Chapter 9

## Episode 9

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> *HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME THAT WAY!*
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*- Levani*

## Synopsis

The confrontation between Levani and the Ability Gauger intensifies. John decides to step in. Levani tells him off for butting in, and he responds by telling her that she's wasting the time of everybody in line behind her. He tells her stop harassing the guy and let them have their turn, which ticks her off. Levani does not think some kids are in any position to tell her what to do, and turns her aggression on John. Now the target of an angry level 4.0 ability-user, John tries to diffuse the situation in a civil manner, with no luck. The couple behind him, tired of waiting and unconcerned with who gets trashed, decide not to stick around. Levani's anger turns to sadistic satisfaction when she sees John looking more scared by the second. Yet John is also observant, and estimates the damage the condensed energy she's conjured could do. John realizes that there's a way out, and confidently welcomes any challenge the surprised Levani poses. Seraphina, having watched the whole thing unfold, is intrigued. The sight of the two of them standing their ground with smiles on their faces confuses Levani, but as soon as John tells her to bring it on she furiously obliges.

But before she can start her attack, John screams for help, and a nearby security guard arrives to stop her. He asks what's going on, and John tells him that she threatened to blow up the place. Levani insists that the man running the booth scammed her and she was only trying to get a refund. The guard activates his ability and decides to resolve the whole thing his way. He had previous encounters with the Ability Gauger, and on those grounds Levani should have her way. The ability gauger is forced to refund Levani, and gets a threat not to cause any more trouble. John angrily watches as his plan takes a sickening turn. To cap off the whole thing, the guard tells him and Seraphina not to cause any trouble for him either. It's all about the levels.

Despite the outcome, the gauger thanks John and Seraphina for standing up for him, and offers to measure their levels for free. John volunteers Seraphina, who resigns to the novelty. She scores an 8.0 and wins a teddy bear. The two friends find it disappointing. The gauger then asks if John wants to have his ability read, but he recoils at the approaching fingers. The gauger is confused, but John informs him that there's nothing to read anyway. This explanation does not make the reaction any stranger to Seraphina, who stuffs her prize in her bag. The gauger and John wave each other goodbye, agreeing to meet up again should John reconsider. The man watches the teenagers leave with a smile on his face.

## Appearing Characters

* **Gavin**
* **Levani**
* John
* Seraphina
* *Ability Gauger*
* *Green-Haired Pair*
* ***Payton***

## Appearing Abilities

* **Stone Skin** (named)
* **Grenadier**
* ***Superhuman***
* *Ability Gauging*

## Gallery

Levani telling John to keep his mouth shut!Levani powering up.John sees a Kovoro Mall security guard.John and Seraphina smirking at LevaniLevani about to attack JohnLevani being stopped by securitySecurity threatening the Ability GaugeJohn making Seraphina get her ability gaugedSeraphina win the prize teddy bearJohn avoiding the Ability Gauge
## Notes & Trivia

* This episode marks the first appearance of character Stat Sheets.
	+ Unlike future episodes, the stat sheets appear in the beginning of the chapter
* This episode marks the second time John's speech bubbles are colored black with white text, when he says "*What are you waiting for?*"