"Get the lights back up, now," Koopa Kid ordered.
"I'm trying! But if someone manually flipped the switch in the breaker room, there's not much I can do," Haven replied, typing furiously.
"Princess Peach, check the breaker," Koopa Kid directed.
"Mario's already on it, sir!" a young, feminine voice replied.
"We're trying to find our way out now but it's super dark in here and the people inside the center are panicking. Pushing through the crowd is going to be -" Fia yelped.
"Didn't I say not to let go of my hand?" Karma yelled. He fumbled to grab her hand in the dark.
"Everyone, calm down." Classified sighed over the comms.
"No-Name, you didn't 'protocol shmotocol' again, did you?"
"I thought it was you, Lady Luck. Guess not." Classified shrugged. "The student doesn't take after the master afterall."
"Seriously, what just happened?" Haven asked.
"Red Barron, did you do this?" Koopa Kid growled.
"Nope, the boys and I are still waiting in the truck, waiting for your signal. Did you guys mess up, No-Name?"
"Notebook, why aren't you out?" Classified asked in a worried voice, ignoring the annoying buzz in his ear.
"Two people came into the room. I haven't been able to leave," Nagisa whispered in an especially hushed tone.
"Where are you now? Are there any ventilation shafts?"
"The bathroom, no shafts in sight."
"What are you doing, Ice Queen? Why did you stop typing?"
"Looking for possible exits in the schematics."
"Stop. Go back to getting the lights back on."
"But-"
"No buts! Get the lights back on!" Koopa Kid called through the comms.
"He's my teammate, it's my job to watch his back."
"I don't know who trained you for missions, but they did a naive job of it. Any agent worth half their salt knows the job comes first. Watch your team's back my ass. If they can't handle themselves," Red Barron scoffed.
"Red Barron stop it! She's part of my team, not yours," Classified snapped before taking on a gentler tone. "Ice Queen, get the lights back on first. Notebook will be fine, but the others are wandering around in the dark. They need the light before we can retrieve Notebook. Got it?"
"Worst come to worst, we'll get him with the laundry in the morning when the maids clean the rooms," Koopa Kid said through the comms.
"Problems… Send Rosalina. Also, Ice Queen, watch our backs," a voice called through the comms.
"Coming, Mario!"
"Okay." Haven nodded as she went back to typing.
"All eyes re-established. Let's rescue Notebook now," Haven reported.
"Koopa Kid, you know what to do," Classified said.
"Mario, Princess Peach, and Rosalina, go back to the event and comment on the missing suspects. Try to form a search party for the targets."
"Yes, sir," three voices replied simultaneously.
"We got out alright," Karma called through the communication system. "We're going to re-group with Monroe for the time being."
"Wow, you guys are messing up. They're not going to do the transaction now. This entire evening turned out to be a waste of time."
"I hate pulling rank, but as your superior, Red Baron, I order you and your team to leave now. Your unit is no longer needed and your presence can only hinder the operation," Classified said.
"Yeah, I was about to do the same thing," Koopa Kid added.
"We might still be able to catch them tonight," Haven said and pointed to her screen, leaning away so Classified could see.
"Yes, I think we can. Lady Luck, are you still in that rappelling gear?" he asked.
"Not again!" Noriko audibly sighed.
"Room 730. Koopa Kid, We'll need your group's help as well."
"You heard him. Your orders are off for the moment," Koopa Kid called.
"Chief, make sure Red Barron follows orders. He's not known for being too good at that."
Karasuma nodded. "Got it. Take care of each other, Monroe, Chem, Mr. President."
Classified smiled. "Now, Chem, Mr. President, Notebook, and Monroe, Here's what we're going to do."
There was a knock on the door of room 315. "Room service!" a voice shouted loudly, obnoxiously, and repeatedly.
Annoyed, one of the targets, a tall man with definedly-shaped stubble and dressed in a grey suit threw open the door. "Can I help you?" he demanded, forcing a polite tone.
A particular Italian man smiled innocently. "Didn't you order room service?"
"No," he responded curtly, attempting to close the door.
Mario grabbed the edge of the door and pushed it open again, peeking his head in through the portal. "Really? Are you sure? I coulda sworn that someone placed a giant order for three steaks, completely rare, eighteen bottles of champagne, four shrimp platters, a sushi box, aaaaaaaaaannnnnddd one bucket o' fried chicken." He scratched at his head with a goofy smile.
"What kind of room service serves fried chicken? We didn't order that - take it away," the man demanded.
He frowned. "But, sir, I swear to you on the life of my great-great-great-great-great-great-great -"
"GET ON WITH IT."
"- great aunt's husband's sister's mother's granddaughter's dog's uncle's -"
"Did he say 'dog?'" the second target asked as he peered over his partner's shoulder.
"Just making sure you were listening~!" Mario said with a happy salute.
"Just leave it and leave then if it makes you happy," the first man grumbled.
Mario's shoulders sagged. "But, sir, if you could sign the receipt -"
"Sure, whatever, just hand it over."
The faux-delivery boy checked his pockets one-by-one, then again, then his pants, then his hat, then his tie, then the cart, then - The door was slammed suddenly on Mario and he smiled, leaving the next move to Irina and his boss.
"That kid was annoying," the suited man complained.
"I thought it was pretty funny." The other guy shrugged. "Now, about this… exchange of ours. The package is secure, right?"
"It's -"
Repeated thumping came from the nearest wall.
"It's -" he tried again.
Suddenly, the thumping became accompanied by panting, which became accompanied by moans, which became accompanied by screams.
One of the men stormed up to the wall and pounded on it repeatedly with his fist. "HEY! KEEP IT DOWN!"
The noises stopped for a moment, then two, only to give way to "Sounds like our neighbors are busy getting it on too! Come on, honey, let's show them how it's done!"
Faces flushed, the men nodded to each other and grabbed their coats before leaving the room in a hurry.
As soon as he couldn't hear the retreating targets anymore, Nagisa carefully made his way out of the bathroom and made his escape. He joined Jelavic and Koopa Kid in the hall and the trio ran out together.
"What happened to the guard you hired for the night?" One of the targets asked the other angrily as they rushed down a hallway on the sixth floor.
"Hell if I know. I thought you had booked the rooms around us!"
"I did! I'm sure I did!"
"Hey, boys," an elegant voice called from in front of them. Its owner was a woman with long, royal purple hair that framed golden eyes and a face the color of espresso walking towards them. "Wanna have some fun tonight?" she asked, fingering the hem of her crimson dress.
Leaning against the wall next to her, stood another woman in a short black dress, heels, and fishnet stockings. She twisted strands of raven hair around nimble fingers and stared at them coyly with ruby eyes.
"No, and get out of our way!" the first target snapped.
"It might not be a bad idea," the other said, looking at the younger woman in black. Noticing the attention, she winked at him.
"Your friend there has a point." The first woman draped an arm over the first man's shoulders. "You seem so stressed out, it can't be good for your health. A night with us would be the perfect remedy."
"Not interested. Now get off of me before I call security!"
"Whatever you wish." The purple-haired lady stepped to the side of the hallway. "We'll be in the VIP lounge if you change your mind," she called after them.
Just as the second man was about to turn the corner, the younger woman gave him a slip of paper. "If you ever want to meet up in private," she whispered. He nodded at her and smiled lecherously.
"Get over here! What's taking you so long!?"
"Coming!"
The girl pulled out a compact mirror and began fixing her lipstick. "They're in the cage," she said after she saw the reflection of the targets disappearing into a room in her mirror.
"Great! Mr. President, Notebook, it's your turn to shine," Classified called.
"Princess Peach, how could you give him your number?" a voice called through the comms. "I've been asking for years!"
"That's enough kids," Koopa Kid called. "Time to make ourselves scarce. Let's meet up in the VIP lounge."
"Yes sir," three voices replied. The two women paid no attention to the small bellhop they passed on their way to the elevators.
"What did you say?" one of the guards asked, staring at the redhead standing in front of him with a bored expression.
"We received a bomb threat and have been asked by the hotel to search all the rooms. Just standard protocol, you know?" Karma scratched at his ear with a finger. "You gonna move or what?"
"What if I say no?" a second guard huffed.
Karma smirked and flashed a shiny police badge to the guards. "Hey, man. I know you're just trying to do your job, but I'm just trying to do mine too. Now, are you going to move or am I going to have to have a talk with both of our bosses?"
"Fine, fine." The last of the three men unlocked the hotel room door and opened it.
Karma pushed past him with a "Gee, thanks for your hospitality" as the other pair of guards followed him through the doorway.
"What the hell did you not understand when I said not to let anyone in!" one of the culprits shouted at the trio.
"But he's official, boss!" the guard explained as Karma flashed them all the badge.
"Fine, let's get this done quickly."
"Of course," Karma smiled and walked into the center of the room. "Firstly, what are you two doing here tonight?"
"We were at the gala downstairs."
Karma walked around the room, "Oh, that. Why did you two leave?" He looked over his shoulder at the two men with a gaze like a hawk's.
"We're business partners. We wanted to talk business."
"Why not just stay there though. I mean, there's a lot of secluded places in the ballroom," Karma stopped in front of a large suitcase and nudged it with his foot.
"You never know who could be listening there."
"Understood. This suitcase," he pointed to the one he just nudged, "It's a bit big for an overnight. Mind if I search it?" Karma unzipped it to discover a young girl inside. She had dark hair and flinched back from the light. "Whoa there. You're safe now," Karma held up the badge for the girl to see before helping her out of the case. Four metallic clicks alerted him to the fact the men had their guns pointed at him.
Karma turned towards them. "You boys have some explaining to do." Karma backed towards the balcony, the young girl behind him. Suddenly, the doors flew open and Noriko ran in, still attached to her rappelling gear.
"Give them what they deserve," she said as she carried the child away.
"You got it," Karma glared at the four men.
"I've acquired the child," was the last thing he heard Noriko say before an onslaught of gunfire rang out.
"What a waste of bullets," Karma smirked as the last gunshot rang out, leaving him completely unscathed. At that moment, the doors opened. "Took you long enough," Karma called as Nagisa rushed in.
Nagissa watched Karma enter the room, followed by two of the three gargantuan guards. Good, it would be a one on one. Nagisa analyzed the hallway, Karma yacking away in his ear.
"I'm going to neutralize the guard," Nagisa said as he walked into the hallway. He walked up to the giant at a casual pace.
"What are you doing here? Aren't bellhops supposed to stay at the front desk?" the man asked.
Nagisa smiled and lunged at the man, effectively getting behind him. He tugged down on the back of the man's collar with his left arm. He grabbed his own right shoulder before wrapping his right arm around the man's neck and grabbing onto his left upper arm to lock his position. After holding the position for a few seconds, which applied pressure to the windpipe, the spinal cord, and the carotid artery simultaneously, Nagisa tied the unconscious man's hands, ankles, and knees together with zip ties and headed into the room.
"Took you long enough," the redhead called.
"Sorry, I had to tie up loose ends."
Fia's scream caused both boys to rush to the balcony.
"I've acquired the child," Noriko said as she adjusted the young girl on her hip and began descending again. Suddenly, a shot rang out and the pair went swinging. "Don't worry kid. It went above our heads." Noriko look up and saw the rope unraveling above them. "Here you go, Chem." Sure to not alarm Fia and the child, Noriko handed the child carefully to Fia. A ripping sound made both women look up. The wire had unraveled and was connected by an almost invisible thread. "It was nice knowing you," Noriko looked at Fia and forced a smile before there was a loud snap and she dropped out of sight.
"NORIKO!" Fia reached for the ginger woman but was too far to do any good, especially with the child in her arms. Remorsefully, she tucked the child's face into her neck and retreated into the room. She would have wanted to watch until the end, but she knew that consoling the child would be her highest priority now.
"Hi, sweetie," Fia called softly as she ran her fingers through the girl's black hair. "Things will be alright now. I promise you."
"Get them!"
"This isn't even a challenge," Karma sighed as one of the guards lunged at him, an attack he easily sidestepped.
"Speak for yourself," Nagisa replied as he dodged a series of punches from the other guard.
"Oh, back for more, are we?" Karma asked as the man rushed him again. This time, Karma grabbed the front of his shirt, swung him 90 degrees, and threw him down before simultaneously giving him a knee to the abdomen and an elbow to the back. Next, he hit the giant at the base of his neck with the side of his hand, effectively rendering the man immobile. He let the unconscious man hit the floor before walking over to Nagisa, who was standing over an unconscious man who was tied up with zipper ties. "Mind giving me some?" Everyone stared at him, horrified by his brutal strength and ruthless tactics. "What? Zipper ties, please. He's not going to stay unconscious forever."
Suddenly, a shot rang out and Karma hissed at the burning sensation that exploded on the side of his waist where crimson began leaking onto his shirt. Nagisa looked at the culprits; One had a smoking pistol in his hand.
"Oh my, you're not as pathetic as I thought," a female voice called from behind them through the open doors.
"Princess Peach!" Mario complained.
"We're here as back up… Looks like we're a bit late though," Koopa Kid smiled ruefully.
Nagisa walked out of the building and looked around. Red, blue, and white lights flashed to the left. News crews swarmed around as the two main criminals were escorted to the police cars. The bluenette walked the other way around the building. He heard a car door behind him slam open and the sounds of someone running towards him. Suddenly, something hit him from behind and arms locked around his waist.
"Haven, will you let go now?"
"No."
"Not even so I can turn around and hug you back?"
"No."
"Not even loosen up a bit so I can breath?"
"Um… No."
Classified chuckled as he passed the couple.
"So, how you feeling, kiddo?" the green-haired man asked as he hopped up onto the back of the ambulance and sat next to the young girl being treated there. She looked up at the man with suspicion in her eyes and pulled the orange blanket tighter around her shoulders. "I won't hurt you," Classified put his hands up. "Do you speak English?" The child nodded her head. "Will you tell me your name?" The girl shook her head and glanced at the yelling woman behind her.
"No! No! No! No! Don't let them talk to each other before you question them!" Noriko yelled into her cellphone. "And be sure to search for suicide pills and other weapons." She slammed the phone shut.
"Nice landing earlier," Classified grinned at his bandaged up partner.
"Yes, you're sitting next to my landing spot was not appreciated," Noriko replied curtly as she began unwrapping the ace bandages around her wrist and ankles.
"Hey, I'll always be around to catch you if you need me to," Classified began rewrapping the bandages. "Keep those on. How many stories did you fall?"
"Only two and a half."
"And you survived how?"
"I grabbed onto some of the tree branches on the way down, breaking the fall, the routine stuff."
"And here I thought you were trimming the trees!"
"Travis!"
"Still wrong. You were close once, long ago."
"WHAT?!"
Classified laughed and looked away from his fuming friend. His eyes landed on a redhead being tended to by an Italian.
Karma's orange eyes peered into puffy peridot ones as they focused on the graze wound Fia was treating. He tapped an olive cheek, stained red from stress, lightly with his fingers. Fia looked up at Karma slowly with a rueful smile.
"Sorry, did that hurt?" she inquired quietly.
"Yup," he responded flatly.
"O-Oh, I'll be more careful with the next one…" she uttered under a sigh as she slumped forward, her body losing its strength to stand tall.
Karma scowled slightly. "It didn't hurt," he admitted.
"Oh."
"I was lying."
"Oh."
"I wanted to see if you were really paying attention."
"Oh…"
Grabbing Fia's hands and forcing her to stop disinfecting his wound for a moment, Karma demanded her full attention. "Are you alright? Shouldn't you be happy? They're going to question those criminals and recover the missing girls."
She opened her mouth to speak but shook her head quickly. "No, I… I just can't believe people like those men exist. Everyone has the right to life… until they intrude on that same right of another person. And to be so cruel to another human being is… disgusting. I don't understand how anyone can willingly treat other human beings like that. I hope they find the justice they deserve," she said solemnly.
Karma placed his hand on her head and gently smoothed down her hair. "I know you're upset… but I talked to Classified and he gave the a-ok for you to see the kid once she's been treated at the hospital and before she goes back to her rightful home."
Fia sighed in relief and threw her arms around him in a hug. "Thank you…"
He slowly brought his arms around her and held her tightly to his chest. "Ready to go home?"
"Yeah, let's go home…" she smiled into his shirt.
"Can I carry my fiance back?" Karma gave her a toothy smile.
"What?! No!" Fia playfully shoved him. "Besides, Ms. Jelavic took the ring back."
"Aw… Should I get you a new one?"
"As long as it's a pretty one."
"As pretty as the girl it's for?"
"Q-Quit teasing me, Karma."
"No can do, Tsu-chan~. It's just way too much fun!"
"CAN YOU DROP THAT NAME ALREADY?"
Laughing lightly, the two walked back to the van for the long drive back to the apartments.
Mario: Princess Peach, how could you!?
Princess Peach: Sorry, Mario, all is fair in love and war. Koopa Kid!
Koopa Kid: Heh Heh! Gotta pay attention. Those blue shells are dangerous, Mario. You should know not to get cocky by now.
Rosalina: You have no room to talk. I'm in the lead now.
Koopa Kid: What? How?
Rosalina: Wouldn't you like to know.
Princess Peach: And I win, again.
Rosalina and Koopa Kid: HOW?!
Princess Peach: I got the invincibility star~!
Mario: Stupid Mario Kart. Who wants to play Mario Party instead?
Princess Peach, Rosalina and Koopa Kid: YES!
Narrator: And this, friends, is how to de-stress after a long mission. Next chapter, Fia's in the spotlight. I promise she'll put on a good show.
