The quest towards Leo City continued after their quick break in Scorpio City. The next city they have to pass through is Libra City where the law is always being upheld no matter the situation is. May the accused be part of the lower class or the upper class does not matter. One of the downsides of the city is that they have an unbelievable number of acts, bills and ordinances that they need to follow religiously.
"We need to set some rules before we enter Libra City." Beast pointed out.
"Rules? What rules?" Reaper asked.
"Let's hear him out, Reaper." Pandora said.
Beast presented most important rules for them to follow as they pass through the city. First, do not look directly into a politicians eyes in public. Second, respond to whoever you're talking to in three seconds. Third, always walk a meter apart from one another. Lastly, wear something formal or business styled wardrobe throughout their stay in the city. It is imperative for them to follow these basic rules because if they got caught violating any of these, they'll be jailed at least a month or so.
"Are they for real?" Reaper asked in shock. "That's absurd!"
"It is but we can't do anything about it." Beast responded.
"Where can we get a formal wear?" Pandora asked.
"There's a boutique at the entrance of the city. We can get our formal wear there." Beast replied.
Beast got a black tailored suit with matching trousers. Reaper got into the lighter toned attire with his plain white polo shirt, black tie, gray vest and gray pants. Pandora on the other hand got inspired with Medusa's sense of fashion and went with a simple yet elegant look. She wore a striped lapel printed sleeveless jumpsuit in the color of beige. All three of them competed their looks with some accessories such as watches, necklace or bracelets.
"You two look so dignified in those outfits." Pandora commented.
"Thank you. You look distinguished in your outfit as well." Reaper replied.
"Alright. Enough with the commentaries. We have to head out." Beast said. "I'll go first. You two follow me. Again, don't forget the rules I've mentioned earlier."
"Aye aye, captain." Reaper responded.
"Pandora, use your Anomaly on us throughout our stay here so I can keep you from breaking any other rules here that I haven't mentioned earlier." Beast instructed.
"Roger that." Pandora replied.
As they walk through the city, they immediately notice its difference compared to other cities. Every citizen surely are disciplined that it's almost like they have to be programmed by living here. The adults almost always on their phones as they walk most likely heading for their jobs and the children acts the same as they move into a fine line getting to the schools. They also noticed that the number of the citizens are significantly lower than other cities maybe because a lot of people can't actually live in these conditions.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you." A stranger said to a man who seems to be well-known in the city because other people obviously tensed up and walked faster to avoid the incident.
"Criminal." The seemingly well-known man firmly said.
"I.. I didn't.. please sir. I.." The stranger couldn't completely respond.
"Don't stare at them. Just keep walking." Beast said through Pandora's Anomaly and that's what they did.
Just a few moments later, a high-tech police mobile came rushing in and two police officers apprehended the stranger who bumped into the seemingly well-known man. The police officers pointed out that the stranger violated three laws. First is RA 30.5928-114.3052 which requires all citizens to keep a meter distance from one another in public places, the second one is RA 09.16.1986 wherein everyone is not to look directly into an officials eyes and RA 1225-75 in which all citizens are required to respond within three seconds to whoever you're speaking with. The officers didn't waste any more time as they cuffed the stranger with a high-tech handcuffs and tried escorting him in the police mobile but something seemed to be off.
"What's the hold up?" The first police officer asked as his partner couldn't seem to put the suspect in the car. "Put him in the car already."
"I'm trying, man." The other police officer responded. "The mobile's door isn't opening. So much for topnotch police vehicle."
"Please, good sirs. Let me go." The stranger begged.
"Tell it to the judge as soon as this doors open that is!" The first officer replied as he gets furious of the door not opening automatically as it should.
"What's happening here? This car just got out from it's weekly troubleshooting." The second officer commented.
As the police officers struggle to open the mobile door, the stranger suddenly escaped from the high-tech and just made a run for it. The officers attempted to run after him but the mobile's door opened wide open fast blocking their way for a moment. The officers didn't have any choice but to get in the car to chase the stranger. The seemingly well-known man is obviously disgusted of what he had just witnessed because of the expression in his face.
"He's an Anomaly." Pandora and Reaper thought.
"What?" Beast responded. "How did the two of you know? Well, I know Pandora can do it but, Reaper, you too?" He asked.
Reaper explains that unlike Pandora's Anomaly that she can sense an Anomaly's life force. His Anomaly reacts to other's Anomaly in a different way. He feels a strange sensation when an Anomaly is around specially if that Anomaly is new to him. At first, this sensation's side effect is severe headache but that side effect drastically lessened as soon as he improved utilizing his Anomaly. He may detect that an Anomaly is nearby but he can't pinpoint who it is.
"It feels like my Anomaly gets excited if there's a potential Anomaly to nullify." Reaper said.
"That's weird but that seems to make sense I guess." Beast commented.
"Do you know what his Anomaly is, Reaper? I couldn't sense what it is." Pandora asked. "Everything happened so fast."
"I couldn't tell myself but maybe it has something to do with technology. He most likely the one who kept that police officer's mobile door shut." Reaper explained.
"Nice point." Pandora commented.
• Libra City Stranger = Anomalous Perk: Unknown
No one can tell if that stranger was caught or not. Also, no one is certain if he's discovered to be an Anomaly. Everyone else's pace gradually went back to what they're accustomed to like nothing just happened or they're just used someone being apprehended by the police force. Few blocks later, Beast confirmed that the seemingly well-known man who the stranger bumped into is the city Vice Mayor.
"That law is such nonsense." Reaper commented through Pandora's Anomaly.
"I share your sentiments, Reaper." Pandora replied.
"Focus on getting out of this city before we can even commit any violations ourselves." Beast responded.
Before they can even leave Libra City, they suddenly noticed a familiar vehicles closing in on them. They were Calcipher's car and Zythandra on her motorbike. The three of them immediately but discreetly entered a building closest to them which happens to be a diner. Everything is still on point even inside of the establishment that it almost look like a prison but more formal and a lot less people roaming around.
"What are they doing here?" Beast asked. "Did you tell them where we're going?"
"I didn't tell them anything." Pandora said. "The note we left just says we'll be back as soon as possible."
"They must've figured out we're going to Leo City somehow." Reaper commented.
"Act cool. Zythandra's coming in." Beast instructed.
"I got this." Pandora said.
Pandora briefly concentrated then she intensely gazed at Zythandra. For Beast and Reaper, nothing seemed to be happening aside from Pandora looking at one of their mentors intensely but it's the complete opposite in Zythandra's point of view. Pandora is making Zythandra see that the inside of the diner very chaotic. Zythandra tried to make her way through the chaotic environment but she eventually gave up and left the premises.
"That was awesome, Pandora." Beast commented.
"Thank you." Pandora responded.
"We must go now. We don't know how many times Pandora can trick Zythandra and Calcipher." Reaper said.
They waited for Zythandra and Calcipher to drive off before they run off themselves. They exited the diner from the back door of the diner to lessen the chances of them bumping into their mentors. They managed to arrive at Virgo City without being spotted by Zythandra and Calcipher but they sure took a lot of their time avoiding all possible encounters with them that they got there by nighttime.
As Beast explained and as from what Pandora and Reaper sees, Virgo City is a place where almost everyone is sleeping by day but everything becomes their opposite come nighttime. The city is filled with different colored lights from different establish across the majority of the city that it seems that it still morning. The streets are very busy from the citizens, tourists and the likes. Businesses aren't losing their customer count due to number of people coming and going.
However, Virgo City has the highest crime count compared to other cities in the nation. The city even outnumbered Libra City in arrests given that their neighboring city has a lot of outrageous laws. Most common crimes committed are thievery, rape, arson and even murder. Beast firmly instructed Pandora and Reaper to stay close to avoid being a victim of those evildoers out there. A child, an old person and even someone who has a disability can be a potential troublemaker.
"This place is so different from the previous we've been at." Reaper commented.
"I know. It's like Virgo City is way more eccentric and chaotic but in a good way. You know what I mean?" Pandora responded.
"Let's have a bite. I know a cool place to eat." Beast said.
Beast got them into a restaurant with a lot less patrons unlike other restaurant in the main street. With this, they'll have less chance in encountering any possible threats such as the military, those troublemakers and even their mentors who may still looking for them. They then continued to have their meal before they go back on their way to their destination which is just in the next city. Leo City.
"Here comes our meal, guys. Eat well." Pandora said.
"Beast, can I ask something?" Reaper asked. "It's been bothering me since got to Scorpio City until we got here."
"Go shoot." Beast responded.
"You said that your tribe is one of the prominent tribes here in Gallant but does no one seem to be familiar with you?" Reaper asked.
"All prominent tribes in Gallant has this practice to not make all offspring of the family be introduced in the masses for security purposes not until at least one of the offspring has been titled the crown prince or crown princess of the tribe." Beast explained.
"Do you mean you're supposed to be the crown prince of your tribe?" Reaper responded in shock.
"I was." Beast replied which made Reaper gag in astonishment.
"Why am I the only one surprised here? Don't tell me you already knew that Pandora." Reaper asked then Pandora nodded calmly. "I felt betrayed." He muttered to himself.
Thanks to Pandora's Anomaly, the three of them aren't actually talking orally throughout the entirety of their conversation but it's evident from their facial expressions, gestures and Reaper's gag that they're in a conversation somehow. It's quite a weird sight to see on the other customers perspective but they didn't mind them too much because a lot of weird people roam around the very well-lit roads of Virgo City.
"Hey. I'm getting that tingling sensation again. There's no way an Anomaly is nearby." Reaper said. "Can you sense it too, Pandora?"
"I can. Who could it be?" Pandora responded.
A group of people most likely in their teenage years as well from the way they dress came inside the restaurant to a grab a meal for themselves. Among this group of friends is a lady who is unusually covered up compared to the other slightly revealing clothes her other female friends are wearing. The lady is wearing a black bomber jacket, dark colored denim pants, a pair of running shoes, a black cap and a pair of black gloves.
"Luna, aren't you getting hot with your choice of outfit?" A friend asked.
"I'm fine. It's very comfortable." Luna responded cheerfully.
"Pandora, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Reaper asked.
"I sure am." Pandora responded.
"Wait. Are you two implying that she's an Anomaly?" Beast asked and the two nodded. "Well, what are you waiting for? We should help her!"
"Don't!" Reaper exclaimed as Pandora grabbed Beast's arm to stop him from approaching the lady.
"What are doing? Isn't this what the Professor and our mentors taught us to do. We must save our fellow Anomalies." Beast said as his tone continues to intensify.
"Think! If you approach her here in a public place and tell her we're here to save her because she's an Anomaly, are you expecting that she'll come with us voluntarily? And if she did come with us, where will we take her? The orphanage? It's a long way back and we're not even sure how long can we be out of the military's radar." Reaper aggressively pointed out.
"He has a point, Beast. I really want to help her myself but we can't risk the dangers that may come our way if we did." Pandora commented.
"She's not in an immediate danger. You have my word that if she's been in one while we're around, we'll come running for her rescue." Reaper said.
"Fine. Can you at least nullify her Anomaly just for me to have a peace of mind?" Beast asked.
"You really do have a soft spot, don't you?" Reaper teased. "Way ahead of you, buddy. I already nullified her Anomaly moments ago whatever her Anomaly might be."
"Thank you. Well, we must be going then." Beast said. "We must take a quick rest before we resume our journey to Leo City."
Beast brought them to an inn which is also away from crowded areas but still decent. They decided to spent at least a few hours before they head out again. For obvious reasons, they got a studio type room once again. Their night is going pretty peaceful even though the outside is still being alive as it can be not until they heard the fireworks display from not so far away. The three of them decided to drop by and watch up close and personal.
"You see that giant tree in the middle of the city? That's where we're going." Beast said.
"I didn't realize there's a huge tree there. This isn't usually my thing but this surely hypes me up." Reaper responded.
"Walk faster you two! We might miss the rest of the fireworks display." Pandora urged her friends.
"Calm down, Pandora." Beast said but he couldn't help himself but to smile. It's rare to see Pandora being carefree and having this much fun.
They finally arrived at giant tree and they continue to watch the rest of the fireworks display alongside the other locals and tourists in the area. The place may surely be crowded but it's filled with seemingly endless joy and excitement. After the fireworks display, the tree served as a screen for a very colorful light show accompanied by a very upbeat background music. The sight is majestic that almost made everyone forget their personal troubles at that very moment.
"Guys, I'll just buy some snacks at some stalls along the pavement." Reaper said. "Do you want anything to wat in particular?"
"Get me some corndog and soda, please. Thank you." Pandora requested.
"Corndog and soda? Ok. Beast, anything for you?" Reaper asked.
"I'll just have whatever she's having." Beast said.
"Noted on that." Reaper replied then headed off to buy their snacks.
Reaper got back to the sport where he left Pandora and Beast but they're no where to be found so he immediately panicked but that panic feeling went away after realizing that Pandora is still holding her mind link to the three of them. In that way, Pandora told them where they are so he knew were to find them. However, Reaper saw Luna on his to where Pandora and Reaper are currently and she seem to be very occupied that she's not paying attention to her surroundings.
Luna bumped into Reaper making both of them lose their balance. He dropped some of the food he's carrying and she fell to the ground. Her cap flew off from her head revealing her face. He was stunned by her beauty that he couldn't react right away but he eventually apologize and tried picking her up but for some reason, she not looking at him but at the full moon. The way she's acting is quite peculiar but he didn't mind it that much.
"I'm so sorry! Let me help you get up." Reaper said as he tries to assist Luna.
While Luna is still intensely staring at the full moon, Reaper noticed something odd is happening to her. She suddenly started glowing like the moon herself. He immediately realized that her Anomaly got triggered so he didn't wasted any second and nullified her Anomaly as fast as he can. The crowd didn't seem to pay attention because they are all focused on the light show. Not until they noticed a small child is looking at them like they did something weird. The child then whispered something to his father and both of them now are looking at Reaper and Luna weirdly.
"We have to go!" Reaper exclaimed. He quickly grabbed Luna and walked as fast as they can away from the crowd.
"Reaper, where are you?" Beast asked somewhere around the giant tree.
"Is everything fine?" Pandora asked.
"We have to get out here! We've been discovered." Reaper shrieked.
"What is happening?" Pandora asked.
"What did you do, Reaper?" Beast asked.
"Less asking and more running, people!" Reaper exclaimed.
The city alarm suddenly went off sending terror to every single one in the very crowded roads of the city. Screams of panic immediately filled the area which helped escalate the situation terribly. The crowd started screaming that an Anomaly was sighted which eventually alerted the Keepers. A huge number of people are running frantically to avoid every commotion there is. Reaper and Luna continued to run away as far away as they can while being followed by Pandora and Beast not too far behind.
"I swear to God, Reaper. If this is your doing, I'll end you myself." Beast threatened.
"We're gaining on you. Where are you exactly?" Pandora asked.
Luna suggested that the pier was the safest place for them for the time being so that's where they all decided to meet up. Reaper continuously making sure that Luna's Anomaly is nullified to avoid being caught by those angry mob and the Keepers themselves. Few minutes passed and the four of them finally met each other in one of what looks like some kind of a storage place at the pier. Pandora and Beast were surprised seeing the woman they suspected to be an Anomaly being with Reaper.
"What is happening here? What is she doing here?" Beast asked in shock.
"It's a long story but to put it short, Luna accidentally manifested her Anomaly." Reaper explained.
"Have you gone mad? You let her expose herself out there. The city is now in chaos just to find her and probably us too!" Beast yelled.
"You think I wanted this?" Reaper angrily responded. "You think I wanted to be chased down by an angry mob and those Keepers?"
"I'm so sorry! This is all my fault." Luna suddenly commented making Reaper and Beast slightly calm down.
"You're Luna, right? Are you alright? Are you hurt somewhere?" Pandora asked.
"My heavens, who is that?" Luna suddenly reacted. "Have I gone mad? I'm hearing voices in my head!"
"Calm down. It's just me. We're here to save. Rest easy." Pandora explained.
"A- a- are you an Anomaly? An Anomaly like me?" Luna asked and Pandora nodded. Then, Luna started to cry her lungs out like a kid whose lollipop just got taken away.
Reaper, Beast and Pandora didn't have any other choice but to comfort Luna. If she continues to bawl like a child, they will eventually be discovered by their pursuers and that's the last thing they want to happen. They may have avoided the chaotic situation earlier but it's still happening. In fact, the city alarm is still being heard throughout the area and the terrified screams of the masses are still being heard from the streets as well.
"The three of us are like you so don't be afraid." Pandora said.
"Really? Never in my wildest dreams that I'll be with someone like me in one room. No judgements, no ill-will and no bad intentions." Luna responded as she dries her tears.
"Luna, right? I'm just curious. If you don't mind me asking, how does your Anomaly work?" Reaper asked anyway.
"My Anomaly enables my whole body to glow like the magnificent glow of the moon. It intensifies if it's a full moon and I directly look at it. Just like what happened earlier." Luna explained. "Here. I'll show you."
• Luna = Anomalous Perk: Glow
Luna took off her gloves and her jacket revealing a plain white shirt underneath then she closed her eyes. Her body slowly shone with an ethereal bright white light started from her hands up to her head. She opened her eyes revealing it be glowing as well. Then, she deliberately slowly looked at the fool moon through an opening from the ceiling which made her glow even brighter than she already was. Her glow was so bright that Reaper, Beast and Pandora had to look away.
"I'm so sorry. I glowed too much, didn't I?" Luna asked as she slowly stopped manifesting her Anomaly.
"You're fine. Your Anomaly is so beautiful." Pandora complimented.
"Thank you so much. This is the first time I showed my Anomaly to someone and this is the first complimented it so thank you so much." Luna responded as she tears up again.
"We understand how you feel. Do you want to see our Anomalies? Pandora suggested.
"Can I? This is so exciting!" Luna exclaimed. "Please show me."
"Lady first." Beast said.
"Why thank you kind sir." Pandora jokingly responded. "To put it simply, Luna. I can read minds, communicate through thoughts just like what we're doing now and I can sense peoples' presence in a given distance. Those are some common things I can do with my Anomaly."
Pandora asked Luna to think of any random stuff and she'll tell what she was thinking, This activity made Luna excited that they did it almost a dozen times. Pandora then linked all of their thoughts so they can hold a conversation by just in their minds. Beast was the next to showcase his Anomaly. As expected, he just showed his trusty gorilla arms. Then there was Reaper whose Anomaly is nowhere near being as flashy as his friends so he just suddenly nullified Beast's Anomaly to demonstrate his.
"This is making me so happy I could cry again." Luna commented while giving a standing ovation to the three of them.
The situation in streets of Virgo City is yet to calm down so they decided to stay indoors and away until it did. Luna still couldn't get over the fact that she's not the only Anomaly anymore. As she pointed out during their conversation, there may be a lot of news articles saying that the number of the Anomalies increased throughout all the nations but it surely is hard to find one if you're just by yourself. That may very well be true but most Anomalies can just be good at hiding like what the Professor and the rest of them. A sudden change in the atmosphere was felt by Pandora.
"We have company." Pandora announced.
Reaper, Beast and Pandora quickly got into their defensive stances as they have Luna hide behind them to protect her from possible danger. They started hearing voices outside the storage place where they are hiding and those people seem to be certain where they are heading. Pandora confirmed that those people doesn't know that they're Anomalies but they are surely up to no good. Beast undid his transformation on his gorilla arms but kept his solid defensive stance. The storage place's door creaks open revealing almost a dozen silhouettes of men.
"We know you're here!" The man in the middle yelled. "Give all your stuff or this will be the last night you'll see each other's faces."
"Hey, are you sure they went inside of this wreck?" One other guy asked.
"I'm sure! I saw the four of them running inside here." A tiny-voiced guy responded.
"That's tight, boss! I saw two of them are women. Two very beautiful women, boss." A deep-voiced guy said.
"I-I think I s-see them in the c-corner right there, b-boss!" One other weird-sounding guy commented.
"Can you not speak? Your voice is hurting my ears!" The man who seemed to be the leader of the pack exclaimed.
"You should all turn around and go back to where you came or else.." Beast tried provoking the men but got cutoff.
"Or else what, boy?" The leader exclaimed. "If I were you, I'll leave my stuff here and the ladies too so I can save myself. Right, men?"
The leader and his cronies started laughing maniacally as they all understood what he really meant by that. This made Beast and Reaper more enraged so they didn't anymore moment and started charging at the thugs. Before they can even throw their first punches, two more silhouettes dropped from most likely the roof and on the men. These two quickly attacked them making everyone unconscious in just less than a minute. Beast and Reaper couldn't do anything else but to watch this fight unfold right in front of them.
"We finally found you, guys." A familiar female voice said.
"Please, let us not do that again!" An also familiar male voice complained. "That falling from the roof and stuff. That almost gave me a heart attack, Z!"
"Zythandra?" Beast asked.
"Calcipher?" Reaper asked.
Their mentors stepped into the light revealing themselves to their students. Beast immediately understood why they're here so he quickly grabbed Reaper to run away from them. Pandora reacted the same way as she grabbed Luna and ran away to the nearest possible exit. Zythandra and Calcipher just stood there as if they're letting them go after looking for them for quite a while now.
"I've rigged the exits with explosives so it's not a good idea to escape from us now." Zythandra pointed forcing Beast and the rest of them to stop.
"Come on, guys. We've been looking for you for hours now. I could've been just sitting in my lab doing my research but no. The Professor tasked us to find you three runaways." Calcipher pointed out.
"How did you find us?" Beast asked.
"It's quite easy actually. As soon as we discovered the letter Pandora left, we knew that the three of you are together even that it only states there that it's just going to be her and Reaper who'll be in training some place else." Zythandra explained.
"We figured that you're going to Leo City after that incident with the Professor in his. That time when you Beast injured your comrades and almost wrecked the entire Hill House. Do you remember?" Calcipher added.
"I remember alright but you won't make me come back. Not yet at least. I have to see our village for myself. You may take Pandora, Reaper and Luna with you but not me." Beast firmly said.
"Excuse me who? Pandora, Reaper and who?" Zythandra asked.
"Who is this Luna person?" Calcipher asked.
"That's me, miss and mister." Luna responded. "And I appreciate the thought Beast but I'm afraid I can't leave this place. I have to stay here."
Luna's statement shocked everyone. They gone out of their way to save her and potentially give shelter to her but she's the one declining this great offer. Reaper, Beast and Pandora couldn't help themselves but to react indifferently towards Luna's decision. They pointed out how dangerous for her to stay here specially now they almost every citizen in the city already knew that there's an Anomaly living amongst them.
Luna then explained why she can't leave. She shared that she's been living with her sick mother and six little siblings. Her father is working overseas so it's up to her as the eldest child to take care of their family. So as much as she wanted to, she can't leave them behind. She's prepared to face all the dangers that may come her way as long as she can take care of her family. She once again couldn't help herself but to tear up.
"I'm so sorry. We didn't know." Pandora said then she hugged her.
Reaper, Beast and Pandora is now conflicted on how will they deal with this at first but they eventually decided to let Luna go. They may only spent their time in a very short period but they got a wonderful friend with each other. Luna assured everyone that she can take care of herself now as she got the map of the city memorized so she knows all its nooks and crannies. She knows which are the closest ways back to their home and potential hiding spots just in case something bad happens. Besides, only one child saw her face and her glow surely obstructed the cameras in the area.
"I really had a great time with you guys but I have to go back to my family now. Also, you seem to be dealing with your own concerns so I won't add up to that." Luna said.
"Are you sure you're going to be fine?" Reaper asked.
"I am. Trust me." Luna responded. "I must be going now."
"You can leave through that exit near you. I didn't rigged it with any explosives." Zythandra commented.
"I knew it. You sneaky woman." Calcipher responded.
"Thanks again for your time and effort, guys. Good luck on your journey." Luna said. "Until we meet again!" She added then left the area.