Later on at City Hall, upstairs in the meeting room. Two out of the 5 leaders of the city council waited patiently for Carolyn to come in. A tall black man with glasses shining from the room light and a short Hispanic lady with long espresso-colored curly hair walks in.
"Has Carolyn come in yet, Brian?" The man asks.
"Not really, she said she's going to take a while."
"Well, is everyone here?"
"Just me and Victoria, Stavros is in a different room, and then you and Olivia came, Cedric," Brian said.
"Okay." Cedric grabs a seat, same with Olivia. Stavros walks in.
"Am I late?" Stavros said, running towards his seat. His dragon tail slaps Cedric, knocking his glasses off his face.
"Ow.."
"Sorry Crear."
"You're on time." Brian said, pushing up his glasses. Victoria grabs her spellbook.
"Do you guys want some food? I haven't eaten anything for breakfast yet." Victoria asks.
"You know how to make food with those spells and you're a dragon?" Olivia said.
"Yeah, I'm a Witch Dragon. I'm surprised when I moved out here, I've seen locally born people that have the same power as me where I live."
"And you live in Summerlin, right?" Cedric asks.
"Yeah, Not Summerlin but like Summerlin South area."
"That's still Summerlin," Olivia said.
Victoria shrugs. "I'm not from here so I don't know if it is still Summerlin or part of Unincorporated Clark County."
"Oh, that's part of Summerlin, Vic." Stavros said.
"Good to KNOW!" Victoria said, happily. Carolyn walks in.
"Sorry that I'm late everyone. I was talking to the City manager on the way here." She sets her stuff on the table. "As you're all aware of Michele and her whereabouts nowadays with her mafia."
Everyone started to cringe.
"Should we even begin?" Cedric asks, pointing to Brian.
"She made me her 'bitch' last week–" Brian said. "It was painful."
"When did this happen?!" Carolyn asks.
"The day before New Years. My husband was forced to watch the devastation I've gone through."
"Is it anything sexually related?"
"Pretty much yes, but I don't want to go into full detail."
"You got raped, Anyone else got raped or sexually harassed by her last week or some months ago?"
Cedric and Victoria raised their hands, and Olivia raised her hand.
"Wait, you have raped too, Olivia?"
"No, domestic abuse by her," Olivia said.
"Just harassment in general?" Carolyn asks.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"How were you raped, Victoria."
"She intoxicated me."
"Alright but since we now know Michele has done way more shit without me knowing, I'm going to put a stop to it. I made this meeting for someone to take my place as Mayor of Vegas. I don't know how long I will survive with this decision I'm going to make in an hour."
"What are you planning to do?" Stavros asks.
"I'm going to fight Michele. If anyone rejects this decision may now speak."
"YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" The whole council yelled.
"That was quick.." She said to herself, "Why should I not fight her?"
"One, you'll get killed," Victoria said.
"Not a problem, I'll have backup."
"She's more powerful than you," Olivia said.
"Michele and I are the same in power strength. We're both Wrath demons."
"Mayor Goodman, this isn't up for debate. She's already abusing you, what makes you think that you can fight her?"
"Because I'm fucking brilliant enough to find a loophole in her fighting skills. She doesn't fight too well because she'll have her hitmen fight for her. All she does is grab them or either shoot them or just seduce them."
"Either way, you're still going to get hurt."
"Let me explain to all of you guys, I have lived 81 years on this earth. I have lived in Las Vegas for 57 years with my husband, Oscar. I've already lived my life and someday, I might suddenly pass away from natural causes or something health-related. I decide how I'm going to go out and I'm going to go out saving Las Vegas from destruction by Michele and her mafia. This city means a lot to me and I'm not going to die knowing that this city isn't safe to live in and thrive in. Not under Michele's control." Tears ran down Carolyn's face. "I've been in Michele's mafia since 2017, I was forced to lose everything that I created, the relationships with people that I've made. I had to break up with my girlfriend after the Massacre that Michele created herself in Henderson...Even though I got away with murder, I still keep being verbally and physically abused by her every... single... day and it doesn't stop until she knows she successfully turns me into a beast of destruction that is under her control. Under MY WILL. I'm not letting that happen."
"But who will be mayor if you die?"
"That's why we're here. I'm deciding on who will be Mayor as backup if I don't come back alive. I narrowed it down to two backups but I'll take volunteers to be sworn in."
The council looks around the room, Brian looks at Olivia. Olivia nods no and looks at Victoria. Victoria looks at Stavros, and everyone starts to look at him.
"Hey just because I'm mayor pro-tem, doesn't mean I should be mayor of Vegas, not under Michele's control. What about Cedric? He wants to run for mayor in 2024, Might as well start now." Stavros said.
"It's always the black guy that has to be in charge to die the first day in office by Michele... Thanks to Stavros, I'll take that position."
"Just because I used to be a cop, I don't have a hatred for black people. Michele likes you so she won't mess with you."
"She would! I would've ended up like Carolyn. DEAD."
"Alright, both of you stop! Cedric, since you volunteered, you'll be sworn in as Mayor:"
Stavros Laughs and smirks.
"As for you Stavros, I'm making you a backup for Cedric just in case he dies."
"Damn."
Cedric smirks.
"Any questions?" Carolyn asks.
"When are you planning to fight her?" Brian asks.
"Sometime this week but this isn't the first fight I'm planning to have with her."
"Where are you going to fight her?"
"That's up to her," she said, walking out the door.
"And will Vegas be in danger?"
Carolyn stops and turns back around.
"It's been in danger. Brian, Call the Governor and request a local shutdown in Vegas.... I'll be back."
Carolyn leaves the meeting room. Brian gets his phone out and calls the Governor. The council gets up and walks towards the window watching Carolyn flying away towards the strip. Later in the day, the sun is setting in the west of the valley. Jason and Azenith watch the cars drive by the school neighborhood. Jason yawns.
"Hey Az, want something to eat? I'm starving." Jason asks.
"I could eat something but my doctor told me not to eat anything that can damage my intestines after that steel pipe ruptured my stomach."
"And did this doctor tell you what not to eat?"
"Anything greasy or spicy, that's what he said."
"Oh anything but greasy or spicy foods, hm?~," Jason said, grabbing Azenith's hand. Her tail smacks him in the face. He lets go of her hand.
"Ow.." Jason continued.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Why is it so hard for you to keep your hands off of me?!"
"What, I was just playing around?"
"That's not playing around. That's sexual harassment."
"Oh."
Azenith sighs. "What are you trying to tell me, Jason?"
"It's...Nothing. I wanted to be friends with you again."
"Jason, we are friends. I think you want to tell me you want to be more than friends with me?"
"NO! NO NO! NOT REALLY I was just j-joking... Totally didn't say anything about 'I like you more than a friend." Jason chuckles nervously. Azenith laughs.
"If you truly like me, then why don't you say it?"
"Because... I didn't want to make it awkward as it did back in 2013."
"Jason, you were dating a great lady back then. Times have changed now that I'm married to my late husband and have a daughter. I kept wearing this ring just to be reminded that he was always there by my side. It's kind of a coping mechanism for me."
"But don't you want your daughter to have a dad? Someone that can teach her how to ride a bike, OR maybe play a sport or two. I mean, you can do the same but now that you're busy doing this, your brother has to step in. Don't you think it's a bit unfair for Leilani?"
"I do...but Jamie is a great guy and I don't want to start dating right now. I don't want to live with guilt after dating and marrying another guy."
"What kind of guilt?"
"The guilt of having a second husband. I don't want to leave him even though he's dead. He's like a spirit watching over me and Leilani. I'm not sure if you get it?"
"I get it. I dated a lot of girls in my past. Some were cut short, and some lasted. Did I take a hiatus from dating, yes? The ones that lasted, stuck with me still to this day. Some that were cut short, were a relief. You remember Esmeralda?"
"Yeah, the Jewish doctor that you dated had a major crush on you?"
"VERY Major." Jason said, "We were going to get married but I think a week later I proposed, and she started to be very judgemental of me. I don't remember why she was but she's stopped liking me."
"I think when you were talking to me seeing how I was doing that time caught her off guard."
"Nah I think it's something else, I would like to know her reasoning but shit. I would rather let it go instead of going further into the situation. So I did."
"Wow..."
"What I'm saying is Az, you decide to cope with how long it may take for your husband's death. I'm glad that wasn't you that got shot because it would be devastating not only for me but your daughter. She wouldn't be with either of her parents. Imagine seeing both of your parents die at a really young age?"
Azenith thinks for a moment. "Yeah, that would be devastating."
"I would think about it and come to terms with your husband's death. Life is too short to hold something in for the rest of your life. Your husband would love for you to live your life after he died. I'm sure that was one of his wishes. 'Not to worry about him, just move on and live happily." Jason said, softly smiling. Azenith smiles. She hugs Jason.
"Thank you, Jason."
Jason blushes, hugging her back. "You're welcome, Az."
"Don't think I'm going to forget you sexually harassing me because I hugged you."
"Damn.."
Azenith laughs, breaking up the hug. Meanwhile with Monica and Dylan. Dylan takes pictures of downtown as the sun sets in the distance. Monica walks up to him.
"You like taking pictures of Las Vegas?" Monica asks.
"Yeah on certain occasions. I was born and raised here. I just happened to be raised in North Town suburbia." Dylan said, "Are you from here?"
"Me? No, I'm from Detroit. The city of tough love and devastation. I had to learn to be a really tough kid back in my day because living in Detroit was a bit harder to live than it used to be."
"What made you move out here?"
"Wanted to move out of my hometown for opportunities. I used to do traffic for a radio show back in Michigan. I did the same thing at FOX5. My husband was in the air force so we moved to Vegas so he can pursue his duties at the Nellis base from time to time when needed."
"That's so cool!"
Monica chuckles, and Dylan chuckles too.
"So I see you're a Vegas dragon?" Dylan asks.
"Yeah, I got it when I was revived at the hospital after we all died during that party, I'm kind of getting used to the change, especially my tail. It keeps elongating when I sit down."
"Hmm... you might be a lucky fire dragon. Have you seen any changes in your strength, like you'll pick up a random heavy object more easily than normally?"
"Well yesterday, cleaning my driveway. I decided to be curious and picked up my car. Without any problems, I lifted it up. My son was mesmerized."
Dylan's eyes widened.
"No way!"
"Yes way! And that car WEIGHS a TON."
"I bet! That's really interesting!"
Monica smiles.
"You're really interested in the Vegas power grimoire, are you?"
"Really interested. In my spare time, I'll read the recent updates that the grimoire has to offer in Vegas." Dylan summons his backpack. He unzips it and grabs his grimoire. "Usually, I'll read it after a long fight. It's a good read."
"Wow. What do you get out of it?"
"A lot of things. From training, power stats, and facts in general about other things about the Vegas power system. This book teaches me a lot about my powers and my powers are technology based."
"You're one smart kid, Dylan," Monica said, smiling. "Have you told anyone about your studies?"
"Yeah, a lot of times.If necessary though. My studies from the grimoire helped Azenith walk on ice. It really interests her to look at it."
"Hey, at least you encourage someone to look at the grimoire for tips in training.
"True."
"You're going to be a big help to the group. With that kind of knowledge, you might be able to help beat Michele in that fact."
"You know that's true. I have been studying about Michele and how to defeat her. All we know is that she has almost all of the sin demons. However, with all the powers we have there isn't a way we can stop her. She's just too powerful."
Monica thinks for a moment. "There's a loophole somewhere in that...Have you ever thought about any weaknesses for Michele?"
"No I haven't thought about that," Dylan opens the Grimoire. He flips through the pages. "Hmm... What about anything electric?"
"Carolyn would've killed her by now but I think she's immune to electricity powers."
"Hmm..."
"Come back to that later. We have to look out for Michele." Monica said.
"Right."
Dylan puts his Grimoire away in his backpack. He continues to think about Michele's weakness. Meanwhile with Alyssa and Cassandra. The girls fly over the warehouse going towards North Las Vegas city hall down the street.
"Do you think we're going too far?" Alyssa asks.
"Nah, it's okay. It's City hall in North Town. we're in the central part of it." Cassandra said.
Alyssa and Cassandra land on top of the roof of the North Las Vegas City hall. They both sat down on the edge of the rooftop.
"Do you really think Maddie and Enzo actually quit the mafia or do you think they're joking with us?"
"I think they might be joking but they look serious with this one. I really want to know why they're quitting. You know, they can't quit Michele's mafia. They're going to get killed."
"But Joe and Cassie quit. Why can't they quit?"
"I mean, this is a different story from Cassie and Joe. We don't know the real reason why they left too, so that's a mystery."
"I just think that it has to do something with Michele. Carolyn is out of the question as we know it since we all know that it's not about her anymore."
"To be honest, It might have to be something about her." Cassandra said, "I can see why Carolyn quit. She's getting the most abuse here from her."
"True."
"Whatever happens to Carolyn right now, I hope she gets what she wants from her. Michele is just a horrible person."
"I hope we can catch the fight to help her."
"Oh, we will catch that fight. We will."