CHAPTER 004: Meet the parents...

Evening had fallen on the city of Pineville by the time they arrived at the "secret base," which, in fact, was just a simple three story home. Granted, the architecture was old fashioned and the gutters needed cleaning, but otherwise it was perfectly normal.

"Hah, It just looks like an old granny's house to better hide our secrets..."

Scissors said through gritted teeth. But when she turned to see Logan's reaction, she discovered that he had a look of consternation not previously seen before.

"Are you okay?"

"Oh yeah, the place just reminded me of a scary movie," he said while returning to a smile.

"I didn't take you for a man scared of horror movies," Rock said while taking Paper out of the back seat.

"Can't stand them. Ghosts give me the willies," Logan replied.

The sky darkened further, as if in response to this comment, and thunder clapped in the distance. An old lady was now present on the front porch.

"Girls, what are doing out so late? I was worried sick, you didn't even bother to call and let me know you'd be home late. I'll have to go and reheat dinner now and everything, jeez," the old lady said, her gentle nagging coming out at a mile a minute.

"Baba, did you draw any water," Paper asked while slung over Rock's shoulder.

"Yes, I figured you would get messy in your new outfit. Luckily I put two parts bleach in. Jessica, bring her in the kitchen, I've got the pot on low heat just like she likes it."

"Yes Baba," Rock responded as she stooped low to avoid hitting the top of the door frame. It sported several vaguely head shaped indentations already.

"Baba, we're with a suspect! You have to use our codenames," Scissors said in an almost pleading tone. Unfortunately, Baba paid her calls for mercy no mind.

"Oh, I didn't know you were playing hero today... And who is this handsome, bloody lad? Did you find a new playmate? Or is he meant to ask for your hand? Because I am not impressed; I'll need lots of pampering if you want my blessing!"

Scissors' face went beat red at the insinuation, and she ran into the house without saying another word. Confused, Logan followed behind her.

"Good evening, ma'am."

In his head, though, he was thinking,

"why does she feel so weird? It's like she isn't actually in front of me. And why does this house seep with a bizarre energy. Master, are you familiar with this?"

The grand master, from inside his head, answered.

"Hrmm, yes. I have indeed encountered this before..."

"Great, tell me then so I can prepare."

"I forgot the encounter."

"Are you kidding me!"

"What do you expect? I'm currently in over 1,000 pieces, remember? Feed me some contestants already if you want better results."

"I think you're just being grumpy. We'll discuss this later..."

By this point, everyone had arrived in the living room. Rock was sat on the couch, Paper could be heard singing from the kitchen, and Scissors was currently holding a towel out for Logan.

"The shower is up the stairs, second door on the right. We'll discuss things further over dinner."

"I appreciate your kindness. But, unless I am to wear this towel, I'll need a change of clothes."

She thought a moment about this question, before turning towards the kitchen and shouting,

"Paper, hurry up in there! Go grab one of your ex-boyfriend's things for this fellow to wear."

The singing stopped, and silent boohooing followed it.

"Thanks,"

Logan said with a smile before ascending the creaky stair case in the corner of the spacious hall of a room they were in. When he disappeared from view, Scissors immediately turned to Rock, who now had her eyes closed.

Seconds passed before they opened again, at which point she gave a thumbs up and said

"he's in the shower."

"Excellent, team meeting in the kitchen. Baba, keep lookout!"

"Sure thing, dearies. Wash your hands before dinner,"

the old lady said while setting a table in the adjacent dining room. The two quickly stood and retreated to the kitchen, where Paper was sat in a pot of bleach water with a loofah in her hands.

"Okay, out with it. What do you think," Scissors said while staring at her teammates.

"The speed power is a popular one, and he appears to have a powerful variant. Remember, Toady Johnson was threat level 12, and this guy squashed him like a bug,"

paper said without getting out of the makeshift bathtub.

"I disagree," Rock said while stroking her chin.

"Speed type power holders typically suffer from anemia and malnutrition as a result of their fast metabolisms. This problem gets worse the more speed the power grants. To solve this issue, several companies have developed super nutritious fluid designed to compensate for excess calorie burn, but they are expensive. This guy obviously has no money, he's wearing hospital socks! He should look like a skeleton if his power is as great as you say and he can't afford those fluids. Does he look like a starving person?"

"Well he did just come out of a hospital, according to you," paper retorted without much thought.

"We can all agree he's hiding something; that's not the problem. He is handsome, powerful, and photogenic. If he can keep that smile and lax disposition in front of a camera, imagine the potential," Scissors said with dollar signs in her eyes.

"You are a snake," Paper said with a giggle.

"I don't get it,"

Rock said, confused. The other two sighed before bringing her into a huddle of whispers.

What they failed to see, however, was the spectral figure of an alien grand master floating above them. He smiled at their gossip, and was about to float up to the bathroom when he froze.

"Was that old lady looking at me?"

He observed her for a moment before continuing the return journey. Logan was still washing blood off himself at this point, so the alien sat on a counter and mused aloud.

"Those girls are scheming against you."

"Let them. I can scheme as well."