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>no order the icey cream

It’s a frivolous idea to order an ice cream when you can’t eat it— especially if it’s not on your dime— and, if you can’t enjoy the ice cream yourself, you’ll be happy enough seeing Matt and Bernard enjoy theirs. Nonetheless, you end up taking an empty cup to your reserved booth just to blend in to the average onlooker.

After the three of you get situated, you take a moment to just enjoy the interior of the antique gelateria.

Bernard had purchased a large sundae for himself, complete with all of the bells, whistles, and candy-coatings. Matt, meanwhile, had gotten something more humble-looking, but at Bernard’s insistence he was still stuck with an ice cream large enough for several people. Go big or go home, Bernard had said.

“This ice cream’s really good.” Matt says through a mouthful of pistachio.

“Gelato.” Bernard corrects from behind his own mountain of gelato.

“Basically the same thing.” Matt points out as he dips back into his own ice cream.

“No way!” He refutes. “They’re like two completely different things.” And then Bernard launches into a spiel about gelato versus ice cream, his mouth going a mile a minute. When he stops, Matt has a devious smirk on his face, and the only utterance from his lips is, “Still ice cream,” before Bernard is at it again.

If you had told Matt that the two of you would be having gelato with a teen who was undoubtedly one of the Crux’s higher-ups, he probably would’ve thought you mad. Now, you might consider the cocky teen to be something of a friend.

You want to ask him something that’s been on your mind, because you’re feeling both curious and brave, and you think you’ve known him long enough that he wouldn’t mind you asking.

>The question that you choose to ask Bernard is:
>”Why did you join the Crux?”
>”Whatever happened to Pharos?”
>Why did you leave the Crux?"
>write-in

>>4207485
>Why did you leave the Crux?"

>>4207485
Personally this feels like a bad time to bring up old memories, but whatevs.

>"Why did you leave the Crux?"

Going with the least heavy.

>>4207485
>Why did you leave the Crux?"

>>4207485
>Why did you leave the Crux?"
Then
>”Whatever happened to Pharos?”

>>4207711
>>4207577
>>4207522
>>4207499

>tfw when you got an Elise-colored post ID (well close enough to it)

“Bernard.” You start. “I know this is a stupid question, but I was just thinking-- why did you leave the Crux?”

“Nah.” Bernard waves you off. “There’s no such things as stupid questions…”

“…Only stupid people.” Matt finishes with a grin. You and Bernard are glaring him down for the jab but are smiling all the while, because that was pretty funny.

When the play-glares are over, Bernard relaxes in his seat, a thoughtful look crossing his features. It’s so much easier to tell what he’s thinking when his eyes aren’t hidden by the glow.

“To be honest fishface, they kinda left me.” He eventually speaks up. You tilt your head at the cryptic statement. “I mean, I thought we were doin’ somethin’ good at first with helpin’ all the people; then I kinda stepped back and thought that some of the stuff we were doin’ was kinda funny, but I didn’t know why until the day when the cops came.”

You nod, because you have an inkling as to where he might be going with this.
“I didn’t know why, but Pharos told me to keep an eye on you, and you went away for a little bit.” He scrunches his face as it seems he’s trying to recall the details of that night. “That’s when I heard him talkin’ to Matt like a dog, and then he told him about his powers— then my brain felt like—“ He makes a wide, sweeping gesture with his hands. “Fwoosh!”

That actually makes a lot of sense, you think, because you probably would’ve never gotten out of the Crux if not for Pharos’ hubris.

“So why didn’t you just leave them after the cops came?” Matt asks lowly, keeping an eye out for potential listeners.

“Well, for one, I still had a roof over my head, and two I was kind of afraid that Blaze or FastBall would find me and kick my ass.” Bernard’s ever-present smile wavers just slightly, and there’s a long, stretching silence as the boys finish their ice cream.

When they’re finished, you decide to speak up again. “Sorry for bringing that up if you didn’t want to talk about it.” Because you feel bad for letting your curiosity get the better of you.“Nah.” Blink waves you off.

“S’all good.”

“You sure?”“Positive.”

“Oh, I forgot!” You nearly shout, but remember your indoor voice for the elegant gelateria. “I meant to say thanks for bringing us here. It’s been really nice.”

“Yeah, thanks.” Matt says. “I don’t think I’ve eaten that much ice cream in ages.”“Want another one?” Bernard asks, grinning from ear-to-ear.

The yearning silence from your brother is enough of an answer for everyone.

(1/2)

>>4208004

Matt is halfway through his second bowl of gelato when the miniature television starts playing the evening news. Even without your enhanced vision, you can already see the blaring headline. Mutant gang does such and such dastardly deed—and you have to stifle a groan, the other occupants of the table sharing your sentiments all the while.

“When they report us on TV, they always make it sound like there’s a million of us. It’s always mutant gang this, mutant gang that. Can’t these journalists get a freaking day job already?”

“Yeah.” Matt’s statement, abrasive as it is, is completely true. “Can’t they come up with anything better than ‘mutant gang?’

Your fervent dislike of the current epithet the media’s given your group causes an idea to suddenly form in your mind. “Well,” You begin, drawing out your word to catch Matt’s and Bernard’s attentions. “Why don’t we?”

“But the media’s not going to change what they call us just cause we do.” Matt points out in an instant, and he’s right. "Sorry Ellie."

“Hey!” Bernard interrupts. “I had a couple of ideas for some names, but I didn’t know how they’d be for you guys.” Green eyes are on you. “Did you happen to have anything in mind, fishface?”

You nod, elated that someone had the same idea as you. In fact, you had several ideas, because you also thought that you needed something to distinguish yourselves, but you had memorized only a few of the best-sounding ones.

>Which of these do you think sounds the best?
>The Nightwatch
>The Outguard
>The Echelon
>name? Why tf do we need a name? Matt's right.
>write-in (no shitposts)

>>4208009
>The Vanguard

>>4208022
This

FINALLY.

Alright, 'Vanguard' is okay, but it's lacking punch, pizzazz, uniqueness. We need something that rolls off the tongue, says what we are without being either hokey or ambiguous in a way that it can be immediately thought of as 'evil' or 'threatening'. Not 'can never be thought of as evil', because anything can be given a negative spin, but something that for those first few seconds upon hearing it makes you go 'oh, that doesn't SOUND' bad. News might not care, but it might make your average layman think. Vanguard might make them thing 'Vanguard for what'?

Also needs to be something that says what we do, if not who we are. We're a bit too disparate for a visual description of a name, so something that tells what we're about- protecting the mutant peoples from predation by these FutureTech goons.

Hm...

> The Rangers. (I want to say X-Rangers SOOOO bad but I think that's just my old fashioned taste.)

or, maybe.

> M-Guard

Simple, snappy, defensive meaning, kinda hokey, but it describes what we're about well enough.

>>4208247
I too like X-Rangers

>>4208009

Since this is a big vote, going to leave it open until tonight.

>>4208009
>>4208247
I like M-Guard

>>4208247
>M-Guard
Changing to this from >>4208042 because yoi bring up a good point. It's a cheesy name, sure, but it gets the point across.

Much obliged. Hopefully we can eventually recruit others to our cause.

And we still need a base of operations.

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>>4208022

>vanguard

You mean these guys?

>>4208247
>>4208595
>>4208682

“How about the M-Guard?” It had been one you were kind of on the fence about but still managed to remember somehow, and, the more you roll it over in your mind, the better it sounds. “It’s short, simple, and it basically says what we’re all about.”

And it’s also a lot more friendly than ‘Mutant Gang,’ but that goes unsaid. Matt nods approvingly, while Bernard gives a beaming grin at your proposal.

“I like it. We gonna get matching T-shirts for it?” Bernard jokingly asks. Matt quirks a grin at the quip, and you’re smiling too, because the idea of touting T-shirts while on the streets seems a little silly to you.

Then again, if you’re saving someone and you don’t have enough time to tell them who you are or why you’re whisking them away from some ominous-looking guys in S.W.A.T.-looking gear, they could at least get an idea of your cause if it’s plastered on either side of your shirt. You mentally file that idea away for later, just in case.

“Hey! Hey guys!” Bernard interrupts your musings, tapping his goblet with a spoon. “Let’s make a toast then, cause we all really wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Ellie.” The compliment positively flusters you, but nonetheless you take your plastic cup and raise your arm for the toast.

You may be the muscle of the group, but Matt and Bernard too— you feel that they are just as important to the team as yourself. Heck, if not for Matt, you wouldn’t have even thought of starting a fitness regimen, nor would you have ever gotten out of the Crux; Blink, meanwhile, has made leaps and bounds in his training, along with his dedication to saving people. If they were even his in the first place, any sentiments against nonmutants that he might’ve had are completely nonexistent. Both your brother and Bernard are two people that you wouldn’t do this “hero” business without.

“To new names!” The three of you thrust your cups forward, and that’s how you all spend the rest of the afternoon, joking and talking about anything and everything. Even Matt is laughing profusely at something Blink said or a joke you made, and there’s something about the scene that makes you feel so at ease, which is when you realize just how good it feels to hang out normally for once.

And, when you take your party from the gelateria to the rooftops, the three of you are still laughing into the night.

>(1/2)

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>>4209820

Eventually, the three of you do have to get home (or a rooftop in Bernard’s case), which is how the blonde ends up teleporting the three of you right into your apartment.

Unfortunately, the distance Bernard had teleported the three of you was from the other side of the city, which is how he ends up falling asleep in the middle of the living room. Not that teleporting long distance was a problem for Bernard alone; it’s just that, the more mass he carries with him during such a teleport, the more tired the teen becomes.

And you really don’t see the idea of Bernard sleeping on your rug much of a problem; neither does Matt.

However, as you’re deliberating on simply leaving him there until he wakes up or just hauling him into the closet, you hear the jingle of keys from the other side of the door, which is how your heart finds its way into your throat.

Matt, too, has taken on a sudden pallor, as he knows as well as you who’s at the other side of the door.

John’s fingers seem to fumble as the keys scrape against the lock, and you know you have only a brief window of time before he comes through the door.

>what do you do?
>it had to happen, boys
>roll d100 move him to the closet
>roll d100 to lock the secondary lock and distract John (write-in excuse)
>roll d100 toss him onto the couch, cover him with a blanket, and have you and Matt sit there nonchalantly
>write-in

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>4209838
>roll d100 move him to the closet
well, it's the safest option

Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>4209838
>roll d100 move him to the closet
HERE WE GOOO

Rolled 48 (1d100)

>>4209838
>Move him to the closet

I'd presume there's a reason we can't throw him into one of our bedrooms.

>>4210221

We totally can. That’s what a write-in’s for. I was just putting out the most obvious options.

>>4209838
>it had to happen, boys

He's a friend who's staying over. Is this a big deal? He's not an obvious mutant.

>>4209838
>>roll d100 to lock the secondary lock and distract John (write-in excuse)
"Gimme a second, i'm naked!!"

>>4210653

>Is this a big deal?

Even though he's been epically failing at this due to work, John is the kind of older sibling that likes to be in the know about what his siblings are doing-- a little too much for Elise's and Matt's tastes, but that's what older siblings do, because he still hasn't quite realized that the two are basically adults.

I would say that it would be a little off-putting for him to see a friend that Elise and Matt are so comfortable with hanging around without even introducing to him.

Plus Bernard looks a little scruffy from sleeping on the streets 85% of the time.

Rolled 17 (1d100)

>>4210760
In that case


>roll d100 to lock the secondary lock and distract John (write-in excuse)

lmao get pranked bro

>>4209858
>>4210047
>>4210221
>>4210773
cursed rolls

Not the best situation here.

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>4209838
>Suppose I'll vote for 'bedroom', after thinking about it.

>>4210221
>>4210047
>>4209858

>to the closet we gooooooO!!!!
>also tfw when we nearly get critical failure

You do the only thing you can think of in the moment, which is scoop up the unconscious teen bridal style and attempt to haul ass to the closet.

However, that is the exact moment the door flings open, John strides through with his usual exhausted air. Thankfully, Matt goes to distract him with a greeting while you head towards the closet as quietly as you can manage by means of the kitchen, struggling all the way not to bump Bernard’s body against anything that could potentially break or make more noise than necessary.

Unfortunately, in your haste to make it to the closet, you completely disregard the piece of wood that catches your foot as you cross the threshold, sending you and Bernard right into the tile floor.

‘Ouch.’ You think, not for yourself but for Bernard, and you hope he doesn’t wake up sore from this. At least you’d been able to take the brunt of the damage yourself.

“Elise!” John calls from the foyer, concern lacing his voice. “You alright?”

“Yeah. Just tripped over the doorway.”

Despite Matt’s attempts at keeping him in the foyer, you remember that the first thing John wants to do after he gets home is get some caffeine in his system. Plus, now he’ll want to see if you’re alright.

There’s no way you can make it into the closet on time, as it’s at the very end of the hallway, but you think you could get Bernard elsewhere if you tried. There are only two places where you can shove him fairly quiet, and with John a mere room away from you.

>What do you do?
>shove him into the bathroom
>shove him into your room
>write-in

Wanted to get this during the afternoon. Realized I had 4-hour exam today-- almost maxed out the time limit, in fact.

also got a real idiot question for anyone with more RPG experience than me: how to gauge level of failure per dice roll?

I know 1 = critical fail and 100 = critical success, and anything over 75 is mostly success, while anything under 25 is mostly failure. Is this a good mental-gauging system? What of the in-betweens?

>>4211740
>shove him into your room
Well, I've seen some quests who increases the sucess each 10 above the minimum passing roll and the reverse until the failure.

>>4211740
>Our room. Preferably in OUR closet if we have one, if not, far side of the bed.

How I use it for my quest is basically 50 is 'succeed in the overall goal but not how you want it, and otherwise basically as you said. HOWEVER, one thing that I believe many people don't take into consideration? Context. The simpler the action to the individual, and less opposition to the action, the smaller the 'success' threshold should be, in my opinion. For example, a professional juggler shouldn't have to get a 75 or above on a roll to do an impressive routine, and a person notably skilled in cooking shouldn't have to score an 80 to make a delicious meal. The inverse applies as well, of course. Otherwise, I'd say just use your own best judgement.

>>4211740
>shove him into your room

uwaaa, we brought a boy into our room~

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>>4211758
>>4211838
>>4211903

You decide your room is the best course of action, and, when you attempt to place Bernard gently onto the floor at the side of your bed, his unconscious body ends up rolling out of your arms and on the floor with a ‘thump.’

You wince.

So much for handling him gently, you think, but the teen sleeps on like nothing even happened.

If John could see you right now, you think he would lose his head at the sight of the “unknown” boy in your room. Even worse would’ve been if he’d actually seen you carrying him. What kind of ideas would he get in his head-- none that were too pretty, of course— and the very thought brings an unbidden heat to your cheeks. Double checking to make sure Bernard’s still okay, you close the door with a little more force than you should’ve, John waiting on the other side.

“Hey Elise.” John says, cup of coffee in his hand. “Did you hurt yourself?”

“No.” You say, leaning against the door frame.

“Good.” He says, taking another swig of coffee. “Cause you were making so much noise in your room that I thought you’d fallen twice.”

A choked noise comes from your throat, but he doesn’t seem to hear it. Nonetheless, when John turns around, you heave a sigh of relief, because Bernard’s safe for the time being.

When you see Matt in the kitchen, you give him a subtle thumbs-up so he knows that all is fine, and you sit yourself down at the table with a glass of cold water.

It’s fortunate that John’s in a relatively pleasant mood tonight, so you think it a good idea to make some conversation with him, as he is your brother.

>what would you like to say?
>Talk about the weather-- a common icebreaker
>Ask him about his day
>Offer to make him more coffee

>>4211981
>Ask him about his day

>>4211981
>Ask about his day? "Work's pushing you extra hard? You've looked more exhausted than usual for the past few days."

Maybe see if we can't get anything to slip from him.

>>4211992
This
Doesn't directly ask him to give details he "shouldn't" but may lead to it, or inferences based on his statements where he *thinks* he's hiding info from us.

>>4211992
+1

>>4211981
>Ask him about his day

How many muties did you torture to death?

>>4211991
>>4211992
>>4212359
>>4212173

“How was work today?”

“Same old, same old.” John shrugs.

“But you look exhausted every time you walk through the door. Are you sure they aren’t working you to the bone?” You inquire; because, for all the time you butt heads with John, you really don’t like seeing him dead-tired every time he walks through the door.

“Nah.” He waves you off. “I wouldn’t have taken the job if I didn’t want it, and, besides, why do you think I went to grad school-- to clean the beakers?” You give him a deadpan look at that. “I mean, I do that too, but that’s not the only thing I do at work...”

Even though he’s talked about his job a million times before, the questioning look on your face is enough of a cue for him to continue.

“Lately, we have to keep track of how many mutants we bring in, check their vitals, and keep them—“ He abruptly pauses. “—keep them calm.” A pursing of his lips before he speaks up again. “A lot of them still think the guy who was on TV is gonna come back for them.”

That’s when you realize he’s talking about Pharos, who still has yet to be caught. Though, without his followers, he might as well be powerless.

“But we’ve also been doing other stuff too, Elise.” John keeps going as if he couldn’t tell that your head was elsewhere. “We’ve been doing lots of experiments with quantum thermodynamics and particle manipulation, which is kind of like what Doctor Charles tried to do with the accelerator last year but on a smaller scale.” That sounds rather interesting, you think. “We’re actually making some decent headway on that end.”

“Hmmm?”

“Yeah…” John’s elbows are slumped over the table, head bent so low that his hair nearly finds its way into his mug. “…Hope it actually works….”

When all goes silent on John's end of the conversation, you realize that he’s far too tired to say anything else. After an apology for nearly falling asleep at the table, retires to his room without another word.

>(1/2)

'Calm.' Cute word for comatose or dead. Although who's 'they'? The mutants or the company? We're a ways from a breakout, but yeah.

And I wonder just WHAT they want mutants for. Gut instinct says super-soldier serum, or something akin. Brain-washed private paramilitary? Who knows for sure. That particle manipulation testing is what makes me worry.

I don't know if he's 100% mutant racist or just drank too much of the kool-aid and sincerely thinks all mutants are addle-brained. We'll have to see later.

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>>4213986

When he finally closes the door, you and Matt make your way back to your room to check up on Bernard, who is still sleeping soundly on your floor. Matt nudges him once, then twice, eliciting a loud, groggy groan from the other teen, and you and Matt step back to give him some space and wait for him to wake up.

“Why do I feel like I’ve been through a ringer?” Is the first thing he asks after he stands up, rubbing the shoulder that had hit the floor. Before you mention the fall you had with him in tow, he looks genuinely confused before he finally realizes where he is and who’s in the room with him. “Wha— where am I?”

“Ellie’s room.” Matt says without pause. “John came home after you passed out on the floor, and we couldn’t make it to the closet on time.”

“Alright.” Bernard seems accepting of that. “I was kind of wonderin’ why everything got so girly, cause for a second I thought I was somewhere else.” Again, he takes in the modest pink room before turning back to you. “You know, I wasn’t expecting you to have such a girly room, fishface.”

You don’t consider your room THAT girly, but he probably expected it to be filled with weights or fish carcasses or something.

“Next time, can you warn us before you try to teleport all the way across the city.” You say to deter him from the topic of your room but also because you want to be able to help him faster if a similar situation were to happen.

“Sure thing, Ellie! The stick would have my ass if I don’t.”

>(2/3)

>>4214058

Two days later, and you’re scouring the city for more mutants. Under the banner of the M-Guard, you think there’s a greater weight to your deeds.

This time, you’re following the police cars to the legislative district, right to the Old Castle Bank.

A hostage situation gone awry had caused someone to lose control of their powers, so badly that the robbers had decided that they would be the perfect hostage. As of yet, any cop that has tried to enter the building has yet to come out, others haven’t even gotten in at all, and even the FutureLabs goons are wary as they mill about the overturned vans strewn here and there.

Staring out at the scene below, you think that Bernard will definitely be able to get you guys in there, and you would like to be able to do this as fast as possible.

>What is the best approach to this situation?
>Apprehend the mutant first, then the robbers
>go for the robbers, save the hostages, find the mutant
>write-in

>official m-guard debut when?!

>>4214061
Can we get any more info about said mutant and the number of robbers? Instinct says to actually go for the mutant first- since that's the focus of the whole situation, absconding with him will rid the robbers of their hostage, and presuming that they'd already let the humans go in exchange for keeping the mutant held up, that'd remove the reason for FutureLabs to be there and for normal police to not move in. It'd likely make us look like 'oh, they just focused on the mutant, they don't care about stopping the robbers, but in this case it's a life at stake, so.

>Apprehend the mutant first, then the robbers
is my initial choice.

>>4214061
>go for the robbers, save the hostages, find the mutant

>>4214061
>go for the robbers, save the hostages, find the mutant

>>4214061

Picking back up tomorrow.

>>4214068

We’ll probably try to either listen in to what the police are doing/saying or get on the radio before we head in.

>>4214083
Changing to >Apprehend the mutant first, then the robbers because >>4214068 makes a good point

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>>4214106
>>4214083
>>4214078

>Apprehend the mutant first, then the robbers

If you’re to remove the mutant first, then the police will actually be able to do their jobs. Furthermore, if you rescue the mutant and the police get in fast enough to rescue the hostages, then the robbers will no longer have any leverage over both the cops and said mutant.

“Not seeing anything in the front Ellie…” Matt says, trying to scope out the bank with his binoculars. "...nothing but cops."

“Want me to check it out?” Bernard’s already ready to get in on the action.

“No.” You shake your head— because on the off chance that the robbers are armed, you don’t want Bernard or anyone for that matter to get shot. Instead, you focus your ears and attempt to filter out the conversation on the ground so as to get some insight as to what’s going on.

“—they’re gonna do it again?”

“—five of them in there—”

“—crazy if they think they’re getting a freaking Chinook—“

It takes a while of waiting before you finally pick up some useful information: there are five robbers, all armed to the teeth, and at least a dozen people are still in the bank. Thankfully, nobody’s been killed yet, but you wonder how long that will last, as their demands for a ride have yet to be met. After relaying the information to Matt and Bernard, you think that now is a good time as ever to get moving.

Once you secure your respective facial coverings, Bernard has his arms around you and Matt, and the scenery changes from the late afternoon cityscape to echoing marble halls. This isn’t the main part of the bank, and, although it is completely vacant, you can hear voices from either direction.

One way, laden with iron gates and barrings, certainly leads towards the vault. The other, meanwhile, goes down a set of stairs--probably where the main area of the bank is.

>You can’t afford to dawdle, so what do you do?
>head to the vault
>head to the main area
>split up (one or two of you one way, and one or two of you the other)

>>4215993
>head to the vault
less to none civilians probably and less leverage for the bandits there

Mm. Not sure how to tell what might reach what. Voices from either direct means there'll be an encounter regardless. We wanted the mutant, but no clue where he is. Gonna wager

>The vault.

Chances are they want to make sure the mutant can't fuck them up and run too easily, and that the normal folk are front and center to look like helpless victims to the assorted folk outside (which they are, to be fair). Easier to bat someone around the vault and it not be heard, or at least dismissed, as opposed to something big happening up front, which'll likely get the other robbers to get suspicious.

>>4216028
>>4216020

>the vault

Conveniently so, each set of metal gates you pass are unlocked and thrown askew. As one of the biggest banks on the eastern seaboard, it is no surprise that the first imposing set of doors leads to yet another hallway, and so on. The voices don’t seem to be fading, so that only means your getting closer to whoever’s in there.

Deeper and deeper into the vault you go, you feel a sense of foreboding as you progress further into the hallways. Neither Matt nor Bernard seem to be on edge, so you try to ignore it for the time being--

—That is, until the floor is pulled from under you. There’s no warning either, and you stifle any noises of surprise that you’re wont to make. No, you think, it seems that gravity itself has taken its leave, and you paddle at the air but to no avail.

There are varying looks of frustration on both Matt’s and Bernard’s faces from the sudden change in gravity, and you watch as Bernard attempts to teleport back to the ground but ends up failing, while Matt is moving forward quite effectively by kicking off of a wall. You’d be doing that too, but, floating in in the dead center of the hallway, the walls are far out of reach.

A hand on your back, and you’re teleported to the nearest column. Muttering a “thanks,” you grab hold of Bernard so that he won’t be left behind, as his own kickoffs carry much less strength than yours.

When the hallway widens again, the process of teleporting you or Matt to the nearest wall before kicking off of it continues, and you’re so engrossed in the rhythm of your task that you barely miss the sharp, high-pitched noise that fills the air— pained and distressed and distraught—and you’re thrown against the stone walls like a rag doll.

Thankfully, you stick the landing, but the others aren’t so lucky. A quick check if they’re okay finds that both of they boys are a little scuffed but none too worse for the wear— good thing you guys weren’t floating too high.

>(1/2)

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>>4216191

Continuing on your way, the gravity happens to cancel out only two more times, and you think it could be worse. However, when you’re at the threshold of the room before the vault, a gruff, authoritative voice stops you in your tracks. “Hey, you— you three!” The voice calls none-too-kindly. “Freeze!” Whipping around to meet it, you realize that it’s a cop-- not a S.W.A.T. agent or a FutureLabs goon— just a normal, run-of-the-mill cop.

When he gets a good look at your faces, especially yours and Bernard’s, his eyes go wide, and, in the blink of an eye, he pulls out a pistol, cocks it, and aims it straight at your head. It’s small, so you don’t think it’s enough to kill you, but you’ve never been shot at such close range— much less in the head— so you wouldn’t be so certain.

“Frig.” The man curses. “I thought they said there’d only be one of you mutants here-- not a freaking shitload of you guys.”

You can see that Matt’s hands are itching to swing his bat, while Bernard looks like he wants to jump in front of you. However, any sudden movement might cause this cop to go trigger happy, and you’d rather not harm him if you could help it. In addition, if this guy shoots the gun, then that would no doubt draw attention to you, thus blowing your cover.

>What do you do?
>roll d100
>Try to calm him down/reason with him
>Threaten him to put the gun down
>Knock him out; you don't want to risk anyone getting hurt
>write-in

>>4216197
>Try to calm him down/reason with him
"We're just here to extract the mutant so you guys can do your job."

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>4216197
>Knock him out; you don't want to risk anyone getting hurt

>>4216213
gotta roll as well bro

Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>4216213
>>4216248
Oh damn I forgot (probable ID change because mobile posting)

Rolled 9 (1d100)

>>4216197
>Try to calm him down; put hands up. "Friendlies! We are NOT with them! Do you want to get all of them down on us and people killed?"

Well, this is concerning.

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>4216197
>Turn around and keep going
>"Later virgin"

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>4216197
>Try to calm him down/reason with him

>>4217414
>>4216388
>>4216213

“We’re not here for a fight. “You enunciate slowly, and you really hope that this guy will just put away the gun. “We’re here to stop the guys who are in the vault— the ones with the hostage.” You’re hands are out in front of you to show that you’re not looking for a fight, to show that you mean no harm.

There’s a long, tense silence between the two parties, no one daring to move but no one cowing to the other. It really seems like the cop is actually considering your words until you see his eyes narrow, along with the twitch of his finger, but, before he can get a shot out, you dart forwards to restrain him.

“Mmmmppphhhhhhh—“ It was the only thing you could think of doing in the moment, the cop bucking and thrashing in your hold as you reach for his gun with the hand that’s not covering his mouth. Handing it to Matt, the weapon is slid across the floor and far from the cop’s reach.

“Freaking shut up already.” Comes from your side, as Matt plucks the handcuffs from the cop’s belt and deftly hooks it to one of his hands and then the wrought-iron gate at the beginning of the door. Then he pulls a strip of fabric from his backpack that you didn’t understand why Matt had it there in the first place, But now you do, you suppose. Way for him to think ahead.

“Hey, doesn’t this count as police assault?” Asks Bernard, warily eyeing the cop who doesn’t look too thrilled with his situation.

At his question, you scan the room for cameras, and the only one present happens to have a high-caliber bullet shot through it. Whatever, you think. You don’t have time to feel guilty over tying up a trigger-happy cop; because if it’s a choice between yourself, Matt and Bernard, and one trigger-happy cop, you would choose your family and friends in an instant.

“Sorry about this, Officer…” Still, you decide to apologize, because you feel bad for a guy who was just probably trying to do his job. You see his name’s on the front of his uniform. “…Officer Meyers. No hard feelings about this. We just want to get the mutant so the rest of you guys can do your thing.” You try to give what you think is a reassuring grin, but the officer continues to glare at your troupe rather frustratedly. At least he’s sitting still, no longer making any noise for the time being.

Crossing the room to what you think is the final door, the voices of what you the robbers are louder than ever. Now or never, you think, and you cross the threshold into heart of the vault.

>(1/2)

Wanted to use this so bad >>4217391
Made me laugh my arse off for some reason

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>>4218823

Edging in as quietly as you possibly can, not one of you dares to breathe, and not one of you dares to utter a word.

There is gold everywhere. Absolutely everywhere. In fact, there’s mountains of bricks of the stuff. Some of it is strewn on the ground, likely a result of the mutant’s powers, but the majority of it is towered so high that you nearly don’t believe your eyes.

You can hear the clanking of metal on metal, along with raucous laughter not too far from where you are. Once in a while, there’s still a whimper or a cry, followed by a “shaddup, will ya?” from one of the robbers.

There are at least three of them in here, mutant notwithstanding, and you hope that luck will be on your side enough that you’ll be able to grab said mutant safely.

>How will you approach this delicate situation?
>guns blazing
>element of surprise
>scope out the situation first

Fun fact: one bar is worth $500,000 dollars

>>4218871
>scope out the situation first
>Fun fact: one bar is worth $500,000 dollars
is it the actual price or before the pandemic ?

>>4218917

Current pandemic price: $781,670.40
Based on today’s gold price per oz. And weight of one 28 lb gold bar.

>>4218871
>element of surprise.

In particular, similar to what we did in the hospital. ID the VIP ASAP and the closest opponent. Take out the nearest target, get there, grab him, and haul ass.

>>4218871
>element of surprise

>>4219175
>>4219116

The three of you keep to the ground, slinking forwards towards the robber’s voices. The walls of gold provide a great deal of cover for you, enough that the robbers don’t see you when you’re nearly on top of them.

Two of them are busying themselves by shoving mounds of gold into their oversized backpacks. Meanwhile, the third one has his arm alongside the young woman who is definitely the mutant. The look on her face speaks utter discomfort— discomfort from being tied to such a greasy looking man. For a brief moment, you wonder why she didn’t just gravity-blast the guy into oblivion, but then you see the shoddily-tied rope binding her hand to the robber’s.

Their weapons are close enough to retrieve if needed but far enough that you think you could knock out the guy and grab the mutant in one fell swoop.

Signaling Matt and Bernard, you have quite the plan by which you could pull this off, and the look in their eyes says that they’re as ready as you are. And you count down on your signal with your fingers, steeling yourself mentally for what comes next.

Three… Two… One…

The moment you’re in free fall, you launch a foot straight at the greasy man, knocking him into the metal gold stand with a resounding thud, which also happens to jostle the woman but not that badly.

Matt and Blink are on the other two robbers like twin wildfires, the other robbers shouting in alarm at the ambush.

But you need to get the woman safe, so, with a sharp fin, you cut her free from her binding and pull her away from the greasy man. She looks startled by your appearance, so you try to introduce yourself to break the tension. “Hi I’m Kelpie.” You start amicably— well, as amicably as you can be in such a situation. “My friends and I are here to save you.”

“Wha— “ She seems a little confused at that. “But I’m—“

“No buts, Miss— we’re getting out of here.” And you dart out of the row of gold walls you were in to search for Matt and Bernard.

However, this happens to be the exact moment when the guns start ringing through the vault.

Scanning the corner they'd ran into, you don’t see either of them in your immediate vicinity, but you can hear the tattoo of footsteps in the place that you once were. It sounds too heavy to be either Matt or Bernard, so you don’t chance it, taking the woman with you to the exit, her feet dragging across the ground all the while.

Looking behind you, you think it would be a waste of time to go back to where the still-standing gunmen are. Despite the fact that the robbers are still afoot, you need to get back to Matt and Bernard.

>What do you do?
>get out of the vault; hope that Matt and Bernard will meet you in the lobby
>take out the final gunman
>roll d100 look for Matt and Bernard
>write-in

This whole thing probably needed a roll to pull off, but I had forgot to put a rolld100 up in the previous comment so whatever.

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>4221008
>roll d100 look for Matt and Bernard

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>4221008
>roll d100 look for Matt and Bernard

Rolled 24 (1d100)

Wonder what she's trying to tell us.

>Get out of the vault and to a quiet area, then go back to look for Matt and Bernard

Suppose I have to roll, so...

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>4221008
>>roll d100 look for Matt and Bernard

>>4221059
o shiiiit

>>4221059
Vision beyond my reach, activate

>>4221714
I don't wanna push QM into doing anything or giving us anything but depending on the QM, a critical success may result in a new ability or skill based on what we were trying to do at the time, so this may actually happen.But not if QM thinks it isn't fitting, of course.

>>4222034
For fish related powers? Pretty unlikely.

Just came in here to check stuff out; was very pleasantly surprised by THIS!!!

>>4221059

AND THIS!!!!

>>4221568

>wat do now?

TIME TO GIVE THE WHOLE M-GUARD THEIR VERY OWN SUTANDO ARROWS!!!!

But not tonight.

QM needs sleep.

Will try to update tomorrow.

Fun fact haven't seen a shred of JJBA in my life. I only know quite a bit about it because 2019 was one big JoJo reference. Il Vento d'Oro is still a pretty rocking song though.

>>4223360
Watch 2, 3, 4, and 6. 2 is just hilarious, 3 is the one everyone knows and is a decent primer on wat do with Stands, 4 is a refinement of the idea, and 6 is just a bunch of badass insanity. 1 is too different from everything else that comes after and is only good for backstory, which you can kinda just read a summary and get the idea by and large, and 5 is good but skippable, sadly since nothing that happens in it really affects part 6 (although it REALLY SHOULD HAVE).

>>4221568
>>4221553
>>4221059
>>4222034

>as much as I want Elise to find the SUTANDO ARROW that’s lying in the corner of the bank, I will have to hold off on that
>However, fish do have heightened proprioception— the ability to sense changes in light and pressure. It is processed through their fins. been waiting for an opportunity to squeeze this in in a way that's not an asspull...

You grab the woman without warning as you tune your senses in all directions, taking to higher ground for a much better view of the vault and out of the gunman’s line of sight.

A shift in the air coupled with the familiar scents of Matt and Bernard tell you exactly where you need to go, and you launch yourself in that direction, the woman hanging onto you for dear life. As you careen through the air, you can see the exit light getting closer, along with Matt and Bernard. You manage to top the final metal stack before landing a few meters away from the vault’s door.

“Hey guys!” You start while setting the woman onto the ground. You’re far enough away that the robbers can’t get a clear shot on you, so you think it’s safe enough to be as loud as you are.
“You got her!” Bernard says, looking mildly impressed with your entrance. “Not that we didn’t think you would or anythin,’ fishface…”

“Yep.” You say, quite pleased with your efforts, especially with that one maneuver that you had been practicing together. You thought that you’d pulled it off quite well.

“Kelpie.” Matt interrupts your internal preening, looking exasperated. “You forgot to wear your comm again.”

“Huh?” You reach into your pocket, pulling out the little device, and you have an ‘Oh’ moment, because you realize that you could’ve known where they were the whole time if you had just remembered to wear the darn thing.

(1/2)

>>4224676

“Well, you found us. So it’s not that big of a deal— just remember to put it on next time, okay?” Then Matt clears his throat, turning to the woman that’s been staring in befuddlement the whole time. “You got a name or something we can call you, Miss?”“Jenna is fine.”

“Power?”

Jenna seems a little uncomfortable at the question, but, after a beat, she finally answers, “Gravitation,” because there are at least two mutants present with more obvious powers than her own. When the three of you to her for an explanation, she elaborates: “I can control the gravity of the things around me.”“That’s pretty neat.” Matt nods, and as he keeps talking to Jenna, asking her the usual questions that the three of you usually ask the mutants you find, the four of you make your way out of the vault.

Officer Meyers is still where you left him, and he’s currently shooting an irritated glare your way; yet he seems surprised that you actually did as you said you would. You should probably untie him, you think, especially if there are still conscious gunmen in the vault.

“Whaddya say guys?” Bernard interrupts your train of thought. “We getting outta here, or we getting outta here?”

>get out of here; we did our jobs, now it’s time for the cops to do theirs
>get out of here but also untie the Officer
>untie the officer; go for the rest of the robbers
>write-in

may be the last one tonight. Currently bogged in finals studying and prof want us to video ourselves as we do the final.

>>4223380
>not watching 1
Despicable. It's all around great even if it is different from the rest of the series.
>>4224679
>untie the officer; go for the rest of the robbers

>>4224676
>“You forgot to wear your comm again.”
>>4224679
>get out of here but also untie the Officer
"Be careful, they're still up and armed"

>>4224679
>get out of here but also untie the Officer

>"Sorry I tied you up but to be fair you did try to murder me sooooooo"

>>4224679
>get out of here but also untie the Officer.

>"They're armed. Watch yourself."

>>4224685
Oh, it's good. It's just not VITAL, y'know?

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>>4224733
>>4224702
>>4224696

Taking a fin to the officer’s handcuffs, the metal comes undone with the smoothness of a knife to butter. Giving him some space to undo his gag, you step back with Matt and Bernard. He’s still watching the four of you, but there’s less of an edge to his gaze than there once was.

“There’s still a guy with a gun.” You tell him while he shakes the stiffness out of his limbs. “Careful if you go in there.”

Officer Meyers nods, his lip quirking just the slightest bit, but it’s so slight that you’re not sure if it’s a trick of the light. “I’ll have to keep that in mind.”

As everyone grabs a hold of Bernard, you watch as the cop grabs his gun before disappearing into the vault. It doesn’t take long before open air replaces the cold, enclosing metal of the vault, Bernard having teleported you all to the roof at which you started.

Surveying the ground below, you find that the number of cops hasn’t changed so much. However, there is a distinct aerial presence that you can’t help but notice, as they are doing nothing to hide themselves.

“Oh frig this.” Matt groans at the slew of helicopters hovering about the bank. “Can I just ask who invited all of these stupid helicopters?” Because if the police on the ground can’t see you, the helicopters certainly can.

As if on cue, the one closest to your building beams its lights directly in your faces, and you have to hold a hand over your eyes at the brightness. Since the people inside have yet to shout orders at you, it’s safe to assume that this is probably a news helicopter.

If these guys noticed you so quickly, it won’t be long until more police helicopters arrive, so your mind immediately shifts to teleporting. However, given the fact that Bernard had teleported the three of you from your neighborhood to this rooftop, you’re not sure how much further he’s able to push himself.

>wat do?
>roll d200 attempt teleport (d200 only applicable to this teleport)
>split up; 2 run, 2 teleport (who goes with who?)
>write-in

Rolled 46, 52 = 98 (2d100)

>>4225594
>roll d200 attempt teleport (d200 only applicable to this teleport)
even if we can't go much furter, just going to a place out of the sight of the helis is enough

Rolled 50 (1d200)

>>4225594
>roll d200 attempt teleport (d200 only applicable to this teleport)

>>4225605
1d200 not 2d100

Rolled 18 (1d200)

>>4225594
>>4225647
thank you friend

>>4225594
After thinking about it, I've decided that
>>split up; 2 run, 2 teleport (who goes with who?)

We'll go with Miss Antigrav. Why? We're already athletic, but we can't vanish. If Blink can vanish with Matt, out of immediate eyesight, it's only logical that they're going to try and keep eyes on the people that DIDN'T instantly vanish- namely, us. However, that's what Miss Antigrav can do for us- if she has any idea how to use her power, she can make escape that much easier and faster for us by letting us fuck physics enough (hopefully) that we can break line of sight sooner than later; ultimately resulting in ideally them losing track of all of us in succession.

>>4225594
>Teleport

as >>4225605 said, do a short range one just to get out of sight and hoof it from there

>>4226381
roll 1d200 my dude

Rolled 60 (1d200)

>>4226407

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Wanted to update today but tired af.

Have some drawings of the M-Guard instead.

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>>4229051

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I know I can't draw for shizzle but at least they seem to look better than in part #1

>>4229053
Your drawings are fun OP I like them
elise a cute

>>4225647
>>4225650
>>4226425

You grasp onto Bernard for yet another teleport. He seems to think he can take you guys far enough away from the general area of danger, so that’s what you guys decide to do.

A flash, and the whirring of the helicopters is gone. Although this part of the city is quite a few blocks away from the bank, there’s still a bit of a problem. You’re on the ground.

On the ground, in a populated area.

People are staring, because it’s not everyday they see a gaggle of mutants blatantly hanging on the street. (Really, it isn’t). There’s a general murmur in the crowd as the majority of them keep their distance, while other, braver individuals pull out their phones, and you hear Matt mutter some profanity under his breath. At least Bernard is thankfully still awake, but he doesn’t look ready to teleport anyone else anytime soon, the most he’d be able to manage being himself.

“That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be…” He stumbles over his words. “…Whaaaa— why’re we on the ground?”

No one has a response for that.

Jenna looks utterly confused at the turn of events but remains silent. Instead, her eyes are on the crowd that continues to watch you four. There’s that hair-prickle sensation on the back of your neck again before something in the air ripples, and about several-dozen people are thrust backwards by the force of her power. Some cars, meanwhile, float lazily in the air, unhindered by gravity.

If you thought the helicopters were bad, then this might as well be a neon sign for the FutureLabs goons to come for you guys. Because, with Bernard more or less out of commission, the four of you have lost the your group’s source of mobility.

However, as you contemplate a solution, the sight of the floating objects gives you an idea— one that involves Jenna, or her power to be more precise. She looks unsettled by the glint in your eyes, until you finally ask. “Can you float us?”

She looks taken aback that someone would ask that of her. To be fair, you usually don’t ask the help of other mutants when you’re the one that’s supposed to be saving them, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

“No—no—no—no— Absolutely not…” To your complete surprise, she downright refuses. You’re surprised, but this has been the most that she’s said to you in the whole time you’d met her.

“Why not?” Is your automatic response, and Jenna launches into a tangent about how little control she has over her powers, how she’s tried so hard NOT to use them, and, “How dare you even suggest that!” She doesn’t seem ready to stop her rant anytime soon, so you find yourself at a loss as for what to do.

>(1/2)

>>4231237

Something about how fervent she is about not using her powers is quite upsetting. For what reasons, you’re not quite sure, but, however, obstinate as Jenna is about not using her powers, they are the surest way out of here. Plus, if you don’t hurry, the police will be upon you soon enough.

>What do you do?
>Say something to calm her down
>Tell her what will happen if she DOESN’T escape
>write-in

>>4231240
>Say something to calm her down

>>4231240
>Say something to calm her down
Then
>pick up everybody and mad dash out of there

>>4231388
We're beefy, but I don't think we're THAT strong.

>>4231240
>Tell her what will happen if she DOESN’T escape
>"Look, I'm sorry, really, but it's either try this or die in a FutureLabs experiment! And that's not a threat or a guess, that's me KNOWING, okay? And you don't deserve to go out like that! No one does! That's why I'm here at all!"

>>4231240
>Say something to calm her down

ok fine geez we'll just scoot

>>4232922
>>4231388
>>4231272

“Jenna.” You start with the same tone that your brothers use when one of you is upset. “I think I understand why you don’t want to use your powers.”

You don’t think it’s remotely healthy for a person to stifle such an integral part of themselves, and you don’t agree with it whatsoever. However, you understand the fear she feels towards her powers, because, like Jenna, you had been afraid of what your powers could lead you to do if you weren’t careful.

That’s what you tell her. Although you don’t go into explicit detail, she seems surprised that someone who is so competent at using their powers has had problems, and you tell her that just about every mutant you’ve met has had some kind of issue with their power.

When you think she’s calmed down enough, you ask if she thinks she could get you guys out of here.

“I can’t.” She shakes her head, and she’s trying as hard as she can to look at anywhere else but at you.

“Then how did you manage to hold off all of the police at the bank?” You ask without pause.

“I— I was under duress—“ She splutters. “How couldn’t I use my powers when I was tied to an asshole with a gun?!”

“I hate to to tell you this, but we’ll be seeing plenty more assholes with guns if we don’t get moving.” Matt interrupts from your side, and, as if on cue, sirens sound off in the distance. You can tell he just wants to slam some sense into Jenna’s head (metaphorically, of course) and tell her that her very life is at stake if she stays put as she is.

“Blink— our teleporter— he’s run out of energy teleporting us all.” You try again. Said teleporter is currently laying on a bench a few feet away but still conscious, thankfully enough. “I’m not trying to make you do anything you don’t want to do, but, if we don’t get out of here, trying to control your powers will be the least of your worries.”

Her lips press together, like the last thing she wants to do is use her powers on purpose, but, when you feel that hair-prickle on the back of your neck, you realize that she’s trying to draw forth her power.

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>>4233984

Sweeping Bernard into your arms, you watch as Jenna focuses her power, setting the cars down before redirecting her ability onto you guys. Once the weightlessness takes over, you kick up and off the ground, launching yourself high into the air. Despite how fast you’re moving due to your strength, it seems like Matt and Jenna keeping up with you is of little issue, as Jenna is able to accelerate the gravity of both Matt and herself in whatever direction she pleases.

Eventually, when you’re over a rooftop that is far enough away, Jenna releases her power. You set Bernard down, as you make sure that everyone is present and accounted for (which they are)?

>Now that it’s quiet and you’re all safe, what now?
>Give Jenna a congrats for using her powers— a little positive reinforcement goes a long way
>Ask Jenna where she’d like to go now
>write-in

>>4233988
>Give Jenna a congrats for using her powers— a little positive reinforcement goes a long way

what's your timezone, OP ?

>>4234021

Eastern.

But I post late cause drowning in irl crap-- check out some of the times that screenshot pictures are posted!

>>4233988
>Give Jenna a congrats for using her powers— a little positive reinforcement goes a long way
>Ask Jenna where she’d like to go now

>>4234038
>check out some of the times that screenshot pictures are posted!
the times on the last one seemed like non-sense. there were pictures marked as being five hours ahead the others

>>4233988
>>Give Jenna a congrats for using her powers— a little positive reinforcement goes a long way
and then

>>Now that it’s quiet and you’re all safe, what now?

We need to lay low for a bit, then we can figure out where Jenna wants to go. Probably not for the best she heads home so soon, sadly. With people having seen and recorded her, FutureLabs will be on the prowl.

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>>4234071

Eh, maybe not this thread specifically. But in thread two, I clearly recall myself posting at 02:00.

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>>4234075
>>4234060
>>4234021

So focused on getting out of sight and as far away from the main part of the city as possible, there was no time to enjoy the experience; now, thinking back on that feeling of weightlessness, you think that Jenna’s Gravitation is one of the cooler mutant powers that you’ve seen, and that’s what you tell her with the utmost sincerity.

“I can’t believe I did that.” She breathes, in lieu of a thank you.

“But you did.” You tell her with a pat on the shoulder. “And you should be proud of yourself, cause we really wouldn’t have gotten away if not for your help.” There’s a similar chorus of agreement from Matt and Bernard, and Jenna looks like she wants to shrink at the praise.

It’s when the clamor dies down that when she admits to you that she was ready to turn herself in to the police. Even before the robbery, she was ready to throw in the towel just for how dangerous she believed herself.

“Look— Jenna.” Your tone is suddenly serious, intense, and Jenna seems startled at the sudden shift in attitude. “I’m not sure if I told you this before, but don’t ever do that. Ever. Not only is giving up like that a death wish, but you’re also denying yourself the happiness and the joy you get for learning to control your power. It took months before I could control my powers, and I still have problems if I get too careless.”

Her eyes are blown wide. But there’s something in her face that you think you see, and you think that’s when it finally clicks with her— that her powers are something to cherish and enjoy to their fullest extent.

“Your power doesn’t own you, Jenna, so don’t let it.”

That’s when the dam breaks, and, though Jenna doesn’t cry, her eyes are glassy enough for you to know that the emotion is still there. She thanks you profusely for everything that you’ve done for her, and you can’t help the warmth that fills you at helping yet another mutant in a way that goes beyond simply saving them from the clutches of FutureLabs.

You proceed to ask Jenna if she has anywhere to go, because she can’t just stay on the streets after what just happened.

Thankfully, she has two places— an apartment in Mieszko (one of Konigsburg’s more densely-populated areas) along with a room with her aunt and uncle outside of Konigsburg who had been willing to take her in the case that her powers had been exposed. Therefore, it’s it’s only a matter of getting Jenna to her apartment and lurking outside until she gets all of her necessities together. The police are still looking for a “gravity mutant,” and the bank had more cameras than the ones that had been shot; so it’s only a matter of time before her identity comes to light.

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>>4235941

“I don’t want to leave this place forever.” Jenna says, as she loads a duffel bag into the trunk of her car. “I want to fly over the city someday, so I hope you guys make Konigsburg safe for us mutants.”

“We will.” And you mean it. Because Konigsburg isn’t just your home. It’s every mutant’s home.

>next part incoming tomorrow.
>in the meantime, have some celebratory M-Guard content-- one moar week and then freedom!!!

>it’s only a matter of time before her identity comes to light

>Staying with her family. That is, people who share a relation/identity

Uhhhhhh I have concerns about this course of action.

>>4236026

Even if Jenna's aunt and uncle aren't fond of mutants, which they really don't care either way, it's not like they can call up FutureLabs and tell them to come outside of their jurisdiction zone for mutant pickup. Mutant Terror Law is only effective within Konigsburg and Konigsburg alone.

Plus, it's more dangerous to be somewhere in a city loaded with security cameras and boatloads of cops than some smibbsville town some hours away.

>>4235944

>oh heckkit forgot this when I copy-pasted this from my notes last night, so enjoy an unusually-early post!

As Jenna’s car disappears from sight, you feel that, despite the fact that your job is (presumably) done, there is still something more that you must do.

You’re not sure what it is, but you think that something should be done, whether that something be for yourselves or for Jenna.

>what do you do?
>Follow the car for a short while and make sure Jenna gets out of Konigsburg safely
>Go home— you all are pretty tired and the robbery took a lot out of you; plus you did your jobs
>Don’t go home— go elsewhere… find a rooftop to camp out on or some cafe to hide in… just until morning
>write-in

>>4236246
>Follow the car for a short while and make sure Jenna gets out of Konigsburg safely

>>4236246

>Follow the car for a short while and make sure Jenna gets out of Konigsburg safely

>>4236246
>Follow the car for a short while and make sure Jenna gets out of Konigsburg safely
>Don’t go home— go elsewhere… find a rooftop to camp out on or some cafe to hide in… just until morning

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>>4236267
>>4236279
>>4236386

Blink is able to teleport on his lonesome again, so you’re carrying Matt this time while he listens to the MutantWatch station through an earbud. Although you could listen with him, that would take your focus off of the road and where Jenna’s car currently is. Besides, Matt will alert you if he hears something amiss.

If her car is one among countless cars that pass in and out of Konigsburg, you honestly don’t think her odds of escape are too shabby. Matt, on the other hand, thinks that the police at the toll gates could already know to be on the lookout for a young, female mutant, and you think that makes a lot of sense.

As you near the city exits, the buildings diminish, you think that now would be a good time as ever to enact Matt’s plan before the car gains too much distance. Bernard is on you guys in a flash, and, in another burst of green light, you’re in Jenna’s car.

“Sorry about the surprise entrance.” Is your attempt at dispelling her fear from the sudden appearance of three people in her car.

“What—“ The car screeches as she slams her foot on the brakes, although she loosens up when she realizes who it is. “Where did you guys even come from?!”

“Teleporter. Remember?” Matt gives a nod to Bernard, who’s slumped in between the two of you. “The police at the toll booths are probably going to be looking for single women of your age and description, so we’re going to pretend to be your passengers until you’re on the turnpike.”

“Huh… I didn’t think about that.”

“That’s fine. It’s not something that can really be helped.”

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>>4236730

The car ride continues in silence for another long while, the streetlights and headlights passing in a blur. You’d always liked driving at night, just because it is so soothing. But you can’t close your eyes; not yet at least, because the toll booth will be upon you before you know it.

It’s Jenna who breaks the silence, but her words aren’t directed towards you at all. “What’s your power anyway?” She asks Matt. “I mean, sorry to ask. But is it that bat, or do you have a mental power like super smartness or something?”

At the question, you see clear amusement in Matt’s eyes. “Bold of you to assume I’m a mutant.” Is his trollish response.

“Wait a sec.” Her voice is dumbfounded. “You’re not a mutant.”

“Yep.”

“And your friends are mutants?”

“Yep.”

“And you fight with them?!”

“Mhmm.”

There’s more quiet, as Jenna ponders this newfound information, and she looks quite impressed, actually.

“That’s actually pretty ballsy—” She stops short. “—what’s your name?”

“It’s Bludgeon.” He says, deadpan. “I have to sound edgy to keep up with my powered cohorts.”

“But seriously. Don’t tell anyone that little tidbit— It’s kind of a trade secret of our group, and I have a reputation to uphold. Plus it keeps the FutureLabs goons on their toes, cause I think they still wonder what kind of power I have. It’s pretty freaking hilarious actually.”

Thankful enough to your group already, Jenna promises not to say a word, and the rest of the ride is spent in amiable silence.

However, when the toll booth nears, you can see her grip tighten on the steering wheel, as the place is just crawling with cops of all sorts, and you can clearly see the black vans interspersed around the perimeter.

Even the EZ-Pass booths have cops stationed at each of them, and Matt clambers into the front seat so it looks like he’s been there the whole time. The three of you buckle yourselves in for good measure, lest some stickler cop nab you guys for THAT.

Shifting out of your fish form, you still keep your hoodie tightened over your face but you’re not sure if you’re willing to take off your mask. Bernard follows suit by taking the glow out of his eyes, and it seems that he isn’t willing to take of his mask either quite yet.

They’re checking everyone, it seems, but at least the traffic line is moving slow enough that you guys can think of a good plan.

>wat do?
>Take off masks. Leave hoods up.
>pretend to be asleep
>write-in

Also:
>Who does the talking?

>>4236737
>pretend to be asleep
>Jenna

Wait, we have masks on? What kind?

>>4236761

Matt still has his from thread #1.

Bernard still has his bandana (thread #1).

Elise still has hers from thread #1/#2.

Don’t have pic cause switched to mobile, but Elise’s and Matt’s are regular neckerchiefs/gaters.

>>4236737
>Take off masks. Leave hoods up.
>pretend to be asleep

I assume the masks are pretty recognizable

>>4236737
>Take off masks. Leave hoods up.
>pretend to be asleep.

>>4236737
>Take off masks. Leave hoods up.
>pretend to be asleep
>Jenna

>>4236902
>>4236841
>>4236791
>>4236744

Slipping your respective masks down and tightening your hoodies just enough so that it doesn’t look suspicious, you and Bernard feign sleep in the backseat, and you slump your head to the side for added effect.

“You’re going to be fine.” Matt tells Jenna, as the car slows to a stop. No doubt she is slightly nervous about this whole thing. “Just try not to let it show on your face. And don’t ask why there are so many policemen here either, because then they’ll really think something’s up.”

“Gotcha…” She turns to look at your brother, who— like you— has also removed his mask. “…Bludgeon?”

There’s silence, as Jenna’s looking at Matt like he just grew a second head, and, although that’s not the case, she seems a little shocked that Matt would so easily break what’s certainly the number one rule of secret identities.

“What? My face isn’t that terrible.” He jokes in an attempt to calm her down. She doesn’t have time for a response, as the police flashlight is right outside her window.

“License and registration.”

Jenna hands over the license without question. You really wish she hadn’t given it but the damage has been done, and the officer hands it back to her with no problem.

“State your business, Ma’am.”

“Visiting a friend in Deerfield.” Is her simple response.

“Deerfield, eh? Used to know a guy in Deerfield myself.” The police officer says more to himself than Jenna. “He was a big guy too, but he knew how to catch those striped bass like no one’s business: big bass, little bass, even the perches...” He trails off, and the way he’s going on about fish makes your mouth water, but you shut out all thoughts of food for the time being, because the lives in the car are far more important than the whims of your stomach. “…Man, I even remember a time when he caught a six-foot eel, and we ate the whole thing—”

“Will that be all?” Jenna asks with much politeness.

“Yeah.” The officer waves her off. “You’re good to go.”

“Thank you, officer. Have a good night.”

As soon as the toll booth is far out of sight, Jenna floors the gas pedal and heads for the nearest rest stop. The three of you clamber out of the car as soon as it’s parked, Jenna following at her own pace.

Although the majority of the rest stop is open field, there’s a small, all-night store where Matt and Bernard load up on as many snacks as they can carry, while you retreat with a paper bag full of whatever meat Matt had decided to bring for you and wolf it down where you won’t scare off any onlookers.

>>4237407

Too immersed in your meal, you fail to notice the hair-prickle sensation on the back of your neck, but when the force of gravity ceases to exist awareness finally comes back to you.

“Hey! You’re doing it!” You say, grinning through your last mouthful of food. Jenna’s floating some distance away, and you hope she doesn’t notice how messy your face looks nor the residue coating fingertips.

Bernard is quick to join you, and Matt follows soon after, their bodies lifting off the ground the moment they step into Jenna’s gravitational field.

The three of you do all manner of impossible flips and aerial maneuvers, just for the fun of it, and even Jenna joins in, the four of you soaring, tumbling, and somersaulting through the air until the next car arrives, which is when you make for the ground with haste.

It’s late— very late, in fact— as the four of you head back to Jenna's car. Over the din of highway traffic and cricket chirps, she speaks up once more. "I just wanted to say that you've done more for me than you should have. So I was just thinking about my hobby, cause I design clothes for fun, and I was wondering..."

Whatever else she's about to say, she seems pretty nervous about it, so you wait patiently until she's able to continue. "...I was wondering if you’d like me to make some new outfits for you guys.”

That’s actually really nice of her, you think, and, looking down at your sleeves where the fins tend to cut through, you’re reminded of how much wear your ratty hoodie has gotten since you started going out more often. Matt and Bernard are also taken aback, but they haven't said anything either.

Nonetheless, she takes the silence as a cue to continue.

“It’s not that much of a problem— really—cause my aunt watches the house and my uncle works all day, so I won’t be too bored if I’m making something.”

>what do you do?
>Take Jenna up on her offer.
>Don’t take Jenna up on her offer

Using Jenna was a good choice. Can confirm that wamen-card almost always works in irl situations like this. When I people-watched at airports, 99% of the women passed through gates w/o problem.

>>4237420
Yes.
YES.
YESSSSSSSS
GIB NOW HEROSUITS NAOW

>>4237420
>Take Jenna up on her offer.

oh god yes please yes

>>4237420
>Take Jenna up on her offer.
Tight leopard for fresh fish

>>4237421
>>4237426
>>4237434

>HERO SUIT! HERO SUIT!

“That would be amazing!” You grin a beaming, sharp-toothed grin. Besides the fact that Jenna not only seems more than willing to make some cool suits for you guys, you’re desperately in need of something that isn’t a snagging, tearing hoodie.

Of course she’ll need your measurements, which you plan to send through the mail without a return address once you get back to Konigsburg.

For now, the three of you are content enough to discuss what kind of outfits you would like when doing your extralegal activities.

Matt wants something nondescript but with enough storage space that he could fit small knick-knacks if he needed to, but Jenna insists that he needs a splash of color to spruce it up, and, since she’s the designer, it’s not like he can argue with her.

With the jacket that he touts being full of rips and tears, Bernard asks for just that: a jacket. You and Matt balk at that, but you promise him a new jacket if he thinks of something else-- something cool and unique— because he shouldn’t waste an opportunity on something that could easily be bought in the store.

Bernard ends up asking for something easy to move around in and with some sort of protection if at all possible, because he’d been struck many times by a cop during his first patrols. He also asks for some sort of replacement for his bandana, and that’s when Jenna suggests a mask. At the prospect of a mask, Bernard couldn’t look more excited.

As for you, you’re not quite sure yet, but you definitely don’t want it to inhibit you as you fight.

>What kind of outfit do you have in mind?
>loose, comfortable, a little bulky, lots of storage space.
>streamlined— slightly more form-fitted, easy to move around in, some storage space.
>form-fitted (unitard/leotard)-- easiest to move around in, minimal/no storage space, can definitely waterproof
>write in

>ALSO ALSO If you guys have any visualization ideas for the M-Guard’s outfits, feel free to share.

>>4237511
My childhood comic hero nerd says UNITARD at the top of my lungs.

But the practical person in me says 'no, we need pockets at the least'.

>>4237511
>streamlined— slightly more form-fitted, easy to move around in, some storage space.

>>4237511
Kinda caught up between
>streamlined— slightly more form-fitted, easy to move around in, some storage space.
And
>form-fitted (unitard/leotard)-- easiest to move around in, minimal/no storage space, can definitely waterproof
Since most fish really are designed to GO FAST underwater, and loose clothes can get caught up and on things and in hands during a fight
source: high school wrestling team, practiced in a normal t-shirt. It got caught on the arms and hands of self and opponent.

>>4237511
>>4237616
>>4237523
Perhaps something like a diving suit?

>>4237616
>>4237523
>>4238157

So what I'm getting at is that Elise's suit should implement the aspects of both streamlined and form-fitted?

Asking so I don't miscount the votes.

Will come back tonight to count the votes again.

>>4238157
Diving suit-ish sounds good.

>>4238561
>So what I'm getting at is that Elise's suit should implement the aspects of both streamlined and form-fitted?
Yes

>>4238561
>So what I'm getting at is that Elise's suit should implement the aspects of both streamlined and form-fitted?
That's right, the balance of sexy and useful spaces

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>>4239095
>>4239094
>>4239050

>thinking suit design would look similar to pic related but with hood, longer pant legs, and maybe a small front pocket.

You feel pretty satisfied with your design choice, as you tell Jenna the aspects of what you think would do well for yourself. Short sleeves area a must due to the fins along your arms, along with a hood for obvious reasons. You also want it form-fitted— but not so much that it constricts you when you move— and Jenna jots down everything you tell her on a notepad she has in her car.

You’ll have to wait a few weeks once you send in the measurements, but, that fact doesn’t bother you at all. You’re just glad that you’ll finally have something that will last longer than a few outings.

You’re not sure what time it is when Jenna departs for the second time. Waving Jenna off, you watch her car until it becomes completely indistinguishable from the multitude of other cars that pass along the highway.

“Alrighty guys. I’m pooped.” Bernard gives a big yawn for emphasis. Matt nods in agreement, as do you, and that’s all the prompting the other teen needs to grab hold of the two of you for one final teleport.

Exhausted as can be, the three of you tumble into your foyer on shuffling, tired feet. Absentmindedly, you think on how unsurprising it is that John is not home, and, if he is, he’s probably fast asleep.

Bernard doesn’t need any further prompting as he takes to the closet, the air mattress audibly squeaking as he plops right onto it. After all of the teleporting he’s done, you think he’s earned a good rest.

Matt too, as he retreats into his room, had been a monumental help in keeping Jenna calm as you passed through the toll booths.

As for you, you don’t even bother checking the time on the clock as you plod to your bed, but you hope that if you ever see Jenna again you’ll get the chance to see her powers used to their fullest extent.

>(1/2)

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>>4239187

Brave Officer Takes down Robbers at Old Castle Bank.

M-Guard Present at Scene of Crime.

Hostage Mutant Still Missing.

Those are the headlines for the following day in big, bold letters.

Well, it’s about time that name would catch, you think while you’re watching the news from a television in the corner of some cafe.

The three of you had happened upon it by chance some time before the robbery, as Bernard had insisted that he needed coffee after a long night’s work. Although the cafe isn’t posh or ritzy like that Gelateria you had been to with Bernard, its quiet, homey atmosphere makes it a perfect place to unwind after long nights of saving mutants.

There’s also the fact that Matt and Bernard can’t get enough of the artisan pastries that are baked on the daily, and, even if the most you order for yourself is a club soda, their happiness is enough to make your drink taste all the better.

“Good afternoon, Miss.” A voice says from beside you, startling you from your thoughts.

“Hello.” You return politely but also awkwardly, because he had caught you off-guard. His eyes are friendly with a faint tinge of amusement in them, probably from how you’d jolted in your seat.

“May I?” He asks as he gestures to the empty plates and cups on the vacant seats of Matt and Bernard, who are currently at the bar-counter ordering their third coffees of the day. Nonetheless, you nod, letting him do his work, and your eyes trail back to the television that’s still recounting the events of last night.

Eventually, he retreats back into the kitchen area, returning with two more cappuccinos and three more pastries.

“I didn’t order these.” You tell the server, staring down at the sweet treats, unless Matt and Bernard did. Then again, you’ve never actually seen this particular server, except when polishing the bottles or sweeping the floors. Perhaps he’s a new hire, you think.

“I know, but we’re giving out these Cuor della Crema’s as a promotion for the pastry shop— we do it every time my boss comes up with a new pastry.”

“Huh… That’s pretty cool— good for business too.” You say, letting the sentence hang in the air.

“Well, are you going to try it? Cause they’re fresh from the oven, and, honestly, if Aldo wasn’t watching me all the time, I’d probably eat them all myself.” He’s looking at you expectantly now, and, although you’re thankful for the kind gesture, you really don’t want to eat something that will taste like acid to your peevish tongue.

>What do you do?
>Take a small bite of the pastry, trying not to pull a face.
>Play coy, say you’re on a special diet.
>keep talking; distract the waiter with something in the room (news, coffee, etc)
>write-in

>>4239205
>keep talking; distract the waiter with something in the room (new pastry)

>>4239205
>>Take a small bite of the pastry, trying not to pull a face.
Seems nice enough, if we expect it, then we can school ourselves to not be too repulsed by it- at the least we can just say we're not actully a major sweets person.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4239205
1
>Play coy, say you’re on a special diet.
"Sorry, I'm diabetic. But my friends over there would love it, I'm sure. They'll be back in a moment"

2
>Take a small bite of the pastry, trying not to pull a face.
>inb4 it's poisoned

>>4239205
>Play coy, say you’re on a special diet.

Oh nice team name in the news
We're officially recognized
Maybe they'll start asking us for interviews.

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>>4239240
>>4239272

Taking as small of a bite of the pastry as you possibly can so as to not raise any questions, you mentally brace yourself for the moment the food hits your taste buds. Like cotton against your teeth, the outer pastry gives way to the inside filling, the sweetness acrid like the tang of bleach.

Despite the fact that you want to be rid of the pastry as fast as possible, you take slow, measured chews in order to look like you’re savoring it, and you think it can’t get any worse until there’s another sensation— more putrid than the last— and it registers with you as being some sort of fruit. At that point, you nearly gag, but, by willpower alone, you manage to finish the bite with a straight face.

“So what did you think?” The server asks. Still repulsed by the pastry’s aftertaste, your mind takes a long moment to formulate a good response.

“I’m not that much of a sweets person, but this is really good.” You tell him, and he gives a pleased smile at that.

“Ah.” He says, now more understanding. “Well, if you’re not one for sweets, we offer savory pastries too, like spinach-strudels, arancini, and pizza rusticas. There’s also the—“

“Valjean!” A heavy Italian accent calls, interrupting the waiter’s spiel. “Stop-a talking to the customers and get-a back to work!”

The server lets out a huff at that, and he takes his leave. Not long after, Matt and Bernard come back to the table and are pleasantly surprised at the sight of the pastries left alongside their coffees. They’re even more surprised that they came for free, and they finish them with much gusto.

You shove your pastry to Matt’s side of the table, and he wolfs that down too.

It’s a weekend, so you have the rest of the day free. You don’t feel like doing anything too big like driving to Howler’s Lake or anything like that.

>what do you do?
>Stay in the cafe for a while longer, keep watching the news.
>Head to the beach to train with Matt and Bernard
>Go buy Bernard a new jacket
>write-in

>>4240266
>Go buy Bernard a new jacket

He's probably secretly loaded, but it's the thought that counts.

>>4240266
>Stay in the cafe for a while longer, keep watching the news.
came early today, OP

>>4240266
>Go buy Bernard a new jacket

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>>4240329
>>4240298

As much as you’d like to stay and watch the news, the same stuff will be on the Internet not long after it airs. Exiting the café, something in the bar seems to catch Bernard’s gaze, but, no sooner than you’re wondering what it is, he’s back with you and Matt in the blink of an eye.

You have all day to do nothing, so there’s no better time to get Bernard that jacket you promised him, you think, as you make for the nearest alleyway for a teleport.

You end up some ways from the mall, close enough that there’s not too much of a walk, but far enough that the area is mostly unpopulated. Fresh from a good night’s rest and a coffee, the teleport took very little out of Bernard.

It isn’t long before you reach the Schönbrunn Mall— comparable to the Mall of America in size, it’s not nearly as flashy. No matter, it has all of the stores that a typical mall of its caliber has: Freddie Gauer, Timberwood, Aperture, Old Cobalt— any of these would be a perfect place to find Bernard a new jacket.

Since Timberwood is the closest, that’s where you head first. Not one for clothes shopping, Matt heads to the Decathlon next-door to see the athletic store’s fine selection of metal bats, while you sit outside the Timberwood.

Bernard will call you guys when he finds what he wants, so you’re free to do anything you want while you wait. There’s a Jane Grosse shop not too far from where you are, and, although it’s been a while since you updated your wardrobe, you’re not sure if you feel like buying anything for yourself today.

>What do you do?
>See what Matt’s up to in Decathlon
>See what Bernard’s up to in Timberwood
>Go to the Jane Grosse shop
>write-in

>>4240758
>Go to the Jane Grosse shop

>>4240758
>Go to the Jane Grosse shop
Even if we don't feel like buying anything, looking can't hurt

>>4240758
>Go to the Jane Grosse shop

Indulgence yes

>>4240758
>>Go to the Jane Grosse shop

Meh, never know.

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Sorry guys no update today.

QM had a busy day and is tired af.

In the meantime, have some drawfaggotry of some of our more underappreciated characters.

>>4240798
>>4240818
>>4241476
>>4242234

Though its not designer by any means, the Jane Grosse shop is one of the more higher-end stores for women’s clothes.

Some storeworkers greet you when you walk in, and you wave politely before going about your business.
Perusing the shelves, you hear some people talking about the robbery. It doesn’t surprise you much, because you were just doing what you normally do, but the bank was one of the more prolific locations at where you’ve fought.

A few dresses draw your interest— ones with bright floral patterns. You recall that you used to wear dresses all the time when your parents still lived with you, and you think you’d look rather nice in one. Then again, if you had to suddenly run or fight for any reason, how would you possibly get changed out of it fast enough?

As you make to exit the store, one of the skirts happens to catch your eye— a pale blue one that flares just a bit. Something about its elegant simplicity calls to you, and you grab the one that’s in your size to go try it on.

It’s long enough that you could hide a pair of athletic shorts underneath if need be, but not too long that it’s unflattering. After practically spending the majority of your time in athletic wear, the feel of the skirt is a little unusual, but you wore one all the time for your high school’s uniform, so it’s not that jarring.

Still, you look nice in something feminine for a change, and you don’t even need to think on it before you’re rifling though your bag for a credit card. Not feeling like changing back into your jeans, you leave the skirt on, as your shirt matches well enough, letting the storeworkers scan and cut off the tag and taking a plastic bag to use to carry your jeans.

Matt and Bernard are sitting somewhere in-between Timberwood and Decathlon, obviously waiting for you.
There’s the end of a metal bat sticking out of the bag your brother has in his arms, along with a few other knick-knacks in the bottom of his bag. Bernard, meanwhile, is sporting his new jacket, looking entirely pleased with his purchase as he stuffs his hands into his pockets.

Upon approaching them, Matt raises an eyebrow at your purchase but otherwise says nothing. Bernard, on the other hand, is strangely silent, his expression blank at the sight of you in the skirt, and you wonder why until he says, “Pardon me for askin’ this, but who are you and what have you done with the fishface?”

“Do I really look that different in a skirt?”

“No, no. You look great. Looks perfect.” The teleporter backpedals. “But don’t tell me you’re gonna fight in that thing.”

“I was actually planning on it.” You say, lip quirking upward at your own joke.

“Wait really?”

(1/2)

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>>4243523

“No, Bernard.“ Matt interjects, his face a mixture of amused and exasperated due to Bernard having taking your joke quite literally. “Have you not heard of the art of sarcasm?”

“Eh… not really. Is it somethin’ I should know?”

“That’s fine.” Matt tells him. “Sarcasm’s not for everyone.”

in process of writing 3rd part. In the meantime, i will drop this pic of Elise in high school. Also she doesn't have cankles I just can't draw legs

>>4243529

The following days pretty much involve the same thing you’ve been doing. Train, save mutants, train some more, and keep track of the news. At this point, the Konigsburg outlets have finally, finally attached a name to your fishy self and Bernard, though it doesn’t change the fact that you’re still wanted by the police force.

Metal Menace, Stick Striker, and Heavy Hitter are a few of the many names that the media comes up with for Matt, along with another bat-themed name that would probably cost the news outlets a small fortune in lawsuits. Out of the three of you, Matt talks the least while you’re doing mutant business, so you suppose that his lacking of a proper public alias is a by-product of that.

You still go to the café as a secondary hangout, as John’s work schedule is sporadic and you never know when he’ll be home. Plus, since few people tend to show up in the afternoon, it’s a nice place to

“Hey.” Matt says, pointing to the cafe’s television screen. “Did I tell you guys what I saw on the Internet yesterday?”

You shake your head. “Mayor’s calling a city-wide conference from the bank robbery — even some guys from New York are coming down to watch.”

“Why New York?” Your head tilts slightly at that. “Was it that bad? Because, I honestly thought the hospital was way worse.”

Matt puts a hand on his chin, obviously thinking on how to explain it. “I mean, it was in terms of how many lives could’ve been lost, but the Old Castle Bank is technically a federal bank; so I’m thinking that the federal bankers are mad cause some people got too close to the gold.”

When Matt puts it that way, that actually makes a lot of sense, but some frustration wells up in you at the idea that the government was more concerned about some gold rather than the hundreds of lives that were on the line at the hospital.

“Wanna know the kicker—“ Matt interrupts your train of thought, and, when you look at him, he’s smiling a devious smile before he tells you. “John invited me to go with him.”

(3/?)

>>4243575

Your balk, while Blink just stares uncertainly at the silence, but then you feel the heat of anger spark to life in your gut at that. Matt, however, can tell what you’re thinking, and his former expression of smugness falls from his face.

“No, Ellie.” Matt says slowly in order to ensure that he gets his point across. “John did not single you out.” There’s a hand on your shoulder with the placating tone, and you feel a little better at that. “The event’s not even open to the public, so you really can’t just waltz right in, but I can get in cause I’m still technically a high school student.”

“I think it’s for learning or something. I don’t really give a shit.”

The anger seeps out of you like a deflated balloon, and now you’re left wondering, because there are a million thoughts circling in your mind, all revolving around the same question. “Why does John even need to be at a city council?”

“You know how big bosses like all sorts of people representin’ their companies?” It’s Bernard who answers your question. “They bring all kinds of workers for themselves so they can look good on television."

“Yep.” Matt nods. “And FutureLabs is basically the police force, so they have to be there.” He pauses to check his phone for something before continuing. "I've heard rumors that the feds want to get involved cause of the way Dr. Charles is handling the mutant crisis. They might talk about that too-- but I told him I wasn't sure about going, because I have the SAT's to study for."

>What do you do?
>Insist that Matt goes with John, and let him tell you all about it when he gets home
>Tell Matt to go with John, but also think of a good way you can get into the place yourself
>tell him not to go
>write-in

>>4243612
>along with another bat-themed name that would probably cost the news outlets a small fortune in lawsuits.

Ha. But Heavy Hitter doesn't sound that ba-

WAIT

'HOMERUN'

FUCK IT'S SO EASY.

Anyway.

>>4243612
>Tell Matt to go with John, but also think of a good way you can get into the place yourself.

Or at least be on hand whenever some crazy shit starts happening.

>>4243660
Oh, and

>Ask him just what he means about how Dr. Charles is handling things? What are they saying?

>>4243612
>Insist that Matt goes with John, and let him tell you all about it when he gets home

Both of these votes have much potential, but if there's none later, I will just roll the trusty d20 I carry around irl to decide what we do.

Meanwhile, here's our quest's pastebin. Has some lore on the origin of Konigsburg and basic character descriptions. Was going to release it at the start of thread #04 but realized I didn't want to wait.

https://pastebin.com/Y5dKjdY1

>>4245573

Choicewise, there's an option I'm leaning to for spoiler reasons, and it's not the obvious one. However, the final decision is up to you guys-- I'm just along for the ride, kings!

Also wanted to say that if any of my autistic drivel in the pastebin seems out of place, do keep in mind that I'm not a history major.

>>4243612
>Insist that Matt goes with John, and let him tell you all about it when he gets home

>>4246104
>>4243674

“Matt, I think that you should go with John— have a good time.” You sincerely mean it, because opportunities to spend time with John are few and far between. “And you already know all the stuff on the SAT, Matt— you passed calculus with perfect marks!”

From the corner of your eye, Bernard cringes in his seat at the mention of the subject.

“Yeah, I know. I just… I know it’s smarter to actually go, but I don’t really know why I didn’t want to go.” He says, his head looking at the floor tiles. Perhaps, deep down, he feels bad that you’re not going with him, or perhaps it’s from his general anger towards John for his compliance in the deeds of FutureLabs— but some quality-brother time would be good for Matt, you think, because John had at least tried to reach out to one of you guys.

Of course, you’re still a little upset, because you know that there’s no way you could be there unless you got in by some less-than-legal means. For a brief moment, you do indeed consider the multitude of ways that you could possibly sneak in with Bernard’s help, but the voice of your brother cuts through your thoughts before a plan can even form.

“You know, Ellie? When I thought about going, I honestly think it would be for the best if we don’t all go together.”

“What? Why?” Even Bernard looks a little taken aback at his statement, as it’s not usual you guys work separately nowadays.

Matt opens his mouth then quickly snaps it shut, eyes narrowing at the restaurant that’s almost perfectly empty, save for you guys. He makes a gesture towards his ears, and it takes you a bit to figure out what he means until he has his hand beside his ear. You don’t question why, because it’s not much of a hassle to access your enhanced hearing in either of your forms, but it’s obvious that what he’s about to say is something that onlookers should not be hearing. At all.

“It’s just us.” You utter lowly. “The waiter’s in the back and the owner’s upstairs.” At that, Matt exhales a sigh of relief, looking a little more relaxed in his seat before he makes to speak again.

“Anyways, Ellie, chances are that the whole thing is going to be a lot of political drama with some anti-mutant crap on the side. Trust me when I say that you and Bernard will get very bored, very fast.”

>(1/2)

>>4246477

Matt continues before you can even think to object. “There’s also the thing that Bernard said about big bosses... It got me thinking that if they’re bringing a lot of their scientists, then there could be a big chance that Doctor Charles will be with them.”

If he didn’t have your full attention already, the mention of Doctor Atticus Charles is enough for you to be as alert as a soldier on guard. “Is it confirmed?” Because your brother oftentimes relies on his hunches, you feel the need to question that.

“No, but think about it, Ellie— if Doctor Charles and half of his workers are out in the city hall, then how many people do you think will be watching over FutureLabs?”

You know what Matt’s getting at, what he’s about to ask you to do, yet you’re completely unprepared for the moment he tells you:

“I want you and Bernard to go and stake out FutureLabs.” The mere name of the corporation makes your stomach twist in knots, whether it be from anger, fear, or disgust.

Still, you think he wouldn’t ask you unless he really believed in you.

>What do you do?
>”Come again?”
>Argue. You don’t want to risk yourself or Bernard.
>Ask him what his plan is. Knowing Matt, he probably has something in mind.
>write-in

>>4246479
>Ask him what his plan is. Knowing Matt, he probably has something in mind.
Not break in, just stake out. Still, though, it's risky.

>>4246483
+1

>>4246479
>>Ask him what his plan is. Knowing Matt, he probably has something in mind.

>>4246483
Yeah. Who knows, though.

>>4246479
>Ask him what his plan is. Knowing Matt, he probably has something in mind.

File: Spoiler Image (39 KB, 692x372)

39 KB PNG

>>4246479

Our regularly-scheduled questing will resume tomorrow, as OP is once again very, very tired.

On another note, I've just completed finals. (we're all gonna make it kings!!!!)

so that means that I'll be able to crank out updates at actual, decent hours.

For now, enjoy a (poorly drawn) deleted scene that I never got the chance to use in the second thread. I thought it was funny at the time.

>>4246479
>Ask him what his plan is. Knowing Matt, he probably has something in mind.

What does he expect us to see?

>>4249127
>>4247730
>>4246601
>>4246493
>>4246483

You ask Matt what his plan is, because the idea of blindly going to the base of operations of Konigsburg’s greatest evil seems a little sketchy for you, and even Bernard looks a little off-put at what your brother just asked of you.

Instead of straight-up answering, Matt proceeds to pull his phone from his pocket, opening the photo-app and shoving the screen directly in your face. “FutureLabs has a documentary on BitTube that shows the facility, and, while they don’t have an official blueprint on the Internet, I thought I could use the video to make a rough version myself— well, at least of the general perimeter, but also did some of the rooms…”

It’s… extremely detailed, you think, as you stare down at the intricate diagram, little dots indicating the location of each window and whatever rooms were marked being separated by a network of lines. “They show everything but this little corner here.” He zooms to some part of his screen, labeled by the words ‘possible mutants?’

“When did you find the time to do all this?” The words fall from your lips as you grab his phone to take in every last detail, Bernard peeking at the screen from behind you to do the same. Honestly, you can’t help but wonder how Matt put everything together so well.

“I just… kind of started doing it after John invited me to the city council.” Matt says offhandedly. That tidbit of information only manages to impress you more.

“Stickface, you’re a genius!” Bernard cheers, giving him a pat on the back, and you can’t help but think of how much truth rings in the teleporter’s statement.

Because you had always known for a fact that your brother was intelligent— and frighteningly so.

(1/?)

>>4249327

Because you had always known for a fact that your brother was intelligent— and frighteningly so.

Not in the light way most parents say with little thought or meaning— no, like one would utter a law of nature, anything regarding Matt’s intelligence had always been stated with meaning. Your mother especially emphasized the fact that he seldom cried as a child, instead opting to stare and watch the world around him. In fact, you distinctly remember watching chubby two-year-old hands put together the puzzle toys in your home, one after the next. Not to mention that, all throughout his childhood, teachers always praised Matt’s aptitude for anything and everything.

Heck, if he pushed himself hard enough, he could’ve graduated high school at the same time as you.

The prospect had deeply unnerved you at the time, as you had been highly aware of just how average you were in comparison to Matt and even John, and you hated being compared to either of them— you hated it with a passion.

Whatever feelings attempt to rear their ugly heads in that moment are quickly squashed, as you refuse to dwell on that in a moment where there are more pressing matters at hand.

As for what the plan itself involves, you and Bernard will be sneaking outside of the main facility to stake out where they’re holding the mutants, get photographic proof of the wrongdoings, and get out immediately.

It sounds rather easy, you think— where the only effort on yours and Bernard’s part would be teleporting to the seaside facility that’s far away from the main parts of the city (and possibly swimming on the unlikely-chance that Bernard tires out).

What you expect to see, you’re not entirely sure, and neither is Matt. Getting any evidence period and getting out undetected is the best case scenario, while finding nothing wouldn’t be unexpected at all. At the very least, you’ll know what you’re dealing with if you ever plan on going back there.

Which makes you wonder about what happens afterwards, because who would you give it to? Not the news outlets or the police, as they are heavily endorsed by FutureLabs.

There are also the feds— namely the FBI or NSA — who would be the most likely choice of action, because, if what Matt said about their general dissatisfaction with the mutant situation is true by even the slightest bit, then the evidence you acquire would definitely be enough of a go-ahead for any outside organizations to move in and snuff out FutureLabs for good.

(2/3)

Still, if you have any objections— any at all— you should probably tell Matt before you fully commit.

>What do you say?
>This is a great plan-- let’s do this!
>This plan is too ambitious, too risky. Plus who the heck is going to listen to a bunch of kids?
>Ambitious as the plan is, you think you guys should put a little more thought into this plan before you jump the gun, as there are there are some holes in this plan, like the (insert plan hole here).
>You’re all game for this, but you’re also slightly worried. What do we do if (write-in)?
>write-in

(3/3)

>>4249341
>Ambitious as the plan is, you think you guys should put a little more thought into this plan before you jump the gun, as there are there are some holes in this plan, like the (insert plan hole here).
... like the possibility that there are entire wings and floors of the facility dedicated to mutant research that weren't included in the documentary video
Also if we find mutants we're gonna have to make the hard decision between saving or leaving them behind and putting the info out for FutureLabs to be shut down

Continuing this in a new thread soon with whatever the majority vote is, as I just realized we're on page 10.

That means it's fun fact time cause why not?
Pick a character from the list, and I will give a fun fact that is not a spoiler.

>Elise
>Matt
>Bernard
>Pharos
>Konigsburg
>Jotaro

>adds Konigsburg to "character" list

Once again, OP is serious retard

>>4250139
>Pharos

you finish jojo yet OP?

>>4249444
+1
>>4250139
>Elise

>>4250163

Elise's floof of hair on the back of her head is where she hit her head on the rocks-- it never grew back properly over the scar!

>>4250161

>Pharos
His last name is a name of a book protagonist.

>Jojo
Just started part 2 and marathoning it tomorrow!

but I watched the first episode of Stardust Crusaders and want to get to that part ASAP!!!!

>>4250139

>>4250276

>Bernard

>>>4250184

I feel like there’s some hidden meaning here but not sure what it is

>>4250277

I meant about Pharos not Jojo

>>4249341
>>Ambitious as the plan is, you think you guys should put a little more thought into this plan before you jump the gun, as there are there are some holes in this plan, like the (insert plan hole here).
>>4249444