>>4158908
>Your appetite. Anything outside of animal flesh can no longer be processed or digested by your body.
Seems easier to hide

>>4158908
>Your appearance. Your mutant features are slowly taking over your body

>>4158908
>Your appetite. Anything outside of animal flesh can no longer be processed or digested by your body.
Fish is fresh

Your appetite

>>4158908
>>Your appearance. Your mutant features are slowly taking over your body

>>4158949
+1

3 on 3 guys...

One more vote let's go!

>>4158908
>Your appetite. Anything outside of animal flesh can no longer be processed or digested by your body.

>>4158908
>Your appetite. Anything outside of animal flesh can no longer be processed or digested by your body.

File: school_of_Tuna.png (1.51 MB, 2048x1536)

1.51 MB PNG

>>4159000
>>4158933
>>4158930
>>4158921

>your appetite

The definition of what is food has changed since you got your powers. Ever since, you’ve been in a state of constant hunger.

For one, vegetables taste like rotten paper, sweets are acidic and burning on the tongue, and overcooked meat is barely manageable.

Conversely, the sight of raw meat and blood —no matter the source— never fails to make you drool in hunger.

You’ve had to make yourself vomit nearly every day that you couldn’t escape eating dinner with your brothers, as John is a stickler for having everyone at the table.

What you manage to squirrel away never seems to be enough to satiate the gaping hole that is your stomach as you scarf it down in privacy, fishy features blooming from the sheer ecstasy from the taste. Plus your brothers, no doubt, would start asking questions if they noticed, which is something that you wish to avoid at all costs.

Once, just once, you lost consciousness from hunger, and, when you awoke, you found yourself standing over the remains of some furry city animal, blood staining your webbed hands and no doubt your face. You had never felt more disgusted with yourself in your life, and so you cried all the way home.

On rare occasions, when your brothers don’t notice you missing, you fish the bay to your heart’s content —tuna, rockfish, anything with fins and flippers was fair game — and you leave the water feeling happy and full, even as the fishy features stick to your form like glue. You’ll be full for a long time for sure.

This time, having taken your seaside route home so many times, you fail to notice the van that’s trailing you until it’s mere feet from you.

Any other time you would’ve noticed, but the rare feeling of satiation had you so distracted in that moment that you had simply forgotten all else.

The window opens, and the passenger pulls out something that is certainly a gun.

What do you do?

>Roll d100 for escape. You choose where from below:

>head to the alleys
>head to the sea

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>4159036
>head to the alleys

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>4159036
>head to the alleys

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>4159036
>head to the sea

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>head to the sea

Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>4159036
>head to the sea

>>4159036
Alley

>>4159036
Can we mutate further?

>>4159036
>and so you cried all the way home.
Didn't know the mc was a beta bitch. this'll be good.

>>4159087

we'll see...

>>4159047

>97: head to the sea

For a millisecond, you and the passenger-guy make eye-contact, his features twisted in disgust before he fires two missing shots, and that's all the prompting you need to sprint away on webbed feet towards the safety of the water, as fast as your legs can carry you.

Of course, that's when two more men make themselves known with the heavy footfalls behind you. Over a car, under a fence, and you refuse to turn your head. Internally, you're freaking out, but the secondary, instinctual part of your brain continues to guide you forward without fail.

One of them makes the mistake of trying to tackle you, but they end up getting dragged a few dozen meters before you end up elbowing him off with more force than you probably should've.

The other grabs you by the hood and you elbow him right in the gut before sprinting directly into the high tide.

You stay hidden beneath the waves for what feels like forever, gills frenetically moving on your neck as your mind reels and tries to process what had just happened. Some random guys had tried to abduct --possibly kill-- you. For what logical reason you're not certain, and it takes you a long, long while to finally calm down, the embrace of the sea curled around you like an infinite blanket.

Eventually though, you are able to gather enough of your wits to remember the way back to your apartment complex, checking behind you for black vans every once and a while and pulling the strings of your sopping-wet hoodie extra tight to hide your fish-features that have yet to fade away.

You make it home before daybreak; breath heaving in your chest, you slump down onto the tiled floor of your house.

That's when you realize you're not alone.

There, standing in the hallway, is none other than Matt, who is pale as a sheet.

"Excuse me what the f---"

>what do you do?
>roll another d100

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>4159093
Tell Matt that some bullshit suits chased us and we fled back here. We need to pack our shit and skip town or something.

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>4159093
Talk to him to calm down

Rolled 52 (1d100)

>>4159093
Yeah I'm a fish person now, whatever, just tell John that some assholes tried to kidnap me."

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>4159093
Lunge at Matt and attempt to tear out his throat with your teeth.

>>4158908
Here is hoping you guy won't go full creep with this female lead. I swear half the time its either pure waifu or the slut archetype.

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>>4159144

Through the haze and heaving breaths, you faintly realize who's before you, but it fails to register through the exhaustion. Enemy, enemy, enemy... is what secondary part of your brain echoes like a resounding chant, and you bare your teeth before lunging, only managing to scrape him with your fingers and draw blood.

Matt backpedals away, as yet another intrusive thought begins to take over. It would only take a thought to pin him down, replenish your energy, but, blinking through the clearing fog in your mind, any ideas that had been in your mind mere seconds ago are now replaced with a sickening, disgust and revulsion; and the sheer force of the emotion the ground in a heap.

What had you almost thought of... to harm your own brother?

"...Matt..." You manage to choke out, tears building in your eyes.

>>4159109

He hovers over you uncertainly, shoulders tense.

"That's really freaking you, Ellie. Isn't it?" Another silence passes for a moment.

"Umm, yeah..." You say, quite awkwardly as you wipe the wetness from your face, forcing your mutant features back with an iron grip. "It has been for the past three months..."

And Matt looks at you-- really looks at you like he can't believe what he's hearing-- before plopping right alongside you on the floor.

"You know, I almost thought you got replaced like an alien or some shit-- you know how freaking creepy those green, bug-eyed shits are. I'll kick their asses if I see one..." He grumbles offhandedly.

"Pfffft.... You snicker at your brother's comments.

"Is John home?" You decide to ask after a beat.

"No, he went to work right before you came in. He's been bitched up ever since he got up this morning."

"Work?"

"Work." Mat affirms. "In any case, you're going to explain to me what this shit is that's going on with you, and then we're going to tell John."

Another lance of fear renews itself at the idea of telling another person of your current condition. "Can we... can we wait on that?"

Matt, surprisingly, seemed okay with that, and, after apologizing about his arm, you proceed to tell him everything: the powers, the gnawing hunger, and the control that seems to be getting weaker by the day. Fear is not the expression you see when you move on to the subject of the kidnappers; rather, Matt's face darkens angrily.

"I honestly think we should go back to that place, find those guys, and kick their asses..."

Your brother always seems to be brash and ready to jump the gun. But it makes a lot of sense. If you don't get rid of the kidnappers, then other people will probably be in danger.

However, you know his idea is probably not as simple as it should be, so you decide to make an input:
>train our fat asses first and foremost
>nah let's scope out the place guns blazing (guns wat guns?) and see what happens
>other

>gonna pick this up again tomorrow, kings. mummy's little questmaker needs beauty rest cause I'm like really tired if you couldn't already tell.

>>4159243

Did I just really format this with all italics on accident?

I guess I did...

>>4159220

Nah she's sensitive but not pussy sensitive.

Also not lewding a 17 yr old. Cause that's freaking gross.

>>4159243
>train our fat asses first and foremost
>>4159246
>Also not lewding a 17 yr old. Cause that's freaking gross.
It seems you forgot you time at school

>>4159243
Any reason this >>4159144
write-in was chosen above the others?

>>4159263
He did it for the fun, the real choice is after that

>>4159269

>this senpai

>>4159254

You, the shut-in, internally recoil at the idea of a fitness regimen. But, despite how crazy Matt’s initial cockamamie idea sounds, you know that getting fit is probably a good idea if you plan on going back outside. Of course, the kidnappers will probably no longer be there, but the prospect of protecting your neighborhood —protecting what’s yours— fills you with a burning resolve that makes you want to push yourself.

The two of you end up purchasing a gym membership, and, despite how absolutely grueling the exercise is at first for you, two weeks in is when you begin to see results, where the sight of the added muscle on your arm makes you grin. Matt is already quite fit from the various sports he does at school, so you like to treat the workouts like a game of catchup, which, in turn, makes the workouts a little easier for you. Despite how busy he is at FutureLabs, John also notices your increase in fitness, and, for once, he seems to be pleased that you’re doing something positive with yourself (besides studying, of course).

As a result, your appetite has become increasingly voracious, and, now that Matt knows your secret, you are able to get the help you need in this regard. Under the alibi of wanting to take crossfit, you and Matt ask John for some extra money, which is used to purchase the meat your body so desperately needs. (You’re not poor by any means, but your older brother always tends to ask questions.)

Despite the media’s attempt at censorship, attacks from mutants have become more frequent— on policemen, lawyers, and doctors especially. This only fuels the flames within you and is what leads you and Matt to take up martial arts two months into your training (you agree that it’s better than being sitting ducks without a plan). Matt is quicker on the uptake than you. But that’s okay! Because your muscle’s building at an alarming rate— so much that your unnatural strength tends to bleed into your human form— you taunt Matt frequently about it, much to his chagrin.

You haven’t been to the bay in months, but on weekends Matt takes you to the lake outside the city on weekends to swim, because your skin itches like a bitch if you don’t. Plus, there’s tasty fish galore there, which is a bonus.

>>4159685

Four months, and you’re both ready to go out on the streets, Matt opting for a hoodie and neckerchief and you just wearing a hoodie, as your fish-form is nigh-unrecognizable from your regular face.

Matt’s weapon of choice is a large metal bat that the old you would’ve been hard-pressed to lug around. Two weeks in, and the two of you have done quite a bit: a few broken up drunken squabbles, some assaults, and some potential car thieves. You’re both tired to no end, but you both feel a sense of accomplishment at what you’ve done.

The kidnappers are an afterthought now, as you breathe in the cool night air.

Yet, it is on rather mundane night that Matt and you happen upon a strange figure— a strange figure with glowing eyes.

Standing in the middle of the road, the figure turns and seems to beckon you with a gangly arm.

Matt, brazen as he is, calls the hooded figure out, yet there he remains, stock still with his eyes boring into yours.

>What do you do?
>say something
>follow
>write-in

>>4159688
>say something

>>4159688

Oh snap, forgot to add my name

>>4159688
>say something

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>>4158908
Honestly you people laugh at toilet paper hoarders, but you really dont have enough toilet paper yourselves. The average person uses 1 roll per day. If you have a family of 4, that's 28 rolls a week. Over 100 a month. TP will be worth its weight in gold in a few months, because everyone needs it.

>>4159784

What does toilet paper have to do with anything?

The isolationist thing was a joke, as I was assuming everyone's quarantining.

I probably will run out of toilet paper, but at least I have ample paper available...

>>4159784
>The average person uses 1 roll per day.
Does the average person shit liquid cement? Or do they just grab a wad by the fist?Cause god damn I can make some mean shits but a roll for me lasts for about 4-5 days.

>>4159692
>>4159771

"Hey!" You cough out, internally wincing at that falter in your voice that earned you a pissy glare from Matt. To be fair, it's not like either of you have seen another mutant before, so it is a little unsettling.

Still, the newcomer stays silent, half-looking at you, half-looking at something on the ground.

“You going to talk, or what?” You speak again, trying to summon some of your brother’s bravado, and this time your voice is even. Even though you’re older and undoubtedly stronger, having Matt next to you helps to instill some confidence.

Before you can even get the next words out of your mouth, the newcomer is right in front of you in the blink of an eye, green eyes appraising the both of you with a leering curiosity before he disappears from sight.

“You know, I’ve never seen you guys before…” The guy—you realize— drawls from behind, a light Jersey accent lacing his voice. “…but I heard about a couple of kids tryna play hero in the neighborhood.”

When you whip around to face him, the guy doesn’t seem to be fazed or startled at all by your mutant features or the dangerous-looking bat your brother brandishes. He doesn’t seem much older than you or Matt, so you could probably take him out with a well-placed hit if need be.

“What do you want?” You eventually say.

“What do I want? I think I may have something that you guys want.” And he points to you both.

“Like what?”

>>4159925

“You guys are mutants, right? Cause of that blasty-thing that happened at FutureLabs... A lotta people’s lives were ruined by it, I tell ya.” That would be an obvious, but you nod along anyway, unsure of what he’s getting at. “I guess you could say that a buddy of mine’s tryna form like a support group or something for the other mutants, and he wanted to help as many as possible. We were actually gonna have a gathering tonight, and when he heard of you guys, he asked me to personally invite you.”

A support group? The idea sounds quite very appealing, especially with how you’d spent the initial months after your transformation. Something about the guys words make Matt tense beside you for some odd reason, but who cares? You’re older than him, so he really can’t tell you what to do if you wanted to check it out.

“So who are you guys? You gotta have names or something, cause like who doesn’t?” You’re not quite sure if it’s a trick-question to make the two of you respond with your real names or one of genuine interest, but neither you nor Matt are stupid enough to use your real names.

That’s why Matt responds with a curt, “Bludgeon,” before making it a point to throw his bat across his shoulder.

The guy’s now looking at you rather expectantly for some reason, and you remember that you haven’t said anything.

“What about you, sweet-cheeks? Gotta cool name like him?”

The question makes you pause in thought, ignoring the ’sweet-cheeks,’ comment from the guy. “It’s—“

>Loosejaw— taken after a deepwater fish, the name is also a play-on for your voracious appetite
>Tigerfish— a more brazen name to go along with that of your brother’s, taken after a deepwater fish
>Angelfish— a more feminine name taken after a commonly found tropical fish
>write-in

>>4159927
>Piranha

>>4159933
+1

>>4159927
>Cuttlefish

>>4159933
This.

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>>4159933
>>4159956
>>4160003

“It’s Pirahna.” You respond after a long moment, and the guy nods at your reply,

“Piranha? That’s pretty neat!” He says. “I’m Blink, cause I can teleport!”

“That’s— that’s kind of cool.”

“Anyway’s, the meeting with our group’s gonna start soon, and, if I teleport you I’ll get real tired real fast. Plus, it shouldn’t be that much of a walk for you guys, so let’s go!” And, just like his namesake, he’s away in the blink of an eye.

You had already made your mind up when Blink started talking about other mutants—a whole gathering of them— curiosity aroused at the prospect of seeing others like you. Matt’s going to give you a mouthful in the morning for this, but that’s a problem for future-Elise. Common sense all but thrown to the wind, you charge forwards but slow enough so that Matt can keep up.

Crisscrossing through alleyways to avoid onlookers, climbing up ladders far out of sight of the people below, and leaping over narrowly-spaced buildings, it seems as if Blink is taking you both in circles, but the thought is short-lived. Eventually, you end up at a wharf in some seedy area of the city which you’d never ever consider stepping in under normal circumstances. At the end of the wharf is an old, decrepit warehouse, its lighted windows a beacon in the otherwise vacant area.

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>>4160149

Some masked figure’s guarding the entrance— a broken window— and they tense up at the sight of you and Matt until they notice Blink swaggering alongside you.

“Top of the evening, FastBall.” Blink greets, before slipping through the broken glass. You stare at ‘FastBall’ for a moment and give them a polite wave before continuing on your way.

There are about fifty-sixty— if not more —people gathered inside the building, all huddled around a makeshift podium. Your sharp senses pick up all manner of outlandish features from within the crowd— well, at least the ones that are not hidden.

“Ellie— Ellie—” Matt side-whispers, elbowing your side repeatedly. “I wanna know—“ He says as he tries to keep his voice as quiet as possible, tone seething. “Did you just bring us o a freaking cult-meeting?”

Your ears press firmly against your skull at the sight before you. About three-quarters of the occupants are wearing similar masks: blank white, it appears that they cover the upper face with a thin, red bullseye on the forehead.

You’re just about to reply to Matt, tell him that we’re going to find Blink and ask him what the heck this all is, when a hand on your shoulder interrupts your train of thought.

“Hey!” This time it’s a female voice, and when you turn around to face the voices owner, you realize that it’s not one but three masked females behind you. “You two are noobies, right?” The leader of the clique says, tone seemingly-friendly.

“I know you’re basically a fish, but what’s with your batter here?”

“Ummm, what?” You say dumbly, taken aback by the strange greeting.

“His powers. I’m talking about his powers.” Something in your gut tells you to disengage, but the three masked figures don’t look like they’re ready to back off anytime soon.

It makes plenty of sense that the’d also expect him to be a mutant. Thinking quickly, you spare a side-glance to your brother who’s been strangely silent this whole time, and decide that you can get out of this without conflict if you tread carefully.

>what do you do?
>roll d100
>Lie.
>Run.
>Tell the truth.

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>4160163
>Lie.

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>4160163
>Tell the truth.

Rolled 57 (1d100)

>>4160163
>Lie

>>4159927
>Kelpie, after the Scottish water spirit

It's also the name she wanted to give to a pony when she was little, but she only remembers that after she goes by it.

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>4160163
>"He has this power called He's My Little Brother, and if you start any shit with him I'll finish it."

>>4160199
Oops, forgot to update.

>>4160199

Frig that's actually rad-- and the backstory! If I'm not lazy, I may try to wiggle that in somehow.

Elise was pretty much thinking on the fly for that one.

>>4160199
That's a good one
>>4160203
Also switching to this

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>>4160175

“Ma— my excellent friend here!” As you say this, you slap Matt on the back in a display of camaraderie, jolting him forward just a bit. “He’s got the power to summon metal objects from his body, but he needs to eat a lot of iron to get it working. He gets dizzy— like really dizzy— a lot.“

At that, the troupe nods along in sympathy, and whatever weird feeling you were getting from them before melts out of existence.

“Alright! I’m Jewel. These are my friends, Blaze and Banshee. We all met here in the Crux.”

“Crux?” You repeat, questioning.

After properly introducing yourselves, Jewel proceeds to tell you that the Crux is a group of mutants who help each other out; whether it be for power-control, dietary aid, or whatever else, the Crux work to help individual mutants in need. Though now, the leader of the group, you’ve heard, is trying to get the message out to the rest of Konigsburg through the media and to the public offices but is ultimately failing. A shame, you think, even though you don’t really care about the political aspects of it; but you’re happy that there’s been someone somewhere who’s trying to get the message out.

Jewel takes it upon herself to give you the grand tour of the place. The masks who are not gathered around the podium are either off in corners showing off their powers, talking amongst themselves, or just simply having fun. Something about that makes you feel warm inside, and you think it’s not so bad after all, enough that you’d consider coming back if offered.

Eventually, Jewel is called off by another one of the indistinguishable faces, leaving you and Matt alone for a while.

“Hey, sorry I had to run off like that, but the big boss needed me for something.” As if on cue, Blink is back, arms slung over you and Matt. He looks like he’s right at home amongst the mish-mosh of the controlled chaos transpiring around you, his glowing eyes seeming to admire it all before continuing. “How’re you folks loving this place so far?”

>(1/?)

>>4160321


“Pretty— pretty cool.” You breathe. “I didn’t think there were so many different powers out there. It really is amazing.”

“Yeah, I told you it’d be cool— even the stick likes it!” A protest at the name from Matt at the nickname, but he ended up having as much fun as you (as loathe as he is to admit it).

“Anyways, here are some souvenirs then from the big boss himself.” Blink proceeds to hand you and Matt some paper-wrapped objects that are bigger than a fist but still small enough for you to grasp in your hands. “I think you’ll like them a lot.”

A glance at your watch and you realize that it's late. Like really, really, really late. Matt already voices your thoughts. "We gotta go, Pirahna."

"Yeah, Bludgeon and I need to get going now. We still have bedtimes, you know?” You joke, and it’s enough to elicit a grin out of Matt as well.

Blink ends up teleporting you and Matt back to where you found him, and, before you part, he decides to ask:

“You think you’d be game for comin’ back stick, fish-face? Whaddya say?”

>yes
>write-in

>>4160333
>yes

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>4160333
> Write-in: Pulsing blood thunders in your ears. Your mouth waters.

>>4160333
>yes

>>4160333
>yes

I hope everyone realizes we joined a super supremacists/terrorist cult.

>>4160362

>You, I like you.

You are just about to answer Blink when, without warning, the endless pit of hunger that you had nearly forgotten makes itself known with renewed force. Pulsing blood thunders in your ears and your breath hitches as you realize what is happening, as burbling drool begins to build in your sharpened maw.

You bite the inside of your cheek in a vain attempt to distract yourself, but the taste of your own blood only sends you into a deeper frenzy.

No. No. Nonononononono....

Muscles taut like a coiled spring, you vaguely realize that your control is slipping-- and it's slipping fast! Through the haze, there is a sound of crinkling plastic from beside you, which is enough to draw your focus elsewhere for a brief moment, and your nostrils are assaulted by the sweet scent of raw chicken.

Placed beneath your nose, you grab for the large slab of meat without hesitation, wolfing it down in seconds.

Instantly, your head clears, and you realize that Blink is still in front of you, but now he's looking at you a little weirdly.

>tbc

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>>4160571
>>4160349
>>4160363
>>4160513

You need to clear your throat from how fast you just ate, but you are able to manage to cough out a curt, “Fine…” before adding, “…just got low blood sugar all of the sudden.”

Weak excuse, but better than saying something like, “Yeah, I just got a craving for some raw flesh and I was about to eat you.” Nope. You’re going to try to play it cool this time.

Matt still has an iron grip on your hoodie, but he lets go once he realizes that you’re fine.

And as if nothing ever happened at all, Blink straightens up, cocky grin back on his face like you weren’t just seconds away from lunging at him. If he works with a lot of mutants, it would make plenty of sense that he’d be accustomed to this kind of stuff.

“Alrighty then, I gotta get going. See ya!” And Blink disappears to wherever it is that he goes.

Although your little incident dampened mood somewhat, you couldn’t stop the grin from spreading across your face as you ran home in the dying starlight. Sure, Matt's not strong enough to fend you off if you lose control, but you suppose that Blink could've just teleported him away if worst comes to worst. Probably.

The two of you will argue later, no doubt, once you’re both well-rested and fed.
However, you’re still left buzzing in exhilaration from the night’s escapade because that, no doubt, had been the most amazing, and you couldn’t wait for the next time to go back!

By the time you got back to your apartment, you and Matt are dead-tired, but it’s Saturday, so you can spend the rest of the day sleeping. Not bothering to change your dirt-ridden hoodie, you make a beeline to your bed, wrapping the covers tightly around you like a cocoon. That’s when you remember the strange gift that Blink had given you earlier.

Pulling it out of your hoodie pocket, you examine the packing paper closely before unwrapping it with care, and it’s a good thing you didn’t just rip right into it, as on that paper are written two things: a date and a time.

Welcome to Crux

01:00 Fri

014 Liebig Street

The present in your grasp is small and plastic.

With the familiar red bullseye adorning its center, it is a very familiar mask.

The same mask everyone else in the Crux had been wearing.

>That's it for today, kings. See you tomorrow!

>>4160571

Oh heck forgot a line cause copy-paste's a bitch.

Blink just asks Matt if Elise is okay.

(Note, IP probably changed.)

Interesting, but I hope you're not going to just do the thing some QMs do where if they hear a write in they think is interesting it overrides or strongly modifies the winning vote even if no one else votes for said write in. That way lies madness and anger from your players (and I'm not a fan of it, either).

Otherwise, interesting start.

Again guys, this is absolutely a nascent mutant supremacist and terrorist cult. Let's do our best to stay on the fringes of that since we're known to them now, huh? Unless you guys want to play the villain, in which case ignore me.

>>4160592
>mutant supremacist
Oh boy, this made me remember empire 88 from Worm

>>4160592
Hey, it's a way to make friends and isn't that what life's really all about?

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>>4160592

I did that entirely on my first quest (which I don't consider my first quest) and it turned out shitty. Like cringe level. It was a long time ago.

Elise is going to lose control, but, if I do it every scene, it's going to lose its effect on the reader. I sometimes like to acknowledge those crazy votes but still keep it on track.

I have an idea as to where I'm going with this; so don't worry anon-- I'm not going to derail the story for kicks!

Also have some drawfaggotry!

>>4160629
Alrighty, then. You've my faith for now. Here's hoping we can hold to ourselves or at least be a monster pointed at people that AREN'T innocent.

>>4160629
Elise is cute! CUTE!

Also if we're going to be part of an organization I'd rather it either be the X-Men or a proper Brotherhood of Mutants style organization, not some rinky-dick cult BS.

>>4160645
We can just steal members and make our own mutant club. With blackjack and hookers.

>>4160645

Never read X-Men in my life. Or Worm. Or anything comic-related. I didn't have a comic store in my smibbsville neighborhood until like two years ago, and, by that time comics were starting to get real cucked (off topic, any recs I can easily download on a dingy mac?).

Anyways, as of yet, there aren't really enough mutants in existence for them to be relevant --especially in Konigsberg, where the one of the city's most prominent cash cows is at stake, it's been a point to stifle their existence. Since we have no mention of the outside world, Konigsberg might very well be the epicenter of mutant existence, so we'll just have to wait and see.

>>4160656

>this

>>4160656
Acceptable.

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hmm how fishy can we become and the question is can we do any other sea life? but that is for us to find out later i presume

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>>4160579

True to your intuition, Matt is ready to strangle you when you get out of bed the following morning. You know he will never admit it, but you could tell he was scared shitless at the Crux last night, especially when confronted by the other mutants about his own abilities.

You’re thankful that you were quick enough on your feet last night to cover for him, as you have absolutely no clue what the group would’ve done if they’d known otherwise.

The existence of the Crux doesn’t have any effect on your “playing hero,” as Blink liked to call it. You and Matt continue that as normal. The people you rescue, when they register your less-than-normal features, are unsettled at first, but they’re grateful nonetheless.

You can’t help but buzz as the next Friday draws ever nearer. Hidden under a drawer is the mask that you’d gotten earlier, and, trying it on in the mirror hours before the meeting, you can’t help but notice how the malleable plastic of it fits like a glove. You proudly show it off to Matt, who is also wearing his mask, but he doesn’t seem too keen on the idea of going back. By some stroke of luck— equally matching in sheer stubbornness— you manage to convince him anyways.

Sometimes, you make niceties with Jewel, either by simply talking about your powers or mundane things; other times, you play games like hide-and-seek, tag, or dance-offs with the other mutants.

On some occasions, the boss, who calls himself Pharos, gives a short speech to the crowd. Sure some of the stuff Pharos says is a little extreme, but, despite this, everything he says has you agreeing wholeheartedly. Plus, no one else seems to have a problem with it, and you can tell that he genuinely cares for all the mutants of Konigsburg.

Matt secretly thinks it’s bull, but whatever! He’s just as big of a stick in the mud as John.

Once, just once, you’ve missed a Crux meeting in the past month because there was a bombing at the old Konigsburg legislative building. John had been at home that night, as the whole city had been urged to stay inside until the police could find the culprits (they never did).

Another attack on a bank, again with bombs and fire, and you miss the meeting after that too.

The newscasters are eager to blame the mutants, despite there being no evidence at the scene of the crime. What do they know? You’ve met plenty of mutants, and all of them seem to be good, earnest people.

Tonight, Jewel wasn’t here to hang out with you as per usual, so, this time, you’ve taken to the warehouse rafters to compete in feats of daring-do with the other mutants. A kid with a monkey mutation is outdoing you completely, but you could care less, because you’re having the time of your life!

>(1/?)

>>4161457
Okay, so we're a trusting idiot. Gotcha.

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>>4160668
https://readcomiconline.to/
be sure to have a decent adblocker installed before going
for X-men, pretty much Chris Claremont's 19 year run with the series, any x-men shit you saw in movies,cartoons, videogames etc, the majority of it came from his run.

for downloads, try the win o' thread on /co/

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>>4161457

“Hey— Hey fishface!” A voice interrupts your train of thought. It’s Blink, whose feet are dangling over the rails like he’s not a fall away from going ‘splat!’ “Looks like you’re having fun with Caesar over here!” Caesar gives a wave to Blink at the mention of his name. “How would you and stick like to introduce yourselves to the boss?”

“…Okay?” The sudden question is off-putting; you haven’t personally met Pharos yet, so it probably would be a good idea if you and Matt introduced yourselves.

Dropping down from the rail you’d been sitting on, you land beside Matt (who looked like he was ready to have an aneurysm at your daring feats), leaving a few cracks in the floor from the force of your fall.

Blink grabs hold of the two of you before either of you can, well, blink; and, before you know it, you’re standing before Pharos, who doesn’t seem to be no older than John.

“Pirahna and Bludgeon, is it?” You nod. “Fitting.” His voice is smooth, like honey, and you can't help but be drawn to the sound. “Look how many people we have here tonight? Isn’t it great?”

You nod again, this time with more fervor. When you first joined the Crux, there were about fifty-sixty people tops— now, that number has tripled, so whatever Pharos and Blink have been doing seems to have been working spectacularly.

Though, there something on your mind that you can’t help but ask: “Where’s Jewel tonight?” Because Pharos seemed to know her well enough.

“Jewel?” He says, and something in his face darkens, despite the presence of the mask, but whatever you think you saw disappears as quickly as it came. “I’m actually going to be talking about that tonight in about a couple of minutes. If you want, I’ll give you and Bludgeon a VIP view of the speech right on the podium with us!”

Blink, Matt, and Pharos look at you expectantly for an answer. It would be kind of weird to be stared at. However, you know that it’s extremely rude to refuse such an offer, so you deliberate for just a moment before answering.

>cool, let’s do it!
>ummm… maybe next time!
>write-in

>>4161480
>cool, let’s do it!
My inner introvert is screaming at this, but that's not the case for our MC

>>4161495

Mine is too! But the plot wouldn't do jack squat if we didn't make Elise an extrovert.

Plus middle child syndrome.

>>4161480
>cool, let’s do it!
What could possibly go wrong?
(sarcasm is hard to convey with text)

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>>4161728
>>4161495

Much to your brother’s chagrin, you end up speaking for the both of you to take to the podium alongside Blink.

The three of you are teleported onto the podium, and you’re suddenly nervous again with all the people staring at you, but Pharos reassures you that you’re not going to be doing anything but standing beside him as he speaks, emphasizing the need for the Crux to be represented by strong mutants like you (likely to give the other mutants a sense of security, you think, but the compliment makes you blush nonetheless).

The entire crowd is rapt with attention the instant Pharos opens his lips, all smooth smile and honey-laced voice. As usual, every point he makes has the crowd cheering, but, this time, instead of the usual things he says that get you motivated, his face becomes serious when he turns to the subject of Jewel.

The authorities, somehow, found her, discovered her powers, and had taken her. No one knows where, but the certain thing is that she’s not coming back.

Raucous screams emanate from the crowd at his next words: ‘The legislators, the doctors, the police: all non-mutants,’ Pharos stresses, ‘are out for you.’

“All non-mutants are out to get you.”

Those words are a lance of fear in your gut.

The whole crowd, in fact, has been overtaken with an anxious, frightened aura, until Pharos finally reassures everyone that it will not be much longer. Furthermore, the Crux will give Jewel the justice she deserves.

The shift in mood is so fast it nearly makes your head spin, and the crowd’s cheering wildly now, and, though you’re not cheering with them, you can’t help but feel a burning furor at the unfairness of it all. It makes you want to rip into something, rend it with your sharp teeth, but you shake your head to dispel the thoughts before they can take root.

>(1/?)

>>4161870

Matt, for some odd reason, is blanching beside you, glistening-wet palms clenched tightly at his sides; his reaction seems unfitting, and you’d think he’d be cheering too. But different people express themselves differently, you reason.

It’s Pharos who shakes you out of your silent stewing, his usual smile back on his face. “Would you mind if I borrow your brother here— just for a moment?”

“Sure!” You say without question; because, out of anyone here, Pharos has been the most trustworthy.

“Alrighty, let’s go then!” And you and Blink are at the other side of the warehouse before you can say another word.

You can barely see them through the throng of people, Blink now demonstrating some teleportation maneuvers to some of the younger kids.

Still, as the older sister, you can’t help but wonder what exactly Pharos wants with Matt.

Your hearing, while not on a level that you consider ‘super,’ is definitely beyond what the average person can do. Tuning out everything else around you, you focus until you can hear the familiar timbre of Pharos’ voice.

“—I know you’re not a mutant—“

>what do you do?

>keep listening; see what exactly Pharos wants with Matt
>go back to Matt and try to defuse the situation quietly
>write-in

>>4161872
>go back to Matt and try to defuse the situation quietly
Bug sis instincts too strong.

>>4161872
>keep listening; see what exactly Pharos wants with Matt
Let’s not jump into conclusions, he may understand our situation since he’s our brother, right ?

>>4161872
>eep listening; see what exactly Pharos wants with Matt

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>>4162003
>>4161902

“What the frig makes you think that?” Is your brother’s heated response to the accusation.

“That’s the most I’ve heard out of you the entire time you’ve been here, Bludgeon.” Says Pharos, and he sounds like a cat who’s got the cream.

“But I don’t think—“ He lets the words hang in the air for dramatic pause. “I know.” Matt isn’t even given the chance respond, and, stunned silent, he probably wouldn’t. “And you wanna know how I know?”

“It’s my power— I call it Les Misérables. I can use it to affect people’s systems of belief and rally them around my causes… but only the people I want it to affect.” Pharos explains, voice taking on a leery quality.

“You know I figured Blink was right when he said you were a stick in the mud, but I kind of thought you were acting strange during a lot of my speeches, and I thought it was just too darn strange to be coincidental. That’s why I brought you and your sister on stage— to gauge your facial reaction.”

“Then you’ve been lying to all these people here.” Matt states, and that makes Pharos laugh. “You lied to my sister too, freaking jackass.” The name doesn’t seem to put him off, and Pharos just makes a ‘tsk’ sound at that.

“Lying’s a bit of a nasty word, don’t you think? I like to think of it as a nudge in the right direction.”

>(1/?)
>Also just curious did anyone manage to guess Pharos' power?

>>4162182
>Also just curious did anyone manage to guess Pharos' power?
persuation that only works on other mutants

>>4162182


Their voices seem to be moving further away. Blink is too caught up in his own antics to notice you moving back towards Matt and Pharos.

Weaving through the throng of other mask-wearers, it’s difficult to tell who’s who, but before long you’re close enough to see Matt and Pharos but far enough to stay unnoticed.

“Another cool thing about my power only works if people have already thought about the kind of ideas I’ve talked about— chances are that Piranha had entertained a lot of my notions before even coming to the Crux…”

“…You don’t know your sister as well as you thought.”

Bile rises in your throat, hot and burning at the statement, which is untrue in its entirety. The bullseye mask adorning your face suddenly feels ugly and wrong. Tearing it off your face, you squeeze it to a point beyond repair and let the crumpled object drop to the ground.

Although you no longer feel like you’re suffocating, you still have the urge to beat the ever-loving crap out of this guy who used you with honey-sweet words and then insulted your relationship with your brother.

“Dirty-ass, shit-eating—“ But the retort is halted by a kick to the shin, followed by a grunt of pain on Matt’s behalf. You can no longer hear the noise of the crowd as your increasing rage clouds out all else.

“Language, kid.” Chides Pharos. “Though I guess I should expect as much from a non-mutant.”

The secondary part of your brain, awakened by the heat of the conflict, is buzzing for violence, buzzing for payback, buzzing to protect.

(2/?)

>heeecckkkkkkkk this is a long-ass thing

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>>4162300

Pharos may have sway over a ton of mutants (sans you as of recent), and he’ll probably sic them on you and Matt the second you make your move; but you don’t care! This is your brother!

Protective instinct drives you forwards, and you don’t think Matt has looked more grateful in his life as you march up to the two of them, while Pharos doesn’t look repentant nor afraid in the least.

For some strange reason your neck prickles as the room is suddenly silent. Some lights flicker from behind you, and, thinking it some stray power gone off, you pay it no heed. There are more important matters— like Pharos, the slithering snake!

“You…” You seethe, for lack of anything intelligent to say, too mad for proper words. Your eyes are now burning, but you absolutely refuse to cry and give this piece of garbage the satisfaction of it!

You pull Matt beside you and out of Pharos’ reach, and he staggers from the strength before righting himself and tightening his grip on his bat.

Pharos is half-paying attention to you, half-paying attention to the strange murmur that has overtaken the crowd, and you’re about to sock him for all he’s worth, rearing your fist back to strike—

That is when the world explodes in a sea of shattering glass and light.

>(3/4)

>>4162375
>That is when the world explodes in a sea of shattering glass and light.
oh shit, don't tell me Jewel was an inside agent from the police all along

>>4162375


"IT'S THE COPS!" The whole room is sent into a terrified commotion.

You're scared too, and so is Matt, judging by the way he's gripping onto your shirt. But succumbing to the fear would be pretty much the equivalent to giving up, allowing the cops to take you away to wherever it is they take mutants.

The thundering sound of boots echoes like a knell, and there are so many pairs of feet from all around that you can't help but feel trapped.

Yet, escape is your only option. Not just for you, but for Matt as well.

>What do you do?
>roll d100
>climb the rafters, try to escape through the roof
>muscle through the walls
>try to find another window

Rolled 52 (1d100)

>>4162391
>climb the rafters, try to escape through the roof

Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>4162391
>climb the rafters, try to escape through the roof

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>4162391
>climb the rafters, try to escape through the roof

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>>4162397
>>4162454

Gripping Matt by the forearm, you think quickly, pushing and shoving through the crowd until you have enough space to pick up your brother and get onto the rafter in a single bound.

The metal wobbles beneath your webbed feet, and you feel a little triumphant at the success, but it turns out that at least forty other super-powered people had the same idea as you.
The rafters creak and moan under the strain of the bodies, and there’s an ear-piercing ’screeeeechhhhhhh’ before the metal gives way, the two connecting ends connecting inwards with a snap.

Some people tumble down to the ground, mostly unharmed with the help of their powers, while others, like you and Matt, cling to the rafters for dear life.

As you think of how you can find a way through this unexpected situation, a high-pitched ‘pew’ pierces your train of thought.

The kid with the monkey mutation— Caesar, you recall, who had clung to the opposite side of the rafters with his prehensile tail, had just fallen to the ground in a heap.

The fear you’d been trying to stifle rears its filthy head once more, and, a voice to your inner panic, Matt states the obvious.

“Ellie they’ve got tranqs. We’re screwed— we’re freaking screwed now.” The sound of tranquilizer guns are all around you now, and you end up elbowing Matt to shut him up, mostly because you don’t want to join the growing mass of bodies on the ground.

>What do you do?
>roll d100
>get down and find another way
>continue towards the roof

>Also have some really bad drawfaggotry of what I think the wharf currently looks like with the initial bust-in

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>4162500
>continue towards the roof

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>>4162499

Also you posted this the exact moment I did!!!

>>4162384

That would've been interesting but considering Pharos' power it wouldn't be so possible.

That would be the authorities busting through the main entrances.

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>4162500
>continue towards the roof
>>4162499
so close bro
>>4162507
I just got excited

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>>4162504
>>4162513

It's Matt who redirects your focus from the horde of officers to the stable-looking network of pipes that are close enough to the teetering rafters-- pipes that are connected to a sizable window.

The two of you pull yourselves up the tilted rafters, and, soon enough, the pipes are close enough in reach that you're able to step across, powers or not.

And that's what you decide to do, of course.

However, a loud, wailing cry causes you to stagger mid-step (from Banshee you assume), the sheer volume of it making your sensitive ears ring and throb, and you might've almost fallen if not for Matt catching onto your hoodie in time.

And, the beating of a war drum, her screech is the impetus that the other mutants take as their cue to wield their own powers against the cops below.

>>4162499

>I like this roll; we're using it senpai

Once you're on the pipe network, the two of you slip across with little issue, relatively unseen to the clusterfuck of tranq-darts and aberrant powers shooting off below.

Soon enough, you're at the window, large enough for one person to slip through but still in-tact, which is nothing that a couple of well-placed strikes from Matt's trusty bat can't take care of. The window, by some miracle, is attached to a tiny balcony, and from there you climb the gable to the roof.

>(1/?)

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>>4163085

Keeping low to the cool metal of the roof, you scan the premises, keen eyes able to make out most of your surroundings in the dark. As you and Matt had figured, there are cops surrounding the entire warehouse and then some with more on the way, the flashing lights in the distance edging ever-closer.

There aren't just policemen here, though, as you notice some unmarked vans interspersed among the regular police cars present, and their presence niggles something in your mind— almost like a distant memory. It's Matt who ends up pulling you back to focus.

The route that you usually with the cramped rooftops and seedy back-alleys is more-or-less cordoned off, making escape through that route nigh-impossible.

You can see the water from a distance, and you think that would be the safest choice for both you and Matt (despite your brother probably having a conniption at getting soaking wet).

There’s another entrance to the wharf that leads towards the main part of the city too; it doesn’t look like there are any cops there yet, but, you think if you hurry, you may just make it through without a scratch.

Though, the longer you wait, the more limited your options become.

>What do you do?
>escape to the water
>escape to the city

>>4163106
>escape to the water

>>4163106
>escape to the water

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>>4162182

>Tfw you realized you made a Bungou Stray Dogs character by accident.

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>>4163117
>>4163201

You don’t leave any room for argument as you take Matt by the arm once more across the warehouses, mentally wincing at the resounding ‘bang’ your bodies make against the roof. Thankfully, it’s lost in the din of the police and other mutants, but the horde of police below are like wasps converging on their prey— no stone left unturned, no mutant left tranqed.

Finned feet pumping forwards, Matt is less running and more being dragged, as you are much, much faster than him. You hope you’re not hurting him, but a little pain now is better than whatever other fate awaits you.

Chancing a look behind you, you realize that you made it out in the nick of time, as three burly forms sweep the Crux warehouse’s roof. A shout, and the helmeted-heads all turn in your direction, causing your heart to leap into your throat. A dart whizzes past you, barely missing its mark, and more darts follow, ‘cling-clinging’ against the metal roof.

Heart beating wildly in your chest and breath heaving, you and Matt take refuge behind a tall, brick chimney; from behind, however, you can hear the pounding of heavy boots against the rooftops.

Worse yet, there are now more gunmen on the ground, and, while they can’t see you yet, they’ll be aware of your presence soon enough.

There are two visible options, both involving you and Matt getting down from the temporary safety of your cover: one is to go behind the next warehouse and make a straight dash from there to the water; the other, longer route would be to go through the loading docks and then get into the bay.

>What do you do?
>go through the shipping docks
>go to behind the warehouse

>>4163413
>go to behind the warehouse

>>4163413

Also want to clarify that the blue dots in the pic are the known locations of cops so far.

>>4163413
Go through the shipping docks.

Need to lose LOS. If there's anything loose and heavy, toss it into the water once we do that; that'll hopefully bait them into thinking we took a dive, when we actually cut to the warehouse.

Jesus, these cops are seriously vicious. Then again, they're breaking up a terrorist cell, so.

>>4163434
>>4163516

>we’re doing both biches!!!
>also forgot to draw that in my diagram, but the only way to get to the water from the loading docks is where the ships are; everything before the upper-right warehouse is safeguarded by a fence.

About twenty seconds of squabbling between you and Matt is enough to come to a final consensus: you’ll weave through the metal crates, hop the fence to the large warehouse up ahead, and then slip into the water undetected. Though its a more tedious route, something in your gut tells you that charging straight behind the final warehouse is a bad idea.

Of course, that involves removing yourselves from your cover.

The boots are no less than ten feet from you, this much you can hear. And so whatever apprehension you had before about jumping off the building is shoved to the back of your mind as you grab Matt once more and fall to the ground, setting him immediately down.

You’ve doing that a lot tonight, you think. And you might’ve found it vaguely amusing that you were carrying Matt around so much, cause he’d be screaming and threatening you and you’d taunt him all the while. But now, in the dark— with the lights, sounds and voices blazing all around—he’s clinging onto you for dear life, as you’re the only one capable of performing such feats.

A pair of shouts from behind you —oh shit, you think— and you realize that there are a pair of suits behind you.

In your haste to run from the cops on the roof, you completely forgot to check for any on the ground or pressed up against the warehouse walls.

(1/?)

>>4163595

By the looks of it, these guys weren’t expecting to meet any stragglers, but you see their eyes widen, as they can clearly see your features under the streetlamps.

Despite this, their guns cock in unison and are trained on you and Matt.

Matt is looking to you for a cue— to fight or flight— those are your only options. His hands are clenched around his bat, knuckles white, but he is ready to do whatever it is that you want to do.

>roll d100 to fight
>roll d100 to run

Rolled 34 (1d100)

>>4163622
>roll d100 to run
Let’s not lose time with them

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>4163622
We out.

>>4163692
...or not. Well, shit. Sorry, folks. I fucked everything up.

Jesus, Nat 1 on a 100 dice roll? Fuck me.

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>>4163693

It's ok. We still square.

Rolled 34 (1d100)

>>4163622

>>4163692
Magneto and Kaiser are disappointed

>>4163731
Yeah, I screwed up hard.

>>4163709
>>4163692
>>4163630

“RUN!” You scream, taking Matt by the arm once more and heading for the cover of the large, metal crates.

Several gunshots fire from behind you as you slip between the metal shipping crates, and, Matt, who had been barely keeping up in the first place, suddenly feels like deadweight in your grasp.

There are two darts sticking out of his hoodie— one in his leg and one in his shoulder, and you can’t stop the feeling of helplessness that wells in your throat as you watch your brother try to fight against their effects. His metal bat clatters to the ground, while his eyes— glazed and bleary— are still filled with fright, even as unconsciousness overtakes him.

As you hoist him into your arms, the two gunmen from before are still hot on your trail, and, since they don't seem to be giving up anytime soon, you realize that you only have one other option if you want to escape.

Because this is no longer about just saving yourself from discovery or your freedom, you’re no longer fighting for yourself: you’re fighting to protect something more important than that.

(And you know you’ll fight tooth and nail for it, no matter what.)

>roll d100 to fight

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>4163769
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRVrKKYXOGk rip and tear

Rolled 95 (1d100)

*sigh* Criminal/Supervillain Route it is. Well, not entirely what I wanted, but I got us into this mess, might as well own it.

>>4163743

Nah, we wouldn't have any plot if shit didn't go wrong all the time.

>>4163784
>>4163769
Linking just to be safe.

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>>4163784
Come to mama

Honestly, this is fair enough since I DO want to see what other powers we may or may not have aside from Super Strength, Super Agility, Monstrous Appetite/Powerful Jaws and (presumably) High Speed Swimming. Like, do we have Regen? Claws? Maybe some kind of Aquakinesis or something? I keep imagining we're a fish-themed Sabertooth, but I'm not certain.

>>4163800

>regen

More or less implied in the intro

"the only evidence of the incident being a long scar hidden beneath your hair."

as for extra mutations, can't make Elise OP just yet.

>>4163807
Oh yeah, forgot about that.

>>4163784
>>4163779

Even though you’ll beat yourself up for it later, you end up setting the unconscious Matt down against a crate.

The first guy comes charging through the narrow space, gun pointed right at you. Much faster than the gunman can react, your legs move of their own volition. Scale meets human flesh, and the first guard falls like a sack of potatoes.

The second guy is now a little more apprehensive of you for what you’ve just done to the first guy, but you don’t give him the chance to act either and drive your fist into his skull, the force of it causing him to slam against metal.

Cool breaths fog the night air as your chest heaves, not from the effort, but from the exhilaration of that too-brief fight. Something in the secondary part of your brain sings from the heat of it, and it has you distracted for far longer than it should’ve.

>(1/2)

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>>4163850

But then you remember that Matt’s still on the ground, and you heft him back into your arms. While picking him up, you take note of the weird emblem on the gunmens' arms, something about the vague familiarity catching your eye.

You can still hear the heartbeats of the men who shot him, so the worst they’ll have is a concussion from getting punched in the face.

The most important thing is that the two of you are safe for now, so you dash deeper into the network of crates.

Now the only thing keeping you from the water is an old metal fence— the one that connects the loading docks to the warehouse.

There’s only one guy standing guard, so it’s a straight shot to the water for you.

>roll d100 for sneak

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>4163855

Trying it again, here's hoping.

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>4163855
that symbol made me remember jimmy neutron and probably is from that company

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>4163855

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>>4163861

Was supposed to vaguely resemble this picture (not in color) but ended up looking nothing like I wanted it to.

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>>4163858
>>4163861
>>4163876

You end up having to tear the underside of the fence, your flipper-feet making it impossible to climb it. By accident, you squeeze it hard enough to draw blood, but the cuts close up rather quickly.

The noise is enough to draw the lone tranquer’s attention, and so you crouch low before the guard can see you. Thankfully, his eyes pass over you, though he fails to see you.

Making a beeline for the end of the wall that separates the warehouses from water, you can almost taste the salty seawater that will take you home. Freedom at last!

There’s an angered shout from behind you, and you don’t even look back before you jump into the sea, swimming far, far away from the shore so as to avoid any more potential run-ins with the authorities.

The Charles Martel Tower —the highest building in Konigsburg— is a beacon to your journey; once you make it close enough, you’ll be able to make it home no doubt!

Already, you need to stay above surface so that he can breathe, but the normal human body can only withstand so much. With Matt unequipped to stand the temperature of the water, you hope the journey won’t be long.

>roll d100 for good journey back to the city

Rolled 20 (1d100)

>>4163954

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>4163954

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>4163954
Ugh. This is rough.

>>4163966
Well done

>>4163966

To be fair, this is Elise's first "real" fight, and I'd imagine that, even if you're super strong, treading water and making sure a body's getting its proper air-intake is hard.

I had planned for Matt to break a couple of legs and that would be that- easy peasy- but the dice aren't always perfect, and the "cops" are purposefully relentless...

>>4163980
Yeah, no, it is what it is, I'm just saying the scenario in principle is rough for the poor girl.

But yeah, we're going to have to go underground at this rate. I don't like the idea of basically aping the cult, but we SHOULD probably look into gathering support somehow. Mayhaps try to see if anyone else escaped, first off. Probably not our best option for recruits, but it's all I've got for now. I'll come up with something more solid in due time, hopefully.

>>4163966
>>4163963
>>4163957

For the first few-hundred feet, you honestly feel like you’ve been treading water forever, not even sure if Matt’s nose and mouth are still getting any air, but, by some miracle, the current seems to be in your favor and the journey back to shore is shorter than expected.

Water melts into sand, and you feel like you could kiss the shore!

You shift back into your normal self once you’re off the beach; Matt stirs in your hold, and his eyes slowly blink back into awareness. He’s awake by the time that the neon lights come into, and you have to keep him in a soldier’s carry until he can properly move his feet, but soon enough you’re in the part of town that always seems to be alive no matter the hour of day.

“…did we make it?” He slurs, and you almost end up crying from the sheer emotion of the events prior.

Instead, you opt to smile a wobbly, tired, genuine smile at him, because you felt like— for once in your life— you’d done something good for Matt as his older sister.

(1/?)

>>4164033

At the sight of the hole-in-the wall restaurant, you feel like Gaer Byllis in his reality show ‘Wilderness vs. Man,” the thought of food— any food at all— making your stomach gurgle. Your sopping clothes and disheveled appearances must make a frightening sight to the mustachioed man in the doorway; but Matt is on his feet, hands rifling around the pocket of his pants until he pulls out a fat stack of bills and hands it to the guy.

The guy still seems to be in a state of disbelief at the sight of what must be two kids who look like they’ve been tossed through a lawnmower, though he wordlessly takes the bills while you and Matt take a booth in the farthest corner of the restaurant.

Matt orders enough pasta for himself to feed a family of four, and, when he notices you looking at the pasta haplessly, he motions the owner over and offers him yet another stack of bills (plus order costs) in exchange for the shop’s supply of raw meat, no questions asked.

As you’re wondering how the two of you are paying for your meals, you realize that the credit card Matt’s been using belongs to John. Not that he’ll notice the charges, nor is it a real dent in his bank account, but you call Matt out on it anyway with a grin.

Your meal is brought to you in a paper bag, which you end up eating it with a fork and knife. Though you and Matt are the only ones present at such a late hour, you would rather not draw any attention if you couldn't help it, which is when your mind drifts to the other mutants of the Crux.

No doubt, the ones like Pharos and Blink got away. Others, like Caesar, were probably not so lucky, and you can't help but wonder where they went.

The two of you will end up talking about them later, about everything that happened tonight.

But both of you are exhausted both physically and mentally, and you finish your meals in silence.

(2/3)

>>4164071

The final stretch home is, no doubt, the easiest leg of the journey, and you make it home by the time the sun breaks the eastern horizon.

John is not home. Truth be told, he's been strangely absent these past few weeks, even with his sporadic work schedule, but you're too tired to reflect further on this.

Shuffling off your shoes and blooded, torn hoodies, the two of you make for the nearest comfy object.

Like twin zombies, the two of you pass out on the living room sofa, and you fall into a calm, dreamless slumber.

>Alrighty folks that concludes this arc! Wow that was a doozy!

Updates might be slower in the coming week, but we're seeing this quest through to the end!

>>4164086
What are you using as reference to this quest ? Waiting warmly

>>4164086
Thanks for writing.
Now all we have to do is find any survivors and offer them the protection of a strong, independent mutant.

>>4164109

(Jack shit.

Seriously.)

I am a big fan of BNHA but it's elements are too fantastical and too far in the future for anything in Elise's world to be of reference. I'd say a few favorites in the way of super-powered movies are Pixar's Incredibles, Toby Maguire Spiderman, and Andrew Garfield Spiderman, though they really didn't influence the quest either.

I've also watched some but not many action/crime shows before TV started sucking (Person of Interest, Limitless, Chuck), but none of those ever came to mind while doing this.

Matt wasn't originally going to have such a large role either, but he and Elise's relationship is something that always makes me warm and happy to write.

All of this is (mostly) the product of my imagination. It thought this would be short and quick, but you kings ended up taking me much further than I expected!

>>4164147
Mmm mmmm.

Delicious OC.

Feed me more. (Even if things are worrisome in-universe right now.)

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>>4164152

Honestly you kings pump me up so much that I'd keep going all night on this if I could, but I want to take a little longer so I can plan the rest of it out well enough to give it justice.

I just wish I could drawfaggot it better...

OTHERWISE I'M PUMPED!!!

>>4164147

This may have also been the byproduct of my desire to play a TTRPG for like a year straight but with no clue how to breach the subject without looking like a total dweeb.

BUT ALSO SUPERHEROES!!!

CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THOSE!!!

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>>4164152
>>4164145

>Alright you blokes. Screw social life. Screw showering. I'm steamrolling this shit!

The streaming afternoon sunlight directly in your face is what causes you to awaken. You’re alone on the couch, but there’s a blanket snuggled underneath your chin and around your shoulders.

You close your eyes again, sinking further into the covers, and you would’ve almost fallen asleep once more if not for the scent of raw meat tantalizing you into awareness.

Following your trusty nose, you’re surprised to find that it’s not Matt in the kitchen, taunting you with the smell of sweet, delicious meat— instead, it’s none other than your older brother John.

He’s a whole head taller than you (and maybe just a little more, even though you’d hate to admit it!); and his hair, always short for his line of work, is much lighter than either yours or Matt’s.

He doesn’t notice you yet, too busy cooking up dinner for the three of you. Usually, it’s Matt who does the cooking, because it’s usually just the two of you; and you’ve never understood why, but cooking is one of those mundane activities that John actually enjoys doing when he has free time.

This time, it appears he’s making chicken cordon bleu, judging by the strips of cold cut parma-ham laid out along the table.

Cold cuts are a delicacy that you still find palatable— one of the only things that you call “normal,” considering your current diet.

Your stomach seems to be thinking for you, as your hand is already halfway to the table.

The moment the parma-ham hits your tongue you are overcome with a feeling of pure bliss, which causes you to go for another slice— and another— because why not! There’s more than enough for the chicken! Why waste it on something you’ll only regurgitate anyway?

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>>4164249

Of course, that doesn’t prepare you for the stern shout that tears you from your euphoria.

“…Ummm— John!” You say, but it comes out garbled through the obscene amount of ham you still have in your mouth.

“Elise!” John is now looking at you, none-too-happy at the moment, as you slowly come to the realization that you’ve eaten all of the ham. All but one slices of chicken have a slice of ham on them, but John, being the oldest, is a stickler for perfection. Arms akimbo, like a classically angry mother hen, he asks what’s plainly obvious: “Did you have to eat all my ham?!”

“…”

>Apologize for the mishap
>Ask what he’s doing home
>Offer to help; you suck at cooking, but he’ll appreciate the gesture regardless
>write-in

>>4164252
>Apologize for the mishap

>>4164252
>Apologize for the mishap

>>4164252
>Apologize for the mishap.

>>4164266
>>4164274
>>4164281

“I— I’m sorry,” you decide to say, and, at the apology, John’s shoulders seem to deflate as he releases a long, drawn-out breath. “Smells good,” you add in the compliment, and you look around the kitchen, anywhere but at John, before asking, “Where’s Matt?”

“Homework. He still has lots of it.” While the semester may have ended for you a month prior, Matt, you remember, still has another month of school left, and that means he’ll have to pick up the pace for the upcoming finals that he’s bound to have. “You helping him?”

Not that he really needs it, but you nod in affirmation regardless.

Usually, you’d at least ask John if anything cool happened at work, but, each time you try to open your mouth, the words die on your tongue before you can muster the confidence to do so. The two of you settle into an awkward silence after that, only the sound of sizzling meat on frying pan being the only noise in the room.

The lack of conversation has your mind drifting to the events of the night prior— Pharos, the policemen, the fear and danger, so many bodies falling to the ground, Matt, your brother, protectprotectprotectprotec—

“Elise—“ You jolt..

“Elise—“ John is looking at you strange. “Something on your mind?”

“No.” Is your response, the lie slipping off the tongue like muscle memory. “I was just thinking of my schedule for the upcoming week. Was thinking of what classes I wanted to take at the gym.”

“Alright.” He says after a long beat, seeming to believe what you say. There are creases in his forehead, and you feel as if something might be bothering him too. It's probably work, you suppose. “Just… be careful, okay?”

>alright. I will!
>What?
>write-in

>>4164325
>I'll do my damndest.

>>4164325
>Is something bothering you bro ? You seem tense

>>4164340
+

>>4164340
>>4164374

A tilt of the head on your part, and, when John realizes you’re not putting whatever pieces of a puzzle together (a puzzle known to him and him only), he exhales an exhale that’s less of a breath and more of a long, weary sigh before finally speaking again.

“It’s just… Konigsburg—“ He stops himself mid-sentence for some reason, and it looks like he has to really think about his next words. “—Konigsburg isn’t the city it used to be…”
Besides the mutants, you don’t really see how that’s true. But, if there’s one thing you know John likes, it’s being right, so you leave it at that before he turns to flip a piece of chicken.

The longer you watch John, the more you can see how his body language screams stress and exhaustion. Against your better judgement, you end up blurting: “Is everything alright, John?”

Another tense of the shoulders. “…Just… just some major projects they’re giving us at the labs. They need all hands on deck— even the techies.”

That look that John has in his bespectacled eyes are still there, and you might have considered it disturbed if you had only looked a little closer.

No matter— you think it a good idea to find Matt and call him for dinner, as the table’s no fun without him!

(Plus you can slip all of your food to him in the meantime!)

>k kings this is the last one for the night so see you later!

>>4164396

The three of you end up eating dinner in awkward silence, but at least Matt's presence makes the ordeal of eating a meal that you can just barely stomach just a bit better. While taking the chicken with dainty, small bites, you end up slipping the majority of it into his bowl with John unawares, too focused on eating his own meal to notice.

Like you, you can tell by the look in his eyes that Matt is troubled by the same thing you are, and, though you aren't prepared to talk about it all just yet, you know that the conversation is unavoidable. Period.

You end up thanking John for the meal, despite the way the styrofoam breadcrumbs and rot-tasting cheese make your stomach churn, and he's already slipping on his lab coat by the time you and Matt have cleared the table.

There's something about the symbol on his coat that niggles a memory of yours, but those neurons of yours don't seem to want to make the connection. Whatever it is, you can think about that later.

A quick hug for you and a pat on the back for Matt on John's behalf, and the front door slams shut, leaving the apartment quiet once more. It lasts until the echo of John's footsteps are long gone, but eventually it's Matt who breaks the silence.

"Ellie--" He's looking at you uncharacteristically serious. "Get the heck in the car. We're going to the lake."

(1/?)

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>>4164950

It’s insanely late in the afternoon— so late that you wonder why the heck he’d even suggest the idea in the first place— but you find the look on your brother’s face is so oddly earnest despite his usual brazen personality that you don’t bother questioning it.

Wordlessly, you grab the duvet that was left on the couch and a set of pillows. You’ll definitely be there late into the night, so you find it best to leave prepared. Matt, meanwhile, has a bag of what appears to be some snacks for himself.

An hour, and the two of you are completely out of Konigsburg, and usually at this point the two of you would be joking, shouting along off-key to some funny song you heard, or just generally acting goofy kids. This time, the ride is spent with you in the passenger’s seat, simply watching the highway pass until you get to Howler’s Lake; and the hike itself to the water is another half-hour.

At this point know why Matt probably wanted to take you here. You had thought he’d wait a little longer to breach the topic, but it seems that, this time, he’s the one taking the initiative.

Still, for some reason, the silence has now become overbearing, so much that you can’t even bother to appreciate the beauty of the sun setting against Howler’s Lake—which you can see from a distance— or even think about swimming, as the sight of the calm water always has you excited.

>What do you do?
>Ask Matt why we’re here
>Call him out
>Ask if he’s feeling alright
>write-in

>also imma be studying all day, kings, I'll try to get the next part up in the late afternoon or tonight!

>>4164974
>Ask Matt why we’re here

>>4164974
>Ask Matt why we’re here.

(Fear the symbol, Elise.)

>>4164974
>Ask Matt why we’re here

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>>4164985
>>4165342
>>4165332

"Matt..." You finally pipe up. "...Why exactly did we come here? It's kind of late, and I know you didn't bring me here to eat."

"I wanted to talk you you about the Crux."

"All the way out here?" Is your questioning response. John wasn't home when you left, so you're left wondering why you had to go through so much hassle to talk about something he didn't even hear.

"Yeah. Cause I don't want anyone hearing anything." There's another stretch of quiet before Matt inquires. "Do you remember anything that Pharos said during his speeches?"

The two of you clamber over a large tree root in your path before you make to speak. "When he admitted his power to you, it was like--" You pause, unsure how to articulate what you felt once Pharos had admitted his deeds. "It kind of felt like a mental wall was broken."

"So his control broke when you became aware of his ability." Matt surmises more to himself than you, but you give a nod in affirmation anyways.

Although the mere mention of Pharos sickens you, you press on, undeterred. "I heard everything he said to you. I wanted to punch him in the face, and I would've too..." You let that statement hang between the two of you for a while, allowing yourself to relish the cleanliness of the late spring air and the quiet din of nature that surrounds you; however, another, more important question springs to the forefront of your mind-- one that's been present since the night prior.

"Why did you let me keep going back there if you knew that he was brainwashing me?"

(1/?)

>also enjoy more drawfaggotry of Matt
>hopefully not as many spelling errors but I always forget to do a final proofread

>>4165574

> "Why did you let me keep going back there if you knew that he was brainwashing me?"

As you continue on your trek, you wait for what seems like eons. Despite this, it seems like Matt is completely at a loss at what to say.

Eyebrows creased and lips pursed, you can tell he’s struggling to find the right words, and that look that you couldn’t quite decipher morphs into something so helpless that all of the emotion from last night comes crashing back upon you like a tidal wave. Although you successfully quashed them at dinner time, the feelings from last night are back with a powerful vengeance.

You’re powerless to stop the tears from falling, the droplets falling to the soil.

You know you shouldn’t cry. Your parents had told you this last time you saw them, that it was time to grow up, time to be a responsible young woman. And they’re right. You’ve never been as responsible or John and Matt with either of them always being the ones looking after you— someone has always been picking up the pieces for you.

Matt, having been some feet ahead of you, doubles back immediately the second he notices you’re no longer beside him. He seems rather surprised that

“Shit, come on Ellie—“ Matt curses under his breath. “—Ellie. Ellie, come on, don’t cry.” But that only makes you cry harder, because worst of all you’d ended up putting Matt in worse danger than you ever would’ve been.

Now you’re making Matt more distressed, which only causes you to feel even more guilty as a result, and you don’t want to put Matt through anymore than he’s already been through.

These emotions of yours don’t seem to be going away anytime soon, so, stifling a sob, you decide to:

>spill your fkn guts and admit you were the one at fault; you’ll feel much better in the long run
>write-in

Never tell a crying person not to cry; frig I can't tell you how many times I've done this by mistake.

>>4165717
Matt I’ve put myself in danger and you as well. I was supposed to protect you and I barely managed it, so please, tell me, why didn’t you tell me anything about Pharos mind control ?

>>4165574
>Has ???
Can't read that three letter word in the image.

>>4165717
Backing >>4165736

>>4165767

Yeah it's 'has.'

My handwriting is shit irl and I didn't think it could get any worse until I started using an Apple magic mouse to write stuff down.

>>4165781
No, I meant 'has ____' I can't read the word after 'has'.

>>4165787

"has Tor (too chicken to use it)"

>>4165736
+1
This is starting to a hit close to home

>>4165717
backing >>4165736

cause we were under the influence so is it really our fault

>>4165809
>>4165798
>>4165767
>>4165736

“I’m… I’m so stupid, Matt.”

The tears are falling so fast —so very fast— that your vision is blurred and your eyes are burning. Matt’s hand is on your shoulder, and he brings you to the ground, setting you against a tree with uncharacteristic gentleness.

Still, he’s the epitome of patience, and you’ve never been so grateful to have him as your brother in your life as you are now.

When you feel him settle next to you and you’ve calmed down enough that you’re able talk without outright bawling, you decide to say exactly what’s on your mind, because there’s no use in bottling those feelings away to fester.

But first a question: “Matt— “ You start, and your throat closes up like you’re about to cry again, but you end up pushing through. “Do you remember what happened after… “ The next words are uncomfortable for you to say. “…after you got shot?”

“No, Ellie. Why would I?”

“A-After you got shot, there were still guys coming after us. And even though I’m strong, do you know how I was scared shitless I was?” Your brother’s appreciation for coarse language seems to be rubbing off on you, but you don’t care. “I didn’t think we’d make it home that night.”

You let that hang in the air for a bit, but there’s one last thing you need to get off your chest. “Just… It’s all my fault— for letting this happen to you. And I’m really, really sorry. For everything.”

You’d think Matt had stopped listening with how silent he’d been, but then he proceeds to pull you into a hug —Matt, who has hated any kinds of physical affection since he’d grown “too old” for them.

Irresponsible, brash, impulsive, and stubborn, you’ve always thought yourself a terrible older sister.

However, here in the dark, being held by the one person you’d sworn to yourself you’d protect, you feel as if you’ve accomplished something in your life as an older sibling— that, for once in your existence, you’ve done something good for him.

It’s completely dark now, and there’s a cool breeze wafting though your hair as you make it to the campsite with the use of your night vision, but the two of you end up sleeping beneath the stars with nothing but the sounds of the lake to lull you to sleep, promising to yourself that you'll never putt Matt through that again.

>have the past two days been an emotional rollercoaster for Elise or what?!

>>4165890
Yup.

Shame we need to remember our big brother is on the bad guys' team and deal with THAT somewhere down the line.

>>4165890

The following morning starts on a much lighter note, and the first thing you do is tumble into the water with no reserve.

You manage to catch some trout for breakfast, while Matt opts for a box of granola bars he brought for himself.

Over the meal, he tells you he’s going to be busy in the upcoming weeks for school and varsity sports, which is the same thing that John told you back at dinner. Of course, that means no more neighborhood watches together on weeknights, but you don’t really think anything too major will happen without the two of you there. At this point, crime is nonexistent in your neighborhood.

You tell him you’ll take it easy until the school year ends so he can focus on his grades, and that’s what you do once you get back for the following month.

(1/2)

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>>4165934

When you’re not at the gym, you turn to the television, mostly, as a cure for your boredom; John had stopped paying for your cable ages ago, but that hadn’t stopped you from rigging a coat-hanger to the back of it using some tutorial on DoTube. Unfortunately, it only gives you the dozen basic channels that only play news and game shows.

Incidentally, you happen to be watching the late evening news. Tonight, there's a bombing somewhere downtown, and there's nothing particularly special about the incident except for adding yet another tally to the amount of incidents that have been wracking the city lately. It's terrible, yes, and you hope it doesn't get any worse than it has. But then, there's something about it that's plain for you to see, and that's when your heart leaps into your throat.

It's because there, painted on the side of the building is a large, red bullseye. You recognize it because it's the same symbol you and Matt had donned on your face for months.

It's the symbol of the Crux.

>next arc incoming when?!

>>4165973
Oh snap?

DoTube? I don't think anyone's gonna be making trademark claims.

Hear that sound? That gentle and lovely *ring ring ring*?

That's me FUCKING CALLING IT.

There are villains. Villains disparaging and ruining the lives of innocent and well-meaning mutants. Causing fear and strife and hate with foolish abandon. Plunging society into a dark and wicked age.

Time for heroes to step up, be bold, and STOP THAT.

>>4165988

DoTube: the DIY youtube for dandy-do-it-yourselfers!

Yep, can't count on anyone making a trademark claim on that. [/spoilers]

>>4165993

Not this time, unfortunately, as the culprits set the bomb and left. Will there be more incidents?

Only more time will tell!

>>4166000
Well naturally.

But I've been listening to this on repeat don't take this away from me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b9KSl--wP4

>>4165973

Matt walks through the door, and he ends up dropping his backpack in shock as his eyes catch he screen.

‘Make ourselves known,’ Pharos had said.

‘Rise up,’ he’d insisted.

‘All non-mutants are your enemy.’ The very moment those words had been uttered, everyone else had believed those cloying words of his with the utmost certainty. You might’ve too, given a little extra time, leaving you completely indistinguishable from the rest of his lot.

You think that the powerful mutants that he liked to hang around— the ones like Blaze and Banshee— are with him too, still harboring resentment and hatred towards the nonmutants as they lie and wait for their next strike. In addition, it is likely that there were enough mutants who escaped that the Crux has failed to be disbanded. So many mutants still under Pharos’ control, you think ruefully.

However, there’s no way to tell where Pharos is hiding now, and there’s no way you’ll ever know, as the media has failed to provide anything of use, even when the problem is as clear as day.

What Pharos is doing now will only worsen the public’s opinion on mutants in the long-run. The city, already wary of their existence, would only need another few incidents to be sent into a mass panic. As a result, the secret mutants— mutants like you— would end up suffering without cause.

At this point, it’s only a matter of time before the next incident, and, with the city’s mutant sentiment growing ever worse, you feel the need to do act before more lives are lost at his hands.

>What do you do?

>start scouring the internet for similar incidents; maybe there’s a pattern or something
>leave an anonymous tip to the police
>take to the city

>alrighty kings, this concludes it for tonight. Next one will probably be later in the evening again, as my spring break has officially ended and class is starting once more.

>>4166150
>start scouring the internet for similar incidents; maybe there’s a pattern or something
>alrighty kings, this concludes it for tonight. Next one will probably be later in the evening again, as my spring break has officially ended and class is starting once more.
ok buddy. what's your timezone and is it online classes ? since corona is still a thing ?

>>4166157

Eastern standard with video conference classes (oh how I love my beautiful face in the camera!). They're not easy classes though, and require some downtime to study.

Of course if I get a chance to squeezes something in-between classes that's neither here or there, but I literally haven't touched a book for the past nine days.

Plus, things might kick up a notch again for Elise, and I don't want the plot to be shaky just because I was trying to be fast.

>>4166150
>start scouring the internet for similar incidents; maybe there’s a pattern or something.

Unlikely, but not impossible. It seems like mutants are largely low-key, or WERE before this. Especially considering there's MIBs out for mutant blood. Keep an eye out for 'supremacy' style posts and whatnot, maybe get a bead on location and all.

The police are probably more likely to either not listen or use it as political fodder, sad to say. Might even hurt the issue.

>Take to the city.

Naturally. If this is a PR issue, we need to be a counteracting force, a proof of concept that not all mutants are insane, violent criminals-to-be.

We may need some sort of identity concealing wardrobe, since Pharos and the Crux know who we are. It'd also be a good idea (maybe) to go solo for now since they're used to us being a duo, and operate under both a different name and perhaps mask our true abilities by faking a different mutation if possible. Once the public is less biased against mutants, then we can revert back to Piranha.

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>>4166215
>>4166157

>>4166157
>>4166215

In light of the recent revelations in regards to the Crux, your first option is to take to the web to see if you can scour it for information any prior attacks. It's very much a long shot, but it's the safest thing you can do for now.

Although Konigsburg’s mainstream outlets are pretty much useless in all but keeping track of what you now figure to be Crux-based crime, it’s fortunate for you that they’ve pretty much documented everything on those acts of terrorism in the past six months.

Faintly, you wonder who's in charge of developing this website, its single-article dingy interface a pain-the-neck to navigate as you keep scrolling.

Clicking on a link that seems to be vaguely interesting but largely unrelated to your task, you soon find it to be nothing but baseless hype that was probably written by someone who was just a little too bored with their job.

>(1/?)

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>>4166948

Next, you try the keyword 'mutants,' and, to little surprise, a whole slew of articles fill the screen.

Lawyers, legislators, bankers, and even doctors have all gotten the brunt of Pharos’ hatred for nonmutants.

With each article you click, you take care to open each image of the burnt, crumbled buildings, and it’s really no surprise that there’s a red circle in every picture-- so minute that the average viewer wouldn't notice but large enough for someone who knew what they were looking for to notice. You wonder why the media has yet to pick up on the pattern before shrugging to yourself and continuing on with your scrolling.

There’s also some article about FutureLabs, and you only end up clicking on it because John happens to work there. Plus, you’re always curious about the way things work, so much that you always find yourself in a book when you have the spare time for it.

After skimming through the article, you realize it’s been almost three hours with no little progress.

The only thing you do know is that the crimes are almost always allocated to either some sort of public office or some place that science happens, both of which are located along the main part of the city. You’re glad that FutureLabs is located along the seaside on what used to be a vacant island (at least that’s what John told you), only accessible by bridge.

At this point, not even seeing one lick of the raid on Liebig Street, it’s plainly obvious that no one but you and Matt know about what happened there, which also means that the two of you are still the only civilians who are aware of the Crux’s existence.

Although Matt will be out of school in two weeks and you feel a little guilt at doing this on your lonesome, you feel a great need to take to the streets, as there are still a great deal of mutants who are under Pharos’ control, and they need to be set free.

However, the main part of the city is huge, and, being one person, you’ll have to take your search one area at a time:

>What do you do?
>take to the Curie science district, where the last attack happened
>take to the area by the legislative center
>take to Pioneer Street, the financial district
>take to the Stadzentrum, the city center
>write-in

>>4166998
>take to the Curie science district, where the last attack happened

>>4166998
>take to the Curie science district, where the last attack happened

>>4166998
>>take to the area by the legislative center

Okay, here me out.

I think that being where the scene of the most recent crime is wouldn't be a good idea simply due to if we get spotted. We can inspect the area after the police and fire department and all that presence has died down.

In the meantime, we can investigate other potential avenues. In particular it seems like 'law' seems to be the primary issue since, if we recall the Crux's issue, it's that they feel particularly prosecuted. They'll probably continue their campaign against lawmakers the most.

>>4167080
Actually yeah, probably better to not risk it.
>>4167041
>take to the area by the legislative center
Switching to this.

>>4166998
>take to the area by the legislative center

File: konigsburg_legislative_di(...).jpg (140 KB, 1024x768)

140 KB JPG

>>4167135
>>4167092
>>4167080

That’s it, you decide! Tonight you’ll head to the legislative district!

Unarguably, it’s one of the oldest parts of the city, so old that even the Founding Fathers had trod against its soil.

But since you’re seeking out the Crux on your lonesome and they know what you look like in your mutant form, you’ll need some sort of disguise as you plan to traverse the city rooftops in the dark. Additionally, there are security cameras everywhere, the electronic eyes used to spot potentially suspicious people (like yourself, but it’s for the greater good!).

A mask would be a perfect idea.

Therefore, mind made up, what kind of look will you go for?

>something scary to throw off potential onlookers
>something plain and nondescript
>who cares as long as it’s functional?!

>>4167169
>something plain and nondescript

>>4167169
>something plain and nondescript

>>4167169
>something plain and nondescript

Scary gets us arrested
Whatever we wear, pair it with a hoodie.

>>4167169
>something plain and nondescript.

The spandex and cool costume can wait for now.

FOR NOW.

File: city_rooftops.jpg (194 KB, 1200x1200)

194 KB JPG

>>4167175
>>4167192
>>4167195
>>4167197

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzRCkcALrdM

The mask you’ve chosen for yourself fits against your face like a glove. Paired with a dark hoodie, you think you make for a pretty nondescript figure as you ascend a building some blocks away from the eyes of potential onlookers.

You push off the ground, underestimating yourself, and you nearly slam into the glass of the building ahead of you, but you catch the ledge before your face meets the surface, pulling yourself up with no issue.

You’ve never tried jumping this high before, but with every bound you’re sent skyward and forwards, the wind rushing in your face as you leap from building-to-building.

And it’s not like in the movies either, where the heroes usually look super-cool and smooth when they leap from rooftop to rooftop like it’s second nature. In fact, it takes a little practice to actually get the hang of it.

Higher and higher you go, cars are now little more then ants on the ground, streetlights glistening like fairy lights in the distance.

Up! A bound.

Up! Another leap.

And away!

One with the stars! You think poetically, and you give a ‘whoop’ from the exhilaration of it.

You think Matt would like this too. He’d probably have a heart attack at how high it is at first, but the experience is too amazing for just words. You resolve to bring him on a joy-run someday..

Right! You remember, breaking free from your reverie. The mission! You’d completely forgotten about it when you’d started jumping from the sheer amount of fun you’d been having. Oops.

At least, you’re right where you need to be for the moment, you think, as you stand atop the Konigsburg legislative building. Against the night, you blend in perfectly, so being seen isn’t really a fear of yours for now.

This hour, you think, would be perfect to do something, whether it be to set an explosive, vandalize a building, or assault a weary official making his way home for the night.

Closing your eyes and focusing, you tune your eyes and ears to the surroundings in hopes of picking up something useful.

>roll d100 to use your senses

Rolled 79 (1d100)

>>4167251

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>4167251

File: Elises_mask.jpg (4 KB, 275x183)

4 KB JPG

>>4167277
>>4167257

The buzz of the traffic, the beeping of car-horns, and the general hustle-and-bustle of the city prove quite a match for your sensitive ears.

Your nose, too, is at work, the scents of smog and must and life alight all around you.

Still, you listen deeper, trying to pick any familiar voices you may have heard at the Crux— something, anything incriminating.

Among the hodgepodge of noises you hear, there’s one in particular that calls out to you. Small and scared and weak, it’s the voice of a child.

However, the Crux is still at large, and it wouldn’t do any good to prolong your investigation.

>What do you do?

>Follow the cry; you’d be a pretty crappy person if you didn’t answer a call for help
>Ignore it and keep listening. People cry all the time, so it’s best not to intervene unless really necessary

>Also if any of you blokes has a better visualization of what you think Elise's mask looks like, do feel free to share!

>>4167373
>Follow the cry; you’d be a pretty crappy person if you didn’t answer a call for help

HERO WHOOOO

>>4167373
>Follow the cry; you’d be a pretty crappy person if you didn’t answer a call for help

>>4167373
>Follow the cry; you’d be a pretty crappy person if you didn’t answer a call for help

File: sparkle_sparkle.jpg (40 KB, 960x639)

40 KB JPG

>>4167382
>>4167384
>>4167389

The journey to the noise-source takes a little longer than expected, but, eventually, you pinpoint it to some back-alley just on the outskirts of the legislative district.

The crying never stopped, which is good. Because that would’ve meant you had gotten down from your perch for nothing.

You leap into the alley without reserve, leaving a few cracks in the pavement, but otherwise it’s a smooth landing.

She startles when she notices your presence, the sobs seeming to stop for the moment; and you morph back into your human self before she can get a good look at your face.

“Hey…” You start, trying to sound as friendly as possible. “Aren’t you supposed to be with your parents?" At that, she cries harder.

It’s a little girl, no older than eight, you surmise. As you edge closer, she shrinks back into herself, still frightened and distressed.

“I-I can’t stop it!” She wails, tears still rolling down her face. “I don’t wanna go!”

“What?” You ask, completely and utterly confused. Can’t stop what?

You need not an answer to your question, as sparks of golden light— like little fireflies— fill the alleyway, sending the area around the two of you alight.

They’re coming from her arms, which are getting increasingly brighter in response to her emotions. Her eyes, too, are glowing, and it dawns on you that this isn’t an ordinary girl you’re dealing with.

This is a mutant girl.

At this revelation, what do you do? You’re going to have to calm her down. What is the best way to do so?

>ask her about her favorite animal
>ask her about her family
>tell her about your powers
>write-in

>>4167426
>ask her about her favorite animal

>>4167426

>ask her about her favorite animal

Our powers are top secret

>>4167426
>"Well, I'm here to help. If you don't want to go anywhere, then you shouldn't have to, right? What's your name? I'm Pira."

>First step to getting a kid to calm down is to get them relating to you. Easy way to do that is start with names and sympathy.

>>4167426
>ask her about her favorite animal

>>4167441
>>4167468
>>4167482

“Listen,” You say, with gentle authority, sparks still floating off all around you. “You’re not going to go anywhere. You don’t have to, alright?”

She doesn’t look like she really believes you, but the crying has stopped for the time being.

“Do you like animals?” You say, thinking of the first thing every little kid is supposed to love. You crouch down to her level, removing the mask a little so as not to scare her. At the question, she nods fervently, and so you take that as your cue to continue. “I like horses cause they’re soft and you can ride them everywhere!” Take her mind off the sparkles, you think. Take her mind off the sparkles.

“What about you?” The girl pauses in thought for a brief moment before finally saying: “My mama and I have a kitty-cat at home.”

“Oh?” You ask, feigning surprise. “Yeah! She’s a rag doll cat, and she’s this big!” The little girl makes a wide gesture with her arms.

You keep her talking about anything and everything you can possibly think of until it’s no longer you driving the conversation, but the little girl motioning with wild, excited gestures.

The sparks are no longer there and her eyes are no longer glowing, but you’re keeping her calm and that’s what matters.

(1/?)

File: Spoiler Image (63 KB, 800x800)

63 KB PNG

>>4167577

Eventually, a man and woman arrive at the alleyway in fine-tailored suits, clearly distressed but relieved once they lay eyes on their daughter.

“Sophie!” And the little girl is swept into a hug.

You feel a little awkward to be witnessing what is such a personal moment between parents and child, but, at the same time, something within you glows at the fact that you made this possible.

You pull your mask back up in the nick of time, as the parents converge on you to thank you profusely.

You say it was no problem at all, of course, because why would you leave a poor girl—one with little control over her powers— to suffer?

Eventually, they decide to ask you your name. The Piranha-name has given you a sour taste by reminding you of your days in the Crux, it’s still your mutant-alias. Of course no one outside the Crux knows you by that, and, ever since the police-raid, you’ve had another name on your mind that you’ve liked due to happy memories it brings to mind.

It would be weird to keep the parents waiting, who are still expectant for an answer.

Who are you? That is a good question indeed.
>It’s Piranha.
>It’s (??????)

>>4167593
>It’s Kelpie
I remember that other anon

>>4167593
>Cuttlefish

so many fish to choose from...

>>4167604

This is a "mystery name," anon.

Well, I mean, if you read some of the posts after Elise chooses her first name, you'll know what it is.

>>4167593
>It’s (??????)
>>4167609
ok

>>4167593
>It’s (??????)

File: french_countryside.png (1.4 MB, 1080x675)

1.4 MB PNG

>>4167647
>>4167628
>>4167602

A long time ago, your mother took you to the French countryside to see your grandmother.

The old woman could not speak nor understand a word of English, but she loved you regardless of that difference in language. You always remember her with a gentle smile on her face as she spoke in gentle, hushed tones, never bothered by anything (even with how rambunctious you were). You always thought that she belonged in a painting with how she always dressed in clothes that exemplified that quiet, graceful dignity that comes with age.

On the last day visiting, you were exploring the large farm and happened to come across the horse stables. One of them in particular stood out above the rest: a small beige pony. A lover of horses you were, even at that early age, you were instantly enraptured by it, and the small creature, in turn, took to you with affection as well.

Remembering a fairytale your mother told you, you named it after the creature in the story— a shape-shifting horse of the lakes.

Day shifted into night, and your mother was distraught when she noticed you missing, as were you when you realized that you didn’t remember how to get back home.

Eventually, she found you, and the one thing that stuck in your mind was the feeling of relief on her face when she swept you in her arms once more. Not long afterwards, your grandmother had deemed her (as the pony was a she) your honorary horse. You think that you spent every free moment of your remaining time with that horse.

The memories com back, unbidden, as you stand there silently in the alleyway.

And the two parents there might’ve thought you had gone mute if not for the sudden answer you gave them.

“It’s Kelpie.”

The name is stated with such surety and confidence that you can't help but think how right the name feels. With that, you spring out of sight and into the darkness, leaving a shocked set of parents and an amazed little girl behind.

Jumping further and further away, up into the night, you think that, this time, the name truly fits.

>This is it for tonight; will do more tomorrow, kings!

As you're making the dash back home for the night, you happen to notice a figure standing ominously in some deserted parking lot. He only happens to catch your eyes due to the fact that he's just standing there, hooded gaze following your every move.

"Hey--" You say, trying to sound intimidating, and the hooded figure ends up revealing himself as Pharos.

"Well, well..." He starts. "If it isn't the nonmutant-lover... Guess what? I've already gotten over that, and you know how?" He gestures grandly to some corner of the parking lot, and, to your absolute horror, Matt is there lying in a bloody heap.

"MATT!" But then your face morphs into something vicious, yet Pharos doesn't seem afraid at all. In fact, he just seems more smug. You're going to beat him to a pulp, you think. Maybe kill him if the mood suits.

"Oh?" His lip curls into an infuriating smirk. "You're approaching me? Instead of running away, you're coming right to me? Even Though your brother told you the secret of my power."

"I can't beat the shit out of you without getting closer."

"Oh ho! Then come as close as you like!"

>what do you do?

>Unleash your stand, Sutā Purachina!!!
>attempt to make good frenship with the crux again
>try to wake up from this terrible dream

I couldn't resist.

Happy April Fools Day, you dirty blokes!

>>4168608

>>4168608
>Unleash your stand, Sutā Purachina!!!
Not gonna lie, you got me in the first half

>>4168608
>Unleash your stand, Sutā Purachina!!!

Remember to sneak magnets into his sleeves
Oh, and stuff our clothes with magazines just in case we need additional protection

>>4168608
>Unleash your stand, Sutā Purachina!!!

>>4168632
>>4168662
>>4168792

Your trusty stand, Suta Purachina is at your side in a flash!

But no, Pharos is even faster, as it turns out he's got a stand of his own:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wPzTegH6Gs

He screams, like this is some sort of manga, and that makes you question your entire existence for a fraction of a second-- alas, it is not!

You try to get closer to him to sneak some magnets into his sleeves but no avail, as you find yourself breathless from some unseen force, completely unable to move by some sort of unseen force. You think it's the magazines in your clothes suffocating you, but then you realize that THIS must be the power of Pharos' LEGENDARY, UNDEFEATABLE SUTANDO: ZA WARUDO!!!!!1111 .

A yellow fist to the face, and everything goes black.

>alright alright I'm done now

>>4167755

>alright, alright, I had my fun…

You wind up back in the legislative district sometime later, still sitting, still listening for anything amiss.

“—I’ll have the invoice processed by next week—“

“—don’t want him to have to take a guilty plea if he doesn’t have to—“

“—We’ll announce it at the end of the month, Mr. Charles—“

Some businessmen discussing some business things that fly over your head, some frazzled secretaries complaining about being overworked, some lawmakers discussing what to do next about some bill that doesn’t really mean that much to you— all in all, this lookout thing is rather boring, considering what you’ve usually done with Matt.

You leave the city center disheartened, as you hadn’t found anything relevant, but you refuse to give up—not when there are so many lives at stake! Matt wouldn’t want you to either, you think.

Your cycle of search-and-lookout It’s not always on the same building, but it’s just about where you’d think the Crux might direct their ire. Always towards some figure of medicine, law, or authority, which seems to be the closest you’ll ever get to a lead.

You’re exhausted, too, cause you always seem to end up tumbling through your door at whatever odd hour of the night. John had happened to be home once or twice; though he never says anything (which you expect he will, knowing him), you can feel the glare on the back of your neck regardless. Matt, being busy for finals, has little time or energy to cover for you.

It’s on one particularly boring night when you’re back in the legislative district that the serpent you’ve been searching for rears its ugly head.

An explosion not too far in the distance sends the night alight with fire and screams.

Too late, you think, until you see the figure on the ground running as far as it can from the wreckage.

>roll d100 to pursue

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>4168822

GET BACK HERE.

Although if they book it too fast, we need to turn around and start saving folks.

(Insert Fried Fish joke here.)

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>4168822
Fish is fresh and ready for action

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>4168822

>>4169024

Fresh out the ocean, apparently, still dripping.

>>4169024
>>4169036
>>4168990

You can't tell if the perpetrator is male or female, and you don’t give a crap as you spring off the building you were just perched on, that secondary part of your brain absolutely crooning at the prospect of a fight.

The momentum from your jump sends you careening directly on top of them, sending the figure to the ground.

However, they're not knocked out quite yet. So, without further preamble you tear the hood and signature bullseye mask right off them, revealing the victim of your jump-attack to be none other than Blaze, one of the Crux's higher-ups.

She seems shocked at being caught, even more shocked that it's a mutant holding her down. Although the look in her eyes is contemptuous and she hasn't tried to fight back, she's still smirking for one reason or another. "Traitor...right?"

The scales you've failed to hide are a dead giveaway.

"Playing the goodie two-shoes tonight, are we?" You don't dignify that with a response, and so she keeps talking. All around, there are people gathered but keeping their distance, and you can hear the panic in their voices at the sight of what appears to be a mutant attacking some random civilian. "Where's your defective brother hiding? Surely you wouldn't do anything without your human pet, hmmm?"

The words make your blood boil, even as what must be flashes from iPhone cameras shoot of all around you. You can hear the police cars in the distance, and they'll get here any minute-- you know this for a fact. The only thing keeping you from bolting like you want to is the prospect of squeezing information out of her.

"Where's Pharos?" You ask Blaze in lieu of punching her.

"I'll--I'll never tell. Not on your life..." She's starting to struggle with her words "... you-- you bitch..."

"Pharos is going to win... Pharos will win for us..." The sentence is more of a mumble than anything. "And then we'll set Jewel free..."

(1/2)

>>4169143

You escape just as the police arrive, a few vans interspersed with them to set a perimeter around where you'd landed.

Despite the fact that Blaze had undoubtedly killed people, you regret leaving her there to get caught, her body dragged into a black van not too long after you took refuge somewhere high and out of sight; but you're honestly glad that you didn't prolong it either, as her mastery over flames and heat was no laughing matter.

So what did you learn of use back there? Absolutely nothing.

Just what you already knew, maybe --that the stronger mutants were still carrying out Pharos' bidding. Therefore, you realize that the only thing you can do at this point is be a reactive force against the evil that is the Crux.

When you stagger through the door, legs exhausted from running helter-skelter all the way back home, the Konigsburg news-station is playing a very familiar scene. You're too tired to care, which is how you're caught off-guard by a very stern voice shouting your name.

"Elise!"

It startles you back into awareness, and you think if you looked in the mirror right now, you'd be pale as a sheet. .

It's John.

(At least you had the brains to take your mask off beforehand.)

And he's not happy. Not happy at all.

"Just where the heck were you at this hour?"

>wat do?
>i was at the ---
>i was taking a walk
>tell him off
>write-in