The echo of waves crashed against the weathered concrete walls of an old merchant port, filled with dilapidated ships. The broken moon, high in the sky, offered little illumination, leaving the place covered in elongated shadows that moved in the wind. Roman Torchwick, a notorious thief and smuggler, was more than accustomed to clandestine meetings, but even he recognized that this meeting had a particular air of uncertainty. He didn't like the fact that the place was so large, and the coordinates he'd received led him and his escort to the outskirts of a warehouse in the port.

Hours earlier, he had received a "phantom bribe." A large sum of money, sent anonymously, accompanied by a brief note: "A job, an opportunity. Let's meet. Come alone." Although tempting, Roman knew something wasn't right. He was a cunning man, and anything that seemed too good to be true put him on alert. That's why he decided to bring Y/n Arklay with him.

The early morning was cold, with a coastal wind that chilled the bones. Y/n, leaning back against the warehouse doors, held his weapon, the Javelin, with apparent disinterest. They had accessed the place like an old school, cutting an access in the security fence and avoiding port patrols. Despite the tension of the moment, fatigue was beginning to take its toll on Y/n, who felt her eyelids growing heavier.

The cold and silence of the place didn't help keep him alert, but just as sleep began to overcome him, the sound of footsteps echoed around him. His body reacted before his mind could process it, raising the Javelin forward in a swift and precise movement. In front of him, under the dim moonlight, stood a trio of figures who didn't bother to hide.

There was a brunette girl, a gray-haired young man, and, standing out among the three, an amber-eyed woman dressed in an elegant red dress. The mere fact that they were there, in such an isolated place and at that hour, was enough to put Y/n on guard. Quickly and without lowering his weapon, he pretended to be a security guard.

"What are you doing here? This is private property," he said, his tone intended to sound firm. His gaze darted between the three, searching for any hint of their intentions.

The woman in the red dress showed neither surprise nor concern. Her voice, when she answered, was clear and sharp, like a knife gliding on ice. "Where's your boss?"

Y/n, not moving an inch, shook her head and maintained her act. "I don't know what you're talking about. And if you don't explain what you're doing here, I'll shoot."

It was an empty threat in a sense, but the Javelin had enough power to, in theory, send the trio flying. However, the woman didn't seem impressed. With a gesture as simple as a snap of her fingers, she ordered her companions to "take care of" Y/n.

Before he could react, Y/n felt a crushing blow that sent him back against the warehouse door. In less than a blink of an eye, he was being subdued by the brunette girl and the gray-haired boy, who disarmed him with a speed and efficiency that left him perplexed. The Javelin, his trusted weapon, was knocked from his hands as another blow knocked him back, sending him off balance.

After that, Arklay's vision distorted as he saw multiple copies of the woman in the red dress. Unable to recognize the original, he tried to block all the fireballs with his arms, but none of them hit him. Bullets hit him from behind his guard. The brunette girl swung a blow to the back of his head, nearly knocking him down again. When he tried to grab her by the hair, his face collided with the sole of a shoe, which had a barrel underneath it. The shot was at point-blank range.

Inside the warehouse, Roman Torchwick had been waiting cautiously. His staff, the Melodic Cudgel, remained steady in his hand as he scanned the area for any sign of threat. It was then that he heard a commotion outside. A moment later, Y/n's figure flew past him, colliding with a metal shelving unit. The impact collapsed the unit, setting off a domino effect that toppled several others.

"What the hell...?!" Roman muttered, swiftly raising his staff.

Before he could prepare for what was coming, a fireball streaked across the space and disarmed Roman, sending his staff flying into a corner. Surprised, Roman spun around to face the source of the attack, coming face to face with the woman in the red dress. Her amber eyes glowed with a dangerous intensity as she regarded him with a mixture of disdain and frustration.

"That's surprising." she said, taking a slow but steady step forward. "How can someone with your reputation be so... disappointing. I suggest you properly instruct your employees." His gaze shifted to Y/n, who lay dejected on the shelves, her aura seeming to be failing to stay active around her body.

Roman raised an eyebrow, clenching his fists more firmly than before. "And you, my dear, who are you? Because if this is an official introduction, you know how to make it memorable."

Cinder smiled, a barely noticeable movement of her lips that seemed calculated. "Cinder Fall. And no, don't worry. This isn't a formal visit or a veiled threat. At least not yet. I'm here to give you a chance."

The gray-haired boy threw the Javelin at Roman's feet, flashing a smug smile. Roman, though clearly at a disadvantage, remained calm. He bowed slightly, lifting his staff from the ground with calculated movements.

"Okay." Roman said, looking at the woman with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity. "You can't blame me for taking precautions. Especially when my... new backers don't bother to be clear about their motives. Let's just say the money was a nice incentive, but not exactly a vote of confidence."

The woman let out a small sigh, as if tired of having to explain the obvious. "Our intentions aren't simple at all, Roman. We're here to propose a business deal that would benefit us both. But if this is the level of competition you're bringing with you," she gestured toward Y/n, who was still trying to get up. "Perhaps we should look elsewhere."

Roman raised his hands in a gesture of apparent surrender. "Come on, gorgeous. Don't be so hard on me. After all, what's a negotiation without a little haggling? Now, why don't we cut the drama and you tell me exactly how this works for me?"

Cinder, calm and unfazed, inclined her head slightly, her smile barely perceptible. "What you gain, Roman, is power. Enough power to move more freely, to consolidate your influence and remove the boundaries you detest."

Torchwick raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but not entirely convinced. "Power, huh? It sounds nice, but power doesn't pay the bills or line your pockets. What kind of guarantee are you offering me that I won't end up on the less attractive end of this deal?"

The thief's lack of answers caused Cinder to take a step forward, her presence filling the space. "Money, resources, connections... do you really need a list, Torchwick? We're talking about more than just an ordinary job. I'm offering you a position in something bigger. And if you play your cards right, the money and everything you crave will be within your grasp."

Roman let out a small sigh, though his eyes shone with a mixture of interest and analysis. He knew Cinder's words were designed to tempt him, but he also understood that the risks involved with this offer were high. However, the persuasive tone and confidence with which she spoke made his doubts begin to waver.

"Well, Fall." he said finally, with a dramatic gesture with his cane. "You seem to know how to sell the idea. But keep in mind, my dear, that if this deal doesn't meet my expectations... you'll have to find someone else to replace me."

Cinder simply smiled, a gesture that offered not reassurance, but cold certainty. "That won't be a problem, Roman. I trust you'll be able to handle the situation as things progress."