The hawk and the fly shot toward him at astonishing speed, but Duncan still held the range advantage. His conjured red flail lashed out, its chain rattling like actual metal. Yet it did not obey the laws of physics at all. The launched flail turned sharply, curving into a trajectory that attacked the hawk-masked figure from the side. He didn't evade and to Duncan's surprise, the flail passed harmlessly through its target. The fly-masked woman did dodge, her movements small and instantaneous as she ducked down in her sprint.

They were upon him now, two against one. He also vaguely registered the heat that was building behind him - likely Clementine's doing. It was the hawk-masked man who crashed into him first, attacking with hand and feet against his raised shield. The other tried to slip past him, but he wouldn't let that happen so easily. Not while he still had cards to play.

Duncan pivoted, but the shield kept hovering in place to block the hawk-masked man. The red flail separated - the spiked ball flattened into a buzz saw, while the chain retracted to take the shape of a broadsword. The buzz saw sped toward his hawk-masked attacker without warning or wind-up, while he cut at the other with his broadsword. Both were forced to leap back, shifting the momentum of the battle in his favour.

He shot a glance at the buzz saw and it scattered into a cloud of daggers that shot toward the fly. Then the shield burst forward, which Duncan had aimed to bash into the hawk. It was a good counteroffensive, but he would need more red to keep this up and there weren't a lot of opportunities to scan his surroundings. The second he looked away, the fly-masked woman returned. Her suit was torn and her right arm was out of commission, but that hadn't stopped her.

Then there were other distractions too. In case of Noa, a helpful one at least.

"I'm working on it!" Duncan called back. The broadsword evaporated into a thick red mist to obstruct the fly-woman's view. He couldn't control the red energy properly like that, but it'd buy him some much-needed time.

Duncan glanced at Clementine, saw her state of being, and began to doubt his decision. Not that he had other options though. "Stay calm Clementine. We've got this." As he spoke, Duncan seized back control of the red armour - with Clementine still in it. The whole package catapulted toward Noa and once there, stopped instantaneously, faded to release Clementine, and began returning to him as a single stream of colour.

In that same view he caught a glance of Errol. His half-brother seemed to be on equal footing too, and there were more hostiles than they were currently facing.

That made this feel like a good time for the red traffic lights.

What had been a lit red sign on one of them became dull gray, its colour fired as a bolt of energy. Not at the brute of stone, the unnerving fly, or the uncatchable hawk. At Errol.

The bolt would hit his hand and wrap around the base of his fingers into semi-transparent knuckledusters. "Charge those!"

He was forced to the ground by a hard kick from the hawk-masked man. From the mist, the woman emerged. Perhaps he hadn't bought enough time after all.

Duncan's voice manages to pull her out of her hyperventilating panic, if only for a moment. His words, a beacon of focused reassurance amidst the chaos, cut through the turmoil swirling within her mind. With each syllable, Clementine felt a semblance of calm wash over her, like a soothing balm for her frayed nerves.

Yet, even as Duncan's voice anchored her in the present, Clementine couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease gnawing at her insides. She knows that her control over her powers is slipping the more she lets her emotions take control, the flickers of plasma dancing along her fingertips serving as a stark reminder of the storm brewing within.

As the red armour carried her toward Noa, Clementine's eyes went wide as her eyes flickered between her brother and the two masked opponents. Despite Duncan's attempts to reassure her, she can't shake the feeling of impending dread that weighs heavy on her chest.

Up until now, the third member of the fourth had watched the Hawk-masked and fly-masked allies go to town on Duncan, while the fourth had gone after Errol. The hawk-masked brute went for Duncan to pull him back up, just to punch him back down. Whether he wanted to knock out Duncan or just enjoyed punching down, was unknown.
The fly-masked woman looked to the third member of the squad, the one who hadn't engaged at all and looked more like he was observing the situation. The third member wore an owl mask and decked out with all manners of knives, swords and metal-reinforced gauntlets. With a nod, from the owl-masked man, the fly-masked woman left Duncan and the hawk-masked brute and went around the destroyed car to go after Clementine and Noa.

Meanwhile, Clementine had managed to quickly get up and over to Noa, having gained, somewhat, control over her powers again, the young girl just managed to lock eyes with Noa, before she felt a painful iron grip lock around her hair, forcing Clementine to release a pained scream as she was lifted into the air by her hair and held right in front of Noa, using Clementine as a human shield in case Noa had any bright idea of attacking.

As Clementine's scream echoed through the chaos, a surge of heat ignited within her, fueled by the intensity of her fear and desperation. With a fierce determination, she seized the fly-masked woman's wrist with both hands, channelling the raw power of her plasma abilities into a blistering inferno.

The air around Clementine crackled with searing heat as her plasma powers surged to life, enveloping the woman's wrist in what looked like incorporeal orbs of a scorching blaze. The intense heat radiated from Clementine's hands like fire, bathing the immediate vicinity in an oppressive warmth that bordered on unbearable. Anyone standing nearby could feel the heat washing over them like the searing breath of a furnace, forcing them to instinctively take a step back to escape its fiery grasp.

With a guttural cry of pain, the fly-masked woman recoiled as her wrist was seared by the scorching plasma, the skin blistering and blackening under the intense heat. The smell of burning flesh filled the air, mingling with the acrid scent of charred fabric as the woman stumbled back, releasing her grip on Clementine's hair.

The shrieking from the fly-masked woman pierced the sky, causing the other mutants from the group to pause, if only for a second or two as the fly-masked woman watched the blistering skin and blackening flesh of her hand and wrist fall off the bones in chunks, like meat served at a restaurant.

As Clementine broke free from the woman's grasp, her hands still radiated with the residual heat of her plasma powers engulfing her hands like miniature suns. The air around her crackled with the intense energy of her abilities, sending ripples of heat distortion shimmering around the traffic light.

Amidst the fighting, the temperature around Clementine soared to uncomfortable levels, the air thick with the oppressive heat emanating from her fiery aura. Noa immediately felt the spike of heat rise, her skin prickling with sweat. The owl-masked man who previously had purely focused on the hawk-masked man attacking Duncan had now turned his full attention to Clementine only to speak into his comm attracted to his wrist as he stepped away.

The chaotic sounds of the city were overshadowed by the crackling hum of Clementine's plasma powers. The air itself seemed to vibrate with energy, as if charged with the raw power of the sun, casting a golden glow over the surrounding buildings and streets.

Errol lifted his head off the ground, rising into a seated position. Once more, he took in his surroundings while ignoring the granite behemoth headed his way for another attack. He heard Noa call out to Duncan, ordering him to send Clem her way. He felt relief in his chest, knowing she'd be safest with Noa and Duncan would be able to divert his full attention on his attackers.

Errol's attention returned to Rocky, who was even closer now. Coming in for another attack, Errol lunged out of the way as Rocky smashed his hard fist into the ground where Errol was originally sat. Landing into a roll, Errol pivoted his body to face Rocky and shot to electric bolts from his eyes. Hitting Rocky's shoulder, they had no effect on him.

"You ain't bright are you?" Rocky growled at Errol with a smug tone.

"Hell nah, perra. Just stubborn!" he retorted.

It was all talk, in truth this was a ridiculously humbling experience. Throughout his entire life, Errol was constantly told of his power and more than made up for it in his actions. Running with the Strays, Errol had his fair share of fights with both humans and other mutants, never once losing a fight or even worrying about who he fought. He even developed a reputation from it, people feared him, he never lost and always dealt with his rivals quickly and efficiently.

Naturally, Errol would develop an inflated ego from all this. Now in his current position, being so helpless and useless against who he was fighting. The young mutant had a lot to reflect on. If he survived this.

Rocky once more rushed toward Errol, this time at breakneck speed. Errol attempted to hit Rocky with another torrent of electricity but met the back of Rocky's hand. Rocky's left arm swung back, connecting to Errol's jaw and sending him in the direction of where Rocky's arm swung. Once more, Errol landed on his back, spitting blood out from a cut lip.

Lifting his head, Errol saw a red blur shoot his way hailing from Duncan. Errol felt the red energy wrap around his left hand, shifting into a construct of knuckle dusters. A smirk crept on his face, and strangely, Errol could feel a small rush of energy enter his body from Duncan's construct. It felt... strange but he could feel that it was also energising him, similar to when he'd charge his own cells with electricity. Errol's eyes shifted to Duncan as his older brother called out to him, telling him "charge" them.

Errol also saw that Duncan was struggling with his two attackers. An eye for an eye, Errol directed his index and middle finger into a "finger gun". Shooting a dart of electricity at the hawk-masked man attacking Duncan with enough force to knock him off his feet, buying Duncan whatever time he'd need. Back to Rocky, he was coming in for another attack. But this time he was now strolling toward Errol, clearly confident in his advantage over Errol's powers.

Here goes nothing. he thought to himself. Channelling the electricity into the red knuckleduster wrapped around his knuckles, the merging of both his and Duncan's powers turned Errol's electrical output red. Electricity crackled around Errol's hand and he rushed toward Rocky, who was still strolling toward him. Throwing a straight cross toward the centre of Rocky's body, the impact created a small explosion, with red electricity dispelling around the surrounding area and destroying the knuckleduster construct in the process.

The punch left a hole in Rocky's armor, and sent him a few inches back. Shocked at what just happened, Rocky was too distracted to see Errol come in for a follow up attack. The mutant slapped his palm on Rocky's exposed skin and sent a large current of electricity through his nerves with enough juice to kill him. Rocky yelled out in pain before falling on to his back, dead. Smoke aporated from Rocky's chest and Errol could feel the temperature getting hot. Was that from his attack?

Then he heard a bloodcurdling cry, Errol turned his attention to see the fly-masked woman's skin practically melted and falling off her wrists. Errol shot one of his arms forward, blasting the woman with electricity and knocking her off her feet slamming her into one of the destroyed cars. Clem did that? He rushed over to both her and Noa, as he did so he thought to himself: he never really knew the capabilities of her mutation. Feeling the heat rise in the warzone they were in, he realised: was she really this powerful?

Instinctively, Noa reached to grab Clementine’s hand as soon as she was within reach but immediately withdrew it upon the realisation that she might accidentally harm Clem in doing so, aware that her own abilities were harder to control with heightened emotions. Though she tended to be level-headed, nothing could prepare her for an impromptu warzone in the middle of the street.

Without hesitation, she swung the rifle around from her back and aimed it towards Clem’s attacker. Though she had little experience in the way of marksmanship, there was a certain advantage to be gained from heightened senses and reflexes. Unfortunately, none of that would matter now as the attacker had prepared for such an eventuality by using Clem to ensure her own safety. "Buzz off, Bitch." She said sharply.

Noa’s focus turned from the scope of the weapon to the ebb of light emanating below it, shortly followed by a growing warmth which forced her to step back, lowering her weapon as she did, only to see the harrowing sight of Clem’s abilities in full force from the charred flesh to the gut-wrenching scream of pain. Nothing could have prepared her for what she had just witnessed.

It was probably just as well that she hadn’t accidentally grabbed Clem earlier, for her own sake.

Though still shocked by the situation she had just witnessed, she was not perturbed enough to forget their priorities, or at least not enough to show it. Noa had seen enough people act towards her with apprehension and she didn’t want to pass the same judgement she had experienced onto Clementine, even if she was feeling unsettled in the moment. Besides, she had no idea how Clem was feeling right now. It was just as likely that she was scared too.

Calmly, but loud enough to try and breach the sound of crackling around them to reach Clem, she approached as close as was comfortable before the prickling heat became too much to bear. “Come on, Clem. This isn’t your fight.” She spoke gently, trying to offer some comfort in their unprecedented situation.

Despite her calm demeanour, her expression when she locked eyes with Errol told another story, one of concern. There wasn’t time to discuss though as two of the brutes came barreling towards them.

“Get in the truck.” She told the pair solemnly without taking her eyes off of the incoming adversaries before quickly snapping and running to the open door of the armoured vehicle that she had cleared out minutes before. Even if Duncan managed to intercept the mutants heading their way, it was no good for anyone to be standing out in the open. Turning the key that had been left in the ignition, the engine roared to life.

The Continental soared through the lightly trafficked streets. With its roof down, a brisk stream of wind caressed the driver's longish hair. Nathaniel had received tidbits of information throughout the evening - all due to his affliction. Doctor Duncan Fraser, the former x-man who had a recent attempt on his life, was in town. Men and women armed to the teeth had just headed out in a number of black vans and an armoured car was speeding into the city. The information provided to him by his animal friends along with a call to the institute had been enough for the lawyer to conclude that shit was about to go down.

High above, birds could be seen flying towards the area. An observant eye could spot a few stray cats and mice heading in the same direction. All from a few simple words "Gather who you can and meet me there" - the wonders of the mutation never ceased to amaze.

Naturally, news carried by birds and critters could only travel so fast and Nathaniel's predictive powers ultimately boiled down to a hunch. When he finally arrived at the scene, the battle had been going on for a bit. Unexpectedly, a helicopter hovered in the air - something which his friends had completely missed. What's more - it wasn't just the doctor facing off against a bunch of armed goons, instead, it was a full on fight. Nathaniel's eyes quickly scanned the scene, seeing brutalised street lights, noticeably grey cars and traffic lights, asphalt was dented and a person had seemingly melted in front of a red-headed girl - one whom he knew, a former client.

"Right" he muttered, tightening his deep red tie, remembering that the professor had asked him to see if he could lend the former X-man a hand and keep civilians safe. With a subtle hand gesture, he summoned a dove who landed on the passenger side door. While the fight was raging - Nathaniel remained as calm as ever, safely observing and pulling a few strings from a distance. "See if you and your mates can cause enough havoc to force the pilot to either fly away or land, okay?"

A dutifully cooed "Aye aye" could be heard in response.

"No heroes, get out if it heats up. Make use of those side doors." he said, just as the dove took off to execute the plan. His gaze then turned to three rats who stood right below his own door "Can you guys understand me too?" - just as the question was asked, a violent red light lit up as another mutant seemed to create a powerful electric charge to put a serious dent in a rock-person. "This is way above my pay grade" he mumbled before looking back to the critters, having heard nothing but small squeaks from them thus far "If anyone raises a gun, just give them a small nibble and run away, okay?" - after hearing a few more squeaks, Nathaniel could do no more than to hope for the best.

He then saw the blonde across the intersection - clearly not part of the armed gang, climb into the armoured car, right before it hummed to life. "Grand theft auto, the prosecution will have a..." he trailed off as he saw a man raise a rifle at the doctor. Seemingly by instinct, the lawyer quickly flashed the car's main lights, creating just enough of a momentary distraction for a rat to arrive and nibble at the assailant's ankle. It wouldn't buy Dr. Fraser more than a few moments - but it was all he could pull off without getting directly involved in the fray.