Within his base, Lord Typhoon had gathered Connor, Wreker, and Spangly. \u201cI petitioned Emperor Entropy to grant you three a special status within my personal organization,\u201d he growled, \u201can organization that his Imperial Majesty has deemed worthy of being part of his eternal empire. I gave you special privileges, special powers, I asked for only one thing in return; the removal of the last three Cosmic Roses so that Emperor Entropy can continue his plans unmolested. \u2026WHY ARE THEY STILL ALIVE?! WHY ARE THEY LETTING THEIR STUDENTS PERFORM HEROICS?! WHY HAS THE ENTROOPER COMMANDER BEEN TAKEN INTO HUMAN CUSTODY?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy Lord, it\u2019s all part of the plan,\u201d soothed Connor. \u201cThe fire served its part and now the girls know there\u2019s a human that would rather kill member of their emergency services than die in a flood.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026An interesting tale,\u201d muttered Lord Typhoon. He then used his wicked magic to summon three balls of water and slammed them over the heads of his minions. They fell to their knees as they tried to get air into their lungs. \u201cNow, here are some meaningful words.\u201d Lord Typhoon dismissed the water balls and let his minions cough the water out of their lungs and replace it with air. \u201cI am your sponsor. Your benefactor. The one who said that you have a place in Emperor Entropy\u2019s glorious future. Follow my commands without fail and you please not only myself, but Emperor Entropy. Disappoint me\u2026and you shall suffer! A difficult choice?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Lord Typhoon made his displeasure known to his minions, Ruby, Bethany, and Yazmyn worked on training with their weapons. Now that they understood the strengths and weaknesses bit, training was going a lot smoother. Ruby and Bethany\u2019s respective parents as well as Yazmyn\u2019s grandparents were watching one of their training sessions. \u201c\u2026How long do you think it will be before our girls get their uniforms?\u201d Hannah Jacobson asked no one in particular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAny day now,\u201d replied Hannah Kobayashi. \u201cRuby\u2019s been really excited to be a magical girl ever since she found out they were real.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBethany\u2019s a motivated young lady,\u201d said Bob, \u201cbut I\u2019ve never seen joy behind her motivation until recently.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd Yazmyn, while already being a help on the farm,\u201d chuckled Bill, \u201chas REALLY been going at it! I think it was a blessing in disguise that Wilma, Belinda, and Grace landed here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCall me an over-protective father,\u201d remarked Daichi, \u201cbut I really wish Ruby didn\u2019t join up in a war. I know we left the decision up to her, but-!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow Daichi,\u201d interjected Hannah Kobayashi, \u201cRuby\u2019s capable. She\u2019s level-headed enough to at least minimize risks. Bethany\u2019s a very smart lady, and Yazmyn\u2019s adaptable. We need to have a little more faith in them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m more concerned about who was trying to kill those firefighters,\u201d remarked Heather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat IS a worry,\u201d muttered Bob. Just then, a policewoman approached the group. Bob saw the officer first. \u201cHey, hold up!\u201d he called to the Cosmic Roses and the girls. By now, everyone saw the officer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI need to speak to the property owner,\u201d directed the policewoman as she pulled out a piece of paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat would be me and my wife here,\u201d replied Bill. \u201cMay we help you, Officer?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am Officer Tanya Hansen,\u201d introduced the policewoman as she handed the paper to Bill. \u201cI\u2019m here with other members of the police to conduct a search of this property for any evidence that the arsonist is here.\u201d Bill and Heather both examined the paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026That\u2019s a legit warrant,\u201d said Heather. \u201cMy daddy drilled that into my skull since I was a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKnock yourself out, Officer,\u201d Bill said as he handed the warrant back to Tanya. Tanya headed back and gave her people the OK to search. While they were certain of their innocence, everyone was still nervous. Tanya\u2019s second-in-command then spoke with all the officers once they finished. He then spoke to Tanya directly. Tanya approached Bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have completed our search and have found no evidence of any crime,\u201d she said. \u201cThank you for your cooperation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur pleasure,\u201d replied Bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOfficer, just a sec,\u201d called Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes?\u201d asked Tanya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat prompted the search here?\u201d asked Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA glove was found at the scene of the crime,\u201d explained Tanya. \u201cForensics turned up manure that seemed to be consistent with that used by farmers, especially ones that keep their own livestock.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Yeah, that would do it,\u201d remarked Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy would the arsonist want to go anywhere near animal poop?!\u201d shuddered Ruby as she, Bethany, and Yazmyn discussed the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEven if we ignore how gross that is,\u201d agreed Bethany, \u201cyou wouldn\u2019t even NEED a dog to follow the trail.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI checked the cameras on our property,\u201d said Yazmyn, \u201cno one\u2019s come during the night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSomething\u2019s not adding up here,\u201d muttered Ruby. \u201c\u2026Why leave a glove behind? Won\u2019t there be some DNA test?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Let me see,\u201d mused Bethany as she pulled out her phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d asked Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen you\u2019re the granddaughter of a cop,\u201d replied Bethany, \u201cyou tend to forge connections. Let\u2019s see\u2026forensics\u2026aha! Here we are!\u201d She dialed the number and waited for the call. \u201c\u2026Hello, it\u2019s Bethany Williams, John. \u2026Yeah, it\u2019s been a while. Hey, that glove that was at the scene of the fire, did you get any DNA match? \u2026Haven\u2019t gotten the results yet? Okay, so we\u2019re\u2026huh? \u2026Why would someone ask you to drop the case? Those firefighters were targeted for the worst kind of murder. \u2026I see. \u2026Hasn\u2019t given in, huh? Didn\u2019t think so. \u2026All right. Mind keeping me posted? Still interested in Granddaddy\u2019s work, rest his soul. \u2026All right. \u2026Bye bye.\u201d Bethany hung up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo they\u2019re still working on the DNA test thing?\u201d asked Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYep,\u201d replied Bethany. \u201cAlthough a member of the city council wants this buried.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat? Who?!\u201d asked Ruby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI dunno, but there must be some damning evidence they don\u2019t want to come to light,\u201d remarked Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Lord Typhoon said he was gonna strike if we don\u2019t surrender, yeah?\u201d recalled Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026You\u2019re right. We\u2019re past that deadline,\u201d said Ruby. \u201c\u2026Unless this was a scare tactic? I don\u2019t know as I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, what are we gonna do? Play Batman?\u201d asked Yazmyn. \u201cI already lost my parents to cancer and I don\u2019t wanna see my grandparents gunned down and I doubt you or Bethany do!\u201d Ruby stroked her chin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Oh no!\u201d groaned Bethany. \u201cYou can\u2019t be serious!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re doing the investigative part of Batman, not the trauma,\u201d replied Ruby. \u201cWe can find the culprit ourselves!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are anti-vigilante laws here!\u201d protested Bethany. \u201cThe police would arrest us if we took the law into our own hands and we are NOT that buddy-buddy with the Mayor!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on, Bethany!\u201d complained Yazmyn. \u201cThis guy is working on Lord Typhoon\u2019s orders! We NEED to get involved!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYaz\u2019s right,\u201d agreed Ruby. \u201cThis is bigger than the police can handle. We have to see this through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026When this blows up in our face and our parents are fined for this,\u201d grumbled Bethany, \u201cI\u2019m gonna spend the rest of our friendships laughing at you two.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The girls and the Cosmic Roses headed to the mayor\u2019s office. \u201cDo you have an appointment?\u201d asked the receptionist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStrangely, yes,\u201d replied Ruby. \u201cRuby Kobayashi?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, and I\u2019m Marilyn Monroe,\u201d muttered the receptionist as she looked through the appointments calendar. Her eyes shot open when she saw an entry. \u201cSon of a gun, you weren\u2019t kidding!\u201d She stood up and headed to the office door. She poked her head in and informed the mayor about his visitors. A few seconds later, she turned back to the visitors. \u201cCome right in,\u201d she said as she opened the office door for them. The mayor was sitting at his desk. He had the same skin tone as Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA pleasure to meet you girls,\u201d he said as he shook hands with everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe pleasure\u2019s all ours, your Honor,\u201d replied Wilma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou there,\u201d the Mayor pointed at Bethany, \u201cyou\u2019re Andrew\u2019s granddaughter, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s me, your Honor,\u201d replied Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA good man,\u201d the mayor recalled. \u201cI\u2019m sorry he had to leave this mortal coil like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe died surrounded by his friends and family and he\u2019s remembered fondly,\u201d said Bethany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best anyone can ask for. \u2026But you six aren\u2019t here for pleasant chats. Miss Kobayashi, I heard that you have a proposal for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a long shot, I\u2019ll admit,\u201d said Ruby, \u201cbut my friends, our teachers, and I believe we have a plan to catch the arsonist.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt DOES involve bait,\u201d said Belinda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNone of you or any innocent people, I hope?\u201d asked the mayor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThankfully, no,\u201d replied Yazmyn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy grandfather\u2019s former students,\u201d explained Bethany, \u201care conducting DNA tests on a piece of evidence left behind and a city councilor\u2019s wanting this case to be buried for some reason.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSuggesting damning evidence on either themselves or their family,\u201d remarked the Mayor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe think the arsonist is a stooge for our teacher\u2019s enemies,\u201d explained Ruby. \u201cWe set a trap with bait appropriate with those parameters, then figure out why their\u2026OUR enemies want to panic us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter which, we\u2019ll be able to take our enemies on and hopefully defeat them,\u201d supplied Wilma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Girls,\u201d said the mayor, \u201cif this works out\u2026I may just be persuaded to have you deputized in our fair city\u2019s emergency services.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just looking out for everyone, your Honor,\u201d assured Ruby.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Within his base, Lord Typhoon had gathered Connor, Wreker, and Spangly. \u201cI petitioned Emperor Entropy to grant you three a special status within my personal organization,\u201d he growled, \u201can organization that his Imperial Majesty has deemed worthy of being part of his eternal empire. I gave you special privileges, special powers, I asked for only […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7386,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1061,1063],"tags":[1060,283],"class_list":["post-7793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cosmic-roses","category-stories","tag-magical-girl","tag-rose"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7793"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7793\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7794,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7793\/revisions\/7794"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7386"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}