3.34 – Stampede

Aurora blinked, still processing the surreal scene of this JustiCon reject pointing what amounted to a hand-cannon at Snow Witch’s temple.

"Now, now… Take it easy! ‘Knock out’ doesn’t mean putting her under the ground," Aurora interjected, shifting into a more defensive stance. She wasn’t sure what the newcomer intended, but she wasn’t about to let a trigger-happy bounty hunter decide the fate of their freshly captured villain.

Before the red-coated stranger could so much as flex a finger, Aurora tightened the construct binding Snow Witch and delivered a precise knockout strike to the head. Thanks to her training with the Sentinels, she knew exactly how to apply just enough force to render someone unconscious and where to strike without causing lasting damage. The icy villain slumped immediately, her head lolling forward.

The woman in red sighed dramatically, lowering her gun. “Not bad, kid. Wasn’t gonna kill her, though. Pinky swear.” She flashed a grin before fishing a folded document from her coat and flicking it open with a theatrical flourish. “I’m here to take this frosted freak in.”

Aurora, keeping a respectable distance, let her enhanced vision scan the paper. Her brow furrowed. It looked potentially official—her paper bore an Attorney General of Canada seal—but she wasn’t about to take its validity at face value.

Mistral, still weaving her arms in slow, practiced motions to pacify the storm’s remaining fury, glanced down. “I don’t know her,” she said flatly, focusing on untangling the chaotic weather patterns Snow Witch had left behind. “Give me a few minutes to fix this. She twisted things up pretty crazy.”

The stranger in red, completely unfazed, smirked as she pulled out a pair of handcuffs. “Disappear the light bondage, if ya please. By the way, my safeword is ‘clementine.’”

Aurora blinked. Sweat drops. Then, suddenly, she reeled back, her face heating. “It’s not a sex thing!” she sputtered. “A straightjacket is super effective for restraining villains! You got that?!”

The agent snorted, clearly amused.

Uhu… Holly laughed.

Aurora exhaled through her nose, collecting herself before crossing her arms. “No offense to you… uh, whoever you are, but I’m used to seeing the police or at least S.T.A.R.S. agents show up on the scene for super-powered arrests. I get that it’s different here, but if you’re an official agent, you can spare the time to let us check your credentials, right?”

The Canadian in red rolled her eyes, reaching slowly into her pocket. “Fine, fine. Will you at least let me put a device on her to keep her unconscious?”

Aurora shook her head. “Not yet. That would go against Society policy. We’re their representatives.” She reinforced the construct, adjusting it to be more insulated while keeping breathing vents open.

She crouched beside Snow Witch, using her training to check vitals—slow, steady pulse, even breathing. No signs of feigned unconsciousness. The Witch was out for real.

A sharp crack split the air.

Aurora’s head snapped up just in time to see a massive icicle—easily the size of a streetlight—hurtling toward her at lethal speed.

BANG.

A single gunshot rang out, followed by the shattering of ice as the large purple glowing projectile exploded mid-air, fracturing the icicle into harmless shards.

Aurora’s gaze immediately flicked to the source—a lone sniper perched atop a nearby rooftop. Clad in a deep violet tactical bodysuit plus a warm-looking black fur trimmed coat, the figure held a massive precision rifle, the barrel still smoking from the shot.

It was Asami and her doll.

Her jet-black hair, sharp and sleek, framed her face with ruthless precision. Beneath her tactical visor, piercing violet eyes gleamed, scanning the battlefield with machine-like efficiency. The rifle in her grasp, adorned with intricate runic engravings, pulsed faintly with purple mana as she smoothly reloaded.

"Target neutralized," Asami murmured into her comm, shifting slightly but never breaking her stance. “It is good to see you again, angel girl, I did not expect to find you here.” She turned her eyes to the woman in the red costume and pointed her rifle at her, her eyes narrowing. Her creepy doll was perched on her shoulder, offering them all a warm smile.

Snow Witch’s head twitched up and she sneered and the storm around them raged anew. “You fools! I’m not done y—”

Before Aurora could fully react, a streak of red and gold tore across the icy battlefield.

WHAM.

A flaming fist struck Snow Witch’s jaw with devastating force, causing her to go limp in her restraints.

The attacker landed with effortless grace, the sheer heat radiating from her form instantly melting the ice beneath her boots.

Akari Mori—Pyrodancer.

Her auburn hair, wild and unrestrained, flickered at the edges like embers, never quite burning out. The scarlet jacket she wore shimmered faintly, the heat distortion warping the air around her in rippling waves. Black-gloved fists, still wreathed in smoldering embers, flexed at her sides, restless, hungry for another strike.

She exhaled, breath curling in the icy air, then cracked her knuckles, flames licking hungrily at her fingertips.

“That was close,” Akari muttered, shaking out her hand, her black eyes gleaming with anticipation. She turned to Aurora with a warm, confident smile. “Aurora, I hope you don’t mind our appearance, but the Yuki-Onna is our target too. The Japanese government sent us. I’m glad to have the opportunity to leave Kyoto.” There was an unmistakable excitement in her voice.

Aurora’s lips curled into a delighted grin. “I’m thrilled to see you two!” She lifted a hand and waved at Asami, winking playfully at her. “I didn’t expect my trip to Canada would turn into a Sentinels reunion special.”

Before the moment could stretch on too long, a soft chime rang out, clear even through the thinning blizzard.

A faint shimmer of digital blue light flickered at Aurora’s shoulder, a subtle crackle of data phasing into the cold air before resolving into a fully formed projection.

Standing daintily balanced on the curve of Aurora’s collarbone, a delicate figure took shape—a presence both surreal and striking.

Holly had revealed herself.

There was no reason not to. And, perhaps, she was a little excited to see everyone together.

Her form, doll-like and eerily flawless, was composed of soft holographic light, giving her an ethereal, almost dreamlike quality. Silvery-blue hair cascaded over her shoulder in an elegant side braid, while stray strands curled artfully around her shimmering cerulean eyes, their glow subtly pulsing with shifting hues, as if mirroring the data streams that composed her existence.

She was dressed in her midnight-blue and white uniform, a futuristic blend of refinement and precision. Subtle circuitry patterns traced the edges of the fabric, flickering with spectral luminescence, as though her very essence was coded into the weave of her attire.

With effortless grace, she lifted a hand, twirling with impeccable fluidity, her pleated skirt flowing in a ripple of digitized silk. Her motion was deliberate, artful—a silent echo of the elegance she once strived for in her old life.

Finally, she tilted her head, studying the two new arrivals.

“It’s good to see you again, minna!” Her voice was soft yet composed, a perfect harmony of warmth and precision. She offered a deep, traditional Japanese bow—an elegant motion so seamless, it would have put any human to shame.

Mistral blinked, momentarily startled. “What…? Aurora?”

Her voice trailed off as she took in the spectral figure standing so perfectly poised on Aurora’s shoulder—a being that wasn’t quite human, yet held a presence that was impossible to ignore.

Asami’s sharp violet gaze narrowed momentarily before she relaxed, tilting her head as she regarded the AI with the same calculating precision she reserved for distant targets. After a beat, she gave a subtle shrug and adjusted the strap of her rifle. “So, she is alive. That is well.”

Akari, on the other hand, lit up instantly.

“Whoa! Kawaii! You look good, Hostess!” she exclaimed, her enthusiasm immediate and unrestrained. “I didn’t expect to see you again! You really gave me a scare last time, but…” she trailed off for a moment before breaking into a broad grin. “I see you went through therapy, just like they talked about. Are you doing well? You’re Aurora’s partner now? That’s so cool! You’re like an actual battle companion from a visual novel I play!” Her black eyes sparkled with genuine warmth.

Holly lifted a delicate hand to her lips and let out a soft, polite giggle—a perfectly calibrated response that somehow still carried a distinct warmth. “It is good to see everyone again,” she mused, clasping her hands together as she twirled gracefully in midair, the movement sending subtle ripples through her pleated skirt as though it were made of digitized silk. She settled back onto Aurora’s shoulder, the faint glow of her projection steady and composed. “Yes. I was unnamed then, but my name is Holly. Aurora gave me this name. A bit on the nose, but I like it. From now on, I am my dear Aurora’s ever-loyal assistant, Holly. And yes, I do believe I have found my balance in this world.”

Don’t tell anyone anything about my real life, okay? Aurora warned, her mental voice tinged with caution.

Holly smirked and winked in response, a flicker of mischievous amusement in her luminous eyes.

The AI had come a long way since their first encounter and apparent demise. No longer was she the lonely, desperate entity driven to madness—she had regained her sense of self, her sense of purpose, and it showed in the confidence she now exuded.

Akari crossed her arms, still grinning. “I see you did very well, I kind of envy you.”

Holly’s smirk deepened—a subtle but unmistakable curve of amusement playing at her lips. “I am nothing if not adaptable.” Her cerulean eyes briefly flared with a pulse of digital pride. “And it helps that I have been given a rather stimulating environment to thrive in.”

Asami’s focus, however, had sharpened. Her violet eyes were now locked onto the gunslinger with quiet intensity. “If you move even an inch, stranger, I will kill you.”

The newcomer froze, hands still raised, gripping the official-looking document she had presented earlier.

“Please take her warning seriously,” Holly added, her voice laced with faux concern. “Asami is always serious. She even shot me in the head before.”

“Whoa.” The gunslinger’s fingers twitched, her grip tightening slightly on the paper. “Scary. Looks like I’m outnumbered.” For the first time, she looked a little anxious.

Aurora chuckled, reaching into her costume. She pulled out her Sentinels communicator, its sleek and transparent design giving it the appearance of ultra-modern tech, and tapped the interface.

“Let’s get some intel so we don’t have to knock Yuki-Onna out again.”

She dialed Midnight Avenger—if anyone would have information on international operatives in play, it would be him.

A second later, the line connected.

“Avenger, here.”

"Hi, Avenger. Sorry to bother you. Aurora here," she said, keeping her voice steady. "I am not sure who else to contact at the moment, and you seemed like the best bet—if you are not busy. Mistral and I, along with some unexpected company, have captured a weather-powered villain here in Saskatoon. This one had powers very much like Mistral’s. After we took her down, a stranger—some gunslinging, self-professed Canadian agent—showed up at the last second to claim custody. It was a little too quick and convenient, so I do not trust her story."

She shifted the communicator slightly, casting a glance toward the red-coated woman standing nearby.

"Asami and Akari also appeared," Aurora continued, "saying that they are after the Yuki-Onna as well. Considering the Society’s policies on villain arrests, I figured it was best to be sure before we just hand her over to an unknown party. Could you verify this person's identity quickly?"

She raised the communicator, snapped a quick photo of the wannabe-Stampede, and transmitted it over to Midnight Avenger.

A low, frustrated grunt came from the other end of the line. "All right, give me a moment."

By now, the once-raging blizzard had faded into a gentle snowfall outside Aurora’s glowing construct. Mistral touched down with a controlled grace, folding her arms as she fixed her gaze on the so-called agent.

"Now that that is sorted, can I help you?" Mistral asked, her tone polite but firm.

The woman flashed her paper at Mistral, only to immediately pull it back before anyone could take a proper look.

"I am here to pick up this criminal for the government. First ones on the scene get dibs," she said tersely, narrowing her eyes at Akari and Asami.

Aurora scoffed, shaking her head. "Second is more like it."

Asami’s voice cut through the tension, smooth and deceptively pleasant. "Just wait a moment. I am certain that this situation will be resolved peacefully~. But move an inch, and I will put a bullet between your eyes~."

The agent pressed her lips together, visibly irritated. "... How scary."

Akari clenched her fists, flames immediately flaring to life along her knuckles. "She reveals her bad intentions," she exclaimed, her black eyes flashing. "Let ME have a look."

The gunslinger arched a brow but held the paper further away. "Not happening. You would turn it into ashes."

Akari’s grin widened. "Yup."

Mistral, unamused, extended her hand. "I did not quite get a good look at your paper. Let me see it properly."

The woman smirked, keeping it well out of reach. "See with your eyes, not with your hands, Windy."

Aurora narrowed her eyes. "‘Windy’, huh? Does the red coat you have on mean that you’re a Mountie?"

The woman gave a flippant shrug. "No, I am a Special Bounty Hunting Agent."

Aurora frowned slightly, mentally rolling the title over in her mind. S.B.H.A.? That does not sound like a real acronym… No, wait—initialism. She sighed internally. Uncool.

Aurora’s communicator buzzed before long, Midnight Avenger’s voice cutting through the snowy night.

"Your interloper looks to be a cybernetic mercenary named ‘Gun Dame.’"

Aurora’s eye twitched. Gun Dame? Seriously?! She really was a freaking otaku! That name had nothing to do with the other franchise lead she was crossplaying as though! Her head drooped slightly, exasperation setting in. Sweat drops.

M.A. continued, "She’s not an authority by any means, so unless she has an actual mandate or letter, you are not to turn any captured villains over to her. Unfortunately, she is not currently wanted herself, so you can’t just detain her outright."

He paused for a second, then added, "Here’s a number to call. It’s the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. If she was actually hired by the government, they will know."

Aurora exhaled, relief washing over her. Her instincts had been right. Even though she was still pretty green as a hero, she wasn’t completely clueless.

"Thanks, M.A.," she said sincerely before disconnecting.

Turning to her ever-reliable AI companion, she smiled. "Holly, get me the Canadian Mounties on the line."

Holly responded with a delighted twirl, her silvery-blue braid trailing elegantly as she spun. "Sure~." The soft, digital chime of a dial tone rang out, crisp and efficient, before the first ring had even fully finished.

A sharp, no-nonsense voice answered almost immediately. "Superintendent Catiff here. I assume I’m speaking with a superhero, given your number. What’s going on?"

"That’s right. I’m Aurora, part of the Society of Sentinels down in California. I was working alongside Mistral on a villain takedown here in Saskatoon. She was my partner in capturing a meta-human, presumably making her debut. She was wreaking havoc with weather-based abilities. We’re calling her ‘Snow Witch’ for now—though I did consider ‘Yuki-Onna’ since she’s Japanese, but that’s neither here nor there." Aurora spoke quickly but clearly.

"A bounty hunter named ‘Gun Dame’ arrived just as we secured her. She claims she’s here under government authority and flashed some document at us, but she isn’t letting us get a good look at it. As per Society meta-human arrest policies, I’m verifying her credentials before making any handovers."

There was a brief silence on the line before Catiff replied, his voice firm. "Firstly, I’ve never heard of you. But I am aware of the Saskatoon situation. We have no agents by that name in the area at this time. However, if Mistral is on the scene, I trust her to hold the villain until federal agents arrive."

"Thank you for the information, Superintendent Catiff. We’ll eagerly await your agents, then. And now we’ll have to see what the Dame has to say for herself," Aurora said, a satisfied smile tugging at her lips.

Meanwhile, Mistral and Gun Dame were deep in conversation—though "conversation" might have been putting it lightly. Their exchange was civil and professional, but Aurora could see the underlying tension.

Notably, Mistral had the so-called "official" paper in her hands now, scrutinizing it carefully.

"Well, I’m going to contact the Mounties to verify this, all right?" Mistral stated, her tone cool.

Gun Dame gave a flippant shrug. "That’s fine. Go ahead and ring them."

Aurora watched as Gun Dame scowled, clearly deciding this wasn’t worth the trouble. With an exaggerated motion, she chopped her arms into an X in front of her chest. “On second thought, just go ahead and keep custody. She’ll get there regardless. It isn’t worth all this skepticism.” With that, she turned on her heel and stalked off, disappearing into the snowfall.

Aurora let out a quiet chuckle, sliding her construct into another reconfiguration so that Snow Witch was positioned in a more traditional sleeping posture. However, she kept a hand on the villain, maintaining constant monitoring of her vitals through the construct.

As Gun Dame disappeared from sight, Asami landed lightly beside them, rifle held at ease but her violet eyes still sharp. Her gaze flicked to Mistral. “Mistral, I already called them. M.A. provided the number. They are en route. Gun Dame was unauthorized to take the prisoner.” Her tone was flat, but there was a note of satisfaction beneath it. “She is not wanted for anything either, so no harm, no foul. Or am I wrong?”

Mistral’s eyes narrowed slightly as she followed Gun Dame’s retreat with her gaze. “Impersonating an officer, forging legal documents, lying to our faces…” She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Haaa, whatever. I’m too tired to chase after her right now.” With a flick of her wrist, she ended her own call.

Turning to Aurora, she softened. “I’m going to cast a sleep spell on the Witch. That way, you won’t have to keep monitoring her vitals.” She smirked. “She’ll stay fast asleep for a few hours unless something actively tries to wake her.”

Aurora chuckled. “She’s going to have one hell of a headache when she wakes up.” She exhaled, rubbing the back of her neck. “You know… I kind of took charge of things back there, even though you’re the experienced one. I just— I mean, it should’ve been you talking to the Canadian authorities, not me. This isn’t even my country, and I was chatting with their top officials like I was some kind of a diplomatic envoy.”

Mistral smirked, shaking her head. “You did fine. You’ve got good instincts.”

Aurora smiled sheepishly before shifting the construct again, bringing Snow Witch’s face into view. “Do you need anything else for your spell?”

“That’ll do nicely, thank you.” Mistral stepped forward, crumbling a mixture of dried herbs onto the Witch’s forehead. There were no glowing sigils or dramatic flickers of power—just a simple, practiced motion, quiet and efficient. “Okay, that should do it. She should stay out cold for another few hours.” Mistral turned to Aurora, giving her a playful wink as she took her hand.

“Now, all that’s left is waiting for the cops. Maybe I should clear the roads a little while we’re here,” she mused. “Though, I wouldn’t want to melt too much of this snow at night. If it refreezes later, it could turn into black ice and make things worse.”

Aurora nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe it’s best to leave it. I usually let the city handle these things. I mean, I can lift the wrecked cars, but a minivan is close to my limit.”

Mistral smiled. “Let’s just wait. There are better ways to handle this.” Then, with a softer voice, she murmured, “I don’t want to be too public, but… I really want to hold you again right now.”

“Uhu…” Holly giggled, plopping down on Aurora’s shoulder as though she had no intention of shutting down her ID card’s holographic projector anytime soon.

Aurora blushed, a warmth creeping up her face despite the cold air. “If you’d rather people not see us together, I could head to the clubhouse or your place. But we have guests now. Anyway, no matter how you slice it, we didn’t just go through all the trouble of fixing your powers just for your reputation to take a hit because of my presence.”

“Stick around.” Mistral’s grip on her hand tightened just slightly. “You deserve some of the credit. Everyone does. It wouldn’t have been so easy to stymie Gun Dame’s scam if you two hadn’t shown up while we were distracted.”

“Oh, right, this is Akari, aka Pyrodancer, and Asami, aka one serious badass. They were with me at the Kitchen during the incident there. They’re my treasured friends.” Aurora said brightly and pulled Akari and then Asami into a hug.

Asami’s lips twisted, but a smile soon graced her lips.

“Uhu.” Holly smiled, tilting her head from side to side.

“Are you two involved?” Asami asked when Aurora let them go. “...It would seem so.”

“Ah… well um… not… I mean…” Aurora blushed.

“Uhu!” Holly was very much enjoying the situation.

“Uhu! Indeed.” Akari giggled, offering Holly a faux high five. The small girl on Aurora’s shoulder faux returned her high five.

“Japan’s government will be in contact with Canada soon.” Asami said, pointing at the unconscious Yuki-Onna. “They will extradite her in due time, or you can let us take her with us.”

“Why not hang out a little while with us?” Aurora said, even though she was kicking herself. Her cuddle time with Mistral would be seriously impacted.

“I would be happy to!” Akari said, pleased by being invited. “I wasn’t sure what we would do here in Canada anyway, I don’t know much about it, but it seems like a very lovely country! I expected saloons and deserts.”

Meanwhile, the blizzard had fully subsided, leaving only a dusting of snow in the air. With the immediate danger passed, people were beginning to cautiously emerge onto the street, peering from doorways and snow-covered sidewalks to witness the aftermath. Mistral, ever the show-woman when it counted, lifted her voice for all to hear.

“People of Saskatoon, this is my great friend from California, who brought up some much-needed sunshine from the States to help defeat the Snow Witch! This Snow Witch was the one whipping up all the snowy weather recently.” She gestured dramatically to the unconscious villain in Aurora’s custody and then to Aurora, a wide grin splitting her face. “Please, give her a round of applause! If not for her, Saskatoon might not have seen tomorrow!”

Aurora’s face went beet red as the gathered onlookers began to clap, murmuring excitedly among themselves.

Akari laughed and nudged Asami with an elbow. “She just put Aurora on a pedestal. Kawaii.”

Asami nodded slightly, adjusting the strap of her rifle. “She does seem quite fond of her.” She looked at Mistral with an inquisitive look.

Holly, perched daintily on Aurora’s shoulder, giggled behind her hand. “It would seem our dear Aurora has become the hero of the hour. I believe this is what you humans refer to as ‘adorable.’”

Aurora groaned, covering her face with her hands. “Mistral, please stop embarrassing me…”

Aurora fidgeted, her smile a touch uncertain as she processed the unexpected attention. She couldn’t exactly come out and announce her relationship with Mistral, but even this much public recognition of their connection might spark speculation. Would people start making assumptions? Writing articles? Drawing doujin?

Her face warmed at the thought.

That would be something to look up later.

She laughed softly to herself, mentally filing that idea away for purely academic reasons.

As she lingered in her thoughts, still a little dazed from the surreal experience of being introduced like that, some of the gathered civilians approached her.

“Are you really from America? California?” A woman asked, grinning as she stepped closer.

“Are you an angel? Did God send you to us?” A pious-sounding man cut in, his eyes alight with genuine wonder.

Aurora chuckled, glancing toward Mistral, who was busy handling her own portion of the crowd, fielding questions with effortless grace.

"Ahaha… yeah, San Isidro, actually! It’s a stately old lady of a city,” she said, playfully. “I wouldn’t recommend visiting until it’s cleaned up a little more though.”

She turned toward the man, her expression bright but gentle. “No, I’m not an angel. I mean, I suppose I can see why people think that—" she flicked a wing lightly, causing its edges to shimmer, “—but if we want to get technical, I’m actually part alien.” She grinned as gasps rippled through the crowd.

“But you can think of me as a friendly Guardian Angel! I’ll pop in now and again, but since I live really far away, I can’t protect people here regularly.” She gestured warmly back toward Mistral. “Which is totally fine, since you already have your own wonderful heroine—and my hero, Mistral!”

The mention of her name caused a small cheer, and Aurora beamed.

“She’s my mentor—the hero who set me on the path of heroics.” That was a bit of a misnomer, but if people wanted to credit Mistral with her achievements, Aurora was more than happy to let them. She would never do anything to bring dishonor to their relationship or Mistral’s sterling reputation.

As the impromptu Q&A stretched on for another half hour, Aurora kept half an eye on Snow Witch at all times, ensuring she remained contained.

Finally, the distant sound of crunching snow and the low hum of engines signaled the arrival of the federal agents. Their vehicles moved cautiously through the still-thick snowbanks, tires rolling slowly over the uneven terrain.

Mistral peeled away from the crowd to meet them, while Aurora continued fielding lingering civilian questions.

The agents stepped out of their armored cars, their heavy coats shielding them from the biting cold. As they approached, Aurora gently lowered Snow Witch’s unconscious form onto the snowy ground, dissolving her construct in a slow, controlled shimmer of light.

The agents wasted no time securing the villain in specialized restraints, moving with the smooth efficiency of professionals accustomed to handling powered criminals.

Mistral turned back toward her with a warm smile as she walked over. “You want me to take off first? I’ll give you a nice closer to leave them on. Please show our Sentinels the way.” She winked.

Aurora exhaled, relieved that things had gone smoothly. All things considered, the mission had been a success. Still, as much as she was glad everything was being handled, her true priorities now were cocoa, another hot and steamy shower, cuddling, and even more cocoa.

Mistral raised her hands, her voice carrying easily over the crowd. “Alright, everybody! I’ll have to untangle the mess she’s made of the weather, but before I go—make sure you give Aurora a little extra appreciation!”

The crowd responded with more claps and cheers, making Aurora’s cheeks burn.

“She came a long way to help us out and made sure everyone here was safe,” Mistral continued. “But don’t keep her too long—she’s got a long trip home! Good night, everyone!”

Then, with a final mischievous wink—this one just for Aurora—she swept up into the sky and disappeared into the night.

Aurora and everyone watched her go, a soft smile on her lips before turning toward the police as they finished securing Snow Witch inside the armored vehicle.

Everything was in hand.

More people repeated the same questions—where Aurora was from, what her powers were, how she had gotten the message to come help, or whether she would be able to return quickly if they ever needed her again. She gave pleasantly vague answers, signed a few autographs when requested, and posed for pictures with children and adults alike.

She even received a few propositions from men whose confidence far outweighed their chances. Aurora let them down as gracefully as possible, offering an amused but polite, “I appreciate the offer, but I think my dance card is already full.”

After a while, she excused herself and took off. She cast a meaningful glance toward Asami and Akari, discreetly pointing toward a nearby alley before pirouetting dramatically and soaring away at high speed.

Go back into the ID card, Holly. Aurora’s mind was already turning. This is going to be a little tricky.

Mou, Holly pouted, but her digital form shimmered and retracted into the ID. If I must. But I will be listening!

Aurora chuckled softly before ducking out of sight into another alleyway. There, she quickly shifted her appearance—her wings retracted, her hair lengthened into loose, golden curls, and her entire outfit transformed into something more suited to a civilian. A long, elegant white dress, a thick fur coat, and fuzzy snow boots completed the disguise. She glanced at her reflection in a storefront window—unassuming, nondescript. Perfect.

Casually, she strolled back toward the alley she had pointed out earlier, humming softly as if she were just another pedestrian enjoying a quiet evening.

It did not take long before Asami and Akari stepped out from behind a dumpster. Akari had one hand over her nose, grimacing. “Ugh, I hate how back alleys always smell the same, no matter the country.”

They studied Aurora for a long moment without saying anything.

Aurora smirked and, in a brief flicker of light, let her wings manifest just long enough for them to see. Akari’s eyes widened, her excitement immediate.

“Whoa!”

Asami, however, merely adjusted her rifle strap and regarded Aurora with a knowing expression. “Very impressive, angel girl. I did not know you could disguise yourself like this.”

“You’re amazing, Aurora,” Akari giggled. “I haven’t seen a superhero capable of so much.”

“You make for a very perfect spy,” Asami added, tilting her head thoughtfully.

“Yup! She really is!” Akari exclaimed, practically bouncing. “I thought I wanted to be a spy when I was little too, but my parents wouldn’t let me do that. So, I became a Shinto priestess instead. But then they picked me to be experimented on to get superpowers! That’s almost as good.”

Aurora laughed. “I guess that worked out in the end.”

“Very true.”

“Are you two ready?” Aurora asked, switching gears. “While I imagine Mistral has other plans for the night, she asked me to show you two to her place. And maybe we’ll get some food.”

“I would like that!” Akari said enthusiastically. “What is Canadian food like?”

Aurora grinned. “If it’s whatever Mistral has lying around in her pantry, probably instant ramen.”

“Nooooooo!” Akari groaned dramatically. “I’ve had enough ramen for a lifetime! Can we have something actually Canadian?”

Aurora nodded. “That’s a great idea. Let’s go. We don’t want to keep her waiting too long.”

They took the long route around Saskatoon, taking in the sights as they made their way towards Mistral’s apartment. The night air was crisp, but the snowfall had finally settled, leaving a quiet stillness in its wake.

Aurora kept an eye out, but as far as she could tell, no one was following them. The crowd back at the scene hadn’t been introduced to Asami and Akari, so while the two stood out—Asami with her commanding presence and rifle, Akari with her fiery enthusiasm—they hadn’t been recognized.

Her communicator buzzed.

Holly’s voice chimed smoothly in her mind. Mistral says that you should meet her a block away from her apartment. There is a restaurant named Smoochie’s Poutinerie. We will meet there.

Aurora grinned slightly. She is being extra cautious. Can’t blame her.

“Change of plans,” she announced. “We’re meeting Mistral at a place called Smoochie’s Poutinerie. It’s a block away from her apartment.”

Akari perked up. “Ooooh, are we getting real Canadian food? What even is a poutinerie?”

“It is a restaurant that specializes in poutine,” Asami answered, her tone as composed as ever.

“That... does not answer my question.”

“Poutine is a dish made with French fries, cheese curds, and brown gravy,” Asami elaborated, adjusting the strap of her rifle.

Akari’s nose wrinkled. “Cheese and gravy? On fries?”

“Do not question it until you have tried it,” Asami replied smoothly. “It is, as they say, an experience.”

Akari still looked skeptical but didn’t argue.

After a while, they arrived at the restaurant, where Mistral was already waiting in her heroic form at the front door.

“Hail, travelers,” Mistral greeted them with a playful smirk, then winked. “Smoochie closed her restaurant early tonight for our use for a few hours. Come on inside.” She gestured toward the door.

“Yay!” Akari bounced, sniffing the air experimentally. A rich, savory scent wafted from within, warm and inviting. “Okay… maybe this poutine thing won’t be so bad.”