Vel Draven sneered. "Oh really? You're supposed to put me to sleep for a long time?"
Azar grinned. "You bet that."
"You're a funny one."
"Believe me, I know."
Azar rushed forward with a fiery punch, but Vel Draven sidestepped with ease, grabbing Azar's arm and slamming him into the ground.
"This is who's supposed to put me to sleep?" Vel Draven mocked.
Azar got up, smiling wider. "Perfect. You're not easy to kill. I'm happy."
Inside the theater…
"I'm all done here," Kenshiro said, putting his sword back in his black hole.
"Yeah, me too," Rei added.
"That was easy," Shun yawned.
"No challenge at all," Goro agreed.
"Bro," Taro called out.
"What's up, bro?" Goro responded.
"Looks like we took out all those black freaks," Jett said.
"Yeah," Zanden replied. "And it looks like everyone else is dead."
They looked around at the bodies, broken glass, and smoldering debris.
Suddenly, Misa leapt into the theater. Everyone turned.
"Misa!" Zanden called.
"It's good to see you," Jett said.
"Misa, it feels so good to talk to you again," Taro added.
"Hi, Misa," Kaien said.
She smiled. "Oh Kaien, you missed me. You never talk."
Kaien turned away as his white jacket fluttered.
"We have to save the others backstage. Come on."
They followed her backstage—only to find a nightmare.
Misa froze. "No…"
"What the hell..." Rei muttered.
"It was Vel Draven," Goro growled.
"He didn't leave anyone alive," Kenshiro said.
"They're all dead," Zanden whispered.
The prisoners were lifeless, bone spikes piercing through their chests and limbs.
Misa's hands trembled. "Everyone get out."
"What?" Zanden asked.
"I'm going to destroy this place with my new move."
"You're talking about the Pillar?" Jett asked.
She nodded.
"Everyone out!" Jett ordered.
"Why?" Rei demanded.
"Just go!"
They rushed out. Misa stepped to the theater's center, raising her arm. Stones swirled in the air, forming a stone pillar.
"Is Misa doing that?" Rei asked.
"Yep," Jett said. "That's her new move: Stone Pillar."
"Kind of cool," Goro admitted.
"Right?" Taro grinned.
Kenshiro silently observed.
"Bye-bye, dumb auction," Misa said. She dropped her arm.
The pillar slammed down, obliterating the entire theater. Misa leapt and ran along the pillar as it fell, landing outside just in time.
She looked back at the ruins. "That's what you deserved."
Vel Draven, watching from a distance, seethed.
"That stupid b**ch! She destroyed the auction my father worked so hard to build!"
Azar stepped forward. "We don't care about your father. Or your damn auction."
Vel Draven snarled, six bone spikes sprouting from his back.
He glared at Misa, who stood calmly, gazing down at the destruction.
I destroyed it. Now no one else will be taken, Misa thought.
Ryju, perched on a nearby tree, smirked. "That was cool. Misa's pillar wrecked that place."
Vel Draven's hatred burned in his gaze.
Azar tried getting his attention. "Hey. I'm your focus now."
"I'm going to kill her," Vel Draven hissed.
He bolted forward, a bone spike forming in his palm.
Misa barely had time to process it.
He's too fast... I can't dodge... I'm going to die, she thought, eyes wide with fear.
Vel Draven grinned. Die.
But Azar appeared in front of Misa and punched Vel Draven in the gut, sending him flying.
Vel Draven crashed, tumbling across the ground.
"What the hell?!"
Misa gasped. "Azar!"
"I told you," Azar said. "I'm the only one you're dealing with."
Vel Draven roared, veins bulging. "Damn you all! None of you are making it out alive! CODE BLACK!"
Ryju stood up, alarmed. "What's Code Black?"
"What the hell is that?" Taro asked.
"I have no clue," Goro said.
Suddenly, red-clad ninjas poured from the ruins of the bar.
"Wait, what?!" Rei shouted.
"I thought Misa destroyed the whole auction!" Shun cried.
"Me too!" Kenshiro growled. "Guess she didn't."
"Spread out!" Zanden ordered.
They jumped away, but the red ninjas split and surrounded each of them.
"It was black… now red?" Rei muttered.
"Twenty each. Shouldn't be a problem," Kenshiro said.
"I don't care how many you are," Goro shouted. "I'm pumped!"
"Why are there so many on me?!" Shun yelled.
"Okay, bring it on," Ryju said, readying himself.
I can handle this, Zanden thought.
"I'm ready," Taro said.
Twenty… Let's hope I can handle them, Kaien thought.
"Just give it your best shot," Jett added.
Misa stepped forward. "No matter how many of you there are… me and my friends will escape."
Azar narrowed his eyes. "What the hell are these ninjas?"
Vel Draven smiled. "Special-trained ninjas. They only appear when we're under heavy attack and I can't handle it alone. So now… my ninjas will handle your friends."
Azar clenched his fists. "Oh really?"
"None of you are making it out," Vel Draven sneered.
"Doesn't matter," Azar replied. "My friends can handle them."
"Twenty on each of them. They're strong—but they'll die."
Azar's aura flared with rising anger.
Vel Draven smirked. "Don't get mad, friend. The party's just beginning."
To Be Continued...