War On Crime

*Aroma runs faster than she has ever run before.*
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Th"Fascinating. In that case, Mighty Oaky--"

L"Spectre!"

Th"But--but--oh, all right, Spectre, if you would please stay here and find out more about this project, I am going to continue pursuing Deathstroke."

L"You're sticking me with sidekick work?"

Th"It is an important lead, & down here, my powers are more suited to engaging a foe with that level of equipment. Unless, perhaps, Mr. Oreo would like to come with us after all...?"

L"...At least now I know that you do that to everyone."

Th"What am I 'doing,' pray tell, what is wrong with Oreos?"
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*Ven points at the animals.*
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*I'm going to arbitrarily say that Artemis was at the mall, buying a yellow miniskirt & sleeveless black crop top, which she elected to wear out of the store after paying for it, after which she stumbled upon a screen with a news broadcast about Grapevine fighting Deathstroke. She has been glued to the screen ever since, tightly clutching her shopping bag in her fists. Unbeknownst to most anyone else, she's trying to figure out how she can get past the police to help.*

*Eve follows slightly behind Aroma*
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*Kylie looks around at the animals. None are doing anything particular weird, however the ones nearest the conversation seem to be trying to distance themselves from the noise*

<...I think I...just scared them. I guess I was talking pretty loudly.>

*She wipes her eyes on her sleeve*
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*I'm arbitrarily going to say that Amanda was at the mall with Artemis. She wanders out of the store slightly behind Artemis, not having purchase anything*

<Artemis?...Oh.>

*Amanda wanders over behind Artemis*

<You know, I think I better save now and get the dress later.>

*She looks Artemis up and down*

<You okay?>
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*Mrs Sorenson embraces Cameron suddenly*

Cloud: "Oreo?"

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The pet shop is just around the bend, totally not being the kind of place for a mutant get together.

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The broadcast resumes whatever was being shown before with them knowing as much as anyone else.

June was sitting at home with an open book on her lap, but actually just watching animal Vines on the internet. She looked away from a loop of an owl yelling "hey!" to text Artemis and Amanda; Turns out I have less to get done than I thought. You wanna do something?

"Your outfit is black & white, much like an Oreo cookie. But we have limited time, if you are coming with us, then please make haste."
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*While she's running, Aroma gets out her phone & texts Taiyo that she's here.*
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*Artemis shakes her head & points at the screen.*

"Someone needs to do something about this!"

*Noting that the screen has changed, she lowers her arm.*

"Well, you know what I mean."

*At that moment, her phone buzzes, & like the average teenager/young adult, she immediately pulls it out to look at the message, regardless of what she was doing beforehand.*

"June wants to hang out, what should we tell her?"

*Amanda checks her phone before responding*

<Let's tell her we're here and see if she wants to join us.>

*Amanda texts back*

We're shopping at the mall. Wanna join us?
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*Still following*
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*Kylie suddenly starts moving to put things back*

<I...I'm going to call my dad. I don't think I can help today.>

*Sniffingly, she heads to a corner to call him*

Excellent. Sure.
June called a cab and waited outside.

Cloud: "The name is Cloud."

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Taiyo is at the front of the store, not really sure why Aroma is essentially warning her of her being there as it is pretty apparent no one is dead.

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Kyle and Sun-Hi enter his office, a large crowd gathered.

Kyle: "Is there anyone you didn't contact?"

Sun-Hi: "Pain was unavailable, Deathstrike is currently occupied, and we were unable to contact Deadhead."

Kyle: "How unfortunate. Deadhead would have taken this job for a box of cereal."

Among the crowd is a dark haired male in jeans and a button-up shirt. Other than his douchebag pencil moustache, he doesn't look like the kind of person who shoots people with curare laced bullets for money.

Among them is another male with a number of burn scars that he makes no effort to cover up, by wearing a wife beater with scorch marks on it and raggedy jeans also covered in scorch marks.

Three more men of varying sizes and attire one of which is so massive, it's a miracle he managed to get in the office accompany two women, the five look as if they're sizing up every other person in the office.

The two lone females stand out much more than the majority of the people in the room. One short haired woman looks as if she's going to some type of formal occasion for the super rich while the other looks more like a trashy biker wench with a leather vest with nothing underneath and skin tight leather pants all of which is snake skin upon closer inspection. On top of that her eyes look like that of a snake.

Kyle: "I've had you all called here for one reason. Some freak in a mask and his sidekick are causing me a lot of trouble, destroying my labs and killing my people. Fifty million to whoever kills them. Make them suffer, and I'll double it."

Th"There is no time for arguments, Mr. Oreo! The nefarious Deathstroke, otherwise known as Shoot Man, awaits!"

*Thiera runs off after Shoot Man.*

L"...Do you think maybe she's some kind of idiot savant bred specifically for comic book superheroism?"
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*When she reaches Taiyo, Aroma doubles over, breathing heavily. She is out of shape.*
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"But what about Grapevine? She's in danger, and the police probably won't be of much help."

Kk. Text us when you get here.

*Amanda puts her phone back in her pocket, then looks at Artemis*

<Maybe, but you can't help her.>

*Amanda sketches and grabs Artemis's hand*

<Let's go get some ice cream or something. June'll be here soon.>
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*Eve hangs around nervously behind Aroma*
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*Mr Sorenson picks up the phone*

{Dad? Can...can you come get me? I know I said I'd do this...}

{It's fine. I'll come get you as soon possible. See you soon, sweetie.}
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*Mr Sorenson hangs up and stands up*

<Kylie needs to get picked up. We should of brought two cars.>

Mrs Sorenson:<I'll stay here, you go get her.>

Assuming she got that cab, June had it take her to the mall.

Cloud: "I'm beginning to think she's some kind of idiot, all right."

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Taiyo: "Are you all right? And um...."

She looks at Eve like she kind of recognizes her, but can't put a name to her.

Taiyo: "Hi."

L"Hey, get your own partner to insult. She has proven very capable, so if you want that lunatic, we should follow her."

*She takes a few steps in that direction, hoping to entice Mr. Oreo.*
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"I'll...be fine...just...need to...catch...my...breath...."
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*Artemis pulls back.*

"And why can't I?"

*Eve gives a small awkward wave*

<I'm Eve. I think we go to school together.>
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*Mr Sorenson leaves to pick up Kylie*
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*Amanda looks Artemis up and down, looking amused*

<You have how much experience fighting mutants? Come on, let's leave it to the professionals.>

June paid the driver and wandered into the mall to find the others.

Even at a brisk walk, he leaves her behind. She is out of shape.

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Parrot: "Fuck!"

Taiyo: "I guess you didn't run all the way here to see the kittens."

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Should they wander near the food court, they'll see a couple tables missing. Should they be up to date on anything, they'll know why that is.

*She looks up, red-faced, sweaty, & probably about to pass out.*

"I still haven't...heard from Thiera...what...do we...do...?"
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*Ven enters the break room or whatever.*

"Hey, I'm about to quit soon. You, uh, okay?"
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*Follows regardless, if necessary using her electric spear as a light--but only if necessary. Up ahead, Thiera retraces her steps towards the "G" she carved into the wall, pointing when she gets there.*

Th"His infrared trail ended here, which leads me to believe that this is a concealed entrance to a secret tunnel. I can try to scan for threats on the other side, but I'll have to drill a hole."

*With that, she launches some goopey-looking plant that splats against the wall. Grasping a vine hanging off of it, she puts it to her ear before growing a spike from her fingertip that begins spinning. She then presses this to the wall, listening for any sounds that some trap might go off or someone may be moving on the other side.*
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"Mom wouldn't be too scared to fight, why should I?"

Amanda:<I never said you were scared. You can't go trying to take out the big fish right off the bat.>

*She pauses and suddenly shakes her head*

<Not that you should be trying to take out anything! Ugh, where is June?>

*She gets out her phone and texts June*

We are [location]. A is trying to run off and play Katniss.
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Eve:<We were wondering if you heard from Thiera.>
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*Kylie jumps a little and turns around*

<My dad's coming to pick me up...Don't tell anyone what I told you, alright?>

"Babes," June found them and greeted the two with her usual winning smile, taking off her Ray-Bans and hanging them on the neck of her camisole. "S'going on?"

Cloud: "Quiet."

Cloud looks around, back the way they came withdrawing a switchblade from his pocket and flicking it open.

Cloud: "I can hear you breathe."

He throws the knife seemingly at nothing, it flies off in the distance.

???: "We both know your hearing isn't that good."

A pale dark haired man in a white collard shirt and black pants with what could be blood around his mouth, holding a rather large knife appears seemingly out of nowhere.

???: "But Deathstrike's. That's a different story."

Cloud moves to unzip his jacket before Wraith is already upon him, ready to slice him open.

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Taiyo: "No. She hasn't tried to contact you?"

"No--and I'm getting--really worried...."

*Aroma does her best to stand up & straighten her hair out.*
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*With a wave of her hand, Thiera prompts the algae to clump around Wraith's feet & vines to grow up the walls if there aren't plants there already. All of her plants--including those on her wrist--shoot paralyzing darts at him. Meanwhile, Luna twirls the spear to get some momentum & administers a two-handed swing to his lower back while addressing Mr. Oreo.*

L"Do you have super durability & how well can you take a shock?"
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"Something big is going on in town, Grapevine is in danger, & she wants me to eat ice cream."

*She jerks her thumb at Amanda.*

June settled into a dry grin, "Well then what are we waiting for, Shoot-Girl? What's the big plan? Who is Grapevine even fighting?"

*Amanda crosses her arms, glaring at June and then at Artemis again*

<Stop egging her on! You're supposed to help me talk Artemis out of trying to commit suicide-by-mutant fight.>
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*Eve lowers her voice*

<(She's been on the news.)>

"It could make an impressive entry in the Darwin Awards," June looked into the middle-distance and panned her hand through the air as though highlighting an invisible headline. "Girl with bow and arrow attacks mutants she knows nothing about."

Wraith shields himself with Cloud which fortunately means he wasn't full blown stabbed in the gut, but getting it in the side hurts. For Cloud's sake his jacket and enhanced healing are his best bet at not dying because he saddled up with morons.

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Taiyo: "I heard it on the radio. Nothing was said about if she was found or anything."