[IC] Miraculous America

[Rockin Strings]

After rubbing his arms, Talon sat beside Serpentine with a sigh. She had almost called him Eddie. Did she know? No, there was no way. "I couldn't leave a cute girl behind." he smirked, hoping for a good reaction. "But there's a problem. I can't get out. It's not airtight but it's as close top the wall as I could get it. That villain lady can't get to us. Sadly, it'll only last for 5 minutes."

He began thinking of how the other two could be faring. Usage seemed more the type to try to improve the situation by means other than fighting. Furitta would probably charge in head first with her main power. Her speed...

But what about the Baristriss's akuma? She had to have been someone who worked here. All the clues pointed to that. But what would her item be? "Serpentine, what's something common you could see a barista carrying?" he asked, glancing towards her. While not blinded from the gas, he was in a similar situation as the snake heroine due to the low light.

He then began thinking about who Serpentine could be. If it wasn't how friend... Could he even still consider her a friend after their fight this morning? He needed to apologize. Could she be the girl on the skates? Or one of the upperclassmates? Or anyone else in the school? City? He had too wide an area and not enough information. But she apparently knew him. Or someone with his name and a voice like his. He didn't don't there was at least1 leastleast1 person in the city that matched that description.

[Tenma Tendo]

An excited grin formed on Usagi's face as she hurried over to the first window in sight, pulling it open about half of it's full opening capacity, covering her nose as the gas began to slowly leak out. She did this with every window she could only to frown as the sight before her. The gas was leaking out, yes, but at such a slow rate that it barely made a difference to how it looked inside the building. Furitta hurried in despite this and Usagi could only watch as the two were practically at the same level. She knew Furitta could do so much better, but with all that gas in there, it was clear that she was forced to hold back. She had to do something to help her out, but what?

Furrowing her brows and pulling her hood down, a determined glint appeared in the young girl's eyes. She had to reduce the amount of gas in there to let Furitta act more free and possibly help the others too. She couldn't just sit back and watch just because she didn't know much about her fight capabilities. Staring at the last window she cracked open halfway, Usagi proceeded to open it all the way up since their target was distracted. Balancing herself while keeping a hand over her mouth and nose, the girl brought her watery gaze to the window directly across from her.
"P-Power Jump!" She pushed with her legs, flying across the room in breakneck speed before landing on the opposite wall across from where she was originally. He movements were fast enough to where the gas in the area was carried by the current she created and was blasted out the windows at a much faster rate. Barely giving herself time to relax, Usagi did it again, returning back to original position and bringing back any gas that was left behind with her. Surely this would help all her friends suffering the gas around them as well as redirect any upcoming attacks. As for herself, holding her breath for so long was making her extremely dizzy as creating a current with her body forced her to take the brunt of the gas escaping the building.

[Polaris North]

Furitta backed up continuously, going on the defensive as Baristris relentlessy attacked her before landing a hit to her side with a well-aimed kick. The ferret-themed heroine was tossed to the side and close to the gas that was seeping in. The girl shook her head, dizzy as some of the remnants of the gas went inside of her. She looked up to see Baristriss aiming to bring her water bottle down onto her like a hammer.

She rolled away and placed a hand over her mouth and nose as she entered the gas. She was thinking of a select choice words she would like to say to this woman right now if only she could afford to speak. "Not so tough now huh?" The villain teased as she moved towards her.

That was when it happened. In a blink, Usagi came in and out - and the wind current she created through this movement carried the gas outside. Furitta smirked. "Well then, time's up." She told Baristriss who was trying to process what had happened. Furitta got into her offensive position and began aiming punch after punch at her. Without the gas, the two who were trapped had more movement space. "Good job Usagi!" She yelled, hoping she would be able to hear her somehow.

"Serpentine, Talon, get out here!" She exclaimed before grabbing Baristriss as she aimed a punch and then pushed her to the center of the room so that she was in clear vision of anyone there. Then she started to notice the unconscious bodies of civilians lying on the floor, but scattered enough so that it wouldn't be hard to not step on them as they fought.

Baristriss recovered and took out another gas grenade but was slow enough. There was an open window for them to get it out of her hands before she activated it.

[Dusty]

Sensing Talon’s presence reclining beside her, Serpentine shifted her weight ever so slightly broken glass crunching beneath her. A mixture of confusion and contentment clouded her judgment at Talon’s words, and she was worried he might see the inappropriately timed smile growing on her face. Try as she might Serpentine could not think straight in her present state of being. The fear of total darkness, combined with happiness and Talon’s concern for her wellbeing and the seriousness of their quandary all muddled by the toxic gas left her mind more scrambled then the eggs she ate for breakfast. The eagle-hero’s comments about her being cute weren’t helping either. Furrowing her brow Serpentine tried her best to force these conflicting thoughts and feelings from herself in order to focus. Talon was right about the baristriss’ akuma; with the only three combat fit heroes having already utilized their max abilities and with their Miraculous’ clocks ticking, discovering and destroying the villainous barista’s weapon remained a top priority. Forced into a retreat the heroes could be picked off one by one as their Miraculous’ failed, and their suits evaporated like dust on the wind. Shivering at this bleak prospect Serpentine’s foolish grin vanished in an instant and she became serious, running over the many possibilities aloud.

“Any number of things really, especially here at the Lounge. Though if I had to venture a guess I imagine it would be the same as the last guy, his whip was where the Akuma was hidden right.” Serpentine reasoned, blinking rapidly and jerking her head from side to side. The gas made her feel lightheaded, as if she was exhausted and would like nothing more than to lay down and fall sleep. She resisted the urge through the spasmodic movements, using Talon’s shoulder to push herself onto her unsteady feet. “The Baristriss is using spray bottles right, they explode but she always seems to have more… It disobeys so many laws of physics, but so do these suits and powers… She must have a main one that she can use to summon all the others. If we can disarm her she won’t be able to throw any more gas, and we’ll be able to purify her Akuma!”

At that moment the ferocious battle between Furrita and Baristriss heated up, with the heroine alone and in trouble of being overwhelmed as yet another gas bomb was primed and ready to throw. Serpentine cast about in mental desperation for something, anything that might change the tide of battle. Underfoot the glass crunched loudly into even smaller pieces. The remains of a shattered window, destroyed by Usagi’s slingshot minutes before. “Usagi!” Serpentine gasped in remembrance, raising her voice to the point where the rabbit hero might hear her. “Usagi, disarm the Baristriss with your slingshot!” Turning to Talon, or to where she thought Talon was Serpentine spoke in a rapid, quiet tone. “You’ll have to leave me here. Once Usagi knocks the Baristriss’ Akuma away you’ve got to snatch it, yell when you do and I’ll cast an illusion around you and Furrita. It’ll keep you both covered until you can purify it. Make sure to hold your breath and close your eyes if a grenade goes off, and Talon… Please be careful.”

[Rockin Strings]

"You have a good point. The only problem with me getting out there is my wall which won't go down until my timer runs out. At least then I should be able to get you out but I'll look like a civilian. At least that's something you can add to the story." Though his voice betrayed him a bit, he tried his best to sound confident and in control of the situation.

-----

Rouge-Bat strode out the hallway he'd been hiding in. "You imbeciles will never learn. I told you why I need your miraculouses. Baristress, hold your bombs. You don't want them getting the upper hand on us." He strode up to Furitta with a glare. "Give it freely and I'll let you walk away."

[Tenma Tendo]

Despite the praise she received from the ferret-themed hero, Usagi's mind had completely fogged up from the gas she forced out the window. She was currently perched up on the window she originally jumped from, awaiting for the gas to escape before doing so, scanning the scene the best she could while also trying to maintain balance on the windowsill. Tears obscured her eyesight and the dangerous gas had her reeling from a coughing fit that made her suck in even more breaths of said gas as it left the premises. Now Usagi just felt tired, dizzy, and sick, but she knew she still had a job to do.

The blue haired girl tried to focus as the Baristriss and Furitta traded blows. Even though her mind was steadily growing foggy, Usagi could tell that the later was doing so much more better now compared to when she had to fight the terrible fumes along with this woman. But what could she do now to help? She couldn't think straight, and her eyesight was starting to give out on her. It probably would have given out completely if it hadn't been for the sound of a familiar voice calling out her name.

Alertness flickered in Usagi's eyes as she was given her next task to disarm the Baristriss. Gazing back at said woman, the young girl from her perspective noticed the purple tinged bottle strapped to her side. Was that where she was getting the other spray bottles? It had to be the case as before Usagi knew it, despite how slow the movement was to get the bomb ready, the Baristriss had a similar shaped grenade ready to chuck at Furitta in particular. Shaking her head to subdue the fogginess in her brain, Usagi took aim, pulling back on the slingshot as fast and far as she could. It sounded like Serpentine yelled out the request, which meant she had very little time before the target became weary of her. Luckily Furitta was a great distraction.

Two shots, that's all she needed. But with the quiet beeping that came from her Miraculous lulling her further to unconsciousness and her entire frame shaking in attempts to get the perfect shot, would she really be able to do this? Fortunately - more like unfortunately - the one and only Rouge-Bat forced her to halt her movements. With how close everyone was getting to each other, Usagi looked to Furitta with dilated eyes struggling to stay open. She knew that she could shoot the bomb still in the Baristriss' hand and give the ferret hero a distraction to possibly grab the Akumatized item and run, but that would put her friend in danger and possibly put her in more danger if Rouge-Bat wasn't started by the sudden bomb's detonation.

Before the rabbit hero could even process any more options, she felt her body give out. Since she was still aiming the slingshot at the bomb in the Baristriss' hand, when she fell over, the ball flew and collided into the bomb, but not with enough force to knock it out of her hands; hopefully just detonate it. As for Usagi herself, the heroine fell forward from her spot on the window, landing on the hard Lounge floor with an almost lifeless thud. The last thing she heard with the faint beeping of her Miraculous as the gas from earlier finally found its way into the entirely of Usagi's small frame, rendering her unconscious...

[Polaris North]

There was a small moment of hesitation clear in the Baristriss' face and the appearance of Rogue Bat seemed to have been the reason for it. She held onto the bomb but her grip was loose. On one hand was her bomb which was now dangling precariously from going down, and the other held a spray bottle which she had only been using as her melee weapon. Quite an effective one too, if you ask Furitta.

"And haven't I explained to you that we won't give up our Miraculous because we want to help?" She said back, holding her glare as well. But Furitta wasn't in her best condition. She had already used up her special power and she knew that she only had a few more minutes before she would transform back; add the fact that she had also inhaled some of the gas from before, she was not in the right shape to fight both Baristriss and Rogue Bat.

Furitta's mind was racing. The only backup she had right now was Usagi and she didn't know what condition the girl was in right now. She didn't know what to do. She can't think of a solid plan right now. Could she possibly take them off using the sheer power of adrenaline? No, no... that would only make her tired. The best case scenario was to run away with the Akumatized object. Furitta had suspicions of the spray bottle since the girl didn't seem to be wearing anything of note.

That was when Usagi's shot collided with the bomb and it exploded - purple gas quickly filling up their space. Rogue Bat and Furitta was sure to be affected by this sudden burst as the akumatized villain was the only one who was invulnerable to this. "Serpentine, illusions!" She yelled out as her body made its own decisions. She couldn't hold her breath for long but thanks to the shocked Baristriss, she was able to snatch the spray bottle without a problem. Everything rested with Serpentine's ability to trick Rogue Bat to attacking the wrong her.

[Dusty]

“You trapped us in here?” Serpentine cried out in shock, stumbling blindly forward until her hands rested against cold, unmoving stone. Gloves scrapping across the rock, she searched for some crevice through which they might squeeze. She knew her actions were pointless, any escape she might discover would’ve been spotted by Talon in a moment. Still she waited until she circumvented their entire enclosure before she surrendered. They were well and truly trapped, at least until Talon’s power faded and the stone crumbled like the walls of Jericho. Resting her weary body against the barrier she sighed, one ear pressed against it as she listened to the events transpiring outside. In a moment her blood ran cold.

“Rouge-Bat’s out there, and Furrita and Usagi are facing him alone.” Serpentine pounded her fists against the unyielding stone. “You – we have to help them somehow. Can’t you bring this wall down any faster?” At that moment an explosion shook the building to its foundations and purple gas seeped through the slight gap where the rock and roof met. Serpentine coughed sucking in one last lungful of stale air before she became surrounded by the sweet scented gas. She could feel it tickling her face, clogging around her nostrils and dancing off her tightly shut eyelids. One good breath and she’d be out cold. Not knowing what Talon was doing, or if he even remained awake Serpentine pounded thrice upon the wall to little effect.

“Serpentine, illusions!”

Furrita’s voice spurred Serpentine into action. Abandoning her efforts to break through the rigid barricade, she grasped the Miraculous of Deception in both hands, focusing on the first thing that popped into her muddled brain. Opening her mouth Serpentine prepared to shout, her mouth filling with the potent vapor.

“Mir-uglgh, Mir-age…”


In an instant a hundred oversized ferrets sprang into being clutching numerous styles of spray bottles. Everything from Fabreez, to Raid, and even Pinesole and Lavender chemical concoctions were held in their collective paws as they pranced and spun across the room like massive circus dogs. The oddity would have shocked even the most collected individuals, and greatly confused even those who knew how the illusions were created in the first place. Serpentine’s toxin infused brain was to blame for the six-foot tall bottle wielding mustelids, and if she could’ve seen her mistake she would’ve been extremely embarrassed. As it was Serpentine struggled to remain conscious in her prison of blindness, as the gas she inhaled began taking its toll on her body.

Outside the scurrying furry giants did their duty despite their unprecedented appearance. Snapping and spraying at the Baristriss while concealing Furrita and Usagi behind a wall of vibrant light and sound.

[Rockin Strings]

Talon watched the snake girl with a frown. He wanted them to be safe but not suffocate. There was nothing he could do or say while she checked the cracks. She asked if he could bring it down faster, which got him thinking. "I would need an-" He was cut off by Furitta shouting that she needed an illusion. "Perfect timing." he shrugged.

As soon as Serpentine used her illusions, Talon quickly spoke, "Wings fold." He caught Beek and slid the kwami into his hood before covering Serpentine's eyes and leading her out a nearby open window. Eddie stayed behind her, not letting her see him yet, as he slid a candy egg to hours tiny friend. He led the hero girl to a hidden corner before taking Beek from his hood to see him finishing the chocolate treat. "Beek," he smiled, "wings spread." Talon return to Serpentine to check on her before rushing back inside.

-----

"You don't understand!" Rouge-Bat began. He frowned at the giant ferrets before looking at his ally. "They'll be back. They forgot their bunny." He looked to where the youngest heroine had fallen to see Talon carrying her out the window.

[Polaris North]

Furitta was beyond impressed. She was the one who told Serpentine to activate the illusions but even she was surprised when they appeared. Some part of her wanted to laugh, but this was certainly no time to do that. She'd be knocked unconscious if she even dared to breathe in another time.

She ducked under the illusions even if she knew they couldn't hurt her. Furitta reached Usagi just as Talon took her to a corner. "I'll take her outside you deal with-" She coughed once, eyes getting blurry. She won't last long. "You get Serpentine and get the hell out of here." This was not the time to fight. No. Not now.

She scooped up Usagi and went through the window. The beeping of her suit mixed with Usagi's. Time's up for her. She turned and smashed the bottle against the concrete wall of the Lounge - smashing it to pieces and letting the akuma fly out. Before it could go any further, Furitta's wires pierced through it.

"Take that... Rogue... Bat..." Furitta sat down and then leaned against the wall. At least she was outside and she could hear the police and paramedics coming. He won't be getting their Miraculous - not today. Her eyes closed and her erratic breathing began normalizing. Her suit deactivated a few seconds after that and Poyzz patted her head and then stayed inside her pocket.

Baristriss, on the other hand, collapsed inside. Her power now non-existent as the akuma was destroyed. She crumpled down on the ground, of no use to the Miraculous-wielding villain.

[Rockin Strings]

Talon, being the only hero left awake, stood with his tonfas ready as he eyed down Rouge-Bat. Neither of them spoke before rushing at each other. Talon, however, wasn't aiming for the ex-hero but for the girl who had been the Baristress. After checking her over, he turned to see the bat retreating. He gave the girl a closer inspection before trying to wake her. Whether he woke her or not, he would do his best to make sure she wasn't injured too badly. With her taken care of, he began looking for the girls. He first checked for where Furitta had taken Usagi, only to see a large number of civilians. "Either they're not here or their kwami need to rest." he sighed, looking around. "Wings fold." Eddie caught Beek and slid him in his hood before moving around the building to where he had left Serpentine. It was there he found Tonya. "Tonya." he said, trying to shake her awake.

[Polaris North]

Baristriss did not rouse from her unconscious state. She was relatively fine, no injuries. In fact, she looked like she was sleeping peacefully on the ground. At least the gas completely disappeared when she reverted back to her original form so it wasn't dangerous to enter the building anymore. However, no one was waking up. The gas's effects were still present in the ones who already inhaled it, so quick medical attention was recommended.

Luckily for Talon, he didn't need to check up on anyone as ambulances and police cars pulled up. EMTs started to swarm the area to check up on everyone and to get them to the hospital to be properly checked. The hospital in the city was sure to be filled considering Baristriss's many victims during her parade as a villain. Though, it as been proven that the gas was not lethal and was only meant to knock people out so the city could rest easily knowing that no one was harmed.

The police had entered as well and only spotted Talon amongst the sea of unconscious people. They start to question him about what had happened - suspicion however, was not placed on him. Everyone knew it was the Baristriss who did it as she was already seen by multiple witnesses.

Everyone who was unconscious was rushed to the hospital and their families were contacted.

[Dusty]

Flashing colors and strange visons swirled through Tonya’s mind. The optical illusions danced merrily through her dreams, their voices a cacophony of sound both beautiful and chaotic. They began to spin faster and faster through her inner eye, lost memories occurring all around her, mixing with happy and terrible moments alike. Too fast for her to comprehend until the frenzied whirlwind merged into one singular image, and the familiar tenor voice of a young boy.

“Tonya, Tonya?”

Tonya’s eyes snapped open only for her to squeeze them shut again. The blinding light from the bright morning sun shone down directly upon the spot where she lay, burning her sensitive retinas. She tried again, this time cautiously, letting her eyelids slide open in a controlled fashion. She was outside, how that happened she did not know, and someone was shaking her shoulder and calling her name. Bewildered Tonya focused on the boy, clearing the blurry image until she recognized his pale face and that silly haircut and his strange eyes.

“Ed-Eddie?”

Her parched mouth creaked like a rusty gate as she tried to speak, and her brain worked even slower as it tried to formulate some rational for what was going on. Sirens blared in the background and behind Eddie’s head, Tonya could see a large poster asking people to attend a party at the Luna’s Lunar Lounge plastered on a cracked window. Instantly memories came rushing back as the floodgates were burst wide open. Reaching a hand up to her face Tonya expected to feel her mask and hood, or maybe some of the scale armor that protected her. Instead all she felt was her flushed face and brown hair. She must have passed out from the gas, and Talon must have dragged her out here, and then both of their suits must have deactivated. Tonya wasn’t sure whether she should be terrified or relived. She was quick to add two and two together, and knew there stood only one logical explanation for Eddie being out there, and not in school. She just simply didn’t know what to say to him.

Ossar rose from his hiding place behind Tonya’s hair. He was weak and in desperate need of sustenance, but he remained defiant in the defense of his master. The tiny serpent kwami frowned at Eddie, clearly disapproving of his actions. “Thou should not have returned warrior of the eagle. Daughter of Tabbet’s secret was hers to reveal alone. Thy foolishness hath cost us greatly, and placed you both in grave danger.” Around the corner a group of paramedics rushed towards Tonya, their concerned voices mingling with the other sounds. Ossar slithered back from whence he came, giving Eddie a few last words of advice. “Go now, and speak of this to no one. The finer points of the whole remain concealed. Perhaps the damage will be minimal.”

The paramedics halted beside Tonya, checking her pulse and running a preliminary inspection. Lifting the semi-conscious girl onto a stretcher they thanked Eddie for looking after her before rushing her limp form onto the nearest ambulance. The last thing Tonya remembered thinking before the doors of the truck slammed shut, was whether Eddie was angry about the way she’d yelled at him only hours before on the steps to school.

[Rockin Strings]

Eddie nearly jumped back when the snake kwami jumped out to berate him in a rather odd way of speaking. "I came back to see if Serpentine was still here. I didn't expect to take as long as I did getting the others out of there so the paramedics could help them. I didn't expect to find out the girl I've been crushing on for a year to-" He speed himself, not knowing how Tonya would react.

He felt Beek climb up on his shoulder before following his friend behind Tonya's hair. "Ossar!" he whispered happily, moving to hug the snake. "It's been forever."

Eddie stayed with Tonya as the paramedics lifted her on the stretcher. Holding her hand, he said nothing. The look in his eyes betrayed his feelings for her, the surprise that she was Serpentine, and the emotional pain that he couldn't protect her better. Just before they lifted her into the ambulance, he finally spoke. "Call me when you get out."

Beek hadn't said anything to the snake, mostly in fear of being caught, but was quick to try for a hug again before moving quickly and stealthily back into Eddie's hood. "Is she still mad?" he asked, trying not to let anyone else but Eddie hear him. With a shrug, he began the walk back to school.

Once at school, he was sent to the principle's office for leaving school grounds. There was nothing to say that would keep him out of trouble so he took his punishment, a week of after school detentions.

-----

Matthew Rhodes watched from a distance as the paramedics quickly worked to get everyone to the hospitals. The majority of them were taken to the closest, the University of Louisville Hospital. He had considered trying to blend in with the crowd to give him better access to another potential akuma but had decided against it. It was time to go to Germantown.

[Tenma Tendo]

As expected, the paramedics eventually got to both Bella and Alex and took them to Louisville Hospital to monitor and ensure that they would be okay before leaving. The electric blue haired girl was still entirely unconscious, as a bandage was wrapped firmly around her head due to a cut and minor concussion from hitting the floor so hard; fortunately Hoppi thought fast and sluggishly hid in the pocket of Bella's still pure white dress. If she wasn't being transported to a hospital by the paramedics, she would probably just look as if she was sleeping peacefully.

Her mind remained entirely blank, devoid of dreams or recollecting past memories. She was practically a vegetable for a few hours until her eyes suddenly fluttered open to the sight of her precious Kwami eyeing her from under the sheets worriedly. Said Kwami practically lit up when she saw her partner finally wake up after who knows how long, but she didn't say anything. Bella frowned as the dull ache in her head, coupled with Hoppi's quiet behavior made her take another look at her surroundings.

Eyes darting to and fro as she scanned the hospital room, Bella only sat up when she noted there was another, familiar, patient in the room. Said girl sat up quickly, only to regret it seconds later as the ache in her head move to the rhythm of her heartbeat. What was going on? Of course she was in a hospital room, but where? Memories currently muddled from just waking up and unsure of how to act in such a situation, Bella began to panic. She should be in school, not here. What if her parents figured out? Would they even care? Would she be the one that would have to tell them? Or were they already informed?

Dread then mixed with the panic on her face as she tried to get out of bed.

[Polaris North]

There was something about being in a comatose like state that put her in unease. It may be the fact that her mind was completely blank for the hours that she was asleep, or it may be because of the fact that she didn't know what had happened after she purified the akuma. There was no way of knowing while she was in this state. She wanted to wake up.

Her sleep was only for two hours, perhaps because of the lack of exhaustion, unlike in Bella's case. She groaned as she woke up, draping her arm over her eyes for a moment as the light blinded her. The area was silent - unnervingly so. She took a deep breath and put her arm back down and surveyed the area she was in.

It was a hospital room. She's spent some time in one to know what it looked like. This time, however, there was a surprising lack of anything hooked up to her or bandages. Of course not, she didn't break her arm or leg and landed in the hospital. She just passed out.

Passed out? For how long? Her heart rate began to pick up as she sat up, not bothered by her sight going black for a moment before reaching over to the desk where her phone lay. She felt herself choke when the time indicated that school wasn't over yet, but she had multiple missed calls from her mother, her father and Jesse. The school probably contacted them when she suddenly disappeared from school.

Though, she was rather sure that they already knew she was in the hospital. They should have been contacted by now... but they weren't here. They didn't come. Maybe they just got used to their daughter getting into accidents. She rubbed the back of her head before sitting down cross legged on the bed. Poyzz had peeked out of her jacket but kept silent because of the other people in the room.

She texted Jesse and her mom about her condition in the hospital. Jesse had replied immediately with a worries response and claimed she'll visit after school but Alex knew there was no need for that. Her mom, however, took her sweet time to reply. Most likely because of her work. Her mom just said they needed to talk later.

She put her phone down again and sighed. She felt like this won't be the last time she'd get hounded on by her parents. Part time superhero was sounding like a pain. That was when she started to hear shuffling from the other bed. It was the kid from earlier at school... the Frazier kid. What was she doing here? "Hey, hey you shouldn't get out of bed. The nurses will swing by to check us out before we can leave." She looked confused. Must be the effect of the gas. That was then only logical reason why she would be here after all. "Calm down, okay? You're not in any danger anymore. You're safe." She must have been scared thanks to the Baristriss.

The fact that Bella shouldn't be there didn't cross Alex's mind.

[Dusty]

In the time it took to reach the hospital Tonya had already mostly recovered. Having been woken up earlier by Eddie she was still tired and disoriented, but conscious enough to walk herself into the public ward. There other already conscious victims were getting checked over for any potential side effects from the gas, and Tonya was sat down and given a crinkly silver shock blanket and a bottle of water which she was instructed to drink entirely. Tonya wasn’t entirely sure why, but she sat obediently, the blanket draped around her shoulders taking small sips from the bottle as overworked nurses scurried from one victim to the next administering care. This hustle and bustle left Tonya very much alone, herself having been thoroughly checked over first by the concerned hospital staff. They’d done the basics and asked for her legal guardian’s contact before leaving her be. She was allowed to sit and dwell upon the newest revelation between her and Eddie for the better part of a half hour.

How was it possible? Tonya never would’ve guessed in a thousand years that Talon and Eddie were the same person. She was sure she would’ve recognized Eddie’s eyes even under the mask. They were so distinct. Was she blinded, or did the suits conceal even those from her and the others. And as for the others, were they in her class as well? Did they all attend the same school and know each other in real life? Or was her and Eddie’s friendship a mere coincidence. A one in a million shot in the dark that they were acquainted. Maybe, with Eddie’s help she could figure out the mystery of the miraculouses. Surely it wasn’t a coincidence they both had them. She would have to talk with him as soon as possible.

“Tonya, you’re okay!” A yelled cry rose above the general chatter and in the next moment Tonya found herself swept up in her father’s arms, the shock blanket falling away as he practically lifted her off her feet. Mr. Tabbet was shuddering, as if he was terrified by something, shocking Tonya as he pressed his tear stained face into her shoulder. “Oh sweetheart, please don’t ever do this to me again. First the school telling me you’d disappeared, and then the hospital… I was so scared.”

“I’m alright, I promise.” Tonya said, feeling extremely guilty at her father’s evident concern. He’d never really fully recovered from his wife’s passing only a few years before. It made sense that such vague and disconcerting phone calls from both the school board and the hospital would horrify him. Tonya felt a few tears of her own trickle hot down her cheeks as the extended embraced finally ended. “I’m so sorry dad, I didn’t mean to worry you. And school, did they tell you?”

Mr. Tabbet looked haggard as if he’d rushed from work, but was more relieved that Tonya was safe and unhurt than angry at her transgressions. He hushed her, using the crinkly blanket to dab at her eyes and wipe the tears away. “I heard, we’ll talk in the car. Come on, let’s check you out of here.”

[Tenma Tendo]

Just as Bella was able to turn herself around in said bed and place her feet on the ground, the petite girl looked up at the sound of the other patient occupying the room. Her gaze was immediately drawn to the other's sea blue, and kind of familiar, eyes as bright as her hair. For some reason, this seemed to be enough to clear some of the memories of the events that happened a few hours prior. The Lounge. The gas...the target. Since she was now in a hospital and out of her superhero form, she could assumed that all the unconscious people were saved and brought here by the paramedics. If that was the case, then that also meant their target was gone. Defeated? She hoped, but wouldn't know for sure unless she met with the others.

Bella quickly brought her attention back to the older girl, her expression less confused and more embarrassed then anything.
U-Uh, yeah...r-right! Y-You're right... Th-Thank you very m-much, Miss...um..." Despite the excessive stuttering, her voice and posture remained lithe and poised, although not knowing the other's name caused her to trail off. As she continued to give her utmost attention to the dark haired girl she shared a room with, Bella couldn't help but feel as if she's seen this girl somewhere before...embarrassment slowly formed into nervousness as she realized that it was probably someone that went to her school. She looked far too young to be an adult and almost seemed to have a cool air about her, like she wasn't too surprised about what happened to her. Of course, Bella wouldn't say anything out loud in fear of her suspicions being incorrect.

Noting that the other had a phone in her possession, Bella quickly reached into her unoccupied pocket and revealed a small flip phone. Squinting from the phone light that made her headache even worse, Bella could only let out a saddened sigh. Of course she had no messages. Her parents probably don't even know where she is right now...not that they really cared; they'd just shower her with gifts as a way of apologizing...

The electric blue girl frowned, almost pouted when the room door opened, revealing one of the nurses along with another woman in a dark suit; someone Bella recognized.
"Good afternoon, ladies, glad to see you guys are awake and moving a little. Ms. Fraizer, your maid is here to check you out." The nurse smiled sweetly as she walked over to the younger girl, looking over her head once before helping her stand. She then brought her attention to the other girl, a slight frown tugging at her lips. "Unfortunately, Ms. McAllister, we contacted your parents, but neither of them said they would be able to check you out anytime soon. If you were 18 or older it wouldn't be a problem, but..." The trailed off, her expression sympathetic.

Bella looked back and forth between the two before raising her hand slightly to get their attention.
"U-Um, would it b-be alright if she came with me? Th-That shouldn't be a p-problem right?" She questioned, looking back to her maid who nodded in approval before looking back at the nurse with a hopeful look.

"Well...normally we wouldn't allow something like that...but due to the circumstances, so long as she gets some form of approval from her parents, it should be alright to do so." A smile crept up Bella's face before she was all out grinning as she looked to the other patient happily. It would have been terrible if she would have to stay all alone in the hospital for so long, plus, she did help Bella calm down and take a breath. This was the least she could do for the other girl.

[Polaris North]

Alex smiled at her when she visibly calmed down. Well it wasn't calming down, per se, but at least she wasn't struggling to stand up while she was still so disoriented. The girl then pulled up her legs and sat down on the bed - cross legged and facing the girl. The mere fact that she seemed so composed despite the fact that she was stuttering was... oddly funny to Alex. It just seemed so contradictory and yet here was this girl, doing that same thing. "Alex." She added when she trailled off. "Just Alex alright?" She wasn't big on formalities after all, and someone calling her miss just puts her off.

When she saw the blue haired girl take out her phone to look at her messages, Alex assumed that her parents would pick her up. But the sigh said it all. It wasn't a sigh of defeat where you know you're going to get grounded. No, that was a sigh of sadness. One she often did when her parents couldn't come to something important thanks to their jobs. Alex had wanted to say something to the girl but wasn't sure what to say. I feel you? Yeah, as if that would make the mood better.

Before she could actually think of something to say, a nurse had entered with someone else. Alex bowed her head slightly as a form of acknowledgement and mouthed a greeting. So she was correct to assume that she was the Fraizer kid - the same one who bumped into her earlier. What were the odds right? Though, that solid connection now formed another question.

What the hell was she doing at Luna's Lunar Lounge during school time?

Alex's attention was brought back when the nurse helped Bella stand up, claiming that her maid was here to check her out. Oh, so she did have a guardian. And as expected, Alex couldn't be let out since none of her guardians could actually come to pick her up. She wanted to say that this was a surprise, but it wasn't something that has happened only now. "I know." She said, giving her a forced smile.

That was when Bella decided that she wanted to help Alex by helping her get out of there. Surprisingly, the nurse agreed that it would be fine as long as she got confirmation from her parents. "Wait a second." She then took out her phone and then called her mother. Three rings later, the woman picked up.

"I told you Alex, we're going to talk about this later. I'm picking you up once I'm off."

Alex almost flinched at the sudden response before putting it on loudspeaker. "A friend of is getting checked out too and her maid is here. Can I go with them? They just need your confirmation."

There was a pause as her mother mulled it over. "Alright. You can go. But make sure to go back-" Alex quickly turned off the loudspeaker and pressed the phone against her ear. "-home alright? No escaping this time young lady. I'm telling Daniella not to harbor you."

"Of course mom." Alex then put down the phone and then stood up. She looked perfectly fine though she wasn't willing to admit that her vision swayed the moment she stood up. Alex then proceeded towards the nurse and then smiled. "Thank you for taking care of me." She said before looking at Bella and her maid. She wasn't about to lead when they were the ones who bailed her out of the hospital.

[Dusty]

Principal Jeremy Luong prided himself on running one of the best Public Schools on this side of the Mississippi. That might not have been entirely true, but the Board did tell him he operated one of the highest rated institutions in Kentucky, and striving towards a higher goal was always a positive in Luong’s mind. Usually this kept portly man in a good mood as he strode down the halls, a stern smile on his lips as he passed the thronging students. Today however a frown furrowed his brow and he strode along swiftly, his hands full of files. Turning a corner Luong stopped just outside his office where five motley children sat in a row next to his door. They were watched over by his secretary, the eagle-eyed Miss Carrington, who never once shifted her gaze off the shamefaced miscreants. Sighing Luong scanned over the files he held, reading the names and reports on the interesting phone calls the school had both received and sent in regards to four of them. An unamused smile twitched at the corners of Luong’s lips.

“Well, Mr. Braouts, today you aren’t the school’s highest offender. Congratulations are in order I suppose.” The fifth child, a regular to the office gave a halfhearted shrug in typical delinquent fashion. In the background massing students were opening their lockers and snatchings sneak peeks at this unusually large assemblage gathered at the Principal’s Office; already rumors were forming about their misdeeds. Principal Luong opened the door, ushering the five students inside. “Everyone take your seat from here, I’m afraid my Office is ill equipped to house the lot of you.” Waiting until all five had gathered their plastic hall chairs and lugged them into position Luong closed and locked his door, rolling down the blinds so that no one would be able to spy on them. Ensured of their continued privacy Luong stepped around his desk, plopping down on his comfy black executive and swiveling the seat about. Setting the files down Luong peered at each student over his glasses as he read their names aloud.

“Mr. Erickson, third visit. You took it upon yourself to leave school and get involved in… Well we’ll come to that. Miss Frazier, first visit, and you’re a model student. Young lady I am very disappointed. I really did not wish to see you in here for something so foolish as absence from school. Or at all for that matter. Miss Tabbet.” Here the Principal paused for a long while, scanning over the extensive list of charges brought up against this particular student. “Third visit. Miss Tabbet, you gave your father quite the scare this morning. I suppose running away from detention was a preferable avenue to you then facing your punishment?”

Tonya shook her head. Her eyes were puffy from crying all the way back during the car ride. Her father, disappointed and stern had tried to garner some understanding as to why she’d played hookie today, and to all of his questions she’d lied or remained in obstinate silence, unable to explain what she’d been really doing. She tried to hide this painfully obvious fact by turning her face downwards, as if hoping to find some answer etched upon the dull grey carpeting. She wished dearly Principal Luong had taken them separately, so that Eddie wouldn’t see her like this.

Receiving no reply Luong slid forward the fourth file grimacing down at the papers. “Mr. Braouts, twelfth visit. Honestly son, what did you hope to gain by doodling offense images on the cafeteria tables? Please just think for once.” Sighing his picked up the final file. “And lastly Miss McAllister, first visit. I thought you would have been old enough to know better than to run off with your younger, more impressionable friends here. I imagine you should have been the voice of reason when the idea was first presented. You kids are very lucky indeed to not have been injured worse. As fortune would have it Rouge-Bat was there to save you from what I’ve been told was a terrorist gas attack. Similar to yesterday’s incident in fact.”

Tonya made a small noise of disgust but it quickly died in her throat as Luong turned his disapproving gaze towards her. “Have you something to say Miss Tabbet?”

“No sir.” She stuttered, returning to staring at the floor.

“I did not think so.” Principal Luong folded his hands together, laying them on his desk as he addressed the four who’d been absent. “The school does not implement its rules for no reason. When students aren’t where they are supposed to be it could mean anything, including a wide range of dangerous possibilities. I hope your recent visit to the hospital provides substantial evidence towards this fact. Indeed the police were notified and alerts were sent out for four missing children, as patrol cars were scrambled and a county wide alert was sounded. Although it was not necessarily a waste of resources this time due to the attack, however I am certain the police officers all over the city did not appreciate being deployed for an emergency only to be told it was a couple of students causing trouble.

“I can only hope that you take this little talk of ours to heart, and that I have impressed upon you the seriousness of your actions. And in order to ensure they are carved in stone Miss McAllister, Miss Frazier, and Mr. Braouts, you shall each have a three day detention and calls shall be made to all of your parents. Mr. Erickson, Miss Tabbet. A seven day detention, including Monday and Tuesday of next week. Also every one of you shall bring your parents with you to discuss this incident independently, excluding you Mr. Braouts. I shall send out times and dates for this meeting to your parents myself.” Snapping his files together into an organized pile Principal Luong stood up, motioning for the door.

“As for your detention today, Mr. Braouts has highlighted a rather pressing issue in the lunchroom and kitchen involving a significant amount of vandalism. Not to mention dishes that need scrubbing, floors that need sweeping, and so on and so forth. I expect the place to be satisfactorily cleaned when I come and check on you in an hour or two. Oh, and you three who went to the hospital. If you start feeling nauseous or sick, or strange in any way run straight away to the nurse’s office. Right, well off you chop.”