An Unusual Diet

Cedar Springs, just outside Los Angeles

It was about 530 in the morning, the sun just starting to come up. On the trail was a lady in hiking gear, accompanied by two german sheperds carrying dog harnesses. The woman was speaking to a camera on a tripod.

“…and I am very excited to start filming about the wildlife of North America. Like and subscribe to Dr. Frankie Moreau, and remember do not feed wild animals any processed human food.”

She pressed the stop button and has the video upload, as she stopped to admire the wonderful view from the hill. It was certainly not the highest point in Cedar Springs, but enough to see a vast sea of green, slowly being illuminated by the sunrise. She took out her binoculars and began searching the skies for her true mission.

After scanning the horizon a few minutes, the doctor finally spies a large, majestic avian. An American bald eagle was flying through the early dawn sky. “My, what a beauty.” She remarked, when she realized that the eagle was being pursued by large drones. The drones had some kind of electrified weaponry attached, and the eagle was trying to escape them.

On the forest as she saw several men on foot, heading towards where the drones and eagle went. One carried an obvious drone controller. The men were armed and in tactical gear. Poachers. Professional Poachers.

She quickly packed the binoculars away in her bag. “Come on boys.” With a great deal of daring, the doctor and her dogs slid down the hill and began following the poachers. On foot, it would be only a matter of time before she caught up, and with the forest all around, approaching them would be easy.

Wyatt let out a small yawn, he wasn't quite sure what he was doing all the way out here in this part of the world, especially with Virtue Point Academy being built, but...Rabbit Punch had insisted upon his presence here. Apparently there was something going down that just needed attention. Despite being an owl person, though, he didn't quite understand what purpose she had for sending him. He was an air guy, someone who could fly and get a good birds' eye view of things. He wasn't so much a nature person, he loved it, he respected it, but he wouldn't call himself savvy when it came such affairs.

He stifled the next yawn that hit him, bringing a hand carefully to his eye to rub some sleep out of it. It was way too early in the morning for any sort of nonsense like this. Evil could wait until a reasonable hour like everyone else. He was much better in the evenings after all...

Wyatt had perched himself up on a tree somewhere deep in the wood. He was keeping watch, though he wasn't quite sure for what. His eyes gently scanned around, searching for whatever it was that was supposed to happen, but honestly he was at a loss. There didn't seem to be anything wrong here. There was no danger or villain, there wasn't even a bear attacking a camper! It was this kind of nonsense that made him question Rabbit's judgment.  He just to make another few days and he could go back to the city, just a few more days of boredom and hoping something exciting would strike. In the meantime, however, he reached to his bag, began to dig through, and finally pulled out an energy drink. He quickly downed the contents and shook his head. This was no time for an owl to be awake. Every other owl in the wood was sleeping.

He was very much done with this entire mission...

"SQUAWK!"

When the tazer drones closed in and zapped the eagle, the majestic creature careened towards Wyatt, likely hitting him before falling through the trees, struggling as much as it could to survive the crash.

Not far behind the truck with the poachers drove in and stopped, to collect their prize.

"...Alright we got it. Prepare the cage." The poachers disgorged from their truck, a total of eight of them, led by a much older, extremely buff man with gray hair and wearing jaguar pattern jacket.

The drones returned to their portable charging stations on the back of the truck.

"SQUAWK!" The bird was still alive, but definitely had its wings broken, as it struggled helplessly as its hunters came to collect it.

Wyatt quickly looked up at the sudden squawking of the bird. His enhanced hearing had picked up the sound of both the bird and the taser, allowing him to properly react and dodge out of the way of the sudden projectile. His eyes glanced at the bird as it descended downward, only to crash at the bottom. He hadn't reacted fast enough to save it, but it didn't look quite down for the count yet at least.

His gaze soon turned to the sound of encroaching people which made him scratch his cheek. It was far from hunting season and from his research there were no scientific studies going on. Even if there were that was no way to handle a bird, it was far from the proper conduct. That only left the possibility of them being...poachers? Collectors? Illegal hunters? Either way, he was sure that it broke some sort of law. Was this really why Rabbit Punch had sent him out here? To deal with poachers? Seemed like a lame job, something local authorities could've done, but...at least it was something.

Before the hunters could even arrive Wyatt had swooped down the tree and stood between the hunters and the bird. The weak cry of the bird certainly pulled at Wyatt's heartstrings and as the group drew closer he expanded his wings and raised a taloned hand to them.

"Hey now! Quit it. The name is Who, a hero. What you're doing is both illegal and immoral. Drop your weapons or I'll be forced to take action." It was all very methodical, but straight to the point. There was no need to sugarcoat words, not when there was a job to do. "If you handle this quietly I promise to speak on your behalf when you get turned in."

The poachers looked at Wyatt as he made is entrance, then they laughed out loud at him. Their leader decided to humor the 'hero', but their safeties were off and fingers were on their triggers. There were about five of them encircling Wyatt, guns trained on him.

"...Turn ourselves in? why would we do that? we're a legitimate research group retrieving specimens for conservation purposes." He said rather sarcastically, but produced a legitimate permit from EPA and showed it to Wyatt. The corruption went to the top.

"Isn't that right boys?" He asked, and the other 'researchers' cheered. He even got an enthusiastic "Heck yeah, science bitches!" from the Steve Austin look alike with the cap, shades and bruh necklace.

He the turned to Wyatt again. "No. It's you who has to leave. Walk away now ... 'hero'... or * I * am going to have to call the police on * you*." When he said that, he also brought out a bullwhip. He was testing Wyatt's resolve, but it was clear he was eager for a confrontation.

Up on a nearby ridge, about twenty feet up a steep slope, Dr. Moreau arrived, hiding behind a tree and surveyed the situation. Indeed it was them. A group she'd been on the lookout for. She signed her dogs to crouch, and they obeyed readily. It seemed there was another player here too - a cape, no less. Dr. Moreau had no real sympathy for the superhero community, but one who defended nature's creations would serve as an ally. She waited for her time to strike, as well as for her cavalry to get into position.

Despite the early hour of 5:30 AM, Medicine Woman was wide awake. She was in Cedar Springs, just outside Los Angeles' city limits.  She  was fully dressed in traditional Native American outfit made of doeskin. As always, she was carrying her bow, arrows, quiver, tomahawk and hunting knife.

The forest that surrounded the cape-less heroine was one of the very few left on Earth.  The Cataclysm that utterly destroyed the world decades ago left very little of truly wild wilderness.  The flora and fauna in this particular forest still survived and thrived here.  Like every other wilderness on the planet, Medicine Woman was there to make sure the ecology and bio-diversity would remain unaffected by humans and every other kind of intelligent life whose intentions *may* be evil.

She was walking through the forest when she just happened to glance at the sky.  She saw a magnificent eagle being chased by drones. She decided to follow their flight path.  

Medicine Woman then noticed the eagle suddenly fall from the sky.  Did one of the drones harm the great raptor?  Who was so cruel as to just bring the eagle down like that?

Medicine Woman just *had to* find out who---or what---would do such a horrific thing.  With a look of determination on her face, she headed to where the eagle fell.  When she saw the five men and their truck---upon which the drones landed---it was pretty easy to connect the cruel-looking men to the horrifying incident that had occurred.

She positioned herself behind the men and their truck.  She saw some owl-like being talking to all five men.  She overheard what he said.

"Hey now! Quit it. The name is Who, a hero. What you're doing is both illegal and immoral. Drop your weapons or I'll be forced to take action." There was a short pause---only a few seconds---before he spoke further: "If you handle this quietly I promise to speak on your behalf when you get turned in."

The men responded: "...Turn ourselves in? Why would we do that? We're a legitimate research group retrieving specimens for conservation purposes." Their sarcasm, though, was obvious in the remainder of their conversation with the owl-like being: "Isn't that right boys?" Some of the men said: "Heck yeah, science bitches!"

The leader of the group---at least he *seemed* to be in charge---threatened the owl guy:  "No. It's you who has to leave. Walk away now ... 'hero'... or * I * am going to have to call the police on * you*."

The same guy grabbed a bullwhip.  It seemed that he wanted to fight.  In the meantime, the eagle still appeared to be alive, but Medicine Woman still felt she had to do...something.

She brought out her bow. She notched on an arrow. She shot the simple, primitive-looking shaft, *trying* to hit a tree...the same tree Dr. Moreau and her dogs were hiding behind.

It was meant only as a warning.  A pointed one.   ((OOC: Please excuse the pun! :-) ))  She was *attempting* to prove she meant business and was also ready to fight.  For the eagle's sake and for nature's sake, too.

She was standing out in the open. Her copper-red skin identified her as a Native American. Several thousand years ago---before people built skyscrapers and industry---American Indians owned the land that became Los Angeles. They cared for the flora and fauna that is *mostly*---but not totally---extinct today, even in this forest outside the limits of the so-called "City of Angels".  

Medicine Woman would *try* to save what little was left of the forest and the wildlife therein...

Wyatt blinked at the man, giving a owl-like tilt of his head towards him. A threat? He was waving a weapon in his face. That was a crime, no doubt about it. Further, the guns they had…were they licensed to carry them? Even further! Would a corrupt group really defend a bunch of nobodies? A hero exposing them would be bad PR and could cause waves through the public. Would it be worth the tradeoff? He didn’t think so. It wouldn’t make much sense to, unless they were dumb. God, Wyatt hoped they were dumb.

Further, the japes and jabs of the foreman’s lackies didn’t really aspire confidence, or even that much competence. What kind of idiot did they take him for? And picking a fight with a meta? Even with guns? That was far from smart. This was far from a group of scientists

Wyatt’s gaze shifted from the bullwhip then back to the man, a smug sort of grin coming to his face. “Pulling a weapon on a hero, you know, if I was cop I could shoot you for that? That’s a threat and a crime. Further…” he pointed a talon hand at the man, still grinning wide. But…before he could finish there was the familiar sound of an arrow soaring through the air and fwang as it connected to a surface. Not human, thankfully, but still…another threat?

Wyatt followed the sound to where the arrow had struck the tree, then looked back to the man. “I don’t know who that was, but they’re unrelated to me. Although, I still think you should back down even more now. Not only because you may force my hand to enact justice, but because now there’s a third party who’s willing to shoot you regardless of laws in place. And further…there’s only so much I can report in one day. I’m leaning towards illegal poaching over an unknown archer firing on a group of assholes. Everything is seeming to stack more and more against you by the moment.”

During the encounter, Wyatt’s attention was never far from the men with guns. They were idiots, but to what degree? That was yet to be determined. Would they really fire on a hero? There were too many variables. If any made some sort of motion to point and fire, he’d be ready to react, to jump back, roll forward, fly up or at an angle. He was ready for whatever they may do. And if it was just gonna be the front man taking action…he could handle a guy with a whip. If he was strong as he was smart then Wyatt would have no issue in the slightest.

Of course, the biggest problem was that archer. He didn’t quite get a glance of her, but by this point it was too late to look. His attention had to remain on the group of poachers. The archer had the advantage over him, should he or she decide that he was a threat. He’d just have to try and pick up on that sound again should they decide to fire upon them.

The situation became more tense as the seconds passed. While she wanted to see this Owl Hero's abilities, she was after much bigger prey, and her plans were jepordized by his heroics.

The lead hunter was the gravest concern. This was Krauss Jaeger, a mercenary metahuman, and he had abilities. And a hero kill count. She needed to throw a distraction into the mix.

"Galahad. Come." She spoke into her phone.

(Medicine)

An arrow suddenly struck just above Dr. Moreau's head; while it was intended as a warning, Rex and Rover reacted instinctively, pouncing on the woman in a few few swift bounds. One dog went for her weapon arm, while another would go for her ankle, their default instinct pull her down to the ground. Frankie didn't know who this was, or what she was thinking announcing herself with an arrow, but she was not getting good treatment.

Then she remembered she was Dr. Frankie, not Talona. Whether subdued by her dogs or having fought them off, she would appeal to reason. "Oh dear! please, put down your weapon! the dogs will back off."

(Owl)

The loud barks of the dogs were drowned instantly by the loud cry of a gigantic beast descending from the sky- a griffon- a massive avian-feline hybrid straight from mythology - came crashing down and causing a massive distraction.

"OPEN FIRE!" The command didn't need to ring out, as automatic rifles began blasting into the beast. A few rounds embed and graze Galahad before his massive claws disembowel one hunter and his beak pecked another's head off in an instant. The normies quickly abandon their weapons and run for their lives.

Jaeger though, ducked and weaved with the griffon's blows as if he'd done this hundreds of times before. He snarled and one hand quickly transformed into long clawed fingers, landing a cut on the griffon's forelimbs. Galahad reeled back and flew away.

The thrill of hunting a much greater prey filled Jaeger with excitement. He paid Wyatt no further heed, simply smirking at him. "Your lucky day, boy. I have a better prize now." before sprinting into the woods chasing after Galahad.

Medicine Woman didn't have time to take any kind of action before the two large German shepherds came at her. The force of them landing upon her caused the bow to drop from her right hand with which she was holding it. She was now unarmed.

Though she wasn't scared, the intense emotions she did feel activated her power. Her spirit tried to communicate with the dogs' spirits, attempting to remind them how her great-grandmother helped their ancestors in time of need. Since Medicine Woman's power is more on a subconscious level than anything actually physical, she didn't know if the dogs would back off or not. Would the kindness her great-grandmother showed the dogs' ancestors convince them that she herself felt that same kindness towards the two German shepherds who were attacking her in the here and now?

Wyatt just kind of...watched. Not out of horror or concern, but sheer and utter confusion. He had no idea what was happening. A monster, gunfire, ripping and tearing. It was all lost of him. Then, the beast, after it had torn through a few people, turned and addressed him. This was all just too odd. He wished Odd was here. He'd would've been able to make heads and tails of this situation. He would've been able to deal with the situation despite the confusion.

Regardless, there was two things he knew for sure right now. This was a monster and needed to be stopped, he was a hero after all and murder was against his policy, and...this thing was probably endangered and he couldn't kill it either. He would have to disable to the Gryphon? Was it a Gryphon? He supposed so cause it couldn't be anything else. Hell! He was a bird person! He was probably the authority on knowing which bird was which. Regardless, he had to act. He had to do something to end this bloodshed.

It was a dumb idea, with unfurling his wings and flapping forward in a mad dash he attempted to jump on the Gryphon's back, arms going to restrain the beast's neck. "Hey!" He breathed out desperately. "I know these guys are trying to hurt you or have done something to upset you!" He gasped, trying to tighten a grip on the beast, wherever he could. "But I can't let you keep killing them! Two wrongs don't make a right and all that." He struggled, knowing that this beast had much more muscle than him. "Defend yourself, sure, but don't kill 'em!" He extended his wings outward and flapped, trying to use the extra force to restrain it further. "Hunters!" He called out. "If you freaking attack this thing I am gonna stop and just let it kill you! Act like nothing happened at all! So you better get the hell out of here!"

OWL
Wyatt’s pleading fell on deaf ears. He may as well have been trying to convince a leopard to give up its spots or ask a lion to go vegan. Its massive size meant his attempt to grapple him was barely above a nuisance, but it disrupted his flight patterns nonetheless, departing the scene as ordered by Dr. Moreau. Also, as he ruffled around Galahad’s feathers, Wyatt most likely would’ve found the communication device the doctor used to issue Galahad verbal commands.

Two more armed and armored pickups converged on the gryphon, Krauss Jaeger bounding with a supernatural gait to leap into the back. The hunters prepared their net launchers.

“What about the metahuman?” His companion asked, but Krauss was decisive, and very much irritated at today’s metahuman interference.

“He might sell well too. Take them both!”

They fired electrified nets that would incapacitate an elephant, the first two nets missing but the third fully enveloping Galahad and Wyatt. The stunned animal would plummet into the tree canopies, and the poachers would soon have their prize…

MEDICINE

Medicine Woman’s ‘natural’ animal empathy caused the dogs to quickly release their grip on her, rendering them friendly. “Interesting.” The sight of another metahuman who could influence beasts intrigued Dr. Moreau for a moment, before realizing that her dogs had been slightly overridden.

Not appreciating her pets being influenced, she re-exerted her biokinetic control over them. Medicine woman’s natural senses would feel the tug of conditioning and biokinetic control overriding her empathic power, like an invisible leash yanking the dogs’ minds away.

Once the griffon began its rampage Dr. Moreau felt a quiet sadistic glee. And as planned, Galahad eventually fled the scene, taking the hunter’s attention, leaving the vulnerable eagle behind.

“Damn it, I didn’t plan on the boy being caught up in all this.” Dr. Moreau cursed under her breath in the most English way, before turning to Medicine Woman. “You. You care about animals right? You seem the type. I’m after a group that paid that hunter to go after these animals. I call for a truce between us.”

Medicine Woman had this...feeling. She couldn't describe it. It was like someone was whispering in her ear not to trust Dr. Moreau. But, if the woman offering the truce turns against her, she'll try to deal with it.

"Very well", she told Dr. Moreau. "I accept your truce. I will, however, be on the alert if you go back on your word. How do you suggest we handle this situation?"