Within the Apple Chapter 5A

Chapter 5

Ethan dropped easily out of the PRT truck, eyes already scouting ahead to see where Glory Girl was positioned.

“That must be this Magus guy,” Battery said from beside him as she finished circling around the truck to join him.

“Seems so,” He nodded as they walked forward together, “BBPD beat us here.”

“Probably had a car nearby,” She shrugged.

Assault nodded absently as he and his partner made their way up through the gathered crowd.

“Glory Girl,” He greeted boisterously, “And who’s this? A new beau? Oh what ever will I tell Gallant?”

“That I broke your nose if you keep making cracks like that?”

He laughed at her, knowing it was an empty threat. Even if she were so inclined to try, his powers to allow him to escape any serious injury.

Beside him, however, Battery sighed.

“Oh I wish it were that easy,” She said in a much put upon tone.

“Puppy!” He objected, hand over heart as he shot her a hurt look.

She just ignored him, looking the new Cape up and down, “Magus, I presume?”

“Alexander, please,” The Cape told her with a smile that made Assault suddenly want to live up to his nom-de-plume. “pretty ladies can always use my given name.”

“Alexander then,” Battery smiled sweetly at him, her tone far from the irritated one she’d reserved for him, Ethan noted with growing annoyance. “Would you mind explaining what happened?”

“Of course,” The little brat said cheerfully, “Glory Girl and I were just doing a little shopping… she was generous enough to offer her time showing me around… and we were just finishing up when we heard the commotion.”

He nodded to the grungy looking man on the ground, grimacing a little.

“He was running more or less in our direction, having taken something that didn’t belong to him,” The young man said with a cheerful tsking sound, “I decided that he really ought to return it.”

“You stopped him?” Battery asked, glancing toward Glory Girl.

“All him,” The white and gold clad heroine nodded, pouting a little, “I didn’t even get a chance to move.”

“Wouldn’t have wanted you to break a nail, princess,” Magus winked.

She scowled at him, but without much heat, before rolling her eyes.

“At anyrate,” Magus grew serious as he nodded down once more. “I’d have the lab check his knife and blackjack. They were used for some rather nasty business.”

“How do you know that?” Assault asked, noting the change in tone away from the light hearted flirting.

“Powers,” Magus answered. “There’s blood on both, doesn’t match our friend here, and bone and brain matter on the club.”

Assault grimaced, looking down, “We’ll make sure its run, though it looks like this is more the PD’s case than ours. I have enough contacts to put a bug in some ears.”

And he both did and would. As bad as the city was, there was no way he was overlooking a potential murder case, or letting anyone else allow it to slip through the cracks.

“Excellent,” Magus said cheerfully as he glanced around, “If that’s all, though, it does seem like I have some more things to do.”

“Just a couple questions, if you don’t mind?” Battery asked, her tone light and sweet.

Magus hesitated, then shrugged and smiled back, “Anything for a Lady.”

Battery rolled her eyes, “from what we know you’re new in town?”

“I am indeed. Just passing through, though I may be here a bit longer than I’d hoped,” Magus frowned. “But that’s nothing to do with you.”

“Hunting Nazis?” Assault asked intently.

“Sadly no,” Magus sighed, “not that I wouldn’t very much love to, but I’m working my way home and if I delay too long I have a couple girls who… well, let’s just say that it won’t end well for me.”

Assault got the gist instantly and relaxed, “Ah yes, a pain I know all too well.”

Battery snorted, elbowing him in the guts. He feigned pain and having the air pushed from his lungs, despite his power easily absorbing the impact.

“So I see,” Magus grinned, “though one of mine is more likely to use a dagger… or an axe.”

“One of?” Battery and Glory Girl demanded together.

Magus shrugged, “What can I say? They insisted.”

Assault stared for a moment, “What cologne do you wear?”

Battery hit him again.

“You will neverfind out,” She growled, pushing him backwards before turning back to Xander, “The Protectorate would love to have you join, if you’re interested.”

“I doubt I’ll be around long enough, but if there’s an emergency and I’m in the area, I will be happy to make myself available to help.” He told her firmly.

Battery nodded slowly, “May I know your powers so we can determine how you might be able to help?”

“Oh here we go,” Glory Girl said, rolling her eyes.

Magus just grinned, “Why, I’m a Wizard of course.”

*****