"Too easy," Dark chuckled, snatching a golden necklace off of its pedestal in a museum. "The police here are losing their touch!"
"Overconfident as I've heard," a voice echoed from behind them in the otherwise empty room.
"Commander," Dark turned to greet the white-haired young man who stood there. "I was wondering when you'd show up."
"I could say the same to you," the commander countered. "I hope you don't think you're getting out of here with that. Or at all, for that matter."
"I hope you don't think you can stop me," Dark countered.
"I don't," the commander replied, holding up a remote with a single button. "I know I can!" He pressed the button, causing the floor to fall out beneath Dark. "Without your wings, you're as easy to catch as any man!" He hit the button again and the floor closed again.
"I suppose so," it was Dark's voice behind him, causing the commander to whirl around with a start. "If you had caught the real me."
"I see," the commander replied, regaining his composure. "I've been told of this trick. You have a method of duplicating yourself. But I know that both of you, whichever is really you, are real. You can't leave without getting your other self out first."
"Ahh, clever aren't you," Dark teased. "You've got this all figured out, do you?"
"Ahh," the commander nodded. "I also know that that other you, has the Mikon Saru, which, I assume, you're gonna need."
"Yes, I'll be needing that," Dark admitted. "Wiz!"
A black streak broke through the window behind the commander. The commander barely had time to react before the streak flew by him and rested on Dark's shoulder. When it came to rest, it was revealed that the streak was actually Wiz, only transformed into a creature that was mostly big black wings. Wiz handed something to Dark, which he in turn held up; it was the remote.
The commander only stared angrily, a sign that he was beaten and he knew it.
"Go get him, Wiz," Dark commanded, pressing the button to open the floor again.
At once, Wiz dove off Dark's shoulder and into the pit that opened up.
"Looks like it's my win," Dark said, confidently, "again."
The commander still glared. With a shout of frustration, he flung himself at Dark. Dark nimbly dodged to the side to avoid the oncoming attack. The commander lunged again, but with the same results. He came close to the hole in the floor, but not close enough to be in jeopardy of falling in.
The other Dark rose from the pit. He grabbed the commander by the collar and held him over the abyss. "Going down?" It was Daika's voice.
"Now now," Dark scolded, "there's no need to do that. Besides, he's the only challenge. Without him, it'd be no fun."
Daika sighed and placed the commander on solid ground.
"Now then, let's go!" Wiz flew to Dark and lifted him off the ground. Dark soared over Daika, who stretched his hand upward. Dark caught it and carried him out the window. "So long, commander!" Dark called back, "We'll be back soon, don't worry!"
"I don't worry," the commander muttered to himself. "And I'll be waiting. Every failure only limit's the amount of tricks you can still pull. Soon enough, you'll run out, and I'll be waiting."
"Come in," Niika sighed. She didn't need to be told who was tapping on her window or why, and was in no mood to get off her bed and open it.
"Kyuu!" Wiz leapt onto her.
"Hey there, fur-face," Niika petted him and sat up. "All's well?"
"Yea, fine," Daika sounded a little perturbed, but this was usual.
"Hey, wait," Niika said, "I thought it was your turn to be Dark."
"It was!" Daika spat, "until that moron dropped us down a trap hole!"
"Fell for that, did ya?" Niika asked, smugly. "And you have wings and everything!"
"Dark fell for it!" Daika exclaimed. "And he left Wiz with Daiku for backup! Cocky bastard; he thought he could do it alone!"
"Oh come on," Niika rolled her eyes, "you'd 've done the same thing. And don't you deny it!"
"Whatever," Daika spat. "I'm going to bed. See ya."
"Sayonara," Niika said as he left her room in a huff. "So, Wiz, you have fun?"
"Kyuu!" Wiz cooed happily.
"Glad to hear it," Niika said. "You like going on adventures with Dark, huh?"
"Kyuu," Wiz nodded.
I would too, Niika thought, her smile slightly fading. Everyone else is having so much fun. It's not fair! Why can't a girl be Dark?!
"Kyuu?" Wiz tilted his head sympathetically.
"No, I'm fine!" Niika said, putting a smile back on. "Wanna go downstairs and see what's up? I'm kinda tired, but you can go if you want."
"Kyuu," Wiz nuzzled against her.
"Alright, I'll go with you," Niika giggled, getting up. She headed out the door and down the stairs. She met Daiku halfway, in his normal form. "'Sup? Everything over?"
"Yea," Daiku replied.
"What'd I miss?" Niika asked.
"Nothing, really," Daiku said. "I gave the Mikon Saru to Mom and we changed back. That's it."
"Oh," Niika said. "So nothing else really happens after the heist, huh?"
"Nah, that's pretty much it," Daiku answered. "Now if you'll excuse me, I wanna get some sleep so I'm not about to pass out tomorrow."
"Good idea," Niika turned around and headed back upstairs.
"Ohayougozaimasu!" Ekai called, waving as she approached the three Niwas.
"Hi," Daiku waved.
"Mornin'," Daika muttered.
"How was the weekend?" Niika was the only one who advanced to greet her.
"Good good," Ekai said. She stopped and stood before them, holding something behind her back. "Remember I told you I found that jewelry maker?"
"What'd you make?" Niika asked.
"Here," Ekai held out a small box, "for you."
"Me?!" Niika exclaimed, taking the box. "Is this…?"
"My first work," Ekai nodded. "I wanted you to have it. I…I don't think the style suits you, really, but…"
"Oh wow!" Niika opened the box and took out a golden bracelet. On the top of it was a ball with two huge angel wings on it. "It's beautiful! Look at the detail! This is really your first work?!"
"You think it's that good?" Ekai blushed.
"It's amazing!" Daiku leaned over Niika's shoulder to see. "You've got a lot of talent."
"Eh, it's O.K." Daika shrugged, "for jewelry."
"Kinda looks like Dark's wings," Daiku added.
"Th…they are," Ekai admitted. "I know you're not a fan of Dark, but…I don't know, I guess I couldn't stop thinking about him. It didn't help that I've been watching the news every night. Can you believe it? He's stolen five art works this week!"
"Technically 'this week' began Sunday, so he's only stolen one thing," Niika corrected.
"Whatever!" Ekai said. "So, you like it then, even though it's Dark?"
"Ekai, I love it!" Niika exclaimed, slipping the bracelet onto her left wrist. "I don't care if it reminds me of Dark. To tell you the truth, I've gotten used to him. But the point is that you made it. I'd like it even if it wasn't this amazing, or if it reminded me of something I can't stand."
"Oh good," Ekai breathed. "I'm glad, because gold's not really my color, and I really don't want anyone else to have my first piece besides you."
"I'll take good care of it," Niika promised. "And I'll treasure it always, even if I grow out of it, not that I see that happening."
"Say…uh…" Daiku stammered, "you think you could…maybe…"
While he was talking, the bell rang.
"No way?!" Niika exclaimed, "were we late?! We usually have more time than this! C'mon, let's hurry!"
Ekai nodded, her face looking similarly panicked. "Bye!" she waved to the twins as she rand off.
"That's pretty cool," Daiku said as he and his brother raced towards their class. "I can't believe how spot-on those wings were. Did you see 'em? They looked exactly like Dark's!"
"Get over it," Daika groaned. "It's just a stupid girly bracelet."
Daiku grimaced. "What do you think, Dark?"
Why are you bringing me into this? Dark asked.
"You know your own wings well enough," Daiku said. "Didn't you think they really looked like them? C'mon, admit she did a good job!"
I really don't care, Dark answered. I wasn't even paying attention to tell you the truth.
"Not paying attention?" Daika asked. "What were you doing?"
Sleeping, Dark replied, not sounding too happy. And if you'll leave me alone, that's what I'll go back to.
Daika and Daiku looked at each other questioningly. Neither seemed to realize that he could just sleep.
"Why the heck do you care so much?" Daika asked, "it's just a little trinket. So what if she did a good job? No reason to go nuts about it."
"I guess I was just in awe of it," Daiku replied, putting his hand on the door handle of their classroom.
"I was wondering when you two would join us," the teacher looked up from his lesson. "Hurry up and take your seats. Have either of you finished your make-up assignment from Thursday?"
"Is it due today?" Daika asked.
"I'd like it sooner rather than later," the teacher sighed. "If you can't get it to me by Wednesday, it's a zero. I'm tired of you slacking off."
"I'm about halfway done with it," Daiku said. "We've been kinda busy after school."
"Watching the news does not count," the teacher said, "that's everyone else's excuse. Now sit down."