[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/houzIW1.png[/img][/center]
[center][color=MediumSpringGreen]I am very disappointed in you, Finn.[/color]
[color=888888]-Ashley Avenir[/color][/center]

Well, [i]this[/i] operation had certainly been a complete clusterfuck, Ashely reflected. Of that, there could be no doubt. While all the schoolgirls were now safe, and most of their adversaries, including Dante himself, had been eliminated, the whole point of coming to the diner in the first place was to gain some answers on Finn’s condition, and doing that now seemed highly unlikely, considering the current state of things. The conclusion of the chaotic battle had happened in a confused blur, with Ashley taking custody of the last remaining schoolgirl, even as Finn had apparently landed a fatal blow upon Dante. Yet, before the Knight of Tomorrow could even fully register that, a teenaged girl’s voice could be heard, crying for her father. A moment after that, and Finn had darted out of the diner like a bolt of lightning, leaving the high-tech heroine and Estelle to deal with the battle’s aftermath.

[color=MediumSpringGreen][i]Her father…[/i][/color] 

The words, and the horrifying revelation they imparted, echoed through Ashley’s mind and pierced her heart like a knife as she rose to her feet and surveyed the shocking scene before her. There were still a few potential hostiles left in the room, but she doubted they would cause any trouble. Instead, the Knight Of Tomorrow’s full attention quickly focused upon Dante, now little more than a glass sculpture, and the young woman hysterically sobbing over him. 

[color=MediumSpringGreen][i]Oh Finn…[/i][/color]

The thought of the boy’s name filled Ashley with a powerful mixture of concern and anger, for while her heart ached for the trauma that had been inflicted upon the young agent, trauma that had now reached its horrific apex, she couldn’t help but reflect that, in this instance at least, it had all been the result of Finn’s own recklessness. If he had only waited like she had instructed, if they had only proceeded with caution and never even entered the diner, then none of these deaths likely would have occurred. Yes, they had been monsters and criminals, but they hadn’t been doing anything hostile to the innocent, just enjoying some rest and relaxation. They didn’t deserve to be slaughtered like this. [i]Dante[/i] didn’t deserve the tragic fate that had befallen him, and neither did his daughter. Ashley and Estelle had only fought because [i]Finn[/i] had given them no other choice. All the death, all the pain, was on [i]his[/i] hands. And just like the child he was, upon seeing the monumental mess he’d made, he had chosen to flee and let the adults clean everything up…

Looking down at the still-sleepwalking girl in her arms, Ashley gave voice to a tired sigh.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“The girl is safe with me, now, MDP,”[/color] the Knight of Tomorrow told the pastel-garbed freelancer over her earpiece. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Thanks for all the help. You too, Pounder,”[/color] she added, before switching to Dr. Moller’s line. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Director, Dante has been neutralized and the situation is now relatively stable. However, Timekeeper just fled the diner at considerable speed, and I have no idea where he’s headed. I’d like to request a cleanup team be dispatched as soon as possible.”[/color] 

Switching off her comm, she turned to the mage biker next to her. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“If you don’t want to leave, then could you help your associate put out these fires?”[/color] she asked. Out of all the factions in the diner, the mage bikers had been the least openly hostile, only reacting to defend themselves from attack, and this particular biker had even helped protect a civilian. In addition, based on their initial vantage point on the far side of the diner, there was a good chance that none of the mage bikers had gotten a good look at any of the agents’ mundane forms, if they were even affiliated with The Hand to begin with. Thus, Ashley found herself reluctant to eliminate the remaining mages, especially since it was far more likely that the hysterically sobbing “Amanda” would lash out in a burst of anguished fury, and the Knight of Tomorrow wanted to conserve her manna so as to respond to [i]that[/i] potentiality in swift and decisive fashion.

[hr]
[center]18 | Female | GEMINI | Vision of Tomorrow
Implements of Tomorrow | Wand, Shield | Arcane | Tune of Tomorrow
Raiment of Tomorrow | Stride of Tomorrow 
Light of Tomorrow | Light | Power of Tomorrow
PRO-TEK 4000 Defensive Surgery Implement | Kevlar Coat, Kevlar Padding, Medical Supplies, Tazer, Clip Light
[Reveal (2), Purity (4)], Damage (2), Damage X (6), Shield (4), Reflect (4), Heal (6), Major Heal (18), AoE (2), Powerful (0), Piercing (2), Purify (6), Homing (2), Avoid (2)

DAMAGE: B | SPEED: E | SENTINEL: C | 1000

PHYSICAL: E | ARCANE: C | CHAOS: B | 622[/center]