The two men rummaged the entire unlit warehouse, both of them remained resolute on capturing the thief that had been playing with them for far too long. The warehouse was a fixed mediocre maze of stacked lumbers and plywoods. Their only source of light was from their phones, and they held the devices in front of them while their other hands gripped on their makeshift weapons.

Somewhere within the unseen corners of the factory, Sunset was lurking with nothing but the Devil on her shoulder. His grin spread across his face like a demented Cheshire Cat, his claws glowing red as they pierced into the back of Sunset's leather jacket. His tail a barbed whip wrapping itself around her right arm.

Unbeknowst to Cobalt and Zoomer, they were approaching closer to something of otherworldly danger. Above them, at the top section of the lumber stacks, Sunset Shimmer prowled with anticipation. Void of weapons of any kind, but she was then filled with the intense urge to cause some wreckage. Her eye twitched. This is fucking trippy. There is no way that I would WANT to kill. Why... why would I do that?

"Whatcha gonna do, Sunny?" Flamepuff asked expectantly. "They're gonna kill youuu. Whatcha gonna do now?"

Sunset looked intently at the two men below her, muttering and swearing in vexation. She could see them waving their weapons and noticed how alert they were in their movements. How they would look on every corner and unveil every shadow.

"Are you gonna let yourself be mistreated like a bag of rotten food?" Flamepuff asked, in a quiet and raspy voice. His grin painfully firm and his drool dripped down to Sunset's shoulder. "Or are you gonna do something about it?"

Cobalt stopped in his tracks. There was no time for games. There was no time for hide and seek. He wanted the night to end with the thief at their mercy.

"Can you hear me, bitch?!" He began, his voice firm and loud. "You might not be aware about your situation right now, but I will make it fucking clear for you. You are messing with people that can wipe you off the face of the Earth for good. You're already dead meat. There is no use in hiding."

For a sympathetic person like Sunset Shimmer, her mind was void of all remorse at the moment. She was oblivious yet painfully aware at the same time. The menacing sensation that is currently crawling inside her was pushing her to do the unimaginable. And the demon on her shoulder was growing more impatient by the minute.

"Show yourself or we will be forced to burn this whole place down!"

"Over here, blue boy!"

Cobalt and Zoomer pointed their phones above them, only to be met with large woods hurling down their positions. The two men successfully evaded before they were crushed as they stumbled back into the cement. The flashlights on their phones went out and the darkness welcomed them.

"The fuck?!" Cobalt cursed. He stood up immediately and tightened his grip into his crowbar.

"I can't see shit." Zoomer huffed. Glaring pointlessly at his surroundings.

The warehouse was silent for a good five seconds. Then they heard shuffling noises that echoed into the warehouse. Followed by a child's laughter that made them tense their bodies into a sudden frozen state.

"What was that?" Zoomer asked quietly.

"What's she playing now?" Cobalt gritted his teeth.

Silence again. And it stretched out. The only thing that was too loud for them to hear was their uneven breathing, and the occasional shuffling around the warehouse. Then another series of laughter that resembled that of a toddler's. The silence would return in a moment and the ringing would extend. It was almost excruciating.

"This is bullshit!" It was the last straw. Cobalt grabbed his lighter. And with the flick of his thumb, its flames came to life. "I hope she likes fire."

Zoomer looked at him uncertainty. "Hold on. You can't do that. We need her to talk!"

Cobalt gave him a firm look. "And we will make her."

A strong blow struck into Cobalt's back, dropping his lighter and sent him down to his knees. Zoomer gripped tighter into his pipe and got himself into an alerted state. His pointless vision failed to detect the flying boot that bashed itself against his head with a loud thud, making him break his balance off his feet and collapsed on the floor with an overwhelming headache. Cobalt, with his already adjusted vision, tried to grab the lighter before him, but a boot kicked it away.

Fueled by fury, Cobalt stood up, ignoring the pain on his back, and yelled a battle cry as he drew his crowbar and swung it forward. Failing to hit his target, a small fist found itself to his face, stunning him lightly. He swung his crowbar once more, but he was met with a knee against his gut and a harsh strike of an elbow against his shoulder. He wobbled on his feet, grunting in pain and anger. Anticipating another blow, he opened his free palm and placed it near his head. As soon as a palm hit his forehead, he clamped his hand shut against its wrist and pulled the body close to him with a violent heave.

Cobalt twisted Sunset's wrist to her back and locked her within his iron-tight grasp. The air was filled with struggled breathing and heavy grunts.

"I won't make this last for you, bitch." Cobalt growled into Sunset's ear.

"Huh. Is that what you say to your girlfriend?"

"Where is the fucking money?!"

Sunset scoffed. "Just kill me, asshole."

Cobalt tighten his hold. He spun their bodies around pushed Sunset into a nearby wall of stacked wood, pressing her hard against the rough surface. "Don't make this even more difficult." He stabbed Sunset's rib with the sharp end of his crowbar. Her blood now staining her white shirt. Sunset made a supressed grunt that almost sounded like a snicker.

"Cobalt, you'll kill her!" Zoomer, who was now conscious, crawled into their position and grabbed Cobalt by the arm.

"It's either her or us, Zoomer. I'd rather kill her for fucking us up."

Zoomer slapped his shoulder. "Dammit, man! If we kill her then we're both dead!"

A low chuckle escaped Sunset's throat. Startling the two men.

"What's so funny?" Cobalt asked with a frown. Pressing Sunset even harder into the wall. She chuckled even louder which made Cobalt disappointed and flabbergasted at the same time.

"Come on, Cobalt. Let's take her someplace else. We won't wanna have any witnesses." Zoomer insisted. "We will make her talk. One that doesn't involve killing her before she could even breathe a word."

Cobalt let his hold on Sunset linger. The thought about their initial mission flew out of his mind for a moment. He decided he would not let his anger distract him from what was important. But the thought of sparing the girl a little longer left a great disappointment within him. With a heavy sigh, he bashed Sunset's head into the wall, hard enough to knock her out unconscious. He held her close as her body went completely limp. Little did he know that a little demon was looking right at him with murderous intent, hugging into Sunset's head like a tarsier.

"My bad." Cobalt said to Zoomer.

"Let's tie her up in the trunk." Zoomer suggested. "I'll ready the jeep."

"No." Cobalt objected. He ran his hand into Sunset's jacket, grabbing the car keys and waved it in front. "We'll use the cadillac."

Cobalt dragged Sunset's unconscious body across the cement as he and Zoomer walked out of the warehouse. Once they reached for the exit, Cobalt hoisted her up to his shoulders and continued to approach their vehicle. Zoomer opened the broken trunk of the cadillac and Cobalt carelessly shoved Sunset's body inside.

"Get the tape." Cobalt ordered.

Zoomer went for the jeep then came back with a roll of duct tape. He and Cobalt tied Sunset's arm behind her. While a few moans would come out from her, Cobalt would bash her head and knock her out again.

"Forget Hollow Shades. Let's get her to the Everfree Forest. We won't be needing another baggage once we get some answers out." Cobalt grimaced at Sunset's body, before shutting the trunk close. The night was still young, but neither of the two men would want to delay things any longer.

Sunset woke up from a slap on the face. "Aah! Hey what the hell?!"

It was dark. Sunset was cramped inside a small trunk as the whole thing rocked side to side. The only thing that she could see were two glowing crimson eyes staring right back at her. Her side felt painful and she could tell that she was bleeding. "Ah!" She grunted.

"Wakey wakey, bacon strips. We're going on a fieldtrip." Flamepuff sang. "Looking good tonight, yeah?"

"Oh, screw you and your poor judgement."

"You're welcome."

Sunset merely sneered at him. She wanted to slap his head, but she realized her hands were tied on her back. Her head suddenly felt terrible and she leaned her head on the base she was laying in. "How long was I out?"

"Thirty minutes and forty-two seconds." Flamepuff responded, pretending to look at his non existent watch. "And you are on your way on getting dumped in a forest."

"Outstanding."

They're gonna kill you."

"I know."

"And they're gonna take away the car."

"Mhmm."

"So say goodbye to your sex life."

Sunset looked at Flamepuff, her bloodshot eyes narrowed and her face turning into a scowl. "Alright, get me outta here."

"Now, we're talking!" Flamepuff cheered and hovered over Sunset's back. His hands morphed into black blades and sliced into the roll of tape that wrapped itself around Sunset's wrists. With one swift movement, Sunset's hands were free and she stretched her cramped joints as she shuffled inside the tight compartment. Flamepuff positioned himself on Sunset's shoulder, his hands morphing back into their normal state.

Sunset hissed as she moved her torso, and she clasped her hand tenderly on her bleeding side just below her breast. "Great, now I'm getting a tetanus." Flamepuff looked below and flew down to her chest. He tugged on her stained white button down shirt while looking at her with eyes pleading for consent.

Sunset frowned in concern. "What?" She looked at the impatient demon then noticed what he's intentions really were. She wanted to react against it but she didn't have any choice. She struggled to reposition herself in the tight space while everything rocked unevenly side to side. She laid her head against the felt walls, and started undoing her shirt, revealing her black sports bra. She didn't get to finish the task when Flamepuff dove his head into her shirt, her buttons half undone.

"H-hey! Slow down!"

Flamepuff dug his claws into her skin, making her flinch. Sunset bit her lip when she felt the demon's tongue brush against her wounded side, slightly bombarded by the ticklish yet painful sensation. She could hear him purr loudly, his tail swaying like an intrigued predator. Sunset dug her nails into the felt base of the trunk for support, then yelped when Flamepuff's sharp teeth began nibbling on her flesh.

"Ow! No biting, damn it!"

Flamepuff didn't respond. He leaned back as he licked his mouth clean and met Sunset's eyes again. He crawled closer to her face and caressed her cheek. And then, he spoke softly.

"Has anyone ever told you that you taste delicious?"

Sunset wanted to humor him by answering directly about it but she didn't want to give him the satisfaction.

Sunset touched her side. There was no wound. And the pain vanished. Now she was stuck between a show of gratitude and an expressive display of disgust.

Sunset sighed. "No."

Flamepuff giggled. "Well, you taste good. It's just too bad I can't eat you."

"I will squish you and throw you into a fireplace."

"You can do that once we get back home. I don't mind!" Flamepuff said gleefully.

"Of course you don't, you sick bastard."

Flamepuff leaned closer to Sunset's face then he gave her a big loud smack on the lips. "Muah!" He giggled loudly, while Sunset merely scowled at him in negligence, wiping the saliva off her lips with the back of her hand.

"The joys of a college dropout." Sunset said monotonously. "All I wanted tonight was to have a good time."

Flamepuff straightened up, his horn-like ears perking upwards and made slight twitches. Feeling the air as he assessed their surroundings just by picking up the smallest hint of noises.

"Hey, dipshit?"

"Tonight is the night, Sunset."

"The hell are you saying?"

He looked at Sunset with an unreadable expression. Then crawled on top of her shoulder, leaving her no response. Once he began speaking, the world's noise diminished in the distance as his voice consumed Sunset's entire senses. His voice rang, penetrating into her mind with such astounding force she almost felt her ears bleed. He spoke in a child's voice with the command of the Devil himself. "You will cause havoc upon those who merit hell's wrath. You will kill, mate, and steal for you are made the face of the wicked. Walk henceforth as you carry the burden of a punisher's whip. Walk this path as the gates of hell await you for your deeds. Fear no enemy, Sunset Shimmer, for you will strike terror unto them. Fear no death, for you are gifted seven lives by Mammon himself. Hear my voice as it is my command. Heed my voice as this is a promise."

It was in that very moment that Sunset realized that her excessive intoxication wasn't enough to dampen the horror she was about to experience. She felt her flesh being punctured by a thousand needle. Her mind shrouded with infinite urges to do unimaginable things. Her skull felt like it carried the crushing weight of the Earth itself. She could swear she felt her own body being heated in a burning furnace. By the time she decided to fight back everything that was trying to interfere with her mind and body, it was too late. Something rose within her. A familiar sensation that still haunted her. Something that she thought was no longer extant.

The pleasures of being wicked.

Cobalt leaned on his seat, a grim expression on his face. While Zoomer focused on the road, hands gripping on the wheels. Aside from the headlights that illuminated their path, the moon was shining bright. A true witness of their deeds as they drove deeper into the dirty path of Everfree.

It has been a while since Cobalt received a call. And he wouldn't want to wait for another with him and Zoomer not finishing their task. He sighed and rubbed his temple.

"What do we tell him if she won't talk?" Zoomer began, hesitation in his voice. "Or worse, what if there's no money?"

"I wouldn't want to know. That money is valuable, Zoom. This problem affects us all. We're not letting one fucking nobody ruin this whole thing for us."

"A fucking nobody, huh?" Zoomer mused. "She's got some balls. She even got inside Andromeda. And nobody gets inside Andromeda except those who belong in the rings."

Cobalt scoffed. "That was a long time ago. When Andromeda was treated like a sacred place by those who truly respected its proprietors. That until the business got screwed for a bit and the masters needed money. Now it's turned into a madhouse."

Zoomer nodded at the notion. "It's still good business though. The clients and their money keep the engine running. And as long as we help keep the order within, Andromeda and the other settlements live on and help feed those in the rings."

"Call it good business but what that place has become is basically a cave for savages. And I just fucking hate it, the amount of neophytes and plebs coming in and don't recognize respect. Acting like they own the place." Cobalt grumbled, his forehead wrinkling in a frown. "I don't care if that bitch's got balls. She's nothing but a fucking small case."

Zoomer paused for a moment after he shrugged. "I don't know about you but I'd rather not be underestimating someone who just beat up junior shitless. You've seen his face, right?"

"Don't remind me, he could barely talk after that." Cobalt groaned. "That kid's an idiot. Screwing around in a car while carrying that much money is just fucking senseless. Don't tell his dad I called him that." He humored.

"You're not really as upset as boss is." Zoomer let out a soft laugh. "The old man just went full on ballistic when he found out his kid messed up big time."

"And now he's taking his strain on us." Cobalt sighed, shaking his head. "I got an angry girlfriend to make up with the next morning. Oh, life just had to be a bitch."

"We're getting you a drink after this. All this tension's making you act like an old man yourself."

"Remind me right after we finish the job, Zoomer."

Zoomer stopped the vehicle and parked it on the soil near a lifeless tree. He didn't turn off the engine, as they needed the lights from the car to light up their surroundings considering the flashlights on their phones stopped working moments ago.

The two men got out of the car and grabbed their makeshift weapons.

"Just another day to smash some knee caps." Cobalt said, waving his crowbar around.

"Don't get too excited." Zoomer told him, shutting the driver's seat close.

Cobalt walked towards the cadillac's huge trunk and knocked on it loudly. "Alright, bitch. Wake up!"

Zoomer followed and banged the side of the car, making the silent and eerie night alive.

Cobalt breathed in the cold air of the evening. Oh, how badly did he want this night to be over quick, yet his desire for punishing Sunset urged him to make it last.

He opened the trunk.

"Let's get to wo–"

The moment after he raised the trunk, he was met with a body lunging at him and tackled him on the forest floor. Sunset pushed both of her thumbs down to the man's jugular, her whole body trembled as she forced all of her weight downwards. Zoomer immediately took action and aimed to hit Sunset in the head with his pipe. But Sunset caught it quickly with her hand, and Zoomer met her sharp and intense gaze.

Sunset stared at him, her eyes cold as ice.

Cobalt grabbed her by the face, and punched her with brute force, popping her lower lip. He pushed her off of him, as he clasped on his throat, now sore and mildly bleeding through the small cuts caused by Sunset's nails.

"Yo–urgh fuckin–urgh!" Cobalt managed to get out, his vocal chords scratching against themselves as he struggled to speak. He stood on his legs coughing, and charged at Sunset, who was on the ground with one knee.

Sunset jumped to the side, evading Cobalt's strike. Zoomer managed to get behind her and struck her at the back of her head. As Sunset stumbled forward trying to get on her feet, he gave her a strong kick on her back, making her collide to a nearby tree. Zoomer tried pinning her to the tree, but Sunset elbowed him in the gut, releasing her in the process. She spun around, but Zoomer pinned her again, her wrists above her head.

Cobalt walked towards them and he stared at Sunset with disdain while a suffering growl escaped his damaged throat. Zoomer stepped on the side a little bit as Cobalt drew closer. Sunset looked back at him, her eyes baring no fear. Only apathy. She spat out her blood, landing it on Cobalt's face.

Cobalt threw his large fist on Sunset's gut. She screamed no cries for mercy but only a grunt that echoed into the wind, followed by a defiant and mocking chuckle. A bloody lopsided grin forming on her face. Frustrated, Cobalt swung his crowbar and smashed it repeatedly into her knee, a crunch rang into their ears. Sunset's screams occupied the air along with sounds of struggled breathing and grunts

"Where is the money?" Zoomer spoke.

Sunset lowered her head limply. The familiar sensation of her knee cap being crushed brought a delay to her response. She struggled to get her words out. Both Cobalt and Zoomer looked at her with sheer persistence that should easily make her submit to their demands. A tiny part of her wanted to surrender. But the Devil on her shoulder recognized no inferiority, for she possessed nothing else than her overbearing pride. A quality that he feeds on and the sin that drove Sunset to her doom.

With all her might, Sunset raised both her legs and kicked Zoomer on his abdomen, sending him five feet away. She picked up his fallen pipe and wielded it against Cobalt, who immediately made a defensive stance. They sneered at each other like wolves, ready to strike at each other's throats. Sunset's knee cap moved along with her swollen flesh. She winced, but still dared to put pressure on it as she stood her ground with seething pride.

Having the difficulty to deliver his hatred through words, Cobalt merely glared a hateful glare. His nostrils flaring and his wheezes were audible. He charged towards Sunset, swinging his crowbar to strike. Sunset blocked his assault with her pipe and kicked him hard on the leg. He staggered back. But he attacked her again, swinging his crowbar to her side. The sharp end hit her arm with a loud organic crack. Sunset grit her teeth as Cobalt pushed his weapon harder, making the sharp end cut deeper through her flesh while sending blood down to the dirt. She used her unharmed arm and bashed the pipe into his exposed rib. He released his grip on the weapon, now temporarily stuck on Sunset's arm. She butted the pipe against his skull and sent him falling to his back.

With a painful heave, Sunset pulled the crowbar away from her arm, tearing pieces of leather and her own skin along with it. "Motherfucker." She growled, upset at the knowledge that her favorite clothing has been damaged.

Cobalt was now on his knees, but his wrathful glare has not changed. His eyes shifted to Sunset's side. Sunset followed. Zoomer tackled her to the ground. He tried to apprehend Sunset's struggling arms to disarm her, but with Sunset's good arm he met her strike. The metal pipe hit his jaw twice and his head was sent to the cosmos. Sunset tried sit up, and hit Zoomer in the head again with the pipe. He fell onto his back, freeing Sunset from the wrestle.

Cobalt came after her again and locked her neck around his arms from behind. "The... money, bitch... where...." Cobalt's voice was nothing but a desperate and hoarse wheeze.

Nearly deprived of oxygen, Sunset stabbed Cobalt's leg with the sharp end of the crowbar, twisting it inside his flesh. He released her from his grip and she hunched over for air. Cobalt's croaked screams rang into the forest, full of anguish and pain. But unfortunately for him, no one else could hear his pleas.

Sunset looked at him dismissively as she gasped for more air into her system. As she was about to stand up, a fist hammered her back to the ground. Zoomer mounted on her back and wrapped his arm around her head, stretching her neck upwards with a forceful might. Sunset could barely breathe this time. She choked as the man's arm gripped tighter around her neck, the other placed firmly on her head, posed to twist it. While Cobalt was kneeling in front of them, still struggling to pull the crowbar out of his leg.

"I am not repeating myself again, you wretched cunt! Tell us where the fucking money is or I will fucking snap your neck!" Zoomer shot, his voice cracked at the screams he made.

Sunset's vision was beginning to blur. She couldn't response as she could barely breathe once more.

With a frustrated cry, Zoomer removed his lock around Sunset and shoved her face into the dirt, putting his weight as he mounted himself on her. He looked at Cobalt with a face pleading for clarity, but Cobalt was occupied with his own leg.

"Cobalt." Zoomer called out hopelessly. "Man, help me out."

Cobalt shot him a ridiculed look. His hands were firmly clutching around the crowbar that was still stuck on his leg. With one pull, he ripped the crowbar out, letting a pool of blood form on the soil after his flesh was severely cut open. He threw the bloody object away grudgingly while he stifled his cries.

"Break... h-her... finge-gers"

The next thing Sunset knew was three of her fingers being crushed into deformed appendages. The intense pain made her tremble, and everything sounded distant. Even her own cries of agony. Zoomer's voice was muffled into nothing but quiet noise. Eventually, he was no longer on top of her. As the weight lifted itself, Sunset was rolled onto her back. Her face expressionless and dull.

Zoomer sprawled on the dirt, his uneven breathing filled the air. "Fuck me." He cursed. Massaging his swollen jaw.

All of them were exhausted. Cobalt was kneeling down, clutching onto his bleeding leg while he wheezed out his breaths through his damaged throat. His face soaked with sweat and his clothes soiled by the forest dirt. Zoomer's head was bleeding as well, and his jaw throbbed badly. He caught his breath and collapsed onto his back.

The forest was silent again. Until Sunset's husky voice broke the peace. "You... you wanna know where your goddamn money went?"

The men perked their heads up and pointed their attention towards Sunset, who was laying on her back on the bloody dirt. A weak yet defiant smile present on her face.

Sunset's mind was basically up in the air at the moment. There were no signs of her inhibitions and worries, for the Devil had made sure of their absence. She decided that she was mistreated enough and that her empathy had only brought her nowhere but thrown into a dirty black hole. She decided that she should let the animal off the chain. Why was she holding back all this time? She was angry at this wretched universe for pissing on her for far too long. She was angry at everybody for taking advantage of her, for abusing her, for reducing her into a pitiful mess of a human. She was angry at the man two days ago, who tried to sexually assault her. She was angry at these two men with her. Sunset was merely surviving life itself when all she ever wanted was to end it. But everyone has left her no choice. They left her no choice.

Sunset had enough. Ignoring the pain from her severe injuries, she got up to her elbows and eventually on her two fatigued feet. She ignored the cracks her broken knee cap made. She ignored the laceration on her arm and the blood that kept flooding down from it. She ignored her fractured fingers, each twisted in odd directions. She ignored the cold breeze of the night that blew against her swollen and bloody face.

She loomed over the men on the dirt, who were now looking at her with shock and confusion.

"Say hello to motherfucking Satan for me because you aren't taking any shit tonight."

Whether it was the alcohol or the thrill of the night, a strenuous feeling rushed within her. She stumbled over and quickly grabbed the bloody crowbar from the ground with her good hand. Zoomer bolted up and came after her, but to his misfortune, the sharp end of the crowbar violently met his bottom jaw and popped through his skull. His face frozen in a state of despair that deathly stared into Sunset's.

Cobalt's eyes were filled with anguish, and a mournful whimper was the only thing he managed to get out.

Sunset froze. Her mind went black for a while. Then it hit her. The shock and disgust. She heard a maniacal laughter.

"Haha! Got 'em!" Flamepuff grinned wildly. His rear wiggled with excitement and his tail wagged like a whip.

Sunset pulled down the crowbar and let the man's body drop to the forest floor. She looked at Cobalt, his eyes screaming with vengeance that miserably masked over his despair. Tears formed as he scowled at her with dreadful rage. Sunset looked back with an empty look. She walked over to him, still kneeling on the ground. A display of inevitable surrender that made the Devil laugh with joy.

"You..." Cobalt wheezed.

Sunset swung the crowbar into Cobalt's face. Blood spilled from his mouth, his lips split and his teeth cracked. Sunset grabbed a handful of his blue hair and yanked him to meet her eyes as she lowered herself to his level.

"I wouldn't have done this. But you made me do it." Sunset said casually before smashing the crowbar into his face again. Cutting the side of his cheek. She kicked him in the chest, and he fell on his back and against the dirt. Sunset moved to straddle him, purposely letting her weight crush into his lower abdomen. She used the crowbar to reach for his face and made him look at her.

"I wouldn't have done this, but you assholes just keep coming." Sunset stabbed Cobalt's arm, twisting it slowly inside his flesh. Cobalt clenched his jaw and moaned out his painful screams.

"I wouldn't have done this, but really, it's just so gratifying to see some fucker bleed."

Sunset pulled the crowbar with a swift motion, then swerved it around to pierce Cobalt's side, emanating a loud crack into the forest. A croaked howl errupted from Cobalt's damaged throat, and his tears flooded down as his blood created a pool on the dirt.

"Especially when they try to fuck with me. It just makes sense now."

Sunset's cyan eyes searched for Cobalt's blue ones. Even after being stabbed repeatedly, his gaze hasn't changed. He was vengeful. His battered and bloody face was the kind of image that Sunset wouldn't stare for too long, but she kept her ground to mock him. But not just him. She was mocking life itself for putting her through so much misery. She chuckled, and grabbed the remaining cigarette from her jacket and put one in her mouth. She lit up the tip and blew a smoke into the air.

"Life is not generous anymore..." Sunset looked down again at the miserable man beneath her. Her eyes filled with mallicious intent fed to her by the Devil himself. "...I am taking back what it refuses to give me."

Cobalt tried to heave himself up into his elbows, his blood gargling in his throat as he grunted in efforts to move admist his pain. "Just... kill... me... already, you b-bitch..."

Flamepuff's grin stretched further into a nightmarish smile that consumed his entire body. Sharp teeth peeked through its cracks and his eyes glowed with frenzy.

"That's your cue, Sunset. Do it!" Flamepuff shrieked with unbridled enthusiasm, jumping up and down on Sunset's shoulder. "Do it! Do it! Do it! Hahaha!"

Cobalt was an enemy ready to die. With her arm raised in the air, and poised to plunge the crowbar into Cobalt's jugular, Sunset paused when suddenly she heard a sound of a ringtone breaking the serene silence of the forest. Flamepuff growled.

Sunset slowly dropped her arm, and looked down at Cobalt's pants. Twisting her body, she reached for his pockets and grabbed his phone.

"What's this? Girl trouble?" She teased. "Damn, if you could just let me handle this, she would never have to deal with you again."

Cobalt growled. "Don't..."

Sunset licked her lips. "I wonder if she's good..."

Cobalt whimpered.

"Don't worry, blue boy. I'll take good care of her."

The look on Cobalt's face brought a snicker from Flamepuff and a smile from Sunset. The blue haired man was clearly begging for mercy for the sake of his beloved. But due to his circumstance, bringing out the right words to express his disagreement had been such a nearly impossible task.

Sunset held the phone in front of her. The screen read the name 'Nimbus'. "Who's Nimbus, blue boy?"

As the name rang into his ears, Cobalt's eyes widened in terror. He struggled to reach for his phone, wheezing and moaning through his efforts. But Sunset merely shoved his hand away gently. She looked at him, and studied his expressions. He was... both desperate and defeated. And with a heavy sigh, he laid back down to the dirt.

Sunset swiped the screen and held the phone closer to her ear.

"Blaster." A gruff voice of an old man spoke.

She remained silent. Sunset eyed Cobalt, his eyes screaming for something. But Sunset wasn't giving him anything but torment.

"Blaster, are you there?" The voice spoke again.

"I'm sorry Pops, but Cobalt is having a situation with his vocal chords so that means he can't talk right now."

Sunset paused. She had not said any word, but her voice was heard throughout. She looked at her shoulder, and saw Flamepuff grinning at her with his mouth near the phone. Sunset narrowed her eyes at the little demon, but she only received a caress on her cheek with his bushy tipped tail.

The voice responded. "Is that so?"

The silence stretched out.

Sunset clenched her jaw, slightly pulled the phone away from her, inhaled the smoke then puffed it into the air before pulling the phone closer to her again. Trying to silence her heavy breathing.

"Whatever Cobalt was supposed to do tonight, he clearly failed... miserably." Sunset said in a low voice. Cobalt didn't react but merely laid there, accepting that he did, in fact, failed in his mission.

"Come and get him at the Everfree forest. He might need some minor... medical attention." Sunset added.

"... who am I speaking to right now?"

"The fucking verdict." Sunset responded in a harsh tone before ending the call immediately.

Taking one big breath, Sunset lifted herself off of Cobalt. Wincing as her knee cap shifted within her flesh, but she ignored the pain nonetheless. She looked around the forest, dim except for the area that was illuminated by the cadillac's headlights. She dropped the crowbar near Cobalt's head. She looked at him, and followed his gaze towards the other body just a meter away from them. Tears of grievance were shed from the man's blue eyes as he looked at his companion's lifeless body laying face first on the forest floor.

"I'll let him live." Sunset said to the demon on her shoulder. She expected Flamepuff to disagree but she was slightly surprised when he nodded in approval, and a toothy smile formed on his face.

"If you wish it."

Sunset turned her attention to Cobalt's phone. She scrolled through the contacts, and found a picture of a familiar lady with the name, 'Liv'.

"Liv, huh?" Flamepuff purred. "Well, what are you waiting for, Sunset? Grab a meal for once."

Sunset stared at the girl's picture. Her purple eyes stirred something unpleasant within her. And she knew damn well why. It was distracting. And Sunset hated distractions especially when she wanted to have a good night. Whether it was the alcohol wearing off or her morality ramming itself back into her consciousness, she felt that taking this particular girl to fulfill her lust for pleasure was not something she would want.

She had just killed a man, beat the other to the brink of death, and she found it utterly pathetic being shaken by a girl who possessed the eyes of someone she wanted to forget. She let out a laugh, and tossed the phone back to Cobalt.

"Forget her." Sunset said weakly as she dragged her leg towards the cadillac's position, making a trail of blood in her tracks.

"Oh? Why is that? I thought you wanted her."

Sunset chuckled as she leaned onto the cadillac for support. The pain in her whole body making her tremble. "Oh, you dipshit. Why bother with one girl..."

She looked at her shoulder with an idiotic yet excited grin.

"... when I can go back to the club and grab three?"

An amused smile formed on Flamepuff's face. "Alright!"

Sunset opened the door to the driver's seat and clumsily got herself inside, the pain in her body making her grunt. "You gotta patch me up first. I look like a fucking corpse."

Flamepuff giggled as he crawled into her mauled arm. "With pleasure, my tasty bacon strip." He said before sticking his tongue out.

It was not an uncommon occurrence for Nimbus White to summon the presence of his assemblage. However, a meeting that was initiated in such late hours was one that is highly discernable. It had only been an hour since he contacted one of his men, and yet the grave news of ones death and the failure to finish an assigned task was enough to call in everyone in place. He waited patiently in his office. A glass of whiskey on his desk accompanying him to keep his dwindling placidity.

Nimbus cupped his bearded chin. His wrinkled yet strong eyes focused through space. Ashen hair was combed nicely as an aged gentleman should have. He looked at the clock on his desk.

2:30 am.

Ten people arrived at his office. Each wearing a forlorn display on their face. They sat quietly on the chairs that lined up in front of Nimbus' desk, breathing in the heavy air that surrounded them in such late hours.

Nimbus eyed at them with such focus and awareness. It wasn't everyone, but he only called those who seemed fit to understand and comply.

"We lost Zoomer tonight." He announced in a calm yet heavy voice that weighed onto the shoulders of those who listened. Everyone shifted in their seats, and heavy sighs filled the room.

"And Cobalt is currently in an ICU." Nimbus added. "All because of this."

Nimbus played a voice recording that broke the eerie silence.

"Blaster, are you there?"

"I'm sorry Pops, but Cobalt is having a situation with his vocal chords so that means he can't talk right now."

"Is that so?"

"Whatever Cobalt was supposed to do tonight, he clearly failed... miserably. Come and get him at the Everfree forest. He might need some minor... medical attention"

"Who am I speaking to right now?"

"The fucking verdict."

The short recording was enough for everyone to gain a serious look on their faces. A dead silence followed as Nimbus looked at his group in anticipation.

"Who could this fucker be?" Crimson Blitz, the tall youthful man with hair that resembled orange flames, broke the silence with a frustrated response. He loosened the golden tie on his neck as his expression changed from worried to furious.

The older scarlet-haired woman on his right leaned towards him. "I assume that this is the same girl that beat up Stratos two days ago." Titania Savage said. She was dressed in a classy red burlesque outfit that flaunted her cleavage nicely, matched with a pale furry scarf that draped around her shoulders.

Nimbus took a sip of his whiskey. "Cobalt and Zoomer paid the consequences of my son's foolishness. This current situation is indeed a time in need of an immediate action."

"That's why you called us." Titania said in comprehension. "You want us all to find this girl?"

"I will not deploy a massive search for this... thief at the moment. That will require a sheer amount of your effort and I wouldn't want you to waste your energy turning this city upside down." Nimbus said, shaking his head at the notion. "No, I am merely alerting you all. And instead of you doing the search, I need you to keep a strict watch over our territories. Keep our properties intact. Keep an eye out on everyone."

Everyone nodded. Nimbus turned to the stout man on his left. His complexion the color of the earth and his hair cut clean like a mighty flat mountain.

"Canyon." Nimbus called. "I'll pass down the assignment to you and your men. Starting tomorrow, you shall begin hunting this girl down."

Canyon nodded. "Yes, boss."

"Crimson, Titania and Thorn. You three shall take charge of our safe. The rest of you will be stationed at your designated areas. Protect our business and do whatever you can to eliminate any incoming intruder."

Crimson made an exhaspirated sigh. "Ah, great. We're in safe watch."

Thorn Rosekill, the younger girl with the dark pink hair, looked at him with a calm expression. "Desperate times require strict security."

"Thorn is right, darling. With that much money stolen, they will find a way to compensate for the loss." Titania said. "In any inhumane way possible."

"Shit. That money was supposed to serve as a peace offering for the dickheads to keep them from biting on our asses." Crimson complained. "And once they find out that we fucked up..."

Crimson paused, a grim silence consumed the air.

"We must be ready." Nimbus finished. Everyone turned their attention back at him, the firm look on his face was enough to diminish their grumbling.

"And Rave?" Nimbus looked at the person on his far right. His white hair was decorated with the shades of indigo. His skin a light purple and his eyes a neon bright green. The young man wore a red and violet leather jacket and a golden chain hung around his neck. His overall appearance declared his youth and his vigor.

"Yes, sir?" He said, casually playing around with his decorative staff. His legs folded into a number four in the most swagger display. Showing off his bright gold shoes.

"You shall take charge of Club Andromeda. It may be our greatest source of wealth but we cannot afford any risk. I need you to condition the place. Limit the entry pass. Tighten the security. Whatever suits. Do what you must."

Crimson frowned at the announcement. "You're gonna let a kid take over that place?" He scoffed.

"You don't like safe watches, Blitz?" Rave countered. His smirk subtle yet cocky.

"I wasn't talking to you, Shackles." Crimson sneered at the younger man.

Before the situation could escalate even further, Nimbus' commanding voice interjected, silencing the place once more. "Why has it become important to you who takes charge of which area? One damn girl has jeoperdized our mission. One of your comrades is dead and the other is barely clinging to life. And now you act like toddlers playing a stupid tug of war."

"Shit. Forgive me, Nimbus." Crimson said, shrinking in his seat.

Nimbus waved a dismissive hand. "Spare me the sordid banter. Move on. And do your duty."

Author's Notes:

Some action and an introduction to new characters. Again, bare with me.

As always, any form of feedback is deeply appreciated.