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fardell24“Ah!” Daria called out as she reached the ground a little quickly.
“Sorry,” the Enigma said. “I’m still getting used to this.”
“But you have powers don’t you?” Daria asked as she let go. “I noticed something just then; our trajectory changed a little as we came to the ground.”
“Yes. Telekinesis,” the Enigma answered. Her hands then glowed with purple. “And energy projections.”
“I see,” Daria responded. “And you haven’t mastered them yet.”
“No,” The Enigma admitted. “But my mentor is continuing to teach me, despite not wanting me to do this.”
“I’m sure they’re looking out for you.”
“Yes. But let’s go. I’m sure you don’t want to take too long, given it’s a school night.”
“I’ll manage,” Daria responded.
They quietly walked quickly along the street.
They reached the Lawndale Center twenty minutes later. “My mentor and I helped during the situation,” the Enigma said.
“And the news reports focused on SpiderGirl, Ninja Talon and the Shadow,” Daria added as she wrote in her notebook. ‘Enigma’s mentor helped.”
“I hid behind that tree,” the Enigma said, pointing at a tree. “And I shot energy projections at the attacker’s craft. It was difficult, as I didn’t want to hit SpiderGirl and the other two.”
Daria wrote that down. “What did your mentor do?”
“She said that she found an out of the way place and held up the roof, where it was threatening to collapse, with her powers.”
“So, she’s not a vigilante?”
“No,” the Enigma answered. “At least not in Lawndale, and not recently.”
‘That might explain the strange debris patterns. If the Enigma’s mentor was intervening with telekinetic powers.’
They entered the ruins and started looking around. The Enigma took out a camera and started taking photos.
SpiderGirl crawled out on the roof at the usual time and noticed that one of the rear windows was ajar. She looked around. ‘Has Daria been on the roof?’ she wondered before she began listening to Lawndale as she usually did.
After an hour and a half, Daria had gathered more data. It had been slow going, given that she and the Enigma were trying to not dislodge any debris.
“Time?” the Enigma asked.
“Yes, I’m getting tired and I want to be focused to continue my investigation tomorrow at school.”
“Oh?”
“I will be asking Ted Dewit-Clinton to interview the Seniors about their experiences over the last few months,” Daria answered.
“That’s a tall order.”
“That’s what Jane and my sister said.”
“It will take a lot of time,” the Enigma pointed out.
“True, along with going through the newspaper articles since SpiderGirl appeared.”
“So, it’s a long term thing.”
“Most likely,” Daria said. “Although things in Lawndale will certainly get worse.”
SpiderGirl arrived near the northern edge of town, near the Interstate after hearing something in that direction. She saw Peterson there. ‘Act normal,’ she thought.
“SpiderGirl,” Peterson said. “We have this situation in hand. A would be break and enter, and a citizen’s arrest.”
“That’s good.”
“I’m afraid there is no clue who attacked the Festival yet.”
“What has been found so far?” SpiderGirl asked.
“Nothing. Either that or I haven’t been made privy to the information.”
‘Because the Department knows that she interacts with Ninja Talon and I,’ SpiderGirl considered. “Right, I’ll tell Ninja Talon that when I meet her next.”
The Enigma and Daria returned to the Morgendorffers’ house. “I’m sorry It hasn’t been more helpful,” the former said as she flung a rope onto the roof from the backyard.
“Actually it was quite helpful. I found out some things I wouldn’t have otherwise,” Daria responded.
“Cool.”
Daria climbed up the rope slowly, making it up onto the roof two minutes later. The Enigma followed her. “You probably need a grapple gun.”
“I’ll probably refine my powers first, but I’ll think about it.”
The Enigma headed home, sure that she had done enough for the night. Daria went to sleep as soon as she got back in her room.
SpiderGirl returned and saw that the attic window was now closed. ‘What is Daria up to?’ she wondered. She looked around, there was no way for her sister to get down without help. ‘Did the Shadow come back and talk to her somewhere?’ She wasn’t sure.
Lawndale Sun-Herald
Monday, February 5, 2001
No Progress in Search for Person Responsible for the Groundhog Day Attack
Quinn came down for breakfast and saw Daria already eating. ‘How to broach this?’ she wondered. “Were you on the roof last night?” she asked. ‘Not like that!’
“Did you hear something?” Daria asked.
“I didn’t,” Quinn answered. “But I noticed that one of the windows was open when I went outside.”
“Couldn’t sleep?”
“No.”
“I was up there,” Daria said. “And I found the fourth vigilante waiting for me.”
‘What?’ Quinn asked. ‘First the Shadow and now the Enigma?’ She opened a cupboard and grabbed the cereal.
“Exactly as I said.”
“Right. What happened?”
“We went off and looked at the Lawndale Center,” Daria answered.
“You might be getting in over your head,” Quinn said in a worried tone.
“I know how to look after myself.”
“I know, but maybe you’re biting off more than you can chew. Thats four people you are investigating with. Five if you include Ted.”
Daria then looked thoughtful.
‘Then again, if she is bogging herself down, she’s less likely to find our secret identities. But is that good for Lawndale?’ Quinn wondered as she poured the milk.
“Good Morning, Students of La-awndale High! An emergency Assembly will be held next period to discuss the impact of the Attack on Friday Night!” Ms. Li announced straight after Homeroom.
‘Of course,’ Daria thought.
At an Oscorp facility on the northern edge of Lawndale, Norman Osborn met one of his engineers. “How are the repairs coming?” he asked.
“Almost complete,” the engineer reported. “The failed avionics have been replaced. But there is something else concerning.”
“What is that?”
“We found what appears to be the remains of a shuriken in one of the port engine bays.”
“Really?” Osborn asked.
“Yes. Was there a confrontation with a ninja, like say, Ninja Talon?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Are you saying that I’m responsible for that attack?”
“I’m not saying anything,” the engineer said. “Whoever tested it might have gone off and did something.”
“Is the engine repaired?”
“Not yet, but it will be later today.”
“Good, and I don’t want to hear any further accusations,” Osborn said.
Osborn left the facility. He needed to see his counsellor, but she was back in New York. He had to be in Lawndale! ‘I’m sure she’ll come here if I say it’s urgent.’ He headed back to the office, before he would go to the High School for Ms. Li’s answer about the CCTV later in the day.
Back at the High School, the Emergency Assembly started.
“As you know, there was an attack on the Lawndale Center on Friday night,” Ms. Li said. “Full counselling will be available for any student or staff member who wants it. Mrs. Manson will provide the details.”
Mrs. Manson then went to the podium.
Ms. Li then continued. “As far as I know, only four students were present at the festivities at the time of the attack, although more may have been present. They were Ted Dewit-Clinton, Anna Coultard, Brittany Taylor and Ben Harrod. All of them were accounted for afterwards. And now, Anna Coultard will read the story she was about to read when the attack started,” Ms. Li said.
Daria caught up with Ted at Lunch. “How are you holding up, Ted?” Daria asked when she had sat down.
“I’m fine, Daria, thanks,” Ted said. “I was close to the door when it started. So, I was able to get out quickly.”
“That’s good.”
“I was able to see SpiderGirl help in the evacuation, so that was good. It will be in the Lowdown this week.”
“Good, because that’s what wanted to talk to you about.”
“Something to do with the Lowdown?” Ted asked. “You want to contribute? Quinn has been occasionally since the holidays.”
“Really?” Daria asked.
“Yes. She’s not only branching out by mentoring Anna, Ben, Gerald and Angie. It was after I got out of the hospital that she started.”
“I will be asking more about that.”
“Really?” Ted asked.
“Anyway, I’m investigating what’s going on in Lawndale since SpiderGirl appeared.”
“She has been doing good, and giving the town hope.”
“Maybe, but more vigilantes isn’t the answer to the crime,” Daria said.
“I’m not sure what to make of Ninja Talon and the Shadow either.”
“And the rumoured fourth,” Daria added, trying to put the events of the previous night out of her mind for the time being.
“Yes, quite interesting.”
“I was also looking to interview the Seniors about the past few months before they graduate.”
“There are about 80 seniors and about three months, not counting spring break,” Ted pointed out.
“I’m aware of that, which is why I’m asking you today.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“And access to the Lowdown’s back catalogue,” Daria added.
“Done! That’s how Quinn started. She was looking into the background of the people Angie got involved with that week.”
“Really?” Daria asked. ‘What else is she now doing?’ she wondered.
“Yes.”
“It would probably be easy to go by Alphabetical order by surname.”
They talked for a while longer.
In his office, Osborn made the call to New York.
“Norman. I was wondering when you would call,” his counsellor said.
“I need you to come to Lawndale! It’s urgent.”
“I do have appointments this afternoon, but I can be there tonight.”
“Thanks.”
“They’re getting worse?” she asked.
“Yes.”
Ms. Li saw Norman enter her office.
“What is your answer.”
“I agree, with some caveats,” the Principal said.
“What caveats?”
“I get a say in what gets shared.”
“Of course,” Osborn said.
“But, if I find you’re going outside what is laid out in that document, I will have legal recourse.”
“A High School suing Oscorp? Sounds a little absurd doesn’t it?”
“Not just this School, Mr. Osborn,” Li said. “The Lawndale County School District.”
“Even the School District can’t succeed against Oscorp.”
“But the publicity would be brutal no matter how good your PR machine is.”
“Good point,” Osborn conceded. “I will stick to what it says.”
Angela watched him go. She didn’t trust him at all.
After school, Brittany entered the library. She saw that Daria and Quinn weren’t there yet and Anna and Ben were waiting for the latter. ‘I can wait,’ she thought as she went over to where she had found books on martial arts.
Daria arrived in the library at the same time as Gerald. “Hi, Daria,” the latter said.
“Wait, Gerald. I’d like to ask you something later.”
“Oh?”
“About when SpiderGirl drove the bus to the hospital,” Daria said.
“Sure, it was an interesting situation. I’d say that was a coincidence that she was in the area at the time. But what did Quinn say at the time?’
“That she had ran off to find you and ran into SpiderGirl, but I would like your view of things.”
“Sure,” Gerald said.
“And how are you coping with the situation after Friday night.”
“It’s not likely to happen again, right?”
“The person responsible is still out there,” Daria said as she came up to the table where Anna and Ben were waiting.
Quinn came up to where the trio was waiting and saw Daria go over to Brittany. ‘Many things at once,’ she thought.
“Hey, Daria,” Brittany said.
“I didn’t realise that you were there, during the attack,” Daria said.
“I was. Ms. Li wanted me to make a speech. I had already made one that morning. There were TV cameras there.”
“Right. I have analysed the data I did find.”
“So have I,” Brittany said.
They went over to a table to discuss their findings.
At the same time, Anna laid out a map of the County on the table. “The Standing Stones are here,” she said, pointing to a spot a third of the way between the western edge of Lawndale and the eastern edge of Oakwood.
“That’s not far at all,” Quinn said. “We can easily do it.”
“How?” Gerald asked. “We don’t have a car, do we?”
“I do,” Quinn said. “Well, one I share with Daria. It belonged to our father.”
“That works,” Anna said.
“Of course it comes back to that,” Gerald grumbled. “So, Friday night?”
“Yes, after school,” Quinn said. “But not in the night time. We’ll leave while there’s still plenty of daylight.”
“But I still don’t know when my lessons will be,” Gerald said.
“That’s true,” Quinn said.
“Mom is still considering which one,” Gerald added.
“That’s fine,” Quinn said. She turned to Anna. “That story was interesting.”
“I had been working on it for a while,” Anna said. “But I wouldn’t have been reading it out loud without this. I wasn’t as confident before.”
“Sorry,” the Enigma said. “I’m still getting used to this.”
“But you have powers don’t you?” Daria asked as she let go. “I noticed something just then; our trajectory changed a little as we came to the ground.”
“Yes. Telekinesis,” the Enigma answered. Her hands then glowed with purple. “And energy projections.”
“I see,” Daria responded. “And you haven’t mastered them yet.”
“No,” The Enigma admitted. “But my mentor is continuing to teach me, despite not wanting me to do this.”
“I’m sure they’re looking out for you.”
“Yes. But let’s go. I’m sure you don’t want to take too long, given it’s a school night.”
“I’ll manage,” Daria responded.
They quietly walked quickly along the street.
They reached the Lawndale Center twenty minutes later. “My mentor and I helped during the situation,” the Enigma said.
“And the news reports focused on SpiderGirl, Ninja Talon and the Shadow,” Daria added as she wrote in her notebook. ‘Enigma’s mentor helped.”
“I hid behind that tree,” the Enigma said, pointing at a tree. “And I shot energy projections at the attacker’s craft. It was difficult, as I didn’t want to hit SpiderGirl and the other two.”
Daria wrote that down. “What did your mentor do?”
“She said that she found an out of the way place and held up the roof, where it was threatening to collapse, with her powers.”
“So, she’s not a vigilante?”
“No,” the Enigma answered. “At least not in Lawndale, and not recently.”
‘That might explain the strange debris patterns. If the Enigma’s mentor was intervening with telekinetic powers.’
They entered the ruins and started looking around. The Enigma took out a camera and started taking photos.
SpiderGirl crawled out on the roof at the usual time and noticed that one of the rear windows was ajar. She looked around. ‘Has Daria been on the roof?’ she wondered before she began listening to Lawndale as she usually did.
After an hour and a half, Daria had gathered more data. It had been slow going, given that she and the Enigma were trying to not dislodge any debris.
“Time?” the Enigma asked.
“Yes, I’m getting tired and I want to be focused to continue my investigation tomorrow at school.”
“Oh?”
“I will be asking Ted Dewit-Clinton to interview the Seniors about their experiences over the last few months,” Daria answered.
“That’s a tall order.”
“That’s what Jane and my sister said.”
“It will take a lot of time,” the Enigma pointed out.
“True, along with going through the newspaper articles since SpiderGirl appeared.”
“So, it’s a long term thing.”
“Most likely,” Daria said. “Although things in Lawndale will certainly get worse.”
SpiderGirl arrived near the northern edge of town, near the Interstate after hearing something in that direction. She saw Peterson there. ‘Act normal,’ she thought.
“SpiderGirl,” Peterson said. “We have this situation in hand. A would be break and enter, and a citizen’s arrest.”
“That’s good.”
“I’m afraid there is no clue who attacked the Festival yet.”
“What has been found so far?” SpiderGirl asked.
“Nothing. Either that or I haven’t been made privy to the information.”
‘Because the Department knows that she interacts with Ninja Talon and I,’ SpiderGirl considered. “Right, I’ll tell Ninja Talon that when I meet her next.”
The Enigma and Daria returned to the Morgendorffers’ house. “I’m sorry It hasn’t been more helpful,” the former said as she flung a rope onto the roof from the backyard.
“Actually it was quite helpful. I found out some things I wouldn’t have otherwise,” Daria responded.
“Cool.”
Daria climbed up the rope slowly, making it up onto the roof two minutes later. The Enigma followed her. “You probably need a grapple gun.”
“I’ll probably refine my powers first, but I’ll think about it.”
The Enigma headed home, sure that she had done enough for the night. Daria went to sleep as soon as she got back in her room.
SpiderGirl returned and saw that the attic window was now closed. ‘What is Daria up to?’ she wondered. She looked around, there was no way for her sister to get down without help. ‘Did the Shadow come back and talk to her somewhere?’ She wasn’t sure.
Lawndale Sun-Herald
Monday, February 5, 2001
No Progress in Search for Person Responsible for the Groundhog Day Attack
Quinn came down for breakfast and saw Daria already eating. ‘How to broach this?’ she wondered. “Were you on the roof last night?” she asked. ‘Not like that!’
“Did you hear something?” Daria asked.
“I didn’t,” Quinn answered. “But I noticed that one of the windows was open when I went outside.”
“Couldn’t sleep?”
“No.”
“I was up there,” Daria said. “And I found the fourth vigilante waiting for me.”
‘What?’ Quinn asked. ‘First the Shadow and now the Enigma?’ She opened a cupboard and grabbed the cereal.
“Exactly as I said.”
“Right. What happened?”
“We went off and looked at the Lawndale Center,” Daria answered.
“You might be getting in over your head,” Quinn said in a worried tone.
“I know how to look after myself.”
“I know, but maybe you’re biting off more than you can chew. Thats four people you are investigating with. Five if you include Ted.”
Daria then looked thoughtful.
‘Then again, if she is bogging herself down, she’s less likely to find our secret identities. But is that good for Lawndale?’ Quinn wondered as she poured the milk.
“Good Morning, Students of La-awndale High! An emergency Assembly will be held next period to discuss the impact of the Attack on Friday Night!” Ms. Li announced straight after Homeroom.
‘Of course,’ Daria thought.
At an Oscorp facility on the northern edge of Lawndale, Norman Osborn met one of his engineers. “How are the repairs coming?” he asked.
“Almost complete,” the engineer reported. “The failed avionics have been replaced. But there is something else concerning.”
“What is that?”
“We found what appears to be the remains of a shuriken in one of the port engine bays.”
“Really?” Osborn asked.
“Yes. Was there a confrontation with a ninja, like say, Ninja Talon?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Are you saying that I’m responsible for that attack?”
“I’m not saying anything,” the engineer said. “Whoever tested it might have gone off and did something.”
“Is the engine repaired?”
“Not yet, but it will be later today.”
“Good, and I don’t want to hear any further accusations,” Osborn said.
Osborn left the facility. He needed to see his counsellor, but she was back in New York. He had to be in Lawndale! ‘I’m sure she’ll come here if I say it’s urgent.’ He headed back to the office, before he would go to the High School for Ms. Li’s answer about the CCTV later in the day.
Back at the High School, the Emergency Assembly started.
“As you know, there was an attack on the Lawndale Center on Friday night,” Ms. Li said. “Full counselling will be available for any student or staff member who wants it. Mrs. Manson will provide the details.”
Mrs. Manson then went to the podium.
Ms. Li then continued. “As far as I know, only four students were present at the festivities at the time of the attack, although more may have been present. They were Ted Dewit-Clinton, Anna Coultard, Brittany Taylor and Ben Harrod. All of them were accounted for afterwards. And now, Anna Coultard will read the story she was about to read when the attack started,” Ms. Li said.
Daria caught up with Ted at Lunch. “How are you holding up, Ted?” Daria asked when she had sat down.
“I’m fine, Daria, thanks,” Ted said. “I was close to the door when it started. So, I was able to get out quickly.”
“That’s good.”
“I was able to see SpiderGirl help in the evacuation, so that was good. It will be in the Lowdown this week.”
“Good, because that’s what wanted to talk to you about.”
“Something to do with the Lowdown?” Ted asked. “You want to contribute? Quinn has been occasionally since the holidays.”
“Really?” Daria asked.
“Yes. She’s not only branching out by mentoring Anna, Ben, Gerald and Angie. It was after I got out of the hospital that she started.”
“I will be asking more about that.”
“Really?” Ted asked.
“Anyway, I’m investigating what’s going on in Lawndale since SpiderGirl appeared.”
“She has been doing good, and giving the town hope.”
“Maybe, but more vigilantes isn’t the answer to the crime,” Daria said.
“I’m not sure what to make of Ninja Talon and the Shadow either.”
“And the rumoured fourth,” Daria added, trying to put the events of the previous night out of her mind for the time being.
“Yes, quite interesting.”
“I was also looking to interview the Seniors about the past few months before they graduate.”
“There are about 80 seniors and about three months, not counting spring break,” Ted pointed out.
“I’m aware of that, which is why I’m asking you today.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“And access to the Lowdown’s back catalogue,” Daria added.
“Done! That’s how Quinn started. She was looking into the background of the people Angie got involved with that week.”
“Really?” Daria asked. ‘What else is she now doing?’ she wondered.
“Yes.”
“It would probably be easy to go by Alphabetical order by surname.”
They talked for a while longer.
In his office, Osborn made the call to New York.
“Norman. I was wondering when you would call,” his counsellor said.
“I need you to come to Lawndale! It’s urgent.”
“I do have appointments this afternoon, but I can be there tonight.”
“Thanks.”
“They’re getting worse?” she asked.
“Yes.”
Ms. Li saw Norman enter her office.
“What is your answer.”
“I agree, with some caveats,” the Principal said.
“What caveats?”
“I get a say in what gets shared.”
“Of course,” Osborn said.
“But, if I find you’re going outside what is laid out in that document, I will have legal recourse.”
“A High School suing Oscorp? Sounds a little absurd doesn’t it?”
“Not just this School, Mr. Osborn,” Li said. “The Lawndale County School District.”
“Even the School District can’t succeed against Oscorp.”
“But the publicity would be brutal no matter how good your PR machine is.”
“Good point,” Osborn conceded. “I will stick to what it says.”
Angela watched him go. She didn’t trust him at all.
After school, Brittany entered the library. She saw that Daria and Quinn weren’t there yet and Anna and Ben were waiting for the latter. ‘I can wait,’ she thought as she went over to where she had found books on martial arts.
Daria arrived in the library at the same time as Gerald. “Hi, Daria,” the latter said.
“Wait, Gerald. I’d like to ask you something later.”
“Oh?”
“About when SpiderGirl drove the bus to the hospital,” Daria said.
“Sure, it was an interesting situation. I’d say that was a coincidence that she was in the area at the time. But what did Quinn say at the time?’
“That she had ran off to find you and ran into SpiderGirl, but I would like your view of things.”
“Sure,” Gerald said.
“And how are you coping with the situation after Friday night.”
“It’s not likely to happen again, right?”
“The person responsible is still out there,” Daria said as she came up to the table where Anna and Ben were waiting.
Quinn came up to where the trio was waiting and saw Daria go over to Brittany. ‘Many things at once,’ she thought.
“Hey, Daria,” Brittany said.
“I didn’t realise that you were there, during the attack,” Daria said.
“I was. Ms. Li wanted me to make a speech. I had already made one that morning. There were TV cameras there.”
“Right. I have analysed the data I did find.”
“So have I,” Brittany said.
They went over to a table to discuss their findings.
At the same time, Anna laid out a map of the County on the table. “The Standing Stones are here,” she said, pointing to a spot a third of the way between the western edge of Lawndale and the eastern edge of Oakwood.
“That’s not far at all,” Quinn said. “We can easily do it.”
“How?” Gerald asked. “We don’t have a car, do we?”
“I do,” Quinn said. “Well, one I share with Daria. It belonged to our father.”
“That works,” Anna said.
“Of course it comes back to that,” Gerald grumbled. “So, Friday night?”
“Yes, after school,” Quinn said. “But not in the night time. We’ll leave while there’s still plenty of daylight.”
“But I still don’t know when my lessons will be,” Gerald said.
“That’s true,” Quinn said.
“Mom is still considering which one,” Gerald added.
“That’s fine,” Quinn said. She turned to Anna. “That story was interesting.”
“I had been working on it for a while,” Anna said. “But I wouldn’t have been reading it out loud without this. I wasn’t as confident before.”
