It was pandemonium.
A random crowd appeared seemingly out of nowhere. They charged like a ravenous horde toward the object of their obsession. Screaming and shrieking, as they mowed down anyone who got in their way.
That included the unfortunate survivors of the theater collapse.
"Scatter!" Grant yelled before booking it.
Phoenicia darted toward Grant upon hearing the change in his voice.
Unfortunately, her foot got caught on the unstable ground and tripped. It lurched under her full weight, not that the mob was making things any better.
Luckily for Phoenicia, the ground sank enough for the mob to ignore her. With countless people jumping over the gap to avoid slowing down.
As for Grant, he booked it as far away from Phoenicia and the mob as possible with the rabid fans nipping at his heels.
Looking around, he saw the archways of the theater gardens which weren't drawn into the sinkhole.
Thinking quickly, he dove through the arch as the mob flooded past. Landing in a roll, he quickly noticed something strange.
Wanda, Brian, and... He wanted to say Eustace? Were already there.
That was strange enough by itself since Grant was an expert at escaping. But what was really weird was how they were reacting.
Brian was freaking out, curled up in a ball and flinching whenever a particularly loud noise came. Eustace? He seemed conflicted about something. And of all people, Wanda was the one who was gearing up for war.
She was using the plants around her and turning them into a makeshift armory. Flowers grew what appeared to be grenades, the branches around her looked as sharp as swords, and the grass could be mistaken for caltrops.
He could already see the rows of hedges being used as a barricade against the mob.
He expected this type of reaction from veteran mages, not the girl who hyperventilated the first time they met and nearly went into cardiac arrest at the sight of a number. Granted, heh, it was a very high number but a number nonetheless.
"Hey Wanda, do you mind if I ask you something?"
But before she could respond...
*BOOM!
An explosion rang out sending people screaming... But in terror this time!
A loud roar rose with a spike of energy. It was like a terrible beast from ages past had just returned to the modern day.
"GRAAAAAAANT!"
"But not today. Move! Man! Move!" He said before dragging Brian to his feet and started running.
They were nearly out of the garden when he realized they were missing someone. Darting his head, he instantly noticed Eustace staring out the archway.
"What are you doing?!" Grant yelled drawing the attention of Brain and Wanda.
"Uh, well it's just..." He trailed off nervously, too embarrassed to even ask.
"Eustace? Come on! We need to go! What is it?" Brian asked as he saw the explosions get closer with every blast.
"Well... It's just... You know how I have a girlfriend, and she really likes the Just Tin Knight..." He kept rubbing his hands sheepishly. The possibility of certain death not even registering as the world fell apart around him.
"Are you serious!?" Brian yelled in disbelief. " You would rather risk your life fighting against an angry mob as everything, LITERALLY, goes up in flames and go after some famous hobo's autograph than do your actual job!?"
He nodded his head a couple of times. "Yes, please."
Brian gripped the bridge of his nose in frustration and waved him away in disgust before following Wanda and Grant out of the garden.
Just before they got out of earshot they heard Eustace say something as he jumped into the fray.
"BANZAAAAAAAAIIIIII!"
The three of them ran out into the streets of the town where several people were also fleeing from the mob. Houses were burning, people were screaming, and members from various gangs were flooding the streets. Ironically they were actually very helpful, but still!
"Quick, this way!" Grant yelled as he lead them down a certain street.
Suddenly a violent explosion blew apart the building in front of them and filled the street with a pile of burning rubble that trapped people inside.
"Okay, new plan. Scatter!"
"What, but how-!?"
That was all Brian got out before Grant crashed though the door of a nearby building.
"We'll meet at the store! And remember to wipe your feet!"