Psychics and Demons and Fey (Oh my!) Part 4: Shadow Monster

 Sammy expected something really off when she stepped into Macy’s: a giant monster, terrorizing little old ladies as they stood in line with hundreds of coupons ready to launch and take 80% off their entire $300 purchase, devouring young women who were getting a total makeover by Estee Lauder employees in preparation of a nice date, clothes racks and sweaters strewn about haphazardly as they made their way through the two-story clothes behemoth. Her hair started sparking at the thought of it, thinking that if it was just a mindless monster, all she had to do was take it down.

 Well… at least there were screaming ladies? However, Sammy and Carlos didn’t see any sign of this danger, unless the danger was having a heart attack at these low, low prices. It looked the same as always: dozens of clothes racks lined up next to each other, the long hallway devoted to only the best makeup and perfumes within a normal person’s price range, the northern side filled with racks of shoes with several women rifling through the clearance heels at record times, and the whole top floor devoted to things that weren’t actually clothes, but they were nice little things to have. Like, say, boomboxes and DJ sets.

The excitement in Sammy died as fast as it came, replaced by a mix of wariness, anxiety, and confusion. After all, there didn’t seem to be any panic yet. She did notice as she was walking past the makeup, perfume, and jewelry section, however, several diamonds that were supposed to be on display not there at all. The glass showed no sign of anyone breaking in. Employees whispered to one another, all of them wide-eyed and wary. She barely heard one of them say in a panicked tone, “But I just turned my back for a second, I swear! One minute, they were there, then I turned around and saw something black for a second and then they were gone!”

Another one added, “One of the wigs went missing, too! And one of the hats! I swore I put those things on the mannequins this morning!”

Sammy glanced over and asked nervously, “You think that thing we’re after did that?”

The elder psychic looked down at the jewelry case, listening carefully to the employee’s testimony, then said, “Definitely. This one’s a sneak, considering it’s not making an outright mess of everything like most demons do.” He looked at the employees for a moment before he asked, “Excuse me, do you have an intercom or a megaphone I could borrow? Angela Stanton detected demons here-“

Before he could finish his sentence, one of the girls took off like a rocket. Wherever she went, she came back with a megaphone and handed it over, pale as a sheet.

“Thank you. Miiiight want to get out of here, because things are going to get nuts.” Advice that the employees were all too happy to take, taking as many customers and fellow employees out with them. Carlos took a deep breath before pressing a button on the megaphone. “Attention, shoppers! An Omega Level Demon has been detected in this very viscinity! Please evacuate as quickly as possible so that the Psychics can handle the threat! I repeat, an Omega Level Demon has been detected, so please evacuate as quickly as possible!”

Never did Sammy ever see anyone drop $20 shoes or $10 shirts that fast and run straight out the door so fast. Not exactly the chaos she envisioned, but at least people were out! After a few minutes, she turned towards Carlos and asked, “The demon’s that powerful? That’s like… Tiamat-levels of bad, right?”

 “God, I hope not,” he replied, a green aura surrounding him as he scanned the area, making sure everybody that wasn’t a psychic was gone, and trying to see any sign of the demon anywhere. “I just said that to get everybody out fast. This demon wasn’t even identified, so we don’t even have a power rating for it.”

Knowing that the threat wasn’t quite that dangerous boosted Samantha’s confidence a little bit, but she had to ask, “What is their deal, anyway? Are they anything like… well, in video games?”

Carlos frowned, putting on his jacket and hat before turning his full attention to the younger psychic. “Their deal is a long story, but the abridged version is that demons hate the fey, fey hate the demons, they’ve been in a war for god knows how long, and demons are more eager to manipulate and even eat humans in order to get the edge. And no, they are nowhere like their video game counterparts, unless you mean like the big villains. In which case, yes, they’re completely like that, if not worse.” Sammy couldn’t help but feel horrified. It must have shown on her face, because the next thing Carlos said was, “Yeah, I feel you. Things are weirder in Augusta and they feel much more daunting when you’re just starting out.”

Sammy thought she saw something moving in the shadows, but she figured it was just her nerves getting the best of her. “D-do you ever get used to it?” she asked meekly, eyes darting around the room, unable to keep eye contact with her friend.

 Carlos smiled gently and opened his mouth to say something, but things became a little darker around them, his smile fading as it was replaced with a look of irritation.

“Aaaand the fun begins,” he grumbled.

Sammy didn’t know what he was talking about until she turned around with him and saw it: a monster with onyx eyes and an onyx necklace, a wig plastered on its head with a chapeau keeping it right in its place. A toaster replaced one hand while a blender replaced the other, while an electric blanket was tied around its shoulders, a tennis ball launcher strapped to its back. Designer jeans were kept on its skinny waist with a golden designer belt, and on its feet-

“Wait, are those JIMMY CHOOS?!” Carlos burst out,  pointing at the blue and gold shoes that adorned its feet. “Are you REALLY wearing thousand-dollar sneakers?! How did Macy’s even GET this?!?” After a moment, he composed himself, and said, “Okay, aside from really expensive shoes, I’m guessing there’s something you want.”

 Sammy looked at Carlos like he was mad. Was he really about to talk sense to a monster? It didn’t show any signs of aggression… and she was a little surprised to hear a disembodied voice. It wasn’t from the monster, at least.

“Ah, someone who wishes to speak before he strikes!” the voice said with a small chuckle. “Splendid, splendid, to see a man who could see reason. Unlike those who strike down my kind without the benefit of knowing our true intentions.”

“Woo, don’t I feel just fantastic about that?” Carlos groaned. “Just get to the point; I don’t want anybody getting hurt if I can help it.”

From the corner of her eye, Sammy could see the shadows twist and turn into someone prim and proper, complete with a cane and a top hat. “But of course,” said the shadow, “I wouldn’t wish to waste so much of your time. You see, my associate here and myself are searching for someone. Someone whose appearance was advertised throughout this building, hailed as a heroine for all to admire… Perhaps you know of her and where, exactly, she is?”

 The answer came quickly to Sammy: they were looking for Siren. It took all her courage to stop herself from shuddering, keeping a façade of confidence as she listened. Carlos replied with a shrug. “You can’t expect me to keep up with where the ever-famous heroine of Augusta is, can you?”

 “A heroine to you, but a monster to several of my own kind, who would gladly curse us and let us live our lives in misery,” the shadow hissed, his monster aquaintance clenching its sharp teeth as hard as it could. “Who would slaughter hundreds of thousands under the banner of righteousness, believing herself to be bettering the world when the reasons she fights is as flimsy as the cheap cloths that rip and tear after just one wash. Who would ruin lives over one mere mistake-“

Carlos rolled his eyes and interrupted with, “No, nope, nuh uh, stop right there. Nice words, but ‘mere mistakes’?! I’m sorry, I didn’t know a businessman who monopolized a market and drives up prices and steals an opal made a ‘mere mistake.’ Or a banker who treats his son like garbage and kidnapped several fey for his own personal art museum made a ‘mere mistake’. And that guy who tried to steal an expensive diamond from the museum the other day making a ‘mere mistake’. Mistakes are accidents, and none of those were accidents. Nice try on making Siren look worse than she really does. Still don’t know where she is, anyway.”

The monster took a step forward, Sammy flinching as it raised its toaster arm, ready to smash them. The shadow shrugged and let out a dramatic sigh. “Such a shame that even you are blinded by her. I almost thought you could be reasoned with, but like the gaggle of women who idolize her, you only see the illusion she has weaved: a righteous fey who stops the wicked. On the contrary, she is condemning us as ireedeemable and ruining our lives when we only do what we must.” The shadow turned towards his friend and said, “Well, I dislike violence, but my acquaintence… he introduced himself as the Mannequin, yes? Ah, well, he seems eager to let off some steam. Perhaps a beating will loosen your tongues.”

The shadow snapped his fingers, and the Mannequin brought down the toaster, Sammy and Carlos rolling out of the way just in time. Sammy noticed that the shadow was gone, leaving only this monster for them to deal with. It turned towards her and swung its arm, the younger psychic barely limboing under it before straightening up, trying her hardest to muster up her powers.

Carlos was none too happy about this, yelling out far too late, “Yeah, blame the person who did that instead of changing yourself for the better! Because it’s their fault and not yours that you’re-“ One swing of the blender and he stopped himself, taking a moment to push back with his telekinesis. “Why do I even bother?” he grumbled, focusing his power on the monster’s legs and knocking it off balance. “Not like he’d listen, anyway.” He turned towards Sammy and asked, “Hey, you doing alright?”

“Sort of?” came the awkward reply as the toaster arm swept at her. This time, it caught her on her on the side, Sammy flinching as she held her ground. “Not so much now? But I can’t use my powers at all, and I don’t get why!”

Carlos grabbed Sammy and rushed towards the shoe section, barely keeping his hat on as he reached the clearance shoe rack. The Mannequin pursued with a speed that made Carlos break into a nervous sweat.  “Remember, Alphas have a harder time with their powers!” He said hastily, the green aura around him returning as he grabbed a bunch of heels with his telekinesis and hurling them at the monster’s face. It staggered backwards, groaning in pain and holding its makeshift hands to its face. Relieved to have a few moments to talk before it chased them again, he continued, “You remember how Kenny’s fire fizzled out against the Petal Kracken? Alpha powers fuck up, and fuck up often. You’re no exception. All you can really do is try to concentrate just enough for a little burst of power and launch it. Lather, rinse, and repeat until it gets going again or until you spontaneously become a Beta. Either or is fine.”

Sammy shuddered at the thought of having to face demons with unreliable powers, praying that for once, it’d work before she was mincemeat. “Isn’t there a better way or something? I mean, you were an Alpha once, right?”

“Trust me,” Carlos said with a frown, “my experience as an Alpha was a lot different. I can’t say it’s a one-size-fits-all, but it’s the best advice I can give right now.” His eyes widened as the monster shook things off and bound towards them with a single leap. “Aside from MOVE!”

Sammy was more than happy to duck as Carlos moved right out of the way, the Manequinn crashing right into the shoe rack. She took a few steps backwards as the monster slowly got up, dazed from getting another face full of heels and platforms. Maybe this was her chance; this thing was vulnerable, weak. It’s a perfect time to strike! Her hands sparked up as she said, “LOOKING FOR A BRAND, BRO? TRY THUNDERBRAND!”

She shot out a ball of electricity, feeling more confident than ever. The monster shrieked, convulsing a little before it slowly turned on her. It didn’t seem paralyzed or stunned. In fact, it was grinning, the appliance plugs for the electric blanket, blender, and toaster sparking.

Upon realizing what she just did, the sparks around her hand died out as she said, “I fucked up big time, didn’t I?”

All three plugs lashed out at once, zapping Carlos and Sammy over and over, like angry bees. The elder psychic swore under his breath, flinching as the plugs struck, while the younger… Well, she was a little surprised to know that she hardly felt a thing. In fact, she was a little energized from that! However, she knew full well not to charge up the demon more than she had to, so she took out her Yo-yos and knocked two of the plugs away from Carlos. He caught the third with his powers, only letting go when the Mannequin yanked it away.

Sammy flung her yo-yos with a flourish, aiming for the face. The Mannequin rose the blender, though, and deflected it, taking her off guard. The blades inside began to whir as it tried to jab Sammy and show just whether it could blend a human or not. She barely caught it, but her fingers being far too close to the blade for comfort was really not helping her nerves. She pushed back, trying not to lose any body parts today when a boot soars and knocks the hat and wig right off the monster’s head.

The blades stopped as the monster gasped and hurried to get its wig right back where it should be, dragging itself to the closest mirror to fix it up. Sammy felt a tug on her arm as she was yanked over to Carlos’s side, the elder psychic leaping over a table full of men’s shirts and ducking under it, keeping a close eye on the monster as it gave itself a few touchups.

Sammy crouched down with him, watching as he grabbed a few shirts, unfolding them and tying one shirt’s sleeve to another one, one by one, until he had a long line of shirts. “What’s up with that?” she asked as he tied one end of the line of shirts to the table and tied the other to the bottom of a pillar on the other side. “That looks long enough to strangle that guy!”

“My powers aren’t strong enough for that,” he sighed as he finished up his work. “Least, not for a demon. You’ll see what’s up, if this monster falls for it.” He pointed past the line and said, “Sorry, but could you stand over there and be loud and obnoxious? I want that guy running and running FAST.”

She blinked, turning back towards the line of shirts, then back to him. With a nod, she stood way past the line and blurted out, “HEY, YOU! YEAH YOU, WITH THE UGLY WIG! BET YOU CAN’T READ ME WITH THOSE UGLY ASS SHOES, BRO!”

The Mannequin turned to her and snarled, turning back to the mirror to adjust its chapeau before charging towards her,  toaster heated up and blender blades whirling. It didn’t even bother to look down, one of its feet catching on the shirt line. Sammy moved out of the way just in case, but the result was beautiful regardless: it fell flat on its face and skid right through clothes racks before slamming into a wall.  Sammy couldn’t help but cheer, while Carlos wiped the sweat off his brow.

The monster stumbled on up, dazed. A yo-yo to the face and another clothesrack to the gut didn’t help at all. The electric plugs sparked angrily as the Mannequin let out a roar. The tennis ball launcher moved, phasing through the monster’s chest before taking aim at the psychics and letting loose with a flurry of balls. Sammy was nailed by a few balls before she took cover  behind a wall of sweaters and t-shirts, while Carlos was desperately trying to catch as many as he could. She counted about 25 before one nailed him in the forehead, the rest falling to the ground as his power failed him temporarily. The Mannequin took its chance and charged towards him, blender ready to be jammed into his head.

“FUCK OFF, BRO!”

Or not, as Sammy flung her yo-yo, activating the blades before it clashed against the blender. The blender cracked, distracting the Mannequin just enough for it to step on a tennis ball and trip over backwards. Carlos jumped away in shock, his hat falling off in his haste to get away. As the monster struggled to get back up without tripping on another tennis ball, Carlos flashed Sammy a thumbs up before retreating to a perfume stand. Frustrated, the Mannequin’s electric blanket flared up for a second before it activated its blender once more, blending up each and every tennis ball in its way… and Carlos’s hat, while it was at it.

The elder psychic flinched. “Good thing it’s my hat and not me,” he said with a bit of relief, Sammy soon joining him in hiding out behind the counter. “Though now I have to get a new hat.”

“I’ll buy you one once this guy is done and over with!” Sammy offered with a smile. She then looked towards the monster and asked, “How the hell do you deal with guys like these? I mean, you said you’re a Beta… and I’m an Alpha. We’re hardly doing anything to this guy!  We’re not that strong! How are we supposed to deal with this?”

Carlos shook his head and pointed out, “Sammy, you’re thinking about this all wrong.” Sammy raised an eyebrow, unsure of where he was going with this. “I admit: we’re actually like a corgi and a labrodor going up against Cerebus. We’re below-average psychics.”

A sense of dread took over the young psychic. “Then what are we doing? We’re going to lose then, aren’t we? Why are we-“

“Not done yet, Sams,” Carlos said calmly, in spite of the ever-threatening sound of a blender on a rampage. “I admit that we’re weak, but a friend of mine put it this way: It’s not about how powerful you are, even though it certainly helps.”

As The Mannequin rose to its feet and leaped in front of the perfume counter, smoke fuming from the electric blanket and the toaster, Carlos’s eyes flared green and yanked every perfume he could possibly get with his telekinesis, all of them hovering around them.

“It’s how you use that power that’s important.”

The perfumes crashed against the monster’s face, the toaster, and the blanket. The heat from the blanket and toaster was enough to ignite them, flames traveling down The Mannequin’s back and up its arm. The Mannequin screeched and dropped to the ground, rolling around and flailing desperately to try to put out the flames. Sammy’s eyes lit up with amazement at Carlos’s feat, hair sparking up and frizzing from excitement and a single “squee” escaping her lips.

The monster soon got up, some of the flames on its back extinguished, although part of its wig was burned away. In its anger it now shot pieces of extra-burnt toast towards Carlos and Sammy, along with an extra helping of tennis balls.  Sammy cut through some of the tennis balls using her bladed yo-yos, while the toast was swiftly returned to sender courtesy of Carlos. Some of those hard, super burnt toasts slammed into the blender, expanding the cracks already made. Sammy lashed at the cracks with her yo-yos once more after Carlos’s assault, outright destroying the glass around it. One more yo-yo attack, and the blender blades were broken off.

“Got him on the ropes now!” Sammy said with a grin, watching the monster back away and snarl. “Whatcha say to that, shadow man? Gonna leave him here by himself or are you gonna finally show up yourself and help?”

She saw him. She saw the shadows cast by the monster twist into the shape of a gentleman, although she could see a dark aura surrounding it.

“It seems like you’ve allowed your small victories to get to your head, dear,” it said in a condescending tone, wagging the cane it held in its hands. “After all, this is a monster of my own creation, no? Through my power, it was given life. I have only given it a mere fraction of my power… and you wish to be proud over defeating such?”

“Ah, um, well…” The sparks were dying again, and Sammy hated it. Was he actually stronger, and he was just holding back? Was she just getting hyped up over nothing? She just wasn’t sure how to feel anymore.

The shadow tsked. “I thought as much. You wish to be proud, while underestimating your opponent. After all, I held back, because I do not wish to kill those who would supply such valuable information on where my enemy is. A dead man cannot tell secrets, but a beaten, defeated man? Oh, yes, they tell much, wouldn’t you agree?”

Carlos groaned. “So that’s how you operate: You try to be as reasonable as possible when you can get something you want, and if that clearly isn’t working, violence. Theeen if that doesn’t work, just blurt out ‘OH BY THE WAY I’M HOLDING BACK!’ and try to demoralize whoever is in your way so that they give up.  Can I please deal with someone who isn’t trying as hard as they can to be the biggest goddamn heel in the 21^st century? No?! Maybe?!?”

“Ah, but I am only speaking the truth, am I not? You have underestimated me and my acquaintence, so it would work in your favor to give up. You cannot hope to defea-“

“Is he still talking, Sammy? Oh god, he’s still talking. Someone save us, I’m getting a headache listening to him.”

Sammy was inclined to agree, but she heard something. Something that sounded rather like a noblewoman. After all, who could mistake that loud “OHOHOHOHOHOHO” for anything else? The monster’s head perked up in spite of the remaining flames on its back and its broken blender, while the shadow behind it trembled. Carlos looked like he was unsure of whether to cry, throw something in frustration, or thank whatever god there was for what happened next.

The laughter became louder and louder.

“When the world desires a savior from the darkest night…” said a voice.

Sammy could have swornd she saw glitter. It was glitter, right?

“And demons dare to devour the hopes and dreams of all…”

The Mannequin growled, turning its head towards the source of noise.

“Only one fey can stand up to such, and bring the light into the hearts of men once more~!”

As the one who spoke made herself known, the shadow spoke, venom hanging on every word.

“If it isn’t the fabled heroine herself.”

“ ‘Tis I, indeed~” Siren replied with a flourish, holding her fan up to her mouth. “So kind of you to pay a visit! I’ve been wondering when you’d manipulate another poor sap into doing what you wish, Nightstalker.”

“Manipulate?”  the shadow, Nightstalker, snorted. “No, I did not manipulate him. On the contrary, I only offered him a deal in which we would assure the destruction of the person who ruined our lives. You spared me the trouble of finding you, so I must thank you for that. It looks like your friends’ efforts were all in vain, in their attempts to protect you!” The dark aura around Nightstalker intensified as the Mannequin reared up, invigorated by the thought of bringing down Siren. “PERISH!”

The monster charged her so fast, Sammy wasn’t able to get a warning out in time. She stared in horror, unsure of herself, unsure if she could even do anything, just… unsure. It was over, wasn’t it?

Then… the monster phased right through Siren, like she was some sort of hologram. It tumbled onto the ground, its angry yells muffled by the floor. Carlos didn’t look as confused as Sammy did, using his telekinesis to bring her over and taking off with her. Siren’s laugh refurburated throughout the room, several more Sirens popping out of thin air and swooping down onto the Mannequin, screeching and launching multicolored flames at it.

“Just like her to use an illusion for her grand entrance,” Carlos said, a hint of smugness in his voice. “Saved me the trouble of having to hurl a coat rack at him to make him stop talking!”

 “I’m… guessing you think what he said was bull?” Sammy asked, her friend leading her quickly up the escalator to the second floor, where they could watch fey and demon fight with magic and tennis balls.

“Pretty much. He was trying to psyche you out because he was being a sore loser.”

“You think Siren can handle him?”

Carlos shook his head and sighed. “She can hold him off, but I’d rather finish that guy off fast. The longer this drags out, the more dangerous the situation will get. Both of us can’t keep this up for long, and Siren can’t handle too many direct hits. Not to mention, that guy could end up slipping out of Macy’s and into the mall, and we really don’t want that.”

Sammy imagined the Mannequin escaping into the crowds, causing collateral damage and injuring several cosplayers. Definitely not something she wanted to happen. She looked around for anything that could be of help: radios? Nah. Kitchenware? Maybe if Carlos threw them hard enough. Electrical outlets?

“Hey, Carlos! That fuck’s a shadow, right?”

Carlos opened his mouth to respond, but a loud screech and the sound of a body hitting a wall made him cringe. He did manage to reply after a minute of rubbing his ears. “Yeah. What’s up?”

“Shadows don’t show up in total darkness! So could I short circuit the outlets and make the lights go out here?”

“Sorry to burst your bubble, Sams, but you’d have to be at least a Delta to shove enough electrical power in there to trip the breakers reliably. Good idea, though!”

That was out. Her eyes darted around, cringing with every scream and thud and crunch that happened downstairs. “The hell keeps screaming?”

“Siren, unless that monster knows how do acapella. She’s an audiokinetic.”

“Omega level?” Sammy eyed the DJ and Boombox set now. It was already out of the box and being displayed. Maybe that could work?

“Um, we usually don’t rank Fey abilities the same way we do with Psychics; if we do, it’s their power level in general rather than any specific thing. But sure, let’s go with that. What’s up?”

 Sammy pointed towards the boombox, grinning and rubbing her hands together. “Get Siren up here, then! And maybe lure that fuck over here, too. I got an ideaaaa~”

Carlos looked at the boombox, then glanced down at Siren, now slapping the Mannequin in the face with her fan before getting a barrage of tennis balls to the chest. He smiled at Sammy before he spotted a golden dress downstairs. Using his telekinesis, he grabbed it and held it up high in the light, calling out to Siren, “HEY, SIREN! LOOK UP!”

Siren huffed and crossed her arms, swiftly dodging out of way of a toaster punch and snapped, “Carlos, don’t you see I’m in the middle of vanquishing-“

She stopped in midsentence, hypnotized by the shimmering golden dress.

“MINE!”

She swiftly flew up and flew right through, tackling the dress midair and flopping onto the second floor. After growling like a dog that didn’t want to let go of their new toy, Siren cleared her throat and asked, “I was in the middle of defeating him, Carlos! Explain why you needed to interrupt!”

Carlos hurried over to the boombox where Sammy was, although now she was plucking shades off some of the mannequins and tossing one pair over to Carlos. Carlos raised an eyebrow before he slipped them on, then grabbed the microphone off the boombox and handed it to Siren.

“Gang’s all here, Sammy. What now?”

Sammy grabbed the electrical plug for the set before she slipped her own pair of shades on. “Turn it up to 11! We’re gonna blow his ears out, bro!”

“Oooh, a fantastic idea!” Siren said with a smile. “We shall defeat him with the power of music, and the soothing sound of my voice, yes?”

“Your voice is anything but soothing when you’re screaming, Siren,” Carlos said, turning all the dials he could to max. He turned over to Sammy, worried, and asked, “You sure you want to do this? Your eardrums may get blown out…”

“I’ll worry about that after that fuck’s done for, bro! Besides, I have to thank him for giving me this idea in the first place! He’s gonna regret chargin’ me up, big time!”

The elder psychic opened his mouth to protest, but soon decided to just shrug and let it be. “Whenever you’re ready, Sammy.”

Sammy whistled, hoping that would be enough to catch the monster’s attention. The growling and hissing on the first floor, she took as a sign that the Mannequin heard her. Of course, it leaping several feet into the air and landing in front of them with a THUD, angrier than ever and eager to finish things off, was also a very good sign.

 “What up, bitch?” the electrokinetic said with a cheeky grin. “You ready… to DROP THE BASS?!”

 Both monster and its master stood there, confused, before Sammy used her power to supply electricity to the boombox.

The Mannequin screeched as the joyful screeching overtook him, shaking it to its very core. All the things it collected fell to the ground: the chapeau, the half-burnt wig, the toaster, blanket… everything, as it slowly reverted to its true form: the pathetic, wimpy thief, Bryan Goodman. He collapsed in a heap, clutching his head as he passed out, unable to handle anything more.

Sammy dropped the cord and cheered, “HEEELL YEAH, WE KICKED ASS! TEAM SAMS WINS AGAIN!” She held up her hands, anticipating high fives. Siren was busy doing her laugh, but at least Carlos was able to high five.

“Good job!” he said cheerfully, taking off the shades and gladly taking the moment to relax. “Couldn’t have done it without you. Or at least, I wouldn’t have thought of using a boombox like that.”

“You bet! I mean, I just had to!” Sammy couldn’t help but feel proud of herself. It didn’t last too long, though, as she saw Nightwalker in the shadows of some kitchen appliances. Lightning flew from her hands as she glared at him and said, “Underestimate you, my ass! Now you thinkin’ of running away?”

“Why, of course!” came the shaky, yet somewhat smug reply. “You have foiled my plans, and I have no power without a vessel in this world. Besides, it would be such a shame if I had to manipulate those poor, young ladies pretending to be something they aren’t just to escape, hmmm?”

Sammy clenched her teeth, frustrated at the situation. He was right; he could manipulate them. That’s how he managed to team up with a thief, wasn’t it? And she didn’t know any way to hurt him directly right now. So instead, she said, “Fine, run the fuck away. But next time, I’m making sure to kick your ass, too! Count on it!”

“Oh, revel in this victory all you wish,” Nightstalker replied, “but I highly doubt a lowly girl of your calibur would ever hope to defeat me. But that discussion is best left for another time. Ta-ta for now!”

As the shadows shifted to its normal form, Sammy relaxed. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and saw Carlos’s approving smile. “Couldn’t have said it better myself, although I’m already tired of his trash talk.  I’d say you’re getting the hang of things, if only barely.”

“Guess so, bro.” She smiled back, then turned over to Siren, who was now taking a well-deserved victory nap. “Wow, all that screaming must have tuckered her out, huh? She was pretty cool!”

“Nah, that’s probably just her narcolepsy. Now I’ll have to drag her all the way back home.” Carlos sighed again, but it was more out of relief than exasperation. “I have to make sure to call Angie and Sol and tell them the threat’s been neutralized, then I’ll head out. No, wait, I have to get Angie some Godiva chocolates, first off.”

“And don’t forget a new hat!” Sammy said cheerfully. “Want me to help out? I mean, gotta help a cool guy out! And um,” she added with a more meek smile, “thanks for the pick-me-up, bro. You know, the inspiration. And for showing me those cool tricks. And Siren!”

The elder psychic shrugged it off and said, “I’m only doing what a good friend would do, you know? And since you offered, sure. Though if you find a shirt you like, I can help pay for that. If you want, anyway.”

“Nah, I think I have enough shirts, but come on, let’s hurry and tell everybody it’s okay! Come on, come on, let’s goooo!”

As she led the way towards the mall, Sammy figured that one thing she could be hype about for this celebration.

After all... having a friend support you in a weird time in your life is definitely worth the hype!