbird Syndicate, so if she can hear us, she knows already. We''re good to talk."


    A silence between them as Odette drops this bombshell.


    "... and... the Blackbird Syndicate is...?" Quade asks, tilting his head.


    Odette blinks for a bit. "T... The mafia you''ve been fighting?"


    "Huh," Quade comments, tilting his head from side to side. "We''ve been calling them the Starveil Mafia..."


    "..." Odette blinks for a bit, in disbelief. "T... There''s no such thing as a... h... how did you guys get that name?"


    Peritzal raises her hand. "Brain scan."


    "Brain sc..." Odette stares at Peritzal for a bit, before... "... oh... actually, that- that does make sense. Uncle Talon did m-make an entire anecdote one time about how genius dark organizations were. He- was drunk and went on a tangent about how the top kept top secret information. I- I know he''s the head of the Syndicate, maybe he did the same thing..."


    "I see. So what you are suggesting is that we scanned the brain of someone low in the ranks of... ah. Ah. I guess Lyle Silvers was telling the truth about being second from the bottom. His brain only knew it as the Starveil Mafia..."


    "Point is-" Quade clears his throat. "Your uncle''s the... head of it. The boss? So he- called you?"


    "Yes... a... and, well, he... described Giichi... so, what happened was..."


    Odette begins to explain to Quade and Peritzal the phone call. How he was visiting his mom this morning, before his job in the afternoon. The man went downstairs to eat breakfast, and- some staff let him know about there being a call for him.


    "Okay- I''ll be right out..."


    The call was sent to one of the building''s phones, out in the front lobby. Odette walked to the public line. "Hello?"


    "Ah. Joseph. It''s good to hear from you again."


    Odette faintly smiled when he leaned against the phone box. "Uncle. Didn''t expect you to call..."


    "Tried reaching your cellphone, seemed off. Hope you don''t mind me calling you like this..."


    "Oh- no worries! S-So, what did you want to talk about?" Odette asked. In his heart, he hoped that Uncle Talon was calling him about something nice, something surprising. Like, typical uncle-nephew plans.


    "Well- here''s the thing, I need you to listen closely-"


    "Hold up-" Quade interrupts Odette''s story for a bit. "S... So he used public hospital lines to- tell ya how his mafia''s gonna kill Giichi?"


    Odette shakes his head. "N-No, no... he disguised it... what he said was..."


    "If you see a brown haired girl with some weird thing sticking out of her head, stay away from her! I- I can''t explain to you why, but she''s... she''s dangerous!"


    "And if I am understanding the time he called, it was only a few minutes after we initially stormed the bar," Peritzal speaks up. "His information network is rather fast..."


    "M-Mhmm... so... I- I know my Uncle Talon. I saw through his subtlety. He described Giichi, and... well, I... I was a little speechless. Staying away from Giichi because she''s dangerous is code for ''someone in Starveil has to be killed at all costs''..."


    Quade blinks at this, eyes wide. "... how many times has he-"


    "Haven''t counted..." Odette answers. "And Uncle Talon just... loosely describes them, t... then, I see on the news how they died. Whenever they start talking about gruesome murders, I turn off the channel..."


    "Oh..." Quade adjusts his hat by its brim, sighing. "... I see."


    "Y... Yeah- and- uhm... tried my best to- hide my shock..." Odette continues...


    Telling Peritzal and Quade how- pale he went, how he covered the bottom of his phone for a moment to hide his panic. His entire body shook in concern, devastated by this information. Uncle Talon was noting how silent he was, inquiring about why Odette went quiet for some time.


    "... sorry- I needed a moment. I... uhm... saw... a... bat... just now."


    "A... A bat?"


    "A bat?" Peritzal asks, raising her eyebrow.


    "Y-Ya told him you saw ''a bat'' as an excuse?" Quade asks, squinting his eyes at Odette.


    "Y-Yes! There''s a- there''s a bat at the hospital, but- it''s a- it''s a patient! T-They have bats at this hospital, it''s amazing, y''know? H-Hahaha..."


    "Ah. That sounds interesting!"


    "And he believed you?!" Quade exclaims, leaning forward in sheer disbelief.


    Odette nods. "Y-Yeah! U-Uncle Talon knows I''m- scared of bats and... a lot of other stuff, so he doesn''t question me when I get antsy..."


    Peritzal hms lightly, looking at Odette with a look of... impressed respect. "So you used your cowardly voice to disguise a lie behind another lie. This ''Talon'' can tell that you became scared of something rather mundane, and - as a result - he immediately amounts it to you experiencing a sudden phobia rather than fear about what he said."


    "..." Odette- nods slowly. "Y... Yes... that is exactly wha-"


    "Please continue," Peritzal interrupts, rolling her eyes and leaning her back against the door. Arms crossed and seeing right through his attempted lie.


    "Well, boy. Wish your mother the best from me, okay?"


    "W-Will do, Uncle! I''ll- I''ll tell her how much you miss her and all...!"


    Odette happily told Uncle Talon this, before hanging up. Hand on the phone, staring at the landline for a bit... absolutely scared out of his mind. Telling Quade and Peritzal how he tried to call Quade''s cellphone, knowing that to be the most secure line given that-


    "H-He has access to call logs?!" Peritzal shouts, eyes wide.


    "A-Ah-!" Odette was startled by Peritzal shouting this, flinching. Everything not nailed down in the hospital room suddenly rises into the air, flashing a gold color.


    Quade- looks around for a moment, looking for anything fragile and gently pulling them down. "H-Hey, hey, you''re... you''re alright... Peri, help me out-"


    Peritzal nods, slowly pulling everything down safely as Odette was calming down. Everything they didn''t get, gently lowering back down on their own as the telekinetic rabbit man breathed.


    "... y... yeah, so... uhm... I..." Odette faintly mumbled... "I- I never told you guys because- we... we have a policy of messing with bad guys, and I- well- I''m related to one and I don''t want my uncle hurt, but he poisoned the others and I-"


    "Odette, we..." Quade calmly speaks, resting a hand on the man''s shoulder. "... we''re not going to make you fight your family."


    Peritzal nods gently. "Agreed... the rest of us may have issues with your uncle, but you are still a trusted ally. The fact you trust us with-" Gesturing to Odette''s comatose mother. "-this information, as well as... explaining what you know. I commend your bravery."


    "..." Odette sniffles and smiles at Peritzal. "T... Thank you..."


    "That said, I will kill your uncle if I have to," Peritzal bluntly tells Odette. "He and the rest of this Syndicate are targeting Giichi, and they are responsible for poisoning my sister and our other friends."


    Odette... takes a moment to wrap his arms around Quade, hugging into the equally tall for a bit at this information. Tightly hugging the guy to remain calm at this, chin atop Quade''s shoulder and clinging to his muscular body with his own slim, effeminate figure.


    Quade just- lets Odette hug to his heart''s content, keeping still at first. Quade knows that Odette needs this right now. In any other situation, Quade... wouldn''t want to kill a friend''s family. But... if it came down to it, given the fact they were against a mafia boss...


    "... I... I won''t stop you..." Odette weakly mumbles out in grief, over Quade''s shoulder.


    "..." Quade gently returns the hug, locking the man into the emotionally supportive guy-on-guy hug. "It''s going to be okay, Odette."


    Peritzal... watches them hug, then looks back over to Jocelyn Cox. "... I wish you a speedy recovery, Jocelyn." Excusing herself before making her exit, closing the door behind her.

 #15 - The Doctor and the Spider Nurse Kids

    "So your dog''s becoming a robot? That sounds so cool. With wires and everything?"


    "Y... Yes, uhm- m-my mommy says Spot''s going to get a new leg..."


    "Yaaaaaay!"


    Verness Orange was in the waiting room, just contently speaking with a little boy whose dog was escorted to the hospital. A morbid situation, really, but Orange was reacting with unsettling amounts of joy at the thought of the dog "becoming a cyborg" with a fake leg.


    In fact, every one of the Vernesses were just randomly spread throughout the waiting room, actually, just chatting with random strangers that were waiting for their appointments.


    Yellow was speaking with the friend of a college student experiencing an epileptic seizure, Cyan and Green were both talking with a biker who broke both of their arms, Blue seemed to be quietly staring at a man whose entire face was covered in bandage wraps after having scalding water splashed into his face, Purple has fallen asleep alongside a sleeping old man, and Monochrome was reading comic books with a girl in a motor scooter.


    For Verness Red, this... "hospital socializing" didn''t come as easy to her. She was quietly sitting in a chair as the other Vernesses were chatting, having contently sat in her chair for as long as Quade, Peritzal, and Odette have been gone.


    So... about one minute.


    "..." Verness Red gets up and walks to the receptionist''s desk, eating her spicy cheddar fry chips. She looks around the hospital itself, then looks up at the massive wall that was the desk, too short to even look over it.


    "Ah- hello, little girl-" the receptionist from earlier speaks, getting up and looking over the desk.


    "U... Uhm, h-hi..." Verness Red timidly responds, looking away from the receptionist. "I- I, uhm, I''m- responsible if there are any updates with our friends... so..."


    "Well- they''re still in the middle of treatment, so no updates. Sorry-" the receptionist responds, before the phone rings. Her attention off of Verness as she goes to answer the phone.


    "Oh... s... so c-can we go check on th... them...?"


    The receptionist was too focused on the call to pay Verness any mind.


    Thus, without a response, the little girl lets out a sad little noise. A worried whimper of concern. "... okay... I- I''ll go... find them then..." she tells the receptionist, before starting to walk along in the hospital. Wandering off on her own, just strolling along.


    "...?" Verness Orange looks over to see Red walking off on her own, getting up as well. "Oh, hold on, Red Me''s going on an adventure..."


    Looking back to the now owner of a cyborg dog, the orange dressed girl nods. "Good luck with your cyborg dog!"


    "T-Thanks...! I- I''ll tell Spot you said hi!" the little boy responds to Orange.


    Verness Orange then contently begins walking after Red, waddling after.


    In sequential order, the others start to pick up on Red and Orange heading deeper into the hospital, in search of Giichi and the others.


    "Well... I hope your friend gets better soon, wish her the best," Verness Yellow speaks to the college student, as she gets up from her seat and walks after Orange.


    "U-Uhm, well, uh- hope y-you stay safe and all-" Verness Cyan begins to say to the broken-armed biker. "A-And maybe- maybe don''t do wheelies in the city...? I- I get the- I get the hustle, but..."


    "Safety!" Verness Green spontaneously exclaims.


    "Y-Yeah, so-" The two of them begin running off after Yellow.


    Verness Blue quietly looks up at the bandaged man, and gives a nod of acknowledgement. The man nods back, giving the kid a thumbs up, and then she quietly walks after Cyan and Green.


    As the old man wakes up, he sees the spider girls starting to walk off. "... h... hey- lil'' miss, your- your sisters..." he weakly calls out to Purple, tapping her shoulder to wake her up.


    Verness Purple flutters her eyes awake, and... lets out a yawn, starting to walk off as well- looking around for a moment and walking over to the last Verness in the waiting room.


    "N-No! Wait- I need to know what happens to Soda Pop Dude-!" Verness Monochrome exclaims to Purple, being pulled away from the comic book lover.


    One by one, the Vernesses waddle along past the receptionist - with Monochrome being dragged away - and trail after Verness Red, in search of where the other four were being treated.


    Heading down these long hallways with a ton of doors, the girls wander about. The first floor was dedicated to emergency response, with rooms for the really messed up people who need immediate help. Each door that wasn''t some kind of surgery had a window, so... the four of them should be somewhere here.


    To overcome the height differences between the girls and the door windows, the Vernesses employ the use of something that causes a bit of panic from the passing people in the hallways... spider legs.


    Out of their backs, spider legs manifest, and the girls climb up the doors with them. Having demonstrated their capabilities countless times, with the more recent case of scaling up building walls while carrying Quade and Peritzal, they contently just climb up and peek into random hospital doors.


    "Open heart surgery," Verness Yellow speaks first.


    "Kidney transplant," Verness Cyan calls out.


    "Oh, wow! Surgically removing a tire from-" Verness Monochrome exclaims, before narrowing her eyes. "Oh, no, this is just the door to the ambulance place..."


    It was about when they got to the 8th door that a doctor- approaches them, an eyebrow raised. "E-Excuse me! Little girls, can you stop looking into doors and calling out what''s happening inside?!"


    Verness Red lets out an "e-eep!" as the man startles her, falling over from the operation room to perform brain surgery.


    "S-Sorry, we''re just- looking for our fr- friends and- uhm- w-we want to know they''re okay..." Verness Red speaks up.


    "Well, you can''t just come back here without a-" the doctor exclaims, before narrowing his eyes. "... okay. Okay. Fine. You all are lucky I don''t feel like hurting children. Who are you looking for...?"


    Verness Cyan answers first, for the group. "We''re looking for four people who were poisoned."


    "... oh, you''re the girls from the- that''s a coincidence," the doctor speaks up, nodding. "I''m one of their doctors. Since you''re here- well, we''ve- came across some issues. They''re still alive but- uhm... well- we faced some complications that our hospital equipment are too weak to handle."


    "Complications?" Cyan asks.


    "Well- we have them hooked up to respirators. Because they ingested poison through ''iced tea'', according to the brown haired girl, we needed to-" The doctor hesitates, keeping in mind that these were children. "... make them barf to get it out. So far so good?"


    "Okay..." Cyan noises, the other girls nodding and listening.


    "Since they''re- unconscious from the poison itself, it appears to be a strong acting one. We needed to check their blood, see if we can find the chemical itself. The first issue was the purple haired girl-"


    "The alien," Verness Yellow speaks up.


    "Right, the alien, we tried finding veins to-" The doctor blinks for a moment, staring at Yellow saying this. "... w... what?"


    "The alien. She''s an alien," Yellow further explains.


    "M-Mhmm... so there''s no veins to... find the blood for..." Red mumbles.


    "..."


    A complete silence between them, with hospital background noise to accompany this moment.


    The... doctor just begins walking to the room in question. "Girls, please come with me, I''m taking you to your friends to help out. When we get to the room, don''t look at anyone else in there, okay?"


    "O-Okay-!" Red exclaims, as the Vernesses begin to follow the doctor.


    The doctor leads the Vernesses along to where the others were kept, a "public ward" with dozens of patients, the doctor quickly escorts the little girls to the four.


    "Oooh..."


    "Wooooah..."


    "W-What did I say about not looking at anyone...?!" the doctor briefly scolds the children, before continuing to lead them deep into the ward.


    Several doctors and nurses see the spider girls following after the doctor. "H-Hey! You can''t be in here, this-!"


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "Get back to work! These girls are going to save lives!" the doctor defensively exclaims.


    All nine of them make it to Papaya, Nyx, Caspian, and Giichi. The four of them still unconscious, with heart beat monitors and all- some doctors and nurses checking on their vitals and making sure they were alive.


    Quickly, the doctor with the Vernesses orders them to move, standing right at Papaya''s bed and looking at her. "Okay- okay. Alien-" the doctor repeats. "This one''s an alien. What do we need to know, little girls?!"


    "U-Uhm, instead of- blood, she- her body is kinda like electricity!" Cyan frantically answers. "Throughout her body like jelly, jello- and, uhm, h-her skin can go transparent. I-It happens sometimes when, uh, P-Peritzal does a thing with her tablet, and-"


    "Tch- defibrillator!" the doctor shouts, as- a nurse quickly moves. The doctor takes the pads, rubs quickly, and shouts: "Clear!" Shocking Papaya''s chest.


    As the Vernesses have explained, Papaya - upon being electrically shocked - proceeds to have her skin shocked into a translucent purple. The doctor looking- astonished as Papaya''s inner organs were now displayed, able to see the flow of static sparks passively in her body.


    "O-Oh, her skin''s a little faded...!" Red exclaims. "I-It''s usually more vibrant, the- the poison must be affecting her entire mass..."


    "I- I see! Doctors, IV packs, stat!" the doctor exclaims, instructing them to go get those packs as he looks over Papaya. "O-Okay- little girls, do you know where her stomach is?" the doctor asks.


    "N-No-" Cyan immediately answers, shaking in panic. "U-Unless it''s like a normal one, w-we don''t know alien stomachs...!"


    "Got it- you''re doing good, you''re doing good-" the doctor reassures Cyan to try and keep her calm in this emergency situation, before quickly- looking. "Let''s move on. The one we''re most worried about now is the white haired one. He''s still breathing, but each second makes him look worse and worse-"


    "He''s a cloud," Purple lazily answers.


    "... a c-cloud?!" the man shouts. "But that''s a man- how-"


    "Y-yes, a man! He''s- he''s a cloud man," Cyan quickly explains. "Looks like a man because-"


    "Rainbow!" Green interjects.


    "Uh- yes, Rainbow. Light, I guess- it''s- it''s a whole new species, let''s just say that," Cyan answers. "S-So Caspian, the cloud man, doesn''t need a respirator, he needs-"


    "He needs steam rather than respirators...! Nurse, we need to prepare a sauna! Get one set up!" the doctor shouts, as a nurse leaves.


    "S... Sauna?" Red asks, tilting her head.


    "Used for physical therapy. Blood flow and muscle relaxation and all," the doctor immediately explains in summary, as he moves back to Papaya. It will be some time before Caspian''s treatment will be ready, so... for the sake of saving her life, the doctor unbuttons the lower half of her shirt, pulling it open to expose where the stomach theoretically was.


    Upon seeing where her... stomach... should be, his eyes narrow as... "U... Ugh... nothing like I''ve ever seen before-" he mumbles, squinting his eyes. "T-There''s not enough information on her- I can''t-!"


    "Oh! W-We need her sister!" Orange exclaims, running out. "I''ll get her!"


    The doctor- watches Orange run off, and- takes a tense sigh...


    ... Red quickly climbing onto his back and patting his shoulders gently. Unusually, this- calms the doctor''s nerves, relaxing him in this tense situation. "... uh- thank you," the doctor tells Verness, before turning his attention on a different patient for now...


    ... seeing three of the girls stacked into a tower. Verness Purple took a moment to stand next to Nyx''s bed, and Verness Blue climbed onto her shoulders. After that, the doctor watches Verness Green climbs onto Blue''s shoulders, and the two upper girls look at the devil knight.


    "Okay- story with her?" the doctor asks. "We''re told she can''t handle sunlight, but that''s all. We''ve extracted samples from her, and some- unknown substance is affecting it. See, it results in this- ugh- disgusting sight of blood just emanating some harmless substance into the air...


    "Devil," Verness Green comments.


    "... Devil?" the doctor asks.


    "Devil," Green repeats.


    "..." The doctor looks down at Verness Blue and Verness Purple. Respectively, Blue remains silent, while Purple seems too distant from the situation to even pay attention. "Uhm-"


    "Sorry- they''re the worst people to explain..." Verness Red begins to speak. "This woman''s background is a woman with ''devil blood''. Think of a fantasy story where-"


    "Oh, half demon?"


    "N-No," Red explains, thinking. "Nyx- told us that she was a normal peasant... so beyond the fact her blood gives her the ability to sneak into shadows and stuff, she''s just a human beyond that. S-so while she''s unconscious, her body should be normal, beyond any poison..."


    The doctor looks visibly relieved as he... he nods! Nyx is now the hospital''s best shot to actually identify the poison for all of them! Quickly, he turns to a new nurse. "N-Nurse! Do we have samples of this woman''s-" Hesitating. "... vomit?!"


    The- the nurse nods, as the doctor was referring to how they had to use different containers when making the four simultaneously vomit. "I-It''s being disposed of as we speak-!"


    "Ugh, sh- uh- poop!" the doctor shouts, refraining from cussing as he looks back to Nyx...


    ... before- his eyes widen. "W... Wait... cloud man!" A realization hits him, as Caspian was a pure cloud species instead of human. "T-The substances in his body-! We have a direct, uncontaminated sample of the poison built up in his body amidst the condensed cloud material!"


    The nurse returns as he makes this realization. "Sauna''s prepared, Doctor, we-"


    "Cancel the sauna!" the doctor shouts. "Get this man to the operation room, stat! If he''s a cloud man, then-"


    "He can regenerate i-if you give him a lot of water!" Cyan exclaims.


    "Yes!" the doctor exclaims. "Nurse! Doctors! Now!"


    A mass of them start to escort Caspian and his bed out of the ward- and, thus, the spider girls and the doctor were left with one more patient.


    "So- with her-" the doctor begins to explain, tense. "We can''t penetrate the skin with any of our scalpels or needles, nor does any of our technology pick up anything about this girl''s organs. Thus, we have NO idea what''s going on with this girl and her chances are the lowest out of all of them."


    "A... Actually, that''s because she''s half dragon," Red explains.


    The doctor raises an eyebrow. "What? Half dragon?"


    "Yeah, so l-long story short, her skin''s really tough-" Red explains. "Like this one time, when a bear shark fell out of the sky and she had to fist fight it to protect a baby duck pond!"


    "..." The doctor tilts his head and raises an eyebrow at this absurd statement. Sheer disbelief on his face. "W... What?"


    "Mhmm! A- A bear shark. Bear body, shark head," Verness Red explains. "S-So, its claws tried to rip her open and its jaws tried to chew her open, b-but, uhm, her skin is really tough... like, kinda like really hard scales. I-It''s hard to really- explain... Rosemary usually explains this kind of stuff..."


    The doctor was still recovering from the mental damage of a ''bear shark'' existing, but then blinks. "... Rosemary?"


    "T-The, uh, the dragon side- red eyes, red gas-" Verness Red explains. "S-She was the one screaming ''iced tea!'' when running into the hospital... it''s- her breath, so..."


    The doctor... is guided to quickly remove Giichi''s respirator, and the Vernesses move to check Giichi''s breath. Giichi''s breathing, but... there was a problem. Rosemary wasn''t being breathed out.


    "... Rosemary?" Verness Red asks, poking Giichi''s cheek.


    No response.


    "... a-ah, the poison''s affecting Rosemary too...!" Red noises, shaking in fear.


    "No, nononono!" Cyan exclaims, standing on her tip toes and staring at Giichi. "T-That means the doctor''s right, she''s the one most in danger right now!"


    Yellow quickly places her hands over Giichi''s heart, trying to resuscitate the dragon girl by pumping her heart and lungs... but Giichi''s body is too strong for any of that! It''s not working and Giichi is...!


    "A-Aaaah-! G-Giichi''s gonna dieeee!" Red whines in fear, as the Vernesses present were panicking.


    "Ghh! Not on our watch!" Monochrome shouts aggressively, climbing onto the bed to help Yellow. "Pump! Harder!"


    "Going as fast as I can!" Yellow shouts, having her hands pressed against by Monochrome- the force causing Yellow to cringe in pain. "M-Monochrome, get your hands off of me, this isn''t working!"


    Monochrome- quickly nods, and pushes Yellow''s hands off of Giichi. "Then we need to think about using our heads!" Turning to pick Cyan up and starting to lift her up, preparing to use the entirety of Verness Cyan''s body as the battering ram version of CPR. "Ready! Set-!"


    Yellow promptly pulls Cyan away from Monochrome, then pushes Cyan against Monochrome to knock the latter off the bed. "You are NOT helping!"


    Purple and Blue are visibly scurrying around in panic, Green shouting repeatedly: "Emergency! Emergency!"


    "Tch-!" the doctor noises, gritting his teeth. "E-Everyone, calm down, you''ve been doing great so far! Let''s use our heads. We''re face to face with a theoretically indestructible patient. Half dragon- meaning she''s half human. Poison''s affecting the human, now affecting the dragon."


    "Right, right-!" Red noises, as the Vernesses were eagerly listening.


    The doctor takes a deep breath as he stares at Giichi, thinking. "... you three, continue pacing about, walking helps you think-" he instructs the three spider girls.


    Verness Green, Blue, and Purple following the doctor''s instructions as they are now calmly walking around, the sound of their footsteps in synchrony.


    The doctor and the seven spider girls really think, now, as time was of the essence. "..." His eyes narrowed, thinking his hardest. "A bear and a shark could not penetrate the skin, neither could our scalpels and such... this dragon girl''s physical weaknesses... we have to think dragon..."


    "Mhmm, mhmm-!" Red noises, as the seven girls begin to think fantasy... whatever that means.


    The doctor really focuses his thoughts, taking a deep breath. "... okay, think fantasy, think fantasy logic... think..." Scratching his head, before... his eyes widen at a eureka moment. "Wait, okay. Invulnerable things. They have a selective weakness to something. Girls, what were the weaknesses of the other three?"


    "So- Papaya h-had her body revealed by electrical stimulation to the heart..." Red quietly mumbles.


    "Nyx is someone with devil''s blood, weak to the sun and- well, possibly light in general..." Yellow mumbles next.


    "Caspian is a cloud man, he''s made of cloud..." Monochrome mumbles on the ground.


    "Right. The reason the poison hurts is because it got past her skin, it was able to damage her organs somehow," the doctor comments. "A bear and a shark can''t break past her skin, as you said. So what can? What exactly can hurt a dragon?"


    "..." The spider girls look at the doctor, and- collectively tilt their heads.


    The doctor clears up the confusion with his answer: "Itself."


    "O-Ohhhhh!" the spider girls exclaim.


    "Yes, so if we need to access her organs-" the doctor says, a- tense look on his face as he holds Giichi''s hand to test this theory. "Girls- please look away for just one moment. I''m about to try and make an incision- a cut..."


    The Vernesses nod and close their eyes, covering them with their hands. Well, except Monochrome, who just doesn''t want to.


    "..." The doctor''s eyes widen as his theory''s tested. "I-It worked!"


    Monochrome blinks as she sits up, looking to see that the doctor has used Giichi''s fingernail to slice the girl''s shoulder. With careful precision, Giichi''s shoulder now had a deep scratch in it!


    Red gas flowing out of the shoulder, starting to rise to the ceiling-


    "A-Ah!" The doctor quickly noises, putting Giichi''s hand back and- placing his hands over the shoulder wound. "B-Bandages, we need bandages-!"


    Quickly, Verness Red gets up, pulling the doctor''s hand away as she spits on Giichi''s shoulder.


    "... uh-" the doctor noises, before his eyes widen.


    Verness Red has spat spider silk onto Giichi''s wound, the material sealing up the shoulder incision. Effectively, bandaging up Giichi''s body immediately.


    Quickly, Verness Green leaps into the air and scoops the gas into an empty jar she found, sealing it shut with the lid. "Containment!"


    The doctor''s eyes- widen at this, in visible astonishment.


    "... you girls are lifesavers."


    Verness Red- smiles brightly at the doctor, visibly excited. "R-Really? W-We helped?"


    "Yes!" A proud smile as he looks to the Vernesses, his hand shaking a little as it- does feel a little numb from the gas. "B-Because of you four, we''re on the way to saving your friends! On behalf of this hospital, I- I thank you all for your help!"


    "Y... Yaaaaaay!" Verness Red exclaims, followed by cheering from the other Vernesses as the seven collectively raise their voices in joy and happiness.


    "H-Hey, uhm, t-this is still a ward, quiet down a little with the celebration-" the doctor immediately speaks up, his smile a little hesitant after that.


    And thus, the Vernesses all begin to quietly celebrate and do gentle little victory dances.


    "..." The doctor''s smile goes back to pride, just- basking in this moment for a bit. Taking a momentary break to mentally register that these four were now safe and sound.


    Now- quickly, the doctor begins to leave. Ordering the doctors and nurses to keep watch as he leaves with the Vernesses, about to reunite with the supposed sister and the orange Verness sent to retrieve her.

 #16 - Unauthorized Patient Transfer (Kidnapping)

    Giichi, Papaya, Nyx, and Caspian were still unconscious after being poisoned, currently at the hospital in the emergency response ward. The doctor that was attending to them had the Vernesses to help out, using the spider girls'' knowledge of these four to overcome medical obstacles.


    Despite the fact it was still uncertain how they would end up, the Vernesses are super excited. In some way, they were feeling the adrenaline of the moment, and are still basking in the praise they received for helping out. Verness Red is too bashful to admit that she now wanted to become a nurse to help patients, and the other six follow after her sentiment.


    Eventually, Verness Orange returns with Peritzal in grasp, the doctor seeing the child atop the purple haired girl''s back. He contently waves to Peritzal and Verness Orange, meeting her with the other seven girls trailing behind him.


    "Ah- you must be the sister," the doctor greets.


    "I... Indeed," Peritzal responds, visibly tense. "How is- how is she? I arrived as fast as I can, but I was on the 8th floor and-"


    "Miss, she''s quite alright," the doctor responds, smiling faintly in an attempt to reassure Peritzal. "She is still stable. Thanks to these girls here, I believe the poison''s completely treatable. We simply had some complications, given the fact we were operating on an alien and three fantasy creatures."


    "... ah-" Peritzal noises, looking... relieved, yet still uneasy. "That- that thought did allude my mind. You seem... calm, for being face to face with an alien, Doctor...?"


    "Brooks. Dr. Brooks," the doctor comments, deciding not to offer a handshake given his field. "And no offense, but... seeing your biology up close is enough to desensitize me to your existence. Rest assured, this hospital isn''t going to report you to the government or anything."


    Peritzal shakes her head, smiling as she leans in to whisper. "... Dr. Brooks, my sister and I are known entities amongst the FBI, CIA, and NASA. I''m not worried in the slightest."


    "Impressive... well, the situation is as follows," Dr. Brooks speaks, getting back on topic. "Right now, we''re using the cloud man to analyze the poison, given the fact he''s the closest chance we have to curing it. Since it is an immediate life-threatening situation, we''re holding off on discussing insurance and payment."


    "Ah, yes. I- will admit that I am not as familiar with Earthly healthcare," Peritzal responds, arms crossed. "I don''t suppose we could work out an arrangement instead to pay for our care...?"


    "An arrangement?" the doctor asks, tilting his head. "What exactly could you-"


    Peritzal takes a moment to lift a hand, having regained enough power to have an airborne drone fly out of her sleeve. Presenting the hovering, flying technology to the doctor with a prideful look on her face. "I am not familiar with medical or chemical work. My specialty is technology, software and such. Perhaps I could consult your superiors, the hospital owner himself, to examine your building as a whole? Preferably after Papaya is in top condition, as she is more experienced with wires and machinery than I am."


    "... hm." Dr. Brooks shrugs, looking to the drone. "Well... I''ll have to look into that, but I feel as if your bills will- exceed what you''re able to-"


    "Giichi! Giichi!" Verness Green exclaims, looking back and interrupting their conversation as she sees four men escorting a hospital stretcher.


    Two doctors, and two male nurses, all surrounding and pushing the moving wheeled bed that had an unconscious Giichi atop it.


    Peritzal hmms, looking at Giichi being escorted along. Seeing them passing by, left to ponder if they were arranging transport elsewhere for her in particular. It doesn''t surprise her that Giichi would require different treatment from the other three, given her strong history of near-invulnerability. State of the art Earthly tools must be necessary to keep her in working shape.


    However, Dr. Brooks has a different reaction from Peritzal. Instead of "acknowledgment and understanding", the doctor is visibly confused at the four men, approaching and intercepting them with cautious suspicion. "Ex- Excuse me, gentlemen- what exactly are you doing with that patient?" the man asks.


    "Well, see, we''re getting this girl out. Orders from the leading doctor and all to get her to an ambulance," the taller doctor explains. His body slim and slender, his black hair spiked out at the sides. A face mask over his mouth and nose, with his uniform neat and tidy.


    Dr. Brooks takes a look at his chest, noticing a lack of nametag. Showing slight unease as he further asks. "I see... and, what exactly is it that the girl needs? A sort of treatment?"


    "Well, yes. Treatment, in a way. Orders say we need to get her offsite to a medical facility," the slim doctor answers. "Somewhere with the technology to properly examine and extract the poison out of her and all."


    "Uhuh... well, we have all the facilities necessary for that here," Dr. Brooks answers, arms crossed. His voice raised a little, strategically starting to gain attention. "If we''re operating on her, then she doesn''t need an ambulance. We simply need to head the opposite way."


    "..." Peritzal had taken a moment to pick up on Dr. Brooks''s questioning, her eyes now locked on all four of these people. Apart from the slim doctor, the other three look inconspicuous. Short hair, rugged beards under their facial coverings... her green eyes glancing between their uniforms and Dr. Brooks''s.


    "Right. Mhmm. We''ll get her there-" the slim doctor responds, him and the other three staff starting to push Giichi''s bed in the other way.


    Dr. Brooks- tensely calls out. "Wait one moment-"


    Peritzal steps forward as Dr. Brooks says this, deciding to step in front of the man. "That will not be necessary. We have helping hands already..." A beckoning gesture with her hand, nudging her head against Verness Orange. "I request you provide the authorization necessary. It should have reached the head of her care."


    Appropriately, Orange- notices this, flickering her eyes several times. Peritzal was giving her the "get behind me" signal, and she starts to relay this to the others verbally. Everyone, except Monochrome, standing right behind Peritzal.


    Dr. Brooks looks to Peritzal, staring at the side of her head for a moment, before looking back to the men. "Indeed... and gentlemen, as a doctor in charge of that patient, I neither gave nor received such an order. Any such directive should have gone through me, first. On top of authorization, I need... proof that you men even work here to begin with."


    Peritzal''s eyes widen as Dr. Brooks bluntly says this. Quickly having her drone charge on impulse.


    "..." The four men look at each other for a moment, before the slim one glances back to the doctor. "Well- don''t know what to tell you, doc..."


    ... and Dr. Brooks''s eyes widen as all four of the men whip out their pistols. The slim, tall doctor simply taking aim at them, while the other three fired their shots. Two bullets at Peritzal and one at Dr. Brooks''s knee, quickdraw shooting.


    "... we''re just followin'' orders, see!" the slim gangster exclaims, dropping his persona as he jumps onto the stretcher. With the gangster standing atop Giichi''s body with the other three men pushing forward, Giichi''s stretcher is sent speeding past Dr. Brooks and company as fast as the gangsters can run.


    Peritzal watches as they pass by, unclenching her fist as the bullets in front of her drop to the ground. The bullet in Dr. Brooks''s knees dropping after, shields formed to protect both of them and the Vernesses.


    "... tch-!" Peritzal noises, biting down hard as her drone drops its shield. She turns to the escaping gangsters and throws her hand forward, sending the drone on Chase Mode to fly after.


    Dr. Brooks''s eyes were wide as he registers his leg being safe... as much as he felt the pain, the bullet didn''t penetrate the skin. He is safe to worry about other concerns, like the escaping men stealing a patient. "D-Damn it...! Lockdown-!" he shouts loudly. "S-Seal the exits! Don''t let them escape-!


    Panic starts to uproar in the hallway after these four men fired their guns, with security alarms blaring in red alert. Hearing the commotion from the lobby, the staff and patients were left wondering what was going on.


    Hearing Dr. Brooks, the receptionist- quickly turns to the other people behind the desk, relaying the order to lock down the hospital.


    "Oi! No lockdowns or we''re gonna blow out some brains, see!" the slim man shouts as he stands atop Giichi''s stretcher, ripping off his face mask with one hand and pointing his gun at everyone with the other. Passing nurses, passing doctors, any patient he could see- simply threatening to shoot with each swift movement of his arm.


    One of the pushing gangsters, to follow up his threat, even takes a shot at the receptionist as they pass by. The bullet misses her head, but pierces into her shoulder. The receptionist mortified and shaking in pain as she remains still... blood trailing out of her shoulder and going down her arm, mortifying the other counter workers.


    "Tch-! Shut it down, shut it down!"


    "I- I can''t! They might kill someone!"


    The stretcher continues to speed to the front entrance, all four of the gangsters aiming their guns all throughout the hospital. Threat backed up by how they hurt the receptionist, not a soul in there is left uncertain that these men would kill.


    Alarms and screams ringing out, Peritzal''s drone continues to pursue the men and trail after as she and the Vernesses run as fast as they can. Peritzal- tensely plans out her next move, keeping in mind the sensitivity of the situation with a shot receptionist. There isn''t enough time to activate more drones to simultaneously take the four men out. With just one drone available, it could only fire a beam to take out one or two, leaving the others free to shoot at innocent civilians after.


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    "T-Throw me!" Verness Monochrome shouts aggressively. "I''ll take those guys out!"


    "No!" Verness Cyan shouts. "They''re armed! They''ll shoot at you!"


    "Do it! What''s one or two shots?!" Monochrome shouts. "I''ll throw YOU if we have to!"


    Peritzal comes up with a plan... as she loudly shouts at the gangsters as the drone charges up an attack. "Drone! Fire at will! Exterminate these men at all costs!" Prepared to shoot at them, draw their attention to her as she''s about to obliterate them.


    "A bluff!" the slim gangster boldly shouts, grinning at the drone and pointing a finger at it. Calling out Peritzal''s bluff, taunting her with a cocky grin. "I see through your little tactic, dollface! Go on, shoot us down, what''s a few dead men, see?!"


    Peritzal... Peritzal noticeably hesitated as the drone continues to fly. The man did, indeed, call her bluff-


    Quickly, gunshots are fired at the drone itself. Three bullets are sent flying towards the drone, revealing the shields Peritzal was generating.


    The slim gangster lets out a bold "Hmph!" at this sight, his men having taken their shots. "Called it! The name''s BB! As long as these palookas are in the picture, you aren''t bloodying these here floors! No one messes with the-!"


    "The Blackbird Syndicate!" Peritzal shouts after, gritting her teeth and glaring at the men. Revealing their gang''s higher up name for everyone to hear.


    "Pahaha! No! The Big Bad Boys, see!" the slim gangster shouts out, giving a thumbs down at Peritzal as he sticks his tongue out. Revealing the organization name his branch was given. "BBB, girlie, remember the name!"


    The man takes an aim at the front hospital entrance, holds his thumb up to the ceiling, and presses down. Spontaneously, at that moment, an ambulance drives through the door, crashing and breaking a hole in the building.


    Peritzal- watches at this occurs, drones launched and sent outward to quickly shield the nearby civilians. In that impulsive moment, she watches as her safety precaution became an exploit against her, as the suddenness of the moment prompted her to go fully on defense.


    Quickly, the slim man faces away from the ambulance, arms stretched out as he jumps up. The gangsters shooting at the windshield and breaking the glass to pieces as he crashes through and lands in the passenger''s seat. The driver alongside him stepping hard on the gas, reversing backwards as the gangsters continue to run with Giichi.


    "A-Agh!" Peritzal loudly yells, the swiftness of the moment giving not enough time to redirect her drones. A ragged, hyperventilating breath seething through her teeth as her drones are pushing people away from the ruins of the front.


    Verness Monochrome lets out a loud childish war cry as the other seven Vernesses throw her forward, her small body launched in the air at the ambulance. "You''re not getting AWAY!" the child screams.


    The three gangsters hear her scream, taking aim-


    "Oi, don''t shoot the kid, we got what we came for!" the slim gangster, BB, shouts at them as the ambulance swerves and spins 180 degrees, the back doors open. The three gangsters following orders as they throw Giichi into the back.


    Two of the gangsters manage to leap onto the ambulance, securing themselves on top. The other one isn''t as lucky as he tries to get onto the ambulance, only to be choked out by a literal twelve year old that landed on him. Monochrome wrapping her arms around the gangster''s neck, forcefully exhibiting violence upon this man.


    "D-Damn it-!" a gangster shouts, taking aim at Monochrome and shooting. The bullet flying at Monochrome, about to hit her-


    Peritzal''s drones forming an impromptu shield at Monochrome''s head, the little girl still letting out screams of agony as she lets go of the gangster.


    "I- I told you it was a bad idea!" Cyan shouts at Monochrome.


    Monochrome adjusts herself as she gains her balance, hands holding her head in pain. Even if the shield protected her head, it still hurt. "O-Ow, ow, ow, ow!"


    "MONOCHROME! GET DOWN-!" Peritzal shouts loudly, absolutely infuriated as she sees the gangsters taking aim at her again. With a quick swing of her hand, Peritzal makes the drone shields force Monochrome to fall down against the ground, out of the bullets'' ways.


    In protecting Monochrome and the rest of the hospital''s people, Peritzal was forced to watch as the gangsters were escaping with Giichi. This use of her shielding technology leaving Peritzal... vulnerable, as the bullets fly past the child and hit into her body.


    It is fortunate that some of the bullets hit into her coat, as Peritzal wears bullet proof clothing. The problem came with the stray bullet grazing her neck, her eyes wide as a gaping wound is formed in her neck, a purple fluid gushing out of her neck as her skin disappears.


    "N-No! Peritzal!" Verness Red shouts, as the other Vernesses frantically panic.


    "Someone! Get a stretcher, stat-!" Dr. Brooks shouts as he runs up to Peritzal, visible urgency on his face. Peritzal saved his life, and now he- needed to do the same for her. The ambulance of gangsters free to escape as the mass chaos riddled the hospital''s ground floor.


    Meanwhile, on the 8th floor. Quade and Odette were left behind with Odette''s mom, the two men left to chat as Peritzal was heading back down to the ground floor. Idly making conversation with Jocelyn in the room, Quade talking about some delicious foods and meals.


    "Oh, uhm, she''s a vegan..." Odette tells Quade.


    "Heh. No worries, then. Food''s food, and I happen to make a mean veggie and fruit salad," Quade tells Jocelyn, smirking. "I''d love to make ya some. Something to look forward to when you-"


    Then, the hospital alarm rings out, with Quade and Odette- visibly confused at what was happening. For a bit, Quade and Odette remain in the hospital room, thinking it was safer to stick with Jocelyn for whatever caused the alarm.


    Then, the two hear an ambulance crashing through the front entrance.


    "T-That- that came from the hospital front-?!" Quade shouts- running out of the hospital room and sprinting through the hallway. Heading towards windows in the hall, looking out the glass to see what was happening.


    The ambulance that had the gangsters began to drive away, its sirens blaring as it speeds off. Quade looked off in the distance, seeing the vehicle pushing past the fact it drove into a hospital... tense. "Holy Mother of God..."


    Odette joins Quade and watches as the ambulance drives away, getting a look as well. His eyes squinting forward to stare, and... widening in shock as he sees the man in the passenger''s seat. Recognizing him immediately. "B... BB?!"


    Quade- looks to Odette. "W-Who?!"


    "U-Underling!" Odette shouts, shaking in concern and fear. "I-It''s- it''s, uhm-! H-He''s dangerous-!" Starting to hyperventilate as his golden aura spreads, the floor shaking.


    "..." Quade- puts a hand atop Odette''s shoulder. "H-Hey- hey! Odette, e-easy-!"


    With Quade holding him, Odette- concentrates enough to divert his telekinetic abilities out as he throws his hand out. The man staring in absolute panic as the ambulance glows a bright gold, the rabbit-eared man hyperventilating and diverting all of his stress out on the vehicle. Weighing down on it heavily- forcing it completely still, rendering it completely immobile with grinding wheels.


    The gangsters watch as this happens, with the slim BB directing his attention away from cleaning his shard-covered seat. "What the...? Is this ding dang thing not moving?!"


    "No, sir-!" the driver shouts, tensely- gritting her teeth. "It won''t go any further!"


    "Tch-! Blaze, keep focusing on getting it moving, see-!" BB shouts to the driver, before pounding his hand on the door. Looking over his shoulder at the gangsters. "A-And you jokers! Go get searching for a new ride, or what''s causing this!"


    "Sir!" the gangsters shout in unison, following orders and jumping out the back.


    Odette- shakes and trembles as he keeps a hold on the ambulance, seeing them get out the back with armed guns. "Q-Quade! G-Get down there, quick-! L-Lives are in danger...!"


    Quade- tensely looks to Odette. "A-Are you sure?! Peritzal''s down there, she- she''s got it covered!"


    "T-Then w-why isn''t she outside?! Shouldn''t she be taking them down right about now?!" Odette shouts. "G-Go! Now!"


    "..." Quade blinks at this, realizing that Odette has a point. "R... Right...!" Turning his attention to the stairway door, starting to run down. It''s safer to run down the stairs than it was to take the elevator.


    Odette was left upstairs keeping his grip on the ambulance, watching as the gangsters point their guns at a car. Threatening its driver out, the poor man thrown out of the now parked car.


    And then- the gangsters leave the ambulance, carrying with them...


    "G... Giichi?!" Odette shouts, his eyes absolutely wide at this sight. His grip on the ambulance releasing as it speeds down the road, the gangster driver in question- having her body sent flying out when she was trying to leave the ambulance.


    Odette is responsible for the woman having her body thrown into another car, her body slamming against the windshield at full force. BB watches this, staring in horror and shock as the ambulance and his driver are both sent flying forward. "B-Blaze!"


    The gangster driver- lies almost unconscious as she groans in anguish...


    Odette- Odette hyperventilates as he sees the gangsters escorting Giichi into a car, reaching his hand out and trying to- get a hold on the car as well, now. He wasn''t close enough to precisely grab Giichi, and- was resorting to the vehicles, wanting to make sure they didn''t escape at all cost.


    BB sees the car light up, curiously... noting how the cars stopped moving when they glow a golden light. He quickly deduces the source of these cars flashing gold, looking up to the 8th floor. Seeing a pink man with his hands held out and ears giving off a golden vibe.


    "... tch-! Pesky little...! You''re gonna pay, see!" Twirling his gun in hand as he takes aim at Odette, a deep breath and concentrating all of his focus on this shot.


    BB had excellent trigger discipline. All of his men were the ones shooting, as he didn''t use his gun a single time. Odette was scared of him because of his shooting, however, as... when he doesn''t hold back, he''s an absolute menace.


    And he certainly wasn''t going to hold back once one of his gangsters was hurt. "... this is for Blaze!" Pulling the trigger, the slim gangster fires out a shot. One that had violent intent behind it, not realizing Odette''s identity.


    This violent intent carrying forward a single bullet, the air around the bullet violently shaped like a tornado and a drill. Propelled out straight, shooting in a straight line towards the 8th floor. No signs of straying or falling whatsoever as it is fired.


    Odette watches as the shot is fired, his eyes wide as he drops his grasp on the car. Taking a step back as the shot closes in, knowing what BB is capable of- running away for his life.


    In the next moment- the shot hits into the glass, piercing through and shredding it to pieces. Odette watching as the entire window shoots out upon the impact, the glass shards sent flying towards him as they rip past him.


    Odette- tenses up as he exerts his ability out. Grabbing a hold on the shards of glass, as well as the bullet BB fired. Cuts on his body, rips and tears on his clothes, the man whimpers in pain as he lies on the ground in absolute pain. Everything dropping down to the floor, nurses watching from a distance as this happens.


    "Ghh!" BB noises, looking to the others and barking orders at them "Get driving, now! We''re out of here!"


    "On it-!" a gangster shouts, the car''s previous owner left ominously dead and brainless on the street as the gangsters get into the commandeered car. Putting the unconscious Giichi in the trunk, stuffing her in and slamming it shut.


    BB quickly runs to the car that his driver crashed through, gun pointed at the man, having demonstrated more than enough the catastrophic results of what happens when he pulls the trigger. "Give me the girl and no one else dies-!" he shouts.


    The driver promptly throws Blaze out into BB''s arms, and then floors it. Driving far and fast away from this lunatic gangster, spared his fury for now.


    As this car drives away, the now gangster-driven car drives up to BB, and he enters quickly with Blaze. All of them now driving away at alarming speeds, fleeing the scene with Giichi in their possession.


    Quade would not get down to the ground floor in time, arriving long after these gangsters drive away. Seeing the absolute ruins and chaos that transpired, looking around helplessly. Panic spread about with- mostly everyone unharmed and lost.


    With Peritzal at the forefront of his mind, Quade has yet to know that the gangsters have kidnapped Giichi and escaped with her. He is soon informed when one of the Vernesses quickly approaches him. The girl telling him what happened, his face in horror as he runs out of the hospital...


    ... aimlessly running to the crashed ambulance, seeing it completely abandoned.


    "G... Giichi?!" Quade shouts at the top of his lungs, calling out for the dragon girl. Complete urgency on his face as he runs around the wreckage, looking for her body- any sign of where she was, calling out for a girl who was long gone. "Giichi-?! GIICHI-!!!"

 #17 - Hit and Run, Boys!

    Following the chaos and destruction of an ambulance crashing through the front entrance, Starveil City''s hospital is in utter panic. The events transpiring on the upper and lower floors spreading throughout the hospital, people were frantically worried and frightened.


    Peritzal is being escorted by a stretcher as fast as possible, purple "blood" oozing out of her neck and seeping through the temporary bandages. Lingering on the verge of unconsciousness, holding her breath as best as possible to avoid wasting any of her energy. If she doesn''t breathe, less of her vitals will spill out...


    Dr. Brooks, the doctor in charge of the poisoning case, quickly saw to Peritzal as an additional life in his hands- frantically working with biology he was blatantly unfamiliar with. "It''s going to be okay- you''re going to be okay," he tells Peritzal, urgently thinking about how one would treat a neck wound... it''s a fatal sentence.


    "..." Peritzal stares at the doctor, her oval eyes fully visible past her dark purple gelatinous body. A darker shade than the light purple Papaya, matching the exact shade of her human-disguised hair even, visibly conscious.


    Outside of the hospital, Quade was aimlessly looking around for Giichi and the gangsters that took her. No sight of them whatsoever, as Quade got to the ground floor long after they drove away. This is just a hellish weekend that only got worse for everyone. The mass destruction visible all around Quade as he stands out front, with a crashed ambulance, a dead man on the street and a gaping hole in the hospital''s front entrance.


    Most unsettling, however, was Quade seeing the broken window on the 8th floor. An abysmal sight of potential carnage before his eyes as something tore apart the window, shattering it to pieces. Quade''s eyes stare at it for a long while, processing how the gangsters were able to do that...


    However, the "how" stops mattering once a "who" crosses Quade''s mind. First, the people on that floor, if what broke the glass hurt anyone. Quade was momentarily concerned before remembering that Odette was up there, and... and realized something.


    "... t... they... got Odette..." Quade mumbles to himself, blinking in absolute... astonishment.


    If the gangsters did this, and they attacked the 8th floor, then...


    As Quade is left to think, the entire Squad (except Giichi) was now confined to this one hospital environment, with Quade and Verness the last remaining members that are stable and awake. Left with the severe aftermath of the entire incident...


    ... an event transpires elsewhere in Starveil City shortly after.


    An old woman was driving along a multi-lane road in the city. Her business completely separate from what was going on at the hospital, on her way to her Pilates class. She was also about to experience a miserable day, put into a drastic situation of her own.


    Why? Well, because of the man that ran right in front of her car shortly after the stoplight turned green.


    This old woman''s car hits the man, and he''s sent backwards a couple of feet. Falling to the street asphalt in front of the car, and shouting in exaggerated pain: "A-Augh! You hit me with your car!"


    "I- I didn''t see you coming...!" the old woman exclaims, panicked as she turns on the emergency lights and puts the car into park. "A-Are you okay?!"


    "Ugh- I- I think I''m alright-" the man says, before- screaming out in anguish. "A-Augh! Okay- no! Ugh- I think my ribs are broken...!"


    This is, in truth, a common scam that transpires as a pedestrian was faking his injuries for insurance money. If this goes the way that the injured pedestrian wanted, he would escort the woman to his doctor, who would diagnose him with huge injury claims that would cause this old woman or her insurance to pay heavy costs. Stealing money for exaggerated claims that would raise this woman''s premiums and leave with a huge payday.


    Especially in this kind of road, witnesses would see an old woman in a car, and a pedestrian "injured beyond belief". The possibilities of these cars being fake witnesses or just indifferent drivers, this poor old woman is in danger of being branded a reckless driver charged with hitting a poor, unfortunate guy just walking. People left to believe this man lying in front of the car, and lying to this poor old woman''s face.


    ... or at least, that would have happened.


    One of the first witnesses is a car that drives up to the side of the old woman''s, brake lights on and their own emergency lights turned on as well. Stopping to check the scene out, seeing the scam unfold, and starting to set themselves up as this old woman''s lucky day.


    "... my, my," calls out the voice, belonging to the black haired gangster, the man with spikes sticking up to the sides of his haircut. The one that was making a getaway from the hospital, the one orchestrating the events that critically wounded Peritzal, ordered a hijacking and commandeering of a car from a now dead man, and destroyed parts of the hospital himself.


    BB.


    The gangster was sitting at the opposite side of the car, furthest from the scene. Arm around his pained getaway driver keeping her awake on his lap with his tender arm wrapped around her waist. Yet, despite all this, he was the one who best saw the scene for what it was. An insurance scam by some criminal- no, a crook, preying on the poor elderly.


    So he stops the getaway, acting as the... "charitable witness" he is, and decides to do a little bit of Good Samaritan work to help this old woman.


    The car drives a bit more forward, lining the back window with the old woman''s door. "Ma''am, I would like to bring to attention, that man is lying," BB boldly tells her, making a claim right off the bat. "He''s faking his injuries, see? You''re not at fault whatsoever."


    "W... What? But I did hit him-" the old woman speaks, concerned.


    "No, you didn''t hit him, your car hit a man that carelessly ran into the road," BB explains further, grinning. "You have to be more careful. Fun fact, every year, about 301-point-something billion dollars are stolen through fraudulent insurance claims. This man right here ran straight into the road and is one of them, trying to take advantage of you."


    "H-Hey, I''m seriously injured here! My legs, my ribs- I- I think I feel some bleeding!" the man shouts at BB. "Ugh- I think I need some medical help, I need to go see my doctor..."


    "Really? Oh, wow, that''s crazy, your doctor..." BB comments, chuckling. "I mean, if you need it right away, we can get you to a hospital. There''s one, like, riiiiiight over there, they''d be able to-"


    "N-Not before I get this woman''s contact information...!" the man calls out. "I- I need all of that so I don''t get bankrupt and-"


    BB sighs at this man, his arm tightening his hug around his driver. Idly turning his attention to the old woman, ignoring the supposed victim. "Ma''am, if it is okay, call the authorities. You are going to tell the authorities what happened here exactly. You are going to call 911, tell officers that you were driving, stopped when this man ran into the road in front of your car, and a hit and run happened here, see?"


    "Hit and run-?! B-But I didn''t mean to-"


    "Nonono, not your hit and run, you''re an innocent old woman! Why would you do a hit and run?" BB asks the old woman, as he snaps his fingers. The car then slowly drives and turns right, headlights visible to the scammer. Scaring him with a sudden threat, one that instinctively causes the man to get up quickly and reveal he was perfectly okay.


    The scammer- widens his eyes at this. "W-What the hell-?!"


    The- the old woman watches as this happens, seeing the man stand up. "O-Oh...! S-So he isn''t-"


    "That''s right, a scammer," BB tells the woman. "And it''s not your hit and run we''re reporting. We want you to report ours. Tell the authorities that we''re the ones who hit this guy, okay?"


    "W... What? But, sir, I-" the old woman begins to speak, objecting to letting these gentlemen take the blame. She was the one who-


    "S-Shut the f--- up!" the scammer interrupts the elderly woman and her thoughts, shouting at the antagonistic BB with a violent glare. Taking one look at him and the people dressed in suits, noting their- tacky appearances. "If you''re going to be annoying and kick an injured man while he''s down, then just get out of here, you ugly ass wannabe criminal looking motherf---er!"


    ".........."


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "... ma''am, call the police," BB bluntly repeats, snapping his fingers. On his finger snap, all of the passenger gangsters (except him and Blaze) step out of the car, drawing their guns and taking aim at the man.


    The pedestrian scammer watches as armed men take aim at him, eyes wide. "W-Wait, the f---?!"


    "U-Uhm-! W-We don''t need to resort to violence-!" the woman shouts.


    "I said, call the police, you need to report a ''hit'' and ''run'', ma''am..." BB grimly repeats, his true colors showing as he returns a glare to the dead man before him. "Our hit and run..."


    "Hold on! You- you sick f---s are gonna kill me?!" the man shouts. "O-Over some insurance scam?! You really gonna kill over-"


    "Wannabe criminal? WANNABE CRIMINAL?!" BB shouts, staring at the man through the windshield with absolutely violent intent. Offended beyond all belief just because of that comment. Not his ugliness, no. That word. Wannabe.


    BB was no wannabe.


    "ACTUAL, dumba--! Actual!" BB angrily shouts at the top of his lungs, his colors on full display. "BB''s the name, buddy boy! Actual, bona fide, al dente gangster, a REAL criminal, see?! And if you somehow, SOMEHOW manage to survive this, get your life right next time! Huh?! How about that?!"


    The man quickly reaches for his pocket- and the driver of the gangsters'' car drives forward, ramming into the man and knocking him back.


    "Tsk, tsk, tsk..." BB noises as he shakes his head and snaps his fingers. "Alright, boys- hit!"


    "W-Wait, stop-!" the old woman shouts, trying to stop this- too scared to do anything. She hoped that crying out for them to stop would stop these gangsters.


    But it was too late. Aggressive gunfire fills the street as BB sits back, the surrounding drivers- startled at this. The old woman, indeed, a horrified and terrified spectator to a "hit" as the man she presumably hit with her car was violently shot to death over and over again. Unable to- back up or drive forward, stuck with seeing this transpire right in front of her eyes.


    BB''s intentions were clear. Have his boys shoot a man so badly that they couldn''t mistake an old woman for doing this. There would be no weapons in this old lady''s car, all of the bullets would be determined as having come from too many guns for an old lady to hold, and so on. In his eyes, a noble intention, as the gang brutally shoots up a man.


    "Hmm." BB takes a moment to stare at the tires between this car and the old lady''s. Different tires... a content look on his face.


    The gangsters reload their guns, and get back into the car. BB staring at the mortified old woman, smiling with an... ominously polite look on his face. A kind, warm smile, uncaring that he has just orchestrated a murder.


    "Alright, ma''am, I wish you a good day!" BB calls out, a maniacal shout as he snaps his fingers. "You''re a witness to a hit, see? And now, a run. Hit it, boys, let''s get to running!"


    Horrifyingly, the car drives forward, running over the man''s body and leaving marks under its tires.


    The old woman screams in terror as the gangsters flee the scene, leaving behind a prevented insurance scam turned gangster murder scene. BB laughs his lungs out, cackling and chortling as his "good intentions" are severely overshadowed by a violently gruesome bloodlust.


    A form of evil that doesn''t realize he''s evil.


    BB sits back and basks in this feeling. Especially since he had a woman in his lap the whole time. Blaze was a witness to all of that, her eyes faintly open as she was being kept awake to avoid sleeping with a possible concussion.


    "... BB-" Blaze speaks up.


    "Hey, hey, no, save your strength," BB tells her in concern, warmly staring at her as his psychopathic rage was subdued. "Save it for when you get better, okay?"


    "No... just... we need to- drive faster..." Blaze calls out, groaning.


    "... why?" BB asks.


    Then, police sirens.


    "Oh, I see, the boys in blue. Guess our detour took too long," BB comments nonchalantly, humming faintly as he changes the arm that was holding Blaze.


    After his left hand is free, BB then uses his left hand to take out his gun, taking a deep... deep breath as he concentrates his focus into the weapon. Focusing his own special power into the weapon, charging energy into his gun...


    It took one shot per car to take the cops out. BB exerting his power over them as he unleashes his BB shot - his "Battalion Boomer" shot - and fires a massive ball of wind with a bullet encased at the center.


    The police car sees this shot fired, eyes wide as the BB shot achieves contact with the car''s hood. In the next moment, the car is sent flying backwards, causing a rear-end collision as a car rams straight into the police car.


    "Ah~ nothing like some good ol'' target practice," BB contently calls out, looking at the other cars on their tail. Charging his next shot. "Hey, boys, while I''m shooting at the coppers, any of y''all got a burner phone? We gots to call the boss."


    The gangster in the passenger seat nods, taking out a disposable phone and promptly dialing the number to the boss.


    "... hello?"


    "Boss. BB wants to talk," the gangster tells the boss, before handing the phone to the gangster in the middle seat that, subsequently, holds the phone to BB''s ear.


    BB hmms contently as he fires another shot at the pursuing police, another BB shot sending this car flying through the air. "Ey, Boss. We gots the girl, see?"


    "The girl... oh. You managed to get her?"


    "Yep. I know your ''on sight'' orders and all, but girl and her companions''re probably unkillable," BB explains. "Hijacked her after the poisoning, see?"


    "I see, I see. Good work, BB. The Big Bad Boys owes you quite a lot."


    "Thank ya kindly, Boss!" BB shouts, grinning as he was on watch for any other police cars. "And might I say, we''re getting a lil'' bit lucky. Roads are a little bit more free coming from the hospital, but we might encounter traffic. Plan''s to take her to the warehouse, see, and-"


    "Wait."


    "...?" BB tilts his head as the Boss interrupts him "Y...Yeah? What''s up, Boss?"


    "... nothing. Keep up the good work. Talk to you soon."


    BB hesitantly nods. "Thank ya, Boss." Before hanging up, closing the phone, and taking a deep... deep breath, shooting at another police car.


    A silence in the car as they drive through Starveil''s streets, an uncomfortable air as their complete and utter silence is accompanied by screams of terror. A gangster car somehow dispatching of the entire trail of law enforcement following after them. The thing that scared the other gangsters, in that moment, wasn''t the police... it was BB''s face.


    Dread and tension on his face as BB tells his gangster underlings: "... boys, we are screwed."


    "... what?" asks the hospital receptionist.


    Back at the hospital, Quade McMurphy was face to face with the new, replacement receptionist behind the counter. "Joseph Hawthorne. I need today''s phone call records between him and another party. Also, if any calls come in for him, or Jocelyn Cox, please let me know immediately."


    In this most desperate of times, Quade understood the immediate edge that he and the Squad had over these gangsters. BB only has his accurate guess and assumption that the Boss sounded utterly upset in that call. Quade, however, knows the reason why: the gangsters stormed the hospital that their boss''s nephew was at.


    Knowing that this boss apparently called Odette through hospital lines instead of any phones Odette has, Quade is brewing an idea. An opportunity to seize, a chance to save Giichi and quite possibly put a stop to this destructive mafia. If he had some phone records, it''s possible to trace the call even if it was a burner. The only issue is...


    "S... Sir, those calls are strictly confidential with Mr. Hawthorne," the new receptionist responds with narrowed eyes, denying Quade''s request for confidential information. Without Odette giving Quade explicit permission to answer phone calls, the hospital would be in seriously grave trouble for letting some random individual have access to phone records- especially if said calls are apparently between a man and some gun wielding maniacs. "I can''t just-"


    "Yes, yes you can-" Quade responds, his eyes staring straight at this new receptionist. "I reckon I can receive permission from Odette- Joseph. Joseph, right now. He''s on the 8th floor, the floor with a broken window. Don''t know if he''s okay or if he got taken down here yet, but... listen, it''s a matter of life or death."


    "I... I''m sorry, but-" the new receptionist responds, slight hesitance in his voice at Quade''s insistence.


    In response, Quade continues, speaking over the receptionist with urgency in his voice. Hands on the counter, leaning forward, staring straight at this receptionist with a serious expression. "Listen. The person that might call for him is responsible for destruction of property, toxic poisoning, armed threats and injuries, attempted homicide, and kidnapping. The list of things that these gangsters''re responsible for is long, and I reckon what they''ll do next will only add fuel to the fire."


    "W... Wait, are these- are these the people that were on the news-?" the receptionist begins to ask, actively... shaking. Panicked and worried for his life, remembering yesterday''s news when over 200 gangsters got mass arrested by police.


    "Yes," Quade responds, staring at the man with a tense look. "And right now, I''m one of the only people that can save Starveil from being a crime infested outhouse of a city. All I ask is that you let me have access to this morning''s phone records."


    The receptionist shakes and stares at Quade in concern, with the rest of the staff listening in on this conversation.


    "... please. I want to save my friend," Quade tells them all, complete sincerity in his voice.


    "..." The... the receptionist takes a deep breath. "Okay. Okay. Fine. Just- we are not responsible for anything that you do. Anything you say to those people, it''s strictly on you. Okay?"


    "I can agree to those there terms," Quade responds, a smile to the receptionist as he tips his cap. "You''re doing Starveil a great favor-"


    The phone then rings as Quade says this, the receptionist answering quickly.


    "Thank you for calling Starveil Hospital, how may I..." A pause, as he tensely looks to Quade.


    Quade looks at the receptionist and... blinks.


    "... mhmm. Mhmm. I see. Well, that is correct, sir. Our hospital was- attacked by armed assailants some time ago. No casualties, just some injuries- oh, yes? Mhmm? ... oh, uh... you''re calling about ''Joseph''? Well-"


    It''s him.


    "E-Excuse me, uh- ''Joseph''? Is- is the caller asking for me?"


    Quade speaks to the receptionist, speaking with a completely different voice. Quade used his powers to change his vocal chords, perfectly mimicking Odette''s voice and adopting his anxious and frail tone. He holds his hand out for the phone, with the plan to impersonate Odette while calling the man on the other end.


    The receptionist- blinks at this, staring at Quade in disbelief. "Uhm-"


    Quade gives a slight wink, gesturing a thumb to himself before accustoming himself to Odette''s nervous mannerisms. Fidgeting in place as he stares at the receptionist with feigned fear in his face. "I- If it''s my uncle- it- he- he called earlier- uhm- oh God, okay, i- is, is it okay if I talk to him? I-If it''s- if it''s him..."


    "... uhm- one moment... sorry- shift change and all, but I can''t-" the receptionist answers, understanding Quade''s... apparent plan as he pretends to talk to "Odette". As the man on the other end interjects, the receptionist turns his attention to the caller and answers. "Oh, yes. Mhmm. Yes. Okay, sir, I''m putting you on."


    The phone is handed to Quade.


    In this short amount of time, Quade felt the world around him slow down. Complete and utter slow motion in the time that it took to hold the phone to his ear. His hands shaking with anger and rage, rage towards the man on the other end.


    But that''s not who he is right now. Quade needed to pretend to be Odette. He needed to pretend that he didn''t want to hurt this man, his "uncle". Phone to his ear, Quade leans against the counter and stares forward. Keeping his cool the best he can, getting into the Odette mindset, answering with anxiously tender sincerity...


    "... h-hello?"

 #18 - Terrified Words of Odette Hawthorne

    Following the attack on the Starveil Hospital, as gangsters of the Big Bad Boys flee the hospital via commandeered car, the hospital receives a call from the head of the Blackbird Syndicate once again. The man leading the gangsters that kidnapped Giichi and shot at Odette, calling shortly after news reaches him.


    Quade is on the phone with this man. Odette''s "Uncle Talon", who spoke with the receptionist to check in on the hospital and his adult nephew. The shapeshifter used his ability to disguise his voice as Odette''s, preparing to talk to the head of the mafia and trick him into believing Odette was on the other end. So, with that one "hello"...


    "Joseph! Boy, are you alright?!"


    ... the man fell for the ability.


    Talon was on the other end, his voice showing concern and worry for his nephew. Checking in to see if Odette was safe, if Odette was alive and all. Regardless of if Odette was okay or not, Talon is on the line with someone he believes is Odette.


    And amidst his anger and irritation, Quade is happy at this opportunity.


    But Quade... stares forward, keeping his cool the best he can. To get back into the emotions of the anxious Odette that was at a recently attacked hospital. Sure, Quade didn''t know EVERYTHING about how Odette talks with his uncle, nor does he fully know what the two have or haven''t talked about, but Quade could reasonably fill in most of the blanks from Odette''s account of this morning''s call... and Odette would definitely be anxious beyond all belief.


    Getting into the Odette mindset, Quade prepares to speak as believably as possible to Talon. As "Odette" as he could. "U-Uncle...! I- I''m glad to hear from you- t-this is terrible-! T-The hospital got attacked b-by- by gangsters- they s-saw me looking and shot at my floor- the window burst open and- oh god oh god-"


    "Hey- hey, hey, you''re okay, you''re alright..."


    Quade''s hands shake as he speaks. Apart from assuming how Odette would react, the most important thing that comes to the shifter''s mind is how Talon doesn''t question Odette when he''s irrationally scared. "U-Uncle- Uncle, I- I''m scared, what if they come back?! I- I saw just a glimpse of them and they tried to kill me! What if-"


    "It''s- it''s okay, Joseph. Joseph- Joseph, listen to me-"


    Quade continues to rile up Talon as much as possible. To send him over the edge in an irrational concern for family. "T-They could have killed Mom! W-What if they were here for me?! D-Do they know about her?! A-Are they going to come back and kill M-Mom?! W-What do I do?! Uncle, what do I do?! I-!"


    "JOSEPH!"


    Quade lets out an "e-eep!" as he goes silent, keeping his hand shaking as he turns to the receptionist. Finger held up to his lips, making a shushing gesture...


    "... I- I''m sorry- I''m sorry. Just... the important thing is- are... are you and Jocelyn okay?"


    Quade grins for a moment, a brief moment, as he sold Odette''s panic perfectly. Then, he gets rid of his grin, getting back in character to answer.


    Odette would... Odette would want to reassure his uncle of his safety. To say he''s okay and- try to keep it inside. "Y-Yes... M... Mom''s okay... o-other than, y''know... a-and, uhm... well... I- I''m... I- I just-"


    "I know, boy. I know. D... Don''t worry. They- they won''t hurt you again. No man''s foolish enough to attack some place twice. They won''t come again."


    Being interrupted, Quade remembers that Odette''s uncle hides meaning behind his words. How he made sure to conceal his crime boss conversation on this hospital line. Having a firsthand account of this, focused on each of the subtleties behind Talon''s words, Quade is keeping an ear out to pick apart every word that Talon says.


    And this attempt to comfort "Odette" confirms to Quade that the boss is fundamentally aware of what happened.


    "..." Quade just... just takes a deep breath, looking to the phone. That information isn''t useful now, after it happened- he needed to keep Talon talking. "B-But Uncle- he- he shot at me, he saw me on the eighth- the eighth floor... what if he sees me again?"


    "Again, no issue... once they''re finished their business, they''ll be done. You''ll never have to see them again," Talon responds.


    Finished their business, Talon says. Never have to see them again.


    A high chance he wasn''t seeing Giichi ever again.


    "... Joseph? Are you still there?"


    "Y... Yes, I am, Uncle, I just..." Quade responds, hand gripping the phone. Tensely staring forward with a violent glare, his fake shaking becoming more genuine as hostility forms in his voice. As his Odette voice bubbles with true Quade panic.


    "Yes?"


    "... I just- listen, the- they were taking a girl, and-"


    Quade, about to spill the beans about Giichi, suddenly has the phone snatched out his hand. He blinks as he looks over his shoulder, staring at the real Odette.


    A gravely serious look was on Odette''s face as he glares at Quade. But he wasn''t upset at Quade. He was simply enduring the scratches and cuts the glass shards inflicted onto him, coming down to the ground floor and seeing Quade on the phone. The moment Quade said the word "Uncle", he knew that Uncle Talon was on the other end.


    "..." Odette holds the phone up to his ear and immediately speaks. "T-They attacked this hospital- they almost hurt Mom over this girl. Y-You mentioned her, you told me to be careful about her- who is she?"


    A pause on the other end, and Talon responds. "... Joseph-"


    "I- lied to you, Uncle... I''m not fine," Odette speaks into the phone, taking a deep sigh. "I- I''ve been trying to keep it together, but- because of this girl, whatever business is involved with this girl, I- I can''t believe that this girl would be dangerous. She was taken out of the hospital, taken by men in suits! Gangsters, Uncle! Gangsters!"


    Wait- no, Quade thought. Mentioning- gangsters in that way, it''s going to raise some eyebrows. He- needed to stop Odette right there. Quade tensely reaches for the phone, about to take it back.


    ... only to be stopped as Odette lifts a finger and telekinetically holds Quade''s hand back. A look of "please, trust me" present on Odette''s face as he deeply stares at Quade, giving Talon some time to process what he just exclaimed.


    "... you... you saw the news, Joseph," Talon eventually answers, giving as indirect an answer as possible. "The news said that 200 gangsters were arrested. Some sources put her on the scene and all. She''s dangerous because she has too many people going for her..."


    Right... Odette nods to this, taking a deep breath. "... Uncle. I need- I need to find the men responsible. I need to have a talk with- with BB."


    "Huh? BB-? Who in the hell is-?"


    "He-" Odette begins to answer, eyes narrowed as he knows BB''s tendency to take credit. "He barged in, shouting his name out while escaping... that''s the name of the man who shot at me and exploded glass into my body. Can you- can you help me find him? M-Maybe where he''s heading, taking this girl?"


    "... Joseph, you don''t have to-" Talon speaks.


    "I do. I- I can''t let him get away for endangering Mom, I can''t let a criminal just..." Odette begins to explain, before... faintly sighing. "You said it yourself... ''a man has to grow up and fight his battles'', right? I... I need to grow up. I need to protect Mom, to protect this hospital she''s at. So- if you or anyone else knows anything about him, about why he and his cohorts were here, why he- why he-!"


    Odette chokes up as he speaks, his glass-sliced body trembling and shaking. A mix of anxiety and physical pain mixing together, prompting him to lean against Quade like a frightened animal in need of comfort.


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Quade- appropriately lets him lean on him, silently letting Odette speak...


    "... just- please. Help me," Odette begs.


    A long silence as Quade, Odette, and - secretly listening in - the receptionist await Talon''s response. For a moment, Quade- Quade was hopeful, seeing Odette begging for this information from his uncle in such an emotional way. A discreet way to beg for this information.


    But all hope crumbles after Quade hears Talon''s next response.


    "... I don''t know, Joseph. I''m not aware of what house he''s heading to. I- I can''t help you. Just... get some rest, for my sake. Please."


    "I see..." Odette responds, seemingly... giving up. "Alright, then... I- I think I''ve been held up here long enough. The doctors need to stitch my wounds up and all. Talk to you some other time, Uncle."


    "O... Okay... okay, Joseph. Get well soon, and- uhm... I''m- I''m sorry that I couldn''t help further. See you- tonight? Maybe- maybe some Italian food? Got this place in West Starveil I wanted to try?"


    "Maybe some- other time. Thank you..." Odette weakly tells his uncle, sniffling lightly. "I was- thinking of getting Chinese takeout tonight."


    "Sure. See you, boy."


    Talon then hangs up. The dial tone of the phone sounding out, as Odette returns the phone to the receptionist. The phone call with the head of the Blackbird Syndicate concluding in that moment.


    "..." Quade glares at- Odette afterwards, shifting his voice back to normal before speaking. Quietly- quietly having heard all of that, he... he was angry. Trembling and almost seething, the stress in his body reaching another peak.


    That was- that was the one chance they had to save Giichi, to know where she was being taken, Quade thought.


    Now that the call was over, the one lead they had was gone. It would be suspicious to ask Talon for anything else, to ask for an address or anything like that.


    "Odette, I-"


    "Outskirts of West Starveil," Odette immediately interrupts to explain to Quade. "They''re heading to one of the abandoned warehouses in the forest."


    Quade blinks at this. "W... What?"


    "That''s... that''s where they''re taking Giichi," Odette responds, arms crossed. An uneasy smile as he- sees Quade''s irritation, how annoyed he was to be in the dark. "A-ware. House. For. Rest. Italian in West. He was a bit more direct with this code, but- he told me anyway. I''m not sure which one it is, but... yeah, it''s somewhere in that direction."


    "..." Quade calms down as he- smiles at Odette. "I... I see. I guess I- misjudged that whole conversation-"


    "Quade," Odette asks, stepping away from the hatted man and leaning against the hospital counter. "What else did Uncle Talon say? Give me an exact word-for-word account."


    "Oh... uhm," Quade noises, taking a deep breath, starting to repeat what Talon told him as "Odette".


    A lot of what Talon said was either nothing, or some hidden meaning that Quade already knew. But the statement that caught Odette''s attention...


    Again, no issue... once they''re finished their business, they''ll be done. You''ll never have to see them again.


    "... oh. Oh god," Odette speaks up, covering his mouth in horror. "He''s- he''s taking Giichi to the Slaughterhouse."


    Quade coughs almost violently at those words, staring at Odette with absolute urgency. "W-What?!"


    Odette looks to Quade, shaking. "A lakeside warehouse where they- they mutilate their targets with sawblades! They''re going to cut Giichi limb by limb, or they''ll fail to do so and just subject her to an aggressive amount of brutally painful torture!"


    Quade has a mortified look on his face, staring at Odette.


    The receptionist- stares in horror as well, pressing the 9 key on the phone-


    "Don''t call the police-!" Quade tells the receptionist, tensely glaring at him and reaching out to grab his wrist before he could press another number. "This is business between the caller and us! You''ll put a big, red target on this hospital and everyone here! Make sure not a single fella calls the cops in any way for what Odette just said, got it?!"


    The- the receptionist nods, very actively nods. "O-Okay! Okay..."


    Quade- then tenses up, staring at Odette. "Listen-! I need your keys, whatever you came here in. I need to get to that slaughterhouse as soon as possible."


    "Uhm- sure-!" Odette shouts, taking out his keys. "It''s the green Kawasaki out in the parking lot!"


    "Got it! Green Kawa-" Quade holds the keys and turns, then... pauses and stares at Odette for a moment. "... you- you have a motorcycle?"


    A nod from Odette. "W-What? Is it- is it a problem?" Odette asks, tilting his head with the worry on his face getting worse. "A- A Kawasaki can handle city streets and off road, no problem- and if the issue''s the paint."


    "No, no, the cycle''s fine-" Quade begins to explain, before bluntly admitting the reason for his shock. "Just... I mean no offense, but you''re just the last person I''d ever expect to be risk-taking and ride one of those."


    "I- I''m actually flattered... makes me a little bit less ''last'', I guess...!" Odette responds, feeling- slightly better. Sniffling lightly as he wipes his eyes with his shirt sleeve, as the coolest guy he knows is shocked and impressed about him owning a motorcycle... "A-Alright-! Let''s go, we need to get Giichi right away!"


    "... Odette, you- you ain''t coming," Quade tells Odette, shaking his head. Quade definitely know how badly it hurts to have his body scratched all over by glass, and knows that it was a thousand times worse for Odette. Odette, the man with sensitive and soft skin that couldn''t regenerate. "You''re badly hurt. There''s glass all over and in your body, you''re very- cut up from what happened. I can''t let ya-"


    "I- I told Uncle Talon that I would fight my own battles, no matter what!" Odette responds, clenching his hands into fists. "Plus- all he knows is that I''m there to get even with BB. I''m not going against the syndicate or the family, I''m acting in self defense in his eyes. We have no time to waste, Quade. Let''s go save Giichi!"


    Odette stares back at Quade with a suave, bold, stylish smile. The embodiment of confidence and bravery, rabbit ears lifted up as one hand adjusts his tie and the other rests on his hip. He truly was determined to save Giichi, in that moment.


    "... alright. Are you sure?" Quade asks, staring at him with a serious face. "Are you really, really sure you want to come with, in your condition?!"


    "... no, not at all!" Immediately, Odette''s hands unclench as his smile fades immediately. Replaced with a scared, terrified look on his face as his eyes water up. Shaking and fidgeting like a scared animal, dropping the act completely. His rabbit ears dropping back down and covering his human ones. "I- I''m actually in a lot of pain right now and I''m scared and I want to lie down and cry, but Giichi''s really in trouble and I can''t afford to be my usual crybaby self right now because-"


    "Odette-!" Quade interrupts, shaking his head with tension. "Just stay back and rest. It''s- my turn."


    "Okay... okay," Odette responds to Quade, sniffling lightly as his eyes tear up. "... I''m- I''m sorry, I''m sorry I got hurt, I''m sorry I can''t help any more, I''m-!"


    "It''s fine, it''s fine," Quade immediately interrupts, riled up in the urgency of the moment. "... but you can help. I need you to stay here and keep an eye on the others. You''ll help plenty by making sure everyone''s safe, and telling them what you can. Worst case, if I don''t come back, you get a search party out to that warehouse. Got it?!"


    Odette- frantically shakes as he starts crying once again. The tears flowing from his cheeks as Quade suggests his potential death. "Q-Quade, I- I''m fine, you don''t have to go alone- I-!"


    Quade grabs Odette by the shoulders, gripping him tightly and staring him down. "Be brave, not foolish. You may be the only one I can depend on, but I''m better off going alone than bringing an injured man with me. I can handle myself against them."


    "..." Odette continues to cry, and- sobs as Quade begins to walk to the exit. Quickly- calling out to him. Now that Odette isn''t coming with Quade, Odette... needed to tell him everything he knew about where Giichi might be headed. "The slaughterhouse, it''s- unmarked on the maps... but, it''s- it''s next to a lake. F-Find the river and head North."


    "Right, right," Quade responds, nodding a few times. Taking his hat off and fanning his face, flapping the hat itself, before putting it back on... shapeshifting in that moment.


    Without warning, using his hat as an eye-catch again, Odette was now face to face with himself. An identical copy, albeit with a hat back on his head. Basically smushing the rabbit ears down under the cap, having them dangle off to the side of his cheeks.


    "... alright. I''m- I''m off. Stay safe," Quade instructs, before sprinting out of the hospital. Starting to head to the hospital parking lot for Odette''s Kawasaki bike, preparing for his warehouse search.


    Odette- stands as he''s left crying once again. Eyes watering, unable to see Quade once the man was far enough. Looking down at the floor and starting to wipe his eyes again, just...


    "I- I don''t know if it helps, but-" the receptionist calls out to Odette, giving a smile. "It... it looks to me that you did a great job, man..."


    "..." Odette then looks back to the receptionist, takes a deep breath with sobbing eyes, and goes: "Please get me a doctor, I am in incredible pain."


    "Ah, r-right! Okay-" Directing his attention to page a doctor for Odette, now.


    "..." Odette nods slightly as he stands and waits. Head looking down at his feet on the floor, just hopelessly thinking to himself for a moment.


    Memories crossing his mind of when... when Giichi introduced him to...


    "Peritzal, Papaya! I''d like you to meet someone! This is Odette!"


    "U-Uhm- hi! I''m- I''m Odette... nice to- nice to meet you two!"


    "Uh, well- hi, Odette! Nice to meet you too! Heh."


    "... Giichi, why did you bring this man here?"


    "Oh, see, okay, I just kinda met him while- out and about and all. He''s pretty cool! See, okay, he can do this thing with his mind. Move stuff with his mind and all."


    "Telekinesis? You brought a psychic here?"


    "Oh! Wow, that''s pretty cool! Odette- try picking me up!"


    "U-Uhm- okay?! Uh...!"


    "Woooooah! This is so freaking cool!"


    "I know, right?! I thought the exact same thing! It''s not just you, he can carry a looot of stuff! I think he can carry me and like a bunch of cars!"


    "Giichi... honest question, you JUST brought a stranger you met out of nowhere here. What reason do we have, to trust him?"


    "None yet, but- honestly, he''s pretty cool! He''s a potentially really good friend, he''s- superpowered and chill, and if I had to..."


    Odette stares down in horror as these words echo in his mind, seeing Giichi''s unconscious body being carried out of the ambulance. He hyperventilates aggressively as his fingers tightly grip his ears. He could feel his pink eyes narrowing to dots from stress, pure guilt and anxiety riddling his body, remembering those words that Giichi said.


    He couldn''t stop the gangsters from taking Giichi. Quade was now alone and left to fend for himself. Everyone else is either poisoned, injured, or they''re just Verness...


    He vividly remembers what Giichi said, what he failed to live up to, what caused him to feel abysmally terrible and horrible this entire morning ever since his uncle called...


    "... I''d trust Odette here with my life!"

 #19 - Papayas Dream of 100 Karaoke Boys

    "... a-ah!"


    Papaya''s eyes open as she- gets up, looking around quickly. "G-Guys! Guys, where are you?!" she calls out to her friends, the last thing in her mind the poisoning. How the bartender, the gangster bartender, that guy- he put poison in the iced tea, a ton of it. With raw, frantic panic on her face, her surroundings came to view as she calls out to her friends: "D-Don''t drink the-"


    ...


    Huh.


    Papaya was in a bar. Another bar, a different bar.


    One of those karaoke bars, with flashy music playing in the speakers. A classy establishment, really, with dark oak walls and everything. It truly gave a cozy vibe, if not for the flashy colorful circles of light shining around during an upbeat pop song. The lights are overwhelmingly distracting in a way that really just- scratches that itch in Papaya''s head.


    Papaya gently pats the seat underneath her, the soft cushiony green that felt a little floaty to touch. Tiny little stripe thingies against her fingers. Curious. She''s in some sort of booth, a booth with a table and stuff, with...


    "... oh- oh!" Papaya exclaims, her eyes lighting up as she gets a better look at the seat and table. The sight clears up in her eyes and she remembers almost instantly. "Wait a minute! Is this-?!"


    To check if she''s right, Papaya quickly reaches her hand out to her right, and is handed a cherry smoothie by a red haired man in a fancy suit. One who lovingly stares at her with blue eyes, his rich and expensive attire pleasant to the eyes.


    It was! It was a dream! It was her dream!


    Papaya brims with delight as she remembers that this was a regular dream she had!


    See, this bar is "Karaoke Karaoke", the makeshift bar she''s invented in her mind to inform her of when she''s dreaming. The way to induce this dream is not perfect, but Papaya learned from someone that writing a dream journal made it easier to "lucid dream" - to dream while being aware that it''s a dream. Nowadays, almost every time she goes to sleep, Papaya tries to dream of Karaoke Karaoke, because this was the dream where-


    "Yo, Paps, you took a nasty spill!" a blonde man exclaims, sitting across from her table. One of three that sat at her table.


    "Yeah- we were worried sick..." a brown haired man in a sweater speaks, hugging his book in his chest. Round glasses slightly tilted on his nose, the man having yet to tilt them back into place.


    "Ey! Everyone, Paps is awake!" the white haired man on the end shouts. His green and black plaid scarf hanging around his neck as he calls to attention everyone else in the bar, alerting them of her awakeness.


    This is the dream where 100 men are in love with her! Men of different looks, flavors and all!


    Papaya always feels giddy when she ends up here, bright and sunny at the thought of receiving unconditional love from a surplus of men. Earthling men, to be specific, those fine dudes in media and possibly real life! It filled her boy-crazy heart to feel loved, to be obsessed over, to know that all eyes were on her as she was being her Papaya self!


    "Yes~ yes! I''m awake~ thank you, thank you~" Papaya calls out to her adoring lovers, all nice and warm as they shower her with relieved smiles. Taking a nice sip of her smoothie, absolutely gushing with vivid joy at the sweetness and tanginess of the smoothie.


    The rest of the bar''s boys cheer for her awakening, with the one at the microphone starting to sing her theme song. In fact, the upbeat pop song was her song all along! All about her, all about how awesome and cute and wonderful she is~!


    Papaya puts the smoothie down on the table, falling back to lie her head on the red boy''s lap. She doesn''t have a name for him, or any of the other boys, but it didn''t matter! "Ahhh~! That''s some good smoothie...~! Hehehe."


    The red guy smiles down at her and gently pats her head. Looking down at her with an absolutely enamored look on his face. And why wouldn''t he be? Papaya''s the best person ever~


    "Hey! Don''t just keep Papaya to yourself!" a college guy in a white kitty cat t-shirt exclaims, adjusting his round nerd glasses and joining in the variously vague and glaring men all staring in unison.


    "Yeah, pardner, you ain''t slick," a man... suspiciously looking like Quade, but with a cowboy hat and cowboy clothes. A pure stereotype with an exaggerated old timey wild west accent, kinda- like what Quade does, but... meh. "So get the lil'' lady off your lap right this instant."


    Papaya chuckles with delight. Boys fighting over her. That''s precious. "Now, gentlemen, gentlemen~ there''s no need to fight~! Isn''t it enough to just love me~? To enjoy just being around my happy lil'' self~?"


    "Yes, that''s right, everyone!" an armor wearing knight shouts. A fantasy themed knight, one with blonde hair and a red scarf, that massive sword on his back just- prevalently steel. Buff arms, smoking hot jawline- mmmh! "Papaya is a treasure we all share equally!"


    "By my calculations, all of us are still in acceptable parameters to adore Papaya equally," a refined gentleman with long ears and a bowl cut with sideburns comments. Whipping out his fancy sci-fi computer - oh, the irony, Papaya''s seen far more advanced stuff - and typing a bunch of numbers. "For every minute she spends on Crimson''s lap, that is an additional minute to his meters that begins to balance it out. She has more physical contact with Cotton Candy than all of us, after all."


    So the red guy''s name is Crimson! Right. Papaya knew that. Totally.


    ... wait, which one''s Cotton Candy?


    "That''s right!" a tall, attractive Korean singer exclaims, strutting into the room with his blue and pink haircut. Stylized into a wonderful, eccentric dream as his voice melodiously rings out through the bar. "You all simply have to shower her with more love and attention~ get your Papaya fill~"


    Papaya has no idea who the real world equivalent of this man is, but absolutely melts as this stunning man trails his fingers along his cheek. Shivers throughout her body, feeling her face do that human thing where the cheeks warm up and blush bright red. Her green eyes sparkling brightly as she thinks to herself: ah, yes, Cotton Candy.


    There isn''t any harm in just- having fun with this dream, right? It''s not every night that a girl gets this chance, to fall into a dream with a hundred dudes. If Papaya had her way, she''d have one million guys clamoring out for her, crying out for her attention.


    ... wait. Wait, it''s her dream!


    If this is her lucid dream, why exactly is it "if she had her way"? SHE DOES! She does have her way! If she wants a million guys to cheer for her, what''s stopping her?!


    "Hey~ hey, hey, hey, heyyyyy~ boys~" Papaya calls out, sitting up from Red Guy''s lap and getting up from the booth. "Guess what? Guess what, c''mon~ guess!"


    Papaya stands as all of the guys mumble and murmur, as if they were actual people trying to think her thoughts. Each guy, each well detailed guy with unspecified character motives and backstory. Giving them plenty of time to talk amongst themselves, before interrupting their thoughts.


    "I''m craving some karaokeeeeeeeeeee~!" Papaya calls out, strutting over to the system and stage.


    And then the crowd of guys goes nuts, cheering their lungs out. Papaya walks past an expansive setting of guys, seeing a surreal bar that was far too massive to be real. But Karaoke Karaoke only had 100 guys in it. Just 100 guys, even if her heart has more than enough room for millions.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    She needed something bigger than a bar to achieve the love that a girl like her deserves.


    As the crowd gets louder, the cozy bar walls start to crumble and collapse, the chunks of scenery drifting off into space. Ceiling dissolving into specks of dust, wooden floors morphing into solid marble. Before Papaya''s eyes, Karaoke Karaoke morphed into the Roman Colosseum, but updated with marble, having a fifty foot tall pathway of marble and at least three times as large.


    With an expansive sky above her, the light of the star filled sky shines down on Papaya. Sparkling twinkles of white amidst a dark, smoky blue. But it isn''t bright enough for Papaya, she needs more lights! The ground quakes and shakes, and metal poles of football stadium LED lights shine down her walkway. Pure, artificial white illuminating Papaya''s walkway and guiding her forward.


    Up ahead, with each step, the modest karaoke bar stage turns to a massive circular platform. Red carpeted stairs for Papaya to begin her ascent, her sneakers treading along and stomping on the luxurious foot fabric. Not a single footprint, however, as Papaya is just that clean and tidy~! She has no trouble stepping on carpets whatsoever!


    Eventually, Papaya makes it up the stairs and is face to face with the grandeur of the platform. Right on the edge of it, visualizing before her a platform that...


    ... uhm.


    Too lazy to do any of the math of how big this platform is, Papaya takes a moment to take a step back, briefly throws her hands forward, and 184 buses fall out of the sky to fill the entirety of the platform.


    This platform was enough to hold 180 buses.


    The 180 buses that spontaneously poof away, replaced by an assortment of fireworks and confetti shooters. All of them shoot off into the air, creating colorful scraps of sparkly paper that swirl and whirl around as Papaya makes her strut to the center stage. Cheers erupting throughout the karaoke arena with bursts of purple and green set off in the sky. Papaya''s fireworks-created face winking in the sky,


    "Papaya! Papaya! Papaya!" the crowd cheers, tens of millions of voices in unison rhythmically chanting her name.


    "Yes, yes, thank you! Thank you all~!" Papaya turns around as she walks backwards, blowing kisses out to the cheering public. "Mwah~! Mwah! Yes, yes, yes~! More~! More!"


    Pillars rise from the abyss around the platform, with a fourth of her lovers equipped with megaphones and I <3 Papaya signs. "Papaya! Papaya! Papaya!"


    Papaya twirls around, utterly basking in this praise with the ego as large as the moon itself. In fact, the visual representation of this is immediately shown in the sky, as the moon is now in competition with a large ball of condensed light marked "Me". Nothing else matters right now but her!


    After this grandeur show, Papaya approaches the microphone and tablet. A gentle tap-tap of the mic, before waving to her adoring public and cheering out: "Say it, scream it, everyone! Who do you love?!"


    "Papaya! Papaya! Papaya!" the voices uproar.


    "Ahhh~ okay, okay, okaaaaay~! Now, what should I get to singing?!" Papaya shouts to her loving fans. "We could go... ''Papaya, Papaya, Please Love Me Papaya''~?"


    An overwhelming uproar. "Papaya! Papaya! Papaya!"


    "Oooh, but what about ''Spotlight Papaya''? A little bit of a somber jazz vibe...~?"


    More joyous cheering. "Papaya! Papaya! Papaya!"


    Papaya builds this up further by listing off more songs about herself. "Hmmmm... ''Papaya, Dearest'' could be neat! Old timey music, classics~! Ooh, what about ''For Papaya'', orchestral symphonic music? Oh, man... ''Papaya Palace'', ''Count Your Papaya'', ''No One Like Papaya''..."


    Every song on the catalog was clearly just about Papaya, some rendition of Papaya''s name alongside other words. In her dream, Papaya can list off hundreds upon hundreds of songs all about her, even if none of them make sense. The audience just keeps chanting and cheering, blindly begging and calling for more Papaya.


    Eventually, Papaya reaches one option that crosses her mind. Something that wasn''t Papaya related.


    "Huh. ''A Message from Peritzal''..." Papaya hmms to herself, the audience going utterly quiet after she reads off a non-Papayesque song.


    Well, it IS related to Papaya, but... it wasn''t her. It wasn''t Papaya. It wasn''t a Papaya song being read out.


    The audience goes quiet from this, as they were just here for Papaya. The resulting, hollowing silence weighs heavily on Papaya''s back, as if a shadow looms over her and her stage.


    "... u... uhm-" Papaya noises, looking around at the silent crowd. "G... Guys? O... Okay, okay! Uhm, we don''t have to sing that one! What about, what about... ''Papaya Monsters DX'', huh? We- We could sing that! Lemme just..."


    Papaya flicks her finger along the tablet, shaking as the song options were completely different. All of the song names were replaced with Peritzal. Any mention of Papaya was completely and utterly gone. No song available.


    "W... What? Wait, t... this is my dream, right?" Papaya mumbles, staring at the tablet with concern. Scrolling down, seeing nothing but Peritzal, Peritzal, Peritzal... there... there used to be songs in here about Papaya! Papaya read the songs- she read them out!


    Papaya KNOWS her songs are here, but where were they?! She scrolled up to look for them, and- they were gone! No "For Papaya", no "Papaya Palace", none of that. It was "Peritzal Stars", "Our Lord and Savior, Peritzal", "Peritzal Bell"... every song in here, each song that had Papaya''s name in it, all of it replaced Papaya''s name with Peritzal.


    Peritzal overwrote everything on that tablet, every instance of her name, every ounce of her... identity.


    A tense look forms on her face as she "squeezes her brain" to try and come up with songs about her. Trying to bring the boys back to constant, constant love and admiration. For five seconds, Papaya forces more cheers to roar throughout the colosseum karaoke stage, before... silence. Their voices fading again, gone and silent.


    A hollow feeling envelops Papaya''s... heart. Some tears trailing from her eyes as she... as she feels miserable. Papaya''s everything was taken away in that moment, the center of an arena full of nobody. Papaya falls to her knees, calling out... calling out to anyone that could still hear her: "Y... You''re... supposed to... love... me..."


    "... Papaya."


    Papaya looks up as she stares to see Peritzal. Her twin sister, walking up the stairs as the boys boo and admonish this new girl showing up.


    "P-Peri...?! Y-You''re hijacking my dream..." Papaya faintly accuses, glaring at her sister with an offended look on her face.


    "That is preposterous, Papaya," Peritzal explains, arms crossed. "You know full well that I am simply a representation of your mental imagery of me. A ''Dream Peritzal'', if you will."


    Papaya... narrows her eyes at Dream Peritzal, then sighs. "Y... Yeah, yeah. You''re not real, I... I know." Momentarily sulking as she holds her hands to her face. "... why? Why are you here? This is supposed to be my dream."


    "Do you remember what your first thought upon entering this dream was?" Dream Peritzal asks, arms crossed as she walks closer to Papaya.


    "First thought...?"


    "Yes. Normally, this dream could go uninterrupted and all," Dream Peritzal explains in classic Peritzal fashion, elaborately explaining to Papaya the meaning of this dream anomaly. "But your first thought is making your psyche warp and distort this dream for a reason. That first thought of yours that you''re trying to drown out."


    Papaya engages in a long and hard think, before... "Oh! Wait, right! Poison! We''ve been poisoned! P-Peri, what''s going on right now AS I''m being poisoned?!"


    "... if you do not have an idea, why would I know?" Dream Peritzal asks.


    "Oh, right, yeah- duh." Papaya gently knocks on the side of her head with her hand. "... yikes. So- what exactly are we gonna do? Now that... now that I know what the problem is? I can''t exactly just- wake up, I''m poisoned."


    "... well." Dream Peritzal walks up to the tablet, browsing through it. "Now that you vividly remember what''s going on... we''ll engage in some karaoke, obviously."


    Dream Peritzal presses a button, letting a beep sound out. A massive screen lowers down from the sky, presenting a cinematic view of the stage itself. Papaya looks at it to see her and Dream Peritzal on the screen, alongside the title of the song Dream Peritzal has chosen...


    ... Wake Up, My Papaya.


    Spontaneously, this respawns all of the boys, the crowds coming back for Papaya. The cheers of the crowds echo out as this text shows up, hyped for some Papaya songs!


    Papaya looking to Dream Peritzal in disbelief. "W... Wha-? Wait, but I thought all of the songs were about you, Peritzal...? How did you-"


    "Papaya, this stadium is full of people who love you. One hundred men or otherwise," Dream Peritzal explains, waving the tablet.


    "Oh...!" Papaya... couldn''t help but giggle at this. "So you''re saying-!"


    "Your dream, your mind. You already know," Dream Peritzal smirks, as two microphones spontaneously appearing in the twins'' hands.


    "H-Heh... love you too, Peri."


    As the song begins to play, as the twins are greeted to an upbeat and high energy pop song that Papaya doesn''t even know the lyrics to, as some semblance of words form on the screen and the twins were preparing to sing their hearts out...


    "... ugh-"


    Papaya noises as her eyes open, coughing- violently- as she felt the pain of the poison coursing through her body. The arena was gone, the karaoke stuff was also gone. Papaya was lying in a hospital bed, a stretcher, eyes glancing at the ceiling of the ward she was in. Glancing down to see a respirator over her mouth, with some of her alien blood coughed out into it.


    Papaya''s voice gains the attention of a nearby nurse. A male one in typical nurse attire, shock on his face. "...?! D-Doctor! T-The alien''s awake!"


    Papaya... groans as she- can''t move her body. As much as she tries to move her arms or legs, these appendages remain limp and paralyzed. "W... Wha... where am I-?"


    "Y-You''re in the hospital, in our emergency ward-! Hang on- we''re gonna get you all cured of the poison...!" the nurse tells her, before a doctor comes over.


    "P... oison...?" Papaya mumbles, still visibly groggy after waking up before- augh- coughing again into the respirator. "A... Augh... okay. I- I see..."


    Part of her wanted to stay asleep, to sing her heart out and engage in that song again, but...


    "..."


    Papaya then realizes her skin was gone, as the doctor was examining her.


    "Huh." Papaya wasn''t in any condition to reform her human skin, so she just remains a gelatinous purple alien on the stretcher. "Nurse?"


    "...?" The nurse tilts his head, confused why Papaya was calling for him and not the doctor. "Yes?"


    "By any chance, are you seeing anyone? Or...?"

 #20 - Hand to Hand Slaughterhouse Brawl

    "... I''m- actually... married," the nurse bluntly answers, his eyes narrowed at Papaya.


    "Really?" Papaya asks, mildly disappointed... but, just nodding. "Huh. My bad, dude..."


    "..." The nurse, not knowing that this is just what Papaya is like, just- checks her vitals for a moment. Making sure that her brain is still in working order...


    "So- another question, if you don''t mind," Papaya begins to speak again, coughing and enduring the surplus amounts of poison in her body. "Why are there several people screaming in the background? I can hear utter panic and all..."


    "Oh, uhm... well, while you were unconscious-" the nurse begins to explain, before seeing... another man walking into the ward. "Ah- sir, you can''t be in here! Please, I have to ask you to leave immediately!"


    "W-Well, I''m- uh- I''m with the patients here-" explains Odette, walking into the ward with an uneasy look on his face. Nervously sweating as he stares at the nurse, wanting to check on the remaining three people. "T-The one that got taken is a- friend-"


    The nurse crosses his arms. "... and we let some doctors and nurses take your ''friend''. As far as I''m concerned-"


    "Oh, it''s- fine-" Papaya calls out, her eyes seeing that it was Odette. Gesturing to the nurse with a weak hand, idly waving. "He''s cool... know him personally and all..."


    Odette... looks at Papaya with visible concern, just... discomforted and sighing. "I- I see she''s awake... h-how''s the- uhm- poison situation?"


    The nurse... sighs. "Still trying to figure out what''s in them. Best chance we have is if the white haired man, the cloud, is able to preserve some trace of the substance while remaining pure cloud."


    "Right... right." Odette shifts uncomfortably, a faint smile on his face. "... I''m- I''m sorry for intruding, I don''t mean to-"


    "It''s fine, it''s fine," the nurse responds... "We''re- still checking up on her, she ended up coughing some blood and all... so- might not be right for a conversation..."


    Odette... takes a deep breath. "It''s... well, I''m- I''ll be here to help... t-their well beings are left in my hands while their guardian, technically, is o-out on business..."


    Papaya looks to Odette, eyebrow raised. "Guardian...? W-We have a guardian...?"


    A nod from Odette. "... Quade."


    Meanwhile, Quade is driving along in Odette''s motorcycle, a green and black Kawasaki-brand bike. It isn''t his first choice of vehicle, but... it''s respectable. He gets the style. And it is helping very wonderfully in traversing Starveil City. There is some flexibility in driving this thing.


    Right now, with Odette handling things back at the hospital, Quade is just driving through the city, idly looking around. Cautious about traffic laws while on this bike, actively searching around in case the bike is faster than the gangsters'' getaway vehicle...


    "... hm. This rides pretty smoothly... but... huh, something feels off..." Quade mumbles to himself. "Why does it feel like there''s something- off..."


    "Maybe it- maybe it''s the ground itself... the street?"


    "Yeah, possibly. It''s a downside, but I guess I have to manage with-"


    ...


    And he immediately looks back upon hearing this voice speaking to him. Immedately recognizing the voice, and conveniently seeing the matching Verness Red clinging to his back. The little spider girl who was, in fact, not back at the hospital. Instead, she has discreetly latched onto Quade''s back with her legs, and he is only just now noticing mid-drive.


    "Verness?!" Quade shouts, his voice competing with the sound of the wind brushing past the two. "W-What in tarnation are you doing?! Why are you on my back right now?!"


    Verness Red idly blinks as Quade finally notices she''s on his back. "I- I overheard what you and Odette were saying and I didn''t want you to go alone, so we just decided to come with..."


    "Well, you can''t just get on my back while I''m on a motorcycle, it''s mighty unsafe and- ..." Quade''s eyes narrow. "What do you mean, ''we''? I only see you on my..."


    Immediately, Quade watches over his shoulder, conveniently timed to see Verness Orange, Verness Yellow, Verness Blue, and Verness Monochrome peek out from behind Red. Verness Red clinging to Quade''s back, with the Vernesses in this order clinging to the next one. Five out of the eight Vernesses accompanying Quade, their combined weights completely- completely avoiding Quade''s attention.


    "... what?" Monochrome asks, tilting her head. "It''s not like this is the first time we''ve stowed away on your back while you''re doing wicked awesome things."


    "Yeah, I guess you could say we''re... backing you up!" Orange shouts.


    Baduntsh.


    The man''s eyes narrow and sigh. "... Verness, y''all ain''t coming with me, it''s dangerous and I can''t let any of you get hurt. No place for a little girl."


    "As you said, though, it''s dangerous. So what if you get hurt?" Yellow asks, a worried look on her face.


    "Yeah, Mr. McMurphy! We have to come along, we gotta keep you safe!" Orange exclaims.


    "And in case we don''t gotta keep you safe, I kinda just want to knock some heads and flip someone like a pancake!" Monochrome exclaims.


    Blue supportively chimes in with her convincing silence.


    "..."


    Quade rolls his eyes at all of that. There was no use trying to convince them, these five are set on joining him. If he tells them to leave, they''ll just scurry and sneak after him... and he can''t afford to drop them off anywhere, when he needed to drive after Giichi as soon as possible. "Fine. Y''all can come with. But we''re making a brief stop first."


    "Yaaaaay!" Orange cheers. "Where are we going, Mr. McMurphy?"


    In the middle of this tense, life-threatening situation where Quade couldn''t afford to waste a single second... he stops at a store that sells motorcycle helmets, leading to complete and necessary head protection for the rest of the ride.


    With that, Quade continues to drive west, following Odette''s directions and reaching the city outskirts. Crossing the city border and entering woodland territory now, cautiously surveying his surroundings in caution.


    "Alright- so plan is, we''re going to go to a warehouse and calmly, calmly ask them if we can see BB," Quade instructs the Vernesses. "We''re dealing with very dangerous men, people who will hurt and shoot children if they have to. Maybe even if they just want to."


    "S-So what you''re saying is, if we see anyone at all, either we run or we knock them out...?" Red asks.


    "No, no, Red, we need to take this calmly," Quade tells Red. "Relatively peaceful. They don''t know about Odette, who I''m disguised as under this helmet... and they don''t know about any of y''all. We can do this peaceful like, as long as we don''t do anything whatsoever to make them panic. We clear on that?"


    "Okay, but, just in case, what should we do if we are in danger, Mr. Mc- ... O-Odette?" Yellow asks, correcting herself. "If something goes wrong and we do have to fight them?"


    "Just- listen to what I tell you, stay close, loudly shout for me if you''re in danger, and-" Quade begins to instruct, as they make a right turn. "-we ain''t telling your mother about any of this."


    "O-Oki doki..." Red noises, followed by Orange''s jolly grin, Yellow''s calm and attentive nod, a zip of the lips gesture from Blue, and Monochrome just sticking out her tongue.


    Eventually, Quade... interestingly finds a warehouse buried in the woods, as Odette described. Absolutely abandoned, obscured by the surplus of trees surrounding it. A convenient spot for criminal gangsters to hide away, one of the many that the Blackbird Syndicate uses. Starting to pull up to it, a calm look on his face as he prepares for anyone to see him.


    Right outside, two gangsters just conveniently standing around, on guard duty with arms crossed. "... well, get a load of this. We gots a guy and some kids..." one of the gangsters says, drawing his gun and taking aim as Quade drove closer. "Hey! Stop right there, or I''ll shoot!"


    Quade nods and calls out, beginning to slow down. Ready to take his peaceful approach. "Alright, alright! We''re stopping, just-"


    "No, no, keep going, keep going!" Monochrome shouts, completely disregarding Quade''s plan completely and pointing forward with a proud smile. "Drive through the door! It''s gonna be so cool! Let''s get these guys!"


    The gangsters hear this, both of their guns drawn. Taking aim at the cycle''s wheels, and firing shots in an attempt to puncture the tire.


    Damn it, Monochrome...


    Quade immediately pops a wheelie, the angle of the bullets hitting into the ground instead. A tense look on his face as he did this to protect Odette''s motorcycle, but... thanks to this hasty move, he doesn''t have enough control to stop the motorcycle before any potential damages happen to the cycle. Unable to stop in time as the motorcycle speeds forward on one wheel, having to plan his moves accordingly.


    So, the motorcycle is lifted up and driving on one wheel while Quade grips the handles tightly, the Vernesses visibly hang off of Quade''s back, and one of the two gangsters is face to face with the raised, incoming wheel that was closing in.


    "..." The gangster is visibly shaken in the split second this occurs, and doesn''t have enough time to move.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    In a brutal fashion, a loud thud sounds out as Quade drives through the warehouse door, the gangster''s entire body launched through from the impact with face absolutely messed up from having a motorcycle wheel drive against it.


    This motion giving him a quick look to realize, not including the two gangsters outside, there were 15 gangsters using this warehouse.


    It didn''t seem like they were immediately preparing for anything illegal. This warehouse seemed to just be some casual hangout spot on top of its slaughterhouse equipment.


    Slacking off and playing casual poker or billiards with each other in this warehouse, with several tables set up. Pool tables and poker tables in the front of the warehouse''s ground floor, a messy and unorganized assortment of metal chains holding knives, blades, body bags and such in the back corner, and several support pillars to hold the second floor casual lounge that comes with a couch and TV.


    And in this time of leisure, each suited man in that warehouse is forced to watch as some lunatic and his five child passengers drive through their front doors, practically having run into one of their guys.


    Quickly, Quade forces his body forward, the motorcycle straight back onto both its wheels as he turns and does a motorcycle slide - pushing against the gangster''s body and practically forcing the man to grind roughly against the floor. Making a mental note to apologize to Odette later for this, as he quickly jumps from the cycle - turning and reaching his arms out to grab the Vernesses before they are sent flying.


    Verness Red had accidentally let go when Quade jumped, and held quickly onto the man''s hand. Orange, Yellow, and Blue manage to hang on in sequence as Red does this. However, Monochrome is not as lucky, and loses her grip on Blue as her body is sent flying straight into a poker table. Tumbling along the table''s cards and chips, completely ruining the game that was happening, a resilient projectile that contently endures this.


    Quade lands with his feet flat on the floor, knees bent to somewhat mitigate this risky jump as his shoes grind against the floor... and the sound of a man being sandwiched between a motorcycle and a billiards table sounds out, the aggressive crunch of wood echoing out as Quade hears a table completely collapse onto the man he drove into.


    Not exactly the worst thing that''s happened to a gangster today...


    "... I want to talk with BB!" Quade in Odette''s voice, taking off his motorcycle helmet and tossing it aside. Shaking his head to get Odette''s long pink bangs off of his face, glaring around at the gangsters in the room. "We have some words to exchange after what he did! Now!"


    "... and why in the hell did you think driving a motorcycle through our goddamn door and into our goddamn guard was going to get you a meeting with him?" a gangster angrily shouts, gun drawn and aimed at Quade.


    Improvising, Quade decides to threaten these gangsters with a bold comment. One that he intends to fulfill, one way or another: "Because I wanted to prove a point, that I will do SO much worse to each and every one of you, if you don''t bring him out right now!" Quade shouts angrily.


    "..." An audible laugh from the gangster, rolling his eyes. "Ahhh... good one. Go tell that joke in hell!" Pulling the trigger and firing a bullet at Quade.


    Immediately, Quade takes a moment to duck, the bullet going over his head and hitting into the wall.


    "S-Scatter!" he shouts loudly, instructing the Vernesses.


    "A-Ah! S-Scatter!" Red shouts to the others, the four remaining Vernesses running and sprinting as fast as she can. All of the spider girls are now sent off in every direction, retreating to safety while on guard.


    Quade needed to be resourceful, to plan things out accordingly. All the attention was on him, and the gangsters were starting to draw their weapons. Many of them had their guns on hand, able to draw pistols out in an instant, while the others either didn''t have any guns or had to retrieve their firearms from somewhere in the warehouse.


    It''s incremental, one by one... he just needed to take out gangster after gangster until he''s left with a single one that knows where this BB is. Quade strategically runs zig-zag towards one of the gangsters, taking a dash that doesn''t make him a guaranteed straight moving target.


    This one gangster stares at the incoming man, taking quick aim and firing a shot.


    Quade sidesteps out of the bullet''s way, foot kicking off of the ground as he delivers a hard right hook to the side of the gangster''s arm. A tense sound of pain coming from the gangster''s mouth as his body is forced to drop the gun from the pain- before he''s met with a left jab to his stomach, a right punch to his chest, one left hook against his throat, and a finishing uppercut to his jaw.


    The gangster is sent airborne, and Quade quickly ducks to pick up the man''s gun. Odette''s... rabbit ears... perking up as he''s alert to the sound. While changing into Odette doesn''t give him the man''s psychic abilities, it doesn''t change the fact he has two large rabbit ears dangling off of his head, able to give himself the sensitive hearing of a rabbit. Tensely hearing the sound of footsteps running to get closer.


    He had to worry about fifteen gangsters, most of them primarily on him. Many of them had their guns out already, ready to shoot... and- Quade dashes quickly to the left, running to the safety of cover with several of the armed gangsters shooting at him. Running and dodging the bullets as best he could, some of them unfortunately managing to graze his body as he sprints and dashes.


    Of course, some did pay attention to the Vernesses, but the little girls were small targets scurrying about aimlessly. They aren''t an immediate threat yet compared to the grown man that unleashed some sort of boxing combo on one of their own, so none of them were priorities to shoot yet...


    ... until Verness Monochrome promptly causes them to be threats as she viciously smacks a gangster in the head with a pool cue. The stick snapping in half upon impact, a hostile and aggressive move.


    Four nearby gangsters take aim at Monochrome, preparing to shoot.


    Orange throws several pool balls at one gangster, a ball hitting into the man''s hand and making him fire the gun... with two thrown at his feet to make him slip and fall onto his back with an aching thud.


    Yellow dashes at one of their ankles, her small leg sweep kicking the gangster off of his feet. Making this grown man trip forward and fire into the floor, Yellow coldly staring forward.


    Blue wraps a leather jacket around the third one''s face, blinding this gangster and pulling him back to make him fall over.


    And finally, a rope of silk drops down from the ceiling, sticking to the fourth gangster''s back as he''s yanked high up into the air and left bouncing like a yo-yo. Red, conveniently standing on the ceiling with her spider legs sticking to the surface.


    The four gangsters on Monochrome were dispatched of quickly, and the Vernesses continue to scurry about and retreat... as Monochrome whacks her gangster in the head again, and runs away as well.


    Complete disarray is now occurring in the warehouse, as Quade is in the midst of running to avoid being hit by bullets. Dashing towards his next gangster, taking aim with the gun he picked up.


    The gangster retaliates by taking aim as well, both men locked in a one second standoff... quickly ending when the gangster fires first, and Quade''s head swiftly tilts to the right and the bullet flies past. Immediately, Quade shoots at the man''s hand, intending to hit the gun out of the guy''s grasp.


    Quade isn''t as proficient at using a gun as either of the D''Erricos, however, and- instead of hitting the gun, he ends up shooting the gangster in the chest.


    "Oh- shit-!" the gangster sounds out, relieved he was wearing a bulletproof vest underneath his shirt... which doesn''t protect him from Quade running at his left, grabbing the man and using him as cover from the other gangsters shooting.


    Quade securely hides himself behind this gangster, watching as these gangsters actively unload bullet after bullet into the bulletproof vest. Quade''s already learned what it is like to be "bullet proof". It''s not fully possible unless you are physically able to make your body hard enough to not be shot by guns, so he''s just holding a man and watching the armed gangsters shoot this man all over the body.


    A deeply agonizing pain for the gangster Quade has. Quade even winces in the middle of it, feeling some... remorse, when the gangster cries out in pain as his arms and legs are shot up.


    The bullet fire ceases when the men were out of bullets, and Quade runs out from behind his human shield. Running to his next threat.


    "D-Damn it! Someone- call for reinforcements!" a gangster shouts, tossing his pistol aside and running for the-


    ...


    Stopping in place and slowly holding his hands up as Verness Red is holding a hunting rifle. One aimed straight at the man''s body.


    "Uhm- okay. Hands are up-" the gangster tells Red-


    Immediately, Verness Orange and Verness Blue latch onto this gangster''s body and send him falling to the floor, Monochrome even dropping from the wall to elbow body slam the man''s gut.


    Red visibly shakes as she holds the rifle, a nervous look as she- sees a gangster running to a phone. She takes aim and prepares to shoot the phone itself- but noticeably hesitates, her conscious afraid that a bullet will hit someone...


    "Red- Red, pass, pass the gun!" Orange shouts-


    Red- quickly throws the gun towards Orange-


    And a gangster ran in between them to catch it, hands on the rifle and immediately taking aim at Verness Red.


    "You brats are DEAD-!" the gangster shouts-


    Immediately met with Monochrome lunging at the man''s back and biting hard into the guy''s neck. Now subject to the pain of being bitten by a child- who was part spider.


    "A-AAAAAGH-! SOMEONE SHOOT THIS CHILD OFF OF ME-!" the gangster cries out, scrambling to aim the rifle at Monochrome''s forehead- but, unable to pull the trigger.


    Another gangster, hearing this, takes aim and prepares to kill Monochrome- only to be interrupted by Quade leaping in the air and kicking the man in the side of the head.


    "Tch-!" Quade noises, a hard glare as he sees the Vernesses dealing with the rifle holder- having to trust them to deal with this. If he got anywhere close, he risks any of them being shot, and- he risks shooting them if he uses the gun to take out the gangster.


    Suddenly, a gangster ran right behind Quade and locks him in place with a hand. Knife rushing straight to the man''s throat...


    ... and Quade quickly tilts his head away from the incoming knife, a grit of his teeth as a massive gorilla arm quickly lunges out of his neck to grab the man''s wrist. A hard grip as he forcefully- dislocates the man''s arm to disarm his knife.


    "A-AGH- F---!" the gangster shouts in pain, letting go of Quade. "W-What in the hell are-?!"


    Quade doesn''t give any answer, other than a swift turn to swing the gorilla arm and have it punch into the gangster''s temple. Instantly dazing the gangster upon impact, making him collapse and fall unconscious.


    Quickly, the gorilla arm retracts back into Quade''s neck... and Quade does a brief headcount while the gangsters were still reloading. Five- no, six, handled by Verness... three taken out by him, one gangster shot up, and one collapsed with Odette''s motorcycle...


    "Hyah!" Monochrome loudly sounds out as she yanks the rifle out of the man''s hands and throws the gun to Orange. Starting to aggressively scratch at the man''s face with her fingernails, clawing him aggressively.


    Aggressively, the gangster runs backwards, heading straight for a wall to hurt Monochrome...


    ... tripping on a pool ball that Orange left lying around. The man slips on it, and - after Monochrome swiftly leaps off of the man''s body - is sent tumbling straight into another gangster.


    Four left...


    Quade focuses on the one the Vernesses were focused on... running straight past the gangster and kicking the phone. Breaking it with a hard impact of his foot, cutting off these reinforcements.


    The gangster''s eyes widen as he''s face to face with Quade- visibly panicking. If he goes hand to hand, he''ll be beaten up- if he shoots, this man will shoot. If he does a knife thing- aaaaa!


    Visibly frantic and panicked, the gangster tries to come up with something...


    ... and Quade gently puts a hand on this man''s shoulder.


    "...?" The gangster looks at Quade with a worried look, staring up at the man. Staring up at the six foot tall guy with his five foot tall self, uncomfortably staring up at the absolute menace that was the pink-haired rabbit man. "W-What are you going to do to me?!"


    Quade takes a deep breath...


    ... and promptly, ever so promptly, pushes him aside, walking past to begin his plan to take out the three remaining ones.


    "... y... you- you''re..."


    A pause of silence as this gangster feels... offended, running at Quade. "D-Don''t mess with me, you bastard-!"


    Quickly, Quade drops down to the ground, hands placed in an almost push-up position. In this sudden position, the gangster is met with a foot quickly stretching back to kick the man in the face.


    With this kick, the gangster is satisfied, and collapses. In his eyes, he''s going out a champ.


    Quade gets back up and stands, his breath ragged as he looks at the three remaining gangsters. "Who''s next...?!"


    One- one of the three remaining gangsters, the one that initially made the "joke in hell" comeback against Quade, drops his gun and holds his hands up. "S-Shit...! Listen, we- we ain''t got a clue where BB is, okay?!"


    "Liar! This is the warehouse he''s showing up at, isn''t it?!" Quade shouts.


    "H-He didn''t come back yet! Yo- You got here before he did!" the gangster shouts. "W-We can''t bring him out because he''s NOT HERE yet!"


    Quade takes a moment to crack his knuckles. "Right... right. I reckon we''re in for a long, long wait until he does get here..."


    The gangster visibly tenses up as he reaches slowly for his gun...


    ... watching as the two other gangsters remaining are taken out. One tied up with silk and left stuck to the wall, with his mouth gagged by a billiard ball, while the other one is being forcibly tucked into the couch with blanket over his body.


    "..." Absolute terror on this gangster''s face as he watches Quade approach, hands slowly raising into the air. "O... Okay. Okay. I give up..."


    "Good," Quade responds, continuing to walk closer. "Right. We have some questions for you..."

 #21 - We Are So Done, Boys!

    Before Quade went on to save Giichi and drive to the gangster warehouse - the Slaughterhouse, as Odette called it - a phone call happens between the Blackbird Syndicate Boss and BB, the boss of the Big Bad Boys (BB Boys) branch. Their hospital plan went off with a bang, and they were on their way to this warehouse, but the phone call... makes them have other plans.


    "... boys, we are screwed."


    BB continues to sit in the back as his gangster companions look at him. A tense look on his face, morbid tension as he stares out the window in absolute concern.


    "... what do you mean, boss?" the driver asks, too focused on driving to look back at his superior. "We''re invincible, the police are absolutely no match for your BB shot... what''s the problem, sir?"


    BB takes a deep, deep breath. "... listen. I think we may have shot the Boss''s wife..."


    "Huh?"


    "The Boss''s wife!" BB incorrectly deduces. "That receptionist lady we shot on the way out, see?! W-We might have badly messed up, and the boss is going to kill me!"


    "N-No, BB, sir, you didn''t shoot her, I did-" the gangster in the passenger seat responds. "I can take the fall for it, sir!"


    "It''s the Boss''s wife, you really think one man''s enough?!" BB asks, staring at his foolish underling. "He''ll go to the ends of the Earth to torture you, me, and anyone else his wife rats out! We are S-C-R-E-W-D, SCREWED!"


    "... t-there''s another E in screwed, Boss..."


    "Right, screewd," BB contently tells his underling.


    "No, it- never mind."


    "... anyway! We gots to come up with a plan, see?!" BB exclaims, pointing a finger to the side of his head. "The boss''ll be expecting us back at the warehouse... maybe he''d send a guy to come check on us and teach us a lesson for hurting his wife! So- c''mon, boys, let''s think! Think up a plan, got it?!"


    "W-Well, uhm... hmmm..."


    "Uhmmm... maybe- no..."


    "What if... huh... no, no, it... uhm..."


    The car is left in a thinking state as the car drives along, BB continuing to hold a gun out the window and aiming at any potential police car that may spot them next. Their thoughts accompanied by the lack of sirens, as the exploding police cars sent a sufficient enough message to not pursue this car.


    "... oh, boss, I got it!" a gangster exclaims. "Before the Boss kills us, boss, what if we- what if we, like, hid the girl somewhere that ISN''T our warehouse?"


    "That''s genius! Brandy, you''re getting a promotion to our thinker, our Big Brain Boy!" BB shouts, a silly cadence to his voice. Absolutely relieved that "Brandy" came up with that big brain boy plan. "Now, the only question is- where is the most secure place we could take this girl without anyone noticing? We need somewhere secret that not even the Boss knows about, see...?"


    More thinking as the car drives along, and BB - hearing a siren - shoots at it, accordingly. A police car sent flying through the air, ending up on top of a roof as the gangsters drive past.


    "... w... what about my apartment?" a different gangster asks. "I could probably hide all of us there, once we ditch the car. It''s nearby!"


    "Oh! Brilliant, Bonbon!" BB exclaims, clapping his hands together. "Let''s dump these wheels and get to your apartment!"


    Thus, the gangsters drive the car somewhere secluded, leaving the car and getting ready for their walk. Opening the trunk of the car to retrieve the girl they just kidnapped, looking at her in her unconscious glory...


    ... and, after the gangsters took her from the hospital, Giichi is looking noticeably pale. Her eyes faintly open with an empty gaze behind them, blankly staring off and in the midst of suffering from her poisoning.


    "R-Right, she tangled with the bartender, poisoning and all..." BB mumbles. "Of course she''s on the verge of death already..."


    "Do we leave her here, then, boss?"


    "No, no, the Boss will want her, she''s our little bargaining chip. Our ''Bargaining Broad'', see?" BB tells the other gangsters. "C''mon. Let''s get her outta the trunk and get her to our hiding spot!"


    With BB holding Blaze in his arms, that left the four gangsters to carry Giichi. Four being necessary, as she... weighed a lot, despite her average physique. The gangsters begin their march to Bonbon''s apartment, taking some time to head to this discreet apartment that no one would think to look at.


    Apartment 103 of Sunshine Apartments.


    "Excellent! This place is brilliant, Bonbon! Why have we never come here before?!" BB exclaims, looking around the small living space. Modest living room, modest kitchen, modest bathroom and modest bedroom.


    "Well, I didn''t want to embarrass myself, it''s- not really that good, boss..."


    "Embarrass? More like, ''barrass'', Bonbon! This is the best apartment I''ve ever seen, see?!" BB exclaims, putting Blaze on the couch and sitting on it. Kicking back and relaxing, grinning at his gangster underling with pride. "You got a classic pad here! I''m making you the, uh... the... hm."


    Scratching his chin, BB thinks to himself for a moment. Synonyms for house designer... synonyms... synonyms... really wrapping his head around this. There has to be good enough words to convey that Bonbon is the best at designing hangout spots with his interior skills and expertise. There''s just a style in this apartment that really matches what he''s going for, some- rustic, simple stuff, maybe...


    ... bed.


    "Bed Blueprinter!" BB exclaims, snapping his fingers in this brilliant show of names. "There we go! You''re the Bed Blueprint Boy now, Bonbon!"


    "Uh- t-thank you, boss!" the gangster exclaims, visibly honored by this.


    With the Big Brain Boy and the Bed Blueprint Boy in his ranks, BB is very enthusiastic about his chances of survival. No one can top the Big Bad Boys and their excellent BB powers!


    ...


    Except the Boss, who is going to kill them for shooting his wife.


    "Okay, okay, so, we now have a hiding spot, let''s get to brainstorming what best to do now," BB tells the gangsters, leaning forward. Resting his hands on his thighs, staring down at Bonbon''s coffee table. "We need a-"


    "A beef bringer?" a gangster asks, titling his head. "Someone to bring food here, discreetly, so that the Boss doesn''t notice us, boss?"


    "..." BB stares deeply at this gangster''s suggestion, an uncomfortably silent 30 seconds passing of just two gangsters locked in an intense stare off. Absolute utter silence, the atmosphere of the room giving off signs that this gangster just deeply offended BB.


    "... uhm- I, uh, boss, I-" the gangster begins to stutter-


    "I freaking LOVE it!" BB exclaims, interrupting this gangster with a (forced) proud grin. His face absolutely beaming with (fake) brightness at this. "Taking initiative, I see! Good on you, Beef Bringer! We need to get enough beef for six people, with drinks and stuff! Here, take my pouch full of big bucks and buy the most discreet stuff you can get, see?!"


    The new Beef Bringer gangster gasps, covering his mouth for a moment as BB hands him his wallet. "Y... You got it, boss! I''ll get right on it!" Running out of the apartment to go buy some supplies and such.


    BB widely smiles and chuckles, sitting back and... sighing, once the Beef Bringer is gone. His false happiness fading as he''s back to seriousness. "... alright, boys, if our Beef Bringer doesn''t come back, we''ll safely know the Boss is out for our blood. Let''s get back on track."


    In that moment, BB basically revealed that - for this gangster trying to give himself the absolute waste of a title, "Beef Bringer", he used Beef Bringer as cannon fodder to decide their safety, to decide if they were good to live. If this gangster doesn''t come back, the Boss is out for blood. If he does, then they have food and can probably, probably leave this very apartment.


    A rather cruel thing to do to an underling.


    But BB is a cruel person.


    BB leans back into the couch, letting out a gentle hmm. "C''mon, let''s get to thinking. Any plans, any plans for our survival, anything that will somehow guarantee all of us- all of us in this apartment here, we get to live."


    With Beef Bringer potentially sent off to his death, that leaves BB, the original getaway driver named Blaze, her replacement that drove after she got knocked out, Big Brain Brandy, and Bed Blueprinter Bonbon. All of these gangsters are now very, very deep in thought, with BB sitting on the couch, lounging and thinking heavily. Brandy pacing back and forth in the apartment. Bonbon walking into the kitchen to retrieve some drinks. Blaze, still passed out on the couch after her ambulance accident, and the replacement driver who has yet to be named...


    "..." The replacement driver is slowly looking to the hostage they have, his eyes glancing at the unconscious Giichi that they just left on the floor. Staring at her for quite a long time, really thinking about it, before coming up with something. "... boss, I got a plan. What if we trick this girl''s companions into helping us?"


    "Trick the-" BB begins to ask, staring at the replacement driver. "Are you mad?! That''s a death sentence, a burial for us- not even a burial, do you know what these people did to the bartender?!"


    "I mean, if she-"


    "She PUNCHED a bartender into SPACE, Brandy!" BB shouts. "She literally flew INTO the air and punched a fully grown man into space! There is no telling what''s going to happen next if-"


    Brandy clears his throat, covering for this driver with his big brain moment. "We treat her good, boss! We treat the girl here good! We become the GG Guys, ''Gangster Gentlemen'' Guys!"


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ...


    A simple five second pause before BB claps his hands together, genuinely astonished by this. Contrasting how he treated Beef Bringer, BB seemed absolutely proud by this, and is completely on board with the proposed plan. "Brilliant! So we''ll make the girl believe we''re friends and strike up an alliance?"


    "Y-Yes, boss!" Brandy exclaims. "We''ll team up with the girl and her friends to protect ourselves from the Boss, boss! Y''know?"


    "Ooooh, you are EXACTLY the thinker I took you for!" BB exclaims, getting up and pressing his hands against the man''s cheeks. Almost buttering up his best boy, dare he say ''bestest'' boy, with a strange show of praise and respect. An inappropriately awkward show of respect as his greatest gangster underling is being pet like a bulldog. "Brandy! You have singlehandedly saved the BB Boys from total devastation!"


    ... Brandy and the other gangsters are too afraid to upset his boss, and just goes along with this for the entire time. The driver watching firsthand two men engaged in an awkwardly unprofessional moment.


    "Alright, now-" BB begins to speak and explain, pulling his hands away from Big Brain Brandy''s face. "In order for this girl to form an alliance with us, we need to figure out what to do to get her in fit condition, to show that we''re good guys to her and her friends now. Now, what exactly could we do to do this...?"


    "Hmm- maybe we could put her on the couch?"


    "Maybe. Couches are cozy. Bonbon''s couch is great."


    "We could make her some dinner, encourage her to join our side with grub?"


    "Hmm! Yes, that''s good, that''s good! What else, boys?"


    "... well, you could cure her of her poison."


    "Right, cure her of her-"


    Immediately, the gangsters look in the direction of the unconscious girl, staring at a red cloud. The words escaping the mist''s mouth, Rosemary giving herself away the very moment she spoke.


    "Yeah... you could totally cure her of her poison, Boss!" Rosemary exclaims, trying to mimic the sound of a gangster speaking. "Curing her of the poison will make her completely fit to-"


    "Y-You''re trying to trick us!" Bonbon shouts, pointing at the cloud. "That''s the gas cloud, boss! The voice that arrested, like, a lot of us!"


    "Right!" BB''s eyes widen as he looks to the cloud of gas floating over the girl. "You cannot fool us, I know that the Big Bad Boys only has one woman amidst its ranks, and your dry voice ain''t nothing compared to the sweet melody of our beautiful Blaze!"


    Blaze is still too unconscious to respond to this, but would probably be very flattered by this.


    "S-Should we do something about it, boss?! Maybe one of your BB shots?!" Brandy shouts, drawing his gun and taking aim at Rosemary. "T-This thing ain''t gonna trust us now, it''s overheard our entire plan!"


    "N-No, Big Brain Brandy, we can''t risk ruining Bed Blueprinter Bonbon''s lovely, lovely apartment!" BB shouts, frantically exclaiming as he speaks for the entire group of gangsters in this apartment at this very moment. "If I fire a BB Shot in here, it''s going to destroy his fine curtains and probably everything else in his apartment! Plus, it''s a literal cloud of gas, my shot ain''t gonna physically do anything to it!"


    "You never know... maybe it would work... we should totally try it, Boss..." Rosemary mumbles, attempting to instigate this guy to shoot the bullet for fun. Knowing full well she and Giichi were pretty much bulletproof, unaware of the power his BB shot came with.


    "Can you stop pretending to be my boys?!" BB angrily shouts at the cloud. "It ain''t working, I ain''t gonna do it, see?! ... so let''s move on! What the hell do you want?!"


    Rosemary stops her attempt, just noting the gangster''s voice and panic, and very much thriving off of this. "... simple, to cure my poison. Your poison''s definitely taking a toll on me, and I really- really- do not particularly enjoy it... so I want to be not poisoned. Maybe, even know what can cure it."


    BB crosses his arms. "Not doing that, cloudy... no way in hell are we sacrificing our chances to get you."


    "You said it yourself, right...? You shot the Boss''s wife," Rosemary almost repeats and recites the gangster''s exact words. "He''s totally going to mess you all up, do some heinous and unspeakable actions to each and every one of you. I know I''d do it if my partner, oh, I dunno, got poisoned and kidnapped by some imbeciles alone..."


    "Tch- this thing has us figured out..." the currently unnamed replacement driver of the group mumbles, arms crossed.


    "Right... right," BB sighs, before answering the gas. "... look, even if we knew how to cure your poison, it isn''t like we could just- do it, see? The guy you punched into space, his specific brew of poison is unknown to us. He doesn''t work for me, I don''t work with him- that''s the problem in its wholeness, see? Can''t help you."


    "So both of our parties lose and we''re both dead. Sounds about right," Rosemary bluntly tells the gangster. "Really pathetic of you. I can''t help you if me and the brown haired girl here die from your gang poison... so..."


    "..."


    BB holds the palm of his hand against his face, a deep sigh escaping his lips. "Damned red clouds trying to rile me up. Fine! Boys, we''re getting a cure for this girl''s poison or whatever. What do we do to cure poison?"


    A shrug from everyone present, as no one here knew how to cure poison.


    "... blast..." BB mumbles in defeat.


    "Well... do we know anything about the bartender? Anywhere he got the poison, where the antidote could be?" Rosemary asks, remembering that the bartender mentioned knowing about an antidote. "Knowing about him helps all of us."


    "Well, we probably could have learned about him, if the brown haired girl here didn''t punch him into space!" Brandy exclaims, staring at the unconscious Giichi that they personally saw roaring and punching the gangster bartender into space.


    "I see. Well, what if he survives?" Rosemary asks, suggesting something absolutely ridiculous.


    "H-How the hell does a man survive being punched into space?!" Brandy shouts.


    Rosemary, if she had a face right now, would be smirking. "Happened before. Could happen again."


    "NOT WITH A NORMAL MAN!" Brandy shouts loudly, falling for the bait.


    "... boss, my apartment is a simple sacrifice!" Bonbon exclaims angrily, almost pleading with BB to shoot Rosemary at how much disrespect the cloud is showing to the now deceased bartender. "I''m open to finding a new place to live!"


    "Easy- easy, you two, it''s trying to get us riled up," BB tells the two gangsters, before looking back to the cloud. "Now, listen up, only the bartender knew about how to actually- cure poisons, see? He''s done it plenty of times, and all of our guys never had to deal with accidental poison. No way in hell are we getting caught looking this information up, so - on our own - we are all out of luck," BB tells the cloud.


    The gangsters collectively nod, agreeing with BB''s statement.


    BB finally follows it up with a finishing statement, a bold and confident one to really- assert dominance, to try and make clear who is running the show in this apartment. "But then again, y''know, you''re the only one of us that''s poisoned. However long you get to live, we got enough time to find our new bargaining chip. So you''re in our care, and it''s in your best interest to do what we say with what time you have left."


    "Right, suuuure. I''m in the care of dead men responsible for shooting your superior''s wife, the head of this entire mafia you run," Rosemary idly tells BB, completely unintimidated by what BB suggested. Deciding to one up him on this, even if she can''t do anything against him in her poisoned condition. "I''m willing to take bets on who will die more painfully, me or you unlucky meat sacks practically begging to simultaneously become Starveil City''s newest fossil exhibit, volunteer organ donors, and maybe pet food."


    An uncomfortable silence as Rosemary just tells these gangsters something absolutely bloody and gruesome the more one thinks about it. Absolutely unsettling.


    And BB, appropriately, processes all of this with a visibly... unsettled look of respect for this thing. "... god damn, Cloudy, who the hell pissed in your cereal...?"


    "Your boss, pretty much," Rosemary answers, completely unbothered and absolutely thriving off of the uncomfortable energy she''s creating in this apartment.


    "Right... right. Fine. Whatever. Let''s move on. We''ll figure out your poison, and you protect us from the Boss," BB tells Rosemary, conceding defeat in this conversation.


    "Sure, sure, let''s see if it gets that far," Rosemary responds. "Now, come on, let''s use our heads more. Did your bartender have a poison guy? Like, a guy who provided him poison to do that ice cube trick?"


    "Did it all himself," BB answers, shaking his head. "Guy works as a bartender for his day job, but he''s actually a professional mixologist and chemist. Dude knew what to get himself, lived all by himself, and made sure to keep his secrets in check."


    "Huh... and... we''re sure that he''s-?"


    "People can''t breathe in space, so... yes, he''s dead as a doorstep, cloudy."


    "Right... hm." Rosemary is regretting her actions against the one person able to save her right now, but - in her defense - she is literally thinking about why she should have spared the one person that is the most successful at trying to kill Giichi and her friends.


    But it''s whatever. Back to thinking. "Alright. How about taking me to- I dunno, one of your doctors? Your black market doctors, whatever guys you go to whenever you dead guys get shot?"


    "All of them are under the Boss''s control," BB responds, shaking his head.


    "And?" Rosemary asks.


    "And the Boss will kill us if we go to them," BB continues.


    "Yes?" Rosemary continues.


    "... so... we can''t- go there, or we''re going to die," BB further explains.


    "Mhmm... and?" Rosemary asks again. "It''s a sacrifice I am willing to make, on your behalf."


    "... you''re one hell of a bitch, you know that?" BB remarks.


    "So are you," Rosemary bluntly tells him. "One guy gets sent into space and suddenly all of you are imbecilic boneheads. Big Bad Boys, more like Big Buffoon Boys. Subjecting me to your pathetic little ''B'' theme. How about growing some B''s before deciding you wanted to live?"


    "Not like you know anyone..." Bonbon mumbles.


    "Right, I don''t. So anyway, here''s a suggestion," Rosemary begins to tell these gangsters, having only- one more idea in the chamber that is her head. "Take me back to the hospital. Let the doctors find out for us."


    "..." Tch. BB grits his teeth and shakes his head. "No way are we going back. They know our faces. We''re arrested on sight if we go back, see? Then we''re not much help to you."


    "Hmm," Rosemary noises, her gaseous form doing some semblance of a nod. "... well, then, I got nothing. I''m awake now, and you all are tooooootally free to try and come up with a better idea to save all of our skins."


    BB just... nods slowly. "Right. Right... let''s get to thinking, boys."


    "Should we do what we already just now came up with, boss?" Bonbon immediately asks, tilting his head.


    "... yes," BB tells Bonbon, smiling.


    With that, Giichi''s body is lifted up by the gangsters to sit on the couch with BB. Bonbon moves into the kitchen to prepare some dinner, and the rest of the awake gangsters are now in even more intensive thought.


    "... does the TV work?" Rosemary asks, glancing to the gangsters.


    "Oh, yeah, it should," Bonbon tells them. "Why? Is there something good on?"


    "It''s something to have in the background while I have to stand you idiots," Rosemary bluntly tells them. "Mind turning it on for me, gangster?"


    "..." BB''s eyes remain narrowed at Rosemary, and just... nods. "You know what? Fine. I wanted to watch TV anyway, see?" Reaching for the remote and turning on the TV, the apartment now subjected to the very first thing that shows up when the screen is on...


    ... a blue screen with text on it.


    "...?" BB stares at this screen for a moment, reading the text. "What does this say...?"


    "... s-shit-! Wait, is this a TV with internet connection?!" Brandy shouts, staring at Bonbon with wide eyes.


    "Huh? Oh- yeah, why do you-" Bonbon begins to speak, staring forward and...


    ... realizing along with the others what this means, as the message displays on the TV.


    "... FOUND YOU, BB."


    "S... Shit! Oh, shit, boss!" Brandy exclaims, looking to BB. "T-The TV''s serving as a beacon to the entire syndicate! T-They know we''re here!"


    "W-WHAT?!" Rosemary shouts loudly. "WAIT, YOUR BOSS HAS ACCESS TO INTERNET TVS?!"


    "I- I didn''t know that! I thought he only had access to the phone lines if we call!" Bonbon shouts, looking to the others, panicked. "Oh, god, oh no-! The Boss is going to get us, boss...! W-What do we do?!"


    BB leans forward... a horrified look on his face. "... damn it-! We need to defend ourselves! Get your guns loaded and prepare for the worst, now!"


    "Y-Yes, sir!" The gangsters begin to load their weapons, and - collectively - begin scrambling to barricade this apartment.


    BB then turns to Rosemary, staring at her intensely. "W-We need you on board as well, Cloudy! Can you move at all?!"


    "N-NO!" Rosemary shouts. "I- I can''t do anything with the poison in me. Talking alone is a struggle on its own! Shit-!"


    "Tch...!" BB takes his gun and begins loading bullets into it, taking deep breaths. "... then I guess it''s on me, boys! Starting from this moment, we are now branded traitors to the Boss''s syndicate! Will you stand with me, gangsters, to the very end?!"


    "Y-Yes, sir!" Bonbon exclaims.


    "I''ll follow you to the ends of the earth, boss...!" Brandy exclaims.


    "No other choice...!" the still unnamed, replacement driver exclaims.


    The actual driver, Blaze, remains unconscious.


    BB smiles at this, a cocky grin on his face, knowing that he has the best boys in the world backing him up. "... then- let''s do this, BB Boys!"

 #22 - As The Day Progresses, Back at the Hospital

    The current hour is hectic, yet another pin drop in the utter chaos of this weekend.


    At the warehouse that the gangsters were presumably taking Giichi, Quade and five of the Vernesses have stormed the hideout and taken out a lot of BB''s gangsters. A lot of these men not even aware of their boss''s current whereabouts, quite a few number of them incapacitated by Quade, their own men, or literal children.


    Currently, Quade is set to interrogate this gangster for everything this gangster can tell him. Making sure the gangster can''t escape or fight back, putting him on a stool and tying his hands and ankles together with Verness Red''s silk.


    "W-We have actual rope- why the hell are you using spider silk?! That''s disgustingly inefficient-!" the gangster shouts, a disturbed look as he stares at Verness Red.


    "Shut it, dirtbag!" Verness Monochrome intimidatingly exclaims.


    "Monochrome, language," Quade instructs the little girl, putting the finishing touches on the knot tying this man''s ankles together.


    Meanwhile, elsewhere, BB and the gangsters that accompanied him on his expedition were hiding away in Apartment 103 of Sunshine Apartments. Unknowingly in the vicinity of Giichi and the D''Erricos'' apartments this whole time, and further unknowingly incurring the wrath of their Boss for attacking and shooting his nephew (mistakenly believing that they shot the Boss''s wife).


    The TV has been turned on, BB and the gangsters have been warned by a cryptic message saying the Syndicate has found them, and are now preparing for a full on war with whoever is sent to kill them.


    "Door is now barricaded, boss!" one of the gangsters shout, putting Bonbon''s mattress against it with the couch to support it. "No one''s getting in through here!"


    "Good work-! They''ll be coming through one of this place''s windows..." BB mumbles, hiding his unconscious Blaze and the physically limp Giichi in the kitchen. "Brandy and I''ll cover the front. The rest of you keep watch on all the back windows. Best way to defend this pad, see?!"


    "Loud and clear, boss!"


    Rosemary and an unconscious Giichi spectator to this, unable to do anything but watch. "... ugh..." Feeling herself just, sick to her stomach, frustrated beyond belief that she can''t help with whatever this defense is...


    As these two events occur at roughly the same time, the rest of the Squad remains at the Starveil Hospital. Still undergoing the poison situation with the hospital on their side, they simply had to recover and regain their energy... and hope for a cure for half of them.


    Caspian, Nyx, and Papaya - as well as Giichi and Rosemary, elsewhere - continue to suffer from the unknown gangster poison, while Peritzal is still being operated on by hospital staff, the other three Vernesses are idly wandering around the hospital, and the cut and scratched up Odette Hawthorne sits with Papaya.


    In the time it took Quade to fight a warehouse of gangsters, and the time it took the gangsters to begin bunkering down their temporary apartment hideout, Odette caught the light-purple twin up on the situation. Only knowing that Quade went off to confront the gangsters at BB''s warehouse, having sent Quade in that general direction.


    "Wild..." Papaya noises. "On the bright side... I''m probably going to remember this weekend as the most teeeeeeedious thing we''ve ever done. Momentous occasion-"


    Aggressive hacking and coughing as Papaya visibly grimaces, the girl weakly groaning in pain. "... ughhhh..."


    "Yeah..." Odette noises quietly, hands folded on his lap and staring at Papaya with concern and worry.


    "..." Papaya gently reaches a hand out to rest it atop Odette''s hands. "Hey... hey. Don''t- feel bad... you''re at least not poisoned... so, worse comes to worst and we all die, you''ll be the new strongest person in Starveil City...!" Papaya tells him- before coughing even more.


    "S... Save your strength," Odette tells Papaya, his hands shaking in hers. "A-And don''t say that...! Y-You''re an optimist... s-say something, like, ''oh, no worries, Odette, we will survive'' or something...!"


    "You''re the one saying it..." Papaya responds, smiling widely. "Can''t say something that we both know already..."


    "..." Odette uncomfortably chuckles. "R... Right... I... I see..."


    "... though, honestly, if this poison''s that bad... I feel as if I''m the only one that will suffer from it... since, Rosemary''s pretty much just sentient blood that could probably clear it out of Giichi''s body... Caspian''s a literal water man, a cloud guy with no blood, and Nyx''s devil''s blood is probably destroying the poison as we speak..."


    "Well- you said you drank iced tea, it''s not just a blood thing..." Odette mumbles...


    "Right... of course..." Papaya lets out a groan. "Real hell of a situation to wake up to... maybe I should have just kept sleeping..."


    "I-It''s a good sign that you''re still able to speak, though, even after being poisoned..." Odette tells her, smiling idly. "Better to know y-you''re still alive, than to blind yourself with a dream..."


    "Sure... sure..." Papaya groans out, sighing gently. "But it would''ve been a pretty sick dream to be blind to."


    Odette nods gently... "I see... well- do you... do you want to talk about them? Your- your dreams, that is..."


    Papaya just- chuckles slightly. "I don''t think you''re... ready... to hear about mine..."


    "Okay... well-"


    "So I woke up, looked around, and saw that I was in a bar," Papaya begins to tell Odette, going back on her ''not ready for the dream'' statement as she is preparing to describe in detail her dream of being in a karaoke bar with 100 boys.


    "..." Odette politely listens.


    As Papaya tells Odette each excruciating detail, describing each boy in order to Odette, telling him everything about how cute all of them were...


    "... your tolerance to surgical operations is commendable..."


    "... consider it... experience..."


    In one of the hospital''s operating rooms, a sterile room dedicated to performing surgeries in a clean and well lit environment, Dr. Brooks is in the middle of performing surgery on Peritzal''s neck.


    "Are you sure you- don''t need anesthetic...?"


    "No..." Peritzal weakly answers, her voice dry and raspy. As if every word grinds against cracks and scratches in the desert sand. A reasonable phenomenon, given the wound she suffered is a gaping neck wound from a gangster''s bullet. Of course her vocal chords are going to feel dry whenever she speaks. "I do not... and would not like... any..."


    "Alright..."


    To Dr. Brooks, it is absolutely lucky that this wasn''t a lethal wound, but the obstacle of Peritzal being an alien makes it... difficult... to apply medical expertise on her. The two people that know themselves better than any human will ever understand, are the D''Errico twins. So, for the greatest chance of survival, to take care of this injury and stabilize her recovery, he''s been cautiously examining Peritzal''s reactions, watching closely for any signs of pain or damage.


    Though, given who he is dealing with, none of those signs will come up. This is an absolute pain, sure, but Peritzal maintains a blank and stoic face throughout the painful process. Enduring the pain and soldiering on, deeming emotions to be in the way during a life-saving procedure. Anesthetic would simply dull her senses and strip her of her agency. Peritzal endures the feeling of needle and thread, the pain of having her skin pierced for the sake of medical stitching, weakly staring up as she''s lost a surplus of fluid.


    "... alright- stitches are complete. How are you holding up?" Dr. Brooks asks.


    "... apply electrical shock..." Peritzal immediately instructs. "Anywhere should... work..."


    "Huh? ... oh. Right, your species'' bodies react to electricity..." Dr. Brooks answers, remembering the events that transpired with Papaya.


    "Yes... our organs are powered by... electrical stimulation..." Peritzal explains, her eyes narrowed.


    "They are? ... huh... good to know," Dr. Brooks responds as she reaches for the defibrillator, rubbing the pads together. "... clear!" Pressing the pads against Peritzal''s chest, applying the medical device to where a human heart should be.


    With contact on her body, the medical device sends an electrical surge through the pads themselves. This energy courses through the alien''s gelatinous form, allowing the electrical energy to be absorbed into Peritzal''s body as a whole. Rather than "jump start" her heart, it sends electricity into the static sponge that is her body.


    Peritzal''s body goes completely numb as she feels this shock, her breath faint and subtle... before feeling herself choke up moments after. The voltage on this defibrillator is sufficient to start up a heart, but... not enough for what she requires. "... again... need more..." she groans out, a hand raised only a few inches as she weakly fails to reach for the defibrillator.


    "Easy, easy- I got it..." Dr. Brooks instructs, rubbing the pads together once more to build up the charge. "Clear!"


    Another shock,


    "... still- ... not- ... enough..." Peritzal calls out, her voice utterly rigid. "Administer... to head..."


    "... head? ... is that safe?" Dr. Brooks asks, skeptical at this information. "Direct electrocution to the head results in permanent brain damage for most patients. I feel as if it''s going to incinerate your brain, completely..."


    "Alien brain... filters it..." Peritzal instructs, tensing up and coughing. Beginning to gag on nothing, suffocating on the operating table. "Best chance we have..."


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Dr. Brooks stares at this, wincing at this sight. Staring at the suffering patient, just... feeling himself take a deep breath. "... okay. Okay. Clear!" Pressing them against Peritzal''s forehead this time.


    Subjecting Peritzal to this shock, Dr. Brooks watches as her body completely contorts and distorts. The gelatinous mass writhing in overwhelming pain as the instantaneous shock surges through her. Five seconds of complete horror, Dr. Brooks witnessing a potential murder on his hands.


    ... that is, before her body reforms and lies limp against the table, Peritzal''s breath ragged as she calms and soothes herself. Fluttering eyelids with her form back to being visibly human.


    "... ughhh..." Peritzal groans, eyes narrowed. "... right... I should be... good... now. No organ damage... but throat is still dry..."


    Dr. Brooks witnesses Peritzal''s human skin reforming, covering her body. The layer of skin still evidently showing the current stitches on her neck, indicating it''s... simply just a layer of material. The medical professional watching this with wonder and astonishment. "Fascinating... right. Does your species handle... water?" Dr. Brooks asks, tilting his head.


    "We eat and drink... the same way, yes..." Peritzal informs the man. nodding.


    "Sounds good... before I continue, we should take care of that dehydration issue," Dr. Brooks informs her, checking the "Additional IV fluids will be necessary, to treat your throat and balance out the electrolytes in your body. Typically, this is injected into a patient''s veins, meaning this would interact with whatever your blood flow is."


    "Very well..." Peritzal responds. "Thank you."


    "... the gratitude''s all mine," Dr. Brooks interrupts, a relieved look on his face as he approaches the operating room''s hand wash station. "Truthfully, I''m still thinking about how you saved my life when those people- those gangsters, stormed this building. I wouldn''t be standing here if it wasn''t for you. You and your friends will get the best care this hospital can give you, alien."


    A gentle nod of respect from Peritzal, keeping her face as blank as it ever is. "I will remember this when we ultimately have to repay you for the bills... would you like some letters of recommendations for... any sort of medical institution?"


    "I''m... professionally content, thank you," the doctor responds, scrubbing and cleaning his hands post-surgery, sighing lightly. "... what... what do you even do for a living, to offer me a ''recommendation'' letter...?"


    "... officially, I''m a software engineer..." Peritzal explains.


    "Right... like, those robots..." Dr. Brooks responds.


    "Software inside them, yes... the full credit goes to my sister... for the body of the drones... but... a letter from me... gets you an opportunity to any... organization I''ve ever been... in a contract with..."


    "I see... I''ll- consider it if I ever feel like going crazy, owning my own hospital," Dr. Brooks jokingly comments, his hands spotless and clean before heading to the operating room''s intercom system to retrieve an IV pack.


    "It can be arranged..." Peritzal responds, taking the joke as a serious statement. "Maybe afterwards..."


    "..." A head shake from the doctor, before pressing the button and requesting a new IV pack be brought to the operating room.


    Right outside, one doctor and a few additional nurses are walking past to a different operating room. Currently discussing the patient in question, a certain white-haired cloud man that was having poison extracted from his body and water flushed into his system.


    Then, the doctor in front stops, the collective group stopping after.


    "W-Why did we stop?" one of the nurses asks, looking around.


    "Down," the doctor tells them.


    "...?" The nurse looks down, and sees - right to the side, outside of Dr. Brooks'' current operating room - a little girl lying on the floor. Seeing the purple dressed spider girl reading a comic book from the waiting room.


    "Little girl, you shouldn''t be out here..." the doctor calls out.


    "..." No response, as she has her face buried in that comic book.


    "Oh- Dr. Brooks'' gave her specific permission, actually, her and her sisters," a different nurse answers. "They''re here about the four poisoned patients."


    "R... Right." The doctor takes a step past her, going over her leg. The nurses following after.


    "A-Ah-! Sorry-!" the last nurse to walk past exclaims, caught off guard.


    "W-What is it?" another nurse asks.


    "I- I accidentally nudged her leg while walking, geez- sorry, little girl, a- ... uh..."


    The nurse lifts her foot to begin walking, and just watches the entire little girl''s body lifting in the air with it. Verness Purple was now stuck to her toes, her body as flat as a board.


    "..." Calmly, the Nurse tries to shake her foot to make Verness Purple fall off of it. "Uhm- little girl, c-could- could you... let go?"


    "..." Still no response.


    "... I... how does this even happen?" the nurse asks, lifting her leg up to closely examine what her toes were specifically sticking to. Seeing nothing but just her footwear and the girl''s leg.


    "I have no idea, nurse. We are dealing with acquaintances of aliens and cloud people, so-" a doctor explains-


    "A-AH!" the nurse exclaims, suddenly. In attempting to pry Purple off, the Nurse''s hands are now stuck as well, causing a scene where the nurse falls over onto her back and is stuck in one position. "W-WHY IS THIS LITTLE GIRL STICKY?! HUH?!"


    ".............."


    A long pause of silence as the doctor and the nurses begin to leave this poor nurse to her fate, deciding to not address a little girl being "sticky" and just deciding to handle more pressing issues.


    "NO! DON''T LEAVE ME- GET HER OFF, GET HER OFF-!" the nurse calls out, wriggling and shaking with no one around to help.


    Also, no one around to explain the spider-related quirk that Purple''s entire body - skin, clothes and such - becomes a strong glue like material, sticking to people and animals as if she became a full silk trap for prey. The girl having to be conscious enough to control this ability at all times.


    And finally, no one around to explain how much of a deep sleeper Purple is, her face covered by the comic book with hands stuck to it, snoozing the day away.


    "... zzz..."


    ... anyway. The remaining doctor and nurses NOT stuck to a Verness enter the operating room that Caspian is in.


    Inside, a couple of doctors were accompanied by chemists, divided between sustaining Caspian''s body with a ready supply of water and extracting/examining the samples of poison from his body.


    "What''s the status?" the doctor asks, approaching the black visored man.


    "Still in critical condition. This poison''s spreading faster than we can maintain his body. This is some substance that''s affecting water, as well... it''s curious."


    "Noted. Is this visor supposed to still be on his face?" the doctor asks, tapping the cloud man''s black visor.


    "O-Oh, no, if that gets removed, it''s going to be really painful for him. His eyes are really sensitive..."


    "Agreement."


    "Right. Okay, then-"


    ... the doctor slowly looks over to one of the walls, seeing two little girls sitting atop the table. Both of them wearing face masks, playing with tiny little cars on the table.


    "... so... uh-"


    "Dr. Brooks instructed us that they are permitted to be present for this," one of the chemists speaks up. "You can just ignore them for now."


    "Right... right. One of my- one of the nurses is actually panicking about being stuck to a third one, so- never mind, later problem..." the doctor idly responds, before looking back to Caspian. "Visor over face, leave that on. Got it. Tch..."


    Caspian continues to lie unconscious on the operating table, his life essence dwindling. The doctors themselves are taking special note of this poison''s high potency, how much it''s effected the patients even after most of it has been vomited out. The toxic substances almost multiply and spread out through countless mediums, even... from aliens to devils, even spreading through water and gas.


    Whatever it is, when ingested, is far more deadly than they are prepared for. The vials themselves are being handled with extreme care, in the absurd possibility that this poison can even spread through glass itself.


    "... so, what''s the plan with the poison?" Cyan politely asks, tilting her head. "If you don''t mind me asking...?"


    A chemist looks to Cyan for a moment, and answers. "The chemical properties are still a complete mystery to us. Our limited time does not give us a lot of room to check, and- even if we do get a cure, there''s no guarantee we can get it in time."


    "I see..." Cyan looks back to her car, idly pulling it side to side, vrooming it. Both her and Green just playing with the cars.


    "... is there anything you can tell us? Anything at all that could be important?" a chemist asks. "Dr. Brooks seems to hold a high opinion of your knowledge, enough to tell us to babysit you and allow you to be in here."


    "Oh... well, uh... I guess..." Cyan begins to mumble, taking her attention away from the toy cars and thinking. "... I- don''t know. You scientists seem to understand all of this better than I do..."


    "Certification..." Green mumbles, crashing her toy car into Cyan''s for fun.


    "... well-" a doctor speaks up, looking to the two children. "You two were directly carried here along with the rest. Did you two get a look at the scene this happened in?"


    "Oh, well, it happened at a bar..." Cyan responds, idly driving her car away. Leaving Green in a make-believe hit and run accident. "Uhm... our friend punched the guy responsible... he- he had brown hair... he was a gangster...? Uhmm..."


    "Antidote," Green speaks up, looking to Cyan.


    "Oh! Right, he- before our babysitter punched him into space, he loudly shouted that there was an antidote!" Cyan chimes up. "T-That''s about it, he didn''t have it on him, but there is an antidote... s... so..."


    "... right. Okay, that-" the doctor responds, bewildered at these children saying a man was punched into space, ready to just dismiss this information as nonsense.


    "Hold on... wait. So, this man knows exactly that there''s an antidote?" the chemist asks, realizing something. "He has direct knowledge that there''s an antidote... and- you said this all happened at a bar?"


    "R... Right, uhm..." Cyan speaks up, nodding. "T-That is the case..."


    "T... then, if he was poisoning people with drinks, would he not have the poison and its antidote somewhere at that bar? Or, maybe, a private residence or something?" the chemist asks.


    "Are you believing these children?" the doctor asks, arms crossed.


    "Testimony is good, no matter who it''s from... my sister''s a lawyer, see," the chemist explains. "Eyewitness reports are reliable, as long as the person telling them is being truthful."


    "... huh..." the doctor nods gently, before looking to the children. "Well then, uhm... hm. Have you consulted the police about this? Search warrants could be done to find where this poison might be."


    Cyan shakes her head. "N-No, we flew here really quickly, there wasn''t enough time to tell the police any of this..."


    "Haste," Green responds, stacking her toy car on top of Cyan''s.


    "Yeah..."


    "Well, the police are right outside in the lobby," the chemist speaks up. "Could be worth looking into... in case we reach any dead ends here."


    "... o-okay... uhm... that sounds like a plan. I''ll go talk to them..." Cyan tells the chemist, getting off of the table and starting to walk to the exit-


    "You don''t have to go alone, I''ll come with," the chemist tells her, walking away from the vials of extracted poison. "Got enough of us looking at these samples. What''s a few minutes, hm?"


    "O-Oh, okay," Cyan responds, a little bit happier. "T-Then, uhm, let''s go!"


    Thus, the two of them - as well as Green, tailing along with both toy cars in her hands - begin to make their way to the front of the hospital...


    ... all three of them temporarily stopped by the sight of Verness Purple, stuck to a wall with the trapped nurse still struggling to break free of this girl''s grasp.


    "Oh- oh, thank God-!" the nurse calls out, seeing the two other spider girls. "H-Help! Get me unstuck from this thing!"


    "..." Verness Cyan, Verness Green, and the chemist collectively just stare at this sight for a while.


    And as this happens, as this very moment happens at the early evening of Starveil''s collective Sunday events, we take our attention back to the warehouse, back at the site where Quade and the other five Vernesses are. The sun about to set, with light completely obscured in these forest lands, darkness filling these lands.


    A lengthy, long interrogation that leaves Quade and the Vernesses with no step closer to finding Giichi, BB, the leader of the Syndicate, or the cure to the poison. Everything this gangster has given Quade is utterly useless information, information that - at best - Quade already knew.


    However, as he stands in this woodland darkness, Quade notices some sudden lights approaching the warehouse. Tensely looking over at this break in the darkness, staring down whoever this is.


    "... Vernesses, hide," Quade tells the little girls, leading to them scattering about and taking cover. Quade stands right behind this gangster, using him as hostage cover as he glares down the incoming people. Planning for whatever this is, whoever these lights belong to.


    These lights were headlights, belonging to a mysterious van pulling up outside, parking off to the side as gangsters step out of it. Gangsters that witness the unconscious men spread throughout the inside and outside, many that caught a glimpse of the shapeshifted Quade. Guns down, on orders, as they approach.


    And, in the back seat, having the door opened for him, a man steps out. His towering figure, his well kept black hair, and the crow sitting atop his shoulder. His eyes cold as steel, jawline as defined as a Michelangelo renaissance piece. Toned hands holding a wine glass full of red.


    "... Scare. Top me off."


    The crow nods idly, flying off of the man''s shoulder and returning with a jug of vegetable juice. Pouring for him a nutritious drink, one that brings him comfort and health in this time of need.


    "Ah." A delicate sip as he walks after the other gangsters, smiling faintly. "Thank you, Scare."


    Quade will soon figure out that this is the man of the hour himself... the uncle he was on the phone with, Odette''s uncle Talon...


    ... the Boss of the Blackbird Syndicate.

 #23 - The Vicious Claw of the Blackbird Syndicate

    "Ey, Boss. We gots the girl, see?"


    "The girl... oh. You managed to get her?"


    "Yep. I know your ''on sight'' orders and all, but girl and her companions''re probably unkillable. Hijacked her after the poisoning, see?"


    ... the Blackbird Syndicate Boss, Talon, slowly looks to the small TV. A TV currently being held by Scare - his pet crow and reliable bird butler - and a TV currently tuned to the news channel immediately reporting an incident at Niagara Straws. Utter carnage at the scene there, occurring quite a while ago, with news reporters and officers on the scene.


    His eyes squinted at this sight, tensely glaring at the sight, watching as - apparently - direct phone camera footage of a gangster being punched into the sky has been discovered. However, due to the quality of the phone, the person sending this bartender is completely obscured and blanked out. Thus, the reporters are citing this as a fabrication meant to garner attention...


    Talon knows better, however. The silhouette is recognizable to him as the same shape of the person spotted at each site, each location the gangsters got arrested... that footage is legitimate.


    It''s her.


    ... on the bright side, Talon seems relieved that not a soul seems to be present... that, by some miracle, the only person that the police apprehended this time is some drunkard in a stained, expensive suit. "I see, I see. Good work, BB. The Big Bad Boys owes you quite a lot."


    "Thank ya kindly, Boss! And might I say, we''re getting a lil'' bit lucky. Roads are a little bit more free coming from the hospital, but we might encounter traffic. Plan''s to take her to the warehouse, see, and-"


    "Wait."


    "...? Y...Yeah? What''s up, Boss?"


    Hospital.


    "... nothing. Keep up the good work. Talk to you soon," Talon calmly tells BB, a look of realization plastered over his face. Wide-eyed and in utter shock, his voice not conveying a single ounce of his distress.


    "Thank ya, Boss."


    BB hangs up, and Talon just slowly lowers the phone. Absolutely riddled with tension, absolutely panicked.


    ... hospital.


    "... Scare. Put the TV down on the desk. Get me the remote," he tells the crow.


    A subtle caw in response, before the bird does so. Lowering the TV down in the center of the table, giving Talon ample view of its screen... a remote dropped down into the man''s hand.


    Quickly, Talon switches the channel, surveying the media for anything breaking, anything immediately happening, any sort of breaking news, any station that has reporters directly on the scene of the Starveil Hospital. "Come on... come on..."


    And there it is... the sight of the hospital, covered in an aerial view. Utter carnage and chaos in its front with a crashed ambulance and a dead body, and severe property damage to the ground and eight floors.


    Conveniently... with Talon''s knowledge of the hospital, with his information on which room his sister is in, which room and floor his nephew would have been, all of this information crosses his mind. All of this information makes him expect the very worst in that moment. A gaze of horror and fear on his face, utter terror and concern building on his face. At the realization that, unknowingly, these gangsters have attacked the same floor that his family is on.


    What man would not feel distress in this situation? Knowing that, in some way, no matter how indirect, his actions have brought harm to those he cares about, those he cannot afford to be shown caring about. Even with obscuring and hiding their identities, they''re still potentially hurt by his own men.


    The breaking footage has yet to show Jocelyn or Joseph (Odette). It has yet to confirm if they''re hurt or not. But... but...


    "..."


    A violent aura of black emanates from his body, his sharp eyes glaring forward and piercing through the door in front of him. His teeth clenched and gritted as if they were about to shatter and break at any moment. His hair spontaneously unkempt and ruffled as he slouches forward...


    And in fitting fashion, in the seclusion of his office, with not a soul but him and his crow to behold, he raises his hand in the air. His arm fidgeting from side to side, the man gripping his fingers into a fist, and...


    "... GOD-!"


    Throwing his hand down, slamming it hard against the table, unleashing all of his rage on it as everything on the desk flies in the air. As the cups, the papers, the phone, even all of the bits of jewelry. All of it ascending into the air.


    Talon''s eyes lock onto the screen, staring at that hospital with pure unadulterated anger. Mouth gaping wide, unholy exclamations about to erupt from his throat. A crazed, violent, enraged look of utter bloodcurdling fury, wanting to exclaim all the frustrations he could. All the frustrations built up as he loudly shouts, in that room:


    "... damn it..." he later mumbles quietly... currently in an unmarked black van alongside his underlings, currently being driven to the warehouse.


    Staring at all the chaos that transpired in this area, witnessing all of the gangsters collapsed or defeated. The one thing keeping him calm: a wine glass of vegetable juice in his hand, its tangy and nutritious taste competing with the foulness going down his throat. His upper lip covered in red, looking out the car and through the entrance of the warehouse at his nephew inside.


    Talon watches closely as Joseph stood near a tied up gangster on a stool, hair completely and utterly messy from the brawl that transpired. The very fact that Joseph found this very location through the subtle clues given over the phone... all intentions of brawling and fighting conveyed in that call. Talon now has conclusive, visible proof that Joseph will not stop until BB - leader of the "Big Bad Boys", if memory serves him well - is brought down.


    It is as simple as taking out BB, in truth. Talon, in truth, has no problem with handling BB himself... fueled with the same anger as his boy. With his power, taking down a lesser syndicate branch is no issue whatsoever for Talon, even if the syndicate is becoming extremely shorthanded. Had Odette left the matter alone, not a soul would ever even say the name BB again.


    But... Joseph asking for this information, asking for the direct location of these gangsters, taking it into his own hands? Talon hides his smile at this thought, hiding his subtle delight from the men around him.


    He''s always known that Joseph is a sharp kid... the boy has the Hawthorne spirit in him. A free spirit, a free bird. This moment where he witnesses his own flesh and blood standing up for himself should be the proudest moment of his life, seeing his timid and meek lil'' kid overpower his enemies and triumph over them. Even if he is making an enemy of the Syndicate... even if he is family that is going against family, watching Joseph triumph over these people is... it''s heartwarming.


    Shows his ferocity. Shows his guts. Shows his bravery. His ever developing intelligence in picking up secret code language. Talon should be proud of this.


    ... but something felt off.


    Right before his eyes... Talon sees his nephew only mildly roughed up. Given the recount of events at the hospital, Talon expected worse... but saw none of the scratches, none of the stitches, none of it is present on him. No signs of BB''s attack whatsoever, not on his body or his clothes. There certainly wasn''t time for him to get a change of clothes, let alone heal...


    Could it be a lie? Well... Joseph is a good actor, yes. Played up his terror in that moment, played up his scaredness. His cowardice. All for maintaining cover on a public line. The boy is easily scared, sure, and becomes scared of countless scary things. But going so far as to fake being scared, fake his terror at being... cut up? To lie to him about the exploded glass in his body?


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    No.


    No, that can''t be it. Joseph would not lie about something like that. He''s always been the type of honest to only lie about the really important things. There''s no point to Joseph exaggerating that he experienced pain. That he was hurt. No. He wouldn''t. He didn''t.


    Talon... Talon squints his eyes, deducing the possibility that this isn''t his boy, that this isn''t his nephew. In some way, shape or form, this isn''t Joseph. Deep in thought about how this could be, what reason he has to assume that this isn''t his nephew...


    ... eventually, Talon figures out a why as to why it wouldn''t be. Joseph mentioned the girl, the girl that''s been taken away. The girl that''s been the Syndicate''s worst enemy as of this weekend, and... and Joseph is going against him, conveniently, at this threat. He has to be doing this because of the girl, for one reason or another.


    When he first thought about this, the reports of what happened at Niagara Straws run fresh in his mind. Five individuals that attacked the bar. Five people that are on shoot to kill terms. Most of them - rather, maybe, all of them - equipped with superpowers.


    That begged the question... has Joseph been hanging out with a bad crowd? Is he interacting with these individuals of interest, these people that hold powers like he does? Is this someone who, through some miracle, managed to take Joseph''s face...?


    "Sir... what are your orders? How do we take care of this?"


    "..." Talon takes a gentle sip of his vegetable juice, needing more of the fresh taste of tomatoes on his tongue. A drink with a sweet and tangy texture, far better and far healthier than any alcohol. A drink perfectly fit for a professional. A drink of luxury and comfort that gives him solace in this most miserable of moments.


    His hand shaky with the wine glass of juice in it... sitting in a long and lengthy pause of silence, before he gives his answer. Shaking his head slightly, his slow and melodious voice speaking with a tone demanding reverence.


    "The man in that warehouse is... a person of interest. You are not to shoot him, under any cost. You are merely backup if there are any other individuals present beyond him. Do you understand?"


    "Yes, sir. We understand," the gangster speaks up. The gangsters pocketing their guns as the van is parked... leaving the vehicle as one, with the door helped open for Talon. Giving him a fresh smell of the pine forest scent. A sorrowful gaze on his eyes as he steps out of the van, as he holds his glass out...


    ... Scare taking a moment to top off his drink with more vegetable juice.


    "..." Thanking his crow butler as he smiles delicately, walking into the warehouse with a cold gaze. Lost in thought about how to address his "nephew''s" dissent. How to handle his own family. Struggling to figure out what to do the moment his foot crosses that entryway, the very moment he is expected to address his nephew.


    So... the gangsters step into the warehouse, staring down the pink haired man. Cautiously staring at him, watching as he stands right behind the tied up gangster in the stool.


    "... t-thank goodness!" the hand-tied gangster shouts, his eyes wide. "R-Reinforcements! S-See, this guy and-"


    Promptly, "Joseph"... slaps the gangster''s mouth, forcefully covering it and glaring forward. Staring at the gangsters before him with a tense look on his face.


    "..." Talon begins to walk forward, glaring at his... nephew. Glaring at this person, curious about his reaction. The other gangsters watching as he approaches, as he walks closer.


    "S-Stay back!" the boy exclaims, shouting. "D-Don''t come any closer...!" Overly cautious and glaring at the man, glaring at this approaching gangster with a look of caution.


    This is what confirms to Talon...


    ... that this isn''t Joseph.


    Talon has an utterly hostile look on his face, knowing for certain that this is a blatant impostor. Taking a long drink of his juice, gulping the contents of his glass down...


    "... why?" Talon asks, staring at this blatant impostor. His hand holding empty cup with only small drops of red left, run out of juice and patience for this man...


    "B-Because i-if you come any closer, I''ll-!" the fake Joseph exclaims...


    ... interrupted by the sight of Talon lunging forward, his hand pulled back and swiping his hand over the gangster''s face. Smashing the glass straight into the gangster''s face, breaking it to shards of glass.


    "Wh-?! A-AGH-!" the gangster noises, bewildered by this painful action- screaming loudly at this sudden, sharp pain- before an even worse one occurs.


    After venting this part of his anger, Talon digs his fingernails into the gangster''s cheek, piercing into skin to get a good grip of this underling''s face. Glaring violently down, watching this obstacle in between him and the impostor.


    A show of intimidation, demonstrating that this gangster is of no value to Talon whatsoever... as the man yanks his hand back. Leaving deep gashes in the gangster''s face, coldly staring at Joseph...


    "... why?!" Talon loudly screams at this impostor, his voice shouting at the impostor playing Joseph, the impostor playing Odette. "WHY DO YOU HAVE HIS FACE?!"


    ... Quade- the currently shapeshifted Quade watches as this happens, backing away from the gangster. Slowly taking steps away from this man, listening to that exclamation, understanding the meaning of those words. "His face..."


    ... his face. His.


    "... T-Talon-!" Quade exclaims in shock, realizing his cover is completely blown.


    "DO NOT SPEAK WITH HIS VOICE!" Talon loudly screeches, kicking the tied up gangster''s body over onto its side, knocking the stool over and stepping over this mere obstacle. Each step forward closing the distance between him and this utter sham. "ANSWER ME! WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?! GIVE ME A NAME!"


    Quade continues to back away, gritting his teeth at this. This is the boss, the syndicate boss... "I-It''s me! I-It''s me, Uncle-! I- I''m-!" he exclaims in Odette fashion, attempting to continue this act.


    But it doesn''t work. Talon sees right through it as he promptly lunges forward, grabbing Quade by the throat. Gripping his fingers around the man''s throat, his fingernails digging into the man''s skin now. Having demonstrated the capabilities of his fingernails, his claws, his... talons... Talon lifts him into the air and stares up at this impostor. Quade''s feet five inches off of the ground, with just one of Talon''s hands strangling and choking him.


    A blood curdling rage on the crime boss''s face, a growl and a hiss in his voice as he addresses Quade, as he addresses this utter fake. "I know you are not Joseph...! I know you''re a pathetic LIAR. A wolf in his sheep''s clothing..."


    Quade- Quade gasps hard as his throat is gripped. Struggling helplessly in Talon''s grasp, wincing in pain at this tight grip.


    "What have you done to him... WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HIM!?" Talon shouts, his fingers squeezing tighter and tighter, cutting Quade''s airflow off completely. A tight grip that forces his throat closed, unable to breathe a single ounce of air... "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?! TELL ME, OR-!"


    "Ghhhk-!"


    Promptly, Quade tilts his head back, teeth tightly clenched in agony. Focusing his energy into his mouth- before, horrifically, a gorilla arm throws itself out of his neck. An appendage formed via shapeshifting, its full mass and might shot out and launched forward to throw its fist at Talon''s face.


    "?!" Talon''s eyes widen at this sight, watching this burly arm come out of the man''s body. Its knuckles achieving contact with his forehead, the weight and force of the punch pushing his own head back.


    Instinctively, his hand lets go of Quade''s throat...


    ... and he defensively jumps back, staring him down. A wide distance between them, with further space surrounding the two.


    "What the hell are you...?!"


    "..." Quade, as the gorilla arm retracts back into his body, looks up at his hat atop his head. A hand grabbing the brim of it and taking it off. Tossing it into the air, throwing it up as it turns and spins upward.


    The backup gangsters watch as this hat flies up, as this black cap with a red brim ascends high into the air...


    "... shapeshifter..." Talon mumbles... watching the entire process, instead of watching the hat.


    The cap then falls back down, landing atop the man''s head. His figure back to its normal appearance. His brown hair, his brown eyes, his black tank-top and red jeans... no longer Odette.


    One of the gangsters raises his gun, taking aim at Quade... only to lower it back down. Realizing none of the other gangsters are even drawing their guns, remembering that Talon instructed them not to shoot whatsoever. They could only stand aside and watch...


    ... watch, as Talon stares forward, as Talon deeply stares at Quade. For the briefest of seconds, Talon felt relief that it isn''t a worse fate.


    Then, tensely, he glares forward at the implications of this man calling him... Uncle, a moment ago. Now that Quade''s revealed himself, Talon has ample time to think about how much this shapeshifter knows... and states, appropriately. "... so. You know who I am."


    "... right," Quade adjusts his cap slightly, looking at Talon. "I do now."


    "I see." Talon calmly stares forward, an intense look on his face at this answer. "And are you with the flying brown haired girl?"


    "... I am," Quade tells the man, gripping his hands into fists. "I''ve come to take her back... but she''s not here."


    Talon slowly looks around, seeing no sign of the brown haired girl. "... I see. She isn''t... yet. But you are, and I am." Before staring back at Quade and cracking his knuckles. Arms at his sides, hands held with fingernail claws out. "... so. Are you ready for what I am about to do to you?"


    "... yes," Quade answers, getting into battle stance as well. Ready to fight... ready to fight for his life. "I''m ready."


    "... good." Talon takes a deep breath, a calm and composed look on his face, preparing himself for the brutal bloodbath that is to transpire. Ready to fight this bastard, ready to make it so this shapeshifter will never look human ever again.


    Quade continues to lock his gaze on Talon, idly noting the fact that none of the other gangsters are shooting, that none of them are opening fire. It appears that Talon is aiming for a fair and just fight, coming into it with nothing but his bare hands. His sharply clawed, powerfully strong hands.


    Both of them ready to fight like men. Ready to brawl like men. Ready to settle this matter one on one, in a spacious warehouse battleground.


    "..."


    "..."


    Then, Talon steps forward, and Quade steps forward. Both taking their first steps towards each other...


    ... and they sprint.


    Quade breaks into a dash, running straight towards the Syndicate Leader, closing the distance between them in a bold charge. The shadow of his hat''s brim coats his sharp gaze, the man running forward with not a sign of fear, determination burning in his body. Unable to back down, unwilling to leave. The objective is clear to Quade, and the target is right before him. All that''s left to do is to take him down, keeping a strong and modest composure.


    Meanwhile, Talon gritting his teeth and dropping all calmness, a maniacal stare in his eyes as he runs forward, as he seemingly flies and rushes forward. An agile sprint at Quade, his arms lightly spread behind him- the rush of air against his arms as a dark, emanating aura surrounds his body. Embodying the spirit of the Blackbirds, the name of the Hawthornes, tapping into his raw and primal instinct as he charges at Quade... mouth open, and loudly screeching out his battle cry... a loud, and resounding:


    "CAAAAAAAAAAW!"

 #24 - Quade and Verness vs. the Syndicate Boss

    A warehouse in the middle of the woods... its insides expansive, with pool tables and poker tables. Incapacitated and tied up gangsters spread all around- as well as a gangster with gaping gashes in his face.


    Two forces standing across from each other... and two forces sprinting straight at each other.


    "CAAAAAAAAAAW!" Talon''s voice rings out as the two charge at each other, the battle beginning...


    In that moment, both men behold the other''s approach... putting special focus on pulling their respective right hands back, Talon preparing a claw swipe while Quade prepares a right hook.


    Quade- clenches his fist, covering his knuckles in thick porcupine quills and morphing his biceps and forearm into a gorilla''s. Countering Talon''s swift claw swipe by stabbing into the wrist, using Talon''s swift strength against him as the quills dig in deep.


    "G-GHHHHK-!" Talon noises, shaking in place as his fingernails were a mere two inches away from Quade''s face. Forcibly preparing his other hand, taking advantage of the fact that Quade''s other arm is-


    Wait! Shit! Talon immediately anticipates an attack, already prepared as he quickly stops, forcefully prying his arm off of Quade''s hand, and quickly leaning back. Reacting instantaneously, only one second early as he manages to avoid the third arm lunging out of the shapeshifter''s neck.


    Talon tensely remembered that the shapeshifter is easily able to grow animal parts out of his entire body... seemingly also able to take on any face. A power that is quite useful for an ally... absolutely abysmal with an enemy... one that catches the man off guard, visibly astonished at this sudden attack.


    The gorilla arm shot out and extended right over Talon''s face, its fist having almost decked him in the face. A ready move that Quade actively has on standby, an opportunistic ace up his nonexistent sleeve- keeping the gorilla arm there to keep Talon on edge as Quade prepares his follow up attack. Keeping his hand clenched, with drops of Talon''s blood dripping off of the porcupine quills, he quickly turns and swings his body. Angled in a way to optimally swing his right arm at Talon, a fist on its way to backhand and pierce the man''s cheek.


    The gangster''s eyes glance to his side, seeing the incoming spiked fist. His vision going utterly red, glaring at Quade... a bubbling fury that tightens in his heart, an indescribable rage that burns the blackest of flames in his chest.


    "You wretched...!" Talon loudly shouts.


    This flame in his chest flows up to his lips, a black aura focusing and manifesting over his open mouth. In the next second, this aura extends outward, shaping into a solidified beak of darkness. Screeching and cawing out as his head lunges forward. Biting hard into Quade''s hand, its quill-covered spikes ineffective against this manifested beak.


    Quade''s eyes widen as this bite occurs, forcibly pulling his hand back- letting out a tensely sharp grunt of pain as his hand is cleanly bitten off. Immediately withdrawing and dashing backwards from Talon, hyperventilating as his hand has been completely dismembered.


    Talon grins widely under his beak, watching the shapeshifter back up... deciding to get cocky. The gangster tilts his head up and raises Quade''s hand over his face. Brutally and proudly showing the hand as a sign of pride, presenting it to all who could see it. Eyes looking past the hand and gazing at Quade with amusement.


    "W-What the hell?!" Quade loudly shouts in angruish, shaking in place as the gorilla arm retreats back into his body- and skin covers over his wrist, stopping the bleeding. Staring at Talon''s beak, tensely noting Talon''s abilities so far. The reason for the name, Talon, is not lost on him... bird talons. Talons in the form of his fingernail claws... an agile and swift movement... a ferociously powerful beak.


    Quade is, for lack of a better term, fighting against a bird man.


    A bird man that lets loose his restraint as he forcibly whips his head and throws the hand aside, discarding this trophy of victory. The hand''s mass messily smacking against the wall, lifelessly thudding and "thunk"ing against it. Talon cackles wildly in front of his subordinates, a murderous gleam in his eye... arms spread out with fingernails pointed at Quade, spreading his "wings" out in pure, pure pride. The wild bird man mouth and manifested beak wide open, almost salivating with a hunger for more.


    A brief pause... before Talon kicks off of the ground, nimbly closing the distance between him and Quade. Staring at the shapeshifter with a murderous look in his eyes that screams: I''m going to rip your other hands off!


    "Tch-!" Quade quickly holds his breath, focusing hard on regenerating his hand. Hiding his hand right behind his back, preparing for any possible attack to come from his claws or beak...


    ... before- catching a glimpse of a small... small ball floating in Talon''s beak. A pellet-shape, one that grew bigger as he rushes forward.


    Quade- Quade''s eyes tensely stare at this sight. If that pellet does what he thinks it does-!


    Immediately, the pellet fires out, Talon- regurgitating and shooting a thick owl pellet out at Quade''s face. Fired at a speed to rival a bullet''s, a wretched and ominous air surrounding it.


    Quickly, the gorilla hand lunges out of Quade''s neck to block the bullet- a turtle shell coating the hand, withstanding the impact...


    ... only to be met with the shell itself deteriorating and melting, its skin burning off with contact.


    Quade winces in incredible pain as the shell and the skin underneath completely rots and disintegrates- almost frozen and paralyzed at this sensation. Talon, seizing the opportunity that came from this, swipes his nails at Quade''s side, slashing into his hip and splitting open his skin.


    Quade lets out a pained yell as this happens, falling and rolling backwards to gain some more distance from Talon. Throwing the pellet to the ground, his- his regeneration noticeably slowed, as he focused too heavily between three sources of injury.


    Talon grins with sadistic glee... in a position of advantage, his ability triumphing over Quade. "Tell me... how does it feel, to be rendered mere prey, shapeshifter...?" Talon asks, his primal instincts surging from his hands and mouth, the man cackling like a wild crow rather than a proper leader of organized crime. "To be faced with a true apex predator?"


    "..." Quade is crouched on one knee... rendered silent by the aching pain coursing through his body.


    "No answer...? Pity... I was hoping to get an answer... before I rip you to utter pieces, and-!" Talon exclaims, his pupils dilating with raw joy at his superiority.


    Then, Talon immediately goes silent, looking up almost immediately. Catching a glimpse of an incoming shadow descending from the ceiling, watching a... a child with a stick falling from the ceiling.


    Having hidden herself for some time to get into ample opportunity, Verness Monochrome falls from the ceiling. Taking initiative and attempting to ambush the man as she smashes a pool cue over Talon''s head. Snapping the wooden stick in half, putting all of her weight and might into bludgeoning the man''s head.


    Monochrome glares down with furious look in her eyes as the wooden stick snaps. "HAHA! Take that!" Monochrome loudly shouts, a cocky grin on her face as she gets a good ambush strike on Talon. Descending to the ground, ready to jump from it and retreat from-


    Before she could, however... promptly, Talon lunges his hand out, grabbing the child by the throat. His eye twitching as he endures the impact... reacting almost immediately to grab Monochrome and lift her off of the ground.


    "?!" Monochrome''s eyes widen as she''s grabbed, caught off guard. "W-What the-?!" Tensely beginning to reach for his hand, moving to pry his fingers off of her throat.


    "So you have an accomplice..." Talon mumbles, maintaining his grip on Monochrome''s throat. His fingers unmoving, Monochrome unable to pry his fingers off. "One of the superpowered individuals... I see."


    Quade, the other hidden Vernesses, and the gangsters watch as... without restraint, as the child dangles from his hand, Talon immediately begins choking Monochrome with all of his might. A ruthless move with careless disregard, his tight grip strangling the air out of Monochrome''s lungs.


    "...!" Quade''s eyes widen at this, a horrified and enraged look on his face. "Don''t you dare...! S-She''s just a kid! S-She ain''t involved in this fight between you and me, let her go!"


    Talon looks to Quade for a moment, before glancing back at Monochrome. Watching as this little girl flails her arms and legs, fighting for her life. Processing the situation he''s in, a cold and cynical look returning to his eyes.


    "... an enemy of the Syndicate is just that... an enemy."


    Uttering these words to the child... tightening his grip further. All demands to spare Monochrome lying on deaf ears, as the tips of his sharpened claw fingernails begin to jab into Monochrome''s neck.


    Emotionlessly watching as the girl winces in pain at this, her gray eyes starting to water as she gags and chokes... his ruthlessness on full display. A helpless victim to his utter violence, suffering from this morally heinous of acts, crying for her life.


    "I SAID- LET HER GO!" Quade roars out, sprinting straight at Talon. Enduring the pain in his body, focusing all of his might in shifting his arm into a bear''s. Coating his hand in thick brown fur, with sharp bear claws sticking out, going for a swipe at Talon''s neck.


    Talon quickly turns to hold Monochrome in the way, using her as a human shield. The look over his eyes darkening as he swings her in the way, anticipating the shapeshifter''s next moves.


    "...!" Quade hesitates, stopping his attack immediately before his claw attacks Monochrome.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    A foolish moment of weakness... Talon thought, capitalizing on this hesitance as he turns his body, locking into a spinning motion as he cleanly swipes his fingernails across Quade''s neck. Inflicting a gaping wound over it, rendering it a bloodied mess.


    Quade stares at this with tense, trembling eyes, choking and gagging. A mortal wound inflicted onto him, his body drained of its regenerative energy at this point. His eye starting to twitch as he loses focus, gargling on his own saliva and blood. Losing all feeling in his body as his arm returns to normal, as he drops down to his knees with blanking eyes.


    "... I''ve had enough..." Talon mumbles lightly, lifting his hand in the air.


    Quade tensely stares forward, watching Talon hold the little girl high in the air. Trembling in utter horror at this, watching as this gangster is trying to choke the life out of a little girl.


    "...nnhhhh... no... d... don''t..." Quade groans out- coughing violently as he forced those words out, his body going limp... unable to do anything whatsoever. Unable to save Monochrome or call out for help, his head slumping forward... almost- spared the agony of having to watch this...


    Monochrome continues to struggle, continues to flail her arms and legs,


    Talon''s aura envelops his hand as he forcefully tightens his grip. Completely putting all of his might into committing something atrocious, something heinous, something utterly- utterly horrifying, a mere few seconds away from clenching his hand into a fist and squeezing Monochrome''s neck into a bloodied pulp.


    ... then, the sound of a motorcycle rings out.


    Then, suddenly, Verness Red descends down from the ceiling next. Falling into sight and promptly high-fiving Monochrome.


    In that moment, Monochrome''s entire body instantly poofs into dust, her body turned straight into light that absorbs into Verness Red''s body. Spared an excruciatingly brutal fate as she instantly escapes Talon''s deranged grasp, fulfilling her purpose as a decoy.


    "...?!" Talon watches this occur, his hand clenched completely into a fist... confused and perplexed by this. Utterly bewildered at the girl disappearing from his grasp. "W-What in the...?!"


    "W-We need to leave! Now!" Red exclaims in worry, running quickly to Quade and crouching down to lift him up by the knees.


    Promptly, Yellow descends from the ceiling as well, landing right behind Quade and lifting the man up by his shoulders- helping Red lift the man up.


    Talon... raises his eyebrow at this, watching the two new girls appear. "... there''s three of you?!"


    Yellow takes a moment to stare at Talon, her eyes narrowed. "Five."


    "Five...?" Talon responds- before turning quickly to his left, seeing a bright light shining at him.


    In the time Talon''s been focused on strangling Monochrome- Orange and Blue have been discreetly starting up Odette''s motorcycle. The former balancing it on its wheels, while the latter- tries to copy Quade''s moves to drive this bike. The light shining on Talon came when the vehicle began speeding forward, charging towards Quade at a high speed.


    "Let''s GO!" Monochrome loudly shouts as she throws herself out of Red''s body, hands pressed against the ground. Red, Yellow and Quade launched into the air, ascending high in the air.


    High enough to land downward, Red and Yellow latching onto the speeding motorcycle with their extended spider legs coming out their backs. Monochrome, on the ground, reaches her hands out and grabs onto Verness Blue''s leg, being dragged along by


    Talon watches this unfold... eyes widened at the realization, instantly recognizing their abilities.


    Spiders.


    "... D-DAMN IT! FIRE AT-!" Talon loudly caws out, ordering his men to shoot- only to be met with an 8 ball being throw into his mouth, plugging his mouth suddenly and precisely.


    Verness Orange grins widely as the motorcycle speeds away from her. Having collected the balls from this warehouse''s supplies, scavenging them up- she holds in her hands and sleeves a wild assortment of tough, solid marble-like balls.


    "Choke on that, Mr. Hawthorne!" Orange taunts, getting a running start as she throws the pool balls onto the ground and jumps on top of them, her spider legs and human legs starting to flail aimlessly atop the spheres.


    The- The gangsters, witnessing a speeding motorcycle coming close to them, take immediate aim. Utterly bewildered by this sight, preparing to fire-


    Only to have their shots interfered by high velocity billiard balls being kicked at them. Either the balls are launched at the bullets to stop them in the middle of the air, or the guns themselves are smacked out of their grasps.


    "Hahahaha! Let''s GO-!" Orange loudly screams out, before slipping on a ball. All legs actively kicking and slipping on this one ball, her body propelled and launched forward past Talon. Managing to go even faster than the motorcycle itself, arms flailing to keep herself balanced-


    Both the motorcycle of Vernesses and the speeding ball-balancing Orange breeze through the exit, a sheer moment of tactical genius that leaves the gangsters utterly... bewildered, astonished, completely defeated.


    "Th- They''re getting away!" a gangster shouts, running quickly to the van. "Let''s go, we need to catch up with them before-!"


    "GOD- DAMN- IT...!"


    Talon loudly screeches with maniacal rage, holding the eight ball in his hand. His eyes completely white as his irises and pupils disappear, blinded with rage. Offended- humiliated by those spider girls... the one he choked managing to escape his inescapable grasp, then- this ball... this WRETCHED... BALL... crushing it to bits in one single grab, his sheer anger and rage bleeding out of his body.


    All composure gone, all human restraints gone... with nothing but bloody massacre on this mind... as his suit completely disintegrates. Morphing noticeably into something more... primal, something more feathery and wild. Thick tufts of black feathers enveloping his shoulders and chest, the rest of his body encased in pure black metal.


    "GOD- DAMN- IT-! DAMN- DAMN YOU ALL! I WON''T- I WON''T LET YOU ESCAPE!" Talon loudly shouts at the ceiling, tilting his head back and spreading his mouth open. Choking aggressively on his own rage, the black aura completely enveloping his body. His suit noticeably shifting into a distorted full-body costume, the aura building up to cover his entire head in a cotton hood.


    Right before the gangsters'' eyes, their leader completely changed in the blink of an eye. The gangsters watch as this unfold, their eyes completely wide as these people brought the syndicate boss''s rage out from the deepest of hells in his heart... the man completely losing his mind in this moment. Transforming from a composed, physically superior syndicate boss...


    ... into a maniacal, winged supervillain that has lost his mind.


    "C... CAWWWWWWWWWW!" Talon mindlessly screeches out, forcibly throwing his arms back in a fierce flap as he sends himself forward, ascending into the air and darting forward in a swift speed. Speeding in the air and beginning to fly forward down the dirt road. Blindly pursuing the motorcycle, succumbing to his pure eagle instincts... pursuing the dying shapeshifter and those soon-to-be memorialized brats.


    In the darkness of the forest, flying at an alarming speed... going faster and faster, his full body forcibly pushing and crashing past all forest obstacles in his way.


    "... oh nonononono-! H-He''s flying!" Red loudly calls out as she has a view of his silhouette, seeing a winged man just flying at them through the forest leaves and branches. "He''s flying fast!"


    "Then we just have to go FASTER!" Monochrome loudly shouts, pulling herself up to cling to the front of the motorcycle, her body covering the headlight as she grips the handles and forcibly pulls the throttle. Making the motorcycle- almost wobble and fall by doing this, the front wheel raised in the air.


    "Tch-! Monochrome-!" Yellow loudly shouts, tensely- watching Monochrome latch on the front, unable to do anything about Monochrome as she keeps holding onto Quade.


    "Nope-!" Orange loudly shouts, lunging forward and grabbing onto this handle- pulling the bike back to driving straight on the off-road. Kicking off of her ball and rejoining the others, weighing herself down to make sure the motorcycle remains on both its wheels. "You''re not getting off-balance on my watch!"


    Yellow- sighs in relief, seeing Orange with a smile before- looking to Blue. "H-How are we doing on balance, Blue?!"


    Blue looks over her shoulder, giving a subtle nod and a thumbs up. Contently smiling as the motorcycle stabilizes and drives forward.


    "CAAAAAAAAAAW!"


    Another cry of war as Talon closes in, only a couple dozen feet behind them as he locks onto the speeding vehicle... giving Red and the other Vernesses a good view of the maniacal bird-costumed man chasing them.


    "A-Ah! H-He''s getting closer...!" Red calls out, seeing Talon closing in at a faster speed. "W-What do we do?!"


    "E-Easy, we-!" Yellow begins to answer-


    "L-Left turn! Road coming!" Orange immediately shouts out, looking past the others and seeing the street Quade took to get to the city outskirts-


    "Drift, drift, DRIIIIIFT!" Monochrome loudly shouts, leaning her body to make the motorcycle lean left.


    Orange, quickly, counters this weight by sticking her body out, making sure the motorcycle is stable enough with six passengers atop the cycle...


    ... and Blue turns the motorcycle handle, the entire thing leaning at a 30 degree angle- making a sharp, haphazard turn onto the street. The screech of motorcycle metal grinding against asphalt, merging into the lane of the luckily empty road.


    Collectively, all of the Vernesses - the mute Blue excluded - let out sounds of frantic panic and wild adrenaline, experiencing the sickest motorcycle drift they''ll ever do in their lifetime. Holding onto an unconscious Quade that remains secure in Red and Yellow''s grasp, having to adjust their balance.


    The moment the motorcycle makes the turn... Yellow quickly extends her spider legs to the side, pushing the motorcycle back to being upright. Balancing out the motorcycle as it speeds along the road, driving excessively fast.


    "Y-Yes, we did it!" Orange loudly calls out, brightly smiling. "W-We made the turn and-"


    The hecticness of making the turn, unfortunately, distracted them. Instead of having a plan to stop the pursuing gang leader, the Vernesses were too focused on the motorcycle turn- leading to them being caught completely off guard as Talon speeds and darts straight at them, snatching Quade''s body out of their grasp- gripping onto the man''s shoulders and swiftly flying forward.


    "... a-aah-! Quade-!" Red loudly screams out, having just watched Talon snatch a critically injured and dying Quade out of all of their grasps- the five spider girls staring forward and watching this unfold.


    Talon glares forward at Quade, focusing heavily on the man''s face... seeing the lifeless gaze in the shapeshifter''s face, noticeably unconscious and passed out.


    "CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!"


    "W-What do we do, what do we do?!" Red calls out, completely and utterly panicked.


    "... tch-! T-Throw me!" Monochrome loudly calls, crawling to the others.


    "W-What?!" the other Vernesses exclaim-


    "It''s the ONLY way!" Monochrome shouts. "We need to throw me-!"


    "... or-! I have a better idea!" Orange shouts.


    Talon loudly caws at the top of his lungs, mouth spread open as a massive pellet begins to form in his mouth. Preparing and building it up, ready to shoot a hole through Quade''s face to completely finish him off. Just one moment away from executing the bastard.


    Then, his attack is completely interrupted... as a motorcycle lands on top of his back.


    All five of the Vernesses having used their spider legs to push against the ground, launching them and the motorcycle into the air as high as they could- landing and crashing against him. Orange''s bright idea... throwing themselves and the ENTIRE motorcycle at Talon.


    The cycle itself aligning its wheels against the man''s back- Blue and Yellow focused on adjusting and lining up the vehicle, while Monochrome has her hand on the throttle. Making great use of the motorcycle as a weapon, pulling the motor hard to have the front wheel of the cycle drive and grind against the back of Talon''s head.


    "GHHHKKK-!!!" Talon lets out a pained cry, enduring the sensation- eyes actively twitching...


    As this happens, Talon... crosses the city border, entering back into Starveil City.


    The moment that he entered the city, all eyes were on Talon. Talon, as well as the unconscious man in his grasp and the children driving a motorcycle on him. Witnessing a man in a menacing bird supervillain costume flying through the air, brutally having a wheel grinding against his head- wildly and aimlessly flying forward, struggling to endure this immense pain.


    Due to the height that Talon flew, they were... dangerously too low, too close to the road. The Vernesses focused on the motorcycle attack, attempting to save Quade''s life in this most risky of maneuvers, not noticing this wild hazard as Talon is flying into oncoming traffic. Flying only a couple dozen of feet above the ground at all times, drifting downward with each passing second.


    Countless spectators in Starveil seeing this sight with... mild concern. Only mild concern, because this pales in comparison to the most recent demon attack, but still a sight to behold regardless. Whatever Talon is, in this moment, eludes public attention and leaves many uncertain about the scene unfolding before their eyes.


    The man is flying straight at a line of cars, trucks, buses and vans in his way. Eyes staring forward with pure determination as he lifts his head to point his beak forward. Enveloping his body in the dark aura, charging straight forward- flying above the cars, and headed straight for the first truck in his way...


    ... not slowing down one single bit.

 #25 - Verness vs. the Crazed Bird Guy Crashing Into Cars

    "... u-uhm-! Uh-!" Verness Red loudly noises, looking forward and seeing an incoming truck. Her eyes wide as Talon isn''t slowing down, isn''t trying to dodge this truck, isn''t- doing anything to prevent himself from crashing full speed into this massive car.


    And in that moment, Red... instinctively shouts to the other Vernesses. "J-Jump! Jump, jump-!" Warning them to jump from Talon, quickly.


    "Jump?!" Yellow exclaims.


    "Jump!" Orange and Monochrome shout out to Yellow, as the other four Vernesses all collectively leap off of the motorcycle. Following Red''s lead and instruction as they spring off of Talon and the bike, sending themselves flying away. Either leaping off the left or the right of the motorcycle, quickly getting onto the ground and running far ahead - copying Red''s lead when she began running forward.


    Yellow, reacting late, stares forward and only leaps off when Talon is only two seconds away from crashing. Springing straight into the air, making sure she remains lined up with Talon and the bike when they inevitably crash into the truck.


    However, Talon doesn''t just crash into the truck. With his beak aimed forward and the aura surrounding his body- the man completely slices through the truck.


    An utterly clean, swift slice. One that has him flying straight forward through the windshield of the truck, and one that the innocent truck driver avoids just in time. The driver leaping out the driver side door on instinct, watching as this freak of nature completely cuts through the truck''s seat and goes on to pierce through the cargo itself.


    As Talon goes through the truck- the subsequent aura completely splits the truck apart, the bottom of it sent straight down into the ground while the top begins to ascend and fly into the air. Gusts of wind pushing and sending the roof of the truck flying into the air.


    The motorcycle separated from Talon as this occurs, ending up launched upward into the air as the front part of the truck''s roof lifts it high into the air with great force. Verness Yellow looks to see see the incoming cycle coming from below, quickly reacting to it by clinging to the cycle and sitting in its seat- left the only one driving it as the entire upper half of the truck rises into the air.


    The roof is inclined downwards- and Yellow drives it forward and down. A combination of the motorcycle''s engine and gravity add additional speed to its movement, reaching a speed that ends up completely raming the bike into Talon''s back. Sending him straight downward, now flying at car level- flying straight into the engine compartment of an SUV, right behind the truck itself.


    A massive, massive spark sounds out- causing the car to immediately explode and combust upon impact.


    "A-AAAH-!" loudly and agonizingly shouts the driver mid-explosion-


    ... yet, quickly and swiftly pulled away from it. Orange managing to get to the driver in the nick of time, precisely pulling the door open and pulling the man out quickly.


    Red''s managed to predict something like this when Talon showed no fear in flying into a car. Anticipating Talon doing something to these cars, and instructing the other Vernesses to rush and sprint forward. However- nothing could have prepared them, immediately, for the knowledge of Talon just- incidentally slicing and exploding cars by flying into them...


    ... except for Orange, whose precise movements and unique creativity allowed her to imagine Talon just obliterating a car.


    So, she''s the first on the scene to pull the driver out of the car- all of the other Vernesses seeing her example and doing the same, even before they learn Talon can explode cars.


    This first explosion, this first SUV that completely explodes upon impact- it sets off a chain of events where Talon continues to fly forward with Quade''s body. Distracted momentarily by the fact he''s flying into the cars, keeping his face forward- letting out a deranged squawk and screech as he indiscriminately charges forward, ready to cause utter carnage.


    Keeping up with him, the other Vernesses quickly move to save as many lives as they could, Orange throwing the driver aside and running in the same direction as Talon''s flying to anticipate the next possible act.


    Blue took the driver''s seat of the next car, a four door hatchback, driving it in reverse and crashing its back into the car behind it. Giving the other Vernesses the slightest of time to react- before jumping out towards the teenage boy she threw out of the car moments ago, and promptly running away with him in her arms- saving him as Talon flies through the car and sets off another explosion.


    Red, with the help of Blue crashing the back of the car, was moving as fast as she could. Stuck to her back, bundled up in a ton of silk and string, an entire family of four currently in her grasp- and a literal baby in her arms. The crash sends this car backwards, and Red runs quickly away with the family- the explosion setting off behind her one second as she leaves, the bundle of silk shielding the family from the impact.


    Finally, Monochrome- standing right on top of the fourth car, in an aggressive shouting match to tell the gruff and angry high school physical education teacher to jump out of the car. In the time that the Vernesses managed to save their respective cars'' passengers, Monochrome couldn''t convince the teacher to abandon his car in time- the explosions setting off right in front of the station wagon, Monochrome turning around to stare the explosions down.


    "TCH-!" Monochrome loudly shouts, turning straight towards Talon and leaping forward. "YOU''RE NOT GOING TO-!"


    Immediately, she''s cut off as the P.E. teacher grabs her in the air- and promptly, promptly demonstrates why he has the job as he sprints away from the car- outrunning the explosion and dashing with the strength of an American star quarterback.


    With these explosions- the traffic behind the station wagon became very, very aware of this. All of them starting to abandon their cars and run away on their own, panicking as this street is utterly riddled with massive vehicular explosions. A hectic sight, an utterly gruesome sight to behold as explosion after explosion is set off.


    Verness Orange, after saving the first driver, runs ahead to support the people escaping the explosions- picking up any person who she comes across and throwing them away from the car. Not stopping for one moment, continuing to run ahead, trying to keep up with Talon''s speed- only to be completely outpaced as Talon flies faster than her spider legs can run-


    ... eventually, Talon flies upward, curving away from the street and flying high in the sky. Tensely gritting his teeth as this carnage causes him to regain some sanity... his anger slightly dwindling down after unleashing hell upon the cars. Staring forward over Quade''s shoulder, witnessing the street of flame he''s caused.


    Deciding it unnecessary to cause further damage, having fulfilled his purpose in doing so. All of the children, as well as that motorcycle, completely shaken off of his back during that catastrophic streak of explosions. Talon''s eyes glance about as he flies farther and farther up, seeing the little children actively spread out across the street, all of them seemingly focused on saving the lives almost caught in a fiery carnage.


    The current main threat to him, his organization and his pride, the one that has - time and time again - humiliated him and brought his anger to public costumed attention. it was never the shapeshifter... it''s the spider girl. Spider girls, plural.


    Talon''s hatred towards them has not changed. Those pests are nothing but thorns in his side, mere children managing to keep up with him... their mere existences being the sole reason he takes his form to begin with. His aura surging from his clothes, manifested from pure wild anger.


    This is a tactical retreat, a temporary strategy to gain distance between him and the spider girls, to make sure he can kill and execute the shapeshifter in peace. No further distraction- flying higher and higher, keeping Quade in his hands and isolating him completely.


    Talon''s plan is as follows: after he kills Quade, he intends to take out the spider girls one by one. He will snap the neck of the gray one, bury and suffocate the orange one in a cement mixer, completely crush the blue one under the weight of a car, and- and...


    "..."


    ... after the red one, that''s... only four of them. There''s only four of them in sight.


    As Talon''s eyes glance to the distant red spider child, pondering on how he''ll kill this one, he realizes that he only counted four. There were five of them, the yellow one completely missing. Completely out of sight, located somewhere.


    Talon knows she was on the motorcycle, but- she isn''t burning to a crisp near the motorcycle. Her fate is currently and completely unknown, and that... is deeply, deeply unsettling. For his own safety, Talon''s eyes survey the area, preparing for any unexpected attack the yellow child may unexpectedly commit- searching for any sign or trace of her, preparing for whatever incessant thing this child would do.


    Little does he know, however, Yellow is closer than he realizes.


    The girl is hiding right in between Quade and Talon''s bodies.


    Having remained close on Talon''s back during that whole flight, with her spider legs keeping her securely attached to the gangster, she managed to discreetly move herself right in between Quade and Talon''s bodies as he flew upward. Her back pressed against Quade''s body, managing to evade Talon''s attention the entire time while he looked everywhere else, quietly preparing her escape, looking for the right moment.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    It was when Talon began looking for her, that moment came. A moment when her hands lunge upward, moving in between Talon''s tight grasp on Quade. A pair of small hands easily and effortlessly slipping through the slightest of space between Talon''s hands and Quade''s shoulders, fingers spreading out and slipping like butter. Yellow managing to completely free Quade from the maniac.


    An ability not unlike a spider managing to squeeze between the tightest of spaces... one that Yellow makes great use of, seizing the perfect opportunity to do this, concentrating her spider legs to kick off of Talon and send both her and Quade falling away from him. Falling quickly away from the deranged bird gangster, freefalling and descending downwards.


    Yellow looks over her shoulder as the two fall, a look of concern on her face. Seeing Quade''s utterly abysmal condition as he''s unconscious- yet, luckily, he still feels alive. He still has a pulse, he''s managing to still breathe even with the blood clogging his throat...


    ... and he''s subtly, subtly groaning, recovering bit by bit. The Vernesses managing to buy him enough time during that whole escape to recover.


    "M-Mr. McMurphy-" Yellow speaks, seeking to check if he''s regaining consciousness. A look of relief on her face as they fall away.


    Talon... glares down at this, humiliated once again by this pathetic action. Taking a moment to hold his arms forward, before then throws them back- launching himself down, darting straight at Yellow and Quade. A massive burst of wind shooting out from behind him, his body completely blurring at high speed as he closes the distance between him and them.


    "Y-YELLOW! DODGE-!" Monochrome loudly shouts at the top of her lungs, having a good view of this and warning Yellow quickly.


    Yellow''s eyes look forward- seeing Talon coming closer and closer. Seeing his face aimed forward, preparing to slice through both of them. Ready to do to them what he''s done to the truck and cars his beak split in half.


    Reacting quickly- Yellow pulls herself backwards, taking quick aim with her spider legs against Quade. Tensely, ever so tensely pushing away from Quade, putting all of her might and weight into this action- both of them split apart in a way that causes Talon''s attack to almost miss.


    Almost.


    Talon, as he darted forward, manages to fly straight past Yellow''s spider legs, his vicious slice cutting the bottom halves of the legs off. Slicing those legs off, rendering them completely unusable for the time being.


    Yellow lets out a tense, pained cry at this, eyes shutting closed and clenching her teeth tightly as she fallls. As one of the more mature Vernesses, she manages to endure this agonizing pain... before starting to loudly cry and wail as this completely, completely sends an incredible, unbearable pain throughout her body. One that is just too much for a single child to bear-


    And unfortunately for her, Talon doesn''t stop at just that. After speeding downward, he turns his entire body in the air and rushes upward, closing in on Yellow. Making his hand grab the back of Yellow''s head- holding the child and, with all of his might, throws her straight into a building. Launching her entire body through a 10 story office building''s wall and windows, completely incapacitating her.


    It would be an agonizing fate for the child if she manages to survive that...


    ... but, as he registers this action and hears a voice call out, he realizes that it isn''t out of the realm of possibility.


    "Y-Yellow-!" Red shouts, running quickly to the office building- leaving the falling Quade in the hands of Orange and Blue, the two girls sprinting to catch the man. Scurrying towards the building Yellow was thrown through, approaching the wall with a sprint.


    Talon swiftly looks down at Red, a glare in his eyes.


    The red one is the one that caused the grey one to escape my grasp...


    ... and as he glares at Red, his immediate look is noticed and caught by Monochrome. Realizing that Talon probably, probably caught on to Red in particular. How Red saved her by slapping her hand, how Red could save Yellow in the same way. Monochrome is the only one left to notice Talon starting to target Red.


    "... s-shoot!" Monochrome loudly shouts, sprinting quickly towards Verness Red. Jumping onto the hood of a minivan and leaping from car to car, hurrying to catch up to Red before Talon does.


    Talon, seeing Monochrome sprint after Red- charges downward. Flying and darting straight towards Red, his hand extended outward... preparing and charging up a claw attack. Realizing, in essence...


    ... the death of the red one will stop the rest.


    Monochrome''s eyes stare at Talon, seeing him fly close- screaming and shouting loudly. "R-RED!!!!! RED, WATCH OUT-!"


    Verness Red quickly looks to Monochrome, hearing this sudden shout- and catching an immediate glimpse of Talon in the corner of her eye. Her eyes widened at this sight, fidgeting quickly as her hands cover her mouth, turning towards Talon with fidgeting and shaking hands.


    Talon continues to fly forward, seeing this utterly terrified creature before him, the aura around his fingers aggressively surging. Immersed completely in a black aura- the tips of his fingers even sparkling a white bathed in midnight blue. The shine and gleam in his eyes lighting up as his attack winds up...


    ... before Red throws her hands forward. A large built-up ball of silk shooting out, forcibly pulled away from her mouth and launching forward.


    The silk ball unfolds and unravels as it propels forward, expanding out into a net of silk. Spreading outward, spreading around Talon, about to trap and wrap around the flying man.


    Talon tensely stares at this, halting his flight. Seeing a first-hand account of this back at the warehouse, and seeing the bundle of it just a few moments ago.


    Already on guard... as he reacts to this sight almost instantaneously. Instead of attacking Red directly- he swipes his fingernails quickly to cut the web''s thread, the aura forming five projectile slices in the air. The build-up of the energy completely eradicating the silk, burning its entirety away to ash and dust.


    Then, he forces his hand forward, the palm of his hand thrown into the back of these manifested slices- these dark and emanating cuts. Upon this motion, all of them launch straight towards Verness Red, sent forward with utter murderous malice.


    Red''s eyes go completely wide at this. Shaking in fear, unable to move after feeling a morbid chill go down her spine. Her web net failing to work whatsoever, failing to stop Talon- failing to muster the energy to dash and run from this attack. In her mind, she aimlessly stutters and shakes her words, unable to tell her legs to move- unable to do anything as the attack comes closer and closer.


    At best, Red only stalled Talon for two seconds-


    ... but with these additional two seconds- Monochrome reaches Red first before the attack does. The gray girl quickly tackles into Red, throwing herself against the red girl- both of them tumbling along the ground and out of the sharp scratches'' path, avoiding the attack''s impact against the street.


    Both Monochrome and Red witness this impact- seeing massive scratches digging and prying apart the ground. Talon''s attack carves a deep gash into the street and sidewalk itself, as if a giant dinosaur bird swiped its claw into mere dirt rather than stone.


    Following this... Talon... clenches his hand into a fist, eye continuing to twitch as he looks forward at the girls. Brought back to utter insanity as his attack misses... as he violently, violently glares at the two. Flying straight at them, hand reached out to grab one of them by the throats.


    "A-Aaah-?!" Red noises in utter panic, riddled with panic, too focused on the scratch attack to see Talon incoming. Her mind frantically struggling to keep up.


    "G-Go!" Monochrome loudly shouts, taking initiative for her- throwing and launching Red up the building wall, sending her upward. Launching her closer to Yellow, sending her out of Talon''s path- sacrificing herself for Red. "Run! Run for your life, Red, don''t-!"


    Promptly being cut off as Talon grabs her neck.


    Red is thrown up to the 3rd floor- then gets her head back into the fight. Angling herself quickly to use her spider legs, scurrying and climbing up the wall- heading to the higher floor that Yellow was thrown into. A tense look on her face as she flees and runs from Talon, staring up with utter panic at the hole through the ninth floor window. "Y-Yellow! Yellow, a-are you there?!"


    As he holds Monochrome''s neck, Talon tensely- tensely looks up and down between Monochrome and Red, his eye twitching in mild annoyance... his anger growing worse and worse. As his hand finds itself in a familiar situation- choking and strangling the incompetent gray one, reinforcing his knowledge and repeating something.


    "... c... C... CCCC..."


    It will do him no good to kill this one... he needs to go for the red one.


    "CAAAAAAAAAAAW!"


    He promptly throws Monochrome aside, throwing her body straight into a distant car- before kicking off of the ground. Practically discarding Monochrome from his focus for the time being, concentrating all his efforts on chasing Red now.


    "A-Aaah! Monochrome-!" Verness Red loudly calls out to Monochrome, having looked back briefly when hearing Talon screech out- but... quickly looks back up. She needed to keep focus, she needed to get her head back into order. She just needs to run up. Monochrome''s fine, she''ll be fine- and, she''s not- Monochrome''s not- not- she''s not-


    Red found herself unable to even think that word, truthfully, as she sprints up the wall. The best she thinks: Monochrome''s not, Yellow''s not, and- and Quade''s not, either...


    ... calling out for Yellow as loudly as she can, sprinting as fast as she can, watching as Talon continues his relentless chase to ''not-not'' her- crying out for Yellow.


    However, as Red continues to run- an attack is launched at her. Two pellets fired out from Talon''s manifested beak, piercing holes straight into the palms of her hands.


    Red''s eyes completely widen- letting out aimless cries of panic as her hands completely disintegrate. Tears trailing from her eyes in response to this pain, shaking.


    Talon has an utterly cocky grin as he flies after, seemingly having removed the child''s method of saving and recovering the other spider children.


    ... but, immediately following this, Yellow throws herself out the window, falling down closely to Red. Trembling and aching with her spider legs, specifically, sliced in half- but mustering enough energy to jump out the window, falling down to Red. Both children promptly collide into each other, Yellow''s body completely, completely dematerializing as she phases right into Red.


    Talon''s eyes widen at this, watching the girl copy the same move that she did at the warehouse... and finding it infuriating to see the child''s hands immediately regrowing back. The trigger isn''t just a high-five, it''s any sort of collision...


    ... and Red turns backwards, facing Talon and having her legs running backwards. Nervously staring at the man as she crawls higher and higher up the building. Looking to her hands, showing their immediately instantaneous recovery- completely healed and back in working order.


    "... gh... GHHH...!" Talon lividly seethes at Red''s unintentional taunt... before promptly flying forward. Completely and utterly relentless in his pursuit of Red, focusing all of his rage on this child.


    Verness Red looks away from her hands, seeing Talon flying forward- flying dangerously, dangerously close to the building wall. Watching as his mere proximity to the building begins to shatter its windows, rip apart the bricks of its walls, splitting in between the wall itself.


    Her eyes completely widen at this, tensely shaking- before taking a calm... calm breath... channeling a gold aura over her hands, staring down at Talon. As Orange and Blue were, presumably, escorting Quade to safety... and as Monochrome remains at the ground, Red focuses on the fact that... it''s just her.


    Her, against a really powerful and crazy bird man.


    "..."


    Red... promptly...


    ... enters the building through the window that Yellow broke through. Fleeing. Strategically fleeing, completely- completely- ABSOLUTELY COMPLETELY outmatched and outpowered against Talon. Nimbly managing to avoid Talon''s charging attack in a way that he doesn''t even register at first.


    Talon''s body flies past this hole, his eyes widening as he completely misses Red- flying past the 9th floor''s broken wall, ripping past the 10th floor, and passing the building''s roof entirely.


    "..."


    Flying back down and peeking through the 9th floor, looking around the building- no spider girl in sight. An empty, abandoned office floor, all its workers having fled.


    "........ CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!!!!!!!!!"

 #26 - The BB Boys Big Ba-zapazap Brawl!

    Back at Sunshine Apartments, BB and his gangsters have successfully barricaded Apartment 103 up, tensely preparing for the worst. Bonbon, Brandy, the still-yet-to-be-named substitute driver, and the unconscious real getaway driver Blaze- as well as the very poisoned and paralyzed Giichi Hasegawa.


    The group were driven to barricade themselves in Bonbon''s apartment after the apartment TV displays the ominous message: "... FOUND YOU, BB." Under the assumption that the Boss is the one that sent the message, as well as the fact that they could be attacked at any moment, they needed to prepare themselves for the worst.


    So, working with what they had- and given the additional time to prepare, the gangsters have not only barricaded the front door with a mattress... they used all of Bonbon''s furniture, apart from the TV and the stand it''s on top of. All of it has been pushed in front of the door. Couch, fridge, bed, drawers- even his toaster. All of it blocks the one easy way in.


    With door covered, that leaves the several unconventional ways to enter the apartment. The front windows and back windows, as well as - quite possibly - the walls, and the toilet.


    So, BB keeps his hand on his gun, actively peeking out the window. Stationed against the countertop as he actively watches for any suspicious fellas, watching out for any single one of the Boss''s underlings- maybe a few, maybe a ton- however many fellas the Boss will send to their location. BB''s all ready for them.


    Bed Blueprinter Bonbon''s instructed to watch the back windows, Big Brain Brandy''s told to keep watch of the walls and the toilet, the still unnamed replacement driver is watching the front with BB...


    ... and Rosemary, the red cloud of gas that makes up Giichi''s entire breath. Giichi remains unconscious and completely immobile, so instead of any defensive positions- Rosemary just lets out a groan. Unable to move or do anything in particular, as Giichi is still very much subdued by the poison.


    No, all Rosemary could do is speak.


    And speak she does. "More and more evidence that you guys totally screwed up. Completely wrecked all chances of living. Damn," Rosemary insults, feeling like... taunting, especially as they''re all sitting ducks to an incoming threat. "Maybe if you let the competent people take over, then... y''know."


    "Cloudy, ain''t no wonder how you managed to arrest hundreds of us, with a mouth like that..." BB mumbles, wiping the sweat off of his forehead. Keeping his ever vigilant eye out for danger. His Beady-eyed Bouncer sight. His BB sight.


    "Mouth ain''t the only thing I got," Rosemary proudly boasts, deciding to go with hostile intimidation to make sure these gangsters do NOT get any more creative ideas to take her out. "If I had an antidote, man, I''d totally eff all of you and the other gangsters up with my hands, or my fist... maybe the freaking mouth that arrested y''all."


    "W... Wait, okay, boss, I just tuned back into the conversation. M... Mouth?" uncomfortably asks one of the other gangsters, Brandy. The underling man looking utterly shocked by this comment, his eyes still focused on the toilet.


    "Mouth. Total rage fest. I got some good pearly whites that''ll chomp the heck out of someone," Rosemary brutally boasts.


    "... oh, you meant biting. Okay. That... huh," Brandy responds with a look of- relief.


    "..." A gangster being relieved by something she said? Can''t have that. Rosemary would squint and smirk in that moment, but she didn''t have the eyes and mouth to do so. "What, oh what, could you have been thinking about? Do give me some ideas."


    "Uh-"


    Bonbon immediately interjects before Brandy can say anything. "It''s trying to get into your head, don''t answer that!"


    "Y-You''re right!" Brandy exclaims, shaking with the gun in his hands. "Oh my god- I''ve already shown doubt. A-Are you able to smell fear, cloud?!"


    "... probably," Rosemary casually answers, very... very amused by this. "I can smell your fear, Brandy."


    This prompts Brandy to let out a panicked sound of AUGH as he takes that statement quite seriously, which subsequently leads to Bonbon starting to panic as well.


    "Can it, boys!" BB shouts to them, his eyes widened as he stares past the curtain. "Not a word, they''re here! Battle stations, now!"


    "Battle Bearings," Rosemary interjects, almost condescendingly correcting him.


    "Thank you, and can it," BB immediately responds. "Get ready!"


    Quickly, Brandy and Bonbon- both get it together immediately, returning to their vigilant positions, covering the parts of the apartment that BB couldn''t cover. The still unnamed replacement driver gangster was very vigilant the entire time, and continues to be- and Rosemary remains on the couch at the door.


    Through the window, BB has a good view of several cars incoming on the apartment lot. Many suited men closing in on the apartment building from the front, various unnamed gangsters simply pulling up- from a distance. Strategically, it would have given BB an advantage, a quicker and more stable shot if the gangsters parked close to the building.


    So, guns drawn, dozens of gangsters get out, with a few closing in as cannon fodder. Cautiously incoming, ready for the worst... given who they''re dealing with.


    BB remains ever so tense, thinking... very... carefully.  It''s a numbers game, BB thought... there ain''t a lot of people in the gang that can beat BB on their own. These are just normal boys with guns and normal human clothes.


    The strength comes with the fact they''re fully stocked with bullets and manpower, which- well, BB checks his gun for a moment... tensely counting what he had left in his magazine clip. A look of utter disappointment and stressed caution forms on his face as he... takes note of the fact that he only has near empty magazine and only two backup ones in his pocket. The gangsters outmatch him in terms of gunshots, even with his various BB shots...


    "... ghk." He puts the magazine back in, tensely staring out the window. "Boys... if we ain''t making it out of this, I want you all to know something, see...?"


    "Y-Yeah?" Brandy asks.


    "Mhmm?" Bonbon asks.


    "...?" the replacement tilts his head.


    "I just want to say... you all have been wonderful boys, and- and I''m proud to call you all my boys, see?"


    "... it''s- been an honor too, boss..." Brandy tells the man... "But- don''t worry, we''ll best those baddies, boss!"


    "Yeah...! We''ll make a break for it, and beat these odds, boss!" Bonbon exclaims.


    "..." BB just- smiles and... lets out a vigilant eye, continuing to watch the gangsters as they come closer to the apartments. "Alright, boys- get ready, we''re in for a-!"


    Suddenly, a loud thunderous strike of lighting suddenly echoes out, shooting down and striking one of the approaching gangsters. A pure blast of electricity immediately hitting one of the gangsters, completely centralized on the closest gangster in sight.


    BB''s eyes- widen at this, watching this sight unfold before his eyes. His train of thought completely interrupted as the lightning-struck gangster''s hair is fried off, rendering the guy bald and beardless... as his clothes explode off of his body (except for underwear), his gun turns into pure ash, and his teeth fall out of his mouth.


    The other gangsters watch as this occurs, bewildered by this, as... one continues to move forward- and is struck with a bright green beam of light. His face hit directly by the light as his hair - instead - grows all the way down to his ankles... ends up having the other gangster''s clothes tied around his wrists and ankles, and then has an extra set of teeth grow into his gums. Turning him into a snaggle-toothed hairy monstrosity with a thick layer of hair covering his entire body.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    BB is utterly bewildered by this, lowering his gun and just- blinking several times, just to make sure he''s not hallucinating. Out of everything that- could have happened, this is one of the last things BB could have ever expected. "What in the...? Boys, I just saw- there was just a- I- w...what did I just see?"


    For some reason, one gangster has been hit with a tiny little green ball that hits their forehead and causes them to ascend high into the air, flying up into space. One gangster is bonked on the head by a green bat and is morphed into a goldfish into a bowl. One gangster ends up petrified in a thick layer of translucent caramel corn, and one gangster is promptly hit by a piano falling out of the sky.


    Several people felt like they were losing their minds when that gangster ended up turning into Benjamin Franklin, the living reincarnation of Benjamin Franklin, crawling out of that piano.


    "... B-Ben Franklin''s alive?!" BB shouts loudly, his eyes utterly wide as the founding father whips out a kite and starts flying it in the middle of a gang fight.


    "What?!" Brandy shouts. "What in the- WHAT?!"


    Bonbon whips his head to the front as well, bewildered. "I- I just- what?"


    Rosemary, especially, just... looks bewildered for a moment, before- "... oh. Oh my god, okay." The gaseous entity looks around for a bit, and calmly- ever so calmly sighs. "... ''cause, uhm, yeah, it may have just occurred to me that we''re in an apartment- I feel like asking, what building is it?"


    BB looks at Rosemary for a bit, raising an eyebrow. "W... Why does that matter-? We ain''t telling you unless you give us a good reason, see?"


    "Oh, you want a good reason?" Rosemary frantically exclaims. "I''ll give you a good one. If this is the apartment building I''m thinking of, you all have exactly thirty seconds to pray to whatever god you believe in that you survive- NOT because of the gangsters, but because my friend has the power to press a single button and completely reverse the female to male ratio in this apartment."


    An eerie silence as Rosemary blurts all of that, only broken up by the sound of utter carnage going on outside.


    "... what, so, like, turning us into women?" asks Brandy. "I don''t see how putting us in clothes and stuff will-"


    "Emphasis on... invert," Rosemary interrupts.


    "... in- invert?" asks Brandy.


    "Invert," Rosemary repeats in the exact same way.


    "..." A horrified look forms on Brandy''s face as he realizes what''s being inverted. "Oh, god, what the f-"


    Brandy is then interrupted by a loud explosion setting off, launching the entirety of the gangsters'' cars high up into the air. Then, one by one, lasers fire out and launch the cars off, delivering them to different countries around the world.


    "Holy..." BB calls out, watching this in- astonishment. "The hell kinda friend you got that does this for some random apartment?!"


    "Mmm..." Rosemary idly noises, letting out a very- VERY amused sigh... "Purple haired? Green eyed? Had a bunch of robots, maybe?"


    "... oh shit, it''s the dollface," BB calmly responds, having the most mortified look on his face that he''s ever had in his entire life. Knowing full well he totally shot that dollface, and subsequently repeating those exact words with more panic. "Oh, shit, it''s the DOLLFACE!"


    "Oh, so you met her," Rosemary idly responds.


    "C-Cloudy, what do we do?!" BB asks, taking an urgent tone, an anxious look on his face. "T-The hell''s we gonna do to get on her good side?!"


    "Nah... nah. You had your chance to play nice with me," Rosemary condescendingly comments. "God''s problem, now. Like I said, start praying..."


    "..."


    Collectively, in the following five seconds after Rosemary says this, the gangsters are all in panic mode, now subject to a new threat rather than the Boss.


    Five. BB''s eyes narrow into a glare, taking a deep- deep breath... hand on the gun, as he loudly shouts to the other gangsters to take cover. Raising the gun and taking aim at Giichi, gritting his teeth hard.


    Four. Brandy runs straight into the bathroom, lunging his body into the apartment bathtub. Hoping in some way that this serves as sufficient enough cover. Gun in hand, the most terrified look plastered on his face.


    Three. Bonbon, being the apartment owner, is- frantically unsure what to do, and... decides- to start running into the bedroom. There''s a window in the back, and - worst case scenario - he has to secure their escape from that way, having a short time to.


    Two. The unnamed gangster - the one that still, to this very moment, has no name to identify himself amongst BB''s forces - runs quickly to grab the unconscious Blaze. If he''s going to go down a woman, he might as well spend his last moments in the arms of one- wrapping his arms around the woman, closing his eyes and accepting his fate.


    Every gangster spread apart, BB takes a calm breath... finger pulling back, ready to shoot Giichi. Preparing his BB shot to have her go down with them...


    One.


    Suddenly, the front door''s barricade - all of the furniture - is launched backwards as the door is forced open. Giichi, and the two respectively unnamed and unconscious gangsters, launched backwards into the walls with a hard thud. The furniture crashes straight into Bonbon, who falls over with a coffee table bashing against his back.


    BB''s eyes widen as this happens, tensely- ever so tensely backing up. Pressing his back against the wall, every thought frantic in his head. It can''t be the gangsters that did that, not so soon- not when the utter insanity was happening right outside.


    No...


    Instead, several airborne robots fly through the door, all of them resembling the same drones that were at the hospital. Their green scanners active and surveying the entirety of Bonbon''s apartment.


    "... ah. So I was not seeing things... hello," speaks a familiar voice...


    ... as a flying television monitor coming into the apartment, showing Peritzal. Currently still at the hospital, her neck stitched and bandaged as she sits in a wheelchair. Goggles over her eyes and staring at BB through them.


    BB stares at this girl, staring her down. A cold air between the two, with the crackling of fire.


    "... can we- talk this through?" BB asks.


    Peritzal has a drone aim one of her lasers at BB, taking an immediate shot at the man.


    Shit. BB- reacted to the sound and takes a quick shot at the laser, firing on instinct. The laser was aimed straight at his head, and survival instinct simply kicked in.


    This subsequently causes the bullet to hit into the path of the laser, and... through some miracle, it deflected the entire laser away from BB. The laser and bullet bouncing off of each other, sending them in opposing directions.


    The laser flies straight through the bathroom doorway, and hits the wall- Brandy having just narrowly avoided the laser. The bullet, meanwhile, is sent flying straight into the window, BB''s shot crashing into the glass and shattering it to pieces- each single shard sent flying outward, all around anything and anyone in the front of the apartment.


    "..." Peritzal stares at this, astonished, and- continues to fire. Shooting laser after laser at BB, a violent glare in her eyes. She isn''t taking any chances with this guy, given their previous exchange- and the scanners have already found where Giichi is. Best to take him out, now.


    BB, however, now- knows that his shots deflect those lasers. Quickly starting to run straight towards Giichi, he fires at any of the lasers that were closely aimed and target at him. His keen eye making the most out of this- this miracle, aimed in such a way to stray the laser away from his body- as the bullets are fired outward, hitting into the drones. A miracle of physics...


    "Tch-" Peritzal noises, her gaze turned to a violent stare as she stops shooting. Glaring at-


    "You rotten traitor!" a gangster shouts from the front door, right behind the flying television screen- taking aim at BB.


    BB takes a look at that gangster and- immediately takes his gun off of Giichi, aiming at the gangster.


    Peritzal- registers what that gangster said, and... huh.


    ...


    A giant mechanical robot arm proceeds to grab the gangster''s whole body and throws him incredibly far away to the East, forcibly launching his body into the ocean.


    "So you''re a traitor, huh...?" Peritzal asks, raising an eyebrow.


    "Y..." BB begins to answer, gun pointed back at Giichi''s head. "Yes. We''re- we''re traitors, see...? After our little skirmish at the hospital. Boss''s after our heads after got his wife..."


    Peritzal squints her eyes at this, looking- over her tablet for a moment, discreetly staring at whatever was in front of her.


    And Odette is the person that is, in fact, right in front of her. The two of them in the hospital''s hallways, conveniently to the side while doctors and nurses pass them. The man just- listening to all of this with a bewildered look on his face.


    He shakes his head- Uncle Talon didn''t have a wife at this hospital...?


    "... I see," Peritzal responds, pretending that BB is telling the truth. "If you''re on our side, now, put the gun down... and we can, in fact, talk."


    BB- tensely, ever so tensely glares at Peritzal. "I don''t- I can''t trust you, dollface. I need your word that we have your protection against the Boss."


    "And I need your word that you can keep my friend there safe..." Peritzal responds, gesturing to the- still unconscious Giichi that lies limp right next to BB.


    "..." BB stares at Peritzal with a calming breath. "Lower the drones... and I lower the gun."


    "..." Peritzal stares back as she- lowers half of the drones with a finger swipe. "Okay. Lowering half... now, the gun..."


    BB... slowly lowers the gun down, the gun aimed at Giichi''s lungs...


    Peritzal lowers another drone...


    BB now aims at the side of Giichi''s hip, aiming at her stomach...


    Peritzal- lowers another one...


    ...


    And BB completely lowers his gun, as Peritzal''s drones are lowered as well.


    A calming breath shared between the two, the tension between them easing up in that moment. Both of them acknowledging each other just... calming down, at a current stalemate and agreement.


    BB- does take a moment to calmly note that- thanks to all of this, all of his boys - except Big Brain Brandy, who is currently hiding in the bathroom - are all taken out, at the very least unconscious.


    Now he''s looking at purple haired girl that can wipe out an army of gangsters. The carnage outside a testament to all of that. For now, this- this agreement comes with the best odds of getting out of this alive


    "... alright, dollface... let''s get to talking. What do I do with the girl here?" BB asks, arm still around Giichi.


    Peritzal opens her mouth, about to respond...


    ... before the TV suddenly- splits into thirds, as if someone had cleanly swiped through it. Slicing it ferociously.


    BB''s eyes widen at this- watching the remains of that TV fall apart, and staring at the silhouette that stands before him. The towering presence that stands at the door, a violent- primal glare in this silhouette''s eyes.


    The shadow of feathers, and the ominous aura of pure darkness...


    "... B-Boss...?" BB calls out, staring at the man...


    ... Talon stands at the door... glaring straight at BB. Seeing the girl in his arm, staring.

 #27 - A Cutthroat Intolerance

    "... alright, dollface... let''s get to talking. What do I do with the girl here?"


    Simple. The gangsters needed to get Giichi back to the hospital.


    Converging everyone into one location is optimal for survival. Her defense system can only last for so long before the energy reserves run out. Retrieving Giichi from the apartment building and bringing her to the hospital leaves everyone in one location to hunker down against the gangsters.


    There exists the issue of these gangsters being the ones that stormed the hospital... but that is a bridge to cross once Giichi''s safe.


    "Listen closely," Peritzal speaks into her tablet. "I want you to return to the hospital as soon as possible. There''s a car available at the front, unlocked and unoccupied. Take it and drive, I will cover you the best I can. Do you understand?"


    Peritzal is met with only silence, staring at BB.


    "... do you understand?" Peritzal repeats, squinting her eyes. "BB, say something if¡ª" And it dawns on her. "... the image is frozen."


    Odette blinks for a moment, tilting his head. He has kept silent in order to not interrupt Peritzal''s conversation with BB. He keeps quiet in case, specifically making sure he tilts his head to Peritzal.


    "Yes, Odette," Peritzal answers a silent question, "that can only mean that BB''s managed to somehow destroy my display. Even as I had my eyes on him, he and his underlings completely cut off the feed."


    With confirmation that Peritzal''s completely cut off from the apartment display, the two are left to sigh. The day just gets worse.


    "One saving grace is that we now know where he and Giichi are, at least," Peritzal tells Odette, as she stands up from her wheelchair. "Come, now, we need to hurry before they escape."


    "Are you good to walk...?" Odette nervously asks.


    "It''s a neck injury," Peritzal simply responds, narrowing her eyes at Odette before starting to run to the building''s exit. Still in possession of her reserve drones, she switches off the frozen screen and checks on the drones'' energy, preparing them for flight and carry. There should be enough to carry her to the apartment building and back, with Giichi in tow.


    Odette, meanwhile, begins rushing right behind her, concentrating. With no motorcycle, the man is charging and preparing his telekinesis to fly through the building, either with Peritzal or alongside her. It would strain his hands and shoulders, and he would be at risk of BB spotting him, but he didn''t care anymore. His friends needed him.


    There''s no time for subtlety. They needed to get to Giichi, now, and are preparing to take flight once outside.


    However, when the two get out of the building, their plans are delayed as they see hospital staff rushing a stretcher into the building.


    Quade, after leaving to intercept BB at the warehouse, is on that stretcher. Brutally injured with his body from the neck down being covered, left unconscious and in critical condition. With him, Verness Orange and Blue, having managed to escape with them.


    Peritzal''s eyes go wide as she looks over her shoulder, her running halted into a slow walk. Odette stops right in his tracks and stares at Quade in horror, seeing only two out of the five Vernesses that accompanied him.


    At that moment, they knew that things had only gotten worse.


    A few minutes ago, before Peritzal and BB''s encounter at Sunshine Apartments, the missing three Vernesses were cornered at an office building.


    All bystander attention was on the outside of this building, where people were more focused on the burning wreckage of cars that were split apart, as well as Verness Monochrome currently being knocked out against one of the intact cars.


    Verness Red¡ªas well as an injured Yellow, who hid away and fused with Red for the time being¡ªis hiding away on the 9th floor. She was taking cover underneath one of the office desks in the far corner, attaching herself to the top of the desk with her spider legs, holding her breath with hands over her mouth, and shaking in fear as she kept as quiet as a mouse.


    The entire 9th floor of the office building was vacated, devoid of all its escaped employees. Most of them fled the building after a child¡ªVerness Yellow, critically injured and hiding away in Red¡ªflew through the window. Most became all once one of the walls was essentially sliced upward in the middle.


    The lights were shut off, with only two souls left in that abandoned room. Verness, the red-dressed little girl hiding with spider legs against the top of the desk... and the enraged, murderous man that scavenged through the office for her, dressed in some sort of crow-themed super suit.


    Talon Hawthorne, Odette''s uncle and the crime syndicate boss responsible for carving open Quade''s throat, was livid as he searched for Red. His seething breath exuded from his mouth, with bloodied rage dripping from his mouth. He''d lost his mind that mere children could escape with a grown man and his own nephew''s motorcycle, and his livid immorality sought to kill the wretched child with his own hands.


    This caused a cold, freezing chill to go down Verness Red''s spine as she hid from and avoided this man at all costs.


    Verness has seen, firsthand, how much of a danger Talon is, seeing what he did to Quade. Everything about him was dangerous, and Verness knew she couldn''t fight him. Not on her own, not without the other Vernesses- and especially not without the others. She was completely outmatched and could only run and hide while the scary murder bird man ran the risk of hurting and injuring her.


    It was not unfamiliar for Verness to feel the fear of death, but it didn''t make the feeling any better. Everyone in the hospital was in danger, and... and she needed to run from him, to flee and get to safety so that she couldn''t add to their danger pile. But Verness also knows she can''t outrun Talon. Her speed is no faster than the flying bird man, and- well, if she flees from cover now, he''ll find her and kill her and that''ll be the end of it.


    Verness was outstandingly lucky that she hadn''t been found yet... and she didn''t know how long it''ll be until then. She was really scared and she was alone and she didn''t know what to do, as Yellow remained injured inside of her soul and Monochrome lay defeated and the rest of the Vernesses were scattered all over the city and she really wanted to cry, but she couldn''t afford to cry right now as it would give away her hiding spot and, and she''s absolutely terrified about what''s going to happen and¡ª


    "Tell me, little girl. Who are the others?"


    Verness Red kept her absolute quietest, snapped out of her thoughts as Talon spoke.


    Talon regained a little bit of composure, under the belief that Verness Red could ONLY be hiding under the desks. Peeking under one of the desks, sheer murder in his eyes as his watchful, keen eye glared at nothing. An ominous, low breath seethed with rage, all morals tossed aside as pure darkness emanated from Talon''s entire body.


    "I know of the shapeshifter. I know of the brown-haired girl. And I am aware that you know of Joseph. Who else is there? Come out, come clean, and I will spare you."


    ... don''t fall for it, Verness Red thought to herself.


    Even if he has searched every nook and cranny, revealing her location will do her no good. Verness Red needed to keep calm. She believed she''d get out of this if she stayed quiet.


    "Stay silent, and I will slice you to pieces," Talon mumbled, raising his clawed hand into the air. The surging darkness was simply audible as he resisted the urge to cut apart the desks in one fierce swipe. Resisted to unleash a swipe that can tear open buildings and streets.


    Verness Red needed to keep quiet. She will not speak. She cannot speak. He doesn''t know which desk she''s under. He still doesn''t know.


    "..."


    Talon''s hand gripped one end of the desk... and tore the entire top of it off. Ripping the entire upper surface of the desk off, almost peeling it off in one swift motion.


    Verness Red winced visibly at hearing this, her eyes frantically looking up...


    ... as Talon checked to see no spider girl under this desk either.


    He still hadn''t spotted the right desk. Verness Red was still hidden, and Talon was still searching.


    "Come, now. I know you are still in here..." Talon speaks out, directing his attention to a different desk. "The report said there was the white-haired one... the purple-haired ones... and the black-haired one. You''re the only one I did not know of. Unless you''re hiding someone else...?"


    Odette...


    ...


    Verness Red could hear his footsteps coming... closer. He was closing in on her desk. She didn''t have long, she needed to flee. She needed to find a good opportunity.


    Maybe if he searches one more desk, Verness Red can escape. She hoped with her heart that he searched one more wrong desk.


    Little did she know, furthermore, that Talon ripped apart the desk that was right behind her. Talon was closing in right on her desk, holding its edge and gripping it tightly.


    There was no hope for her. Verness could feel the energy from the claw, feeling it through the desk and emanating against her back. She held back the urge to vomit. She gagged the entire time.


    And this gave Talon all the sound he needed.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "... last chance..." Talon quietly whispers, opening his mouth and charging a pellet... about to shoot the girl through the top of the desk. "Tell me what you know... in three, two¡ª!"


    Verness Red winced as she opened her mouth and prepared to scream out¡ª!


    Ding.


    "...!"


    Verness Red hears the sound of the elevator and quickly lunges out from her desk, running straight towards the gap in the building and leaping out, throwing her entire body out of the building at that moment.


    The sudden sound, at the same time, distracted Talon enough to lose focus. His pellet fires forward, piercing through the table and the floor as it completely misses Verness. His eyes twitch as he gazes at the elevator, a cold gaze as it opens up.


    A witness? An ally? Talon faced the elevator, watching the doors open up to reveal...


    ... one single janitor. An elderly, thickly bearded man with a mop.


    Talon''s eyes glared at the janitor in the darkness. This average, unremarkable janitor.


    The janitor didn''t receive the memo about Talon and Verness. He was just up here to do his daily routine of cleaning up after the office people. His eyes squinted and narrowed as he looked around, unable to see a single thing in all of this darkness.


    "... what in the...? Why is it so dark?" the elderly man called out, walking over to the light switch. The switch was flipped numerous times before the floor lit up again.


    Apart from the janitor, not a single soul remained.


    Verness Red dropped down to the ground, free-falling from nine stories. Her hands were actively weaving a thick ball in front of her, spinning the thread as fast as she could. She needed to make a bundle of silk even thicker than she was, a ball that could cushion her fall, maybe bounce her off the street. So right as she crosses the fifth floor, she bundled and weaved for dear life, and¡ª


    "Ghhh!"


    Suddenly, she was grabbed right out of the air. Talon swooped down and snatched her out of the air at around the 2nd floor, flying up into the sky with a hand around Verness Red''s throat. The ball of silk unraveled and fell to the ground, splattering against the craters previously left in the ground.


    Verness Red''s eyes went wide as the two flew up, trying to struggle and wriggle out of the hand''s grasp. Her eyes looked at the deranged stranger who grabbed her, staring into a cold and unyielding glare that pierced right into her soul. That ever so familiar look of derangement and insanity, belonging not to a man... but a feral monster.


    "Sorry, I couldn''t quite hear you back there..." Talon growls out, tightening the grip on Verness''s throat. One half of his mouth tensing and clenching his teeth, while he loosens and speaks through the other. A growl in his throat as he addresses the pitiful child. "Care to say it again?"


    Verness Red was rendered silent. Talon made it impossible for her to answer him or cry for help, so all she could do was have her legs kick at Talon in a desperate struggle.


    Talon was close, once again, to killing this child. He hesitated once with the gray one, gave this red one some time to willingly answer, and now he has put himself back into this very same position of "restraint". All he had to do was forcefully crush the girl''s throat in his hand, and he''d be done with her. Maybe the weight of murdering a child was preventing him from committing the deed.


    However, an enemy of the Syndicate¡ªas he repeated in his head again¡ªis an enemy, and nothing more.


    So Talon ignored the crowds gathered on the street, letting himself be seen by numerous witnesses who saw him rip apart cars a moment ago. He simply held Verness Red by the throat, bracing himself for the gruesome deed, about to execute an enemy and...


    ...


    Talon was then interrupted by the sound of lightning.


    Verness was given more time to live as the deranged man was distracted.


    Talon''s eyes look up at the sky, staring at the clear sky. There were not enough clouds in the sky to warrant the sound of weather, so it confused him. Why could he hear lightning?


    Then, the firing of a green laser beam draws his attention... east.


    He turned his head to lock onto the sound, eyes flashing as he could see and witness the distant sight of numerous gangsters crowding around the front of some apartment building.


    A pause of silence as Talon loosened his grip on Verness Red''s throat. The sight of this sudden attack caught his full attention, and this intrigued Talon, so he flew in the direction of the sound to investigate. Flying closer and closer to the blaring sounds, witnessing the chaos unfolding before him.


    Dozens of underlings, the ones that were left, just rendered unconscious and knocked out all over the parking lot of this apartment building. One of the apartments has its windows shot out, with glass scattered all about. The attacks were unyielding.


    Needless to say, the feeling he gets from seeing his subordinates and underlings being made fools against bizarre technology is...


    ... is that Benjamin Franklin?


    Talon stared at this and thought to himself: why is one of the founding fathers of America currently flying a kite in the parking lot of some¡ª


    Oh, what in the sweet hell is this?


    Talon''s thoughts were interrupted once again as he watched a giant robot arm spontaneously fire out of the ground, grabbing the underling that shouted this and throwing him far, far away. His eyes watched in astonishment as the underling was tossed away.


    Talon''s eye twitched at all of this, and¡ª and he quickly noticed why, whipping his head towards one of the machines. Seemingly about to fire at him, and yet... it doesn''t.


    This left him wondering why it didn''t fire until he remembered who was in his hand.


    "Hm." Talon looked back at Verness as he dropped to the ground, standing amidst the panic with his new human shield in hand and walking forward to see a floating television monitor at one of the apartment doors.


    He constantly thought that keeping Verness Red in his hand was the only thing keeping him safe from whatever all this was. He continued to hold the child by the throat as he approached the door, his free hand wiggling its clawed fingers.


    "... alright, dollface... let''s get to talking. What do I do with the girl here?"


    And promptly, Talon charged forward and slashed his hand across the back of the flying TV monitor. Rather easily slicing through the metal, completely rendering the television screen unusable.


    The bits of television metal fell to the ground, with drones remaining airborne at his feet. Talon stood at the doorway, his breath ragged as he stared forward at the sight before him.


    "... B-Boss...?" BB called out...


    Talon stood at the door with his ominous aura still manifested around his body. Some lingering rage boiled in his throat as he stared at the underling before him, truth be told. Why was BB here instead of at the warehouse?


    Did BB decide to hunker down here after figuring out that he shot at Joseph (Odette)...?


    The tension between the two was cold and chilling. The lack of information on both sides caused this uneasy air. Talon wondered how much BB knew about Joseph, how much BB conceptually knew about his nephew, while...


    "I... I''m glad you''re here, Boss!" BB exclaimed, nervously staring at the man. He remained under the belief that he shot the Boss''s wife, and... and needed an excuse as to why he was here. "I was... I was cornered by the one on that TV you destroyed. She had us held down tight in this apartment, but... but now you''re here, and we got the girl here, see?!"


    That was the best excuse BB had, hoping that the Boss wouldn''t remember the part about his wife being shot, hoping that the Boss did not truly want his head on the chopping block. He''s still a loyal underling, one that simply... simply got cornered, that''s all.


    Talon looked at the unconscious brown-haired girl, finally able to get a good look at her. The girl who was responsible for the damages to his men.


    And after a pause of silence, he just clears his throat.


    "Well, then..." Talon calmly speaks, as his aura weakens ever so slightly. A deep, deep breath sounds out of his mouth as he remains the costumed birdman, just... noticeably calmer. "The girl is secured. Well done."


    "Right, so, I''ll... I''ll get her ready to go, and¡ª" BB begins to speak, as his eyes lower and he sees the little girl dangling from the Boss''s hand.


    Verness Red, by now... is unconscious.


    She''s run out of air.


    BB''s eyes widen at this, feeling a cold sweat go down his face as he stares at this. "B... Boss, there''s a little girl in your hand..."


    "Yes, I am aware..." Talon calmly responds, lifting Verness''s body. Holding her near-lifeless body up with a single hand, staring at BB. "This girl is a safeguard. The machinery of this apartment building will not fire at me as long as I have her in my grasp."


    "I... I see," BB responds, his hands fidgeting and shaking as he holds Giichi. "But... now we have the girl here, so we don''t need the... the little brat anymore, see?"


    Talon looks at BB for a moment, actively staring in silence. "Even so, it would not hurt to keep additional assurance."


    "True, true..." BB responds, gulping as he looks out the window. "... well... we don''t exactly have any wheels to get the girlie here away, so... if it isn''t too much trouble, could you... retrieve the car and bring it closer? You''re probably the safest and all..."


    "Very well..." Talon answers BB, walking to retrieve a car.


    While it is an underling instructing him to do so, Talon is calm enough to not let it bother him. He turns around and surveys the cars, looking for whichever one should be useful. One of the vehicles in the distance should do.


    BB stares at Talon, stares at the Boss for a long while as the man walks. He feels sick to his stomach as the Boss just drags a child along with him.


    How long has the kid been in his hand, BB thought...?


    It takes only a few seconds to render a person unconscious, and a few minutes to kill them... but the numbers change, especially for a little girl.


    BB feels sick to his stomach, bile bubbling in his throat as he watches this. He gets up from the floor, holding Giichi by the shoulder, tensely... ever so tensely just watching.


    ... are you going to let him do that...?


    BB thought to himself, what choice do I have? it''s the Boss. Going against the Boss for some random girl is...


    ... no.


    No, it''s not a random girl. She was at the hospital. She and the other octuplets, or whatever they are, that girl was there. The Boss knows she''s an enemy, and... and the girl will die in his hand if he doesn''t do anything.


    Everything goes slow as BB watches Talon walking forward, as he feels a tug on his arm, as...


    ... as he sees a faint, red cloud of gas lifting his hand up, ever so quietly aiming his gun at the Boss.


    Go on... do it... take him out...


    BB''s eyes widen as he looks at the red gas, immediately... immediately knowing what the gas is doing. Rosemary is mustering whatever energy she can to lift BB''s hand, the mere air around BB''s hand just shaking and trembling.


    BB can''t, he can''t do it, not to the Boss. He repeats this in his head over and over again, the fear in his body overwhelming him more than the disgust.


    This would be a lot easier if the Boss wasn''t just... if he wasn''t just...


    "...?" Talon looks to his right, an eyebrow raised at something as he dashes to the side.


    BB''s eyes widen as the Boss just moves out of the way. The sudden act made BB wonder if the Boss saw the gun, if the Boss could simply tell he was being aimed at.


    This thought is not far off. Talon could tell he was being aimed at, yes.


    But it wasn''t BB.


    What Talon was alerted to: a laser blast, with a green laser one coming from the right. The laser is about the size of a head, blasted out with lesser energy... aimed right at Talon''s upper body.


    Talon''s eye twitches at this attempt at a surprise attack. He''s anticipated lasers already from what he saw beforehand, and¡ªon instinct¡ªhe puts his might into throwing Verness Red''s unconscious body in the way. Throwing the little girl in the path of a laser, watching the body being launched directly in the way of its trajectory.


    Talon prepares himself for the gruesome sight, ready to see what the laser does to a person.


    However, before it can even hit Verness Red, the front of the laser suddenly explodes outward.


    The laser splits apart and separates into a dozen paths, spreading outward like a sun and curving in the air around Verness, going around Verness Red completely. The shape is resemblant of an umbrella, shielding Verness from the barrage of rain that goes around it.


    Talon watches this as the lasers go around the child, and... and sees that they were locked onto him. He needed to evade them.


    The man takes flight, quickly, in an attempt to dodge the attack and¡ª


    THUD!


    A car falls, slamming right into Talon''s body. A heavy impact that almost flattens the man against the parking lot, sandwiching him between asphalt and metal.


    The lasers, rather than hit Talon, promptly hit the car, adding additional heavy impact as they dent the metal. Some of the lasers push down on the car, pressing it further against Talon''s body.


    Throughout all of this, a golden glow shines out from the car... as Odette stands on the pavement of the building, his hands out and absolutely frantic. He had rushed over as fast as he could, and he arrived on the scene just as Talon was making his way out.


    "V... Verness!" Odette loudly shouts, completely short of breath. When he saw Talon holding Verness by the throat, he... he just prepared the telekinetic car attack. Odette was and is willing to take out his own family with a car, for the sake of a little girl, for the sake of a friend on the verge of death.


    Speaking of which, Odette quickly looks to where Verness Red is...


    ... seeing that Peritzal''s managed to catch the little girl, holding her in her arms.


    A blank, hollow gaze is in Peritzal''s eyes as she stares at the car, drones currently hovering behind her and scanning the man underneath.


    They... they made it in time.