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The attack had been swift. The aftermath far-reaching. But no one could have predicted the events that followed ... not even a lone redheaded teen who had seen what had transpired but was too late to act. Even being blessed with magical powers had no effect and watching as a negaverse agent ripped the starseeds from her unsuspecting victims and laughed while doing so was a sight that Izobel would want to forget. The victims unfortunately would make it so that it was impossible to do so as they were her parents.
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It had been a normal night in her eyes. She had taken to a late night patrol knowing that her parents were out and would not question her leaving the house so it was a win-win situation for the senshi of bandages. She tried to keep to herself while strolling amongst the skyline of Destiny City and often she would stop and take little rests to stare down at the cit night life. She had been entrusted with protecting the citizens but really what good did it do? A good chunk of the population still saw the senshi as terrorists. As if! If only they really knew. Lacerta was not one to go around changing peoples minds as she had weightier things on her mind. But as she continued on the route that she had mapped out in advance the stillness of the night was pierced by screams of terror.
Her whole body was on edge. Those screams sounded familiar. Too familiar. Achingly familiar. Her feet instinctively carried her in the direction the screams had come from. An area central to the entertainment section of the city seemed to be Lacerta's destination and her heart nearly burst from her chest in fear. It had been the destination of her parents night out and even now she mentally refused to add two and two together ... but as she glanced down into an alleyway (staying low enough not to be seen) her fears were solidified. Her father was trying to hold his own against a uniformed female but even Izobel could see that the match was uneven. Her mother wasn't seen at first and even as she scanned the alley Lacerta was hoping that maybe it was her mother screaming as she ran for help. That hope was dashed though as she picked out a still form on the ground. It appeared as if her mother had already been attacked. Was it her screams of terror that she had heard? What had happened here? Knowing that her presence was already announced by her energy signature Lacerta chose to remain where she was. She'd be no help to her parents if she came under attack. It was her hope that just by announcing her presence in the area would be enough to scare the agent off but the senshi wasn't sure. Maybe then she would be able to offer assistance to her folks. They wouldn't know it was her but it was the best she could do. She could mend the most serious of injuries and then get everyone to safety. But as she watched her dad slump over Lacerta knew that the time to act might have already been lost to her. Hearing laughter from below Lacerta glanced down to see the oddest thing. The uniformed woman had stuck her hand into her father's chest and after a few seconds removed a glittering crystal from within. That accomplished the motion was then repeated on her mother with the same results. Curiosity had Lacerta reaching for the nearest ladder as the uniformed woman took off for parts unknown. What had she done? What had she stolen from her parents?
The growing unease that came with the situation at hand only intensified when Lacerta reached her parents. Neither had moved since the woman had taken off and although she was keen to try and follow Lacerta knew that at this particular moment her parents safety was top priority: and that meant getting them help as soon as possible. Would her healing magic work if she tried using it? Reaching over Lacerta placed a hand over her dad's chest and activated her strongest magic but as she watched the bandage fade after with no apparent difference taking place she knew that professional help was needed. Digging her regular phone out Lacerta winced before powering down. She had never thought that she would ever have to make this call but with fingers that began to tremble the teen dialled 911.
Before the call connected Izobel whispered softly into the now silent night. Her voice shook with a wavering quiver, "Mom, dad?"
Getting no response Izobel felt uncertainty claw a huge hole deep inside. What had she seen? What had been done to her parents? Was this on her? For being a senshi? Was it all just a coincidence or something more sinister? Hadn't Acubens once said that her family had been in danger because she had been a senshi? Izobel was certain it was something along those lines but even as tears threatened to fall the redhead couldn't be sure of anything.
Even as sirens began to register to Izobel's hearing her gaze was still locked onto the still forms of her parents. Help was coming ... it would be there soon and things would eventually go back to normal, right?
Mentally crafting a story that she could tell to the emergency personnel that had been summoned with her phone call kept Izobel busy enough as strobe lights began to illuminate the alley and perhaps the easiest story was that she'd been given a chance to hide before her parents were set upon by an unknown assailant. It would have to do and hopefully be believed. She'd not get a second chance to relay the tale and so it was best to keep the facts straight. She had been out with her parents all along and they'd been attacked as they walked. It would have to suffice. Her gaze swept the alleyway before spotting those that were first to respond and with a heaviness that even surprised her began to explain what had happened.
(( 1028 word solo ))