Abnormal Norman 36: The Wolf Waits

Abnormal Norman 36: The Wolf Waits

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Be Brad

Back of a military vehicle

 

>Ugh...too...weak...

>But...can't sleep.

 

>You wake up to the rocky path the vehicle holding you is taking.

>Bumps up and down. The last thing you remembered were a bunch of soldiers...

>Soldiers...what were they doing?

>Oh right, they shot right at you.

>...

>SHIT! ARE YOU DEAD?

"AHH!"

>You look at your stomach. You don't see nor feel anything painful.

>A few slight struggles confirms it.

"Phew. Jeez..."

>"Well, I see Amaranthine has a conscious roommate, I see."

"W-what?"

>You look to your left. You see a woman. Most likely about older than Applejack's sister.

>Oh shit, you remember.

>You were fighting a huge rhino-hybrid woman.

>You thought it was a man.

"Oh god. You!"

>You try to stand up but the cuffs on your legs and hands won't let you.

>"Yes, it's me. THE GREAT AMARANTHINE."

"Oh god, don't turn!"

>"Please, I can't turn if I wanted to. I'm practically bound and chained too."

"Oh thank god. Where are we?"

>"Taken back to that general's base. He's one guy with a stone cold gaze. Lives up to his family name too. Igneus Rock."

"What are they going to do with us?"

>"I don't know about me, but I know they're going to torture you for answers."

"GYAHH!"

>"Oh pipe down. If you cooperate like I did, you'll be out, free, unless what they want lies within you."

"But...But I don't have any superpower."

>"So I've seen. You acted like an idiot at that battle we had."

"Hey, at least I...wait, where's Ly-err... Chronos?"

>"Ahh, your girlfriend?"

"My partner. That woman's a bitch!"

>"Haha, well, I know she's escaped. Probably left you for dead."

"Knowing her, you're probably telling the truth. Ugh, dammit."

>Lyra's abandoned you, and you're taken to some unknown place of...DAMNATION.

>If only there'd be a meteor that would crash down on this truck and maybe give me superpowers.

>Man, that would be cool.

>"Well, Amaranthine is bored, and you're the only one in this truck."

"S-So?"

>She puts on that flirty face you see with alot of women.

>REMAIN CALM AND IGNORE HER.

>"Say, you're pretty cute without the mask."

>REMAIN CALM AND IGNORE HER.

>"You single? Amaranthine is."

>REMAIN CALM AND IGNORE HER. OH GOD, PLEASE, TAKE ME THERE FASTER.

>She slides towards you with a smile.

>"Road's a bit bumpy, eh?"

"Faust, how old are you?"

>"Old enough. [spoiler];3[/spoiler]

>REMAINCALMREMAINCALMREMAINCALMREMAINCALMABORTABORTABORTBABORT

 

Be Norman

Streets with Gilda

 

>Gilda escorts you to your house, much to your displeasure.

>"You idiot. You shouldn't have done that."

"Done what?"

>"Threatened Nolan. We would have shot you."

"Oh boo-hoo, being shot in a gang by his girlfriend and his henchman. That would make a great obituary."

>"Norman, this is serious business. If Nolan sees potential in you, he could enlist you as part of his gang, and you'd be rich from the compensation he gives."

"Gilda, you and I both know that I'm already trapped in a way. Think about it. If I don't do well with Nolan in a work relationship way, he'd just kill me off once I'm done, and if I don't agree to work for him, he'd just kill me off as well."

>"Exactly my point! You get on his good side, you get compensation, a few other jobs for him and get like, a hundred of free favors for you to use with his men."

"And in the end, my Saint's Bro chains are locked until the day Nolan quits, dies, or just burns down the whole gang thing all together."

>"It ain't chains if you're enjoying yourself."

"And what about you? Huh? The only reason you're still here is because of your vendetta with my da-.. that cop and Cherry Jubilee."

>"Excuse me?"

>You just realized what you just said.

"Nothing. So what was it with you and that cop back at the desert? * "

[spoiler] See issues # 27, 28 and 30 [/spoiler]

>"Didn't I tell you to mind your own damn business?"

"Hey, if you're going to have psychopathic murderous tendencies, you're going to tell me why you had it in with that cop."

>"I always have murderous tendencies!"

"Yeah, with other rival gangs. With a cop? It's like point a knife to a shark."

>"Well, that's my business and none of your concern."

"All I know about you two is that he probably got you in jail. Isn't that common with most cops? What's the difference with him? You knew him didn't you?"

>Gilda looked away. She couldn't talk to you.

"Gilda. Tell me what was it that made him so different from the other cops?"

>Alas, Gilda refuses to tell.

"sigh. Look, if you're going to be like that, that's fine with me, but you have to promise to keep away from my house."

>"Why?"

"W-well, first of, you're a girl roughly my age or older. You know how parents are, and second, you look like a gangster!"

>"Well, it's true. Guess I'm off back to wall-eye's house."

>Derpy. That reminds me...

"Gilda, back when you were at Lyra's home * ..."

[spoiler] See Issue # 30 [/spoiler]

>"Yeah?"

"You mentioned seeing Derpy before."

>"Yeah, I did. She seemed familiar to me."

"How familiar?"

>"Back when I was just selling Muffs as a courier. I remember someone like her buying from me."

>Jeez.

"Wait, are you saying Derpy was once a junkie?"

>"I don't remember, really."

>You look at her with a menacing gaze.

>"Look, I'm not pushing her to buy our product now. Besides, didn't she say that she wasn't the one buying muffs from us?"

"Alright. Alright, but listen, if you're staying at hers for the time being, I need you to keep her out of the-"

>"Yeah, yeah. I know."

"And another thing."

>"What?"

"Try to be at least friendly with her. You're staying at her place, least she could do is be a bit friendly with her."

>"Ooooh, you want me to be some sort of living hugbox for her, is that it?"

"No, I meant that, well...If you're distant, the more she'd try to fit in with what's going on, but if you're friendly, she'd respect your wishes to be a bit more distant from you."

>Gilda looks at you with disbelief.

"Reverse Psychology!"

>In truth, you know that the idea would bring Gilda closer to Derpy, lending her all of Gilda's plans/secrets.

>Hopefully, she'd already agreed to the little conversation you had when you two were in detention *

[spoiler] See Issue # 34 [/spoiler]

>Gilda still looks at you with disbelief.

"Hey, it's your funeral if she somehow turns Rodimus Prime at you."

>"Rodimus who?"

"Err, that guy who caused a main character's death after trying to be heroic and stuff, know what I'm saying?"

>"Yeah, I think."

 

>You and Gilda finally arrived.

"Well, we're here."

>"Yeah. Talk to you soon. Remember that little talk I told you about Nolan's good side."

>You give her the middle finger.

>She gives back hers.

 

>Well, time to head home.

>Not like your parents missed you sneaking out yesterday.

>They never give a crap about what I do.

>Unlocking the door, you went inside your home, and much to your surprise, two worried and angry parents stand in front of you.

>Oh crap.

>>"YOUNG MAN, YOU HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO."

 

Be Octavia

At Home

 

>You came home after your little date with Brad.

>Despite the rumors about Brad being an idiot and a skirt chaser, he seemed really interested in my stories.

>And possibly, me.

>The way he held your hand after...ahh~

 

>You spun around the living room in a mixture of joy and embarrassment.

>Maybe tomorrow, when Brad keeps true to his word, he can salvage the ruined friendship I have with Lyra.

>And maybe, maybe with Brad, something more.

*RING* *RING*

>Your phone rings. As expected, its Rarity.

*beep*

>"DAAAARLING, Octavia~"

"Hello, Rarity."

>"How was your night? Surely it's been filled with glamour and terrible jokes from your blind date."

"Look, Rarity, about the date."

>"Did he say anything? Anything about Norman and Lyra?"

"No, I didn't press on. He and I came to an understanding, and he decided that he'd just try to talk to Lyra."

>"What? You didn't-"

"No, I didn't use my German charms or seduced him for answers. I'm not that kind of woman. Maybe you would do that but not me."

>"I wasn't suggesting..."

"Look, I agreed with Brad that I wouldn't walk into Lyra's life anymore, and that I wouldn't listen to your plans anymore."

>"But..."

"You're on your own, Rarity. You're still my friend, but don't talk me into another one of those again."

>"Octavia, please, you-"

"Goodbye."

>You put the phone down.

>Well, standing up for yourself has proven to be an enlightening experience.

>This is a really great night.

 

>You went to your room to have your night's practice of your cello.

>Nothing could end this perfect night better than a smooth jazz of your own talents.

>Holding the cello's bow in your hand, you begin to slowly play.

>Ahh~

>The enlightning music, the flow of the cello's music, the-

>*RING**RING*

>Verdammt! Who's distracting you now? Probably Rarity again.

>You opened your phone and yelled at the caller.

"Ich dachte, ICH IHNEN sagte-"

>"...D-Derpy...ugh..."

>You recognized that voice. Checking the name on the phone, it's Lyra!

>Gott!

"LYRA? LYRA IS THAT YOU?"

>"T-Tavi? Fuck...wrong...ugh...call..."

>Lyra spoke with a weak voice.

>She seemed badly hurt.

"LYRA! WHE-"

*beep*

>Lyra ended the call immediately.

"Ach Mein Gott..."

>You immediately tried to see if her phone's GPS signal is on.

>...

>IT IS!

>You immediately charged your phone as you changed into something more suitable for running.

>Lyra could be in trouble. What could have happened?

 

Be Norman

In Trouble

 

>Ahh, shit.

>"NORMAN! YOU HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO!"

"Listen...I..."

>"I mean seriously, you escape from your room only to end up at Cherry Hill Industries to work in your job?"

"Well, I mea- WAIT WHAT?"

>Out from the living room area comes Cherry Jubilee.

>>"Oh Norman, so nice of you to join us at last."

"W-WHAT?"

>Your mother's come to congratulate you.

>>>"Oh my little Normy's growing up at last!"

"C-Could someone please explain what's going on?"

>"Well, apparently, this young woman here's been telling us how much of a wonderful job you've been doing at her facility that you'd be getting a free scholarship in a college that she'd been working with as well."

>>>"Oh Norman, why didn't you tell us you've been working at a job? That would have explained most of your mysterious behaviour."

"Mysterious?"

>>>"Yeah, I mean, the disappearance, the fact that you've been gone all night yesterday, and the fact that you never asked me for money for the past few weeks!"

"Oh...that."

>Well technically, the reason for that was because of Nolan giving us lots of dosh, but...holy shit.

>Cherry's here, and she just...wait, what is she doing here?

>>"Rest assured, ma'm, a fine boy like him will grow up to have a bright future after he graduates from high school and college. You've been growing him to be a stern boy, Officer Normal."

>"Well, that's ex-officer to you. I work at the magazine company down the street."

>>"Really? I thought I...well, no matter, I'm glad we had a little chat. Who knew Norman's been keeping secrets from you guys."

>>>"I guess it's our fault we never spend so much time with him, but I'm glad he's not going through all those gangs."

"G-Gee, what gave you that idea, mom?"

>>>"Well, some of your lady friends had visited and was asking where you were. The last they saw you, you were 'stolen' by a white-purple haired biker."

>"I mean, you're not in those biker gangs, are you?"

"Well, I mean I've met one, but I don't hang out with them, or anything..."

>"Good! Wait, which one?"

>>"Listen, thanks again for the tea, Mrs. Normal, but I need to talk to your son in private."

>Cherry pulls you by the arm.

>You just smile awkwardly.

 

>After pulling you outside, she lights a cigarette.

>>"That was really stressing. Why the hell were you late? I thought I calculated the timing of you coming out of your school by 4:00?"

"Look, Nolan wanted to talk to me. Said I wanted to switch to a more easier gang to take out."

>>"Oh? Let me guess, Diamond Dogs? Mane-iac's?"

"Diamond Dogs."

>>"Bunch of brutes, that's what they are. You'd beat them for sure."

"Right, so listen, about what happened there."

>>"Had to clean up the mess our trackers made after you were brought to my facility *blows smoke*"

"Yeah well, what else?"

>>"Remember when I told you about your father saving me? Being a cop? * "

[spoiler] See Issue # 32[/spoiler]

"You wanted to secure his trust whenever I'm spotted with you?"

>>"Better than how Nolan does it. How does he do it, anyway?"

"Ehh, n-nothing much, just sends his gang to spy on me, nothing unusual."

>>"I wouldn't do that to you. I have full faith that you'd do us a great deal in our cause."

"Yeah, because nanobots are a bitch, right?"

>>"Oh don't take it the wrong way. It's not like I'd be able to track you everywhere. Even that technology's not available yet."

"When you're the head of a science industry, I find that hard to believe."

>Cherry hands you a small piece of paper.

>It's a map.

"Hey, Gilda gave me something similar too, only with most of the battleplans against you."

>>"Right...thanks for telling me."

>Ahck, slip of the tongue."

>You look at the map. Nothing unusual other than Diamond Dog's hideouts and hangouts.

>>"They aren't too different from FlimFlam's gang, but I assure you, they have steroid-using beasts there."

"Oh joy, just like that big white bastard from FlimFlam's gang * ."

[spoiler]It's Snowflake, see Issues # 9-10[/spoiler]

>>"That wouldn't be a problem for you and your crew. Anyways, I'd like you to come with me to the facility."

"Why?"

>>"I have a bunch of free goodies for you. Something to aid you in your battle against them and Saint's Bro."

"Ahh, you sure?"

>>"Of course! I'd like us to have a good work relationship. I doubt Nolan gives you free gadgets."

"S-Sure. Let's go with that."

>This is perfect. You can plant the devices Nolan gave you tonight.

>Cherry opens her sportscar and invites you in.

>It's just like those porno movies.

>You went in and fastened your seatbelt.

>The start of 'OPERATION: cross-gang wrecking' has begun!

 

Be Derpy

At Home

 

>Cooking food for two.

>Because your roommate's too picky to eat anything.

>Some nice noodles wouldn't be too bad.

 

>At that moment, Gilda rings the doorbell.

>"Hey gray, it's me!"

"Coming!"

>You left the stove to open the door to your guest of honor.

"Hey Gilda! You look beat!"

>"It's been one hell of a night. I nearly shot Norman."

"WHAT!?"

>"Come on, he was about to beat up Nolan, then Nolan got the best of him."

"Oh thank god."

>"Err, your noodles."

"AHH!"

>They're nearly burnt!

>You rushed to the kitchen to turn the stove off.

"Phew."

>"Sniff* Is that noodles? Man, I used to eat a whole gallon of those. They are cheap as hell!"

"Well, I guess that's one reason why it's popular to college students. Eat up!"

>You pour a bowl for her, much to her happiness."

>"Mmmm, this irs rerrlly gerrd!"

"I'm glad."

>"*nom* Yer nerW? *gulp* You should really enter culinary. It really suits you."

"Hah. Well, I'm glad you like it."

>You just give a bored look at her.

>"What's wrong, gray?"

>Truth be told, a few hours ago, Norman told you to try and manipulate a friendship with Gilda.*

[spoiler] See Issue # 34[/spoiler]

>But do you have the guts to do it?

>Start a friendship with someone like her?

 

*RING* *RING*

>Your phone rings.

>It's Lyra!

"I have to take this."

>"*chomp* go ahead!"

"Hello? Lyra?"

>>"D-Derpy...need...help...sewer."

"LYRA? What's going on."

>>"Brad...captured...news...leave gps on...find me."

*beep*

"Lyra? LYRA?"

>"Hey gray, what's wrong?"

"Gilda! Turn the telly on!"

>Gilda turns the television on immediately.

>The tv news shows a huge commotion by the city.

>>>REPORTER: REPORTS OF A HUGS RHINOCEROUS LION NEARLY DESTROYS ALL OF THE SHOPS IN THIS AREA IF NOT FOR THE VIGILANTES, CHRONOS AND COMMANDER UNDERWEAR.

>>>>INTERVIEWEE: IT WAS AWESOME! THERE WAS TEAMWORK AND SHIT EVERYWHERE! SHAME THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO RUIN EVERYTHING.

>>>>>INTERVIEWEE 2: THE ARMY CAME IN OUT OF NOWHERE AND BEGAN FIRING DARTS AT BOTH OUR HEROES. SHIT WAS TOTALLY UNCOOL!

>>>>>>INTERVIEWEE 3: I THINK CHRONOS ESCAPED. MAN, SHE'S HOT. I THINK I'LL START MAKING FANART OF HER.

>>>>>>>INTERVIEWEE 4: THAT RHINO-JERK RUINED MY CAR! A CERTAIN CITY ZOO SHALL TASTE MY WRATH!

>>>REPORTER: ACCORDING TO REPORTS, ONLY THE RHINO WOMAN AND COMMANDER UNDERWEAR WERE CAPTURED BY THE ARMY. CHRONOS SEEMINGLY HAD TELEPORTED OUT OF THE AREA. NO REPORTS OF HOW OR WHERE. BACK TO YOU, TED.

"Faust..."

>"Hey, that looks like Amaranthine. I bet that idiot's still looking for me."

"Gilda, get your boots. We need to rescue Lyra."

>"Dammit, I was enjoying this couch."

"I have her location on my phone. You need to come with me."

>"Fine, let's go."

>Gilda gets on her feet and goes out with you.

>Unknown to you and Gilda that Octavia's on her way as well.

 

Be Brad

???

 

>You wake up once more to the sound of the truck stopping.

>It seems you have arrived to the destination of...wherever the soldiers took you.

>The rhino girl sleeps on your shoulder.

>This is both cute and disturbing.

>She really reminds you of Applejack's little sister.

>...

>REMAIN CALM AND STOP THINKING ABOUT IT.

 

>There are sounds coming from outside.

>Orders being issued through the sound of yelling.

>Finally, the locks from outside are getting fiddled with.

>The doors open, the morning light shines bright.

>It wakes Amaranthine up.

>Where am I?

>From where you're sitting, you see a military base.

>Finally, a general of cold command comes forth to address you and Amaranthine.

>"Where...ugh...we're here already??"

>The general stands tall.

>You just quake in fear.

"I...I assume you're the General?"

>The man stays quiet for three seconds, until he finally speaks with such intensity.

>>"Vigilante Underwear, you are hereby detained for questioning until further notice."

>He then leans a bit forward to you.

>>"Welcome to purgatory, boy.

>Ahh crap.

 

End of Chapter 36