Track 33 - The Tank

"They wanted him to take out some blue-haired kid."

With the end of the week arriving there wasn't a full roster tonight. Aldryx and Solazar were not present. Instead, they were at Agoti's latest show, making an appearance to support his comeback.

Tabi had been asked, or rather, you were asked by Solazar to bring him. Much as you were interested you settled for his Sunday show, which led Solazar to comment, "I'll be surprised if you could get him out then." He did not elaborate further.

You weren't sure what he meant but figure to ask Tabi later. For now it was the group meeting and the plan needed fleshing out.

Radi and Nikusa were invited but had not shown.

Rosie stepped out earlier, a phone call catching her attention. Pompom went with her, herself wanting some pastries. Rosie said it would take some time but Pompom had no problem waiting, enjoying the atmosphere of the restaurant. She'd left Huggy upstairs with everyone else.

Everyone else was accounted for.

Fairies fluttered about the place. They'd gotten used to everyone's appearance. Tabi in particular they liked, though the love was one-way. He didn't need anyone fawning over him. Not anymore.

"We need a demolitionist." You start. "We'll discuss getting that demon to bar the summons but for now we need someone to blow it up. It's a far more likely to get a bomber anyways. So far we considered Radi but I don't think he'll be able to melt the whole gate, if it's even affected by radioactive waste."

"Indeed. Those gates are surprisingly resilient. Self-healing even." Updike said.

"Does anyone know someone who can deal with bombs? Updike? There anyone in the prison we can use? Ruv?"

"I have been looking into it. We don't have any specialized explosive people. That's more of a...normal criminal act than what we deal with. We have someone who may be able to freeze it...though hunting him down will be a challenge. Ruv could work but doesn't know discreetness. He blows up the gate, half the city will know."

"Wait!" Kapi said, ears perking up. "I know someone...Think I said before, but nobody got back to me! He was at the arcade too."

"You did?" Nikku asked.

"Yeah. You remember that bomb-headed guy? Whitty? I'm sure he could blow up the gate. Dunno where to find him though. I could probably ask Cyr-"

"Whitmore." Updike spoke rather loudly, catching Kapi off guard. You remember him from the arcade battle too. Didn't say much but was as raucous as Kapi. You vaguely recall Kapi floating the name at some point earlier, but nothing ever came of it. Everyone was still high off the success of Earthquake then.

"Yeah. You know him?" Kapi asked.

"He is completely out of the question." Updike said icily.

You recall Whitty leaving in a huff at some point though never found out why. Cyrix didn't seem to know either. Then Updike showed up and dispersed everyone, chastising you all for making a scene. He never mentioned Whitty nor did he ask. Thinking on it, you wonder if they were connected. Would explain Updike's sudden standoffishness.

"What? Why?" Kapi asked. "I mean, he was kind of dick in school but he probably mellowed out. Know I did."

"You really went to school with him?"

"Yep! A year older than me."

"I think I know him. Loudmouth. Bomb for a head right?" Tabi asked. He was leaning back in his chair, toothpick in mouth.

"You know him too?" Updike asked demurely. His black eyes shone surprise.

"I've only seen him. Doesn't like that Family either."

"Hold on." Updike said, actually getting up. "You both have heard of him? Be serious."

Both Tabi and Kapi said yes, the former even adding "Agoti likes his music too."

"Oh!" Tess chimed in. "I know him. Least I think I do. He was a regular at my cafe."

Still tired from Flashbang, it slipped your mind you did recognize him. Registering what how Tabi described him. "Yeah...I think I remember seeing him in the police database back when I was looking for members. You guys were handling the case right?"

"Yes." Updike let out a growl, showing uncharacteristic anger of all sudden. "Whitty is a zilla class abomination. Even ignoring his long history with my people. He is my number one target." Updike said.

"Oh wow." S said. "That's rich. You got a nemesis?" Updike ignored him.

With a knock at the door, Rosie arrived. She had a perplexed look on her face.

"Don't mean to interrupt, but we might have a problem..."

"What's wrong?" Tess asked first.

After making sure the door was closed properly, Rosie spoke. "Nikusa's 'crew'. It's just her and the green guy right?"

"Far as we know." Updike responded.

"Is she coming tonight actually?" Kapi asked.

"No. She is overseeing Radi's treatment. He'll be available tomorrow." Updike said gruffly.

"Anyways." Rosie shook her head. "I've had some people watching the compound, just figure out their daily movements and stuff. Some woman went up to the compound, shouting crap about the family."

"So?" Tabi said.

"Started saying all this stuff about, how they're all evil, she wants revenge, they killed her friend, typical things we hear here."

"Go on..." Updike said impatiently.

"Well then, she drank some liquid and got jacked. That's what my Donnas said. Turned her skin blue or something. Some demons came out and she made ripped 'em apart. Then she smashed in the fence even though it was electrified. They said she got stronger and start taking them out, brutalizing them, throwing them back, so on. She almost got overwhelmed but I had my Belladonnas pick her up. They're en route now."

"What?" Tabi asked, kicking his foot off the table. "Are they being followed?"

"Well not really. They had to knock her out. It looked more like a kidnapping then us intervening." Rosie said. "Not to mention they were disguised as pigs." She added quietly.

"What was that?" You ask.

"Nothing!" Rosie said with the fakest smile she could muster.

"Is she an abomination?" Updike asked.

"You keep saying that word and to be honest, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Was she human or anthro? Or just a lookalike?" Updike said flatly.

"She's just a regular human I think. Though my people said that she 'deflated' when they drove her back, so I don't know."

"I guess we'll talk to her when she wakes up...and when she gets here." You add.

"Sounds good. They'll tell me when she arrives. So-"

Pompom came back in, downcast. This was noticed immediately by nearly everyone. The sniffle she did when she sat down signified something seriously wrong. Huggy was the first one to react, pulling her into a hug. Next was Kapi who asked, "Are you okay?"

Pompom looked up, eyes red and tears streaming. "I-i'm fine."

Updike stood up. "Like hell you are. What happened?" He spoke for everyone.

"I was, was downstairs getting a pancake and some guys, they made fun of me, said I wasn’t cute, called me mangy, I smell, i don't smell and I called them out and a-aand they pulled a knife on meeee!" She said, bawling now. Huggy held her tighter.

Rosie's eyes burned brightly, as did several other people present. She stood up first.

"Are they still there?"

"I t-think so."

"Good."

Rosie pulled out a pink handgun and cocked it. "If you'll excuse me..."

"Wait." Tabi stood up. His hat covered his eyes but that did little to hide the fires in them. "I'm coming."

"Let's give them a chat." Rosie said and the two left.

You and the others considered going to but there was such a thing as overkill.

An awkward silence filled the room. Pompom kept to herself, though Updike of all people tried to cheer her up, making comments about how those people didn't mean to do it, that Rosie and Tabi would set them straight. Not helping, she sniffled again. Updike turned on MALLEUS, showing Pompom all sorts of crazy things he could do with it. S too, struck a pose on the hologram, doing his best to help. It helped, Pompom cheering up.

A few minutes later Rosie and Tabi returned, the former carrying a tray of sweets and goodies.

"All for you." Rosie said as she placed it in front of the farmer's girl.

"Really?"

"Yep! Those guys apologized and ordered you a big tray of your favourites. They won't do it ever again." Rosie said wickedly.

The double-meaning was lost on innocent Pompom who believed Rosie made them see the error of their ways. You nod to Rosie who nodded back. You didn't need to know the details, nor did anyone else.

You notice a few stains on Tabi's snout as he takes a seat. Dirt and what you hope wasn't his blood speckled across his snout.

"You good?" You ask him. You hand him a paper towel, Tabi wiping the not-his-blood off.

"Am now."

"So what were you guys talking about?" Rosie said as she sat down. She looked fine, not the least bit roughed up. As she took a seat she wiped down her handgun, acting as if nothing occurred.

"We need a demolitionist, you know any?" You ask.

"Nope."

"Well there's Whit-"

"I've already put my foot down. We are not recruiting him." Updike said, raising his voice again.

"Why not?" Pompom asked, a little confused by his opposition.

"Whitty is-" Updike paused as he thought. "Whitty is capable of levelling the city and the only reason he still walks this earth is because one of my comrades stuck up for him. A deal was made with him and his girlfriend. Even so, he is still our number one target." Updike raised his voice. Whether in frustration or perplexity, he was showing far more emotion than before. He even stood up. "Not to mention his extensive history with the family."

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"I mean-"

"We are not recruiting Whitty! That is final!" Updike shouted. Another awkward silence formed in the room. Nobody was really sure how to respond to Updike's outburst. The fae in particular fluttered back into their tree, worried that a storm was coming.

Tabi responded first, foot on the table rocking his chair back and forth. "That just makes him more appealing." He said.

"I-I agree." Nikku added. "And he wasn't that bad when he helped us save the arcade. Maybe you just don't know him well enough?"

"Oh I know him well. I know him very well. He is a nuisance at worst, harbinger of death at best."

You listened in on the arguing, not adding much. It was essentially Kapi and Tabi vs. Updike, Tess supporting the former. "Kapi. You went to school with him. Any of that true?" You press in.

"I don't know what he's on about. Whitty was a bully sure but he never did anything evil."

"I don't believe you went to school with him." Updike said, back on the defensive.

"I don't believe you." Nikku added finally. "After how you treated me I not going to trust what you say about Whitty."

"Recruit him and I, the lord help me I will go after this team. TGG will not stand by you."

"Whoa, take it easy." Theo and Pompom said, alarmed at Updike's sudden anger. "Yeah, relax man." You said. "We're just spitballing." Things were starting to get heated and you spoke without thinking.

"TGG makes decisions as a 3 right? Well what do your 'comrades' have to say about Whitty joining?"

Updike's glare was instant, but you had a point. "They are not part of this team. They cannot and will not make this decision. You sound like a child going to the other parent for approval."

"Come on. You already said one of them stuck up for him. Plus the city's still intact. What happened?"

"I've had enough of this." Updike stood up and adjusted his tie. He was ready to leave.

"You know if you don't tell I'll go to the others of the trio, ask them, right? You're being completely unreasonable!" You shouted at the weatherman.

Finally, Updike sighed. "You people really have no idea. He and I have a history. Mortal enemies for years. Ducked me several times, narrowly avoiding my grasp. Just 7 months ago he blew up an entire city block as part of some....rap battle! He should have been made there but managed to avoid the Nightstalkers. If it wasn't for who his girlfriend was he would have been killed." He took a breath before continuing his plea. "Whitty is the worst kind of abomination. Dangerous and reckless. It was a miracle no one was hurt. He is my mortal enemy and he knows it. And even if we do find him?! He won't join. He hates and I hate him. He even had the gall to attack my a few nights back."

"Well hold on." You say, figuring it out. "Whitty probably thought agents were there for him. Probably got all paranoid and thought Ruv getting arrested was for him. Guy ran and accidentally hit you."

"If by accidentally, you mean intentionally then yes. I should have arrested him then and there too and if Flashbang wasn't so pertinent I would have! I cannot work with my nemesis."

"Get over yourself. Kapi's my arch nemesis and I'm here working with him." S said innocently enough. "And who says we can't catch him. Maybe you can't, with all your girth, but we can!"

Huggy nodded in agreement. He barely understood the comment but Updike reminded him of the scientists he used to be. He must be wrong, Huggy thought.

"S has a point." You say. "We're all working together even if we don't see eye-to-eye. I mean, look at all the bad blood between Rosie and I. And Tabi and Zardy, Solazar and Nikusa, hell even between you and Disp-"

"I get it. I don't need to hear your platitudes."

"Well?"

"There doesn't seem to be any convincing you otherwise. Fine. If you can track him down, convince him I won't kill him on sight and then convince him to blow himself up to take out a demon gate then sure."

"And you. You won't attack him when we find him?"

"Er, hold on. The girl's arrived." Rosie spoke up.

Tabi got up. "I'll deal with her."

"Huh? Why?" Rosie asked. You too was curious.

"She sounds like someone I used to know. Answer (Y/N)'s question first."

"Hmph. Fine. You find him, I won't touch him. But I won't put that in writing." Updike said firmly. Tabi just shrugged and started to walk away. He gave you a nod before trotting off.

"Can I go too?" Pompom asked, raising her hand.

Tabi shrugged. "Sure. Let's go."

The two got up and left, Rosie following them.

"What exactly did he do you?" You ask.

"I have no reason to divulge that history. That's classified information, even to someone-" Updike said.

"It was just a question, geez." You lay back. "Alright fine. How about this? You, Kapi, one of your 'comrades' and Tess go find him. Have a chat, and if he refuses then that's the end of that." You offer.

Updike shook his head. "This is a complete waste of time. And where do you expect I start looking?" He was now being purposely obtuse. You weren't going to let it slide.

"You really have no idea where he is? I find that a little hard to believe, especially if he's TGG target number one. And he was hanging out with some girl and Displo's brother that night. We just track them down and ask."

"Argh, fine. I do know where he is. Well, one of my comrades does. I'll take up this offer. Show you, and you that he is not all you think he is cracked up to be. But do I have to bring those two?"

"I know Whitty. Maybe not that well but I can talk to him." Kapi chimed in. "And I know him too!" Tess added.

"Would you rather I send Tabi and Aldryx instead?"

"Fine. Don't bring that red-headed freak. You'll see how futile this is. If he doesn't kill us all first. We will depart tomorrow evening, speak to Whitmore, then attend the meeting."

"That's settled then. Anyone need to add anything else? S, can you grab Whitty's police file? I want to see it."

"Sure!" And with a flash S vanished.

Tabi, Rosie, Pompom walked downstairs in silence. "How do you know her?" Pompom asked.

"I don't. But I wanted to get to her before anyone else."

"Huh, why?"

"Because what she did sounds exactly like what I would do."

"What, just run in and fight them? But you'd lose on your own."

"I know."

"So you just charge in and die? I don't get it."

"You will one day. Why did you come anyways?"

"To be honest, I wanted some more cake!"

"We certainly got plenty of that." Rosie joked. "Plus, you act as a good counter-balance to Sir Edge here."

"Hmph." Tabi growled.

"Oh go bomb another restaurant."

"What?! How do you-"

"People talk honey." With the push of a door they entered the main dining room.

Like the other day, the restaurant was barren. Even more so tonight. Rosie didn't mind. Breakfast was always the busiest, followed by lunch. Dinner-time always had reduced service, only two reasons for even staying open late. One, to test out new products and deserts, and two, to serve coffee and such to the overnight workers starting their shifts.

They were currently in reduced mode, ovens all resting.

The place was empty excluding a few stragglers in booths. When such things happened Rosie allowed the workers to slack off; that as long as they continued to serve whatever customers were present they could relax. A few were around, giggling on their phones at the counter.

One of the donnas was sitting with the girl at the counter. She motioned Rosie and company over.

Tabi's eyes were immediately caught, watching as the girl held a vodka bottle. In one swig she downed the whole thing, clear liquid vanishing into her gullet. Most impressive, Tabi thought.

Her long black hair obscured her eyes, bangs completely covering the upper half of her head. It flowed down to her back, though not in any specific direction, just spreading out as it got lower. It had not been combed or touched-up in some time as it appeared frazzled and jagged in as it flowed down.

She had pale skin and a wide build. Based on what Rosie had heard, she figured it had to have been muscle. Though she may have been short, if she really ripped that fence she was much stronger than she looked.

Tabi picked up on the devil horns formed in the top of her head out of hair, though unsure if intentional or not. A closer look revealed it was instead a beanie that somehow matched the exact same colour as her hair.

"What you want?" She said, a vocal crack as she addressed the three. She didn't sound drunk rather tired and depressed. Tabi had heard that tone of voice before. It was how he sounded when he first woke up as 'this'.

"We want to talk." He said first. "'Bout what you did just now."

With a clear of a throat she spoke. "Shoulda let me die there," she mumbled, looking into the bottle.

She wore a black t-shirt, a red undershirt underneath, holding the bottle with red fingerless gloves, the same bright red that matched her pants. Pompom noticed that they both looked a little big on her, the pants pooling around her black shoes and shirt covering part of her lower waist.

"I think we can help." Rosie said with a smile. "Let's go somewhere a little more private."

"Whatever." The girl got up, abandoning the bottle.

"Name's Rosie. And these are my friends, Pompom and Tabi." She held out a hand.

"Hmph." She said without looking at either. "Annie."

Rosie lowered her hand, Annie not caring to shake. She led them to her office. In the few days since anyone on the team had last stepped in nothing had changed. Same bright pink wallpaper and the same 'in-progress' look as before.

Tabi found it ugly but said nothing. Pomona on the other hand was much more receptive, commenting that it was pretty.

"So what's this about? I was fine just killing myself." She mumbled. Annie took a seat in one of the large chairs, landing in it with a puff. Rosie sat down at her 'throne', Tabi standing behind, hands on the desk. as he leaned on. Pomona took a seat at the remaining chair, moving it over so she could see both Annie and Rosie.

"Tell us what happened." Rosie said.

"What's the point, ugh." Annie clutched her stomach briefly. "You wouldn't understand."

"I think we would."

"Oh yeah, what're you anyways? Feds? Wanna hear a confession? Fine, went there to rip that stupid mother's head off her body! Would've done so if you didn't interfere." She grumbled.

"Do I look like a fed to you?" Rosie said, a little irate. Though Annie couldn't have known it was one of the few things that pissed Rosie off.

"We aren't cops." Tabi said.

"Nope! Never met one in my life, er, except (Y/N)." Pompom added.

"Well then why'd you take me? Wha, you just watch the base? Kidnap intruder-argh." Her stomach grumbled, unclear if she was sick or hungry.

"We represent people wronged by the family."

"Uh-uh. And what did they do to you?"

"I'm not supposed to look like this." Tabi said bluntly.

Annie hadn't really looked at Tabi or Pomona yet. Glancing up she was taken aback by Tabi's appearance. "Oh, um sorry."

"Those bastards targeted my fairies and territory. And their tearing down my forest." Rosie added.

"And they sent a demon after me!" Pomona said with a little too much enthusiasm.

"There are others too, just like you." Tabi said.

Annie gulped, not out of fear but as she tried to process everything.

"What did they do to you?" Rosie asked calmly.

"Garcy." She said quietly, looking back at the carpeted floor.

"?"

"Garcello. He was my best friend. Got involved with that stupid family. Or they forced him, I don't know. I warned him-, I-" Annie put a hand up to her mouth as she started to bawl. It took a few seconds but tears started to flow down past her hidden eyes.

Pompom got up and, taking a tissue off the desk handed it to Annie. She wiped her face. "Thanks."

"They wanted him to take out some blue-haired kid."

Tabi wanted to say something but let her keep speaking. "And...I don't know. He didn't do it fast enough, he failed, t-they thought he flipped, I don't know, they just killed him. Those kids. Left him to die. Blue-haired brat and a red-haired girl. Cops told me."

"You sure it was them?" Rosie asked.

"I don't know why they would. I went to the hospital. He could have been saved! T-the doctor said he he coulda been resuscitated.." Annie was trembling now. Pompom walked up and tried to pat Annie. Annie mistook it and grabbed Pompom, pulling her into a tight hug, crying onto her shoulder.

Tabi knew better than to say anything but in his mind there was one thought. I knew that Girl and Boy were bad news. That was proof. He felt completely vindicated.

"When was this?" He asked.

Annie took a deep breath and let go of Pompom. "S-sorry. Two weeks ago, I think. Cops said they would investigate but they gave up. They work with the family. I know it. Those frickin' people even blew up some guy's restaurant. Same night. Just for kicks probably."

"I'm sorry to hear. Two weeks back they attacked me and my lover. Sent a demon to carve us up. I nearly died." Tabi said quietly.

"Then you understand why I did it. We have to go and stop them, before they can harm anyone else. I want to know why, why they did it to Garcello, and, and," Annie spoke incoherently, her mind awash with emotion.

"We will, be sure of that. I want you to join us." Tabi said. "We're planning to take them all out, hit 'em where it hurts."

"Just a minute." Rosie spoke up. "My people said you drank something and got strong. What's that about?"

"It's this." Annie pulled out a large can of glowing blue liquid. "It makes me stronger, powerful. I can do anything. I was going to overdose, march right into the castle and ring the life from those people." The can had various lines on it, indicating dosages.

"But, what is it?" Pompom asked.

"I can't say. Garcy and I just always called it THE LIQUID. All I need to know is that it's my key to ending those monsters." She cursed.

"You think you could rip stone?"

"Yep. Anything. Just tell me what you need, ugh, smashed and I will."

Rosie looked to Tabi and Pompom. Without speaking both knew the answer. She was in. "I'll ask." Tabi said and stepped out, heading back upstairs.

Pompom followed Tabi, wanting to get some cake on the way up. There were a few remaining slices of a lemon pie. As the worker cut them up, Pomona had a question for Tabi.

"So you really didn't know her?"

"I don't."

"Then-"

"I wanted to see her before Updike could." Tabi said, cutting Pompom off.

"Why? I don't get it."

"I don't trust him. He doesn't like people like us."

"Hm?"

"Abominations."

"I see. I don't think he's that bad. Just a hardhead. He's like my dad."

"Hm."

With a shit-eating grin, S returned with the file. He made sure to look Updike in the eye as he displayed it on MALLEUS.

You wanted to ask Updike more about Whitty but he refused. An argument broke out between Kapi, Tess, Nikku, S and You against Updike regarding his file. It backed up what Updike had said about the Family.

Nikku doubted its authenticity since TGG did handle the case. Before the argument could get more heated Tabi and Pompom returned bearing news about Annie. Nobody had any objections, though Updike was curious about her liquid. It helped diffuse the situation and change topics.

Introducing Annie, Tabi blurted out his hypothesis that BF and GF were the ones who killed Garcello. An argument then broke out between you and him, you not believing they would have done so.

Her ability did not fully satisfy the requirements of the gate but it did provide a possible backup if Whitty rejected. For now, it was a matter of recruiting the demolitionist. Updike commented on it, stating that 'when Whitty throws us out, we'll at least have someone saner on our side'. It was also guessed that she could team up with other team members to destroy the gate.

She wanted more revenge when the plan explained to her, that she wanted to be the one who killed Mommy and Daddy. That was impossible though it determine she could help take stuff from the vault when all was said and done.

Hearing her account of events directly from Annie gave a different story. She wasn't sure it was just them but mainly just wanted to know why they were there when he died. Why they left him for dead. Tabi was less convinced but ultimately concluded that they still couldn't be trusted. Updike backed him up on that, though nobody had even suggested recruiting BF and GF.

For now it was up to Kapi, Tess, Updike and one 'comrade' to find and speak to Whitty. You had no idea what it held but the more Updike spoke of Whitty, the more he sounded like a perfect fit. You wonder if Whitty had stayed that night, if there would have been a showdown between him and Updike, if Updike would have betrayed the team to get him. Whatever the case, he did not like that bomb-headed man.

Annie has joined the party!

Annie's Card [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/5347fd06-56ca-4d36-8584-e8dd38de8e12/dh0rkh2-507a293d-347e-4fe7-97bf-3eb22d3f5ecb.png/v1/fill/w_1192,h_670,q_70,strp/the_tank_by_odaocer_dh0rkh2-pre.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9NzIwIiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvNTM0N2ZkMDYtNTZjYS00ZDM2LTg1ODQtZThkZDM4ZGU4ZTEyXC9kaDBya2gyLTUwN2EyOTNkLTM0N2UtNGZlNy05N2JmLTNlYjIyZDNmNWVjYi5wbmciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTI4MCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.RaphPLeIgtIX9PahYZ7rk51hVmEBhyOdI5PQ3fCkVpA]

The next chapter will be called 2 Seconds to Armageddon.