Mari's return

Quest

“Alright, Aubrey and her gang usually hang out around here so we might be able to find her here,” said Kel as they searched the same park where they found Basil.

“Um, Kel did I hear you right? Aubrey is in a gang?” Mari concerningly asked.

“Oh yeah, The Hooligans, The Scooter Gang, call ‘em what you want, those guys are a pain in the...” Kel stopped noticing the threatening aura that exuded from Mari. She didn’t take too kindly to swearing, especially when it was in front of her little brother. “I mean... They’ve been a real nuisance these days! You probably saw her earlier too, she was the one on the bike with pink hair.”

“That was Aubrey!” exclaimed Mari, overjoyed that she dyed her hair just like they promised years ago. Hopefully, she’ll get the chance to hold up her end of the deal. “She’s so pretty now, huh Sunny? Oh, and make sure you apologize to her later okay?”

Sunny nodded in response, while a bright red tint coursed through his ears.

“I think I see one of her goons!” shouted Kel as he headed to a corner of the park where two scooters were leaning against a picnic table, and a large girl sat in the grass. “Hey, you’re Charlie, right? You hang with Aubrey, don’t you? Well, we’re looking for her.”

The girl silently stared back at Kel.

“Listen, she took something really important from Basil. We just want to get-”

“Hold on, Kel.” Mari shifted her attention to a nearby tree. She kicked a piece of gravel towards it, causing the tree to shake. Shortly after, a small boy with a pompadour fell to the ground.

“Ouch! What gives!” he cried while struggling to get his bearings.

“Just as I thought. This was an ambush.” Mari put her fists up in a guard, ready for either of the Hooligans to attack.

“Um, Mari, I don’t think that it was,” said Kel. “These guys are just a bunch of boneheads.”

Finally, the pompadour boy was able to get to his feet. “Well! If it isn’t Kel, that weird knife guy, and some masked lady! You’ll prove to worthy opponents against me, the mighty Angel!” He then made some sort of action pose.

The group stared at the boy in disbelief at his stupid act.

“Angel, where’s Aubrey?” Kel blatantly asked.

“Hmph, if you want to know… Then defeat me in combat!”

“But, you’re like... ten… I’d feel bad for hurting a kid.”

“Alright, I accept your challenge!” Mari didn’t want the two boys to get hurt again, and as an experienced warrior it only made sense that she be the one to do the fighting.

“Very well then! Come on Charlie, let’s get ‘em!” Angel and Charlie then assumed another weird pose together. Angel soon began to flail his arms towards Mari. “Angel Special Attack!”