Chapter 7 not what it seams
November 14th, 6:50 am
"You sure this is the place," Eddie yawned a bit shaken, both at the cold of the morning air and the thought of the villain who turned him into a mutant. "
" well one of these coffee shops has to be it, we just got to find the right one that sells blueberry muffins for three dollars and a cup of tea for four.
"I know but this is like the tenth coffee shop we've been to; they all sell muffins and tea.
Yes but all of them for distant prices, we're looking for specifics here now come on." Sarah replied with interest.
They were standing in front of a coffee shop. But not just any coffee shop, Cornelius concoctions according to the sign above the doorway. The two a bit cautiously entered, knowing full well that this place could be their lead to their culprit, or worse be the culprit. With this in mind, they made sure to tread lightly.
With the ring of the bell at the door, a familiar-looking lady was reading her newspaper. "On break," She turned the page of her paper.
"Miss Tompson, what are you doing here? Asked Eddie, making the lady look up in surprise. "Oh, oh this is a side job," she chuckled. "Teachers' salaries are awful, you know," she smiled. "What are you doing here?"
"Were uh, just looking to get something to eat. A cup of tea and a blueberry muffin," smiled Sarah.
"Well I'm actually off work but just for you I can do that."Said Miss Thompson who grabbed the muffin from the shelf, here or to go.
"To go please," smiled Sarah.
Miss Thompson poured the tea in a to-go cup and placed it on the counter next to the muffin, "that be," she glanced at the sign, "three bucks for the muffin and four for the tea." Miss Thompson smiled.
Eddie handed her a ten, and Miss Thompson ranged it up, "three for your change," she grinned, and handed him his money.
Acting as casually as possible Sarah then asked "Do you know where the owner of the place is, I want to tell him what such a good muffin he makes," said Sarah. An awful excuse to be sure but Miss. Tompson seemed to buy it. "Well the shop owner's here at the moment, however, you can find him at Reapers."
"Reapers?"
"It's a bar down the road from here," She tossed a card from her desk on the counter. He promotes it all the time.
"Oh, uh thank you, well head there right now then," The two smiled and walked away. Miss Tompson smiled and waved goodbye as she watched them leave. As soon as they did she turned around and entered the kitchen where Ally Cornelius was knocked out in the corner, as her two little ones played in the center of the kitchen. She smiled at the children, and said, don't worry about your mommy, I just made sure she took a nap is all. She said to the two baby girls, one of whom was playing with her FBI badge. She picked her up bouncing her in her arms, before she took back her badge. "You remind me of my little girl when she was your age," she smiled happily. "Too bad she's gone," Miss Thompson replied sadly, and took a moment to grieve. Welp back to work before your mommy wakes up. She smiled and sat the girl down next to her sister. She shook her head at the sight and then headed to the computer on the counter. "Ok Cornelius, let's see what your up to for the Reaper."
...
Sarah and Eddie walked over and found the bar, its parking lot filled to the brim with cars, as a sign on the outside read free checkups for kids, and so early in the morning on a school day
"Strange," Sarah commented as they approached. They entered the bar to find it packed, even in the middle of the day this was an odd sight. Especially since many had children with them. What kinda parent would take their underaged child to a bar? Yet there were plenty of them.
"Can I help you?" Said a voice from the counter. They walked over clearly weirded out by the sight before them. "Are you our seven o'clock? Where's the suit." Asked the woman at the bar. She spoke English yet was clearly Russian.
"Uhh, we're looking for someone actually... Mr. Cornelius, we need to have a word with him, we don't have an appointment."
"So you're not the two o'clock," asked the lady over the counter in a dull board tone.
"Mind explaining what's going on here?" Asked Eddie.
The lady shrugged. "On the weekends we hold fundraisers and events here to help the community. This time around, it's something fun for the kids of the neighborhood, i'm waiting on a pair of clowns to show up. I thought maybe you just weren't dressed up yet."
"Why at a bar tho," asked Sarah.
"Simple, biggest place in the neighborhood. Everyone here is like family, The lady smiled. "If you want to talk to Cornelius, I can get him for you, he's in charge of all of this. Anyway, since the party clowns are not here yet, I'm sure he'll take a word, Anything to drink?"
"We're underaged."
The lady laughed, "Oh we don't sell anything like that till five o'clock business rules. I can give you a soda or a milkshake."
"Got strawberry," asked Eddie. Sarah glared at him. "What, I love strawberry milkshakes?" He held up his arms.
"Strawberry on the way you can sit at table five< Hey Mac!" She yelled back as she walked away.
The two turned around and sat at table five confused as can be. They didn't wait long however as the lady from before brought the strawberry shake, the man behind her, gave a friendly "what's up" as he sat down. He wore a lab coat, glasses, and a name tag. "Ashly said you were looking for me." He held out his hand for a handshake however neither of them did.
"Umm yes, Mr Cornelius, Sarah said reading his name tag. I was wondering where you were on the first of last month."
"What is thiS, an interrogation?" he laughed.
"Well sir," Sarah tried but he interrupted.
"Na na it's fine, I was where I always was, here at Reapers. You could ask Ashley for the footage if you want." He chuckled. Referring to the camera on the wall. "I'm here almost every night supporting this community." He took out a card and handed it to her. "The owner here is a good friend of mine and we always support the community as much as possible. Not just our community but the entire city actually. Were part of a nonprofit fundraiser organization called Reapers Warriors. If you'd like to join, we have a website."
"Why haven't I ever heard of you then?" Asked Sarah trying to ignore the loud sucking sound of her partner and his milkshake.
"Like I said, we're a nonprofit group. We don't even like being in the newspaper. We do anything we can to stay out of it, we just want to help the people of the city." Grinned the red-haired man. Just then the lady from before came over and taped him on the shoulder. "Your clowns are here."
"Oh thanks, sorry it was nice chatting with you but I got to go. Enjoy your shake, it's my recipe." He smiled before he got up and walked off.
Sarah sighed, pulling out a five and standing up. "Well, that was helpful.
Eddie shrugged as he kept enjoying his strawberry shake, much to Sarah's annoyance.
On his morning routine heading into work, Mr Crush, with a cup of coffee in hand, shivered at the cold, despite his warm jacket. “God damn I hate winter, wish it were warmer. He muttered through chattering teeth kicking the snow on the ground in frustration.
Bam! The sound of something banging behind him alerted the FBI agent. Spinning around only to see a Man with flames for hair, beating up a car door “Oh I wish I had his powers right now,” muttered crushed before yelling out, RUN! to the civilians, by him..
The mutant raged, tossing a ball of fire from its hand, hitting a car door in front of it, as its flaming hair and tail morphed color and shape. It roared, baring its large fangs,slashing through the car with sharp nails. Singing through the fiberglas of the car door, beside him. Cops arriving on scene began to clear out the civilians, waiting for the swat team to come and deal with him.
Names crush, he told an officer showing him his badge. I want a border, blocking off main street, and sheave avenue, use your cars to block off its path, got it.
“Yes sir,”replied the cop grabbing his walkie talkie to relay the orders.
"Everyone run, get to safety," Crush yelled over the croud, trying to get control of the dire situation.
The beast, heard him, and turned its attention to Crush. It leaped landing in front of him. His eyes looked at it in horror as he raised his gun, shakily. But before the creature could attack, wham! Something smashed into it, knocking it away from the civilians.
The mutant man flew back ten feet, his head skirting against the pavement, before crashing into the side of a van,twenty feet away. It shook off whatever damage was done and , as it looked up to see its attacker.
She flew into its view, flapping her wings to keep in the air whenever necessary. Dressed in a gladiator costume from the party store, Ray was desperately trying to call for backup on her phone, "Oh come on pick up already!" She snarled when no one answered. “Eddie,” she groaned as she watched her opponent get back up for round two. "Just your average Monday morning." She smirked knowing full well that on Mondays she never had backup because no one ever answered their phone.
Ray flew up into a backflip, gaining some wend power before she went straight for her opponent with another punch. But he wasn't going to be hit a second time, catching ray by the hand, and then tossing her into the van behind him as if she were a ragdoll.
OUWW!, RAY groaned from the pain. “Ok your a lot faster than i thought, ill give you that, she said rolling her sore shoulder.
The creature didn't let up. Instead it launched several attacks on her. All Ray could do was dodge his burning claws.
“Heads up!!! A voice yelled as a mettle sword smashed into the creatures head, flinging him aside, like a ball that got hit with a baseball bat.
"Ha took ya long enough," Ray muttered grumpily. "Next time answer your phone!"
"I was already on my way here." Smirked her savior cockily as he stood in a hero pose. He was dressed in a blue outfit with a cape, and a bike helmet.
"You're not Superman." She reminded him.
"Like the new suit, me and Maroo made them for the whole te-" Ray cut him off, and tackled him to the ground, narrowly escaping a ball of molten fire the creature threw at him.
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"Eddie, fight now, talk later," she told him as she got back to her feet.He just rolled his eyes, and stood with his sword raised. "A sword, you're kidding, a gun would be more useful," she yelled at him.
"What? Every hero needs a gimmick, and heroes don't use guns." He called back to her as he tightened his grip on the sword. “And besides, this thing's made out of hard cold steel, and is fire resistant."
"Will you two stop arguing," shouted a new voice in the conversation. Dressed in a dark purple and black outfit with a witch hat, cape, and mask was none other than Sarrah Stone.
"Sarah you two." Complained Ray.
“What, I did it for Maroo," she shrugged and made an ice wall as the beast flung another fireball at them. She kicked out her feet and found herself on a pair of ice skates, she then used her ice powers to guide her around, doing not too bad at first, but easily slipped and fell making her hat fall off. "Wow, Maroo's mother was right. I am not good at athletics," she complained.
"Ha, you guys seriously need to start training." Said a new voice. Dressed in a much better-looking ninja outfit was Maroo, on roller skates.
"Hey what are you doing here, you're supposed to be at school!." Sarah raised her voice.
"Heard about the villain, and since I'm the only one good at my job I'm here to help." Maroo replied, rolling around on his roller skates.
"What no, no you don't have any powers you're gonna get hur- wahhh," Sara cried out as she tried to get up only to slip and fall on her own ice again.
"All right, I've seen enough." The boy chuckled and jumped into action, rushing at the creature. He quickly landed just missing the fireball that the creature threw at him, he rolled around as he pulled out a bat from his back.
"Someone stop him!" Panicked Sarah.
Ray took flight but she actually used her wings to create a wind gust sending the boy faster.
"Ray, you're not helping!" Sarah spluttered furiously.
The boy used the momentum from the rush of wind, to get close to the fiery mutant, "Don't worry I'm the distraction, she's the real attack." He smirked and pointed up. The flaming monster looked at where he was pointing to just as a shadow covered her.
Above her head coming in for a body slam was none other than Sky, who used her whole strength to subdue the creature. The creature snarled at her, but Sky had a good hold on her, quick the tranquilizer! Panicked Sky.
"On it." Said Maruu who took out a syringe and injected the enemy.
"Woo hoo, one more freak down for the count". Cheared Eddie.
"You didn't even do anything, you were just in the way," Ray complained.
"I saved you, didn't I?" He complained back.
While Ray and Eddie had their spat, Sarah was scolding her assistant.
Maroo, I know you want to help, which you are, but this stuff is dangerous." Sarah reprimanded him.
"It's been dangerous since day one, and you can't do this stuff alone, remember, he argued back, crossing his arms."
"I'm not alone, I have them now, remember!" She Replied, in the same tone as the boy, only louder.
"Enough!" Shouted the oldest one of the group, catching their attention. With all eyes on her once again, Skys lips twitched nervously as she tug at her own hair. Something he often did when nervous. "Sorry it's just, we can't stay here, they're coming." She told them softly, avoiding eye contact.
Sarah looked over, seeing a large number of police vans and cars heading their way. "We'll talk more about this at home". Sarrah grumbled before using her powers to create an icy fog, making sure her and her friends wouldn't be spotted as they sneaked away.
As they vanished, "They're gone again," gripped Mells to her brother, on the back of their bike.
"They probably went back to their apartment," he replied, robotically, not taking his eye off his computer.
"This is stupid, we've been following them for days, weeks, and still no sign of him!" She yelled, but kept her voice down so they wouldn't be heard.
"Don't look at me," he argued back. "Aunty could have been a little more specific when she told us to find him.She didn't even give us a name. A name would have been useful!" He complained.
"What about stone? I mean, isn't that his last name?" Mells crossed her arms.
"I tried that, all I can find on the web is about Mr. Aurthur Stone, a top politician who got murdered years ago. But there's nothing much on his family. It barely even mentions his daughter, and I can't find anything on his son." His stomach then growled, and he moaned about that too.
"Well you're the brains of the operation, figure something out," she said and got on the bike.
"And where are you going?" He asked, annoyed with her.
"To find some food. I'll bring you back something," she snapped back before taking off leaving him nearly as frustrated as she was.
...
Once in their apartment Eddie tore off his helmet and began to hide his hero costumes under his normal clothes. It wasn't long before the others did the same. "I'm just saying, What's it been, five since we started this," he smiled wide.
"Six actually, we took you down." Ray reminded him.
"Oh har har." He replied with a smirk. "Oh hey check it out, this..." he pulled out a suit to show Ray. "Is your hero outfit. It's made with real tough fiber, it's not bulletproof but it's pretty close. All our suits are made this way, and with its coloring, I figured out your name, Miss Bolt, you can be my sidekick, cause I'm Strong Sword." He said taking a hero stance. “Get it cause of the sword, and I'm super strong.
Ray rolled her eyes. "First off I'm no one's sidekick. You're mine at best, and second, there's no way I'm wearing that, it's way too revealing, you sicko."
"What, it looks just like Wonder Woman's outfit, what's the big deal, " he argued with a shrug of the shoulders. "Sky doesn't have a problem with hers."
Sky was dressed in a dark green and black version of the same suit, Except she had longer pants,boots, gloves, a belt, but no cape since she had wings. "That's enough, you two. Eddie, she doesn't like the costume, why not let her design her own and then you make it for her."
"I wouldn't mind that, you can even help me." Ray threw her arm around Sky.
"Fine but we also need hero names," Miss Bolt sounds great, don't you think Sarah? Eddie asked.
“I'm not in this,” Sarah replied, throwing her sweater over her costume.
"Yeah well, I'm not calling you that. Ray Snorted.
"Oh come on, its strong Sword, your Miss Bolt, Sky is Dark Angel, we got ninja man,” Eddie ruffled Maroos hair. “and The Ice Witch ."
"Yeah I'm sticking with Spector," Sarah replied. "The costume is cool but I'm not a witch."
"Oh yeah then explain your magic powers, then, and not all witches are bad ya know."Eddie scoffed
"Actually I've been wondering about that myself," Ray raised an eyebrow.
Despite the angered atmosphere, Sarah couldn't help but crack a smile at her friends. “It's a bit of a science thing actually.” She replied and walked over to grab a drink from the fridge.
"Look, DNA holds all the codes to life. We hold all genes just like everything else on this planet. If a gene is turned on you get that feature. Turned off and the feature is gone. This substance, "she pointed at the purple sticky goo under her microscope. "Is some type of genetic switcher. It's some type of form of RNA that when combined with any DNA it comes in contact with, mutates them, switching some of the genes on. It's quite incredible actually." She shrugged. “Our bones are stronger, yet lighter, as light as birds and like birds, we have hollow bones giving us more oxygen in our system thus making our muscles stronger. What would take an athlete at least a year to accomplish we have instantly due to this. We're also far more flexible, stronger, and faster than most humans. All mutants have unique senses of smell, sight hearing, and yes, some have wings. I was mutated years ago and have seen my own X-rays. I have vestigial bones in my back for some reason. Most Likely the gene that would turn them into wings wasn't fully switched on. I bet all mutants who don't have wings also share this trait." she said as she set her hand on her chin in thought. “Also our snake-like eyes, giving us sight in the dark. Activated like flexing a muscle. All in all, it's no stranger then what's out there.
"Ok so that explains the claws and wings but what about your fire and ice powers?" Asked Ray.
"I'm getting to that. Like I said we're not like normal humans, once mutated were a lot stronger and faster. Being next to the river, our small town has usually damp air. I'm able to apply the quick pressure, needed to create heat to it. Done fast enough," she snapped her fingers creating a plume of fire. "And I can produce a flame. Done in the right way I can even manipulate the damp air, especially if it's cold to produce ice." She snapped again creating ice this time. "I can even create lighting using static electricity. Tho I don't like using that since getting shocked by a thousand bolts isn't exactly gonna leave you alive. But that's how you're able to create lightning when you fly fast, ray." Sarah turned to her.
"Lighting, hay I like that. Lightning bolt. Or just bolt." Rayshruged.
"How's that any different from Miss Bolt!" Eddie yelled, holding up his arms.
"Because I came up with it, not you," Ray evilly smirked, much to his annoyance.
"So you all can produce fire and freeze stuff?" Asked Maruu.
"Yep, however, I have had my powers the longest and know a trick or two. I also know that for some reason I have to be careful with it because if I'm not the DNA could break down into an acid-like structure being frozen and burned so quickly."
"Oh, so that's what happened to that one experiment huh?" Marro asked.
"Yes, now don't think because we're talking about this that you're off the hook." She waved a finger at him.
Maroo rolled his eyes, as he finished putting on his school clothes. “I'm heading to school alright, I'm going right now.” He groaned like a brat before heading out on his roller skates.
"Maruu." She called him, making him stop. "I just don't want you hurt, alright? You're like my little brother."she told him before quickly dashing her head away.
Turning back with a grin, "Don't worry I always got you back, see ya." He told her before closing the door.
Pleased with his answer, Sarah turned back bringing her attention to those in the room.
"Alright, so when did you get mutated then anyway, Bat girl?"Eddie asked playfully.
"When I was eleven,” Sarah grinned, despite her eyes, falling short. “I and my parents were coming home from a science fair, when someone came around the corner. My father apparently knew him and walked up to the man arguing. I was just a little kid so I didn't think much at the time. Soon Mom went over telling me not to go anywhere. There was a fight and I just’ she said as her lips fell flat. “I wanted to go home so i decided to try and stop the stupid adults fighting and headed over there, not knowing the man had a gun."
Sarah sat on the couch. "it wasn't a bullet though, that's for sure. Most likely,they were trying to mutate my dad, and it hit me instead. I have quite the good memory actually. Too good actually. I can recall everything from when i wa little. Especially that night. My mom with her cookies in hand, my dads silly grin,” sarah slightly laughed at the memory leading up to the event. But then…
“It goes black, huh. Its the same for me when i got mutated, Sky crossed her arms hiding behind her own hair.
Sarah gave a nod. “I may have been little and didn't really understand but,” she shook her head.
“What do you remember?” Asked Ray, in a whisper just loud loud enough for the room to hear.
“A dark shadow, a flash of lightning, the snake-like eyes.”
“Snake-like eyes, so whoever did this is a mutant then?” Eddie asked.
“Mhmm.”
“Any idea why he went after your dad?” asked Eddie.
Sarah shook her head, “Dad was a politician, that's all I know.” Sarah slumped back.
Eddie blinked a few times, crossing his arms. “So let's get this straight, my dad is an FBI agent, and I was mutated. Is it possible whoever did it wanted something to do with the FBI, Does your dad have anything to do with the FBI?
Sarah shook her head
“Well there's got to be a connection, I mean come on, supervillains always have a reason for this stuff.” he chuckled.
“This isn't a comic book, this is real! Sarah snapped, and immediately felt sorry for it. “Sorry, it's just... I've been trying to rack my brain around this for over eight years now, and still have no answers. Either way, there's one for sure that I know. Whoever is doing this, they have to be creating more mutants, for reasons, I don't know but…” Sarah returned to her fee.” I will find a cure, I will put a stop to all of this, and I will bring him to justice. She said with her eyes burning green, full of hatred and determination.
"Not alone," Sky Stated, catching Sarah's attention. "We're here with you," She nodded.
“Yeah, we're a team,” Eddie chimed in. Ray gave a heads-up, as if to say I'm on board too.
Sarah smiled and nodded a thank you, before changing the subject.
"By the way, my caretaker, the mayor, hosts a big grand Christmas party every year, and you're all invited. You just have to participate in Secret Santa," Sarah pulled out a hat. "I have all the names of the party, and I already put your names in. If you're coming you gotta draw one and get a gift no less than a hundred dollars and no more than two hundred."
"Wait, you mean the rich party, where all the rich come together," Eddie said excitedly.
"The very same," smiled Sarah
"Alright, I'm in," Eddie replied and pulled out a name from the hat, followed by Ray and Sky.
Wondering who she got, Sky took a look only for the name Charles Wolfric, to cause her more curiosity.
"Hay anything new on that coffee shop?" Asked ray.
“nothing to condemn him, that's for sure." Sarah shrugged a reply.
"Even in that wired group," Sky asked, joining the conversation.
"There really isn't anything to tell, it's weird," Sarah replied worriedly.
"Yeah, well it's not like they're just going to give everything up. I mean who does that? Na, na, na, you want to get anywhere you got to go to the source and spy on the higher-ups like in comics," Eddie added.
"Mention those comics again, I swear, Ray told him clearly.
"No, he's got a point," Sarah threw in. "We do need to start spying. Get down to what this group really is."
"Great only problem, they know what you and I look like so it can't be us." Eddie tossed in.
"It can't be Maroo, he's too young," Sarah scratched her head in thought.
"Not it," Sky chuckled.
"Fine, I'll do it," Ray replied.
"Are you sure, if these guys are the ones responsible for the mutations," Sarah spoke cautiously.
"Hey, I got this," she smirked. I'll go join up after school. "Trust me, we'll get to the bottom of this now, come on." She said cocky as she headed out the door.