The fluorescent lights of the Moreau City Police Department flickered overhead as Rei pocketed the envelope containing their reward. Rally’s tail swished with the satisfaction of her as they pushed through the precinct’s heavy doors into the cool night air.
“Another day, another dollar,” Rally quipped, stretching his arms above his head.
Rei rolled her eyes, but couldn’t suppress a small smile. “Let’s just hope Luna hasn’t killed Ms. Kim while we’ve been gone.”
They made their way to Mel’s Diner, a 24-hour greasy spoon that had become their unofficial debriefing spot. The bell above the door jangled as they entered, and Rei immediately spotted Luna hunched over a booth in the back, her face buried in her arms.
“Rough night?” Rei asked, sliding into the cracked vinyl seat across from her sister.
Luna’s head snapped up, her eyes narrowing. “You have no idea,” she growled. “While you two were out playing hero, I had to deal with a horde of rabid fans and a manager on the warpath.”
Rei winced. “I’m sorry, Luna. I owe you big time.”
“Well. . . I was the one who decided to cover for you,” Luna muttered, but some of the anger had faded from her voice. “Better luck next time.”
Rally flagged down a waitress, ordering a round of milkshakes for the table. As they waited, Rei recounted the events at the fast-diner, describing the Three Bears Gang’s hillbilly antics and their eventual takedown.
“... and then Rally came crashing through the window like some action movie star,” Rei finished, nudging her boyfriend with her elbow.
Rally grinned, his canines glinting in the diner’s harsh lighting. “What can I say? I know how to make an entrance.”
Luna listened intently, her earlier frustration giving way to barely concealed envy. “Sounds like I missed all the fun,” she said, stirring her milkshake absently.
Rei reached across the table, squeezing her sister’s hand. “Next time, I promise. We’re a team, remember?”
Luna nodded, a ghost of a smile playing at her lips. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t forget it again, or I might have to take your place as the family badass.”
The tension broken, they fell into comfortable conversation, slurping their milkshakes and rehashing the night’s events. As the sugar hit her system, Rei felt the last of her adrenaline fade, replaced by a bone-deep weariness.
“So,” Rally said, setting down his empty glass with a decisive thunk. “What should we do with our hard-earned cash?”
Rei shrugged, her mind too foggy for creative thinking. “Save it? We could always use more equipment.”
Rally’s eyes lit up, an idea clearly forming. “Or,” he said, drawing out the word, “we could treat ourselves for once. How about a day at Happy Dream World?”
Rei blinked in surprise. The theme park was a Moreau City institution, but between their idol duties and bounty hunting work, they’d never found the time to visit. “That... actually sounds amazing,” she admitted.
Luna, however, was less enthusiastic. “Great,” she muttered. “A whole day of being the third wheel while you two make googly eyes at each other on the Tunnel of Love.”
Rei felt a pang of guilt. She and Rally had been so caught up in their relationship lately, she’d barely had time for sister bonding. Before she could respond, though, Rally spoke up.
“Why don’t you invite Hiro?” he suggested. “That way you won’t feel left out.”
Luna’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson. “Hiro? Why would I invite him?”
A sly grin spread across Rei’s face as she caught on to Rally’s implication. “Oh, I don’t know,” she teased. “Maybe because he’s your secret boyfriend?”
“He is not!” Luna protested, her voice rising an octave. “We’re just friends!”
Rally and Rei exchanged knowing glances, barely containing their laughter. Luna’s crush on their longtime friend and occasional tech support was painfully obvious to everyone except, apparently, Luna herself.
“Sure, sure,” Rei said, holding up her hands in mock surrender. “Just friends. So, are you in or not?”
Luna glared at them both, her pride warring visibly with her desire not to be left out. Finally, she sighed in defeat. “Fine,” she grumbled. “I’ll come. But only if Hiro’s free. And we are not boyfr-“
“We know, we know,” Rally interrupted, grinning. “Just friends. Got it.”
As Luna pulled out her phone to text Hiro, Rei felt a surge of excitement. Between their hectic schedules and constant vigilance, true relaxation was a rarity. The thought of a full day devoted to nothing but fun seemed almost decadent.
“This is going to be the best date ever,” she declared, earning an eye roll from Luna and an affectionate smile from Rally.
As they left the diner, stepping out into the pre-dawn stillness, Rei allowed herself a moment of contentment. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new threats to the city they’d sworn to protect. But for now, she had her sister, her boyfriend, and the promise of cotton candy and roller coasters on the horizon. It wasn’t a normal life by any stretch, but in that moment, it felt pretty damn close to perfect.
*****
The sun blazed overhead as Rei and Rally approached the towering gates of Happy Dream World. The air thrummed with excitement, a cacophony of laughter and screams from distant roller coasters mingling with the saccharine melodies piped through hidden speakers. Rei’s stomach fluttered with a mixture of anticipation and an inexplicable unease she couldn’t quite place.
“Ready for some fun?” Rally grinned, his tail swishing behind him as they joined the queue for tickets.
Rei nodded, forcing a smile. “Absolutely. It’s been way too long since we’ve had a proper date.”
As they inched forward in line, Rei found her bounty hunter instincts kicking in despite her best efforts to relax. Her eyes scanned the crowd, cataloging potential threats and escape routes. She shook her head, trying to dispel the habit. This was supposed to be a day off, a chance to be normal for once.
Rally’s hand found hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You okay?” he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
“Yeah, just... adjusting,” Rei admitted. “It feels weird not to be on high alert.”
Understanding flickered in Rally’s eyes. As a fellow bounty hunter, he knew all too well the difficulty of switching off. “We’re safe here,” he assured her. “The only danger is eating too much cotton candy.”
Rei chuckled, some of the tension easing from her shoulders. “Challenge accepted.”
They finally reached the ticket booth, exchanging a portion of their hard-earned reward for wristbands that would grant them access to all the park’s attractions. As they passed through the turnstiles, Rei felt a childlike wonder overtake her earlier apprehension.
The major boulevard stretched before them, a riot of color and motion. Costumed characters roamed the walkways, posing for photos with excited children. The scent of popcorn and fried dough wafted on the breeze, making Rei’s mouth water.
“Where to first?” Rally asked, checking the park map she received at the entrance.
The towering wooden edifice in the distance captivated Rei’s gaze, its tracks sketching an intricate pattern of ascents and descents. “The Thunderbolt,” she decided, pointing to the roller coaster. “Might as well start with a bang.”
They made their way through the crowds, Rei’s trained eye still picking up on minor details–a lost child being reunited with frantic parents, a pickpocket working his way through an oblivious group of tourists. She pushed the observations aside, focusing instead on the warmth of Rally’s hand in hers.
The line for the Thunderbolt moved quickly, and soon they were being strapped into the front car of the coaster. As they climbed the first hill, the click-click-click of the chain lift setting a steadily quickening rhythm to match Rei’s heartbeat, she felt a familiar surge of adrenaline.
“Having second thoughts?” Rally teased, noticing her white-knuckled grip on the safety bar.
Rei shot him a challenging grin. “Not a chance, furball.”
The coaster crested the hill, and for a breathless moment, they hung suspended at the precipice. Then gravity took hold, and they plummeted.
Rei’s stomach lurched as they hurtled down the track, whipping around curves and spiraling through corkscrews. She let out a whoop of exhilaration; the wind whipping her hair into a frenzy. Beside her, Rally’s ears pinned back, his mouth open in a silent howl of delight.
As they pulled back into the station, breathless and disheveled, Rei felt lighter than she had in months. The persistent feeling of unease that had troubled her earlier seemed to have vanished somewhere along the tracks.
“Again?” Rally asked, his eyes bright with excitement.
Rei laughed, already unbuckling her harness. “You read my mind.”
They rode the Thunderbolt three more times before finally staggering off, legs wobbly but spirits high. As they made their way back to the main pathway, Rally’s stomach let out an audible growl.
“I think it’s time for some sustenance,” he said, sniffing the air appreciatively. “How about we tackle that cotton candy challenge?”
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They found a vendor selling enormous clouds of spun sugar in every color imaginable. Rei opted for a classic pink, while Rally chose a lurid blue concoction that immediately began staining his fur.
“Very dignified,” Rei snickered, as Rally attempted to lick a stray strand of sugar from his nose.
He responded by smushing a handful of his cotton candy against her cheek, leaving a sticky blue smear. “There,” he said, looking immensely pleased with himself. “Now we match.”
Rei retaliated, and soon they were engaged in a full-blown sugar war, laughing like children as they dodged and weaved through the crowd. A nearby family gave them a wide berth, the parents shooting disapproving looks their way.
“Maybe we should cool off,” Rei suggested, still giggling as she tried to wipe blue sugar from her eyebrows.
They found respite as the Enchanted River, a leisurely boat ride through a series of whimsical dioramas. As they drifted along in their swan-shaped vessel, surrounded by animatronic woodland creatures and twinkling fairy lights, Rei felt a wave of contentment wash over her.
“This is nice,” she murmured, leaning her head on Rally’s shoulder.
He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. “Yeah,” he agreed softly. “We should do this more often.”
For a moment, Rei allowed herself to imagine a life where they could. A world without the constant threat of supervillains and crime syndicates, where their biggest worry was whether to ride the carousel or play Skee-ball next. The fantasy was seductive, but even as she indulged in it, she knew it wasn’t truly what she wanted. The city needed them, and as exhausting as their dual lives could be, she wouldn’t trade her purpose for all the carefree days in the world.
As if sensing the direction of her thoughts, Rally gave her a gentle squeeze. “Hey,” he said, his voice low. “Where’d you go just now?”
Rei shook her head, banishing the melancholy thoughts. “Nowhere,” she assured him. “I’m right here.”
They emerged from the Enchanted River, blinking in the bright sunlight. The day was wearing on; the shadows lengthening as afternoon crept towards evening. Rei consulted the park map, determined to make the most of their remaining time.
“The Gravitron looks interesting,” she said, pointing to a UFO-shaped ride near the center of the park.
Rally’s ears perked up. “Race you there?”
Before Rei could respond, he was off, weaving through the crowd with canine agility. She laughed, giving chase. Her combat training served her well as she vaulted over a bench and ducked under a balloon vendor’s wares.
They reached the Gravitron, both slightly out of breath. “Tie?” Rally offered, holding out his hand.
Rei shook it solemnly. “This time,” she said with a wink.
The ride lived up to its name, pinning them to the wall with centrifugal force as the room spun at dizzying speeds. Rei giggled uncontrollably as she tried and failed to lift her arm against the pressure.
When they stumbled out, the world continued to spin around them. Rally lurched dramatically, pretending to lose his balance and collapsing against Rei. She caught him, rolling her eyes at his theatrics.
“My hero,” he said, batting his eyelashes comically.
Rei snorted, giving him a playful shove. “Come on, you big baby. Let’s see what else this place has to offer.”
They spent the next few hours exploring every corner of Happy Dream World. They tested their skills at the carnival games (Rei’s marksmanship, earning her a comically oversized stuffed penguin), sampled questionable foodstuffs from the various snack stands, and rode every attraction that caught their eye.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, streaking the sky with vibrant hues of orange and pink, Rei experienced a familiar tingling at the nape of her neck. The feeling of unease, which had remained mostly dormant throughout the day, surged back with full intensity. She scanned the thinning crowds, searching for the source of her discomfort.
“Rei?” Rally’s voice cut through her rising anxiety. “Everything okay?”
She forced herself to relax, plastering on a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yeah, sorry. Just got lost in thought for a second.”
Rally studied her face, clearly not entirely convinced. “Are you sure? We can head out if you’re not feeling well.”
“No!” Rei said quickly, not wanting to ruin their perfect day. “No, I’m fine. Really. How about two more rides before we go?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Rally nodded. “Alright. Your choice.”
Rei’s eyes caught the Ferris wheel, its lights just beginning to twinkle in the gathering dusk. “How about that?” she suggested. “And the next one can be your choice.”
“But what about Luna and Hiro?”
Rei blew a string of hair from her face. “I’m totally sure they are fine on their own. Like my sis said, she didn’t want to be our third wheel.”
Rally shrugged. “Alright.”
As they settled into the gently swaying car, Rei tried to shake off the lingering sense of foreboding. She leaned into Rally’s side, breathing in his familiar scent of pine and musk. This was their moment, she told herself firmly. Whatever dangers lurked in Moreau City could wait until tomorrow.
The wheel turned, lifting them higher and higher above the park. Rei gasped as the full panorama came into view. Happy Dream World stretched out below them, a glittering wonderland of lights and motion.
“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, momentarily forgetting her worries.
Rally’s arm tightened around her. “Yeah,” he agreed softly. “It really is.”
As their car reached the apex of the wheel, Rei allowed herself to fully relax for the first time all day. She turned to Rally, meeting his warm brown eyes.
“Thank you for today,” she said. “I didn’t realize how much I needed this.”
Rally smiled, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Anytime, partner.”
They descended in comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts. As they exited the Ferris wheel, Rei felt a renewed sense of purpose. Indeed, complexity and danger filled their lives. But moments like these–stolen pockets of joy and normalcy–made it all worthwhile.
*****
Luna squinted against the glare of the setting sun, her eyes scanning the bustling crowd for any sign of her sister or Rally. The cacophony of the theme park–a mixture of screams, laughter, and tinny music–surrounded her, making it difficult to focus.
“See them anywhere?” Hiro asked, coming up beside her with two oversized soft drinks.
Luna shook her head, accepting the drink with a small smile. “No, but knowing those two, they’re probably halfway up the Thunderbolt by now.”
Hiro chuckled, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners. “Probably. So, what do you want to do first?”
Luna hesitated, feeling suddenly self-conscious. This wasn’t a date, she reminded herself firmly. Just two friends hanging out. Even if Hiro looked nice in his fitted t-shirt and...
She cut off that train of thought abruptly. “How about the carousel?” she suggested, pointing to the ornate structure nearby. “Might as well start small.”
As they made their way through the crowd, Luna found herself hyper-aware of Hiro’s presence beside her. His arm brushed against hers, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.
“Cold?” Hiro asked, misinterpreting her reaction.
Luna shook her head quickly. “No, just... excited,” she lied, cringing internally at how lame it sounded.
Hiro, mercifully, didn’t push the issue. They reached the carousel and joined the short queue, the tinkling melody growing louder as they approached.
“So,” Hiro said as they waited, “how’s the new song coming along? The one you were working on last week?”
Luna brightened, grateful for the familiar topic. “It’s getting there. I think I’ve finally nailed the bridge, but the second verse is still giving me trouble.”
As they discussed the intricacies of songwriting, Luna felt herself relaxing. This was simple, and comfortable. Perhaps the night wouldn’t be as awkward as she had feared.
Their turn came, and they clambered onto the carousel. Luna chose a majestic white horse, while Hiro opted for a colorful sea monster. As the ride spun, Luna caught Hiro’s eye. He grinned and waved, looking ridiculous perched atop his fantastical mount.
Luna couldn’t help but laugh. The sound was carried away by the whirling motion and cheerful music. For a moment, she forgot about being a K-pop star or a vigilante. She was just a girl, enjoying a day at the park with a boy she maybe, possibly, liked a little more than she was ready to admit.
The carousel slowed to a stop, and they dismounted, still giggling. “Where to next?” Hiro asked, his eyes bright with excitement.
Luna spotted a row of carnival games nearby. “How about testing your aim?” she challenged, pointing to a booth where players threw darts at balloons.
Hiro’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh, it’s on,” he declared. “Prepare to be amazed by my deadly accuracy.”
Five minutes and twenty dollars later, Hiro’s “deadly accuracy” had resulted in exactly zero popped balloons. Luna got a small stuffed dragon keychain she put into her back pocket.
“I don’t get it,” Hiro muttered, eyeing the booth suspiciously. “Those darts must be rigged.”
Luna patted his arm consolingly, trying to suppress her smirk. “Sure, Hiro. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
As they made their way through the park, sampling different rides and attractions, Luna realized she was truly enjoying Hiro’s company. His dry humor and easy-going nature complemented her more reserved personality perfectly.
They were in line for the park’s newest roller coaster when Luna felt a prickle of unease. She glanced around, her vigilante instincts kicking in. There, by a cotton candy stand–two men in nondescript clothing, watching them intently.
Luna tensed, her mind racing through scenarios. Were they paparazzi? Stalker fans? Or something more sinister?
“Luna?” Hiro’s voice cut through her rising panic. “You okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
She forced herself to relax, plastering on a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yeah, sorry. Just thought I saw someone I knew.”
When she looked back, the men were gone. Luna shook her head, telling herself she was being paranoid. This was supposed to be a day off, after all.
As they exited the roller coaster, breathless and windswept, Luna’s earlier unease had all but evaporated. She was laughing at one of Hiro’s terrible puns when they bumped into trouble.
“Oof!” Luna grunted as she collided with what felt like a wall of flesh. She stumbled back, apology already forming on her lips, when she realized who she’d bumped into.
The man before them was enormous, his rotund figure barely contained by an expensive-looking suit. His mustache dangled beneath his large nose. Despite his size, his face was kind, with twinkling eyes and rosy cheeks.
“I’m so sorry!” Luna exclaimed, mortified.
The man waved off her apology with a jovial chuckle. “No harm done, my dear. I should watch where I’m going. These old eyes aren’t what they used to be.”
Something about his manner put Luna at ease. A genuine smile graced her face as she introduced herself along with Hiro.
“A pleasure to meet you both,” the man said, his voice warm and rich. “I’m Mr. Dream, the owner of this little playground of mine.”
Luna’s eyes widened in surprise. “You own Happy Dream World?”
Mr. Dream nodded, his chest puffing out with pride. “Built it from the ground up, I did. Started with just a Ferris wheel and a hot dog stand, if you can believe it. Certainly, numerous corporations have attempted to buy me out, aiming to update my theme park for the people who they called a modern audience. However, I maintain that preserving its old-fashioned charm is what renders it unique.”
As Mr. Dream launched into the history of the park, Luna found herself captivated. He was a natural storyteller, painting vivid pictures of the park’s humble beginnings and its growth over the years.
“... and now,” he concluded with a flourish, “we’re working on our most ambitious project yet. A whole new world of wonder, right beneath our feet.”
Hiro leaned in, intrigued. “What do you mean?”
Mr. Dream’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “It’s not quite ready for the public yet, but... how would you two like a sneak peek?”
Luna hesitated. Something about this felt off, but she couldn’t put her finger on why. “I don’t know,” she said slowly. “We wouldn’t want to impose.”
“Nonsense!” Mr. Dream boomed. “I insist. In fact, I could use some young eyes to give me their honest opinion. What do you say?”
Hiro turned to Luna, his expression eager. “Come on, Luna. How often do we get a chance like this?”
Against her better judgment, Luna nodded. “Alright,” she agreed. “Why not?”
Mr. Dream clapped his hands together, beaming. “Excellent! Follow me, and prepare to be amazed.”
As they followed the rotund figure through a series of back alleys and service corridors, Luna’s earlier sense of unease returned full force. She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were making a terrible mistake.
Finally, they arrived at a nondescript door tucked away in a dimly lit corner of the park’s underbelly. Mr. Dream produced a key from his pocket, unlocking it with a flourish.
“Welcome,” he said grandly, “to Wonderland.”
The door swung open, revealing a dark, cavernous space beyond. Luna peered inside, her eyes struggling to adjust to the gloom. Strange, twisted shapes loomed in the shadows, hinting at a world both familiar and alien.
“Well, go on,” Mr. Dream urged, his jovial tone now tinged with something Luna couldn’t quite identify. “Take a look around. I’ll be back in a jiffy to hear your thoughts.”
Before Luna could protest, Mr. Dream had vanished, the door clicking shut behind him. She turned to Hiro, her heart pounding. “I don’t like this,” she whispered. “We should go.”
But Hiro already moved, drawn by curiosity. “Come on, Luna. Where’s your sense of adventure?”
Luna bit her lip, torn between her instinct to flee and her reluctance to leave Hiro alone. With a resigned sigh, she followed him into the darkness.
They had taken only a few steps when a hissing sound filled the air. Luna’s eyes widened in alarm as she recognized the sound–and the sickly sweet scent that accompanied it.
“Hiro!” she cried, reaching for him blindly. “We need to-“
But it was too late. The world spun, her limbs growing heavy. Luna fought against the encroaching darkness, her training kicking in as she tried to hold her breath. But it was a losing battle.
The last thing she saw before consciousness slipped away was Hiro’s face, slack with surprise as he too succumbed to the gas.
Then, nothing but darkness.