The Nuckelavee's tactic worked; the debris forced the policemen to stop shooting and take a step back, and despite their wearing gas masks, Ironfoot ordered them not to get exposed to the toxic cloud.
By the time they recovered, the monster had escaped into the sewers.
"Damn it!" the Police Captain cursed, then spoke into his radio: "It got into the sewers! I want every possible exit in the vicinity found, NOW!" But he knew that would be a long shot.
"Is everyone OK?" he then asked.
"Oh yeah, just peachy" Lagarto said.
"I meant the civilians "
Lagarto gave him a screw you gaze.
Luis suddenly appeared, and ran up to Lagarto.
"Oh My God Paco! Are you OK??" he gasped upon seeing the reptilian wrestler's torn back.
"Sure, just a little... blood loss..." he said, and began to stagger. "Not to mention some poison..."
He collapsed, and Luis caught him.
"Help! Somebody!!" the Latino man screamed.
The Road
The nuckelavee succeeded in knocking Hildegard off-balance, but she managed to not let go of the phone. She threw herself on the ground to avoid the nuckelavee's hit, and she stayed down to avoid the barrage of bullets.
When the nuckelavee jumped into the sewers, Hildegard stood up and picked up the phone. Somehow, the nuckelavee had managed to turn off the audio with just a whip of its tail.
Her head was spinning and her face was red as she made her way to Ironfoot. She had just humiliated herself for nothing.
Sloane had already approached Ironfoot and his men and was explaining what had happened.
"The civilians have all been escorted away, so they should all be fine. Right now, we need to focus on getting Lagarto to a hospital. Maybe then we can find out exactly what happened."
edited 7th Jun '17 12:13:44 PM by emilyorthoclase
Road
Ironfoot was not happy. He just had too many monster-related problems recently. Still, for all his biases he was an honorable man. "Paramedics! Tend to him!" he said, pointing at Lagarto.
Two Monster Unit paramedics rushed close and checked on him. One sprayed his back with a special polymer that both sealed and disinfected wounds; the other pulled out a stretcher and helped carry him over to an ambulance.
Luis demanded to get inside ."Relatives only" he was told. "I'm Luis Jimenez, his brother!" Then he was allowed in.
"The... kids... are... they..." Paco muttered.
"They are safe. You saved them" his brother said proudly.
"Good..." then he fainted.
Luis looked at a paramedic, worried. "He needs a blood transfusion" the medic explained. "Fortunately Chupacabras take in any kind of blood. Fresh blood will also help him recover from the poisoning." And he prepared to start the procedure even as the ambulance took off for San Lorenzo.
Street
Seawell still waited, phone in hand:
"Well? Did that help?" he finally asked. "Hello? Miss Hoffman?"
Then he looked at the phone and saw the message call ended. He had a bad feeling about it.
He decided to dial her back right away.
edited 7th Jun '17 1:14:40 PM by Sijo
The Road
As the ambulance passed them by, Leopold and Maria-Beatrice Van Helsing had different reactions. Leopold wondered if whoever was in would live, while MB hoped they did.
They hadn't missed the reports of a battle between monsters, and had come here now to investigate. Best to not leave any stone unturned.
As Leopold approached, he reached into his pocket, ready to actually show he did indeed have the authority to be here. "Hello," he said to Captain Ironfoot, while noting the two girls from earlier today were here and ignoring them, "I am Leopold Van Helsing, and this is my sister, Maria-Beatrice." She waved awkwardly. "Mind explaining what happened here?"
In the Sewers
The Nuckelavee hissed as he laid in the water. There were some traces of salt water in it, but not much, sadly. He had to get to the ocean, regain his full strength, and claim his revenge. Currently, he was laying on his side, letting the water wash onto him, the salt healing him. But he was planning, oh yes, he was indeed planning. He would make them all pay...
Please allow me to introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and taste. Nice to meet you, hope you can guess my name.Kelpie, Road
The Kelpie was thrown back by the shockwave, and then watched the new arrivals, before diving into the nearest river and vanishing.
Lark, Shop
-Thanks- The Siren holds up to Stan. It was always nice to be complimented. Then she smiled reassuringly at Stan when he seemed flustered.
-It's okay. Being outside your element is hard.-
[TOP SECRET]The Road
Hildegard registered her phone ringing in the back of her mind. Almost robotically, she answered it.
"Seawell. Sorry about that. Thanks for your help."
She considered just hanging up, but that would probably come across as suspicious. And it wasn't like it was Seawell's fault everything had gone belly-up. The least she could do was give him an explanation.
"The nuckelavee got away. So did the kelpie. The chupacabra is being taken to the hospital for medical treatment. He'll provide information once he's feeling better."
Less than a foot away, Sloane noticed the Van Helsings appear. She walked up to them.
"We're not sure. A witness is being taken to the hospital right now. When he's feeling better, he can tell us what happened."
The Road
"I can tell you what happened here," Leopold told Sloane. "One hell of a battle. I would like to know what kind of creatures were fighting here?"
'Cornelia's Shop
Patrick waved it off. "No, that's fine. I have some other things to worry about right now."
Please allow me to introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and taste. Nice to meet you, hope you can guess my name.The Road
Sloane hesitated. She wasn't sure how the Van Helsings would react if they knew the witness was a monster. Then again, maybe they could be reigned in. And it was entirely likely they'd end up needing the Van Helsings' help.
"A nuckelavee, a kelpie, and a chupacabra. The chupacabra is being taken to the hospital as we speak. The nuckelavee escaped into the sewers. No idea where the kelpie is."
The Van Helsings
Leopold blinked. "There's a Nuckelevee.....in San Lorenzo?" He ran a hand through his hair, breathing out heavily. He would have to call in some reinforcements...
"And it is in the sewers? What about the city's drinking water?" Maria-Beatrice added in. Leopold turned to her sharply, horrified at the implications. MB was staring at the hole, where the beast had escaped.
Please allow me to introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and taste. Nice to meet you, hope you can guess my name.The Road
"Look, an hour ago, I didn't even know what a nuckelavee was," Sloane said. "Forgive me if I'm not completely sure of what to do."
"Isn't it obvious?" Hildegard said from behind Sloane, causing her to jump a little. She had finished her conversation on the phone, and was putting it back in her pocket. "We go after it and find out what it wants. Mr. Van Helsing, I don't suppose you have any spare weapons?"
Sloane swung her binoculars in a perfect circle. "Not that we need them."
Cornelia's
Stan's face lit up. "Other things to worry about? I wouldn't mind helping you guys! Seriously! I want to get involved in the monster scene, so you might as well submerge me into this ASAP, right? I already kinda like you, Patrick, and Lark, you're, uh, well, you know what you are, of course, but, I could really help!" Stan was pressing them. He really wanted to familiarize himself with them. He wanted to get acquainted. He wanted to be one of their go-to pals.
HuzzahLeopold groaned. The look on his face as he replied to the rookie hunters was one of clear tension, as well as conveying his lack of trust and confidence for them. "Do you even know the first thing about a Nuckelavee? They are one of the most dangerous and vile monsters humanity has ever encountered. They hate all of humanity, and have a very short temper. Add in that their breath spreads a disease which can kill very quickly, and with one of them in the sewers right now, then no one in San Lorenzo can drink any water until we can be absolutely sure it isn't contaminated." With that, he left them, calling over to Captain Ironfoot. He would rather deal with the professionals right now.
"Sorry about him," MB said nervously. "He's never gone up against something as dangerous as a Nuckelavee before. Would you mind telling me what happened?" MB seemed to be avoiding Sloane's gaze in particular for some reason.
Cornelia's shop
Patrick wasn't sure how to respond, but just signed. "Okay, may I ask you something? Why exactly are you here, specifically? Why look for monsters?"
edited 11th Jun '17 10:46:40 AM by Vampireandthen
Please allow me to introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and taste. Nice to meet you, hope you can guess my name.The Road
Sloane bit her lip. She wanted to snap that Leopold probably couldn't have done any better, that the damn thing seemed invincible and a traffic sign upside the head hadn't done squat.
But there was a monster on the loose that, apparently, could kill everyone in the city. As much as Sloane hated to admit it, Leopold had a point, and this was not the time to get mad.
"We don't actually know exactly what happened. Hildegard and I ran across the fight. We mostly focused on getting civilians out of danger."
"His frustration is understandable," Hildegard said. She sounded neutral, but Sloane knew her well enough to pick up a slight quaver in her voice. Hildegard was scared. "We failed to protect our city, and now we may have to pay the price. But we can fix this. I'll head back to the manor and get Sloane's and my weapons and see what my mother has dug up on nuckelavees. Sloane, you go to the hospital and question the chupacabra. You're better at that sort of thing than I am. Ms. Van Helsing, you and your brother can go after the nuckelavee. We'll catch up with you."
Street
"Hello? Miss Hoffman?" Seawell asked, but then realized that she had hung up on him.
What the Hell had that been all about? He prayed it was not another effect of his video. No, surely she would have mentioned it if it were?
Without even realizing it, he started wandering the way he came, back to Cornelia's Shop.
Cornelia's
"Shh, everyone!" Sammy, the slime monster girl shushed everyone. "Cornelia is... trying to rest. Talk... downstairs."
Hospital
Lagarto was lying on a hospital bed. He opened his big, red slited eyes, and saw his brother Luis' face.
"H-hey bro" he muttered.
"Paco! Are you OK??"
"...Do I look OK?"
"Por Dios Man, don't joke now!"
"Easy, bro. I am feeling better. Honestly OUCH!"
"Take it easy" a paramedic quickly said. "You are mostly recovered, but your back is still damaged. It will take a few days to fully heal."
"...Fine" Lagarto grudgingly agreed, laying back. He really wanted to go another round with the centaur monster tho.
Right then, a woman he recognized from the fight wandered in. "Greetings, Senorita" Lagarto immediately said, smiling. "Looking for an autograph?"
edited 11th Jun '17 5:46:40 PM by Sijo
Hospital
It was easy enough to find Lagarto's hospital room, though Sloane had to pretend to be his niece to get the receptionist to tell her.
When she entered, Lagarto offered her an autograph. His cheerfulness didn't seem all that surprising; everyone had different reactions to occurrences like this. Or it was a giant coping mechanism.
"Maybe some other time," she said as she sat down next to him. "We don't have much time. One of the evil fairy horses was a nuckelavee, it's got disease breath, and it escaped into the sewers, which means it could poison the city's water supply. So right now, I need you to tell me everything leading up to the fight and anything else that could be helpful."
Hoffmann Manor
When she reached the manor, Hildegard went straight for the basement. Myrna was sitting at her desk, waiting for her. Hildegard half-heartedly waved before grabbing her armor off the rack and strapping it on.
"The nuckelavee's in the city sewers. We need to stop it before it does anything to city water."
"I found something that may be useful," Myrna said. "During the summer, the nuckelavee is confined to the ocean by the Mither o' the Sea, a benevolent water spirit. But more interesting is the recurring element of freshwater. The nuckelavee can't cross it, and one folktale has a human escape by splashing freshwater into its face."
"So the best course of action may be complete submersion in freshwater?" Hildegard suggested.
Myrna ruffled her daughter's hair. "Exactly."
Hildegard finished fastening her armor and slung her bag over her shoulder. "Okay. See you tonight."
"Wait," Myrna said.
Hildegard turned around.
"This one could have been human, once. They might not be completely in control of their actions-"
"If he's a threat to the people of San Lorenzo, I'm taking him out," Hildegard said.
Myrna looked like she had more to say, but she didn't.
"Just...be careful."
Hildegard reached for her mother's hand and squeezed it. "Cross my heart."
Hospital
"A- nuclear bee?" Lagarto asked. "Funny, it didn't look like a-"
"Paco..." Luis began to grumble.
"Ahem. Yes" the chupacabras sobered up. "I fear I don't know much, senorita. Me and my brother here, we were driving home from a wrestling match in LA, when we ran into a cop car with two dead police inside. I sent him for help and tracked the- thing by myself. Just in time too, because it seemed hellbent to kill more people. Then a girl appeared from inside the schoolbus, and changed into a horse- well it changed into other forms too, like a wolf and even water!"
"Most of the rest, you saw. Even together we could barely slow it. It only escaped when Ironbutt and his minions showed up. Was there something else... wait."
"Ah, I remember now. It barely spoke, but it talked to the shapeshifter. Apparently they know each other, because he called her by name. Maya, I think?"
"When you find it, give me a call, I'll help you fight it-"
"Oh no you won't!" Luis snapped. "That thing almost killed you, and you were on top shape then, you aren't now!"
"So, should I sit down doing nothing while that thing poisons the city??" Paco spat back. "At the very least, let's call the Monster League. That's my circle of personal friends."
"Paco, those are wrestlers " Luis facepalmed. "They cannot take down a real menace-"
"You watch us" Paco huffed.
Road
Ironfoot was standing by an armored car, loaded with heavy weaponry. He held his phone to his ear, waiting for reports either on the Nucklavee, or on witnesses.
He spotted a man coming closer. He recognized him: one of the Van Helsings. While Ironfoot didn't care much for monsters, he didn't like Hunters, either. They were just vigilantes to him. Still, in the current situation, he grudgingly realized they might have to work together to deal with the Nucklavee.
Cornelia's
Sammy did not seem very amused by the newcomer. (But again, it was hard to read her facial expressions.)
"Down. Stairs. Now" she said.
Meanwhile, Seawell realized he had stumbled back to the shop.
...What am I doing here? he asked himself. Maybe I don't want to... be alone now. I need someone to talk with he realized.
edited 12th Jun '17 10:56:12 AM by Sijo
MB was a bit disappointed that she couldn't chat with Sloane longer, but she accepted it. Maybe she could see her later? Right now, though, she should stick with Leopold.
Leopold looked the man over. "You are aware of how much danger in the city of San Lorenzo is in, I assume?"
Cornelia's Shop
"I'm going, I'm going," Patrick stated, finally getting his horse downstairs and outside. "I think I'll go for a small ride right now. Anyone have any unfinished business with me?"
Please allow me to introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and taste. Nice to meet you, hope you can guess my name.Hospital
"Thanks," Sloane said. She pulled a napkin off of a tray of hospital food and a pen from her pocket. "Here's my number. If you have any more information, call me. And take care of yourself. Don't hurt yourself for nothing."
Sloane's phone rang and she answered it as she turned away from Lagarto and Paco.
"Hil?"
"Just talked to Myrna. Nuckelavees are vulnerable to freshwater. She thinks that complete submersion might be the way to win a fight with it."
"We can't put it in a lake, it'll just end up poisoning the water. Wait, what about a pool? Like the public one!"
"Great," Hildegard said. "Now all we have to do is get the nuckelavee to the San Lorenzo Park Pool and in it, assuming that that even works."
"Are you being sarcastic?"
"I honestly don't even know."
Sloane drummed her fingers against the wall. "Y'know what? I have an idea. Can you and the Van Helsings lure the nuckelavee to the pool?"
"Sloane-"
"Do you trust me?"
"...I'll try and convince the Van Helsings. I'm not making any promises."
"You won't regret it," Sloane said. She hung up and turned back to Lagarto and Luis.
"Can you call your Monster League buddies for me? Preferably all of them, and tell them to meet up at the San Lorenzo Park Pool. And bring diving equipment if they can, but it's not necessary."

"No, no, its fine!" Patrick explained. "Now, if you will excuse me..."
The Nuckelavee
He hissed and roared as the bullets bit into his flesh, and staggered back. Again, iron didn't hurt him as much as regular Fair Folk, but bloody hell, did it sting. Roaring, he began to withdraw, snatching up masses of earth, picnic tables, anything he could grab really, and throwing them at the police, trying to force them to take cover at least, get them away. He needed to recover. Normally, he could deal with these disgusting creatures, but with the other combatants present, and if they started working together.....
He coughed up his toxic, disease spreading cloud, giving himself cover as he sped for the road. He needed somewhere to hide for now, to pick his wounds and heal-
He saw a manhole cover. Perfect. Roaring, he raced for it, and leapt into the air, slamming down on it and creating an open. As the area around it collapsed, he began slamming on it more and more, creating an opening he could fit through. And naturally, the sewer simply collapsed under his attacks. Well, the part he was destroying.
Once that was done, he began to run deep into the sewers, preparing to hide away, lick his wounds, and plan for his next attack.
Please allow me to introduce myself, I am a man of wealth and taste. Nice to meet you, hope you can guess my name.