"Welcome to what me and Gurk call home, Janus!" Itzel said with a hint of sarcasm. Janus stepped off the long bus-like carrier that had taken them from the medical center and took in his surroundings. The first thing he noticed were the towering buildings that rose high into the sky. They were blocky and gray with long windows that broke up their seemingly endless walls. He could see lights beaming out of a few of them, but the majority were blackened out. Running around the perimeter of the massive skyscrapers was a crumbling sidewalk that was covered in litter. Tall and slim beacons of light were scattered around the edge, giving just enough illumination to see the poor condition the pavement was in.

"Shelter is shelter," Janus said aloud. He turned around and watched the vehicle that had just dropped him off lift upwards and take off into the sky. His eyes then returned to the building in front of him as he started following Itzel.

"Yeah, sure," Itzel said, turning her head behind her to make sure Janus was still following. After seeing that he was right behind her, she continued towards her home. Janus’ attention remained on the other side of the street. From behind where the carrier bus had dropped them off, he could see a long expanse of an empty field, just like the one he had come across in his first encounter with the Lurkers. "Just beyond that is the Refinery Sector. Our lovely little neighborhood of Rilcoe is within walking distance as you can see. Close enough so that the winds can bring over a nice breeze of exhaust every so often."

"Gross," Gurk moaned as he trailed the other two.

They continued down the path, passing through another block of identical looking towers. Janus jumped back a bit when he noticed a Lurker passing by on the other end of the street, roaming across the sidewalk as if it lived in the area. With a precise Serrated Gale, Itzel took it out without a hitch and the trio continued along their way back to Itzel and Gurk's home. "Told you those things are everywhere," Itzel said as she continued to lead the procession. "But it is kinda odd to see them this deep within Rilcoe. Not unheard of, but definitely not something you see every day."

"Yeah," Gurk replied. The three took a turn down an alley. It was dark, narrow and dirty with the buildings being so tall they obscured any potential moonlight from getting through. The only illumination came from flickering lamps that were placed along the edges of the building's walls.

"Shouldn't be much longer. Our place is just straight ahead," Itzel said as she pointed towards another block of homogenous buildings just outside of the alley. "Once we get inside we can finally—" Before her sentence could finish, all three were drawn to the sound of someone struggling.

"Go away!" The voice sounded like it came from a young boy. Turning to the side, all three saw a pair of Lurkers huddled together, pulling at something. Gurk dashed towards them, drawing both of their attention when they heard his massive feet travel across the pavement. They stepped to the side, revealing the small child that they were attacking. He couldn't have been more than six; one still held onto his arm while continued to try and break free from its clutches while kicking at the arm that kept him captive. He turned towards the approaching Gurk and the anger on the child's face soon turned to glee. As he turned his head, his features became more visible. He wore a pair of dark shorts and a red jacket. His hair was short, blonde and unruly, only somewhat obscuring the white mouse ears on the top of his head.

Once Gurk had gotten close enough to the two Lurkers, he grabbed the heads of each one in his two separate hands. He then smashed the two creatures together like a pair of cymbals, crushing their upper bodies entirely and letting their limp bodies fall to the floor. The kid rose to his feet, jumping up and down once the two Essencima were defeated.

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"Thank you Gurk!" the boy exclaimed, wrapping his short arms around the massive shin of the crocodile. Itzel walked in closer to the pair with Janus right behind her. She crossed her arms and shook her head as she looked at the young boy who was still hugging Gurk.

"What are you doing out here so late, Ven?" she asked in a disappointed tone.

"Playing." The boy let go of Gurk. His eyes shifted away from the crocodile and drifted towards the ground.

"Uh-huh. Looks more like you're getting into trouble again. Where are your parents at?"

"Working," Ven replied, keeping his eyes looking down at the sidewalk. He kicked a small stone out into the street.

"And you decided to leave your apartment and start roaming around in the middle of the night by yourself?"

The child didn't respond.

"Dangerous," Gurk said as looked down at the child. Ven looked back at the crocodile, his face flush with embarrassment.

"But you helped me!"

"And what if me and Gurk didn't show up, huh?" Itzel's voice became sterner. "What would have happened then?"

"I coulda stopped them!" Ven stomped his foot, placing himself in what he thought to be a proper fighting stance. He then turned his hands into fists and began to throw punches at an imaginary foe. "I watch Rumbles! I can fight!" He ended his combo with a flying sideways kick.

"Gurk, let's bring him inside before he gets hurt," Itzel said to her partner, frustrated. Without another word, Gurk hoisted the kid up with both hands and placed him under his arm.

"Hey!" the child shouted as Gurk began walking towards the original path they were travelling.

"We're taking you back home before you get yourself hurt." Itzel said.

"But I coulda killed 'em!' Ven said in an exasperated manner. He remained underneath Gurk's arm, with his head turned towards Itzel as the distance towards their home lessened.

"Sure didn't look like it. But don't worry, we'll make sure your parents hear about this."

"No!" The child's tone soon became sorrowed. He turned his head in the opposite direction to look at the person that was carrying him. Gurk didn't look back, instead keeping his attention on moving forward. "Don't tell mom and dad!"

"Got to," Gurk replied.

"Please?"

"Sorry Ven, but you have got to learn that it's dangerous to be roaming outside by yourself. I'm sure your parents will want to know what you've been up to while they're gone." All four reached the front door of one of the buildings. Itzel stepped in front of a black screen and brought up her UIC. A laser came out and scanned the code, unlocking the black push door next to it. Gurk stepped inside first with the other two just behind him.

"But I wanna join Rumble Circuit when I'm a grown-up," Ven said as they entered through the main lobby. It wasn't much brighter than the outside of the neighborhood. A few ceilings lamps gave just enough light to read the numbers placed just above the numerous apartment doors. Chipped paint and dust and stains were plentiful. Towards the side there was a rusted staircase that lead up to the next floor. Beside that was a pair of sliding doors that looked to belong to an elevator.

"So you think sneaking out and fighting Lurkers is going to get you there?" Itzel asked as she pushed a button on the panel next to the elevator doors. When she turned around, she saw Ven nodding at her.

"Uh-huh. Teacher says I have to work hard and practice if I wanna be a fighter."

"Yeah, with adult supervision,” Itzel snapped back. You're just going to get yourself hurt if you're sneaking out in the middle of the night to take on Essencima alone!" Itzel said as she stepped on the elevator. Gurk, still carrying Ven, stood right beside her.

"But you and Gurk do it all the time!"

"Because we're adults! And we know what we're doing," she took her eyes off the child to turn towards the panel of floors. "Janus, can you press Level Eight for me?" she asked. Janus pressed the button and the elevator started to move upwards. "I'm done with this conversation. I'm telling your parents and I'm sure they'll continue it with you later."

"No! Please!" Ven was on the verge of tears, turning his eyes back to Gurk. "Gurk, make her not do it!"

The crocodile shook his head. "Lesson."