((Set about a week after this rp))

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It had been warm just the day before, spring warm, and now it was cold again. If Antares didn’t know better she would have thought that some mystical s**t was going on rather than the more natural weather shift that was actually happening. It sucked. Once again the scorpion super senshi found it necessary to bundle up in dark sweatpants and a thick sweater, not that she didn’t normally conceal her skimpy outfit it was just of thinner material in the summer. She honestly hated her uniform, the short skirt and the tight bodice. It made fighting harder that’s for sure. And all the gold accents made her a target for the dumb little shits who thought she was someone they could rob
 it did not normally end well for them. Not that any of it would be a problem on a night like tonight where the cold wind whipped around the tall buildings of Destiny City. Winter hadn’t quite given up its grasp on the east coast and the city knew it. Only those who had to be and stupid people were out and about. Sadly she was of the former, chaos didn’t take a day off just because it was cold.

That's what she was thinking when she picked up the signature of chaos, it was different then a normal negaverser or a youma so it was likely a Dark Mirror senshi she was sensing. Between the cold weather and the DM she was picking up Antares felt like it was deja vu all over again. Just like last week when she stumbled upon a kid who was using his wrathes to drain a party of drunks. What were the odds of her encountering the same situation again? Those odds dropped drastically as she realized that she had drifted from the residential areas where a rooftop party was the norm to the slightly rougher neighborhoods that seemed to have more bars and pawn shops than apartments.

“Ya’ Bastards destroying our city! Ya’ ********’ Terrorists!” “Yeah!” “Go Die!” “The Popo ain't doing s**t, we need to do it ourselves!” “******** yeah!”

The litany of curses and the general hubbub coming from the alley on the other side of the building she was currently traversing had Antares pause. The aura she had been tracking had led her here, what were the odds that the mirror senshi wasn’t involved in the lynching party currently going on? Her luck wasn’t that good so with caution the blond quietly approached and peeked over the roof edge, expecting to see the crowd of people just milling around not surrounding a single person. The crowd of civilians had cornered the mirror senshi at the back of the alley, it had been a dead end with nowhere to hide and no way to get away except through the crowd. It was too dark to see exactly who the crowd was about to lynch but it didn’t really matter. If the dark senshi hadn’t already laid out the half dozen men packed into the small space then they couldn’t and it practically stank of bullying.

Besides, as far as televised news was concerned chaos was the ‘good guys’ while she, order, were the ‘terrorists’. The drunken bastards had cornered the wrong individual but she was in a bit of a catch 22 here. She couldn’t very well beat the crap out of them, well she could and she kind of wanted too, but it would just fuel their hatred of senshi. Overall it could make things really, really, messy at some later point. s**t!


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It was a good idea, or so he figured, to change up the areas he went to gather energy. It kept him grabbing from different people and lessened the chances of encountering the same senshi, at least he hoped so. What he hadn’t figured on was dealing with normal people, and why would he? What people would go after what they thought was a terrorist? Drunks apparently were not much for thinking straight, though that was a known thing. The dark mirror senshi had found himself being cornered by a group of drunks, all of whom were bulkier than he was. Some were shorter than him, as he stood just under six foot, but they all had him in weight and muscle.

Being cornered, with a brick wall to his back, there was no way out without going through the group of men and likely taking a beating as he tried it. The odds of even getting past them, and to freedom, were slim to none as far as he figured. If, and it was a big if, he did get free he was sure they’d just chase him down and likely beat him worse than they were already planning to. He’d never get to a mirror or get to roof top level before he was grabbed - he was sure of it.

Just as a fist came his way, with him flinching and moving to avoid it, he felt the signature of a senshi. He’d missed it as it had been approaching, too caught up in what was going on, but now it was right here on top of them. Oh god...they were going to see this and he hoped they wouldn’t think he’d done something...would they think he deserved this? That he’d done something? If this senshi, whoever they were, was like most of the ones he’d dealt with in the past they would...they might even join in.

As more yelling, and shouting, was flung his way he was thrown back into the brick wall as he’d been trying to take a step or two forward. Yelping, in shock, he didn’t get time to recover as he was soon bent double as a fist had impacted with his stomach. This wasn’t good
.it really wasn’t.


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The sound of cop sirens pierced the night, the crowd of drunks quickly quieted down before abruptly rising in volume again. This time though they were shouting things like ‘cops!’ and ‘lets get out of here!’, there had even been a ‘I’ve got a warrant. I can’t get arrested!’ It didn’t take long for the relatively small mob of drunks to make a break for it, stumbling into each other and the walls of the alley as they hurried away. Had any of them been sober they might have realized that there were no approaching lights, flashing or otherwise, and the sirens weren’t really getting closer. It was a canned sound honestly, with a little skip where the sound recording repeated itself, but really loud. Surprisingly so actually. The sirens continued to wail for a little while longer before they cut off abruptly, the silence startling after the loud recording.

Antares had found a small metal bucket, probably a old plant pail from years ago, and had jerry rigged a speaker by poking out one of the rusted holes so her phone would fit in it. She then used it and her phone to scare the drunks away. Got to love dumbasses.

She hadn’t wanted to get physically involved, it would have just made things so much worse, but she couldn’t leave the poor sucker they had cornered behind... besides this way was funnier. So she compromised. Scare the drunks away and all was good. And if the chaos signature had actually lured the drunks into the alley on purpose she had just ruined their night too. Bonus! Using the light of the disposable phone, like hell would she keep her real phone on her when she went out patrolling, Antares checked out the ally. At first it was hard to spot the figure in the very back but once she did she let out a curse. Fate had to be laughing his a** off at them right now.

A frustrated sigh burst out of her as she chucked her bucket in the nearest trash pile and stomped up towards the dark mirror senshi. “As loathed as I am to say this....” She paused and raked her cold eyes over him, “kid you need to learn to fight back. Or at least how to run like hell.”


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The sound, the sirens, and the men leaving was a blessing for the dark mirror senshi who was able to move around freely now. No longer backed into a wall and surrounded he took the time to look around, the sirens had stopped, he could finally feel the aura of a super senshi and sighed. From one problem to the next - right? He was sure to get a beating someone someone tonight it seemed.

Surprised by who turned up he felt the breath he’d been holding in leave him. This one knew him...this one might not hurt him...then again maybe she would? She hadn’t last time though. So maybe he was going to get lucky tonight, it seemed like it anyway.

“They were drunk
.and larger than me. Even if I could have used my magic on them...it wouldn’t have been fair.” And he could have summoned his wraiths to drain them but he hadn’t wanted to do that. Not because he didn’t want to, he sort of had, but he’d been in a really bad place to do that. “I couldn’t exactly run with how cornered I was
.did you...the siren?” He asked, wondering if she was the reason they’d run off.


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Antares just gave the kid a look, “Exactly. You need to learn how to fight. There are some things you can do that will make them back the ******** off but wont permanently hurt them.” With more care then she probably realized the bonde senshi pulled the Dark Mirror senshi to his feet, “Magic of modern technology,” she absently answered as she looked over the dark senshi with a critical eye. “Disposable phone, siren sound bite, and a makeshift amplifier. Never leave home without it.” She hadn’t actually needed to use it before, cops in this city tended to show up more often than not as far as Antares was concerned, but it was nice to have it in her pocket if she ever did. Besides, she had actually had to call the cops for some injured civi who were the unfortunate targets of the negaverse and she did not want the record of her phone in that database.

After determining the kid was physically fine, a bit roughed up but not permanently damaged or anything, she turned and started to walk away. “Go home kid. You won’t survive out here.”


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“I’m not going home. I do have a job to do.” Though it wasn’t really a job, at least he didn’t think of it as such, it was just the easiest thing to refer to it as. “You’re right though - I can’t fight. I use magic and that’s it.” And that was only if he couldn’t run away or escape in some other manner, he wasn’t all that good at it though.

“Why don’t you teach me - since you think you’re so good. I mean you must be good then - right?” If she was so confident, and telling him what she was, than she had to know how to fight - right? So she could teach him..so maybe he wouldn’t keep getting hurt. He really wouldn’t mind being able to go out at night and not get so hurt, it was a nice idea actually, especially since he had some senshi out there who wanted him dead. He still didn’t know why...it still hurt knowing hated him that much.


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Magic
 the kid had magic but hadn’t used it against the crowd of drunks that were quite literally threatening his life. As far as Antares was concerned the kid, what was his name again?, didn’t have jack s**t. If he wasn’t willing to use it to save his life then there was no point in having it at all. Besides, what would happen if he ran out of magic or didn’t have it to use for some reason? He was the preverbal sitting duck. “How the hell have you survived this long?” The blonde senshi had turned back towards the dark kid to stare at him, surprise and pity on her face. She had thought of the kid as one of the lost boys of the streets before but now she knew he was like a pampered poodle that had been dropped into the wolves den, not having a damn thing to keep his skin intact.

“Then show me what you’ve got kid,” Antares smirked as she stood there in front of him totally unconcerned. She might not be a top fighter but she had been fighting for years both as a senshi and as a child. She had broken more than enough bones, bled a river, and risked her life more times then was safe before she even stepped foot in this cursed city the first time. She could hold her own, had done so time and time again, so she wasn’t concerned about this boy’s attack. “Then I’ll see if its worth showing you some stuff.”


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“I haven’t had problems with civilians
.and I’ve used my magic when I’ve had to.” He answered honestly, without hesitation. “I just
.don’t want to hurt civilians - they were drunk. My magic only would have made it worse.” For them and himself, they’d no doubt wind up puking messes. The fact they were surrounding him made him sure he’d wind up covered in vomit as well, and he had wanted to avoid that. “It wouldn’t be fair to hit them either.” They were drunk and acting as most drunk people did, or at least some drunk people.

“Magic is fine?” He questioned before shaking his head. He figured that it would be fine, she wanted to see right? There had been a reason he hadn’t used his magic, maybe she’d get the idea once hit with it? Reaching up for his hair he plucked what looked, at first, like a strand of his own hair. However, it was soon glowing green and he was throwing it at the blond senshi. “Gorgon's assault”

He didn’t figure it fair, but she wasn’t looking for fair was she? So the super senshi moved in to throw a punch at the other super senshi. He might as well aim right for her face while she was busy dealing with his magic as well - right? He wasn’t good at fighting, didn’t know much about it, but he was sure he could hit her...or at least try. He might hurt himself in the process though
.he hoped not.

((Super Sailor Scout Attack: Gorgon's assault - Like the last attack Kiuchi will pluck a "hair" from his head that glows green. This time that single "hair" multiples into three glowing "hairs" before rushing forward toward three individuals this attack has a six foot radius. Again someone else can move into the way and be hit or a person can avoid the attack by stepping out of range. Getting hit by this will leave a person feeling feverish and sick to their stomach as well as possible blurring vision. The attack will only last for thirty seconds and during this time not moving, or doing so slowly, is advisable as one might make themselves even sicker due to moving, other outside things can of course increase the sick feeling.))


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That was something at least, the thought crossed Antares’ mind as she silently watched the kid. What was his name again? Kimchi? Kiddo? Chichi? Something strange, not that her own ‘name’ wasn’t strange. Didn’t really matter since she probably wouldn’t run into him after tonight anyway. He at least didn’t want to ‘hurt civilians’ which was a step up from most of the chaos bent that she had met. Most of them just saw humans, civilians and powered alike, as disposable. Still though, this kid needed to learn a few hard lessons or he would end up as one of the dead that were found every day in this city
 if his body was ever actually found. Hitting them wouldn’t have been fair if it had been done just because, if he had instigated it, but to save his own skin
 that was a valid time to fight. As long as he didn’t take it too far. That's the hardest part for her honestly.

He apparently took her at her word, good, and asked if magic was accepted for this little scuffle. If this was a real fight he never should have asked but Antares figured even the boy knew that, “Sure, go for -” Her confirmation was cut off when he triggered his magic. As the three green lights zipped towards her the blonde senshi couldn’t stop from taking a step back. The training she had gone through screamed for her to avoid them but for this moment she wanted to experience the kid’s strength. It was a serious risk but it was one she was willing to take. So she let the magic strike her, wash over her, and instantly knew why the kid didn’t want to use it against the drunks as her stomach instantly started to roll. It was like she had just ate something that disagreed with her, her skin felt flushed and she actually wanted to loose the dark clothes she was using to hide her skimpy clothes as her internal temp felt like it skyrocketed.

The kid knew how to take advantage of the situation since he sprang into an attack as soon as he triggered his magic so while Antares coped with the effects of the spell he went for it, sadly for him she wasn’t some wet behind the ears fighter. Yes it felt like she was going to be sick and yes her body was burning with a mild fever but that didn’t mean she had taken her eyes off of the kid. In a smooth move she dodged to the side and threw a return kick into his side as he barreled past. It didn’t matter that her vision blurred for a moment or that she was nearly physically ill, she reacted instinctively, her body moving without her really thinking about it.


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He knew it was a risk to go for her while she was dealing with his magic, as the reaction to it was somewhat random, he couldn’t predict how a person would react or just what they’d be dealing with. He had the idea that they’d be sick, nauseous even, and attacking now could easily result in her puking on him...or falling on him - or anything else. It was a risk he took and as he went right by her, she had managed to avoid him, he found himself being kicked and knocked off balance as he hadn’t been expecting it.

Catching his balance, right before he reached that point of no return and fell on his face, he turned towards her. He hadn’t hurt himself, thankfully, as she’d dodged his fist so that was a plus for him...even if it hurt being kicked by her.

“See why I didn’t use my magic? It would have made things worse
.and messy.” As it might make things now if she didn’t have a strong stomach, he really hoped she did. “I only use it when I have to and someone's attacked me.” He’d rather not make someone feel as shitty as his magic likely made people feel, he’d felt bad about using it on one of his own in order to find out what his magic did. He sort of still felt bad when using it in self defence as well...though that was lessening as some got really violent with him.


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“Two things,” Antares took a step back, further away from the kid as the last of his magic wore off, and held up two fingers. “First of all I never said the ‘fight’ was over. Never presume a fight is done until your opponent can't get up anymore or your so far away from them that pursuit is just not feasible.” She ticked one of the two fingers she was holding up, “And second, someone barfing up their guts is a good way to get the space you need to escape so it doesn’t matter how gross it would have been if it saves your life you do what you have to and don't mistake it, those guys would have killed you.” Once more she gave a rather disappointed sigh, this boy will end up dead one night. She didn’t doubt it. “What would you call that mob that cornered you and was about to beat you to death was doing? Teasing you? Playing a game with you? They were attacking make no mistake about it. It would have been excessively gross but you should have used your magic and gotten out of there. Your magic wouldn’t have killed them, they on the other hand would have killed you.”

Could she, in good conscience, leave this kid here without any real way to protect himself? Yeah, a cornered rabbit will bite but normally the small critter will still end up dead. He was kind of like that rabbit in her option. Able to bite but not much better. “You also can’t assume that your magic will have the desired effects. Do you know how I could still move even though it felt like I was going to be sick? Because I’ve felt worse. I’ve fought with broken bones and faced down a barrel of a gun. You do what it takes to survive. You train until your hands and feet bleed. Until you can move with your eyes closed, attack without any conscience thought. Learn your limits. Train to surpass them,” She watched him with cold blue eyes, “or you won't survive.” Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it. ********. He was going to die. One unlucky night, facing an opponent who didn’t give a flying ******** about anything, and this kid wouldn’t see the dawn. And she could not sit back and let that happen. Guilt would drive her bonkers.

“If you really want to learn a few things let's find a better spot to spar,” With a grimace she kicked at a pile of garbage. “Besides, really don’t want those drunks coming back if they sober up some.” A local park or a empty lot, a few self defence moves, and that's it. Her ‘duty’ would be done and her conscience would have no room to throw a fit. Right?


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“It would just make us look worse to the public though
.more like terrorists
” And he didn’t like hearing that on the news, or seeing it written about in various sources. He wasn’t some terrorist...he wasn’t someone who went about attacking people and causing chaos. That he didn’t want, he wanted to avoid that if possible, but she was right. “They wouldn’t be the first to try and kill me...though they are the first civilians
.” He answered softly, ducking his head. He might be taller, and possibly older, but she certainly had a more dominating personality and was the one in charge here - no doubt about it. He knew it and let her talk...she was right and he couldn’t really do more than explain himself.

“I’ve done that before...with senshi. I’ve used my magic and run
.” But that was a senshi. He had to...they had magic and they had more physically than a normal civilian. He had needed to then
.when they had the upper hand. These were civilians and he was the one with the power in the situation
.though he supposed he’d given them the power really and so he’d had none
.so maybe he should have done more
.balanced things a bit and used his magic?

“I’ve fought...once...with a broken arm...but we had no choice - any of us.” He whispered, shaking his head as he spoke. “I-I think I could do that again if I had to...but I don’t think I’ll have to again
.I hope not anyway.” Though with how he was, it was likely to happen again at some point. But not to the same scale - that was for sure.

“O-ok...and I don’t think they’ll sober up soon...but this is a tight space to move in.” Motioning for her to lead the way he moved to follow just behind her. “Thanks...I mean you don’t have to care - most of your kind don’t...you’re the second to be friendly to me. One of yours almost killed me even
”


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Antares wasn’t particularly happy about the public opinion of them either but she wasn’t about to be beaten because she worried she would make it worse. What ‘they’ thought didn’t matter nearly enough when compared to what she actually did. People were idiots anyway. They were assholes who were willing to believe a lie as long as it made them feel good rather than face the truth that made them really see the world and themselves, rather then the little fantasy they had concocted in their own heads. But she kept all this in her head, she didn’t say it even if it was on the tip of her tongue. She kept quiet as he explained that he at least knew enough to use his magic on senshi, Antares assumed it was because some from her faction would rather beat on the ‘chaos’ kid rather then actually talk to him. Only a rather quiet snort escaped her at the reveal of the broken arm.

Choice. The ability to choose. What bull s**t. The kid thought she was talking about fighting as a senshi
 Getting injured and continuing to fight to save your life as you stalk the night in this city. No what she had ment was fighting to survive every day. Fearing to close your eyes at night because you didn’t know what might happen. Being so skittish of everyone that even the briefest of touches made you lash out with violence. That's how she spend her first fourteen years of her life. No magic. No powers. Nothing but her own strength and skill to save her. He had no idea what people really were capable of.

Oddly sad now, the smug urge to show just how inadequate the kid’s fight was drained away leaving her wishing she could just go home and crawl into bed. Home. An odd word considering how she grew up. Sheer luck had her spending time in the Jacob’s household, charity had her joining them, and surprise had smacked her when she finally realized that they were her family. Not blood but hers nonetheless. With another sigh, this one more resigned then smug or disappointed, Antares took the lead. She might have wanted to go home right then but she first had to drill some common sense into the kid, just like she had already promised. “Yeah well I’m not like most and people are dicks.”