The Battle of Wits 1

Prince Gunner and Robin arrived at the hospital, their hearts heavy with the weight of recent events. Gunner, weakened from his injuries, expressed his gratitude to Robin for bringing him to safety.

"Thanks for bringing me here, mate," Gunner said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. "And please send my regards to Lexus and the others. Let them know I'm grateful for their bravery."

Robin nodded, a sense of duty and loyalty etched on his face. "You're welcome, Gunner. I'll make sure to relay your message. Rest up and get well soon."

Prince Gunner was promptly attended to by the hospital staff, who ushered him inside for the necessary medical treatment. As the doors closed behind him, Gunner was left to the care of the capable healthcare professionals, hoping for a swift recovery.

Meanwhile, Robin stepped out of the hospital, his mind racing with thoughts of the impending danger. He knew he had to act swiftly to protect his comrades and uncover the truth behind the sinister events at the Bendeta mansion.

Climbing into the driver's seat of the old truck, Robin reached for his phone and dialed the number for the police station. As the call connected, he put on a calm yet urgent voice, assuming the identity of someone.

"Hello, Police station!" Robin said, masking his true identity. "This is Chief Melton John speaking. I need all available police officers on duty to gather immediately. We've discovered a high-level threat within the Bendeta mansion. I repeat, this is Captain Melton John. Mobilize the forces."

Unbeknownst to Robin, a sinister smile crept across Melton John's face as he ended the call. With careful precision, he removed the silicon plastic mask, revealing his true identity. The imposter had successfully deceived everyone, taking advantage of the chaos and confusion within the mansion.

Time: 6:00 PM

The evening darkness descended upon the sky as Chief Melton John made his way back to the Bendeta mansion, a sense of sinister purpose driving him forward. A convoy of police cars followed closely behind, carrying 35 armed officers prepared for what lay ahead.

Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Lexus and the others were acutely aware of the impending danger that loomed over them. They knew they had been deceived and that time was running out. With urgency in his voice, Lexus addressed his companions.

"Oriana, Milky Cow, Robin," Lexus said, his voice filled with determination. "We need to find shelter in the underground basements. It's our best chance of staying safe."

As they prepared to leave the CCTV room, Lexus took swift action, cutting the wires connected to the main CPU and the cameras, plunging the mansion into darkness. Oriana, her face etched with worry, urged them to hurry.

"Lexus, we must hurry," Oriana exclaimed, her voice tinged with fear.

Robin quickly distributed flashlights to each of them, illuminating their path in the darkness. Together, they made their way towards the main entrance that led to the underground chambers.

"Let's make our way to Room 88," Lexus commanded, a mix of urgency and determination in his voice. "We must reach it quickly."

The group moved swiftly, guided by the dim glow of their flashlights. Their footsteps echoed through the empty halls as they navigated the treacherous mansion, aware that their lives hung in the balance.

They pressed on, their hearts pounding with each step as they ventured deeper into the underground chambers. As they reached the dimly lit room 88, their eyes fell upon the lifeless figure of the Slim Bunny Mascot, frozen in a haunting pose. They passed by it, a shiver running down their spines, and focused on their mission at hand.

Oriana, her voice filled with concern, turned to Lexus with urgency. "Lexus, if the imposter Robin is indeed Melton John, we must worry about his son James. We have no knowledge of his fate, whether he's alive or dead. We need to stay vigilant."

Milky Cow, his voice filled with determination, chimed in. "If James is alive, I won't let that traitor live once I see him!"

Curiosity burning within him, Lexus couldn't help but ask Oriana about James. "James, the former leader of your thief crew?"

Oriana nodded, her expression clouded with mixed emotions. "Yes, but we were just hired by him. He claimed to be a former mercenary and convinced us that there was a valuable treasure hidden within this mansion."

Lexus's eyebrows furrowed in surprise. "A treasure? What kind of treasure? Is there something of value here other than the AL-Machina or ancient artifacts?"

Oriana's eyes gleamed as she revealed the secret. "Yes, Lexus. It's diamonds! James believed that this mansion held a cache of precious diamonds, waiting to be discovered."

Lexus was taken aback by the revelation, his mind racing with the possibilities.

After Oriana revealed the existence of diamonds hidden within the mansion, Lexus contemplated their options. He realized that the priority was their safety and stopping the impending danger.

"Lexus, what should we do about the diamonds?" Oriana asked, her voice filled with concern.

"For now, we need to focus on our survival," Lexus replied, his tone determined. "We can deal with the diamonds later. Our priority is to find a secure location where we can defend ourselves."

Milky Cow nodded, fully understanding the gravity of the situation. "Agreed. Let's find a safe place and regroup."

Lexus led them through the underground corridors, their footsteps echoing in the dimly lit passageways. As they cautiously made their way, they were relieved to have the real Robin Padaplin with them, ensuring their trust in his loyalty.

"Room 99," Lexus said, his voice resolute. "It's a storage room we passed by earlier. There are no dolls there, and it should provide us with temporary refuge."

Oriana, Milky Cow, and Robin followed Lexus's lead, their collective determination strengthening their resolve. They quickened their pace, the urgency mounting with every step. Room 99 became their destination, a sanctuary amidst the chaos.

Upon reaching the room, they entered cautiously, finding solace in its empty and quiet atmosphere. They closed the door behind them, sealing off the outside world for a brief respite.

Inside Room 99, they took a moment to catch their breath. Their minds raced with thoughts of their next move, and the mystery of the diamonds lingered in the background, waiting to be unraveled.

"We're safe for now," Lexus said, his voice steady but laced with determination. "But we can't let our guard down. We need to stay alert and be prepared for whatever comes next."

Melton John stood outside the mansion, a wicked smile stretching across his face as he surveyed the scene. He knew that Lexus had outsmarted him by cutting off the mansion's power and disabling the cameras. But Melton was not deterred. In fact, it only fueled his dark desires further.

"Ah, Lexus," Melton sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "You clever little rat. You think you can outwit me? Think again!"

With a press of a button, the air seemed to come alive with an otherworldly energy. The dolls, once lifeless and motionless, sprang to life. Their glassy eyes glowed with an eerie light, and their joints creaked as they moved with a haunting grace. Melton reveled in the sight before him, knowing that his plan was finally coming to fruition.

"You fools!" Melton exclaimed, his voice carrying through the night. "Do you really think you stand a chance against the power of the soul core? I'm merely using you to add more souls to its collection."

His laughter echoed, chilling the very core of those who heard it. Gripping the AL-Machina mark 2 tightly in his hand, Melton relished in the immense power it held. This weapon, hidden until now, would be his tool of destruction.

"With this AL-Machina mark 2 in my possession," Melton declared, his voice filled with arrogance, "none of you can hope to stop me. The Watchful Eyes will tremble before my might!"

As the police bravely ventured into the mansion, unaware of the twisted horrors that awaited them, Melton watched from outside, reveling in his control. The dolls, fueled by the malevolent energy of the soul core, carried out his every command. They unleashed chaos and despair upon anyone who dared to defy him, their movements guided by his dark will.

"Go, my puppets!" Melton commanded, his voice filled with sadistic pleasure. "Unleash terror upon those who stand in my way! Let their screams echo through the night as their souls become mine!"

Melton's laughter grew louder, merging with the sounds of chaos emanating from within the mansion. Victory was within his grasp, and nothing could stand in his way. The AL-Machina mark 2 pulsed with dark energy, its power waiting to be unleashed upon any who dared to oppose him.

"This is just the beginning!" Melton proclaimed, his voice echoing with malevolence. "The soul core hungers for more souls, and I shall not disappoint it. The Watchful Eyes shall fall, their hope shattered, as I ascend to my rightful place of power!"

With a final triumphant laugh, Melton John stepped back, leaving the horrors of the mansion to fulfill his dark ambitions. Unbeknownst to the police, they ventured further into the depths of the haunted mansion, unknowingly walking into a trap that Melton had meticulously set.

"Enjoy your futile struggle," Melton taunted, his voice filled with venom. "For soon, your lives will be extinguished, and your souls shall become one with the soul core. The reign of darkness is at hand."

Melton John, armed with the AL-Machina mark 2 and the soul core's unholy power, stood outside the mansion, reveling in the chaos and destruction he had orchestrated. The stage was set for the final act, and the fate of the Watchful Eyes and all who stood against him hung in the balance as darkness descended upon the mansion.