[After talking with David, Karla has reached an important decision.]

Hello, everyone. I just wanted to say that I've decided to withdraw from the election. I've been thinking about it, and I've come to the conclusion that I'm just not ready for Guardianship yet.

I hope that the, um... [What did David call it again?] ...CPU...gets this.

Who: Mariko Ishiwatari, [Open]
What: "Street Fighting" Bounty Hunt
When: June 12
Where: Genessia City

Action; Investigation Phase

[Right after taking the bounty, Mariko wasted no time and jumped right into investigating. First, was to look into the victims of the gang assaults. See what they all had in common and where the attacks have occurred. The investigation gave Mariko the same feelings she had back home when she investigates a certain series of murders all over Tokyo. Sure, this wasn't as horrible of a crime as murder, but it's cutting it close. Mariko is just as immersed into this as she would with the old cases back home. So much so that she was doing the same things - such as trespassing.

Within the city's less-than-stellar neighborhoods where at least two of the attacks have occurred, Mariko can be seen climbing the side of a decrepit brick building.]

Guhhh... This is a bad day to wear a skirt.

[Sort of stuck in the middle while finding a next protruding brick to latch on to, Mariko starts swinging herself to the side to grab on to a window sill. She lets out a loud yelp when her fingers almost slipped, and hastily clutching on the stone sill with both hands. She looks down, swallowing a lump in her throat and taking a deep breath]

Okay. Calm down. Calm down... Fhew... What could go wrong?

Action; Gang Encounter

[This is what could go wrong - actually encountering the very gang she's been hunting down. There's a lot more of them than she expected, about 20 men, all carrying baseball bats and wearing motorcycle helmets and padded jackets. Mariko is single-handedly fighting them off, protecting the gang's most recent victim who was lying down on the ground unconscious. The fight is occurring on the open street. Battered, bruised, and running out of breath, Mariko kept her guard up and endured blow after blow of these bats. She waited for the right time to grab one of them by the collar of their leather jacket to throw them meters away. She kicks a second gangster by the ribs before the third one got her good with a full bat swing to her abdomen. The swing was enough to throw her back and slam against a metal dumpster.

Some of the tougher ones she managed to knock down are slowly getting back up. Alone and blood dripping from her nose, Mariko grits her teeth and clenches her fists. She is untrained, but she has enough superhuman strength to make up for her lack of skill. She lacks any form of protective gear, but she has endured enough injuries to put a normal person in a coma. But all this strength isn't going to be enough if this fight drags on. Her mind is screaming for her to run, but wanting to protect and bring these bastards in is the only reason she's staying. Slowly, she rises back up. Even while clutching her rib and catching her breath, Mariko tries to stand firm. Despite her stubborn refusal to leave, Mariko is frightened. Her knees are trembling from the pain and fear mixing together in one dangerous cocktail.]

Where is that damn spirit when I need it? Jeez...

[Her guardian spirit is somehow absent. Mariko's refusal to kill these scumbags is preventing it from manifesting aside from her advantage of being superhuman going against a bunch of regular ones.]

Text/Action; Post-Victory Pizza!

[After a quick trip to the clinic, Mariko left the place all patched up with some dried blood and dirt on her clothes. She feels good despite the aches all over her body. She has her powers to thank that she was able to walk out of the place and not get confined in a hospital bed. But all that effort has made her hungry and crave one of her favorite foods. After that fiasco, she feels like she's earned it. Firing up her communicator, Mariko sends a text to the network.]

> Hey, guys. (＠´∀｀)ノ
> Anybody know a good pizza place in any of the five cities besides Geraldi's?
> Tried their stuff and it's pretty okay. Pasta is a little bland.
> Subarchways count!

[When the feed turns on, Mewtwo's attempt at looking presentable is lacking, considering the imposing presence he's cut in the past. He's visibly thinner, with large bags under his eyes. His eyes, too seem... nervous.]

Today, I come to you with something of an unfortunate announcement. Do to a number of personal reasons, I am hear by stepping down as Deputy Guardian of Fayren. I would like to emphasize this is not something that the position has inflicted upon me, but rather a combination of circumstances that have me distracted and unable to do my duties to the best of my ability.

However, because of the nature of the situation in Fayren at the moment, I have been in talks with Mavis Vermillion who will be heading up the investigation into the Hands of Decay in my stead. I have provided her with all of the details of my investigation, and ask those that have cooperated with me in this regard to treat her with the same respect you have shown me. Mavis has also agreed to work with the Guardian's office, regardless of who wins the upcoming election so as to keep the investigation as cohesive as possible.

I appreciate your understanding in this matter, and will answer any and all questions regarding this with some exceptions, given the private nature of why I am stepping down.