Chapter One: The Excelsior Diamond
It was another typical night in the beautiful city of Vale. Citizens were scurrying about on their way home after a long day of work, coming home to their families. The shattered moon was shining over the busy streets that wound throughout the city. There was a fluorescent hue being cast on the street below by a neon sign jutting out from a building that read, "Family Jewels." The store was a very popular jewelry store in the city of Vale. Customers were greeted with the tagline that accompanied the neon sign: "We smash the competition!"
Sitting in the center of the showroom floor in a glass case was the crown jewel of the store: The Excelsior Diamond. The beautiful mineral was by far the most valuable piece in the store's possession. If it were for sale, the diamond was so expensive that only the richest residents of Vale could afford it. However, the diamond drew a large crowd to the store and was, in a sense, a mild tourist attraction.
The night guard was patrolling the store just like he did last night, and the night before that, and the night before that. However, a string of robberies around Vale had everyone on edge. Nonetheless, "Family Jewels" still had a reputation for being a very secure facility, so the manager of the store had decided to hire on an additional hand.
It was Geoff's first night on the job and he was patrolling the perimeter of the store with his new partner, the seasoned veteran, Greg. The store was clean and well-kept, as expected. The floors were glistening under the moonlight that pierced the windows. Each foot step would echo through the empty halls and glass cases on display.
Geoff was bored of this night already. Nothing interesting was happening. He almost hoped that somebody would try something, just so he could have something to do. Turning to Greg, he muttered, "Do you ever wonder why we're here?"
Greg sighed. His shift just started and Geoff was already pulling this shit. "What kind of question is that? It's our job to keep this place safe. But if you're bored, it's probably because we're doing our job right."
"Okay, but is it always this creepy?" Geoff whined, glancing around at the old walls filled old oil paintings of the very first owners of the store. "I really don't want to hang out with these freaking paintings all the time"
"Yeah, it's pretty much like this every night," Greg stopped in front of a large glass case in the center of the room, with a single ray of moonlight shining down on it. "But hey, I know you want to see some action. With all these robberies happening lately, maybe you'll get lucky!"
Geoff rolled his eyes. "I'm not saying that I want anyone to rob the place, but it would spice things up around here."
The two faced away from the glass case and towards the front entrance. "Yeah well, that won't happen. This place has the best security system in all of Remnant," Greg stated with a matter-of-fact tone. "Not just anyone can successfully rob this store."
"What's that?" Geoff said as he mimicked the action of cleaning his ears. "I can't hear you over the sound of my own boredom."
Greg rolled his eyes at his partner's remarks.
Geoff felt a tickling sensation in his nostril. He tried to hold the sneeze back, but it forced it's way out of his head at the speed of a bullet train.
Greg didn't say a word. However, he heard an unexpected female voice from behind him say, "Bless you."
Subconsciously, Geoff replied, "Thank you!"
Realizing that such an occurrence was unnatural, Geoff whirled around, expecting to see someone standing behind them. However, there was no one behind them; only the large jewel-filled case.
"Who-who said that?" Geoff asked, his voice cracking slightly.
Nobody answered.
"Dude, did you hear that?" Geoff asked.
Greg shook his head. "Nope."
"Are you sure?" Geoff pointed behind him where the voice had originated. "I could swear I heard a voice!"
Greg had heard the voice perfectly well. It sent shivers down his spine. But he had to admit that it was pretty entertaining to mess with Geoff/. "Are you sure you heard a voice?"
"Yeah, man!" Geoff was visibly nervous. "I swear on my Great Aunt Gertrude's grave!"
Greg shrugged. "I didn't hear anything..."
On the roof, three black masses were crouching over a hole that was carefully cut in the glass skylight. A voice spoke in a low, harsh whisper as a black form climbed out of the hole.
"Tex, what took you so long?" The demanding voice wanted answers. She was wearing a snow leopard mask that covered her face entirely. The mask complimented her snow white hair.
"Nothing really Iceland," Tex shrugged. "I just like to play with my food." Tex was sporting a kitten mask. She received this prize from her best friend, Arizona.
"Well? How many were there?" A different, hopeful voice asked.
Tex smiled. "Just two, Arizona. They shouldn't be a problem."
Arizona sighed happily. "Looks like this one will be quick."
Arizona was wearing a lion mask, it's mane matching her flowing golden hair. She brought along a bag specifically for this mission.
"Aww, come on! You know how much I like to drag out our secret missions!" A cheerful voice whined.
Arizona sighed and rolled her eyes. "I know you do, Carolina, but some of us are tired and want to go home." Carolina learned too much from Arizona. Of course, her sister had always loved to seek out adventures.
"Okay fine, but when we get home, I get to eat some more cookies and you can't stop me!" Carolina couldn't help but smile, even though it wasn't visible under her tiger mask.
The four stood on the rooftop, all wearing matching black outfits with their respective masks. The black outfits hug their bodies tightly and showed off their curves. This was their big mission for the night. They were stealing yet another diamond on their jewelry heist. They were being extra careful tonight. They were well aware of the increasing security as a result of their robberies. Nonetheless, they were here to do a job.
"Man, this is driving me crazy!" Geoff said. His nerves were beginning to get to him. "I KNOW I heard someone! You sure you weren't just messing with me?"
Greg rolled his eyes. "Did you see a ghost or something? You know, Alice did say something about seeing a mouse the other day."
"It could have been a ghost! This place is old!" Geoff exclaimed.
"Well then tell management in the morning!" Greg was just about done with Geoff's crap.
"I will!" Geoff shouted. "I'll tell Alice to call an exterminator or a priest or something!"
Greg just sighed. He'd had it with tonight. "Whatever makes you happy."
"So man, have you ever had anything interesting happening during the night shift" Geoff asked.
Geoff received no response.
"Oh come on, not the silent treatment!" Geoff turned to face where his partner would have been, and found nothing but empty space.
"G-Greg? Where did you go?" Geoff began to panic.
"Why hello there." A sly voice came from the shadows. The figure stepped into the moonlight and revealed herself to Geoff.
Geoff shrieked loudly. "Are you a ghost?"
She tilted her head and asked, "Would a ghost…" She pointed to her mask, "Wear a kitten mask?"
"No," Geoff was beginning to shake. "But that means you're a demon!"
"I…" Tex smirked, her voice dropped ominously. "Guess you're right."
Geoff shrieked tried to run away in terror, but another shadowy figure dropped down from the ceiling in a flurry of rose petals.
"And where do you think you're going?" Carolina wanted to make this quick, as Arizona hoped.
"Dammit, Carolina! I told you I liked to play with my food!" Tex was beginning to get angry, she didn't like being interrupted.
"Tex, we agreed that this would be a quick mission! You can do this any other time!" Truth be told, Carolina just wanted her cookies as fast as possible.
Iceland stepped in the middle of the two, her face turning into a scowl, "WOULD YOU TWO SHUT UP?! WE ARE HERE ON A JOB!" Iceland always claimed herself being the 'voice of reason.' Some go about it a different way than others.
As the three were fighting, Arizona took the liberty of knocking out Geoff. She proceeded to take the keys. "There, security gone. Can we take the diamond now?"
Tex was steaming, "Arizona! You know finishing them off is my favorite part!"
Arizona gave Tex an apologetic look, "Sorry, kitten." They all walked over to the jewelry case that was shimmering under the shattered moon. All four were staring at the gorgeous sight before them.
Carolina's eyes twinkled. "It's soooooo beautiful! I feel kind of bad stealing it." She placed her gloved hands over the case, rubbing their prize.
Iceland smirked. "Yeah, well who else will?"
Tex glared at Iceland. "Not the point." She glanced over at the case. "Who will do the honors this time?"
Carolina raised her hand and jumped up and down frantically. "OH! OH! ME! ME! ME!"
Arizona raised her eyebrows. "Anyone else? Anyone a little less clumsy?"
Carolina looked like she took offense to that, but just shrugged her shoulders in understanding.
"I'll do it." Iceland said with finality.
Arizona tossed Iceland the keys and the black bag. Iceland shoved the key in the lock, and inside, was the team's finest steal yet. From the case, she retrieved a beautiful, shimmering, high-end diamond. It glistened in the moonlight, refracting bright streaks of light across the walls of the jewelry store. Iceland gently picked up the diamond. It was smooth to the touch.
Iceland held up the jewel above her head and sang, "Naaaaa.. sipinahhh mababichi baba..." The notes echoed through the vacant store.
"Dammit, Iceland! What is with you and The Lion King?!" Arizona was just about done with everyone.
Iceland gave her a glare. "You know how much I love the cute and cuddly Simba!" But she complied and placed the diamond in the special bag the team brings for missions just like these.
"I still wanna hold on to it…" Carolina muttered.
Arizona glanced at Carolina. "There's a reason you're not. Do you remember what happened last time?"
"That was one time!" Carolina retaliated.
"That diamond was worth THOUSANDS...no...MILLIONS of lien!" Iceland shouted. "IT CAN NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN!"
Carolina could only sigh in defeat. "Okay fine…"
Arizona looked back at the hole that Tex had cut into the glass on the roof. "C'mon guys, we got what we came for. Let's get out of here."
They woke up in their apartment after a long night. It was a luxurious abode, adorned with elaborate paintings and beautiful furniture. Carolina was the first one up. She silently crept out of her room and into Iceland's room. She pressed her lips around the chrome of her cherished whistle and blew.
*FWEEEEEEEEEEE!*
"RUBY, STOP DOING THAT!" Iceland scolded, stumbling out of her room. She never liked that whistle.
Ruby grinned. "Oh come on, Weiss. We both know you would never get up if I didn't have my beloved whistle handy." Ruby began to cuddle her whistle.
"Maybe you should ask the others if they share the same feelings!" The Ice Queen yelled.
Tex appeared in the doorway of her room and stared at the two.
"She's right, Ruby. Sometimes, we just need to sleep in." Tex replied.
"Aww, Blake! Not you too!" Ruby peered into Arizona's bedroom. "What about you Yang? Should I really stop?"
"Ten more minutes…" Yang muttered into her pillow.
MAK: This is going to be epic... "NANANANANNANANA BATMAN!" Level of epicness.
Toto: Derp. That is all. But really though, keep reading. This story WILL PIERCE THE HEAVENS! BANZAI!