[Deleted]

Blue T. investigated the stage for clues, in the hope that they would lead him in the right direction. Others had the same idea, but no one found anything. Eventually, Professor E. Gadd, had entered the stage, and got the situation under control with some help from his ghosts. He spoke to the Life Sphere about the current situation. He was stepping up as leader, and Blue T. saw no problem with that. He was the co-creator of the Life Sphere, and Luigi had said good things about him. After the speech was finished, a black and red hedgehog had volunteered, then raced off, loosely followed by someone. Blue T. walked up to E. Gadd, and got his attention by clearing his throat. "Nice to meet you Professor, Luigi's said good things, and from what I see with the Life Sphere, he wasn't wrong!" Blue Toad smiled and chuckled "I want to find Black Shadow too, so count me in!" He said with determination "do we have a battle plan, or an idea where he might be? If not, we should get all the people who want to get Black Shadow in a council type thing. Just a thought though, your the boss."

[Cielmira]

There wasn't even a moment of debate that took place in Amaterasu's mind after the speech. The canine padded up to sit next to the professor, sitting proud, tall, and silent. She of course watched her hedgehog friend commit himself to the cause and then dash away. A part of her considering for a second to chase after him but she didn't. The white wolf remained at the Professor's side as both support and as her way of volunteering herself for the mission.

Cynder hovered in the air above during the Professor's announcement then landed herself in an open space on the stage since the crowd was beginning to push closer to it thus leaving little space for her to nicely land on the ground.
"I don't know about that council idea, but I'm in for teaching Black Shadow a lesson," the dragoness added after the Blue Toad said his piece.

As for the Oerix standing below the stage listening to all the fuss... it may peak his interest but for now he would just listen. Unless he was getting some sort of reward to aid his current situation around the Life Sphere he saw no benefit. As such Krexix turned and resumed his plundering of left overs as he was doing before this all started. He noticed there was another, one of the men that had fled the stage moments ago, that also seemed to be looking through what the crowd was now neglecting. All that meant for Krexix was not to bother snooping around the area as there wouldn't be anything for him.

[Deleted]

The old man had some courage stepping up to run the place, Knight Man could give him that. Listening over the mans words he agreed. Without someone here, this place would run down. A few others seemed to join in on chasing down Black Shadow and the knight joined in on this quest. "I will help," he said as he looked at the others on stage who had agreed to also help. Cynder was back from her flight, a blue so called 'Toad', and some others. Someone else had dashed away but it was probably that hedgehog from earlier. "Just let me know what to do and I'll will do it to the best of my ability."

Knight Man turned his attention to the small discussion on how to handle the situation. A council? Could be useful but this was a dire situation and there might not be time for that. "Hm, not too sure of what to do but I'm with Cynder on teaching him a lesson," he said as he nodded in agreement. A decent sized group would be enough to start a search or whatever the Egad had in mind.

[Deleted]

Ridley seemed more or less to be enjoying the mass panic spreading throughout the small area blocked off by ghoulish entities and the surrounding areas. Gave a small smile to the beaked dragon. Honestly, ridley could care less if the leaders were found. But one thought traced his mind. He didnt want some random man in a black spandex horned costume to kill off samus before ridley could get to him. Ridley left onaga, to help look for samus and pretty much no one else.

---

Jack frost immediately yelled out "HEY PAL WE MISSED YOU HEE-HO!" As he tried shaking the hands of one of the ghosts that surround the fairgrounds as if it were a fellow demon before realizing it was a entirely different universe "Oh...NEEVERMIND-HO!" Jack frost ran back to his brothers, to see that Jack Ripper was crawling around, stabbing at peoples heels to cause more havoc in the already cage full of chickens with there heads cut off. Pyo jack looked at zero's table form a distance, seeing what seemed to be zero's table...blocked by ghosts. Pyro jack started trying to shuffle in between the ghosts, finding it hard until he absolutely went for the Rage quit option in which he threw the hot piping steak at the ghost and floated back to his brothers. Who had time to deliver steaks during a crisis?

[Mr. Game & Watch]

Given that neither Waluigi or Game & Watch were really paying attention to the happenings that were going around them, they were both kind of confused as to why the three leaders were gone and E. Gadd was ruling the stage. Fortunately the professor provided a small recap for the rivaling duo. Captured by some guy named Black Shadow, the word that popped into both of their heads after hearing the name alone was definitely not trustworthy and if they would have seen him they would think even less so. Though they both probably would have gotten a good laugh at the villain who thought skin tight spandex was intimidating.

Mr. Game & Watch pondered about what made E. Gadd so fit to take over as leader, G&W could be just as good if not better than the old man and he was probably the scientist’s senior as well. Though, being in control of things sounded like a lot of work. Sure there was fame to go with it, but he’d rather have the fame of hero than the guy who does paper work for a living. E. Gadd it is then, at least he’d be an easy target to usurp after the whole Starvia business is over with. A frail elder against the Flatzone representative? How could he possibly lose?

Waluigi roared with laughter at everyone seeming so eager to aid the cause. It was a lost cause, even the purple plumber could see that. Black Shadow came in and teleported the three out of there like it was nothing. From what he could assume, he was also the creator of the Starvia virus. There was no hope, but it wasn’t like Waluigi cared it was their loss not his. “Wheheheh, really? You all really think there’s a chance at getting them back? The commander of the Starvia already has them in his grasp, their probably already infected by now. Wheheheheh, don’t get your hopes up either, you don’t even know where he is” the purple cladded felon mocked the eager party. It went without saying, Waluigi wasn’t interested in pursuing this suicide mission, but given his luck he was probably going to be forced into it.

Mr. Game & Watch pumped a blast of air at the back of Waluigi’s head after he was finished his little spiel on the matter. The black figure actually agreed on most points with the plumber, but he preferred to keep that to himself. There was probably going to be some sort of reward in it for him if G&W went along though, so he would probably follow the group on their rescue mission regardless of how much of a colossal failure it would be.

“That’s it. You get a taste of Waluigi now” the lanky man threatened as he whipped out his bat aiming it at the two dimensional figure. In return, Game & Watch pulled out his own signature weapon, his judgement hammer, and waited for his opponent to make the first move.

---

Vector heard the speech by the professor, but was not nearly as inspired by his words as the rest seemed to be. What he said got him thinking though, about the Life Sphere and it needing a leader or at least a team of them. Were the currently captured trio actually fit to run the place? The crocodile didn’t think so. They both the Life Sphere at incredibly great risk when they even let Black Shadow set foot into the bubble. Their way of life could have been quickly ended if he hadn’t left so soon. He even displayed that he could make anyone in the vicinity of him infected if he so pleased. It was the biggest blunder he had ever witnessed. Mario, Sonic, and Samus were not fit to lead, not after that display. While he wasn’t the kind of person to avoid stepping up to a noble cause, Black Shadow had no reason not to infect them immediately after taking them away. They were gone and they needed to move on, now wasn’t the time to waste resources on three people when they had a couple thousand more that required protection. The Chaotix’s leader wandered away, back to his headquarters to ponder the developments further.

---

The trip was not long, but before A.I.M. could land near the podium yet another man came out to speak some more. Professor E. Gadd, the aid to the creation of the Life Sphere, a friend of the robot’s creator. His words seemed logical, he would be the most fit to step up in this time of crisis. The sage synthetic quickly joined the crowd huddling around the stand as the professor hinted toward the prospects of a rescue mission and above all else that seemed to be what the followers of his words seemed to latch onto the most.

“The elimination of unit Black Shadow is a requirement. This unit is in agreement, the organization of a council is too time consuming and the success margin drops every minute we waste. The option this unit has concluded to be the most efficient mode of rescue would be a planet wide search. Every citizen must be involved… No, that would put Life Sphere residents in danger. Creator Samus… No logical conclusion found” the machine thought aloud to the group. Its processors were beginning to mix directives and make coming up with a conclusion to be impossible. No matter what the machine would have to work against its own programming in order to save its creator.

---

“An upgrade to the Life Sphere’s defenses? Funny, I’ve came to the same conclusion”

“Doctor Ivo Robotnik, at your service.” It was not a usual occurrence to see Eggman wandering around the Life Sphere without riding in some sort of machine or at least being escorted by one. He had a causal stride to his walk as he approached the area near the podium. “You see, I’ve already made some blueprints to upgrade this old bubble into a grand fortress that no infected could possibly ever invade. I have the workers, I have the resources, but I don’t have the power to do so myself though. What say you, E. Gadd?”

[Maverick Hunter Zero]

"Hopefuly you have it in the right mind, Hunter HQ gave me very little data on this. As for finding the three, that would be tantamount to suicide unless you happen to know of good ways to get past the murderous packs of monsters lurking within that guy's lair." Zero said, his eyes focused openly on Eggman like some strange stranger that reminded him of a Dr. Wily gone to seed. The Maroon Machine then took his steak and tore a chunk off, even though he was a reploid, he needed to think more like a human and that was what he intended to do. His control crystal seemed to glow slightly, notifying him that the one who made him might be in the vicinity.

---

"This seems to me like there would be trouble in incurring the wrath of more infected by going out to search. The Terror of Death agrees with the Gadd guy on forming a council and Lurring Black Shadow to it." Skeith said telepathically, his mind racing to think up a logical means within his minds eye that would be feasable to the point of thinking at light speed. Banjo and Kazooie would be the more adventurous type, and would most likely try to save Mario, Sonic, and Samus without second thought to what might happen to them if they got infected by the Starvia Disease, so Skeith would stick with them as well.

---

"Looks like some serious stuff, but I've got my own plans. Wily, if you are in the mood to do some destruction outside the Life Sphere, We should aim to think of where to meet." Ragna said as he continued his search for any clues that might give him a lead on Black Shadow. He was more a man of action than logic, and with his gut instinct and the Black Beast inside him waiting for release; Ragna woudn't care if he was sent to rescue the three founders of the life sphere, it would be the best bonus for him more than any other 'god' other than the ones that created this planet.

---

Onaga was all for any idea, despite being an intermediary for Bowser, Eggman and K. Rool and in a neutral stance despite being a hardcore villain. "Hopfully Defense is one of the safe options, but what of everyone else here? There are many who are too young and there are few who don't even know how to fight, I say that when this places defenses are installed, we get to teaching the young to defend themselves." The Dragon King said as he made his plans. He continued with the investigation either way. And if there was one thing Onaga was good at, it was his keen sense of smell. Those who haven't felt the presence of an infected, would know not to underestimate the stink of infection when Onaga was around. So Black Shadow was just about as safe as an ant in an anthill until the time came for that ant to fight a dinosaur.

[WolfEx]

As expected the poor little Professor was showered by comments, concerns, questions, worry and even doubt from those around him. He tried to focus his nearly deaf ears at his age to those comments and complaints he could actually hear. He hated to be peer pressured, but he had learned throughout the years that him being an elder to most that he would certainly be the go to guy for advice and support from younger crowds, this was now his time to accept the facts and take the reigns. He just kept the faith that he wouldn't die of exhaustion or heart conditions any time soon from all his newfound stress and pressure. He heard one question from a nice blue little fellow and decided to answer the polite toad creature first.

"Gathering those who have an interest in helping with the cause is a good suggestion indeed. I do believe that is the next step little friend."

The comments and questions ofcourse didn't quite stop there. E. Gadd received another from an intimidating reptile with wings near him as well, he believed they were called, dragons? He did feel the need to brush up on his research of all living things universal and otherwise but he has been so busy with the Life Sphere he has more than lost track of time and studying other more enjoyable things.

"Well then my scaly reptilious pal, you are more than welcome to join that lovely toad over there in the journey!"

Next was an armored knight. The Professor took one look at him and a feeling of safeness and valiance bubbled up inside him. He was the perfect candidate for tracking Black Shadow down.

"And you, you can absolutely join the fray. You'd be great for the mission!"

All those nice and helpful volunteers were starting to give the Professor hope until he heard a more than rude comment from an old adversary of Luigi's in the crowd with his usual Waluigi flare putting a negative spin to a glimmer of light in this dark plot. However, E. Gadd chose to ignore him not giving him the satisfaction of a rebuttal. He moved his ears back to the surrounding crowd and listened to a robot suggest a planet wide search, but changing its mind soon after. The Professor thought about this idea, and he wasn't entirely against it, but yes, the danger is too great and would likely involve many lives lost.


"I appreciate the idea my mechanical buddy, but unfortunatey the risk is too high for that. You would be great for knowledge scouting and backup if you joined the mission yourself though!"

Before the Professor was ready to move on to end his speech and exit the stage, he was blocked by an egg shaped man with uncanny like long legs. E. Gadd scratched his white hair whipped head wondering how such a thing is humanly possible circling the man and observing him, even taking out a notepad and writing notes down.


"Fascinating!"

When the Professor heard his offer though, he put the notepad away and answered abruptly.


"I appreciate your offer good sir, but from what I hear you aren't exactly with the good guys. For all I know all this power will go to your head. I will think about this, though, meet me in Samus's lab later on and we can chat. Now is not the time or the place."

E. Gadd returned his attention to the crowd and answered a few more replies, going right into it with a response from an android.


"Suicide? Maybe, just remember nobody has to be involved, it's purely to volunteer. We do what we must to save the majority of lives here, unless you have a better plan, I would think about your words more carefully."

There was one more comment E. Gadd noticed before he finished up here. One from a half beast winged looking humanoid which scared him a bit, but he answered him anyway.


"Teaching the young to fight is always an option, but not a requirement, it would be up to the youth to agree with such suggestions or not. Right now, defense is key, and this place isn't nearly protected enough for a slaughter by Black Shadow anytime soon if that is his motive."

The Professor let out a sigh doing his best to drain out the rest of the comments and answered them all in his own way, the ending line to his somewhat mighty speech. This part really had to hit home and get everyone on the Professor's side. He coughed to open up his voice more and reached the microphone.


"Everyone pay attention to me once more, please. The Life Sphere has been attacked twice now, and this is just not acceptable. We no longer have Sonic, or Samus, or Mario to help defend us and make decisions for us, we have me...and you folks. And this is a joint effort to make sure we don't get attacked a third time now. I know I am not the best candidate for war, trust me that I definitely know this, but I am asking you to give me time. And if you are capable, join the rescue team to find Black Shadow, but just remember, that villain will do everything in his power to keep you away, even death. Stay with me everyone, stay strong for me or I may never be able to get us through this. I must be left to my studies at once, and get the defense systems up to par. Stick together everyone, and for the love of life itself, don't get into trouble. Those who wish to partake in the search and rescue meet in the center of the square, everyone else disperse to your homes, please! Eggman, come with me."

With his final words, Professor E. Gadd leaves the stage and gestures Eggman to follow. Eggman seemed to walk faster for a big man while the Professor still just kind of waddled his way down the steps at a slow pace, at least he was trying. He didn't know how their conversation was going to go, but he did hear the rumble of the crowd start to raise in volume, and he wanted to get back to the lab before they started getting antsy and feel the need to chase down the Professor for his words. The next decision Professor E. Gadd was going to make would be critical, and he knew the burden that was now on his shoulders.

Either choice he makes, it would change the Life Sphere forever.

-CHAIN EVENT TRIGGER: Professor E. Gadd ends his presence. New Event started with participants Eggman and E. Gadd in separate area.-

CHAIN EVENT TRIGGER TRANSPORT

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What was it exactly, that continued to keep Shadow going? He has been through far too much to keep up his facade of being a hero, stopping the Infected, ending the Starvia, and all the other nonsense that came with being a Smash Brother of Li. He often questioned himself how he was able to stay focused through all of this, and he still couldn't find an answer, he always just went on instinct and so far it's kept him alive, but that never seemed to be enough, there was always something more right around the corner demanding his attention and the support he was getting was just too underwhelming to be of any hope. He found a secluded place near a swimming pool of Rainbow Square. It has long since been cleared out thanks to the chaos of Black Shadow and the old man's little speech.

Shadow sat on the edge of the pool and inspected the water, he looked at his reflection and touched the surface with his finger causing it to ripple and break away. But no matter how many times he did it, the water would always calm and create the image again. To be calm, that is something Shadow wanted to feel every day. When he stared into the water's reflection he was looking at an abomination, an experiment created for destruction. He hated the idea, which meant he hated himself, but doing some good was all he could cling to for redemption. There was a nice stillness in the air, a stillness that echoed a false peace, just in that moment to trick Shadow into thinking things were okay briefly. He wasn't going to let himself get caught up in his own solitude, he had to think, he had to collect his thoughts and find a way out of this mess and defeat Black Shadow.

If he could get to Black Shadow, he could find out who he took orders from, he said he didn't work alone, and at last the hedgehog could find the one who was truly and undoubtedly responsible for everything. He knew why now, to make everyone equal. But that was silly. Corrupting minds to be the same and poison their bodies with a darkness that cannot be contained? Shadow knows a thing or two about darkness and he wasn't prepared to have others feel that same chilling power he felt so long ago. He didn't want that for the citzens of Life Sphere, it would be the death of all that is wholesome and pure about this place, it would spit on the efforts that Samus and company did to make such a place, such a beautiful escape, it would be giving up entirely.

The spiky fighter smirked to himself thinking about what someone like Sonic would do right now if the place fell into chaos and disarray. He would run around and fight until his feet fell off. Real logical to impatient idiots like him, but also just the way he was. And Shadow knew that would never change, and if someone like Sonic got taken over by the Starvia, he would be gone and every memory made with that annoying but loveable runt would be meaningless. What else was there really other than imagine Li as the perfect world everyone wanted and day dream. There comes a point where giving up has to be an option, and Shadow just hated for such a choice to even be in existence, but if him and whatever team was assembled couldn't beat Black Shadow, then that would be the only option. A villain like that horn headed brute showing reason though, and for Samus, Sonic, and Mario to attempt to reason with him, there was something a little off in Shadow's mind about that and very unsettling. There was something Black Shadow was hiding from everyone, for his own safety not just theirs, and it had to be found out, as soon as possible.

Running away, and staying sheltered in a bubble wasn't going to solve things. By this point Shadow's brain had hurt from thinking so much and trying to put pieces together of this large and mysterious puzzle he almost lost sight of himself and who he was. It was always the mission with him, the ultimate goal of ending the Starvia and saving Li, he never had concerns for himself and never wasted much time with others. It was the only thing keeping him on track, the mission, otherwise he would be lost. He overheard on the loud speakers from the podium the Professor advising those interested in the search for Black Shadow to meet at the square. He was ready to dash over there any second, but Shadow decided to take another minute before the big meetup, and get in his right head again so he can be ready and on his toes for anything about to come at him with this dangerous upcoming outing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Celebrating What?
The Festival....

Ah yes, there was a half eaten muffin there, a nice pile of leftovers on the table there, some berries in a dirty bowl all by its lonesome, and oh look, some delicious apple cider only a quarter of the way full for Dark Link to wash all his seconds down with.


When you're seen as a bad guy in the eyes of many, this is what you get accustomed to, lurking in the shadows of long forgotten things and picking up the pieces, remnants of time that are left in the past. This was also his way to relax and unwind, he enjoyed studying people's food choices and object uses, he could find out alot about others through their belongings.


But wait a minute, the dark swordsman wasn't left alone to his tastes, he noticed at a glance a strange beast picking at the leftovers as well. This angered the warrior and he readied his bow and arrow chainshot at the beast's heart in case they decided to get too hungry.


"Back off! This junk is mine!" He kept a steady aim at the beast and didn't budge an inch. He had to stay completely still and sharp if he was going to actually hit the monster if things get hairy, literally. Dark Link liked being his own one person pack, and he didn't need another to be added to it either.

_{food, hunger, newbie.}

thanks Rach from delusional

[Deleted]

Banjo and Kazooie looked worried for it didn't appear that their friend had understood them. He seemed to gaze at the duo as if wanting them to come along with him on the search. The two broke out in a sweat and looked at eachother, then at their big friend with concern unsure really of what to say to make him understand, so they tried to be creative. "Uh...heh, well big fella I think me and Kazooie are..cough...hack....getting a cold...cough cough...so I think we are gonna stay here if that's ok with you." Banjo nudged Kazooie to play along and so she did. "Cough...squawk...BLECK! Yea partner, seems like I...cough....am just too ill to go along for the ride. Sorry, tough luck man!" Banjo and Kazooie made a look of hidden satisfaction amongst themselves as if they felt like they did a good job tricking Skeith into believing them. They then started to slowly step backwards oddly sneaking away before Skeith could really answer them. "Yeah so we're just gonna...go now....okay? Bye!" Their sneaking away turned into a full out run as they ran from their friend both guilty and anxious to find somewhere to get away from the mass of people before they get thrown into another mission of some kind. They were definitely not feeling up to anymore missions any time soon. The idea for a team forming to find the missing leaders of Life Sphere was a great idea in and of itself, but certainly too dangerous for the animal buds to be involved with. They really just wanted to go back to their apartment and hide for a while until all the dust settles down and Black Shadow is either dead or behind bars, even that though was wishful thinking. The two weren't sure if Skeith was following them or not, but they just kept running to their destination craving honey and pizza and a preparation for the apocalypse.

[Deleted]

After intently listening to the Professor's speech, Blue Toad made his way to the center of the square. Blue Toad was happy that he could help find Mario and Samus and Sonic, and that the Professor liked his council idea. Everyone seemed split down the middle though. The longer they spent, they greater the risk, but the fewer people they had, the greater risk too. Blue Toad thought that the risk was slightly greater if they didn't organize though. Blue Toad got to the center of the square, and found a nice bench to sit on and wait for others to gather. Unfortunately, he didn't know what the plan was after everyone gathered. He decided that, if no one stepped up, he could probably just wing it.

[Cielmira]

Ammy's ears flicked back when the large round robotic master piped up among all the other voices and spoke of ready plans to improve the Life Sphere defenses. This sounded fantastic, however apparently not so to others. She recognized this man from his many poster appearances and recruitment attempts. Eggman was one of the ones in that trio of gang wars. He was against the lizards though, which put him more in her favor, and she never did hear him talk of anything destructive or terrible. His suggestions always seemed so sensible, yet this historic reputation he had was constantly brought up. Amaterasu hoped the professor decided wisely when he left to go into a more personal talk with the doctor.

Once everyone began dispersing as per E.Gadd's instructions the white wolf also left the stage. She maneuvered her way back over to the bench Clinch was hiding under to collect her ally, of who happily disappeared into the comforts of her astral pouch now having a full stomach. With her little friend safe Amaterasu trotted over to where everyone else was gathering.

---

"I'm not voting for rushing in without a plan either," Cynder retorted to Zero's comments about it being suicide to dive in. The dark dragon was all up for not spending an abundance of time sitting around talking about what they should do, but running around without a plan was just as bad. For all they know Black Shadow had minions that could teleport around and would be snatching people from their beds. Or even just him himself now that he's been in here once. He's seen all the faces of those that would be any sort of threat. They couldn't wait around. Cynder took to the air once again, this time gliding over to the center of the square to hopefully begin preparations for action.

---

Krexix' head turned when a nearby shout quite obviously separate from what was happening on the stage rang out. It was the man who was snatching up leftovers. The Oerix flared his nostrils in annoyance. Technically he was raiding the populated area before all this started, so the idea that this midget would call rights to claim was ridiculous. Krexix even did him the kindness of purposefully staying away from the area Dark Link was plundering. There was a twinge of amusement though when he eyed the invisible trajectory of the aimed weapon. Humans and their assumptions about anatomy; it had one him a few fights.

"Keep your junk," he stated in annoyance, grabbing a paper tray with part of a hot dog on it and stuffing all of the items in his mouth. The treated paper crinkled and tore in his mouth as he chewed and swallowed. Oh how much he would like to take a more intimidating approach to the dark clad individual threatening him. Unfortunately he was unaware how many allies this being had in the crowd, and Krexix knew exactly how many he had. The alien resisted any of his usual compulsions for the sake of not finding himself one versus a group. He did not, however, back off.

[PolarStarQuote]

Wily wasn't happy. A villain in a area full of people looking for a villain. This was not gonna be a fun little adventure. Wily sighed, looking around the barrier of ghost and the people inside it. Well, theres zero...Knightman...and als- WHO WAS THAT?! Mustache, Balding, goggles, scientist look. This was Dr. Eggman...and wily was infurated. HOW DARE SOMEONE TAKE HIS EVIL SCIENTIST THUNDER?! Wily, not being a happy camper just sat down in his grumpy look as his sniper joe's sighed and helped with the search.

---

Quote, oh dear quote was having a rush of emotions today...First the sad reminder of a friend and now another PTSD reminder of when his friends were taken and all seemed hopeless. Quote shook his head, standing tall and nodding as he listened to the doctors orders. He stood up front with the group, though he was still somewhat shy about talking ouloud with plans. So he simply remained quiet.

---

 As did minato, as he sighed and regretted not choosing his Personas if something this bad happened. So, now he was stuck with this  big event. Minato sighed, not wanting to be part of the crowd and simply sitting down on a local bench until everything calmed down.