Abnormal Norman 39: Planning Stage for Winter's War

Abnormal Norman 39: Planning Stage for Winter's War
______________________________________________________

Be Norman
School Hall, the next day

>Oh crap, I forgot about the test! ARRRGGHH!
>Stupid gangs, making me-
>...
>Wait a minute, I have superpowers!
>Maybe I have super photographic memory or something.

>You took out your history book and started skimming through the pages.
"NGGGNNGHHNN!"
>Come on, superpowers! Don't fail me now!
>With your extreme gaze, the book's page slowly burns up.
"AH SHIT!"
>You threw the book at the ground and immediately started stomping on it like some book-hating maniac.
>*TAK* TOK* TAK*
>As you finish, you noticed everyone looks at you with confusion.
>Suddenly, a student yells "HEY! NORMAN'S STOMPING ON THE PAGE ABOUT SLAVERY!"
"Oh for the love of..."

>"RAACIIIIST!"
>"CZECH YOUR PRIVELIEGE!"
>"SKINHEAD!"

>sigh.
>You picked the book off the ground and started reading through it, old school.
>...
>Say, this is pretty effective.
>As you read the book, you're interrupted by an angry blue woman.
>"NORMAN!"
"AAAHH!" You said as you screamed like a girl.
>With your enhanced screaming ability, you accidentally caused a soundwave that broke the lightbulb in your area.
>"L-Look, just come with me. We need to talk!" Rainbow Dash said.
"Rainbow! Where've you been yesterday?"
>"I was taking care of Pinkie. Speaking of which, I need to talk to you."
"Is this about the kiss months ago?"
>"W-WHAT? No! Will you drop that already!" She says, blushing.
"Fine. What is it then."
>"It's about Gilda."
>Oh shit.
"Wait, how did you-"
>"Lyra told me."
"LYRA! She was missing ye-"
>"Me and Pinkie found her in the sewers. She said she'd be absent today due to 'stress' or some shit like that."
"You were in the sewers?"
>"Long story short, me and Pinkie were supposed to find Gilda in one of our old playgrounds, which was that sewer we found Lyra in."
"Why...I mean, what!?"
>"Gilda and I go way back. I wanted to ask her about why she stole you from the picnic. Speaking of which, ARE YOU IN THE SAINT'S BRO?"
"SHH! Quiet down! Alright?"
>"Just tell me now!"
"Yes, but as a saboteur!"
>"Faust, Norman. I thought you knew better!"
"Will you relax? I'm not really 'IN' in Saint's Bro. They blackmailed me, Brad and Lyra when Lyra got caught * ."
[spoiler] See Issue # 23 [/spoiler]
>"So what are you, then?"
"Right now? A guy made to do shit like overseeing transfers, or some mercenary. But listen, it won't be permanent, for I..."
>"You what?"
"..."
>You sense a disturbance in the force.
>"Norman? Why are you staring at me like that?"
>You look around left and right.
"Look, I'll talk to you soon."
>"Norman! I'm concerned about you hanging out with  my old best friend, and from what I heard, Derpy's hanging out with her too."
"Listen, Rainbow. I can't talk about Gilda right now. She's watching us." you whispered.
>"She's what?"
"Talk to Derpy. Right now, I need some time alone." You say with a wink.
>Rainbow understood and ran away.

>You looked around the area. Lockers everywhere, but no students, for the bell's about to ring.
>The left locker seems too...quiet...
>You used your super strength and punched the locker, breaking it open.
>It was empty.
>>"Wrong locker, lover boy!"
"OH FOR THE LOVE OF-"
>Gilda bursts out of the locker *beside* the locker you broke.
>>"Sup!"
"Gilda, I told you to stay away from my school."
>>"No can do, soldier. I'm here to stalk you for all eternity until I get hungry."
"AGGHHH..."

*RIIIIIIIINNNNGGGG*
>>"Better run, boy. Your class is about to start."
"Gilda, one question before I go and fight the evils that is my history test."
>>"What?"
"You were friends with Rainbow Dash?"
>>"Were friends, yes. That was a long time ago, you know?"
"What broke this friendship apart?"
>>"Well, I was going to invite Rainbow in the gang, cus you know, she has potential, then her pink friend sabotaged it all with pictures of my gang doing gang shit."
"That explains Pinkie going AWOL."
>>"But that was a long time ago. I learned to live and let go. No harm done. We were back to the status quo in no time, of course, I never got to see Rainbow again until last week at your picnic."
"You sure?"
>>"Yeah. So, any luck on Brad?"
"He wasn't at his locker. He's missing like a dropped pen in a classroom. Can you look for him?"
>>"Nice try, but I have orders to watch you until school ends."
"Ugh..."

Be Derpy
Varsity Practice, Volley Ball

>"Derpy, watch your step!"
"Wha- UMPH!"
>The ball hits you in the face as it bounces back to the enemy team's floor.
>The referee yells that your team has won a close match.
>"Nice going, Derpy!" Says one of your classmates.
"Well at least my nose didn't break like last time!"
>Your team shares a moment of laughter as they go for a break.
>At that time, Rainbow Dash confronts you.

>"Derpy, can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Sure thing Rainbow Dash!"
>"In private..."

>Rainbow pulls you out of the gym to talk to you outside.
"So Rainbow Dash, what's up?"
>"Gilda."
"Ah...Ahh..."
>"I know about Gilda and you."
"You know Gilda too?"
>"Long story, I suppose you know she's in a gang, right."
>Oh boy, it's like that talk you and Carrot Top had.
"Rainbow, what's this about?"
>"Derpy, I'm worried for you, for Norman and everyone Gilda touches.
"We're both fine. Well, I'm fine. Not sure about Norman and Gilda. Gilda's just my roommate. Nothing more."
>"So she hasn't been...you know...offering you stuff, nudging you to join their club or making you do grunt work?"
"N-No! She's just my roommate until the week's over. She's pretty hot right now with the police."
>"She is? Then why are you-"
"Look, between you and me, she's a nice girl. Sure she can be a bit of a butt on eating dinner but she's just my roommate, not my cellmate!"
>"You're hiding a felon! That's against the law!"
>>"What's against the law?"
"GYAH!"
>"GYAH!"
>Axel is just standing there by the corner.
>"Axel you axe-weilding prick! This is a private conversation."
>>"Hmph. I just thought you both were loitering. Turns out the gym was in session. Carry on."
>Axel leaves. Rainbow just looks on, completely suspicious.
"You alright, Dash?"
>"I...I think that guy... nah..."
"Look, as long as she hasn't done anything under my house that's illegal, I'm not calling the police."
>"sigh"
>You held Rainbow by her shoulders.
"I'll be fine. Right now, me and Norman are more worried about Brad."
>"I heard. Hope he's fine. Even if he is a bit of a dung-head, he's still one of our friends."
"So how long have you known Norman's a hero?"
>"Huh?"
"Well, you knew about Brad and Gilda and Norman."
>"Ahh, well, it was a long time ago, back before they made media impact."
"Cool."

Be Norman
Lunch, Cafeteria

>Sitting down with Purple. She seems to have something interesting to say. *
[spoiler] For more info, see issues # 25, 26, 27 and 31 [/spoiler]
>"Norman! Great news! I've had progress on Viri Scientia's chemicals in their test tubes. Turns out the duration of their transformation varies to how long their bodies can handle it."
"Ahh, that. And?"
>"The younger the body, the longer it lasts. The chemicals on those tubes you gave me weren't connected to the meteors or Vinyl's necklace in any way"
"Anything else?"
>"Yeah. A stressed user of those Viri Scientia chemicals leads to a faster drain of the duration of the chemical, so they turn human if they sweat or lose consciousness. Also the important stuff is roughly the size of a small tooth when measured in the test tube, meaning the rest was just...I don't know, flavoring..."
"What?"
>"The important chemicals in the tubes are so tiny, they can hide it in a capsule! The only theoretical reason for the test tube is that a capsule doesn't melt fast enough for the transformation. Also, I reckon it tastes worse than cow dung."
"You've tasted it? Wait, you've tasted cow dung?"
>"I once dropped a sandwich back at my universe on cow dung. I was pretty hungry. Anyways, as for an experimental duplicate, I made Angel Bunny drink it."
"What happened?"
>"She turned into a ferret for three minutes."
"I see. Thanks Purple. How goes the investigation on getting a cure for the negative side effects if neither of us (Norm, Ly and Vinyl) wears it?"
>"Too much time with too little results. I'm sorry, Norman."
"It's fine. Your info on the Viri Scientia's chemicals will help me greatly."
>"Nolan would kill you if you don't give him the cure you promised in three months!"
"Nolan will kill me whether or not I help him."
>"What are you going to do."
"I have a plan, but it's going to take time."
>"I see. By the way, have you seen Brad?"
"You didn't see the news?"
>"No. Where is he?"
"Brad's gone missing. Kidnapped by the army."
>"WHAT?"
>Her voice causes a silence in the cafeteria.
"Shh, keep your voice down."
>"I'm sorry, but Brad's gone missing? We should find him now!"
"Look, I'll go visit his home later. See if he got away."
>"Is his phone answering?"
"No."
>"Oh dear Celestia! We need to find Brad!"
"Calm yourself, woman! We don't have the power or the technology to find Brad at this moment."
>"Can't we make a search party?"
"No. The army's off limits."
>"But if we just tell them we're looking for our friend..."
"Purple, please. Just trust us. We'll find him."
>"Ugh. So Brad's missing and you're dealing with gangs."
"My life is a mess, I know, but I'm going to end this, I promise."
>"When?"
"Before the year ends, I will end this. Winter month will end this all."
>As you finish talking with Purple, your other friends join in.
"Remember Purple, mums on Brad."
>"A-Alright."

>>"DAAAARLIIINGS~"
"Hey Aryan, Flutters, Applehat, Rainbow, Ponka."
>>>"Hey sugarcube. Say, where's Brad?"
"He's out of town. Says he has some family business to attend to."
>>"Well that's such a shame. Guess he'll have to miss out on Pinkie's 'It's all right' party."
"What?"
>Ponka speaks in a hyperactively joyful manner.
>>>>"See, whenIthoughtRainbow'soldfriendstoleyou,IthoughtshewasouttogetusbutsinceRainbowmanagedtotalktoyouaboutGilda,shetoldmeitwasallfineandnowI'mfinesoinotherwordsI'mholdingapartytocelebrate"Everything Is Alright "day!" Ponka said.
"Err..."
>>>>"As you can see, Pinkie's pretty good now." Rainbow added.
>>"Much better than befoooree. So, care to tell us who the biker woman is, Norman darling?" Rarity asked.
>You and Rainbow looked for a moment, before you both answered;
"Gilda's an old friend..."
>>>>"...from his hometown where..."
"...she was one of the troublemakers..."
>>>>"That I cut ties with, and she was..."
"Just visiting town and wanted me to..."
>>>>"...Show around the city!"
"Eheh..."
>>>>"Heh..."
>The awkwardness of finishing each other's sentences just left Aryan, Flutters and Ponka's jaws dropped.
>>>"Well I'll be. Don't y'all look like the cutest couple in this table." Applehat joked.
"Err..."
>Aryan's still looking with disbelief.
>Just then, a sobbing Octavia comes out of nowhere and slides through the seat.
"Ahh!"
>>>>>"NORMAN! DO YOU KNOW WHERE BRAD IS?" Octavia yelled
>Oh right. I accidentally told her Brad was missing.
>Damn me.
>>>>>"No need to worry..err... Octavia! Brad's just out of town, doing family business and whatnot!"
>"I can confirm that." Purple added.
>>>>>"Oh thank gott..."
>She bowed her head from exhaustion.
>>>"Err, you alright there, sugar cube?" Applehat asked.
>>>>>"I'm fine, apple girl. I just thought...I....ehh..."
>>"Are you alright darling? You seem a bit tense..."
>>>>>"Just been a long day. I thought Lyra's gone missing with Brad."
"W-well?"
>>>>>"Called her mother. Lyra's apparently in bed with a fever."
>So Lyra was able to make an alibi. Thank Faust.
>>>>>"And this news with Brad is such a relief."
>>"I never knew you cared for Brad." Aryan said with curiosity.
>>>>>"Yeah well, I should thank you for that. I just realized he was the sweetest, kindest boy I thought was a jerk~"
>"T-That's Brad alright..." Purple added feeling a-bit envious.
"Wait, thank Aryan? What, she made you two go on a blind date or something? * "
[spoiler] Norman knows, see Issues # 33-34[/spoiler]
>>>>>"Rarity?"
>Aryan goes silent, and finally admits it.
>>"Oh alright. I admit it. I made her go out with Brad so she could try and find out what you, Rainbow Dash, and presumably Fluttershy's hiding!"
"I have never been less surprised in my entire life."
>>"Look, I'm sorry, alright! I just feel so...betrayed when you all keep secrets from your friends, such as I, Pinkie and Applejack!"
>>>"Rarity, we never even knew they had a secret, but if this is about your jealousy for Lyra Heartstrings..."
>>"It's not. Well, partially anyway. Look, the point is,  you shouldn't hide secrets from your friends."
>>>>>"It's their decision to have secrets, not ours." Octavia said, learning her lesson [spoiler](and taking Brad's advice from their date)[/spoiler].
>>"ALright, fine. I won't peek into your secret life again, Norman, if it means saving this friendship."
"I'd...I'd like that, Aryan. Thanks for respecting that."
>>>>"THIS CALLS FOR A CELEBRATORY HUG!" Ponka yells.
>She then gathers everyone sitting, from me to Octavia.
>>>>"HUUUUGGS FOR EVERYONE!"
"HUURGGHH!"
>>"TOO MUCH HUGGING, PINKIE!"
>I swear, this woman has super strength.
>Well, at least Rarity's stopped bugging us.


Be Brad
Military Prison

>-Bradical Brad's Journal Day 2

>-The little girl's asleep. She's been touching me brutally all day.
>-Literally causing bruises with every skin in my arm and stomach.
>-Also, she's been kicking my balls all day long. It must fill her with glee as she sees me in pain.
>-Then again, she does that while saying 'WHY GILDA WHY?'.
>-She's crazy. I doubt she lived with her parents. Must be an orphan.
>-I wonder what her deal with Gilda is.
>-Why should I care about that? I'm being molested by the little girl, and the guards outside are laughing their asses off.
>-I hope I get out of here soon.
>-I hate this place. I'm writing on toilet paper using a toothpick and some ashes as a quilt and ink.
>-A bit dusty though
"HHAAAACCHOOOOOO!"
>Your sneeze covers the tissue, wrecking your writing.

"What's the point?"
>You simply lied on the ground, far away as possible from the girl.
>Suddenly, your prison doors are unlocked.
>The guards let in the big league, General Igneus Rock.
>Where have I heard that name before?
>The big man speaks.
>"BRING HIM IN TO THE QUESTIONING LOUNGE."
>The two soldiers brought you to the lounge, both guns pointed at you.
>You then sat down inside. Scientists and workers whisper to each other as they look at you with such...confusion.
>"All of you, get out, except for the labcoat."
>They all went out. The scientist left was sitting at the far end, speculating.
>General Igneus then takes his seat.
>THe surounding of the room is reminicent of the one they had at that 'Man of Steel' movie. Empty, except for a one-way window.

>"So, you've been up at the cell all night with no attempts to escape..."
"Y-Yeah! I'm a good guy!"
>"That's not the point. No sign of abnormality on your end, no 'super-powers' shown, nor anything out of the ordinary seen from your cell."
"Uhh..."
>"You better tell me right now. WHAT ARE YOU?"
"C-CHillax, man! I'm just a normal dude with very...abnormal friends."
>"You run around with the worst looking armor-"
"It's just a costume, man!"
>"... Are you some sort of escaped mental patient?"
"What?"
>"Because only an idiot would run around with his underwear out!"
"Well, we started off as a bunch of guys fighting crime like our comic book heroes...then...well there's that monster from the picnic, then that looney you locked me in with!"
>"Alright, look. Right now, I don't give a damn, about your origins, but I KNOW, that your friends have special powers."
"Gee, how can you tell?"
>"We have operatives working on the meteors that kept on crashing down on earth, if not for those accursed gangs that kept stealing its insides."
"So why not purge the city of its gangs?"
>"Because if we do that, the whole damn nation would expect us to do a damn lockdown on their cities just to clean out vermin wasting our oxygen! No, we instead have special operatives working in the shadows, reporting to us everything they see..."
>Oh shit.
"So...why am I here?"
>"I want you to tell me everything about your teammates. Names, alias-"
"No can do, man. Too much at stake here!"
>"Oh? And what can be more at stake than you being in an army's base? We have a thousand soldiers here that can shoot your ass off the face of the earth with a single command."
"Look, even if you torture me, I'd be dead either way!"
>"What do you mean?"
"Get info out of me and if those guys managed to beat all of you, they'd come looking for me and kill me! I don't get info to your crew, and I'm dead for, whatever excuse you come up with!"
>"So you're saying you're no use to us, then? Because we would gladly let you go, on account of leaving your manhood behind."
"W-Wait, what?"
>"Oh sure, you're too scared to support America. You should just leave your dick behind so we wouldn't have to deal with your future kids insubordination!"
"Hey, I could go to court for that!"
>"And we have a sniper who'd pull a trigger for that."
"Lauren, you guys are insane!"
>"We're only interested in furthering our cause for our country! If we get those so called heroes of your city, we get whatever powered them or whatever they stole from the meteors!"
"You can't just say they 'stole' from a meteor! No one owns it!"
>"It fell on our American soil, therefore, it's property of the army and the government!"
"Whatever happened to Democracy?"
>"Quit your yapping and tell us straight. Who are they, what their powers are and what they stole from the meteors!"
"Wait, you mean to tell me your guys don't know what's in those meteors?"
>"Like I said, all of the rocks we got were already emptied. I know you know because of your curiosity."
"Ahh...Alright, alright!"
>You need to get yourself out of this mess.
>Do as you did with Nolan! Make a deal.
"Look, I...I'll make I deal with you."
>"You? A squirt that couldn't even deal with a little girl, make a deal with me? Don't make me cringe."
"I know who my comrades are, but I can't let them know I'd screw them over! You give me some time, and I'll, I'll make sure that I get whatever it is that's powering them. Maybe...maybe I could get them to join the army and go beat up those terrorists you guys hate so much."
>The general looks at you with his eyes.
>He finds your idea amusing.
>"Hah. I like your style, kid. Now, what's stopping me from just making a sniper follow you and then shoot them and bring their corpses to here?"
"If you wanted to do that, you would have done it. What's stopped you from acquiring my green partner, Chronos?"
>Your argument entertains the general.
>"Hmph. Looks like you're more than just a featherbrain, boy."
"Yeah. Well, more than meets the eye.?"
>The general walks to the door.
>You breathed a sigh of relief.
>I was worried they'd start using the chair or maybe some truth serums.
>Wonder why they didn't use that?
>The scientist on the far end follows the general.


OUTSIDE THE ROOM

>>"General, are you sure we can trust him?"
>"We have his file. Flash Sentry, nicnkame Brad. Lives at Canterlot City, has yet to have a child and has yet to graduate from highschool."
>>"And?"
>"We know him. We know where he lives, and we'll make sure he does his damn job. BUT, if we get the info we need from him quietly, we can do without the theatrics of stalking him for the rest of the week."
>>"What now, sir?"
>"We still need to evaluate him. Neuter his mind so that hey will fear us in every step of the way."
>>"So how long until?"
>"Probably until the end of the month."
>>"By winter, huh?"
>"Yeah. Escort him to the other cell. The one that's better than the last one he's in."
>>"Right."
>"Oh, and bring in Amaranthine in the next hour. She's of no use to us."
>>"Right, sir.

ARMY HALLS

>The soldiers brings you back to your holding cell.
>Before they put you in, they give you some flowers.
>>"Hey kid, mind feeding the girl for us."
"Flowers?"
>>"Kid loves plants."
>Guess that explains the whole animal transformation thing.
>Locked in, Amaranthine gleefully greets your return.
>"MY BOYFRIEND!"
"MY PERSONAL SPACE!"
>You throw the flowers at her.
"H-Here! Lunch!"
>"GASP! YOU BROUGHT ME FLOWERS?"
>She runs to you, hugging you again mercilessly.
>"BEST BOYFRIEND EVER!"
>You look back at the guards. They're laughing like hyeenas.
"YOU MOTHER FU-GGAAAAAKKK!"
>She hugs intensely.
>She pins you down on the floor as she looks at you with such...passion.

>Ohgodno
>She lowers her head to your ear, and whispers.
>Do not fear, my handsome husband, for Amaranthine has a plan to get us free.
"W-What?"
>She licks her back tooth, which appears to be rotten to the core.
>But something underneath that tooth seems...strange.
>Like she hid something inside her gums.
>Oh god...

>"Oh yes..umhmhmhmhm..."

Be Norman
Afterschool Detention, Day 2

>Sitting alone with Derpy. Again.
>Thanks Gilda. You're true comrade.
>Bloody amazon woman.
>Still, better not waste the moment. You needed to talk to her anyway.
>But before that, silence...
>...
>"Norm, if you're looking for Gilda, she's not here."
"Was it that obvious I was trying to look for her."
>"Sorta."
"Well, where is she?"
>"Went to Brad's to investigate. Turns out his mom and dad are oversees right now, so she went on investigating at other places."
"Whoa, she DOES care for Brad?"
>"No, I just told her if she'd be kind enough to see if she can find Brad right now...but I'd rather make better use for the time we have here. We need to talk."
"About the thing...you know, get Saint's Bro's information from Gilda while I get information from Viri Scientia on my own?"
>"Y-yeah. I think...I think I can do it, but my conscience just can't. I told her about my past."
"What past?"
>"I...It's a long story, but shorter version, I sorta gave her a sob story that she could relate to."
"And?"
>"She's gotten soft with me. Last night she ate all the vegetables in her plate and complemented me like I'm some sort of prodigy. She even does me favors like this one with Brad!"
"That explains why she left her stalking post to go do that Brad thing! Man, you're cool with her!"
>"It was more believable if you were there to see it. It wasn't just that. She seems to be a bit open too, but not in a sense of giving away all the details."
"Innocent face and a sob story. Not even a bitch of a gang could resist."
>"I feel bad about it."
"But you're sorta doing this for a good cause. If I get some sensitive info on Saint's Bro..."
>"Excuse me for asking, but I'm confused of your plan, Norman."
"Hmm?"
>"What exactly are you looking for? Something that can incriminate Nolan?"
"W-well..."
>"Because even if you did find something like that, he won't stop until you're dead. There's no way out for a man who knows your secret identity."
"I know, but if I...if I find something I could work with..."
>Derpy shakes her head.
>"Norman, you know that for Nolan to get off your back, he needs to *finger-neck*"
"Whoa, Derpy!"
>"Look, I'm not suggesting you kill him, but is there another way?"
"I...I talked to the Guidance Councillor the other day."
>"What did she say?"
"Made an analogy about it. She said that if the best way to defeat two enemies is to make them defeat each other, in turn, consuming each other."
>"And?"
"The thing is, I need something that would make one of them go the extra mile. Wage war on the other, but both of them have been playing it safe."
>"I see. So the info you need from Nolan is something that can possibly speed up a war that could end the both of them."
"With me making sure that they both do enough damage to each other to the point that they couldn't rise up from their own."
>"You do realize there will be blood and war here, right?"
"It's my fault Lyra got caught by Nolan and it's my fault I got caught by Viri. We can't live with people pulling our strings. It has to end right now, before the year ends."
>"As the great Ned Stark once said, winter is coming!"
"Yeah, my winter would be composed of saving Brad and causing a war between two of what's possibly the largest gangs of the city, but first, I need to take out the Diamond Dogs."
>"Why?"
"To buy me time and trust. Nolan expects me to take out the competition. I'll start off with the easier one."
>"Sigh, alright Norman. I'll do it. I'll try to milk Gilda's mind."
"Be careful, mate."
>"You too."
*RIIIIIIIIIIINNNNGGGG*
>>"Alright you book-throwing scum. Your time's up. Get out."
"Yeah yeah."
>"Bye Mr. Hall Monitor!"
>>"Hurrmmm"
>I swear, that guy does not know what a breath mint is.
"By the way, Derpy. I'll be visiting Lyra. You want to come?"
>"Oh my gosh, you found Lyra?"
"Rainbow did. She said she found Lyra by the sewers and had her stay in her house for the night."
>"What was she doing in a sewer?"
"Looking for Gilda. She said she had a history with her and was worried about her with me."
>"Daww, she's worried for you. She really likes you."
"Oh haha, very funny. Just cause she's worried about me, doesn't mean she likes me likes me."
>"Well, guess you haven't seen her talk about you then."
"What?"
>"Putting that little thing aside, is Lyra okay?"
"She's fine. She took the day off to rest."

HEARTSTRINGS RESIDENCE

*DING*DONG*
>Lyra's mom opens the door.
"Err, hi. We're Lyra's friends."
>"Hi Mrs. Heartstrings!"
>>"Oh Derpy! I haven't seen you since you last visited. * "
[spoiler] See Issue # 26 [/spoiler]
"Is Lyra okay? She missed school."
>"Yes! She's alright. She just has a fever now. Come in! I'm sure it would light her heart up to see such good friends come and visit."
>She lets us in and leads us upstairs.
>>"So, Norman isn't it?" Weren't you that boy that saved us from those crooks back at the convenience store? * "
[spoiler]Waaaay back Issue # 4 [/spoiler]
"I'm glad you remember, Ma'm."
>>"Such a strong boy. Are you dating my daughter?"
"N-No, ma'm."
>>"Well, she's free right now!" She says with a wink.
>Typical mother behaviour.
>Leading us inside Lyra's room, Lyra lets out a huge sneeze.
>>>"HAAAAAACCCHOOOOOOOOOO! *sniff*"
>"HI LYRA!" Derpy yelled.
"Yo."
>>>"Oh great, beanie boy and klutz wonder. HAAACHOOOOOO!"
"Nice to see you too."
>>>"Mom. Some time alone, please."
>>"Sure thing, sweetie. No funny business."
>>>"..."
>Her mom leaves us three alone.
>"Lyra! We saw the news! We were worried!"
>>>"Out of all the people I called, Rainbow Dash was the one who got to me first, and I don't even have her number. Bunch a pals you guys are."
"We're sorry. I left my phone at home."
>"We ran into Octavia and we got...well, stuck on the way."
>>>"Octavia? Shit, if she saw me in...in... HAAAAACHOOO!"
"And I thank my blue friend she found you first."
>>>"How is Tavi by the way?"
>"She passed out after finding out about Brad and you missing. She then went to school being all glum and stuff."
>>>"Hmm..."
"Listen Lyra, I didn't actually come here just to see you doing...fine."
>>>"Why then?"
>You took out a small device.
>It's hooked to the tiny cameras you've secretly installed in the Viri Scientia Facility.
>>>"What's this?"
"It's one of the gadgets that will help us bring down Viri Scientia. I managed to install little cameras in their big boss' office and at the reception."
>>>"What do you want me to do with this?"
"You're bedridden. I need you to spy on this. Give me information that can help us. Find any sensitive info you can from one of the cameras."
>>>"Ugh..."
"Lyra, this is our chance to be free from Nolan and his wretched gangs. Same goes for their biggest rival, Viri."
>>>"How did you even get cameras inside their facility?"
"I...I was captured by them and they found out who I am."
>>>"Ahh, like me, huh?"
"Yeah, and to defeat two advereries, we need them to weaken each other."
>>>"And then...what? You kill both of them?"
"...I just hope they kill each other."
>>>"And what if your miserable plan fails? HAAACHOOOO!"
"I'm here to make sure it won't. I'll keep them busy."
>>>"Fine, fine."
"Thanks."
>>>"So, Any news on Brad?"
>"None, so far."
"Gilda's tracking him down, but to no  avail."
>>>"sigh."
>"We'll find him, Lyra. Count on Norman."
>>>"You know, Norman, you're on your own on this battlefield, for now."
"I know."
>>>"One more thing you should know."
"What?"
>>>"I had a vision."
"You found Brad?"
>>>"No. I have a vision. A vision that keeps appearing to me every day."
"What's it about?"
>Lyra turns her head to the side.
>>>"When you find Brad this winter, see if he's still sane."
"Huh?"
>>>"He..."
>Her door opens. Her mother let in another guest. It's Octavia.
>>>"Tavi?"
>>>>"LYYRAAA!" She yelled as she hugged the living crap out of Lyra."
>>>"S-SHIT! GET OFF ME! I DON'T FEEL GOOD!"
>>>>"I'm so sorry. *sniff* When you went missing...I thought...I thought..."
>>>"I'm fine."
>>"She just fell into a manhole, Octavia. Lyra's strong, she wouldn't give up on such a measly fever." her mother said.
>>>>"Oh Lyra, I'm sorry for peeking into your love life, I'll never bother you again."
>>>"*COUGH* Jeez! Give me a rest already. Norman, I think you should go for the meantime. I'll go do 'secret spy' later."
"Yeah. I'll leave you to your girlfriend."
>>>"SHE'S NOT MY GIRLFRIEND!"
>"I'll stay here too." Derpy said, chuckling.

>Leaving the ladies, you left the house and walked back to your home.
>The end of Nolan's tyranny is upon me.
>I just hope I live to see the day.

Be Brad
Army Holding Cell

>The soldiers pulls the kid away from you.
>She makes a small *crack* at the back of her teeth as she does.
>Taking a gulp, your suspicion increases, and the seductive look she gives you is creeping you out.
>"Good news, vigilante. We're transferring you to an actual cell with a bed and a bathroom."
"Oh joy..."
>You are then escorted out of the cell.
>Another group of soldiers takes Amaranthine and escorts her out as well.
"Wait, where are they taking her?"
>"She'll be free... free like a ghost."
>That...that sounds ominous.
>The kid merely chuckles as she's brought outside.
>She knows what happens after this.
>The military has done alot of things that are illegal.
>And they believe she's too immature to keep her word about the place.
>No name, no prints, no other alias, no history.
>No one knows where she came from, and that makes her a danger.
>She has nothing to lose, and General Igneous can't blackmail her with anything.
>And she knows that the only option for her in the desert place is execution.

>General Igneous plays with his lucky rock as the little girl is brought to him.
>>>"Congratulations, girl. You're free to go, as we promised."
>>"If I was free, you would've let me go when I was in the streets doing your orders."
>>>"You know we needed you-"
>>"No, you couldn't keep track of me. I was a hard woman to keep track of, and that's why you ordered these monkeys to kill me."
>The general is startled by the girl's understanding of her situation.
>However, he calmly told her otherwise.
>>>"You're delusional, girl. You've always been."
>>"Why won't you let me go? Who would believe a looney like me anyway?"
>>>"You have powerful friends. I know of the Viri Scientia and your superior."
>>"Then let me go."
>Alas, the general lets out some info.
>>>"You are being let go. You're free. Look at that open gate. Does that look like the face of danger to you?"
>>"Beyond that wall...heheh...sniper on the right."
>The general sweats viciously.
>The girl is too calm.

>>"I WON'T DIE IN A CORRUPT ARMY'S LAND. MY MISTRESS WILL HAVE HER INTEL!"
>>>"MEN! OPEN FIRE ON THE GIRL!"
>>"GRRR..."
>The girl shakes. Her body grows thicker and thicker.
>The army fires right at her, but it's of no use.
>She cannot feel a thing because of the hide that grows from her skin.
>Her eyes turn blood red. Her hands grew claws and wings.
>She has turned into a Wyvern-like creature.
>>"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHRRRGGGHHH!"
>>>"DAMMIT! FIRE THOSE MOTARS!"
>Amaranthine glides through their attack on the air and heads right back into the base.
>>>"What the? What is she doing."
>>"SQUUUAAAAAAKKKK!"

Meanwhile at Brad's area
>"Here it is."
"A prison cell...figures."
>"Better than that last cell. That didn't even have a toilet."
>>"SQUUUAAAAAKKK!"
"Whoa, you guys have pterodactyls here?"
>"Huh? WHAT THE?"
>Amaranthine swoops down and attacks your guards.
>"AAAHH!"
>She pounces and rips their gear apart.
"OH SHIT, OH SHIT!"
>With a less-distinguishable voice, she yells "BOOOOYYFFRRIIIEEENND"
>And with that, she grabs you by her large claws and crashes through the ceiling of the huge base, effectively escaping.
>General Igneous comes to the scene but he's too late.
>>>"DAMMIT! He's caught our bait! This is General Rock. Send in all copters after the flying creature and bring it down!"

>Meanwhile in midair.
"OOHH GOOD THIS IS HIIGGHH!"
>Amaranthine growls in success as she flies away to the sunset carrying you.

End of Chapter 39