"It's good to be back on the job," Dark stated with a sigh and a stretch. He stood atop a tall building with his wings extended. In a few minutes, he would fly down to the museum below and make off with yet another valuable object.

"I still feel like it's too soon," Daisuke replied from within his mind.

Dark conveyed thoughts of disapproval, "it's been a week, Daisuke. Do you really want to just sit around?"

"I know what you mean," the younger boy said, "but remember what happened last time?"

Dark remembered. He remembered their latest heist and how it had almost been their last. It angered him to think their last heist might have been a failed one. Luckily, Krad did not have his way. Dark responded with a confident smile, "I remember, Daisuke. This is our chance to finish what we started that night. Something like that won't happen again. We broke that magic and it will take more than a week for Krad to recover." Dark had returned to the museum that had become the Angelbow's new home. This time, he would succeed. He was sure of it.

"Why can't we just leave it where it is?" Daisuke complained, "None of that would have happened if we hadn't touched it."

"Like I said, we broke the magic on that bow. Besides, the longer we wait, the more time it has to recover…and the more time Krad has to tamper with it again. He wouldn't make it so easy the second time."

"I guess you're right," Daisuke admitted hesitantly.

"Of course I am," Dark laughed, "that thing can't do any harm if it's locked in the Niwa basement." He glanced out at the clock tower. "It's time." He could still feel Daisuke's apprehension. "Just close your eyes," he suggested light-heartedly, "it'll be over before you know it." He chuckled to himself and leapt from his perch with his wings spread wide.

OOOOOO

"Inspector Saehara," Satoshi called as he marched down the hallway. No answer. "Inspector Saehara!"

The police inspector responded after the second call. He stepped into the hall and followed Satoshi. "Commander?"

"Dark will be coming in just a few minutes," Satoshi stated, "tell me everything is ready."

"It is."

"You made all the preparations exactly as I specified?"

"Yes, sir," Satoshi could tell the inspector was putting real effort into hiding his misgivings about having to follow orders from a child. He did not blame him for it. After all, his place in the precinct was unusual at his age. Still, he did not say anything about it.

"Then all we can do now is wait."

As if on cue, all lights in the museum went out. "Commander, the power. Without it, the security system won't detect Dark."

"No, it won't," Satoshi agreed, "and he knows that. Send some of your men to the generator room to investigate."

"Yes, sir." With that, the inspector left.

"He will have left by now," Satoshi said to himself once he was alone. He knew the police would not find him in the generator room. His past experience with Dark told him the thief was probably already in the display room. Although he was expected to stop him, Satoshi wanted the Angelbow out of his reach once and for all. He had been lenient again.

OOOOOOO

Dark groaned after he had made it to the display room with ease. "What's wrong, Dark?" Daisuke asked him, slightly worried.

"The commander's going easy on us," Dark pointed out, "this is no fun."

"Is that really so bad? I'm sure he wants it stolen just as much as we do."

"Even so. He knows he doesn't have do this. Not only is it boring, it's just plain insulting." Daisuke laughed at that. Dark frowned, "what's so funny?"

"Insulting? Maybe that's why he's doing it."

"Oh, I'm sure that's why he's doing it. Jerk. I'll get back at him later." With the power still off, Dark had no reason to pause before grabbing the Angelbow from its place and sticking it under his arm. As he turned to leave, the lights flicked back on. "That's better," Dark said, grinning.

"Let's just get out of here," Daisuke begged, "you can get him back next time."

Dark glanced down at his prize as he thought. "Something this dangerous should be dealt with right away, I suppose." Daisuke let out a sigh of relief. Dark leapt across the room, landing between traps while dodging security lasers. "This is just too easy," he muttered as he ducked under the last beam of light.

"Dark!"

Dark glanced down the hall to see two police men begin running in his direction. He looked past them to see Satoshi watching him with a blank expression. The thief paused a second to point a finger at him as a warning. 'I'll get you', he thought to himself before taking off in the opposite direction.

The two officers gave chase. Dark knew they could not keep up with him, but did not want them trailing him when he made his escape. He dashed around a corner and entered a new hallway which led to a few more rooms and a wall at the other end. A small window disrupted the smooth surface of the wall at a height two feet above Dark's head. He headed straight forward and jumped to kick the glass out. The footsteps of the two guards grew louder as they neared the corner. Dark landed and opened the nearest door. He entered the new room and the shut the door silently behind him. He waited and listened.

The noise of the footsteps stopped when the guards reached the end of the hall. "He must have when out through here," one of the officers stated.

The second guard cursed. "Get on the radio! We might still catch him."

Both officers returned the way they came as the first called to his comrades outside with his radio. Dark exited the room and laughed. "As if I would fit out that window. These guys are gullible." He went back down the hall and peered around the corner before continuing. Satoshi and the guards were gone. He rushed toward the staircase leading to the roof.

"GOTCHA!"

"AGH!" Dark was thrown to the floor as a police officer threw himself on top of him. The Angelbow was thrown from his hands and into the air.

Daisuke shouted at him, "Dark! You have to catch it!"

"Easy for you to say!"

Dark cringed and prepared himself for the inevitable crack. There was only silence. He glanced up to see Satoshi holding the bow gingerly. "That was clumsy," he stated.