Angel says, "Longer route it is. Let's just hope this works."

Angel takes the route Eli directs and sure enough, the turns and stops involved cause the rock monster to get excited at almost closing the distance a number of times.

Liberty frowns. "I so wanna punch him..."

Emerald says, "Sorry, hon, but your fists would tickle him at best. If you really wanna punch him, we have got to stick to the plan and lead him to the authorities."

  Joe would be so proud of Mittens's cynical opinions if he could read the narration.

  "Even rock monsters need knees to walk.  Though knowing our luck we'll get told 'here, have some shaped charges. Now go put them on yourself since you can take a rock punch without turning into paste."

Mits keeps the phone person updated on the situation.  Soon, the phone lady says, "Great job!  You're there!  Proceed through the gateway.  You won't see any Guardsmen until they come out from hiding to surround the monster.  Just keep going straight when they do.  And don't worry about crossfire or explosives.  They'll be using non-lethal weapons to ensnare it."

"Sweet!  'Cause it looks like the far side of this place is a dead end."

Angel frowns when Mittens mentions a dead end, but with determination, puts her trust in the authorities... and moreso in her friends. She trusts them to save her butt if things turn out to be the ol' "authorities were in on the plot all along, lol".

But when the bus passes through the gate and the rock monster follows them, he is suddenly pelted with enough snare to trap a construction crane.

Angel slows the vehicle down and manages to stop it before the dead end. But once the vehicle is stopped, Angel just sits there, gripping the steering wheel and sweating.

Granted, nobody on the bus was stress-free.

  "Right, Mittens as much as this may pain you, just as it pains me, do not taunt the restrained rock monster." Priorities!

"Whew!  Target restrained!" Mits reports to the phone lady.

"Good job!  Thank you all for your help!"

Mits snickers at Joe's comment, happy for the break in all the seriousness.  "Oh I fully expect that while we're celebrating, the camera will pan to the restraints while suspense music plays.  Then suddenly snap-snap-snap-snap-snap!  Dramatic roar!  Shaky cam!  Chaos and screaming soldiers as the monster uses it's broken chains as reach weapons!

"Enraging the monster with taunts before hand only serves to make it look like it was the hero's fault that the monster got angry enough to break free.  You know...  so they feel all the more guilty during the memorial service of the fallen soldiers while the sad music plays.

"So no!  Not going to taunt the monster while it is captured!"

Timothius and Liberty giggle from Mittens' movie narration.

Angel gives Mittens the most weirded out expression she can muster.

Emerald says, "Let's focus on making sure we have done everything we can, shall we?"

Fast-forwarding a bit, the rock monster gets fully restrained, complete with some kind of quickly solidifying substance and then carted off by the authorities.

"...you know? That went a lot better than I thought it would." Emerald says. "But the enemy has a very nasty weapon... the ability to turn our powers off."

Liberty says, "Well we work with the cops. And the president. So our enemies better cut it out."

  Yeah, Joe can see it now.  'His blood is on your hands!'  'No, his blood is on my everything.  Diving in front of the rock punch didn't help them too much'

  Yeesh, even your darker imaginings are passive aggressive.

  "Honestly that's still preferable to the last time people were screwing with your powers, Liberty." Powers Be Gone button doesn't involve torture for SCIENCE.   "I'm more curious at what circumstances mean that happens, but still lets a crazed rock jerk run around. Unless it's just because you can't turn off 'is a big rock monster' any more you can turn off Emerald being a fox"

Mits gives Angel a sheepish grin.  "Made the kids laugh, at least."

She's pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong, though.

"Thinking back, this is the first time we've been able to lure a baddie to the authorities rather than being forced to confront it head-on.  And behold!  No one got hurt!  Not even the baddie.

"Emmy and Joe raise good points.  Here's hoping Rock Monster gives some answers... to the the authorities, when they question him.  And here's hoping they find the source of the no-powers field.  'Cause it would be dumb for us to look into it."

"Search for the source is already underway," Phone Lady informs.

"Today's lesson is, 'The reason why fictional heroes don't rely on competent authorities is...  nevermindthat!'"

Emerald points out, "The key word there is competent. Oft times, fiction makes authorities less competent than they are in real life."

The media soon arrives and the group is soon swarmed with reporters asking questions.

Meanwhile, Angel gets off the phone and says, "Good news, guys and gals... the hospital has heard what held us up and has offered to reschedule for another day."

(Chapter over pretty much. Mitts' turn to take over)

  Joe refrains from commenting on the average competence of fictional mutant heroes being higher than their own, but then realizes they probably make up for that by the lack of soap opera stupidity.... For now.

  "I'm trying not sound sarcastic when I say it's good of them to understand a giant rock monster trying to murder us has effected our schedule.  It's just that explaining our lives tends to sound worse out loud."

  He looks to the rest, and asks "Anybody still up for going to the hospital for recreational reasons instead of through the ER entrance?"

"And thanks goodness for that, huh, Emmy?" Mits agrees.

When the reporters swarm, Mits answers them, all smiles and full of praise for the heroic men and women in uniform.

"Thanks to their courage and long hours of training, the murderous rock monster has been arrested without anyone getting hurt that I know of!  Until I have a chance to thank you in person, I'd like to take this chance to say 'Thank you so much for what you did today!  You're my hero!'

"Further answers to questions will be forthcoming after my friends and I put the hearts that've lept out of our chests back where they belong."

Of course, more questions are asked anyway, a few of them damning.

"This is the fifth time your group has been a disaster magnet.  Is any place safe with you around?" for example.

But the vast majority are legit questions.

"Bubai!" Mits answers, waving, her fake smile thinly veiling her annoyance, "More answers later!  Our number's listed!  Thanks again to the heroes in uniform!  Bye!"

In the bus she nods to Joe.  "Yeah.  I'm still wanting to get CPR certified."

Since the medical training has been postponed, Mits suggests regrouping back at HQ to cool off.

---

I'll do a time-skip to a new chapter some other time.  RN I'd like afterglow RP for a while.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:23, Tue 18 Aug 2015.

Emerald can't think of an amazing enough comeback to the reporter quick enough and decides that Mittens' answer is the best one.

Liberty, however, speaks her mind because she's angry, wasn't allowed to taunt the rock monster, and she just survived being chased by a rock monster. "The only people who were in danger today were me, my friends and the authorities! Do you even know what it's LIKE to be chased by a giant rock monster?! No?! Didn't think so! How about you save some lives or rescue the city instead?! No, you'd rather throw dirt in the face of those who DO stand up for you!"

She looks like she would continue on, but it gently guided to the bus by Emerald who shushes and pets Liberty's hair.

Angel takes the group back to base via the bus. After all, she is still currently the only one with a certified license to drive a bus. She is careful as careful can be to get back safely. En route, Liberty continues mumbling about "stupid reporter" and "like to see THEM try saving the city a couple times"

Once at HQ, Liberty punches a wall, causing a dent. "I couldn't protect you all..."

Emerald says, "We have always worked as a team, Liberty. Our roles may have changed this time, but we were all working together. And now Angel has a chance to say she protected us. That was some fancy driving. And Mittens, thank you for calling the authorities. Eli, thanks for the directions. Everyone, thank you for your support and ideas. We pulled through it together."

Liberty glances around. "Don't mean to sound ungrateful... thanks everyone. I'm just... frustrated I was pretty much useless to you all."

Angel adds, "It's why we are here at HQ; to unwind."

  "It's just their job to get sensationalist headlines for more readers, Liberty."  He looks over to the reporter in question and comments "I'm sure they don't really think a 12 year old girl deserves to be water boarded. But they are free to correct me about that."

  There you go, kids. That's how you properly passive aggressive at reporters.

  Once back at the HQ, he sighs.  "How do you think I felt when I brought up that sorry example, Liberty?  We STILL had our powers then, and I couldn't do a censored to keep you and Tim from being hurt.  Mittens is jumping into tornadoes because we're too busy handling live power cables and people practically missing their legs.  Why do you think I do any of this crazy censored in the first place? I hate it.  But I can't just watch you all suffer or get run ragged, or when are people who's entire reason others are assholes to them is 'I'm a mouse or something' instead of looking normal and bulletproof."

"You're welcome, Emmy?  Was just pushing buttons and talking.  Thanks for translating."

"Not hardly, Lib," Mits contradicts, "You sure told off that mean reporter!  So did Joe!   Sooo gratifying.  (Insert teases here about swearing at the little hypothetical torture victim.)*

"Mittens too is not pleased when bad things happen to heroes such as you all and the best she can do is talk on the phone.  But let's not forget that the reason we weree swarmed with media frenzy is because we didn't wind up rushed to the E.R. this time!  YAY!  Progress!  This calls for a celebration!  How's a spontaneous pizza party sound?"

---

* I read Joe's post to mean actual curse words used by character, but bleeped out for sake of reader.  If instead Joe actually said the word "censored," Mits would instead say, "L.O.L. at the narrative bleeping, Joe!"

Emerald says, "Pizza party sounds like a great idea. I'll take your orders."

Timothius licks his lips just thinking about it. "Cheese, please."

Angel is sprawled on one of the lazy-boys. "Pepperoni"

Liberty says, "I like pepperoni too."

Eli says, "Cheese..."

Liberty goes to give Joe a hug. "Yeah. Thanks for backing me up there with the reporter."

Angel lazily gives a thumbs-up. "You guys; lemme remind you... normal people in our situation would be high-fiving each other for being alive. Not beating up on themselves for being unable to punch a rock-monster in the face. I commend you all for keeping clear heads, not panicking, and ultimately, being there for each other. It makes me all warm inside I got to be there for you guys as well this time. Even if I hope we don't have to do something like that again."

  "As long as it's normally eddible, I'm good for whatever pizza." Clearly he is a less picky eater than his player.

  When Liberty comes up, Joe hugs the girl back.  "I know you'd want to help even if you weren't tough enough to kick my ass, but I just worry you won't get to be considered a person if this keeps up."  While not as bad as Stock Comicbook Government by a long shot, Mittens being shoved into a jet and used as a threat to national security detector still bothered Joe.  Even with the lives saved.

  He nods to Angel.  "Well, sometimes a dull cynical outlook has it's benefits in my case."


OOC: Yeah, it was the narrator's censor.  What does saying strikethrough sound like, I wonder?

Mits is looking like a girl her age by tweeting how her crazy day has been so far.

She hmms and shrugs.  "Extra cheese and pepperoni, please.

"Oh yeah.  And everyone please let loved ones know that you are safely back at HQ if you haven't already.  Angel makes an excellent point  High-fives all around!"

She starts with Angel then offers a high-five to everyone one by one.

She exhales and rubs behind her head bashfully at Joe's comment, "When Timothius and I founded this group, we never imagined we'd go on any high-speed chases, much less one that involved a huge rock monster.  Most exciting thing we expected was handing out blankets to people watching fire fighters do their thing lest the EMTs wind up with incidental hypothermia cases.  If not for over-the-top shenanigans cropping up all over the world, I'd be tempted to wonder if the other half of my super power was to attract dangerous stuff to me.  Either way, you've all gone way above and beyond.  Thank you all for being so heroic!"

She grins and spins to give everyone in the area a double thumbs-up.

Liberty's face turns red. "I can't kick your butt... can I?"

Angel, Eli, Emmy, Liberty and Timothius all gladly take the high-fives. So do Eli's parents.

Timothius looks a mix of proud and embarrassed when Mittens mentions founding the Citizen's Patrol. "It was all you, Mittens, really. I just showed a little support is all.."

Pizza is ordered and Emmy reclines on one of the couches. "Ah... pizza and friends. And a clubhouse. Thanks again for this lovely beachside manor, Angel."

Angel says, "It wouldn't be much without good company like you all filling it, you know. But you're welcome."

  "It's not a theory I'd want to test any time soon, but I'm the one who still says ouch when hit hard enough." Well Joe, at least you can... Uh, MAYBE have a close win against a 12 year old girl in armwrestling?

  Joe is not so broody mc broodysons to turn down the Highfive-o-thon.  "I admit I still worry if I'm the kind of person who meets those standards, Mittens. But I guess actually doing things does rate higher than only talking about it. "  Even when those things are incredibly stupid.

Mits is all kinds of smiley over the awesome friends she has.  She grins to Lib and suggests with a wink, "Why not settle it with a bout of Tekken 3?"

She pours herself a glass of milk, drinks a few gulps, then offers Timothius a drink, licking her upper lip to wipe away the milk mustache.  A quick turn so she can take a selfie with her friends in the background.

"Dittos to y'all.  Better a pizza with friends than luxury in strive.  Better still when you can enjoy both luxury and pizza with friends!

"As for living up to heroic standards, I'd take one Joe on a bad day over a dozen so-called 'sports heroes' on a good one.  'Cause the Joe's got the guts to face real danger head on!  But I'm happy to hear you have high hero standards.  I do too."

Emerald says, "Pff.. well worry or not, at least know that whether you meet a standard or not, you are loved and admired by your friends."

Liberty goes to yank Joe down in order to kiss his cheek. Then runs off to the game system to prep Tekken 3.

Pizza arrives and fun times are had. Liberty is about average at fighting games, being a button-masher type player. Timothius is ironically a natural at fighting games and even gets a mischievous expression whenever he wins.

Angel opts out of the Tekken tournament, claiming she just was never good at fighting games.

Emerald plays, sure, but is a little below average. Just enough to challenge someone of Liberty's skill, but always lose.

Mits is stumped by Emmy's statement and mulls it over in her mind.  "So suppose I decide to take up a life of crime?  Taking millions and using my super power to elude capture, making mutant kind look bad?  Yeah...  I guess loyal friends would still be friends.  It would probably take directly betraying those friends to make them stop - and that's just unthinkable!"

She grins, nods, and thubs-ups.  "Yup!  Ditoos to Emmy's statement."

Mits is consistently inconsistent in her game bouts - losing about half the time regardless of who she's playing - and often play-acting the character she picks.  Which is never the same one twice.

  Joe is thusly yanked down for the cute antics of Liberty.  Who knew 'I bet you could kick my ass' would be taken as such a compliment?... Maybe he should be worried.

  He is totally good at video games!... But let's his attempts to do specific moves get the better of him when playing against small children and short women.

  "Basketball maybe, but football would probably go less well for me in sports hero comparisons."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:23, Mon 31 Aug 2015.

As usual, Mittens' antics make the children laugh and the adults giggle. Liberty grabs Eli and tosses him onto Mitts' lap before she and Timothius dogpile them. Judging from Eli's laughter, he's having a good time.

Emerald just gives Joe and Mittens both knowing smiles whenever they lose.

Emerald decides to spice things up with a nerf war as she start shooting people with her nerf gun.

Liberty decides to use a pillow as her weapon of choice.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:31, Mon 31 Aug 2015.