June 2nd, 2018. 9:00 AM.

The two walk inside the Animal Kingdom, upon arrival, Elio’s face lights up; “Woah! It just got like ten degrees warmer!” “It feels musty.” Ray retorts. As they make their way through the entrance, the animatronic tiger stands on a platform, greeting them; “Welcome!” The tiger’s eyes flash a bright light, taking their picture, Elio reels his head back in reaction. “Enjoy your stay!” The tiger says before looking at the next person walking in, repeating the pattern. Ray leads Elio through the atrium, making their way to the escalator, they begin riding it up; “Not gonna lie, you’re right. This place is starting to feel musty to me.” “Now you get it, Elio.”

At the fountain, Ray waits for the fountain to begin spraying. The fountain stands tall, under the sun’s embrace, the surface transforms into a blinding gold glow, scattering rays in all directions like a celestial beacon of wealth and luxury. Ray quickly gets underneath the blind spot and takes out his dagger, expertly and carefully, he unscrews the vent; “Go!” He commands quietly; “Right!” Elio crawls inside the vent. Ray then reseals the vent and pockets his dagger before sitting down on the edge of the fountain, slowly making his presence known to the birds as to not raise suspicion. He slowly gets up, he pretends as though the glow from the fountain is too overbearing, making his actions seem natural toward the cameras. “Good luck, Elio.”

Elio inches through the cramped ventilation shaft, his breathing becomes shallow in order to minimize noise. Dust particles dance in the beam of the light shining through the other vent grates as he navigates the maze of metal. His movements cautious and deliberate, every sound amplified in the confined space. “Damn, this is getting annoying! I don’t know how much more heat I can deplete from my body at this point, I’m freezing and my volume’s only just enough to crawl through here! Where the hell is this switch room anyway?!” Elio thinks, getting angry at having to be so cold.

He stops crawling, closing his eyes, he concentrates; “Where am I right now…” Elio begins searching for heat signatures around him. “That temperature… it’s a man’s, above average… The chest area is slightly warmer than usual. There’s no stress affecting it, so it’s likely he’s wearing something.” Elio ponders, he then looks through the grate. “He’s a security guard! That could actually work!” Elio presses his hands on the grate and begins generating heat to smelt it.

Soon, the grate’s edges become soft enough for Elio to push off. He crawls out and in a swift, calculated move, Elio silently approaches the unsuspecting guard from behind. With precise precision, he loops his arm around the guard’s neck, applying just enough pressure to cut off blood flow to the brain. Within seconds, the guard slumps unconscious to the floor, incapacitated without a sound. He then takes off the guard’s uniform and puts it on.

Elio taps on his earpiece; “Ray, I’m currently in a locker room at the moment. I’m dressed as a guard here, you can get started on getting the money. I’ll find the switch room shortly.” “That’s good to hear! Just be careful, alright?” “Of course!” “Great! Alright, I’ll contact you again when I’m ready to play the game. You contact me in case something’s wrong or you don’t understand something.” Ray disconnects.

June 2nd, 2018. 9:15 AM.

From the second floor, with a drink in his hand, Ray gazes at the first floor for targets. Through calculated steps, he weaves through the crowd seamlessly. As he approaches his first mark, he bumps into him lightly, apologizing profusely while his hand deftly slips into his pocket, retrieving his wallet without a hint of suspicion.

Moving around like a shadow, he repeats the process, his movements rugged, yet precise. Each bump, each casual gesture, serves as a subtle distraction, allowing him to snatch their wallets unnoticed.

Within minutes, he amassed a small fortune in his hidden cache, his skill unmatched in the art of thievery. Each victim, unaware of their loss. As he makes his way toward his next victim, he pretends to fall over, knocking a wallet out of a woman’s purse without her knowing. As he grabs the wallet and starts standing up, the casino’s monkey animatronic approaches. Standing tall on spindly legs, the monkey towers over Ray with an unnerving presence. Its wiry frame seems almost skeletal, adorned with faded fur that once boasted vibrant colors. With eyes that gleam in the dim light, it fixates on its target, conveying an eerie sense of intelligence beyond its mechanical form.

“Shit, I forgot that Jojo’s a security robot. He must’ve been following me around since I haven’t played any games yet. I probably have more than enough money though, so I likely won’t need her wallet anyway.” Ray thinks critically. Eyeing back Jojo, he walks over toward the woman before breaking eye contact, he taps her shoulder; “Excuse me, ma’am?” “Hmm?” “Your wallet fell out.” Ray answers as he holds it out for her. “Oh, thank you so much! I didn’t even notice, that would’ve been awful!” She says with gratitude as she takes her wallet back. She flashes him a smile before going back to her friends, Ray’s smile fades as he takes a deep breath; “Yeah, that would’ve been awful in more ways than one…” He looks back at Jojo, who stares him down for a few more seconds before going back to his routine of swinging around, making chattering noises.

Ray walks inside the men’s restroom, stepping inside of a stall; “That was too close…” He looks into his jacket; “Alright, let’s see… who’s wallet is the biggest?” He looks at each of them. “You should do.” Ray comments as he begins taking money out of each wallet and putting it in the biggest one. “Now I won’t have to worry about being detected using so many of them to play one game.” He hides them and then flushes the toilet to avoid raising any suspicion to potential onlookers, he steps out of the stall and washes his hands. “I wonder how Elio’s holding up?”

June 2nd, 2018. 9:25 AM.

In a state-of-the-art security room equipped with a large video wall displaying live feeds from the bird cameras, a man in a loose, reflective attire suddenly phases out of the floor, standing up. Guerilla looks at his surroundings, quickly taking in the features such as advanced monitoring software allowing for real-time analysis, facial recognition, and motion tracking. Access being tightly controlled, with biometric authentication and encrypted communication that ensures the integrity of the system.

“Guerilla?! When did you get here?” A security guard asks as he notices the reflection of the monitor’s light shining off his suit and into his face. “Just now.” Guerilla answers with a cold, quiet voice; “W-well, what are you doing here?” “I’m on patrol, currently tracking down a strange character with Mig and Gastronaut.” He explains as he holds up his wrist and taps on a device, creating a holographic screen. The screen shows camera footage from the streets, showing everyone in the room that Elio had killed an official. Some of the people gag upon seeing a death without warning, Guerilla then closes the hologram.

“I need to check your security footage. That tiger animatronic, Rocky, takes pictures of all the people who walk in here, uploading them to security. I need to have a look at the people who’ve entered here within the last hour.” “Right away, sir.” One of the security guards answers, beginning to search through the computer, looking for an image of Elio. “Make sure to check whoever was before or after him as well, the footage showed a dark-skinned man that he was following after he killed that man.” “Is that really necessary-” “Yes. Completely.” Guerilla interrupts.

The security guard remains quiet as he continues his search, eventually finding the pictures; “Ok, they’re both here. That’s all I needed to know.” Guerilla begins walking and phases through the wall. He taps on his earpiece; “Gastronaut, Mig, they’re somewhere in this casino. You two check around the atrium, I’ll look through these halls. I couldn’t detect the one with the visor in the cameras, so he has to be in my area.” “Oh good. I was wondering when we’d find the right place.” A muffled voice comes through the earpiece. “We’ll make this quick, I expect you to be so as well.” A phlegmy voice comes through. “Right… I forgot you have your breakfast waiting.” Guerilla answers back

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Elio makes his way through the halls, eventually coming across the switch room; “Wait…” He eyes the door, seeing that there’s a handprint and eye scanner. “I could knock out a guard and use the body to get in there, but I could just breach it by heating up the door enough. But… that’d make the plan more obvious, but… if I wait here till someone shows up, Ray’s more likely to get spotted. Shit, I’ll just go through with it.” Elio decides, pressing his hands against the door. As he begins heating it up, a gun muzzle for a rifle phases out slowly behind him from the floor.

Ray arrives in front of Slot Machine #7, he digs through his jacket, finding the wallet and slowly pulling it out. Somewhere on the second floor of the atrium, Gastronaut perches on a railing; “Well, are you ready for the show, Mig? I need your eyes to guide me where Ray could. Man, this makes me excited! I haven’t seen his face in how long…?” “Three years.” Mig answers. “Time sure flies! Well, let’s get this show started!” Gastronaut jumps off the rail, he begins floating. “Attention, everyone!” He shouts.

Ray looks over; “Fuck! How did they know where we were?! Were we just unlucky?!” Ray asks before tapping his earpiece; “Elio!” He shouts. “Why are you yelling? I’m here-” “The plan’s a bust!” “Huh?!” “Get out of there! Those three Emerald members are here!” Ray orders as he disconnects from the line. “Who we all thought was dead and beyond the grave, has returned. I’m talking about the most wanted criminal in the history of Violet Paradise, Ray Steel! And he’s right here in this building!” Gastronaut announces. He then claps his hands, making all the cash on people begin floating into the air.

“Dammit, he disconnected!” Elio worries. He tries to stay calm and concentrates on detecting heat signatures; “Wait, huh? There’s one below me, but not on the floor…” He slowly glances behind him and sees the muzzle of the sniper rifle; “below!” Guerilla notices Elio turning around and immediately pulls the trigger. Elio barely dodges the bullet by performing a backwards twist in the air, the only thing audible is the sound of the bullet ricocheting off the walls; “What the hell was that?!” Elio shouts in confusion. “No time to think! He told me to get going, so I should just focus on that!” He turns around and tries to book it, though as he takes his first step, Guerilla leaps out of the floor, wrapping his arm around Elio’s neck, putting him in a chokehold. He quickly drags Elio to the wall, his body phases through, but his arm remains sticking out to keep Elio stuck. Before Elio could even think of using his heat to burn his way out of the hold, Guerilla holds a gun right under Elio’s chin.

Mig quickly detects Ray’s location by seeing the sheer amount of cash floating away; “There he is! Right there by the slot machines!” “You heard him! Keep clear of the slot machines! The damage here is about to reach a cosmic level!” Gastronaut taps a button on his suit, causing the wings of his jetpack to open up, the thrusters activate as Mig jumps into position, in the air, exposed to the sunlight. Gastronaut flies toward him, deactivating his jetpack, he crashes into Mig, only to be sent flying in the opposite direction at twice the speed, hurling in Ray’s direction. Citizens rush out of the area, aware of how dangerous Gastronaut and Mig are when fighting, Gastronaut crashes into Ray, sending him to the floor and making him roll from the impact, even bouncing into a pachinko machine. “Shit! This is bad!” Ray shouts from feeling the pain.

“Who are you?” Guerilla asks with a calm, cool voice. “Huh-” Elio is abruptly interrupted as he hears the gun click; “Who are you?” “O-oh! My name’s Elio King!” “What?!” Guerilla reacts with surprise, letting go of Elio and stepping out of the wall. “What you’re saying is true? You’re Elio King?” “Yeah, what about it?” Elio asks, suddenly confused, but still on guard, ready to counter any attack that could come out. “Plenty of heroes have heard of you! Word gets around fast in Kosmesen. We had no clue you’d be here, but…” He points his gun at him; “what are you doing, helping Ray?” Guerilla asks coldly. Elio takes a deep breath; “I’m…”

Gastronaut flies towards Ray, aiming to land a heavy kick to the head. Ray dives to the side, rolling and getting up, he quickly spots Mig and he rips a roulette table from the floor and swings it, chucking it effortlessly at him. He quickly turns around and slings his arm, reaching Gastronaut and retracting his arm, pulling him back and turning around, holding him like a human-shield. The table hits Mig and bounces off of his body, barreling toward Gastronaut at twice the speed and power; “If only removing gravity would also remove its mobility, but in space, nothing stops moving until it makes contact with something! But, reducing damage is reducing damage, so I’ll take it!” He thinks quickly, using his power to remove the roulette table’s gravity. Though Ray expects it and dives forward, slamming Gastronaut’s body into it, dealing a strong blow and breaking the table, Ray then chucks him into the air, sending him straight toward the skylight.

Mig quickly leaps into the air, soaring gracefully and grabbing Gastronaut, stopping him from breaking the skylight, Mig lands, sticking on the wall with his feet. Looking down at the atrium, the two begin strategizing; “Should I get up close and fight him from there?” “Don’t be stupid, Mig! You know he can take away your oxygen! And when he does that, how are your reflect powers going to come in handy?!” “Good point. Oh well, then I’ll use some other techniques! Just keep him distracted!” Mig retorts as he flips off the wall and chucks Gastronaut at Ray. “Fine!” He shouts, activating his jetpack and changing his trajectory, flying around and picking up objects with his gravity power.

Gastronaut picks up two slot machines and tries to crush Ray by having both slam against him from each end, Ray backflips away, avoiding the attack. As he lands, Jojo drops down from the ceiling and lands on top of him, letting out monkey sounds as he tries to pummel him, Gastronaut takes advantage and sends a piece of rubble to Mig. Mig grabs the rubble and is pulled toward Ray at high speeds from Gastronaut’s power; “Flashbang!” Mig shouts as he lets go and curls up into a ball, charging a bunch of light around him, releasing it all as he spreads his arms and legs wide, creating a blast of light, blinding Ray. “Shit!” Ray shouts as his ears ring from the attack, as he covers his eye, he lowers his guard, getting slugged in the shoulder by Gastronaut, only to be struck by a spinning tail strike by Mig, his tail spikes lashing Ray, cutting his skin slightly. Jojo pushes off of his body, forcing Ray to fall to the floor, making a loud thud as he does so.

Ray’s vision becomes clear; “Elio, where are you?! I need help” He pushes off the floor, quickly taking care of Jojo by grabbing his head and twisting it off before taking the wires and using the loose, sparking wires from his head by slamming them onto Mig. “EEEAAAAGGGHHHH!” Mig shrieks as the electricity passes through his reflection technique, Ray throws Jojo’s head at the skylight, this time, breaking the glass. Gastronaut, due to his penetrable skin, focuses on catching every shard with his power to protect himself. Ray takes advantage of this by getting behind Gastronaut and taking out his dagger, stabbing through the jetpack tank and making kerosene spill from it, he grabs him by the legs, slamming him into a slot machine. The slot machine releases sparks of electricity, which come in contact with the oil, causing a massive explosion. With a thunderous roar, the blast shattered the windows, sending glass shards flying like deadly confetti. Amidst the chaos, Ray gets propelled outward, his limbs flailing against the force before hitting the floor outside below.

June 2nd, 2018. 9:50 AM.

“So, you understand why I’m working with him, right?” “Yes, I understand completely.” “So, will you help me, Guerilla?” Elio asks while holding out his hand. “Of course!” He replies, shaking Elio’s hand; “Anything to complete a mission!” Guerilla grins under his headgear. “Then let’s get to work!” Elio grins back. Guerilla breaks the handshake and leads the way, he points his gun down a corridor; “Go down to the end of that hall, take a left, then another left. That’s the nearest way back into the atrium. I’ll meet you there.” “Got it!” Elio rushes down the hall while taking off the guard uniform, back into his casual attire.

Guerilla turns around and phases through the walls, making it to the atrium, he taps his earpiece; “Mig, can you hear me?” He’s given no response, unaware that the electrocution had fried Mig’s ear piece. “Damn! Gastronaut, can you hear me?” On the other line, he hears a faint groan; “Still touching the stars. Don’t worry, Mig’s fine, but we could use your help right now.” “I’ll be there right away.” Guerilla disconnects and enters the atrium. He perches onto a railing, taking in the view, the once vibrant and bustling casino is now an area in which chaos reigns supreme. The air is thick with dust and the acrid smell of destruction. Slot machines, once flashing with colorful lights and emitting inviting chimes, now lie in twisted heaps, their screens shattered and mechanisms exposed. The sound of broken glass echoes throughout the cavernous space as the skylight above, once a beacon of natural light, now lies in thousands of pieces, casting shattered shards across the floor like fallen stars.

Tables where fortunes were won and lost are overturned, their surfaces marred with deep gouges and splintered wood. Cards and chips are strewn haphazardly, a chaotic mosaic of a once orderly game. The roulette wheel, a symbol of chance and excitement, now sits askew, its spokes bent and numbers barely discernible amidst the wreckage. The bar, once a lively hub of activity, is now a scene of devastation. Bottles lay shattered on the ground, their contents mingling with broken glass and spilled liquids. The mirrors behind the bar, once reflecting the laughter and revelry of patrons, now reflect only the devastation.

Amidst the destruction, a sense of eerie stillness hangs heavy in the air, broken only by the occasional creak of structural damage. It’s a stark contrast to the pulsating energy and excitement that once filled every corner of the casino. Now, all that remains is a haunting reminder of the fragility of fortune and the destructive power of chaos. Guerilla processes all of this in less than a second; “This place looks more like a jungle.” He comments as he jumps down to where Gastronaut and Mig are.

“Where’s Ray?” Guerilla asks as he helps Gastronaut up; “I think the explosion from my jetpack sent him flying out of here. He probably used it as a way to give himself a head start.” “That sounds like Ray.” Just as Guerilla makes that comment, Elio busts a door open, making it back into the atrium. “Holy shit! What happened here?!” Elio shouts in shock and confusion, Guerilla looks at the second floor; “Elio, Ray escaped, go after him! I’ll look after these two!” “Got it!” Elio nods before leaping off the second floor and landing outside the building.

He quickly follows Ray’s heat signature, bolting down the bustling city streets, his muscles taut with determination. With blazing speed, he weaves through the chaotic traffic, each move executed through pure instinct. As he pursues Ray, he effortlessly vaults over obstacles, performing daring maneuvers with the grace of his seasoned acrobatics. The relentless rhythm of his footsteps echo against the pavement, driving him forward in relentless pursuit.

Elio catches up to Ray, quickly picking up speed and sliding underneath his legs, getting in front of him, Elio then swiftly pivots, turning around and performing several backflips in the air. He lands on his feet, his fists put up while getting in his fighting stance, Ray stops running; “Elio?! What are you doing?” “My job!” He retorts. Ray, shocked, confused, and hurt, grabs his dagger and gets in a fighting stance; “Fine… I see how it is. If that’s how you’re gonna play, then so be it. I’ll make sure your cat’s not the only one who can’t get out of the hospital.” Ray glares at him as the two enter a standoff.