Endgame

Stefan tried to avoid the falling rocks with his limited movement and pointed at another cop, lightning shooting out of his hand erratically. Astarte started trying to crawl away like a worm.

Hector and Stefan were both dazed.

"But where do we go? That's my whole point."

*She crosses over to the door & opens it.*
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<No, now open up!>
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*Stefan is bludgeoned to shit by big fucking rocks, & all of his attacks miss wildly. Astarte makes very little progress, & there's not really anywhere to hide, unless you count behind the police cars.*

Gabe opens the door a crack, "I don't appreciate being yelled at. Now, what is it that you want to ask me about?"

--

"I don't know, wherever we know cops don't patrol too often," Mortal suggested.

Stefan finally collapsed, his last token effort of resistance a small shot of fire up into the sky. Astarte just kept crawling down the street without thinking.

*Hector, Eduj, & Stefan are all tied up & stuffed in the back of a police truck. Astarte is grabbed from behind & smashed face-first into the side of it.*

<Should just stick her like that, & drive off anyway.>

<Heh. Would be pretty funny. What about the place?>

<Let it burn. It's not our problem. Maybe we can even fool the fire department into taking the wrong route.>
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*When they step outside, Euryale looks up. Not only is the airship hovering around, but it's released a lot of silvery War Balloons with RCPD logos on the sides.*

"...That might be difficult."
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<Mortal & Euryale have made off with "Lightning Bolt" Zolt. Where did they go?>

"What? I have no idea where they'd be! Why would they kidnap someone?!" Gabe asked.

--

Mortal let out an angry grumble, "Where do you think Senthose went?"

Astarte quietly mouthed 'please, please, please' while tears streamed down her face.

*Astarte is inevitably tossed in the back. The truck is secured & they take off.*
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<Interesting...I didn't say, "kidnapped.">
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"I don't know...if we can make it over to the next river, we might be able to lose them. That's all I can think of. And it won't be long until they spot us."

"You said 'made off', what else was I supposed to think?" Gabe said, "Why are you even here? You should go out and make sure nothing bad happens."

--

"It's better than nothing at this point," Mortal said, "The longer we stay in one spot, the higher the chance we get caught."

<It had some horrible side effects.>

"I guess you're right."

*She puts an arm around Mortal & starts cabling off again. The airship expels more cables, which anchor on rooftops as police begin grinding down them. The balloons ignite their engines. One fires a metal net out of a cannon sort of contraption, which just narrowly misses them.*
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<We're dealing with the criminal conspiracy. Don't tell me how to do my job.>
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<So you're saying that's the only reason that they didn't use it? That they had some other method of escape?>

<They didn't have any to use, but it they did I don't think they would anyway since it'll kill you without the antidote.>

Mortal goes back to trying to stop her pursuers in the same fashion as before, this time also erecting large fire walls to try and cover their trail.

--

"What criminal conspiracy? Zolt's Triple Threats or whatever they're called?" Gabe asked.

"Astarte, you alright?" Hector asked in the back of the truck. He got no response.

*The balloons stop to avoid it. They can also see a few balloons destroyed by ice spikes ramming through them & a lightning blast before Euryale's cable gives out & they fall into the river with a great big splash & start sinking because they didn't think about their armor.*
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<Like you don't know. Yes, Mortal & Euryale are clearly involved with them.>
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<And you would know this how?>
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*The trio are eventually chucked in a jail cell. The door slams behind them.*

<Because Euryale said that overusing your Chi can kill you or something.>

"That's impossible, they're police officers!" Gabe said, "And what do you mean, 'Like you don't know'. That sounds accusatory!"

--

Mortal tries to peel off some of her armor, while using jet propulsion to push her to the surface.

*It mostly just makes bubbles, though there's enough of a push. Euryale pushes herself up, taking a breath once she breaks the surface. Fortunately, the current of the river has taken them away from the prying eyes of the airship.*
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<Supplying more evidence that she was involved in Aamon's research.>
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<We know that you were all together for the deaths of the Purist Leader & Aamon. Were you assassinating rival gang members?>

"I'm not part of a gang at all! I'm a pro-bender, most of my time is spent pro-bending! I was there when the purist leader was killed, but in an entirely different place, just ask Tarrlok. I also had a game, which was why I was there in the first place! What happened to 'Innocent until proven guilty'?" Gabe said.

--

Mortal tries to keep herself above water and looks for land, or something she can use to float. As she does she calls out, "Euryale, are you alright?"

*Tirea shakes her head*

<Euryale's just an expert in that area.>

*He heads over to the door, opening the viewport section.*

<You get that?>

<Yeah!>
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<I was told you quit Pro-Bending.>
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"Yeah *cough* but not my best plan...."

*She shoots a cable out to connect herself to the shore.*

<So, can I go now? I gotta get my weaselsnake home.>

"This was meant to be my last season, so yes, I have retired," Gabe said, "I fail to see what that has to do with anything..."

--

"I won't hold it against you," Mortal said, swimming after her.

The all took corners of the cell, Stefan starting to make noise about wanting a Healer and the other three silently moping.

*Euryale helps Mortal out of the water.*

"At least we're much closer now."
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*Someone closes the viewport because Stefan is annoying.*
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<No, you can't go home. You are under arrest.>
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<You just said that you're a Pro-Bender, & that your time goes to Pro-Bending. Do you admit this to be a lie? Why is the timing of your return so suspicious?>