---

Regal Square, Prince-Edfield_

---

---

"Mmmm... nah."

That was Francis' answer to her question. It came pretty quickly after her question. He realized that he probably prodded a bit too much, but he had an end in mind. He nodded his head, and he smiled. He had some thoughts for Andrea.

"I'm not really the kind of person to do that, sweetheart. Besides..." He started off, before he spoke with every ounce of honesty he could. "... Far, far, too many lives have been lost because somebody saw an obvious problem - but did nothin' because 'it's not my problem.'"

And this went far back as the Devil of Verthaven - after doing some research on the bitch, he found out that she was a gang member that took a power granting serum. That all could had been avoided if everyone acted sooner. Francis wasn't the type to idealize what could had been over what is, but he was also one for stopping things from getting worse. Happiness wasn't seemingly in RAVEN/DOVE's jurisdiction, but Francis knew there was something... off about ti. It just popped up a few months ago, and just fell into the hands of drug dealers who had not a clue where it came from.

"I honestly can say DOVE needs more people like you," Francis said, before he turned his head. "And... how about I help you look into Happiness a bit?" He asked.

He knew this was probably not the best to do, but he was certain that he had enough time in between working on the Devil case to look into Happiness. Or at least see how valid Andrea's claims are on it. What was the worst that could go wrong if he just looked into it?

"I got the clearance," Francis said. "I can find just about anything that isn't top secret. It can't hurt to at least look into it to see if some weird Metahuman isn't making it."

The rickety blue bike finally pulled up outside the headquarters, its shorter passenger climbing off in a hurry. His movements looked more stable now, indicating that the pain from getting hit in the head was starting to wear off. He looked around, quickly surveying the crowd, then turned back to his partner. He leaned close, speaking furtively. "Hey, you ever been here before? We've gotta hide this somewhere so it won't get swiped." Naturally, he'd never acquired a bike lock. They weren't quite as expensive as helmets, but they were still far over Casey's budget. As such, he was glad that events like the one they planned on attending usually didn't have admission fees.

Kannix replied only after heaving a few heavy breaths into her lungs.

"No. How about you stash the bike - I go get us some drinks?" Her legs weren't trembling, but she did not exactly want to stand either way, having peddled the entire way here. "Whatever," she thought, "leg day." She shook off her legs, loosening from them their rhythmic, pedaling motion, and took in the huge crowd that loomed over her and Casey in front of them.

"Hurry up!" Kannix shouted behind her as she tried to make her way through. It was two hobbits' world against a bunch of giants.

Casey nodded, dashing off to find a place far enough away from the crowd that no one was likely to find the bike. At the same time, though, he wanted to keep it close enough to the site that he could retrieve it easily in case of an emergency. He tried his best to be quick about this, knowing that it would be very easy to lose Kannix in such a large crowd. He'd mentally documented the last place he saw her, but he knew she'd moved since then. That said, if he was fast with the bike stashing, he could probably catch up to her before she got far. It had also occurred to him that he could use his bird ability to track her down, but he sort of hoped he could do it on his own. Carefully tucking the bike behind a pile of trash bins, he ran back towards the headquarters, ducking in through the entrance and carefully weaving his way through the crowd of taller people.

Kannix bumped into this person, that person, someone's huge dog, someone's cart - she was tempted to use her powers right then and there, be unmoving, push everyone else instead of being pushed. But, she thought against it, not with the many uniforms monitoring the whole square. Casey had caught up to her and were queuing up for their IDs to be checked at the entrance, only to be let on through without checking at all. Perks of being mistook as a kid.

The ambient noise outside the skirts of the square clouded the sounds from within, so when they got in closer they found they'd arrived at what felt like the mid/latter-half of a man's speech. People were still crowding in, and in between a sea of shoulders, backs, and asses, Kannix and Casey could see the speaker on stage. As figured, she had no idea who he was. Through the many disasters that have come to them many years ago that still echo despair to this day, Kannix and her mom made it. She wondered if Casey had it the same way. After the applause and cheering died down, Kannix still had to raise her voice to be heard:

"We've got to move or we'll get stepped on. Let's move to the side."

With that, Kannix began side-stepping through opportune openings, and tugged on Casey's shirt so the two did not separate.

The swarm of taller folks proved difficult to maneuver through. Kannix's hold on Casey's collar kept them together for a while, but within a few moments they got hopelessly tangled in the crowd, pushed this way and that by the oblivious giants. At some point it became necessary for Casey to quickly shrug off his jacket and duck out of the way to avoid getting trampled, though this inevitably led to him and Kannix getting separated.

Casey had been worried that this would happen. This wasn't a kind of place where he felt comfortable being alone. Growing up in the derelict slums of Spring Town, He had never become accustomed to large crowds.

"...Hey! Kannix, where'd you go?"

He looked around hopelessly, seeing no sign of his companion. He had suspected as much; trying to find the only other small person in this sea of tall people couldn't be just as simple as looking up. Swallowing his anxiety and thinking fast, Casey decided that the best course of action would be to get as far ahead of the crowd as possible, and hope Kannix would do the same.

Kannix's path on her end prevented her from going further in without having to walk the wide perimeter. Instead, she made her way to a wooden crate, and atop another bigger wooden crate. From up above, she spotted Casey and started waving his jacket around to catch his attention.

"Let's walk around, meet up later!" She yelled at the top of her lungs. So too did the stall owner, angry for messing around in her booth.

With the group of people spreading more and more towards the centre, Kannix dived back in, disappearing into the crowd but staying just at the borders to take in the sights.

---

Regal Square, Prince-Edfield_

---

Reed couldn't help but fire off a retort at Meifeng's amused jeering, "Yeah, sure - but the American taxpayer doesn't pay us to stand around and rehearse our lines, we leave that to the politicians, remember?" However, by the time he'd finished that last remark, the RAVEN was already outside the range of coherent hearing. She wasn't wrong, though. Granted, he couldn't help but crack a wry grin at Meifeng's commentary on his oratory skills, but it was true - he felt that he'd probably only just got through it. With the time he'd spent fawning over what he'd say at the rally, in hindsight he felt it was something of a shame that he didn't spend it on something more productive.

Still, he'd tried - and perhaps there were a few people in the crowd who were actually cheering for legitimate reasons rather than just for the sake of it.

Now on his mind, much to his own shame, was something more base in nature - the various food stalls situated outside the hall. Even in here, Reed swore that he could pick up just a slight aroma from something just around the corner and were it not for the fact that he was expected to remain in the hall that RAVEN had hired out for the event, he would've probably given into the the temptation to head out and help himself to a portion. Furthermore, he was now paying dearly for having gone into work on a light breakfast and later skipping lunch in order to prepare for the rally. His only hope now was that he could rope someone into picking something up for him before the stalls ran dry.

Where was Quentin when he needed him?

---

DOVE/RAVEN Joint Headquarters, White Coast_

---

After a journey across the Atlantic, then what felt like a trip of equal length across the United States, the last thing that Frank had wanted to do was spend the next hour or so seated in the reception area of the DOVE/RAVEN HQ Building, his baggage leant against
the wall beside him. Aside from getting to witness a brief argument between an athletic-figured gentleman and a receptionist (which was subsequently defused by a dark-haired asian in RAVEN garb) there wasn't much he could do, though to his slight relief, one of the other receptionists on-duty had taken pity on the sight of the Briton's welling boredom and passed a few copies of the local newspapers his way, giving him something to read through as he awaited news of what would next be done with him. At the least, it gave him a chance to get a rough idea of anything noteworthy going on in the city - and what did catch his eye were a few references to some new high on the streets, "Happiness" or something like that. He couldn't help but feel a strange sense of deja vu from about a decade and a half ago in the UK when the legal highs (derived from a mixture of 'plant fertilisers' and other ingredients of obscure legal status) craze hit the media and sparked off a frenzy in the tabloids.

Not like there were any similarities between the two.

Eventually, Frank's reading session was interrupted by another DOVE employee - an agent, albeit one with a desk job by the looks of his office garb. "I believe you wanted to speak with me, Mr. Marshall?"

"So, Agent..." Frank began, leaning forward to get a view of the man's ID badge.
"Agent Gardiner, do you have a rough idea of when I'll be getting to see someone? If you don't mind me saying, I've come a long way and I'd rather get a chance to speak with the leadership before the jet lag sinks in."

"I understand, really, but a slight complication hascome up," Gardiner began, albeit a little uncomfortably, "You've arrived slightly earlier than we expected, Mr. Marshall - and I'm afraid Director Taylor is currently at the rally in Prince-Edfield, along with Deborah Javaunt."

"Rally?" Frank raised an eyebrow, before recalling the numerous news articles he'd filtered through which had made reference to said rally. Then, after a moment, came an "Oh."

"I see, well.. in that case, I suppose I'm probably not going to get a real chance to sit down with the Director until tomorrow then, right?"

"I can't say for certain, but the chance is that you'll be more likely to have an official brief tomorrow or the day after." At least the agent was honest, Frankhad to give him that, but still. Americans, he almost felt himself monologuing, before realising he was being a little hypocritcal in his observation - sitting around and waiting in queues was, after all, a favourite British pass time, even in this era of metahumans and societal unrest.

Of course, the grim thoughts on the news that he wouldn't be getting an audience with any form of authority today must've set on his face, judging by the hasty response from Gardiner. "I've spoken with my supervisor, we have had some accomodation set aside for yourself, Mr. Marshall, it's an apartment in the Oakdell Harbour district, already furnished - you won't need to concern yourself about any expenses in that respect. Likewise for groceries, we actually had it stocked with the basics this morning - and I'm aware that there's a store close by or even a restaurant if that's your preference."

That was good to hear, at least - no point spending money on some grotty little hotel or sleeping in an office. He definitely liked the idea of a restaurant close by - even after the hot dog at the airport, he was hungry for a little more sustenance. "If you don't mind me asking, what kind of place is it?"

"It's a chinese buffet, I know a friend who went there a few weeks ago and he said it was good - maybe you might want to stop by?"

Maybe indeed, I did fancy a Chinese, Frank thought, a thin smile forming upon his lips.

---

---

---

Gaying at the cake area, DOVE Rally
Regal Square, Prince Ed-Field_

Now it was Shizuka's turn to raise an eyebrow. Not only Quentin, but Maximilian too? He was as equally curious about this tall guy - who had just introduced himself as 'Daniel Forsythe' (weird surname that sounded like a swear word in some Asian dialect) - as the counterpart was towards him.

"No, I don't think we've met," Shizuka replied, agreeing. "I'm Shizuka. A pleasure to meet you." Giving up on the funnel cake because it looked more disgusting on closer look, he continued to focus his attention on Daniel. "Oh? So how are you acquainted to both Quentin and Maximilian, even having Max as your mentor?"

Shizuka, now I remember him.

Shizuka was someone both Max and Quentin spoke of, but never really met him. From the few times he went to headquarters, he never quite saw him as anymore than another agent. Strange how that works. Daniel shrugged, as he put his hand in his pocket.

"It's great to meet you, too."

He responded, but, his other question made him a bit worried. His eyes shot open a bit, before he awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. He knew both Maximilian and Quentin were close to him, and he knew that Shizuka probably wasn't an idiot... so he wondered how he would react if he told him that he was the apprentice for a monster...

The silence had gone on far too long, and it became obvious that Daniel was uncomfortable, and was just looking for a way out... before the perfect response hit him, and he felt stupid for not coming up with it soon.

"There's a reason why I'm so close to RAVEN..." He scratched the back of his neck nervously, "...I just don't feel comfortable talking about it out here, with so many people."

Daniel's nervous body language didn't escape Shizuka's sharp eyes. He could tell that Daniel was hiding something, but he didn't call out to this boy just to intimidate him (even if he was shorter). Besides, he was supposed to be discreet about his duty today.

"Right," he said, glancing around to look for a more private spot... and bingo, there was a (conveniently) empty area around the corner just a short walk ahead from where they were. It was well hidden enough that barely anyone would go out of their way to purposely pass by there. "Are you in a rush? You can tell me more about it over there." He tilted his head in the direction of the deserted area.

As he began to lead the way towards the place, he felt a slight, invisible wave of sorts trying to prod his mind. He frowned, selectively turning his head intangible for a brief moment. Strange... why would a cerebral Metahuman be using their power to look for him, or even try to peek into his brain at this time?

"Not really," Daniel said as he followed Shizuka over. It felt strange telling someone outside of his little circle his past. He didn't know Shizuka that well, but if Max and Quentin trusted him, so did Daniel. He leaned up against the wall, and pulled a cigarette out of his pocket, and gently placed it in his mouth. "...Don't tell Max or Quentin, please." He requested, as he put a thumb up, igniting it with a flame from his right hand.

He sighed.

"The reason why I'm so close to Max and Quentin is simple..." He started off. "I used to be apart of the Founding Family... their inner group of cultivators."

He paused for a moment, as he tried to gauge Shizuka's reaction.

"And... I became the apprentice of Blake Schmidt. Yes... I had a hand in some of their most inhuman actions, but I turned my back on that - and when I did, they turned their back on me. Reed saved me, but... now Maximilian wants to help me be a better person. To distance myself from that lifestyle, and become a RAVEN."

Shizuka crinkled his nose at the cigarette, but made no comment other than putting a little more distance between himself and Daniel, turning his head away so that he didn't have to breathe in the smoke that came puffing right into his face. Hearing Daniel's little story - the revelation that he was once a member of the Founding Fags, and even having Blake as his mentor before Maximilian came along - didn't garner any negative reaction the boy might be expecting from the Japanese agent. Instead, Shizuka only felt a pang of sympathy for him.

"It's not like you didn't have any remorse or humanity like those Blessed Bitches anyway," he said, shrugging. "Nobody's perfect - people do make mistakes in their life. Being able to realize and face those wrongdoings, and making an effort to become a better person is what's most important."

Daniel crossed his arms as he took in Shizuka's words. He basically said the same things that Max and Quentin told him. Daniel made mistakes, yeah. Long as he wasn't continuing to make those mistakes, then he could move on. He nodded his head.

Shizuka paused for a moment, considering the last line that Daniel had told him. "Even if Max might've seen some kind of potential in you or something, It's ultimately up to your own choice whether you want to become a RAVEN, or contribute to the society in other ways."

He let out a short laugh as he had to look up at Daniel to maintain any form of eye contact. "I mean, you ain't a kid, or anyone's underling anymore. I think you're old enough to decide what you really want to do from hereon. The people around you are merely your guides to show you the right path, but whether you want to walk down that path or not, is entirely up to you."

It felt weird, that he, of all people, would be giving any sort of advice to another person, to a mere stranger. Maybe age was finally catching up with him on the inside, even though he didn't aged much appearance wise.

"You can't go back to change history. Rather than running away from your past and trying to distance yourself from something that's already a part of you, learn to embrace it, and turn it into your strength to help you stay strong, become stronger. Otherwise you'd drown yourself in endless regret, and eventually lose your mind." Just like someone I used to know, he thought sarcastically, but not without a hint of affection.

Everything that Shizuka said made an impact on Daniel. He should embrace his past.

"The past is the past, yeah," Daniel answered. "I can't forget about the past... I used to be the shining example of everything the Family wanted me to be, but now... I'm my own person."

He flicked the cigarette to the ground, and crushed it underneath his boot before he faced Shizuka. "I get to choose who I want to be, and right now..."

He hopped off the wall, before he said, "...I want to be Daniel Forsythe, even if people will judge me for my past, that is who I am at my core.

"Thank you for the talk," Daniel said. "It helped."

Shizuka was a little taken aback when Daniel thanked him. He half expected to get shot down for being a nag - at least that was what he would usually get when he tried to be nice to people like Meifeng, or even his own twin.

"Uh, sure, I guess," he replied, rubbing the back of his neck. A habitual gesture when he felt either annoyed or awkward. Though, he had to mention this before they parted ways.

"And... be careful. I've a feeling someone might be watching, or even targeting both of us. I dunno who or why, just a bad hunch."

---

---

---

Wandering aimlessly around DOVE Rally site
Regal Square, Prince Ed-Field_

Reinald Young had been at the rally site early in the morning with the other "volunteers" - or rather, free labor in the form of his peers from Academy 61 - to put up the banners and decorations, preparing for the event. Including the main (and biggest) banner, which was hung at the entrance to welcome the crowd. It took Rein less than a day to complete that boring banner - he didn't need to put in too much work and effort when all he had to do was to make sure it looked professional... And thus, your usual, overused font types that valued readability over aesthetic appeal.

Well, the academy program students weren't here just to do unpaid work for this event. They were here for another reason: to show the public that not all Metahumans were dangerous like the Devil of Verthaven, or the Beast of Prague... even the maniacal Founding Family. Using superpowers did help to ease some of the preparation work: telekinetics could assist in putting up decorations in high places that would normally require ladders to reach, fire and ice manipulators were helping out at the food stalls with their handy abilities...

To show that as long as superpowers were used responsibly, it could benefit the people and society, and it didn't deserve the fear and hate the majority had been throwing at them all these years.

He was a little surprised - amused - at the turnout rate for this pro-Metahuman gathering, and one organized by DOVE at that. Metahuman regulation agencies such as DOVE and RAVEN had been under huge pressure ever since the Founding Family incident, blamed for various things that weren't even within their control, or even their fault in the first place. The fearful people had to put the blame somewhere, and DOVE/RAVEN was the most convenient source in Baybridge - or even the whole of North America - to make them feel a tad better, a false sense of control.

Of course, even if their way of treating the Metahuman community was a form of disgusting prejudice, Rein was aware that their fear was justifiable to some extent. There were abilities that had to be regulated, or even locked away for their potential impact on the world.

His power was one of such example. Although it didn't have obvious lethalness as physical or elemental abilities, it could upset the power balance of nations if he was used as a political tool. For now, his power wouldn't help much with the rally at the moment, so he was free to roam around the site, trying his best to enjoy himself. (Big crowds like this would make him nervous, to be honest.)

"Hey, Rein! Rein!" The Asian teen stopped in his tracks at the second time his name was called. It had been three years, and he should be used to this name. Not like the person who had raised their voice could notice the awkward delay - it was possible Rein didn't heard them the first time with all the noise around him.

Turning around, Rein came face to face with a panting girl. An African-American, with her long dark hair tied in a nice braided ponytail on the left side of her head. Both of them were wearing the same black T-shirt with the DOVE rally slogan printed on their back, to identify them as helpers at the event. He had seen her around the academy campus a few times, but he didn't make much effort to memorize names.

Rein gave the girl some time to catch her breath, then he asked, "Um... do you need me for something?"

"Yeah," she replied, still a little breathless. She swallowed, and went on, "Your power is clairvoyance, right? I need you to help me find someone. It's damn hard to search for him in a crowd like this."

Rein shrugged. "Uh, sure, I guess." He led the girl to the side, away from the throngs of people.

The girl then showed him her mobile screen. A picture of a dark-haired green-eyed boy about his age, his face a gay mix of strong European features with a girly look. She explained, "His name is Daniel Forsythe. He's also an academy student like us."

Rein raised an eyebrow. He hadn't seen this guy before in Academy 61. Maybe he was from a different campus? Though he was curious why she would be looking for this person, the Chinese boy said nothing and simply nodded, agreeing to help her.

He pulled his conscious away from the din around him, and the sound of chattering deadened, becoming more faraway. His mind slipped into his inner world - "Scape" - and the people around them were transformed into an endless corridor of colorful windows, the entrance to each and everyone of their subconscious. Their dormant dreams.

Daniel Forsythe, he thought to himself as he walked down the gallery, scrolling through the windows for the boy. He repeated the name a few times until he felt a feedback coming from his right. Turning his head, his narrowed his eyes and skimmed the windows until he found the source. On closer look, the target seemed to be talking to someone - an Asian man, but it was possible for the appearance of the person to be distorted by this Daniel guy's own perception. The pair seemed to me moving away from the crowd to a quieter area, just a few steps away from their current position.

However, when Rein switched his attention to the Asian man that Daniel had chatted with, he was surprised that he couldn't find this man's presence. Was Daniel talking to a ghost? That makes no sense. The only explanation he could come up with was that whoever the other person was, maybe they had the ability that allowed them to resist cerebral powers. If the ability wasn't passive, it was possible they might have felt his mental probing.

Returning back from his trance state, Rein's eyes refocused, and his vision was filled with the scene of the rally before him once more. Only to be suddenly blocked by the face of the girl, giving him a hard stare with those huge, dark eyes.

"How's it?"

"He's moving towards the empty stall near the dessert station," Rein spoke finally, but not without addressing the burning question on his mind. "Why are you looking for him?"

The girl didn't answer; she simply gave him a wink and brisked off, leaving a confused Rein to watch her disappearing into the crowd.

---

Regal Square, Prince-Edfield_

---

---

"I'm not really the kind of person to do that, sweetheart." Francis started off. "Besides... far, far, too many lives have been lost because somebody saw an obvious problem - but did nothin' because 'it's not my problem.'"

"Then we're cut from the same cloth." Andrea said with a smile and nodded approvingly to Francis. There was nothing about him - posture, thoughts, or other tells - that indicated he was being anything but honest.

"I honestly can say DOVE needs more people like you," Francis said, before he turned his head, "and... how about I help you look into Happiness a bit?" He asked. "I got the clearance. I can find just about anything that isn't top secret. It can't hurt to at least look into it to see if some weird Metahuman isn't making it."

"That quite a compliment - and... and very appreciated!" She commented. Even though a psychic, it was difficult actually believing that she'd get the support she was asking for. "Disappointing that my supervisor may not agree, but her mind is set. Not much I can do, you know?"

Andrea straightened her clothing a little more in vain attempt to appear neater and more professional. She'll have to be careful to not let the man's flattery get to her head. Boys back in school would get in her way with that nonsense all the time. All in good fun of course, but distracting, and she had to keep sharp. Still, there weren't any thoughts or emotions in Francis' head that'd insinuate any romantic interest - the man genuinely wanted to help. In that case, there were a couple of things that she should probably give him so he wasn't treading already explored ground.

"Anyways, you don't have to look too far." Andrea began to explain. The enthusiasm in her voice was pretty clear. "I've already compiled documents covering everything from sightings to side-effects."

Barely waiting for a reaction, she began digging through her messenger bag and brought out a stack of papers. To the naked eye, it could have very well been at least a quarter-inch thick.

"First five pages are all names of accounted for users with brief dossiers, includes history and conditions, then we have first sightings of the drug and the pattern of its travel and use in the city - I still need to trace them back to a point of origin - an in-depth summary and analysis of the intended effects, then you have reported side-effects after use of drug, followed by--"

Francis was wondering if she would drone on and on about it here of all places. He kept that smile on his face even though he wanted to frown. Maybe he could just-

"--and no, I know what you're thinking," she said, glaring a little bit after him, "humor me for one more second - followed by the victims' medical history."

Andrea finally stopped for a moment, looking at Francis expectantly.

He awkwardly chuckled as he realized she was a bit sharper than he expected!

Not that he thought she was dumb, but she pretty much read him like a card! That smile waned a little bit as Francis put his hand on the stack of papers, and lightly pushed them downwards as a gesture to stop.

"Not tryna' discourage you, but look around," Francis said, "We can talk about the specifics later, yeah? Let's have some fun, forget about work... forget about Happiness. Just for a second."

For a moment, Andrea was silent. She broke that silence with a sigh and gripped the stack of papers with both her hands and drifted her glowing eyes back down to Francis.

"I know this isn't as important to you as it is to me." Andrea urged. Of course it wasn't. Otherwise she wouldn't have began the case first. "I understand that, it's okay... but I have... a personal stake in this. I can't just forget about it."

She paused for a second and her eyes darted curiously between Francis and no person or place in particular in that time.

"And you aren't asking me to..." Andrea droned slightly, before seemingly snapping back, "this is just something I need out of the way. I mean... what I told you, really, that's it. Just a quick overview. The papers are where you'll get actual specifics... it's a place to start."

The young woman offered Francis the papers once more, apparently eager to get the information in someone else's hands.

Well... if it would make Andrea feel better, Francis would take the papers. He intended on reading them after the rally (He had to finish patrolling all the food stands), but he took the stack of papers in hand. Before he quickly scanned through a few of the pages with his rather impressive reading speed.

"I've got other copies. Well, copies of copies." Andrea admitted. "And a flash drive. Plus a Dropbox... with a private address."

This woman was committed. Francis was now worried what he got himself into, but he was going to see this through to the end. Though, that smile had long faded.

"...This will do, but I'll definitely contact you if I lose it." Francis assured her, as he nodded his head as he finished reading.

"I'll finish this later... maybe while we're eating, yes?" He hoped she didn't interpret it as wanting a date. He had no interest in Andrea that way (it'd be really unprofessional, and Francis just wasn't into Andrea). "There's a lot of food here... and I'd like to try some real American cuisine."

Andrea just laughed a little bit, feeling the tension finally beginning to slip away. She replied in bemusement, "Yeah, right. American cuisine."

At least he made her laugh! Francis started walking with his arms swinging wide. "From Brazil," Francis explained. "So, everything's new to me."

"Poland." Andrea answered.

"Oh?" Francis asked, "How's it like?"

He stopped once he got to a few of the food stands. "So, could ya' do me a favor, and pick out what you think is the best food here?" He smiled as she put his hand out to display all these stands. Ranging from fried chicken, to funnel cake, to french fries. There was a lot to choose from. "I'll pay for both of us."

"Um..." Andrea began thoughtfully. Lord, she hadn't thought about eating this kind of junk food in... ever. She finished sarcastically, "Define best? Most good food in America are in restaurants. From other cultures."

"Well," Francis shrugged, before he answered, "What tastes the best."

"That narrows it down." Andrea mused, tapping her chin with the tip of her finger. "I would just stick to the ice cream and maybe the french fries."

"Ice cream it is." Francis said, followed by a chuckle. "I gotta say, I have a mean sweet tooth..."

He peered over towards the french fry stand, and saw a greasy mess that made his stomach churn.

"... And I like having good arteries."

He walked over to the ice cream stand, and had to resist sticking his tongue out like one of those cartoons! He had plenty to choose from! Francis was never one for chocolate, and he always loved caramel! So he got the vanilla ice cream topped with caramel and marshmallows. It just sounded delicious! Francis was going to enjoy this. He nudged at Andrea.

"Feel free to get whatever you want," Francis smiled at her. "On me."

"I'll just have the same as you." Andrea insisted with a smile. She had a good feeling about the future.

Regal Square, Prince Ed-Field

---

Jackson had done his best not to bump into everyone that was between him and food, but based on the glaring glances he received, it would appear he failed. Just about everyone who had come into contact with him found his unapologetic self to be, for a lack of a better word, distasteful. In what seemed like a peaceful, jovial rally, Jackson’s ill-mannered voyage to food left a bad taste in the ten people he had forced to drop what they were eating due to his frame bumping into them.

And just as Jackson had shrugged off the glaring eyes undoubtedly trying to make him feel bad, he would have reached for that yummy cake that had his name written all over it, but someone so rudely addressed him by a word that Jackson would never - and that means never - with anyone, especially those of the homosexual kind. Still, it had been said, and Jackson had no choice but to look at who exactly called him such a word.

When he did, low and behold, his eyes caught the sight of someone that, quite frankly, looked every bit of a nightclub douchebag. From the hair all the way down to how he dressed. Jackson wasn’t one for making assumptions - at least not in a severe kind of way - but already he didn’t have the best first impression of the man standing behind him(in front of him?). If that wasn’t bad enough, he seemed to have just enough of a fire under his ass that Jackson had often seen when he looked in a mirror. Even a dimwit like JD could tell that things were only going to get worse before they got better.

“Maybe take a chill pill. The food isn’t going anywhere, Pablo Escobar.” Jackson shrugged off the Drug Dealer-wannabe off and reached out his hand for that cake. Once he secured it, he gave the man next to him one last glance. “Now his royal highness may have his fill.” Jackson proceeded to walk away.

---

---

---

Circling the venue, DOVE Rally
Regal Square, Prince Ed-Field_

Kannix put on Casey's jacket and circled the venue slowly, her eyes gazing and sometimes glaring at the people around her as she snaked her way through gaps and excused herself to cut through lines in front of the booths. Sure, her motive was to get herself something to eat and drink but the more she observed how people were, and the fact that they were so calm to Metahumans using their abilities in the booths... what was she to make of it? She herself was a Metahuman. Was it something to be proud of, why on earth not? The Metahumans who give their own kind a bad name by committing bad deeds - rest in peace those that lost their lives and others in the tragedies they've had - can go fuck themselves. Sure, she's done some mischievous acts herself but none to the scale- uhm, never mind, she thought. She's not as bad, but she could use a bit more work.

The point was the things that linger (and can linger) in the back of people's minds such as the disasters they've had will stick to their forefront memories and impressions are made. Metahumans are bad. Kannix was bad. This rally was trying its best to correct things, but Kannix... she shook her head as she stepped forward in the line she'd queued. Could she really just say "fuck it" to everything?

"Hi, could I have that turkey leg please?"

Probably not. She bit hard and deep into the thick, juicy thigh. She savoured its flavours and decided to fuck overthinking. Off in the far end, she saw her new acquaintance Casey minding his own business. Best to do the same with the general public. Wow this is good turkey, she thought.

She continued circling the venue, weaving through crowds, the massive turkey leg as a deterrent to make way. She looked around some more. Many interesting figures of all types jutted out to her, by appearance and by appeal, as if something about that made her have to notice them. Not exactly noteworthy people, though; in fact they looked droll and generic. Still, she looked back at them every now and then, taking some free drinks other booths, tossing them for the three points into bins. Then a taller African-American girl just about ran past her turkey leg towards her Asian colleague. DOVE rally volunteers. Motherfucker almost knocked her half-finished leg. She'd yell but she could wait to finish for the two to finish their conversation and throw the bone at her. She took bigger bites but then noticed the strange interaction between the two.

Dude was just staring blankly at the air and then at the girl. Kannix couldn't help but giggle, her face contorted in confusion, choking slightly on her food. She watched as the girl walked away content in herself. Shame Kannix couldn't finish her leg in time for her to fling it at her, but she was now more interested at this Asian dude. She walked towards him enough so that he finally saw her in his sight.

"Freak."

Rein's brows furrowed at the sudden entrance of yet another female stranger, this time someone of his ethnicity with a queer combination of a wild appearance and half-eaten turkey leg in her hand. He shouldn't be surprised that not everyone who had come to this rally was a pro-Meta. Some people, like the Chinese newcomer before him, were probably here just for the free food.

He shrugged at the rude greeting, but he couldn't help wondering if she had caught him using his power a little while ago. It wouldn't be the first time someone had commented about his ability to space out pretty much anywhere and everywhere. "Um... so how may I help you?" he asked, maintaining a polite front.

Funny that everyone seemed to need him for something. Him, of all people.

"I'm strangely attracted to you." would be a bad reply to that, though she did just insult the boy as an introduction. But still, she felt slightly drawn to him - the same sort of feeling that she had with Casey, a moment they had not too long ago when she jumped into his way. Kannix swallowed a chunk of meat and replied:

"Okay, I'm ssssooorrrryyy~ that I called you a freak, but why were you just staring at her, though? Are you like, short-sighted or something?" She mockingly waved her turkey leg in front of him as she stepped closer, sizing him up to be almost a head taller than her.

"Okay, I'm sorry again," she giggled, "but please: explain yourself." Kannix smiled, her two front teeth glistening in the ambient light and chunks of flesh lathering her lips.

Correction: seemed like he was a magnet for weird chicks today. Rein tried his best to keep up with what the Chinese girl was babbling to him, enough to get the main question directed at him from among the crude jabbers.

"She's an acquaintance, I guess," he began, averting his eyes from the rather unsightly way the girl was wolfing down the turkey. "Just asking for my help with something, that's all."

"Huh. I'm guessing you're either a Metahuman or you were in some sort of boys' school." Oh yeah, she saw the look that he made as she kept eating her turkey. She's not stopping.

"I'm not so much a lady myself, but I have some manners in me. I'm Kannix. I'm a bit of a freak like you myself." Finally done with her turkey, she scanned behind the boy and, spotting a bin, flung the bastard of a bone at it. Three points again.

Rein watched the girl - Kannix - throwing the finished turkey leg into the air before it landed neatly into a bin behind him, awed at her good reflex. Then he turned back to face the girl once more. "I'm Rein, nice to meet you. So we're both Metahumans, then? What can you do?"

Hhmph. "What can I do, huh?" She could just say it, but she felt a need to show off. How else was anyone going to really understand what she could do. It's not super-strength, but it's not super-defense either. Though it was comforting to know that she could show off: she needed to feel important - not because of pride, but... because... so she could have his attention. There was a hint of sadness to it, she admitted, but her smug face did not betray her thoughts. She felt that familiar sensation reverb course through her body - that feeling of an incredible invulnerability.

"Hit me."

Rein raised his eyebrows at the command. Hit her, a girl? Not like he was particular about gender and stuff, but throwing a punch at a lady (even if she didn't seem like one) in broad daylight - especially at a supposedly peaceful rally - didn't seem like a good idea. He looked at Kannix in the eye, watching her closely. She had a smirk on her face; she seemed pretty confident about it, but he couldn't feel any obnoxious vibe from her.

He sighed. She didn't order him to hit her at full force anyway. Maybe just enough to feel a bit of pain but without hurting her too much would suffice.

"Er, oh-kay..." He raised a hand and balled into a fist, narrowing his eyes at her. "Here I go." And lashed out a half-assed punch to her shoulder.

...Only to feel his fist going numb upon contact. Almost like he was trying to punch an invisible wall, not the person. He pulled back his hand, rubbing his sore knuckle.

"Wow, how do you do that?"

"Not going to lie - I can't explain it in the simplest of English. I can stop things from impacting me like punches and wooden bats. Bullets sting a bit - I'm from Spring Town, so we ghetto-a-f like that. I can also reverse the incoming impact, but that's taking me some practice as well. That's why I can break through walls. Did I mention I can break walls?"

"Though not going to lie - I could still tell you half-assed it. So you're not the physical kind, I devise," ending that sentence with a Frenchy, bourgeoisie laugh. "Do you, like, zoom in on things with your eyes, then? Microscopic vision? You checking out the imperfections on my face right now, aren't you? I lotioned, alright?"

Kannix's convoluted way of talking was starting to give Rein a bit of a headache - he had to make an effort to register the key points of what she was rambling about in his mind. Though, he had to say something in response, or else the girl would get suspicious at the long silence. "Yeah, I'm not exactly a sporty type of person like you. And no, my eyes are as normal as any ordinary human beings." He scratched the side of his chin with a finger. "My power has something to do with the mind, actually. I'm a clairvoyant."

That was only half the whole truth. Not a complete lie as far as whatever stated in the official records, but only the tip of the iceberg of what he was truly capable of. A power that people would kill for, and put him back to the days of eternal darkness. Being treated like a political tool.

He couldn't tell anyone the truth. He didn't want to lose the current 'freedom' he had, the chance to live as normally as he could. To hang out and have fun with friends like this... even meeting eccentric people like Kannix. Even if all of this was built upon one lie after another.

God Kannix felt dumb.

"The fuck's a clairvoyant?"

Rein was surprised that she didn't know what a clairvoyant was, after all the big words she had been using in her conversation with him so far. "Well... basically I can sense and detect the presence of people. Do you still remember the African-American just now before you came? She was asking me to help her search for a person. It'd be difficult to do that in a crowd like this, but my power allows me to pinpoint where they are."

"Ahhh... so you can, like, see girls taking showers, huh?" Okay that was uncalled for. "Heh, sorry. I meant it, but I shouldn't have said it."

"So uh... walk with me? Get me a drink with your volunteer privileges? Show a girl around?" she posed her signature smile - a vicious eye-smile so sweet no being on Earth could deny her. Not to overshadow their time with Casey after all, but he was a kid, and not here at the moment. She shouldn't even be thinking of him. They're just neighbours. They'll catch up later. This guy, though. Rein... he's adorably weird.

Seems like she has a habit of speaking her mind out loud. Rein was beginning to take whatever crass comments she threw at him with a pinch of salt. Beyond her outward rudeness, he didn't feel any ill will from her. Maybe she was just like him, an awkward person in her own way, still struggling to communicate with others better.

"Uh, sure," he replied, gesturing her to go first. "I don't have any duties anyway, so I'm free for the rest of the day. Where do you want to go first?" Though, he should probably address one of the earlier misunderstandings.

"And also... I don't go to a boys' school. Besides, I can't - I'm a Metahuman just like you." A sad smile appeared on his face. "I'm enrolled in the Academy Program, and I'm currently in Academy 61. That's in Roseview."

"Yeah, cool. No, nevermind that. Let's-"

"Hey, faggot, stop standing around like a retard and get out of the way!"

“Maybe take a chill pill. The food isn’t going anywhere, Pablo Escobar.”

"Hm..."

"Hey, Rein. Watch this."

The feeling of power coursed through her again. She prepared herself, looking for the right angle for entry and escape. She had to get it right, and fortunately she had a way of getting it right. The two men were tall, so the trajectory shouldn't be hard. She found an opening, and with Rein as her audience, she smiled almost viciously.

Her shoes creased as her heels arched up, her body leaning forward. With her own mass against the ground's, her powers deflected her off of the Earth's mass - propelling her into the air. With a somersault mid-air, upside-down just in time for her to reach down and swipe the taller of the two men's gaudy hat, she landed (thankfully) safe in an open spot, and disappeared into the middle of the crowd. Small, fast, nimble, she went out of the two men's sight.

"If there wasn't a fight then, there is one now." She saw Rein through gaps of people in the crowd, and winked before wandering off to find her neighbour Casey.

---

Regal Square, Prince-Edfield_

---

---

"Yeah," Johnny rolled his eyes at the Pablo Escobar comment. "Comin' from Michael Cera's faggier cousin."

Johnny would never touch this disgusting food with a sterilized lighting rod! What? Did he honestly think Johnny enjoyed getting infected with the unholy lovechild of botulism, cholera, and E.coli. Pffft. He had way more important things to do than eat this food, or talk to these people. He had to find that contact.

"Ugh," Gabe loudly exclaimed as she rolled her sole eye. "Johnny, we don't have time for this." She hissed.

Well, she was right. Mr. Candyass was probably heading straight for the gay club so he can get his fix of hot sweaty men rubbing up against him. While Johnny was going to save his sisters from the clutches of evil! So he just shrugged and went back to his business. Now, where did that bitch say to meet him-

While he was walking however, he felt his hat get snatched right off his head.

"The fuck?!" Johnny shouted as his body whipped around towards the source. It was Captain Autism! He thought it'd be funny to swipe his hat. Well, Johnny's not a violent man... but it's time to get violent.

Johnny dove towards the faggot with his fist balled, ready to dive in and knock his teeth down his throat with a right hook. That should be enough to show him who's boss.

---

When Jackson had started to walk away, he had what wanted in his hand, and the temptation of the piece of chooclate cake beckoned him -so much so that he couldn’t wait any longer. He came a stop mid-step, and dug the the plastic fork into the sweet, delicate desert. Just as it was going into his mouth, Jackson felt a force hit the back of his head, causing two things to happen. The first, of course, was Jackson to stagger forward. The result of that was the second thing: the grip he had on the cake came undone, and before Jackson knew what had happened, it was already too late. The cake had fell on the ground.

For a moment, Jackson had a feeling of denial. How could it be? I was just wanting some cake, and now it’s on the floor. All of its chocolate goodness was now ruined. The world isn’t fair.

It took Jackson a moment to get over that. When he did, the pain of the force that had struck him began to sink in. As he held the back of his head with his hand, he turned around. He shouldn’t have been surprised, but upon looking at the Pablo Escobar-wannabe, it was clear as the brown desert on the ground that this improper afroman was angry at Jackson for some reason that was unknown to the white male.

“Now was that absolutely necessary?” Jackson sighed deeply, simply shaking his head. He took a moment to just inhale a deep breath. At the exact moment the breath was exhaled, Jackson whipped his body counterclockwise, and a high, swift, roundhouse kick headed towards his attacker’s way.

His cake will avenged.

---

Regal Square, Prince-Edfield_

---

---

A fuckin' roundhouse? A roundhouse?

In what world did this dumbass think a roundhouse would be a good idea in a street fight? Honestly, a straight up kick would be a better idea, but whatever floats his boat! Thank God Johnny had the reflexes of a snake to back him up (or he wouldn't had lasted this long). He quickly twisted his body around, and threw his arms up to take the impact of the kick. It had quite the impact. So, maybe captain faggot had an idea of what he was doing!

Maybe his parents.

"Bitch, you ain't in Roadhouse," Johnny shouted as he pushed the leg aside to throw him off balance. He decided to throw fancy kung fu shit out the window for some honest-to-God fisticuffs. He probably never got into a fight in his life. Which would make this easy! "Try that VHS karate shit on me and you gonna get yo' shit took!"

Johnny threw a right hook towards Jackson's face, and grinned. He was gonna show this fag what his playground karate shit was good for - making it easy for fabulous people like Johnny to beat his ass.

---

The second the kick started flying, Gabe got the hell out of the way.

"... And what happened to staying focused on your mission, Johnny?"

She rolled her eye as Jake ran up with Lin, he shoved aside some kid that he didn't pay any mind to.

"No, no, no..." Jake muttered as he thought of ways to end this stupid confrontation. If this escalates any further, they were going to get thrown out of here. "Johnny, stop!" He shouted.

"C'mon, you dumbass!" Gabe said the same. She was tempted to step in herself... but, the last thing she wanted to do was get clocked. She elbowed Jake, and said, "Use your illusion shit!"

"In a sec... lemme focus..." Jake had to come up with something that would mess up the fight, and allow them to slip out through the side.

---

When Jackson had launched a roundhouse kick, he fully expected it to be blocked, but he knew that this Ricky Martin wanksta wasn’t expecting it to have more power than he assumed. Jackson knew this based off of the expression of his face. And even though it had been blocked, Jackson didn’t let off from trying to break the block. All the while, the putz came in low with, yet another, right hook. This time, however, it was aimed at Jackson’s face.

At the right time, Jackson raised up his adjacent shoulder to block the punch. As much as it hurt upon contact, Jackson did not let any of the momentum slip between the cracks. Because all of the force of the punch went into Jackson’s shoulder, it would no doubt cause the man to follow through, forcing him forward. On the moment that this cuck would, Jackson would kick off with his free leg against the chest of his opponent, causing the man to stagger back towards the food table,and Jackson would flip backwards, creating some distance between them.

Not waiting for any moment to pass - or give him any chance to gather himself - Jackson did a cartwheel with the intention of jumping off of his hands and delivering a reverse dropkick to the man, aimed at his abdomen.

---

Regal Square, Prince-Edfield_

---

---

Kannix did not move so much as two steps before she realized the fight was already starting. It looked like she'd only have to find Casey later; this was going to be fun to watch. She turned to see a full fist hit the shorter one's head, followed by this, followed by that. The taller one had quite a vocabulary, and could not tell but laugh - hand over mouth to not seem like an idiot with the other bystanders watching. By now, the crowd had spread to make a wide berth of a circle to get out of the people's way.

Ooh!

Yeah!

Tall one fell back - short one got moves! Not wanting them to hurt themselves too much - and with the shorter one preparing a cartwheel - Kannix had to intervene. Kannix was to perform the same power-based propulsion she had done earlier, instead now it was straight forward. This was one of her many skills in her power-set - the ability to dash in blinding speeds as her body pushes against the world's mass.

There, an opening against the opposite crowd.

Kannix launched herself and, with the tall one's hat in her hands, got in the short one's way faster. She flung the hat in his way, hoping to blind and distract him from finishing his intended move. Kannix rolled forward and stood back up to disappear into the crowd once again. Now it was a little obvious that she was playing a part in the fight, and people are giving her looks and moving aside as she circled the area of the fight. Not good, but meh, she's having fun!

---

Regal Square, Prince-Edfield_

---

---

Clearly, this fag's strength is in his legs. Too much of it, in fact.

Probably didn't know how to throw a punch for the life of him! While his plan to send Johnny staggering somewhat worked, Johnny still had his other hand and instinctively threw it down to take the brunt of the impact. His elbow stung in pain, but that was apart of the show, baby! Johnny quickly collected himself for the next hit. Grinning in excitement... and he was not disappointed.

If it was a suspicion Jackson didn't know the first thing about street fighting, it was confirmed when he did literally the dumbest thing possible.

A fuckin' cartwheel kick thing.

Did he honestly think he was a Tekken character?

Johnny was so astonished that he almost let himself get hit by it out of sheer shock, but the last thing he was going to do was fall for this faggy attack. Since he overcommitted to one attack that left him far, far, too open. All Johnny did was simply do his world famous "get out of the way" maneuver. Where he merely sidestepped Jackson's attack with the grace and speed of a flamingo!

And just to mock this faggot for his faggoty kicks, Johnny threw a kick straight at Jackson's body and knocked him over. Time to go stomp his shit in!

"You ain't in Street Fighter," Johnny shouted. "But, sure you can get the shit stepped out of y-"

"... I think not," The voice of a newcomer came from behind, and quickly got in between them faster than Johnny could even react. He was shoved aside with a surprising amount of force. He staggered backwards as his eyes landed upon the darkskinned man with dreadlocks that just screamed Jamacian!. He seen enough Caribbean people to know one when it sees it.

Worst of all....

... He's a RAVEN.

It's the fuzz! Johnny narrowed his eyes at the man as he looked around at the crowd. He quickly found Jake, and nodded his head as a secret sign to go invisible.

"I'm gonna have to ask the two of ya' get the hell out of here if you're going to act like this." Francis hissed. They made him stop eating his icecream! He would get back in contact with Andrea later, but duty called. He looked at the tall man who was winning, before he peered down at the guy on the ground.... he looked familiar but Francis couldn't get a good look at him.

Jake had thoroughly facepalmed. Everything went well until he remembered his older brother was an idiot. Looked like it was up to Jake and his illusory bullshit to save the day. He closed his eyes, and snapped his fingers. Then he thought to himself.

... You're an idiot, Johnny.

Just as a cover so Johnny can sneak away, Jake crafted an illusion. A simple illusion... one of a puff of grey smoke that engulfed the area so nobody could see. Not even Jake! It had the acrid smell of smoke to fool everyone. They let out gasps of shock as Johnny quickly used the distraction to his advantage!

Regal Square, Prince Ed-Field_

---

---

The ice cream, as pleasant as it was, along with the setting sun and the pink glaze it cast across the sky - it was all but a precursor for disappointment. There are a few things that can cause a friendly chat to end on a sour note. Perhaps it sails into the boiling waters of politics or religion. An emergency occurs. Or, specifically pertaining more to this case, work calls. So by a sour note, it doesn't necessarily mean the two left on bad terms. When Francis put a finger to his hear and received a message to investigate a public disturbance, he had to leave Andrea in the meantime with the promise of returning. Andrea, typically, is very understanding of such things, but here there also exists the issue of the nature of Francis' work. Along with the number of threats which remains to be seen, there were just as many reasons for Andrea to be concerned. She must've sent out unconscious commands, for through her mind's eye, she saw apparitions moving restlessly toward the same direction Francis had gone. Curious as she was, she wanted a route where she could swiftly make it in time to see what was happening. As a result of that wanting, a chain had begun to form - apparitions were lined up, leading her toward the destination. As she followed this chain, information was being fed to her: public disturbance - two men, mid-to-late twenties - one, plain-looking - other, ostentatious - motivation... hat. This couldn't have been more ordinary, and figured Francis could probably handle it.

But she was curious; and it was harder to get away with knowing what happened when she wasn't there. It raised questions. So she went ahead on her own, and besides, DOVE might be wondering later on as to why their rally was disrupted like this and being a first-hand witness would indubitably prove her to be useful withing the organization. Not that, uh, she planned on using their broken noses to the benefit of her career - no. It bewildered her just as much that two dumb boys would get so worked up over something so silly that they'd disrupt a peace rally via violence. The irony was incredible. As she trudged onward, she could hear the thoughts of the two men as they scrapped. The opposite of what one would expect, the ordinary guy was apparently planning some pretty wild moves while the ostentatious one just had one thing in mind: go. Well, two things in mind, if the word "faggot" playing on repeat every couple of seconds counted. Incredible. He might've just deserved a missing hat. Interestingly enough, as the apparitions scanned the crowd, she read some curious thoughts: a third one entered the mix at some point. Third one had the actual hat. Oooh... so that tiny girl incited the fight. 80's pimp dude threw the first punch. The poor victim was no longer a victim the moment he perpetuated this silliness. He was apparently too distracted with trying to look cool in beating the pimp in a fight. As far as Andrea was concerned, the girl was a trouble maker, and both of the guys were assholes. No one to side with here.

When she finally arrived, she came just in time to see in person the ostentatious man kick the other one onto the ground. Andrea might've prepared herself to stop him, but Francis had just arrived on scene to put an end to this nonsense. He didn't feel very pleased with the sorry sight of the boys - but the feeling from the pimp guy, oh, that was a britches-soiling moment. But the gears started turning in the man's head, looking into the crowd - he was looking for someone - feeling of recognition. Idea. Message. All in the span of Francis' warning, too, so he clearly wasn't concerned with listening to him. Andrea prepared herself for dealing with some chaotic attempt at escape. That was all that was going through the ostentatious man's head at the moment, and her poor new RAVEN friend was none the wiser in what they were planning. Meanwhile, apparitions were all through the crowd. A couple of messages were being sent her way, some from the crowd itself, but one in particular seemed to treat the situation with annoyance, but had a sense of recognition similar to the hotshot's: "... You're an idiot, Johnny."

Within a couple of seconds, a great big puff of smoke erupted in the crowd. It created panic, and Andrea nearly had as well - was it a terrorist? One of those ZODIAC guys? Had this been a distraction - until it became clear to her that this was the intention of someone in the crowd, not one with evil intent, but it was the same person familiar with that "Johnny" guy. It felt like whispers were filling her ears amidst the panic of the crowd. The intent was to get the hotshot out of trouble! Though her eyes were useless in awful-smelling smoke, mental commands reached out to her apparitions to seek out those who she knew were apart of this scheme and keep them from getting away, not thinking of the potential repercussions (the risk of getting involved first and foremost, plus the fact she worked for DOVE when this was clearly a RAVEN issue, and was still but an intern). One, simple command with the mental imagery of those three men and one girl: detain.

It feels like it takes zero effort at a glance. Though she stood simply, there were three specific bodies in the surrounding area that were locked in place, their muscles, even as they tensed, were unable to move as though they were tied with rope. If she focused on herself, she could feel the faint mental strain it had on her. There in her grips (or the grips of the apparitions, which is an argument of semantics given how they execute her wishes all the same) was a well-dressed man, this Johnny guy, and the one on the ground. Curious... only three? The short girl who started this mess must've been quick. She was out of this scene as quickly as she came into it. She must've high-tailed it out of here the moment Francis stepped in. Andrea was probably too focused on the boys to make a note of her. Regardless, her voice softly projected into the minds of the three men as they stood (or layed on the ground) immobilized. Through her eyes, multiple ghosts seemed to huddle around each of them.

"This will be easier on the both of us if you don't struggle. You could strain something."

Well, that wasn't so bad. Perhaps a little bit more composed next time, and she could probably have a future in this sort of stuff... on second thought, never mind. She'd best leave this sort of stuff to the action hero types in the future.

As the dreadful smoke began to clear, she could start clearly seeing Francis now. Her eyes were glowing more intensely at this point and she was standing rigidly with a hand over her face, staring down the scene as the crowd was backing up away from the source of the smoke and leaving the five of them center-field. Jake and Johnny could be seen frozen in mid-stride.

Regal Square, Prince Ed-Field

---

If Jackson Drake could sum up the previous moments in just one phrase, it would be “shit is fucked”.

He had tried to take down Mister Roughian himself with a simple, yet effective, cartwheel-transitioned, reverse dropkick to the mid-section. He had done it plenty of times before, all of which had laid out the receiving party of one of his kicks. Had he been able to land it, Jackson had no doubt that the upper hand would’ve gone to him. However, as the events would gradually start to unfold in front of Jackson, he would feel his feet missing their target altogether, and crash into the refreshments table. Jackson body fell face-first through the various dishes and platters that were spread throughout the table. His weight broke the table in two, and in a matter of seconds, the food — the messy, glorious food — fell on top of him, painting his fleshy canvas with their many, many colors. When Jackson would find himself standing, he was covered in almost a dozen different entrees and desserts(and other items of cuisine).

The time it took for him to stand had been just about the same amount of time that it took the receiver of his rage to make an escape, for Jackson couldn’t see anything but a gray smokescreen. As he inhaled some of it, Jackson coughed rather embarrassingly. Little did he know, some of the frosting from the cake had also gone up his nose, so he found himself struggling to get it out. After a few good hacks, he was able to get the buttercream frosting out of his nose. Thankfully, it hadn’t gone up too far. Though, now Jackson had to try to make his own escape. One, he didn’t want to face the wrath of that intimidating voice from right before he ruined anyone else’s chances of getting food from that particular refreshments table. However, as Jackson would find out, that wouldn’t be as easy as he thought.

“What the—” Jackson thought maybe he was having a delayed reaction to banging into the table. He thought that maybe he might’ve sprained something, but that wasn’t it. If he had sprained a body part, he’d still be able to move; however, it felt like his entire body was being forced frozen still. As much as he wanted to move. As much as Jackson had the will to ditch this rally, something was keeping him where he stood. It was as if…

And then Jackson heard it - a voice speaking rather calmly in his head. It was a female’s voice. She told him not to move, citing that he might strain something. Immediately, Jackson wanted to know a few things. The most obvious would be who was this woman that was speaking into his mind? And how was she keeping him from walking away?

Jackson didn’t know where to begin as far as figuring this out was concerned. Quite frankly, he just wanted to leave. Seeing as how he couldn’t, the always-stubborn Jackson would do an uncharacteristic thing, and submit to whatever the fuck this was.

“Fine, fine,” Jackson sighed, exhaling an exaggerated breath.

When the smoke had finally cleared, Jackson’s eyes looked over to the left of him. He saw a few others, namely the piece of shit that got him into this mess in the first place. “This is your fault Escobar!” Jackson willed himself to speak as loud as he could. Apparently it was harder than he initially thought.

---

Regal Square, Prince-Edfield_

---

---

Kannix had plans to keep the fight going. It did not look like they were seriously getting hurt or anything - anyway, they’re grown men, they’d have been fine! What’s a little bruise going to do with these two? They probably dealt with getting bruises like brushing their teeth, like how Kannix messes with people. She didn’t think herself in anyway malevolent with ill-content; she just thought a little fun here and there wouldn’t hurt!

Then there was the man with the cool dreadlocks who shoved aside tall man like he was nothing! It took a bit to register, but the uniform and the badge only confirmed that the RAVEN was not to be messed with. She was already on her way out of there, the man’s hat still in her grasp. She’d have to work her way through the crowd to get to the exit she knew. Hopefully she’d see Casey on the way, but she was going to just run away from all this.

Her sights were set on a path. She remembered the layout of the booths so she knew that this one booth was next to the opening she wanted to go. The crowd paid no attention to her at all, now that the RAVEN had demanded all of it to him and the ongoing fight.

However, smoke appeared like out of fucking nowhere and she couldn't’ see shit. No one could, and soon they were panicking. Kannix would be trampled and there was nothing the crowd could do. How would one react when robbed of their sight? Kannix instinctively moved towards the opening. No good, people were bumping into her and pushing her off her mental path, and the smell was fucking awful. She had to save herself. She activated her powers, and she was now unmovable. She couldn’t push anyone violently, but there was no way anyone could push her. Kannix could feel them being shoved away as they encountered a literal moving wall (or more really a coffee table).

The smoke started to fade, and she was pretty much out of the general circle of people. Far enough, that she could not see the two men she’d messed with anymore. Casey was nowhere to be seen, but she was not about to steal his bike away from him. That’s enough naughtiness for one day. She’s got her wallet with her. She’ll find a bus home.

With a ready stance to run, Kannix pushed and dashed away from Regal Square.

---

Spring Town, Hedgemount_

The bus had arrived just in time and Kannix got on. It was going to be plenty of stops before she’d reach Hedgemount. Any stop was fine, and knowing this bus route, her route was going to be a short one.

She had not realized at all that it was nearing evening. Her head leaned against the glass of the bus, eyes watching the sky fade into black - she was deep in contemplation, but the rocking motion and engine vibrating the glass made her have to sit up and look at other stuff to kill time.

Speaking of killing… if the DOVE rally was to promote peace, amongst humans and metahumans, hoping for communication, cooperation, and safety, did Kannix - having started a fight that ended up with ninja smoke… - ruin all that?

Whoops. That sent a little chill down her spine, and thinking about her fun now brought dreading guilt and worry. She’d never been arrested, but she was given many, many warnings about her delinquency. Her mother spitting hot coals about her being a wreck and a wild, uncontrollable child was fine - Kannix can always make amends. It’s the fear that she would be taken away from her mother.

As they approached Hedgemount, her concerns were solidified. A mother and a daughter should not be living in Spring Town. It’s not secure nor safe. It was not safe for a single child whose grades aren’t the best to have a future to provide for the family. The neighbourhood itself is fucking terrible. Kannix thought back: she was fast enough that perhaps no one could have seen her, at least clearly. The hat was still with her, but…. she did not want to throw it away. She’ll keep it. Remembrance: for a fun day, and a valuable lesson not to fuck with people with so many authorities nearby. She got off at her stop. She put on the hat, just barely fitting her head, and walked her way back home.

Of course, it wasn’t going to be a quiet way back home. Some gangbangers hanging out at the street took note of a tiny girl wearing a funny, but nice looking hat, and went up to said little girl. Kannix stuck out her middle finger and continued her way.

Why the fuck would she stop for them? She energized herself.

One of the dudes stood in her way but Kannix kept walking. Her face met his abdomen, but it would not stop her march. The man tripped trying to push back, and she was now walking on top of him.

A man reached out to grab the hat but Kannix pulled it away. With a fist, she punched his solar plexus - no need to send him flying. She heard the sound of a gun click from behind her but kept on walking.

“You dead, bitch!”

He fired.

The bullet hit Kannix and was shot back, gazing the man’s right temple. No more shooting from him.

No need to be scared of these men. Kannix kept on walking because she was afraid of something else. The sound of her mom’s wrath when she was to open that door.

---

---

---

---

DOVE Rally | Regal Square, Prince Ed-Field_

For ages now, where ever Jennifer went, she just felt like a visitor. Even in Baybridge after Megan left her, it just felt like she was not permanent. While it was true that nobody knows what exactly the future held for them, it was a slow process where she finally accepted Baybridge as her home. She finally left Verthaven behind. The girl with the prehensile spine sighed as she quickly arrived in Haruka's vehicle. Heh... she sure owed a lot to him. Doing all of this, for her? In his position, Jennifer couldn't say that she wouldn't have done the same.

The drive had been pretty smooth. Too smooth, in fact. In all of Haruka's previous experiences, this was probably the prelude to something worse that would be happening soon. How ironic - to think that he was becoming as pessimistic as his own brother. And speaking of Shizuka, he should get around greeting his younger counterpart. He would have loved to give him a surprise of sorts, but he might have to give that stupid idea up, not when his twin was even harder to get hold of ever since his promotion in RAVEN.

Haruka chose to park the car a little further away from the DOVE Rally area. It would be harder to find a spot nearer to the event parameter; besides, no one knew they were coming back to Baybridge, not yet. He then turned to Jennifer. "Is Megan really going to show up at this rally?"

"There's a chance," Jennifer said, as she leaned back in the car. "Remember what her crew said? She was heading to Baybridge..."

She looked at the window for a moment.

"...And this looks like a place she'd be."

---

Black Fall, Pennsylvania
A few weeks ago_

Black Fall... Jennifer heard so much about this place, and would love to be here under different circumstances. At the moment, she had a mission.

She fell from a window, and landed on her knee. Two large lumps appeared at the end of her wrists, and two bone spears broke through her skin. The lights flashed on as her blue eyes scanned the room. The first thing she focused on was the hulking Nemesis. His attire had drastically changed. From a long coat and helmet to a more casual button-up where Jenny questioned just where he got it from. He had a mask that transferred chemicals to his mouth area. The brute faced her down, but he couldn't communicate, so Jennifer's business with him was rather minimal.

"...So, you're back, Missy." A man floated down from the sky with a blue aura... and it was Ray Drager, the annoying one with the telekinetic hands. He landed on top of the shipping container above her, and he looked down at her.

"Name's Jennifer," she answered, her voice laced with venom. "I have a question to ask you."

"Shoot, Jenny," Ray said, as he sat on the edge of the shipping crate, unaware of Jennifer's rather murderous plan B if she didn't get what she wanted.

She stared Ray down. "Where is Megan?"

"Yeah," Ray scoffed, and he grinned. "And here I was thinking I was the only person asking that question."

Jennifer narrowed her eyes, as Ray raised two fingers up in the air.

"Two years ago, Megan Jervious said she was investigating the Founding Family in Baybridge on her own... and never came back. Even when we went there on our own; couldn't find her."

"I don't believe you," Jennifer hissed.

"Well, I don't know what to tell you, then," Ray shrugged. "When you take into account she has the best shape-shifting in the damn world, the only way you'll find her..."

Ray trailed off, and Jennifer had to hold her tongue.

"...Is if she wants you to." Ray shrugged. "So, we just set up shop here in Black Fall, and let her do whatever the hell she wants. Honestly, it's better this way. Now, we can actually get something done..."

Jennifer rolled her eyes. Knowing Ray, he probably told the truth. There wasn't much reason for him to lie. After all, Megan was unpredictable. So far, this entire journey was pointless, and they were probably going for Cindy more than anything. If Megan was with the Family, then she needed answers from her; but like Ray said, the only way to find her was if she wanted to be found.

And that wasn't anything reliable.

Honestly, they should probably just head back to Baybridge. They wasted far too much time chasing after ghosts. Without a word, she whipped around and walked out the door.

"...Best of luck to ya'." Ray said.

---

Meanwhile...

Jennifer had told him that she would meet her 'old crew' on her own, and Haruka didn't even try to argue his way with her decision. It was for the best, that he should respect her wish to do what she had to do alone.

Besides, there was another thing he could do while Jennifer was away on her own business.

Find Cindy.

...Though, the leads they could get on their friend was even scarcer than the elusive Megan. The irony.

He dug his hands deeper into his windbreaker pockets. Sure, it seemed like a long-awaited chance for the two to finally take a break from all the melodrama of the place they thought they could call home, but it was hard to pretend they could enjoy this road trip, not when they had too many questions unanswered, too much burdens to bear.

He turned around a corner and slipped into an alleyway. A shortcut to get to where the slim ray of hope that might be able to lead their wild goose chase to somewhere.

However, he wasn't expecting to come face to face with a certain someone. His ghost.

"Oh? What a surprise!" That pretentious tone in Mandarin was nowhere enough to fool Haruka, not after what he had been through these few years. He narrowed his eyes at the voice so familiar that could make his ears bleed from the cringy sweetness.

"...What do you want this time?"

"Now, now, that's not how you should talk to your elders." Xing Huo clicked her tongue with mock disapproval at Haruka's passive-aggressiveness. "It appears that I still have much to teach my precious sons, hmm?"

The former Fire Spirit of Polaris didn't seem to have changed one bit in the three-year span. It was a mystery to Haruka as much as to anyone else how this woman was able to retain her youth. The young man could swear that she was definitely much older than she looked.

Even stranger that this time, Xing Huo wasn't showy about her fashion sense as usual. If she hadn't called out to him, he wouldn't have given a second glance at the dull trenchcoat she wore today. Obviously not some branded nonsense, just an ordinary piece of clothing that you could easily buy from any department store at a discounted price.

He narrowed his eyes at her.

Which only made the lady sigh, not without some dramatic effect. "After I've done so much to help you and your pitiful girlfriend, it's still not enough to earn your trust? No love?"

"Do I have to repeat myself and take those words out of your mouth every damn time we meet like this?"

"Uh, uh." Xing Huo wagged a finger before his face. "Patience is a virtue, especially at such a crucial time." Her blood-red lips curled into a smile. "I'm not as cruel as your birth mother, and I'm actually here to give you good news!"

She suddenly leaned forward, and Haruka felt her hand in his pocket, clasping around his fingers... and something hard. A micro SD card?

"When you have the free time, have a look at it - alone," she chuckled, winking at him. "It's not something for that rag doll you've been dragging around to see. You won't want her to see it if you want to keep that walking corpse to yourself forever." With another melodic laugh, she straightened up and strode off; soon she was gone in a blink of an eye.

Hands still in his pockets, Haruka clenched his fists, the small chip pressed into one of his palms.

---

Back to present time, DOVE Rally_

If what Jennifer had said about Megan was right, it'd be pointless for them to try searching for someone who didn't want to be found in a huge mob of people in this event. Haruka got out of the car, his eyes narrowed, a reflexive reaction due to brightness from the sun above his head. He waited for Jennifer to get off too, before he walked up to her. "We haven't really enjoyed ourselves throughout this road trip. I think this time we should try relaxing a bit, and have some fun."

That was all Jennifer really wanted at this time... just to have fun. Stop worrying about where Cindy, or Megan was, and finally live by her own terms.

He scratched the back of his head. "Well, just killing time together until Megan finally shows herself before us. What do you say?"

She smiled.

"...I'd love to."

---

Regal Square, Prince-Edfield_

---

---

Right when everything was going perfectly, it went horribly wrong. Johnny was slipping through the smoke Jake created, when he came to a sudden stop, as if somebody was exerting a psychic presence upon him. He felt something like this before... it must be a RAVEN, or that dreadlocked asshole. Of fuckin' course. Every time he does something, it became a fucking shitshow. Not even his fault, though. It was everyone else. But that didn't matter.

"This will be easier on the both of us if you don't struggle. You could strain something."

He heard the voice in his head that reminded him of Mika prodding around in his skull... fucking Cerebral types. They were the most bullshit kind of Metahuman. He brought his head around the best he could, and saw that Jake was also stopped in his tracks! Shit! This didn't look good. However, little miss telepath made a slight error in her little Scruff Mcgruff speech.

She let Johnny know there was an opening.

There was enough negative emotions going on around here to power a jet engine! The only thing that Johnny had to consider was when was the best time to apply it, and if he could...

He felt someone behind him, and that familiar feeling of handcuffs being applied on him, and there goes that plan. Of course some white motherfucker came by and fucked everything up. When he got out of here, he would beat the ever loving shit out of that asshole.

"That's enough of that, I'd say," Francis cockily said as she put the handcuffs on Johnny. "I think it's time for you and your buddy to spend a little bit of time in a police station." He laughed, and Johnny was about to lose it. Other RAVENS and police officers were already on scene, and everything that he said was coming true, he was going to spend a night in a police station. He looked over his shoulder, and they were also arresting the other dude.

Long as they don't frisk him, they won't find that firearm he had on him.

Then the white boy had the nerve, the audacity, to say it was Johnny's fault. The fuck? This filthy, no good, cocksucking, unforgivable, trust fund loving faggot started the whole thing when he took his hat.

"What happened Michael Cera!? Get in over your head?!" Johnny whipped around, and shouted at his opponent. "Next time, don't ever think about touchin' my shit again! Or there won't be no supercops to save your a-"

"... That's enough out of you," Francis said as he pushed Johnny towards a police vehicle.

Since he was white, blond, and had that disgusting... fuckboy aesthetic, he was probably going to get a slap on the wrist. Hell, they probably thought Johnny was the one who started all this. Nah-uh. He was going to walk away when this dicksucker took his hat. And since Johnny was black and fabulous, it'd be amazing if the police didn't shoot him in the head!

But, the real difference is that Johnny belonged to an important family, and if Jake played his cards right, he could get them all out of jail in less than an hour. And he didn't see Gabe, Jaska, or the Liu sisters, so he had nothing to worry about. Even as he got shoved into a police car.

But, when he finds that telepathic bitch...

... She better be ready to count what teeth she has left when Johnny clocks her.

---

Phew!

That was interesting to say the least! Francis didn't expect to go from eating icecream to putting a pimp in jail! It always had to be some jackass that starts a fight. Something about a hat? Eh, it wasn't none of Francis' concern. In fact, it was pretty funny! This whole situation was very funny! He arrested some wanna-be pimp over a hat! He definitely had to tell the crew at work about this.

Well, after he pushed the pimp, who was mysteriously frozen (Maybe a RAVEN did it? Who knows.), was in the back of the police cruiser, he turned his head to the other brawler. But, before he could, his eyes landed on another dapper man that was frozen in place. He was curious as to why, because he wasn't fighting, was he? Eh, either way, Francis was going to ask questions later.

He just scrolled on over to the other man, and knelt down to put handcuffs on him, when that familiarity finally came to him!

"... Jackson?" Francis asked, with a raised eyebrow as he recognized the person. "My man... I thought you were still in Brazil, what are you doing up here?!"

He looked over his shoulder for a moment.

"... Well, sorry, still gotta put ya' in cuffs," Francis answered. "My job demands it."

---

Oh good, grief!

Not only did Johnny get arrested, but he just had to drag Jake down with him. No good. She was about to charge in head first, when she received a look from Jake telling her not to. Well, how did these RAVEN fuckers know that Jake was involved? She knew that RAVEN probably did plenty of shady shit, they probably bullshitted it. The rage made Gabe's hand glow a red color as she briefly lost control, and was about to shoot lasers.

Then a clawed hand placed itself on her shoulder, and she looked around to see the tall Jaska standing over her. In his heavy clothing to hide his demonic features. Then Gabe sighed, and noticed Lin and Mika walked over.

"J-Jake!" Lin shouted as she put a hand out, before Mika gently put it down.

"... There's another telepath in play," Mika nodded her head. "She realized Jake was apart of it... we should leave now."

"Ugh!" Gabe facepalmed, as she realized that Johnny hadn't changed a day since the accident. They might as well leave... according to Johnny, a lot of these RAVEN and DOVE types took checks from the Founding Family. Gabe turned around, and took off with the rest of her posse. She'd figure out what to do later.

---

Fortunately, the whole lot of them made it back to the Liu rented building in one piece. If only Johnny told her his contact...

"... He's definitely a handful, isn't he?" A voice spoke to Gabe, and she quickly whipped her head around towards the woman. A tall, blondehaired, blue-eyed woman around the same age as Gabe herself. She narrowed her eye at the woman, and crossed her arms.

"Yeah... he is, well it was nice seeing you," Gabe tried to move on, but the woman grabbed onto her shoulder. Persistent... ain't she? Gabe was close to clocking her, but the woman said.

"I'm that contact Johnny was supposed to speak to," The woman said, and Gabe raised an eyebrow.

Lin was also curious, but when she tried piercing the woman's mind, there was nothing. She must be in possession of a cerebral type ability of that classification. She made sure to alert Gabriela.

I can't pierce her mind.

Lin sent the mental message to Gabe, and then Mika got in the way of her. Gently pushing her aside. Jaska raised an eyebrow at the mysterious woman, too. He made sure to remember her scent.

"I don't have a lot of time to explain everything, I'm on a very tight schedule..." The woman said, before sighing, "My name is Miranda Mercer... I am the former member of the Founding family."

"Knew that much," Gabriela said, before she narrowed her eyes at the woman. She leaned forward, and strongly jabbed a finger square into the woman's chest, and loudly hissed, "What I'm wondering is why in the hell we should trust you - the Founding Family ain't around anymore, which means that any of you cockroaches that scurried away before anyone could step on you are...."

She narrowed her eye,

"... Former, or whatever the hell you want to call it."

Ms. Mercer grinned.

"... That's where you're wrong, Gabriela," Miranda looked at each member of the little group before them. "The Founding Family is still around."

And that caused the remaining Valos and Liu sisters to take on various expressions of shock.

"The fuck are you on about?" Gabe growled, "The Family was destroyed by RAVEN."

"Well, while RAVEN did behead the leadership, the Family's power was vast and never ending," Miranda crossed her arms as she looked the woman directly in the eye. "What's left is waiting in the shadows for the perfect opportunity to strike and take back the world that was there."

Good grief... if the Family really was still around, she had her work cut out for her. But... again, fighting the Family was never on the mind of the Valos, or the siblings. Despite all the... things, they did for her. It was easier to ignore what apparently happened to Gabe when she didn't remember a single thing. She took a step back from the woman, and crossed her arms.

"Any Secretaries that weren't already liberated are with the remnants of the Founding Family," Miranda started off. "They've been trying to recruit me, using one of their little lap dogs...."

She reached into her pocket, and pulled out her phone. She quickly brought up an image of a brown haired woman with curly hair. She displayed the image to Gabriela.

"This woman is Linda Dauer, she 'works' for the Savior Foundation, but her loyalty lies with the Founding Family," Miranda explained, and tried to get Gabe's attention. "If you want to find your sisters, you have to find this woman."

"And why should we believe any of this?" Gabriela crossed her arms. "All I know is that you could be bullshitting me."

"And that's why I brought..." Miranda pulled out a USB drive. "... This."

"The fuck's in that?" Gabriela asked, before she put a hand up, "Lemme guess, 'it's everything you need to believe me?'" She chuckled, and grabbed it.

"That is right, it's all the information I gathered on the remnants," Miranda said. "But, even if you don't believe me now, you should at least take a look at this." She hopped off the wall, and started walking away.

"And another thing," Miranda looked over her shoulder. "I wouldn't show that to RAVEN if I were you... right now they're cocky, making moves. If they get exposed too early they'll go underground." Then the mysterious woman disappeared into the festival.

"... She wasn't lying," Jaska added, "I paid close attention to her heartbeat... and it never changed even slightly."

"And we accomplished far more than what Johnny has," Mika said, and shook her head. "We should at least give it a look."

"Well..." Gabe said, she stared at the USB drive. "... Might as well."

"But, let's not stick it into any of our computers," Lin added. "Last thing we need is to catch a virus."

Gabe rolled her eye.

---

Regal Square, Prince-Edfield_

---

---

Step one of Operation: Funnel cake was finally complete!

Really, how could anyone eat this? But, at least Daniel was going to be open minded. He was holding the two paper plates with the funnel cake in hand. However, he was alternating hands to keep the funnel cake nice and warm using his fire powers. Probably not what his "mentor" Blake had in mind when he gave him the powers in the first place. He was going to make sure-

His line of thought was interrupted when he heard shouting, and a line formed. Curious... Daniel walked over to the scene, and poked his head over the shoulders of the crowd to get a good look at them. There were two men fighting, nothing that really interested the young Daniel... and his heart sanked when he recognized one of the men almost immediately. Daniel was frozen in place, fear overcame him as a dark part of his past came back to the forefront of his mind.

He was a Valos.

The same people Daniel helped brutalize under the mentorship of Blake Schmidt a few years ago. The shame almost made Daniel drop the funnel cake... but his quick eyes caught glance of a fast girl zipping around. Obviously a Metahuman, but she had a hat. The same hat Johnny thought the other man took. Daniel was going to move in her stop her.

"Hey, wait!" He put a hand out, but, alas, she was far too quick and she was long gone before he had a chance.

If he wasn't holding this funnel cake, he could had at least stopped her - but, sadly, he wasn't holding the funnel cake anymore. He dropped it. He clenched a fist, and let out a sigh. Okay, maybe it was time that Daniel just left. Rosalyn Street shouldn't be that far away. Daniel quickly ran away fast as he could, and ran towards where he left his bicycle right outside the gates.

He hopped on it, and sped his way out of Regal Square, and sent Maximilian a text message.

I'm sorry, Mr. Cornell, but something came up. I have to head home.

---

Regal Square, Prince-Edfield_

---

---

While marching her way through the rally, Noelle had little interest in the food, or the people here. She would rather not get overwhelmingly fat, and she wasn't the most talkative person in the world. She had one goal, in mind, and...

A crowd had formed, and why. A fight had started. Noelle merely glanced over at the scene, with a strange curiosity - and she saw something very interesting. A man in a garish outfit that she immediately recognized, fighting some acrobat. Not for the fighting itself - because it was stupid. But, she knew the man that was dressed as a pimp... Johnny Valos.

So, he's in Baybridge?

She knew that, after what went down at the Valos manor, he would hate her until the end of his days. Seemed as if he was on the same old shit he always on... so he still didn't matter much to Noelle. But, she was curious what brought Johnny to Baybridge - she could only hope they never cross paths.

Despite that, she felt it was inevitable.

She turned her head away as if she never saw it... the fight was over, and the authorities moved in to arrest them. Hopefully, they would keep Johnny there for good. But, her devious eyes fell upon just the person she was looking for. A Hispanic woman with brown, flowing hair, and a very curvy figure. Her most notable trait.

The woman smiled as she closed in on her prey, and got behind her. She put both her hands on her shoulders, and longingly looked her in the eyes.

"Oliva!" Noelle said, rather cheerfully, "It was so nice to see you here! "

Immediately, Olivia was startled upon hearing the woman's voice, and she immediately knew who it was.

"Vero-" Olivia choked.

"No, it's Noelle," She chuckled, as she wrapped an arm around Olivia's shoulders, and pulled her away. "We have so much to discuss! Don't mind them! Your RAVEN buddies have it all under control."

She went into an alleyway with Olivia, and pushed her against the wall. That smile changed to a stern facial expression, as she stared Olivia right in the eyes. She jabbed a finger right into her chest.

"Listen, Olivia..." Noelle said, "Normally, I would let you enjoy your sad, sad, little life, but I have something I need out of you."

"I'm not giving you anything." Olivia hissed.

"Libby... I know a lot about you, remember?" Noelle answered. "You were one of the many DOVEs that were taking checks from the Family, and in addition..."

She leaned into Olivia's face, and stared her directly in the eyes.

"... I know you have a hand in Happiness." Noelle hopped back, and loudly laughed, "What a dirty, dirty, girl you are! You can't go five minutes without doing something naughty!" She giggled, putting her fingers in her mouth, and made Olivia feel shame.

"So, I have plenty of leverage over you, all it takes is one anonymous tips, and boom! You're in jail." Noelle taunted the woman. "Imagine what your family would think!"

"... What do you want, Vero- Noelle."

"Well, listen, I have nothing but good intentions, if you were in my shoes, you'd do the same thing," She leaned into Olivia's face again. "... I just want you to use your clearance to find my sisters... they were in the little DOVE protection program. Even think they have different names."

She laughed as she bit her bottom lip.

"I mean, it is your job to set it up in the first place," Noelle said. "Just find Sophia and Quinn Rory for me, whatever name they're currently running under, and their phone numbers...."

Then that grin faded, as she said.

"... I just want to talk to them."

"Fine..." Olivia groaned, as she looked off to the side. "I'll do it."

"I knew you would!" Noelle clapped her hands. "Probably to save your own ass, and without my 'trademarked' good intentions." She laughed as she reached into her purse, and pulled out a card. "When you get it, call me, love."

She walked away from Olivia, before she looked over her shoulder.

"... And remember, your reputation is in my hands."

---

---

Crowds of people definitely were not Wendy's thing.

Normally, when things like this were going on, she'd take to the rooftops. The best shots always came from the rooftops. The satchel hanging off her shoulder called for her as she was reminded that old habits definitely die hard. For a moment, to distract herself from her discomfort, Wendy pulled out that camera and gazed through a few of the pictures. Damn... she took many. Almost too many. They went on quite a journey... and Wendy felt quite fulfilled! Now, it was time for work.

"... Hey, what was going on in that picture?" Kumiko peered over Wendy's shoulder the whole time as she looked at the pictures. The picture in question was of Rowan standing overtop of a shirtless Wendy, tattooing the large album cover of a butterfly on her back. She looked rather uncomfortable, but she soldiered on. "You got tats now, Wen?"

"Oh..." Wendy felt embarrassed, and awkwardly stammered out. "... A few, yeah."

Kumiko could only playfully shake her head when she noticed Wendy's awkwardness. "C'mon, Wen, you should show em' to me sometimes."

"She's not the only one," Rowan remarked, drawing back the sleeve of his jacket to reveal the terminator-inspired tattoo running up his arm.

"Ooooh, nice," Kumiko looked over the tattoo for a moment. "... But, I hope neither of you got tattoos anywhere inappropriate!" She chuckled, and earned an eyeroll from the pair.

"So..." Wendy crossed her arms, and spoke in a low tone. "What do you two want to do?"

"Eat food, and scam these carnies out of their hard earned prizes!" Kumiko chuckled again, as she summoned a chain from underneath her oversized shirt that covered her waist (and most of her hips), it floated in the air for a moment. "I mean... if they set in a 'city of freaks,' and don't expect to get made fools out of, then hey, I don't know what to say."

"Just like old times, huh?" A wry smile formed across Rowan's face as he remembered the first time he and Wendy had embarked on such a venture, at the festival three years ago. "What do you say, Wen? C'mon, I could use a little fun before I drop by to check in on things... remember that time we won those biker assholes in Cali' with that bet?"

"Yeeeeeah, I remember," Wendy rolled her eyes when Rowan brought that up. That was definitely something, alright. She thinks that she even took pictures. Wendy looked at her mother for a moment, before she looked at Rowan. "Well, where do we start? And make sure you make it look flashy." Wendy briefly went through her camera again.

"And make it flashy, I want to take pictures."

Kumiko grinned, "... I want to look at that camera sometime, Wen."

"You really don't..."

Kumiko shrugged, and just chipperly said, "Okay!"

Wendy (or Wen as she was affectionately named), looked around at the carnival games... and eyed the high-striker. She grabbed onto Rowan's arm, and nudged him in the direction of the high striker. Her mischievous smile told him everything he needed to know, and Kumiko followed along. She pushed him towards the striker as she slipped into the shadows, with her camera in hand. This was going to be sick.

Rowan recognised that look of hers in a heartbeat and responded in kind with a similar look of his own, before turning his gaze back towards the striker. After approaching the stall-runner, responsible for the striker, he was quickly prompted with a short, to the point answer his question of how much it was, "Three tries for five dollars, you ring the bell you win a prize."

Shrugging, he eventually fished out the requested five dollars and passed them over to the stall-runner, then headed over towards the mallet waiting by the mark. He decided that on the first try, at least, he'd try and be fair - some of these stall-runners had grown wise to metahumans trying to beat them at their own game and he didn't exactly want to make it obvious, assuming the game wasn't rigged some other way. That aside, Rowan wasn't exactly the scrawny kid he'd been a few years ago - he wanted to try and win this by himself, just once. He grabbed the mallet, took a step back, then raised it overhead... and brought it down upon the mark with all the might that he could muster. A great clatter erupted from the machine as the 'puck' was thrown upwards, yet just as Rowan thought that hey - he might have made it this time - only for it to run out of momentum just shy of the buzzer.

"Two tries left!" The stall-runner declared, probably having done this a thousand times before.

Alright, Rowan thought, this time deciding he'd tried playing nice. After taking a moment to focus on his mark yet again, he raised the mallet overhead, then brought it down with an equal degree of force as he had last time. The only difference, however, was that he'd perhaps given a slight nudge to the mechanism. There was a thud, followed by the familiar sound of an electronic buzzer as the striker registered a hit. A smile crept across his face as the stall-runner gave an expression which suggested he wasn't particularly impressed, before reverting to his previous expression.

"Alright, prize is yours."

Glancing over his shoulder, Rowan wondered where Wendy had gone off to

It was incredible, Wendy was smiling the whole time (she really tried to suppress laughter, but Kumiko had already broke out laughing). And it was up to Wendy to pick something... though, at the corner of her eye she saw somebody stare at her quite intensely. She whipped her head around, and only got a brief glimpse of a blonde haired Caucasian woman. She didn't even get a chance to look further beyond that before the woman dipped into the shadows, never to be seen again. Wendy would had payed it more mind... but it was just so confusing, and she had better things to worry about.

Like what stuffed animal she was going to bring home.

Wendy had plenty to choose from... a duck, to a pink bear - her eyes rested on a skyblue bear that was her favorite color! She smiled as she pointed at it.

"I want that one." Wendy said, she tried not to sound like a giddy child.

"You heard the lady," Rowan said with an almost sardonic tone, gesturing to Wendy's chosen bear, "That one, please."

With a nod, the stall-runner quickly retrieved it off the stand and handed it over to Rowan, who promptly passed it on to Wendy with a satisfied grin.

Upon taking the toy, Wendy smiled coyly, and turned away with Rowan in tow. Once he was out of hearing range, Wendy broke out laughing.

"We sure showed him!" Kumiko loudly said as she pulled in the two. "Hey, Rowan, want to win me one?" She gave him a confident look.

"... Let's not," Wendy pleaded, "We should probably not raise too much of a scene... there's probably still people looking for the two of us."

At that moment, she looked over her shoulder and swore she saw that same woman again... probably not. Maybe she was just being paranoid.

"Sure, let's find somethin' else."

---

Despite the itching paranoia in the back of Wendy's skull that told her something was wrong,

Eh, it was just nothing.

But, this city... this was the city where Diana died. Where Wendy felt a grief like no other. It was hard simply just returning here, and act like nothing happened. Maybe she should just lighten a bit. She was with friends. Rowan and Kumiko. No - to Wendy, they were family. She sighed for a moment... then remembered something that embarrassed her when she passed a kid with the DOVE logo on his shirt and a lanyard around his neck.

The Academy is going to have my ass.

... She remembered that little deal she made with DOVE that she forgot about. The simple "Go to the Academy and you stay out of juvie" deal that she stepped on like it was nothing. Well, it was three years... they probably stopped looking for Wendy (or they didn't expect Wendy to come back). Maybe one day she would come back just to finish her Academy training - but at the moment, she was more interested than an education. There wasn't a whole lot the Academy could teach her anymore.

She looked at her palm as her hand turned white as paper, she spawned a dove made out of paper. It fluttered for a moment before it fell back into her hand.

What's next? She asked herself.

"You okay, Wen?" Rowan asked, breaking the silence.

"I just...." Wendy trailed off, "Was thinking about how pissed off Cindy would be if she found us." Wendy started laughing, as she told Rowan a lie to cover her own unease. She knew something was wrong, and Cindy was missing (or... she'd be on their tail the entire time). She just knew Rowan didn't.

Before she could finish, she heard loud swearing, and raised an eyebrow as she rotated her head in their direction.

"Hey, faggot, stop standing around like a retard and get out of the way!"

“Maybe take a chill pill. The food isn’t going anywhere, Pablo Escobar.”

She saw a Caucasian guy, and another garishly dressed man arguing. Normally, Wendy would had ignored it, but she noticed the guy's hat get swiped away, and a fight started because the pimp-dressed dude thought the other did it. The guy wasn't even looking at him. That didn't happen normally... but in this weird, weird, world of theirs, there was no such thing as normal.

"Aw, yes, Wen!" Kumiko said, "Let's start taking bets! My money's on the pimp!"

It was strange to see someone who was supposed to be a parent acting against the example that most parents wanted to set, but Rowan couldn't help but think that as far as parents went, Kumiko was perhaps one of the entertaining he'd known. He too was curious to see how this showdown between the would-be pimp and the other guy would go.

Wendy shook her head at Kumiko's enthusiasm, and Rowan's obvious curiosity. This fight was as ridiculous as it got. Well, Wendy's got her fill of fights from the road trip, so this didn't excite her at all.

Hopefully, security would get in the mix and throw these two jackasses out of here.

---

Before Rein could stop her, Kannix was already gone, just like the way she had appeared before him moments ago. He caught her wink on one of the rooftops before she disappeared from his sight. Even if he was amazed at the display of her abilities, he couldn't help feeling a tad annoyed inside. Aside from her unfiltered mouth, he wondered if she also had an uncontrollable urge to show off.

What a strange girl.

He could easily find her with his power, but it wouldn't be a good idea to do that in the middle of a restless crowd, especially not when a fight was about to break out between two grown men in the center of all the attention.

It was also too late for him to bail out when someone caught sight of the volunteer shirt he was wearing. "Hey, you! Do something to stop those two!"

Before he could stammer out a reply, he was pushed out of the crowd, right into the middle where the brawling had begun. The blond-haired man lashed out a kick to the Hispanic-looking guy. Thank goodness he wasn't in the way to take that kick, but watching at such a close distance still made the boy wince inwardly. He was merely a volunteer for this rally, not a cop or security personnel. He neither had any authority nor power to stop two angry men who easily towered over his small frame.

Exhaling slowly, he tried to stop them. "Um, can you please stop..."

But obviously they couldn't hear him, not with his quavering voice completely drowned by the jeers from the people watching the fight around him. Every blow they threw at each other was inching closer to Rein's poor head... And desperate times called for desperate measures.

"I said stop it!" he finally yelled at the two hot-headed brutes with all the strength he could muster... but only enough to distract the crowd momentarily, and now people were staring at him instead.

Crap. Rein disliked drawing attention to himself, but now he had done it.

Today was sure a bad day for him. An escalation of one unfortunate event after another.

"... Hey, kid," Kumiko leaned in to the short Asian-boy until they were both face level. "You have some real deescalation skills! Where did you learn them?" Kumiko chuckled as she snarked at the kid, and Wendy was not amused.

"Leave him alone, Kumiko," Wendy said... understanding the boy's silent rage at the situation getting out of hand. She faced him, gently placed a hand on his shoulder, and said, "You should save your breath... just let RAVEN handle it, alright?" Wendy said. There wasn't anything this boy could do by just shouting... he probably just let the pressure get to him, and understood that.

Rein turned around to face an Asian woman (she looked very Japanese to him, and no way he couldn't tell her ethnicity straight away with just one glance), but whatever she said didn't really register in his mind. He had been tuning out most of Kannix's nonsensical speeches awhile ago, and it was no different with this person.

Her companion, the much younger one, was a different story. He ran a hand through his hair, in resigned agreement with the girl. "You're right, I'm of no use in this situation." He stared at the tall girl for a moment. Maybe he could make use of this to excuse himself from the dumb fight behind him; which, from the sound of it, some RAVEN guy had stepped in--

Only to notice a strange, foul-smelling smoke covering the place, throwing the crowd into confusion. He could hear some shouting about a terrorist attack, while the others were too busy trying to scoot off the scene. Whoever it was, they must be aiming for this: the perfect chance for a getaway.

"Ugh!" Wendy shouted as the smoke blanketed the area, she quickly covered her nose and eyes... and feared the worst. Someone like the Hound, or some other terrorist group chose this specific moment to attack. She reacted on reflex when she dropped to the ground knee first and slapped a hand on the ground. Concrete traveled up her hand, as she switched from paper manipulation to concrete manipulation. It was the best power for stopping gunshots and explosions. However, the smoke faded... and weirdly enough, she never coughed or anything. She looked around, confused, finding only that Rowan too had joined her in retaining a defensive posture.

Unfortunately for them, another reinforcement showed up - this time a female - and something more... Something a cerebral Metahuman like him would feel its effects loud and clear, even if it wasn't directed at him. This lady must have powerful mental abilities like him too - nowhere similar, but a dangerous one still. Thanks to the training he got from his father and later on in the academy, he had substantial resistance against other cerebral powers but he wasn't that arrogant to get complacent about his own mental defense. Not like she had any interest in an innocent bystander like him, so he was safe from her, for now.

Joining the mess of the agitated crowd and getting tramped over was a bad idea. He stretched out a hand to tap on the tall girl's arm. "Follow me," he said, loud enough for her to hear over the din. "I'll show you a shortcut out of here."

Wendy nodded her head, and figured it was... for the best if they left. The last thing they needed was someone recognizing them. "Yeah, let's go," Wendy looked back. "This had become enough of a shitshow...." She rolled her eyes as she walked off, and grabbed Rowan's arm. Kumiko followed. Though, when Wendy looked over her shoulder, she saw that blond-haired woman again... maybe it was just her imagination.

She wanted to get to know this boy... now that fate pushed them together.

---

Dove Rally | Regal Square, Prince Ed-Field_

---

---

It had been a while since Rori had been in such large crowds of people. Well, technically speaking, they weren’t in the large crowd. They were flying above it. Being in the form of a common (American) robin was inconspicuous enough. They looked like a much more normal bird than they did a human. All birds had wings, most humans did not.

The only problem about being a bird was that they couldn’t make the most of the free food on offer. Or take part in any of the various games going on. It was a bit of a shame but that wasn’t why they were here. They had plenty of food at home (and could even cook without burning it now!) and had no chance of winning any prizes. Rori was out with the goal of trying to spot anyone that they knew. Flying above the crowds, and their accurate eyesight, would help with that.

After all they’d been back in Baybridge for a month or two now and were itching for some form of social interaction. Though still in contact with the friends they had made when they went to school it wasn’t the same when most lived on the other side of the country. They hadn’t talked to a living person properly in a while. It only made their house all the lonelier, as much as it was filled with the sounds of music until late at night.

Flying was getting a bit tiring, though. They’d have to land soon and go in on foot, or just head home. It was difficult to figure out what was the more appealing. Though if they were going to be in crowds of people anywhere a DOVE rally would be the place. As much as there were anti-metahuman sentiments they were less likely to get outright attacked at this kind of event. Not that that made navigating copious amounts of people with giant-ass wings attached to their back any easier.

What a pain they were.

Rori was almost close to just giving up and taking a human form to enjoy at least the free food when smoke blanketed an area nearby, forcing them to move up higher. Was it an attack? Forcing themselves to look down they couldn’t really tell what was going on as the smoke began to clear. Confused, they swivelled in the air. Time to head home, it seemed.

Wait a minute.

Walking away from the scene was a girl – well, woman they guessed – that was all too easy for Rori’s sharp bird eyes to recognise. The other three with Wendy? Rori had no idea who they were. But they didn’t particularly care. Smiling internally Rori pulled in their wings and dropped towards Wendy and the other three.

---

If there was ever a silver lining to what was happening to Jackson at the current moment, it was that he knew in his mind that he did nothing wrong. He didn’t throw the first punch nor did he throw the last one. He handled everything with self-defense countermeasures. If he had struck the other guy, then it was out of pure defense and making sure he didn’t lay down — especially to someone like that idiot that had struck him first. Everything that had been done to Jackson and the imbecile was all out of Jackson’s god-given right to be a man, and defend himself.

And because of that little ass flower, Jackson was now in cuffs. The brightside? He knew that he had done Levi proud tonight. By defending himself, despite the consequences, Jackson had no problem serving a night or two in the slammer. He was all, including prepared, to serve his time(and whatever would follow) in absolute silence. Of course, life liked to throw their curveballs at him time after time. It just so happened that this particular curve ball came in the form of a familiar face.

“Francis? Shit man small world,” Jackson let out a laugh that was followed by a cough. Apparently being mentally frozen until the proper authorities took care of it had its effect on a guy. “I got back last week. Would have liked to enjoy this rally, but Mr. Dickwad over there,” Jackson gestured his head towards the fucktard who had started the whole thing, “he just punched me out of nowhere. I really don’t get what his deal was, but I wasn’t going to let him just have his way with me, so I fought back.” In hearing himself just now, Jackson sighed; and then, as Francis told him he had to cuff him, Jackson simply nodded. He knew, despite them being chummy with one another, Francis was, above all else, a man of law. “Just make it quick,” Jackson said as if it was getting a shot or something.

Jackson would stand there, waiting for Francis to do his due diligence.