-Friday, June 24th. Hotspot 11 am-
The Radiant and Tina were sitting in a booth enjoying lunch.
"Tina, my little brother should be here in August." Ryu spoke up.
Tina looked up at him in question. "Huh. Where has he been?"
"Camp, same as Lance, Rei, Naomi, and Jamie. When he gets back, I'll introduce you."
Jake smiled coyly. "Should I be worried about him being a prankster? Ya know... like the Red Menace?"
The redhead stared wide-eyed at the teen for a second before leaning in and narrowing his eyes. "You're not that kind of guy, right? A sister complex."
The way it was said, it appeared as if something hit Jake across the face. He leaned back with a horrified look. "No."
"Pfft, HA HA!" The redhead laughed. "Just messing with you, dude. Kite is okay."
"Ha," The spiky raven snorted. "Not cool."
"Sorry." The lightning lad rubbed the back of his head while looking apologetic. "Just had to do it."
The young girl frowned. "I don't get it."
The short-haired raven groaned. "Don't worry about it, it's stupid."
"Ugh." The upbeat girl groaned, "Ryu, don't do that again."
"Okay, I won't."
"Huh, so you guys are here?"
Their talking stopped at the familiar voice. They turned to the person in question, Robert Randall, and two friends flanking his side. Christina scowled, Amy looked annoyed, Ryu looked nonchalant, Tina rolled her eyes, and Jake glared at him.
"Jake, it is too soon for us to meet, but it seems you got acquainted with these losers."
"I wouldn't call them losers." Jake narrowed his eyes. "However, coming here and insulting us for no reason. Do you always go out of your way to do that?"
"Jake," Robert sighed. "Listen, you can hang out with anyone but these people. Orlando always looks like he's always up to mischief, Zeal always looks ready to chew someone out, and Amy is an uppity little prude who teases people."
"Mischief." Ryu chuckled. "Come on, you flatter me, do better."
"I only do that because some people think they can intrude in my space while insulting me."
"I don't lead people on." Amy scoffed at him while looking hurt.
Robert glared at her. "With those looks, you and I would've made a great couple, but then you went with Derek." He smirked. "He's not around, is he?"
Amy turned away, looking hurt. Christina growled while Ryu eyed the boy with a glare.
"Okay." Jake stood up. "That's enough."
"Enough?" Robert seemed offended. "What is enough?" He showed his teeth. "Why are you being a simp?"
"I'm not being a simp." He glared. "Whatever happened between you all, I don't care. Why bother to go out of your way to be around them?"
"Oh." Robert and his posse chuckled. "There he goes, simping."
The raven-haired boy snorted as Christina stood up. "Listen, Randall, pick your time to be less of a jerk and walk away."
The jock snorted. "Whatever, always got to be the woman who thinks she is tough." He waved her off. "Jake, keep on simping."
The group laughed as they walked away. Jake shook his head in disbelief, feeling annoyed by this guy.
"He is a lamer," Ryu said. "Man, I can taste that arrogance like if you serve a politician liver and artichoke-flavored ice cream to get them to shut up and try something bitter as they try to draw you in."
"What?" Tina turned to him in confusion.
"Huh." The fire boy looked at the redhead. "Is the joke it will make them more bitter?"
The redhead chuckled. "Dah, you'll understand someday."
"Don't confuse people." The raven-haired girl sat down.
"No promises."
"Thank you." The brunette smiled at Jake. "You're not a simp. He's like that because I refused to go out with him."
The raven-haired male frowned at her. "There's no reason to continue to act like that just because you declined to be his girlfriend."
"He considered it an honor for me to be his girlfriend." The light girl said with an annoyed look. "I was the lucky girl chosen to be graced by him. I thought he was cute, but was on the fence about his behavior. Then, someone sent me a video recording of his locker room talk about me two days prior to asking me." She had a cringed expression. "Disgusting. I declined when he asked me out. After that, Derek asked me out... then he dumped me two months later because of Robert and a few other situations."
"Did you find out who sent you the video?"
"Red Menace."
"Good guy." Ryu smiled innocently. "Always trying to do the right thing while humiliating people."
The fire warrior glanced at the lightning warrior. "Do the right thing, huh? Making up for pranks."
"Half good and half. He's gone now... maybe something will make him return to right a wrong."
Beep beep.
The group perked at the noise from their phones. The fire warrior took out his cell phone and answered the video call. Appearing on the screen was Pilot.
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"Hey, what happened? Mistress M?"
"No, the Radiant of Ice has been chosen."
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In the middle of the woods, Mistress M grabbed a man by the throat. "One person. Not anymore until I order you to. I am glad I found you before you started going after the next victim."
"So what!" growled the enraged blonde man. "You said this power will help me wreck those who wronged me. You said I can remove those who ruined my life. I will have my revenge."
Mistress M groaned. "I need you to listen. With enough time, your monster will be strong enough to at least hold off the brats or kill them."
"How long!?" The man growled. "Who cares about those powered freaks! How long until they PAY?!"
The woman in pink's eyes flashed a dangerous crimson color that scared the man out of losing his anger.
"Do NOT question me again."
The man backed up, relenting. "F-fine."
She sighed. "Don't go out on a killing spree until I tell you. Besides, isn't your ire on a particular person or two?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Do it again without my say, and you are dead, right?"
"Yes, my mistress."
The woman smiled warmly. "Good, that's my darling. I'll tell you when."
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-The Hub-
The group stared at the white crystal levitating in the middle of the room. An image of a black girl with shoulder-length braided black hair and caramel eyes was shown.
"Great, let's go get her." the lightning lad spoke up.
"Hold on." the water warrior spoke up. "We have to do this carefully. Let's find out her name and who she is."
"We put her image on the computer and found her SnapBook profile along with a picture from a charity event five months ago." Pilot said. He brought it up on the monitor. "Her name is Tanya Winfield. The girl used to be active on her SnapBook until seven months ago. Since then, she has put it on private and only posts quotes every two weeks."
"Was this how you found me?" The fire warrior asked.
"Yes, and a video." The canokian leader noticed the fear in the boy's eyes. "I judge in person. Pick better friends."
"A video?" The light girl looked at the fire user, noticing his apprehension.
"L-let's drop it!" Jake ordered. "Anyway, what does it say about her?"
"Her father is an attorney at a big law establishment, her mother is a psychologist, brother started law school, sister is in college. The girl herself rarely posts on SnapBook."
Christina rubbed her chin. "Rarely posts, huh? Something happened, but what else is there? Like, is there a place she frequents?"
Amy rubbed her chin. "Do you think she posts everything about herself?"
"Is this stalking or research?" Ryu hummed. "Gotta love finding people in a slightly creepy sort of way."
"Her previous posts show how much she loves her friends, loves family, inspirational quotes, her pride, her favorite dancers, favorite cooking shows, movies, books, and hatred of courtroom shows."
"Should it matter that she stopped posting?" The lightning teen asked. "I post every three days. That's only because I want to put up goofy stuff."
"She loves dancing, cooking shows, books, movies, and since her dad is practicing law. She dislikes how fake courtroom shows are." The water teen pondered. "Hmm."
"You got something?" The fire teen looked over at the girl.
"We should frequent places that have those things or see what her favorite book is."
"Or she might not want people to dig too deep in her interest. Being broad is fine." The light said.
"Is there a charity event or something elitist since her dad is a big corporate lawyer." spoke the lightning warrior
"You don't have to be an elitist to go into charity." the water warrior reminded
"We both know charity events are prime locations for those types."
Jake raised his eyebrow, slightly confused. He leaned into Amy. "This is weird. I expected Christina to react like that."
"His dad being a manager leaves a sore spot."
"Why does that leave a sore spot?"
Ding
The group gazed at the SnapBook profile. A new message popped up wishing her father a happy birthday with heart emojis before and after.
"She loves her dad." The raven-haired boy smiled, but an idea popped up. "Is there a birthday party for him? Since you blew through her privacy, maybe you can find out if there is a party for him in his honor."
"Yep, bye-bye, privacy." The redhead mocked as he waved bye.
"Super Big Brother is here." the chestnut-haired girl giggled.
"Fun while it lasted." The raven-haired boy added
"Mm-hmm." The raven-haired girl shrugged.
Javo laughed out loud. "I love these kids."
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-Johns, Booke, and Reading Associates. Winfield's office.-
"Mr Winfield."
The tall, glasses-wearing, brown-skinned man looked up from his work at his paralegal, who opened the door to his office. "Yes?"
The woman looked behind her, then at him. "Your daughter is here."
The man sighed. "I see-."
"Father!" Appearing through the door and past the older woman was Tanya, who had on a yellow tank top with orange trimmings, red capri pants, and red 3-inch wedge sandals. She turned around and faced the woman. "Thanks, Mrs. Lane, I'll take it from here. Kisses!"
The woman nodded and left the room. The girl turned around quickly and placed a folder on his desk.
"Your party is tomorrow!" She cheered. "I got all your friends on speed dial to let them know to come, even people you have a mutual relationship with. I got your favorite cake from the baker, your favorite sandwiches from the deli downtown, the DJ! OH! I also got Gran Gran to..."
The man chuckled. "Tanya... you explained it all yesterday, but this time with a DJ. What's wrong?"
The girl frowned. "Nothing is wrong. Why do you insist on thinking something is wrong?"
"You come straight here whenever you feel.. really feel you need me. What is wrong?"
She faltered under his gaze. "I feel suffocating."
"Tanya, we talked about this. If you don't tell me about what happened, then how can I help?"
The girl scoffed. "Please, father." She gazed at him with disdain, but it was not toward him. "You and I both know those vulgar hussies would've gotten away with it even if they were arrested."
He sighed. "But..."
"Pompous girls who think they have the power." She scoffed. "Oh, they still infuriate me with their sententious attitudes."
"Then let me help you." He grabbed her. "Please."
Her disdain turned to fear as tears welled up. "Daddy, I love you too much for your name to get dragged in the mud." She turned around to walk away. "I-I'm sorry. I'll see you tonight."
"Tanya." The man sighed as he watched her leave the room. "Damn."
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-Next Day. The Hub-
"Everyone." Pilot crossed his arms. "Since a few days ago, there has been a string of murders."
"I thought we weren't going to get involved with average crime?" said Christina."
"Average, as in a giant flying animal abducting three different people." He brought up three images on the monitor. A police officer, a man, and a woman."
"Officer Hampton, Della Marshall, and Dan Hankcraw. These people have something in common with each other, can you guess? Do you pay attention to recent events?"
"Uh..." The redhead scratched his head. "Kind of. Christina?"
"Uh... what do they have in common?"
"We cross-referenced these three people. They are related to the Danny Kraven case.
Amy raised a brow. "Was that national news?"
"I remember." The water warrior said. "A year ago, it was on the news about a guy who committed arson. At first, it was thought to be Danny. Later, they found out he was innocent."
"Then why is he mad?" asked the lightning lad. "He's innocent?"
"But do people really think that?" asked Jake. "Has he gotten a job since then?"
"Before he was found innocent, they declared him guilty. He went to jail for four months, then the real culprit turned up." said Javo. "The damage was done. Some people are still weary of those who were locked even if they were innocent."
"But he held on to his anger." Pilot said. "Manifested into a rage, which attracted Mistress M to him. Unfortunately, he is under her, and who knows how long her influence is upon him."
"So... we beat the monster." The spiky redhead said as he slowly sounded disappointed. "And see if he still ends up crazy."
"Yes."
"There is nothing we can do except fight his rage." The spiky raven sighed. "And make sure he doesn't harm others."
"Speaking of others, there were two attorneys at the time of the case. One is dead, and the other still alive is Ronald Winfield. He was against the accused."
"So he might go after him?" The light user sounded appalled. "But it was his job, right?"
"Even if it was his job, he would still be blamed." spoke the shinobi.
"Also, we found Winfield's party location. It might be easy to find her."
"Ah..." Ryu gave a sinister smile. "We're crashing the party."
"Crashing the party of an attorney." Jake chuckled weakly. "Are we going to stick out?"
"We could pretend we're friends of Tanya," Amy suggested. "And then stay away from her the entire time."
"And then she finds out, rats us, and we end up in juvenile detention," Christina whined. "I can't go there unless I'm a journalist seeking the truth."
Pilot frowned. "This is an adult party. Reinstar is infiltrating as a caterer. She knocked out three staff members, and two of you will join her."
"Are they okay?" Amy asked.
"Why?" Jake groaned.
Reinstar smiled. "How else am I going to sneak in?" She clasped her hands. "Now... who is going to join me?"