Valentine's Night

Melodia, Auzzmania - February 14, 2025 [10 Years Ago]

🎵: Jordan Critz - Starry Night

"Mummy! MUMMY!! I can't find Misty!!"

A blonde-haired little girl ran to her mother in a crowded amusement park plaza. Her hysterical cries garnered the attention of many around. The mother, with hair slightly darker, crouched down to comfort her daughter.

"It's okay, Dawn.", she said, wiping the tears off her face. "I'm sorry, she came over to get a fiver for some cotton candy."

Just then, another blonde-haired girl of preteen age walked over to them holding a large pink stick of cotton candy shaped like a heart.

"HAPPY VENUS DAY, DAWNIE!!" Misty chanted.

"YAY, BIG SISTER... AND CANDY!" Dawn yelled as she ran into her sister's arms.

Both began pulling pieces of the treat for them to eat as their mother looked on with a smile. Sadly, their father isn't around to share in the love, but regardless, she hoped to make this holiday their best yet... and maybe even the same for herself.

"G'day, Iris. Aren't you the beaut of the whole park? Have the whole lot all staring."

Miss Valentine turned to see a startlingly handsome man approaching behind them. Her eyes began glowing in awe. This was partly her reason for being here on such a day, a date for Venus Day.

Iris sighed dreamily, "You sure know how to make your entrance."

Her date's eyes caught both of her daughters, "And are these little sheilas your princesses?"

The mother prompted her daughters to say hello to the nice man. Misty, understanding her mother's attraction to him, greeted him warmly and even offered a piece of cotton candy. Dawn stared at him blankly and shyly cowered behind her sister, clutching her tightly.

The man chuckled, "You have lovely and well-behaved girls. I think I'll like getting more acquainted with your family."

Iris laughed loudly, "Well, you did say you wouldn't mind carrying my baggage."

As the adults flirtatiously joked, Dawn tried pulling Misty away so they could go have fun. The elder sister nudged their mother to let her know they'd be on their way.

"Have a ripper time, girls...", acknowledged Iris. "And Misty, stay close to your sister! You know how she gets when you're gone."

"Enjoy, princesses.", the man added, much to Misty's content and Dawn's unease.

The two girls ran off hand-in-hand, gleefully towards the next set of rides. They have the time of their lives riding around the carousel, impacting each other with bumper cars, and rapidly revolving around the spinner ride. Misty was fond of the more daring rides, so she made a few attempts to steer Dawn towards them. It proved tough for the younger sister as she didn't like disappointing her elder, but she cowered far too easily from such roughness.

"Hold it right there, girls!" the attendant of a water gun game called out. The sisters didn't immediately recognize him calling them. "Come on, now, princesses..." he eerily followed up, getting their attention. You know you want these prizes." He pointed up at the large plush toys of Neo and a Neonade can.

Misty smiles warmly at the man then turns to Dawn, "You want to play? I know you really want one."

Dawn just looks at the water gun attendant with a suspicious stare. She nudges Misty over towards the Ferris wheel, pushing the latter to wave off the man with an embarrassed smile.

At the top of the Ferris Wheel, the two enjoyed the incredible view of Avalon Park. Misty looked longingly at the "Lancelot over the Lake" hypercoaster, the largest of its kind in Auzzmania. What gets her the most is the triple corkscrew just meters above the water.

"Misty... I'm sorry."

"About what, Dawnie?"

"I know you really wanted to ride the coasters. I don't mean to disappoint you, I... just..."

Misty moved beside her, "No worries, Dawn. It's okay to be scared. I was too before I rode the first time." She pointed to the coaster's incline, "Someone once told me that fear comes from the build-up. You go up and up and upppppp... shaking all the way, scared to fall..." She pointed to the steep drop, "Then you go down and it's so fast, you only feel the thrill." She continued to follow along the rest of the coaster with her finger, laughing along.

"Ohhh, I think I get it..." Dawn paused for a moment, "Okay, why don't we ride THAT ONE!"

Misty saw her point to another coaster, "Percival the Pure", a far more tame ride with only two simple drops and a bunch of tilts. She turned with a smile, deeming it to be a good start. The two rode said coaster three times, building up Dawn's adrenaline, and laughing all the way.

Finally, the younger sister became confident enough to ride the "Lancelot over the Lake". Progressively as the line moved closer to the ride, she started to get more anxious again and she made it known by clutching Misty's arm. The elder sister just smiled at her, providing the energy to relax. The seats were also reassuring, being secured tightly from the shoulders down by the slightly smothering restraints. Dawn was ready to go as she and Misty were secured.

"I love you, big sis!"

"I love you too, little sis."

"All set! Enjoy... princesses.", the attendant remarked. Dawn's smile faded after hearing that and didn't come back as the coaster started moving.

Valentine Residence, Melodia, Auzzmania

Later that night, the Valentine family were home after a long day at the park. Mother Iris finished the rest of her wine alone in the family room. Her date finally left for the night and in her mind, it was a sure thing. Dawn was alone in the bathroom, readying for bed. Misty lay, falling asleep in her dark room. The weekend was just up ahead with more excitement.

From inside her room, she could hear the sounds of her sister's light-powered toothbrush shutting down as well as her bedroom door shut. Her mother was cleaning up in the kitchen and the sounds of water running were faintly heard from the same place. And then... sounds of movement very closeby garnered the attention of the girl in bed.

"Dawnie, go to be-" Misty paused for a moment as no one was there. She looked over the side of the bed, but there was no sister to be found. "What?" She felt a slight breeze as her window was opened wide.

She crept up out of bed to close the window carefully. The breeze became more of a force against her skin as she inched closer... She was close, but couldn't reach. The wind was minuscule compared to the force of a wet rag being pressed against her face. A cold hand restrained her with little resistance.

"Hope you wished your mum good night... Princess."

Secret Auction House, Unknown Location - August 24, 2029

"Keep it moving, you little bitch!"

"I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!!" Misty yelled, trying to hold back her tears. She continued to stumble forward, feeling weak and tired while sweating profusely. Her movements started to match her dwindling breaths. The hallway grew longer and longer till the auction room felt like kilometers away.

"I said MOVE!!" The handler yelled, shoving her forward.

Misty beamed to her entrance, falling just at the steps. She's lifted by the two guards at the doorway and given another hard shove front and center of the circular room. There she stood, surrounded by five dark windows, knowing that beyond them were potential tormentors or even, saviors, in some twisted way.

She couldn't hear the bids being made, but as time passed, either her price had been rising or the buyers were passing on her. It had been her hell for four years to go unsold and be left in the grasp of the traffickers.

It was a long shot, but she had hoped her mother would've found her somehow and had the money to buy her freedom. There could never be a warmer face for her to see at this point.

"SOLD! At $750,000 LSD. Congratulations, Mr. Moises Hitch.", the automated voice called out over the speaker.

The guards pulled her off the stage and initiated preparations for the sale. One restrained her while another lifted her shirt to scan the barcode tattooed on her back. Moises Hitch... The one man in four years to see enough in her to want to buy her. What does he have in store? Is his world another section of hell for her?

Hitch's Private Jet, bound for Luminata City - August 25, 2029

The next morning, Misty sat across from Hitch in silence. She was brought in by his employees as he sat looking through his smartphone. The chair was the most comfortable she'd ever felt in a long time. She wasn't sure if it was right for her to lean back and get comfortable. Maybe this man would freak out over the slave girl's lack of manners.

"Are you hungry?" Hitch said, without looking up. "You look like you haven't had a good meal in weeks." He looked up after she silently stared at him for too long. "How bout a drink? You could definitely use some water."

Misty was very hungry, but could only nod skeptically. Hitch waved his staff over to bring food and drinks for the two of them. The girl had only been used to scraps to sustain herself for years and when she was met with a full plate of chicken and mashed potatoes.

"Fried chicken... not exactly fine dining, but damn good.", Hitch commented as he drizzled the chicken with hot honey.

With much hesitation, Misty took a bite out of her chicken leg. The crunch was so exquisite and satisfying that she nearly collapsed out of her chair. The potatoes drenched in gravy were just as spectacular. She saw a bit of heaven for the first time in forever. Hitch saw in the girl rapidly cleaning her plate, desperation... the likes of which grossed him out.

"So... I can tell by how you looked like you haven't slept in a week... or two, that those dogs got you addicted to filth. We can't have that, so... I will put you through rehab." Hitch sighed and took a sip of his wine glass, "Now, fifteen years old but four years a prisoner. You probably still have the education of a fifth grader. Am I correct?"

"Y-year five? I had only started when I was taken.", Misty timidly answered.

"Right, you're from Auzzmania. Okay, you have a... fourth-year education. I'll have someone bring you up to speed. I know just the right person."

"If I may, sir... What exactly is it that you bought me for?"

Hitch took another sip of his wine, "I'm glad you asked, my dear. I am Moises Hitch, Luminata's grandest hotelier with my prized crown jewel, the Casino Royale! Misty Valentine, I want you to be my assistant."

Casino Royale Hotel & Resort, Luminata City - December 10, 2032

"Good evening, everyone! I hope you lot have been having a grand time and... hopefully, a lot of winnings tonight." Misty laughed, prompting the whole crowd to follow. "Mr. Hitch will be joining us in a second as he's currently finalizing a deal with a business partner. On his behalf, I will be your fabulous host as we celebrate the grand opening of the hourglass tonight!" She followed up with a stylish pose for the cameras."

Her attention was taken by a dapper young man walking up to the bar. She waved off the audience with a smile before exiting stage right.

"KELLY!! You're back!" She yelled before jumping in the arms of the young man.

"Misty! You look great. I hope my uncle's been treating you well.", Kelly Hitch responded.

"Being his assistant has its perks, but none that make doing all his dirty work worth it."

"Tell me about it, I was almost in your place. I never told you this, but he wanted to mold me into his assistant, but my dad didn't let him."

"So, that's why you came in to tutor me?"

"Yeah, but don't get me wrong, I got to know you which made THAT worth it." He turned to the bartender who was handing him his drink. "Oh, thank you, sir."

"That berry drink of yours... you have to tell me the recipe one day."

"Oh, this one? Come up with a name first. Then, I'll give it to you."

The two laughed as Moises Hitch approached another middle-aged businessman around his age. Misty had met him prior to the party, setting up this partnership in the first place. However, this is the first time Kelly has been around in a while.

"Mr. Howard, this is my nephew, Kellin. He just returned from a year abroad.", Hitch bragged. "Kelly, this is Sterling Howard, my new partner who made the construction of the hourglass building possible." After the two shake hands, he turned to Misty, "I'm going to spend some quality time with my nephew. Why don't you entertain our guest for the rest of his stay?"

Misty acknowledged, allowing the Hitch men to go off into the party. She turned to Howard who stared at her behind a dark yet fancy pair of shades.

"Would you like a drink, Mr. Howard?", Misty asked nervously.

"Certainly, but, I mostly want to have a little bit of fun."

"I know just the thing... Let's get your bevvie and play some poker."

"Bevvie? How exotic you are, Miss Valentine."

Room 1812, Casino Royale Hourglass Building

"Here you are, sir. Your room. I just want to thank you on behalf of Mr. Hitch for making this possible.", Misty said graciously.

"Have you seen the interior yet?", Howard asked.

"No, I don't think I have. I heard it's very beautiful."

"Indeed. Care to take a look?"

Misty knew about the floor plan of the hourglass building. Halfway up the structure, the walls curve inward to narrow the area of the floor. The lack of space for more suites meant that these particular ones were grander like a family apartment.

She walked through to the living room, passing by one of the bedrooms and kitchen. The master bedroom impressed her immensely with a great bed fit for a king. That view was not to be left out, seeing the lights from within and the main hotel from higher up. As she made her way back out, her eyes landed on two glasses of champagne sitting on the counter. A pair of cold hands grasped her shoulders, freezing her where she stood.

"Why don't you stay the night? Let's have, as I said, a little bit of fun."

Misty breathed in a slow panic, "M-Mister Hitch n-needs me to close out the party and get a headstart on his upcoming meetings." She started to feel his unnerving breaths pushing against her neck.

"He won't mind.", he replied in a relaxed tone. "I mean, he'd certainly want you to make sure nothing compromises this partnership, wouldn't he? After all, you know him best."

Helpless, Misty looked out through the window with a look of reserved fear, "Yes... he certainly would."

Executive Office, Casino Royale Hourglass Building - December 11, 2032

The next morning, Moises Hitch sat at his desk reading a projections report with a triumphant smile. Projected profits were incredibly high as reservations for the Hourglass's grand opening in the following week were fully booked.

"Let's see Canelli's big plan for the Azure Falcon top this.", he thought to himself.

Misty barged into the office, a far cry from her usually cheerful self. Her hair was in disarray, her dress was torn in many places, her face was stained with her smeared makeup, and worst of all, she had bruises all around.

"Misty, dear, did you forget your man- What happened to you?"

Behind her ruined eyeliner, she stared at him with rage. "I hope this bloody building is going to be worth it!" She responded while also holding back tears.

"We're golden! The Casino Royale will truly be the crown jewel of Luminata City now." Hitch then frowned at her sorry state, "But that word,'Bloody'... I told you that exotic language is not welcome. Here you are, all gross-looking and not ready with our morning coffees. I hope that you, at least, saw Mr. Howard off happily."

"He DID... THIS! He made me do unspeakable things." Misty started tearing up, "And I did it to make sure he wouldn't cut off your deal."

Hitch's eyes widened for a moment as he fell back into his seat. He sat back up, looking her in the eyes with a stern demeanor.

"As. You. Should."

Misty's own eyes widened at this cold response. She couldn't even form a word to question it. She couldn't even ask why.

"Sterling IS a greasy old fool. Here's the thing, many billionaires are just that, greasy old fools. Can't do anything about it. They have all the money. He didn't exactly believe in this great project, so I had to sweeten him up. He wanted more than just his investment back, he wanted my pretty little blonde assistant... I let him."

The young assistant began shaking uncontrollably as tears spilled out of her wide eyes.

"You need to remember this, Misty. I purchased you to work for me. Look at the life I gave you, this is pure luxury. So, I need you to work for me. Understood?"

Casino Royale Security Center - November 16, 2035 [Present Day]

🎵: FEARCITY - Taboo & Lingerie

"I don't understand."

"What's there not to understand, Sol? Hitch is a monster and he has to be stopped.", Asia quickly responded.

"I don't understand the kind of evil it takes to do these things to a human being, let alone a young girl.", Sol clarified, lightly caressing Misty's barcode. "It all made sense... your reactions were because I brought back those memories. I'm so sorry." He zips up her dress to cover the disgusting marking.

"It wasn't your fault. You couldn't have known.", Misty assured him. "After seeing that footage, you had every reason to be here... and well, getting to me was a smart way to get to Hitch. So, what will you do now?"

"I'm going to stop Hitch and then make him talk about his alliance with the Noir Emperor."

Solar chimes in, "Good thinking, we now have this 'Operation: Shadowland' as a lead."

The security guards' radio startles them as sounds of chaos start blaring. Another guard yells through, calling a code black before seemingly being taken out. Misty knows the meaning and quickly checks the surveillance. The entire resort has erupted into pandemonium as heavily armed sentries attack all the staff and guests indiscriminately.

"Shit, I was wondering when the action would kick off. I have to get you both out of here. Stay close to me!! Sol commanded before he charged out the door.

Their path leads to the balcony overlooking the main casino floor. A few patrons run past them in fear with a large gun-toting sentry firing at them. The two women duck behind the guardrail while Sol protects the runners with a solar field. Strangely enough, the shots barely put a dent into it.

Asia wonders, "So, who are these guys? This Noir Emperor guy's men?"

"They're Mr. Hitch's private guard.", Misty explained. "I knew about them, but never saw them in action before."

"Private army, more like it.", Sol called out before countering with a UV Bomb. The guard falls down to the casino below, crashing through a craps table. "Crap out of luck, my friend!"

With a moment of clarity, Misty notices a woman below about to be assaulted by another goon holding a security baton. She reacts quickly by pushing a gloating Sol over the railing, urging him to save her while he falls. He remarks that she could've just pointed it out, but resolves to deal with the situation.

Sol lands on a blackjack table, rolling over to kick the unassuming goon back and nail him with a stiff light bolt to the dome. He crashes into a slot machine, causing it to shoot out gold coins. The woman pockets as many of them as she can before thanking him and running off.

"Congratulations, I guess.", he said to her before turning to see many more of the private sentries with all their attention on him. "I see we have more takers. Come and ge- AHH!"

A larger goon, almost the size of the brute he faced at the stadium, bear hugs him and tries to squeeze the life out of him.

"Ohhh, biiigg boooyy.", he commented, feeling the crush.

Solar Dojo, Luminata City - July 26, 2035 [5 Months Ago]

"Calientos, Sol. Don't tell me that finished you!"

Back to the infamous sumo match with Yuji during his training months. The audience chanted for him to get up and he put a finger up, signaling them to wait. They got quiet in anticipation. Sol got back to his feet and into the sumo pose.

"Ho ho, very good, Sol-san!", Yuji remarked.

The young hero in training smiled with unshakable confidence and gestured to Yuji to come and get him. The hulking sumo wrestler charged with excitement only to be stopped dead in his tracks.

"Yuji-sensei, sorry but I will prevail today.", Sol claimed.

He clutched his arms around his larger opponent, lifting him completely off the ground and bringing him down with a Belly-to-belly slam. Yuji fell outside of the ring with a noticeable thud. The crowd erupted at this incredible feat of strength, sealing the victory for Sol.

"TSUKAMINAGE!!" Solar called.

His back to the floor, Yuji looked towards Master Solar, "You were right, old friend. Your boy is very strong!"

[Present Day]

"Sorry, buddy. This one isn't gonna go the way you think it will.", Sol remarked.

He breaks out of the sentry's tight grip. With a headbutt, he turns the goon around and grapples him tightly. He lifts him off his feet far easier than his sumo opponent, sending him crashing back through a blackjack table. What a suplex!

The remaining sentries get ready to fire on him until Misty rushes in to stop them.

"Miss Valentine, we've been looking for you. We have to escort you to Mr. Hitch's office."

"I can get there myself, so I can tell that rich whacker that I refuse to be his slave any longer!"

One of the sentries calls her out, "You're making a big mistake, ma'am. He gave us explicit orders to use force if necessary."

Misty calls his bluff and charges at him, getting a bullet to the shoulders for her troubles. It doesn't penetrate the skin, but it sure does hurt like hell. Sol is preoccupied with the rest of the sentries to be able to check on her. Asia rushes in to do so, the same sentry taking aim and unloading into her legs. She falls to the ground in pain.

"Both of you, stay down!" He aims at Sol as he nearly finished dealing with the rest of the group. "Time's Ahhh!"

Misty strikes a low blow with the dropped security baton. She gets back to her feet and swings as hard as she can to knock him out. At that moment, Sol lands a piledriver with the last goon.

"Misty! Asia!" He checks on both girls and their injuries, "Rubber bullets, non-lethal but painful. Are you two okay?"

"I'm fine, just some stinging.", Misty responded.

"Ah, I'm not... My legs!" Asia responded as she struggled to her feet. "I can still walk."

"I need to get you two out of here. Misty, get Asia to safety while I deal with Hitch."

"Not in your life... We're dealing with him together." She handed Asia her keycard for the Presidential Suite. "I'm sorry. I have to do this. Lay low in the meantime."

Asia stands, in much pain, "Ahh thanks. I can't believe I get to stay in the Presidential Suite. This is a dream come true."

"Congrats.", joked Sol. "Be careful on the way there and don't let anyone in until I tell you it's clear or call you out."

"Right, be careful, both of you.", Asia said before limping off to the elevator.

Sol and Misty quickly move toward the rear of the resort. They're on their way to the hourglass building, fighting Hitch's sentries as they come across them. The former softens the majority of them up to give the latter her opportunity to let off steam.

Misty breaks the ice, "So, not that I wanted her gone, but this gives me a chance to pick your brain (If I'm saying that correctly...)"

"Kay..." Sol mutes his mic so that he can keep their conversation private. "What would you like to know?"

"I know why you're here, but there's still more... Why? Why do you do this?"

Out by the cabanas, Sol and Misty come across a group of guests lying injured as a hail of rubber bullets rain on the area. They tear through the cabanas and bounce off the Solar Field. Two turrets are strategically placed on boats floating in the lagoon. They work together to move everyone to safety as quickly as possible.

"So, he's attacking his guests, but non lethally?"

"Knowing Hitch, he wouldn't want to lose his paying customers. Think of all the loss in profits."

"I can think of the losses when he's in prison.", Sol responded much to Misty's amusement. "I have a plan, but bear with me... You might want to take off your heels.

"Uh, okay."

The young hero comes into view of the turrets, but not on his feet. He's piggybacking on a struggling Misty. The two gunners lock eyes at each other before firing at them. Their fire is stopped by a large pink shield darting across the long redwood bridge.

"Ugh, bloody hell, you're heavy!" How long?!"

"Just a bit further!"

"Why can't you move while doing this again?"

"It's very difficult to maintain a field while moving. I tried once, it broke like glass!"

Misty nears the center of the bridge, just aligning with the two boats. Sol signals her then and she hits the brakes on herself. With some forward momentum, the latter flips forward to touch the ground and fling the former high into the air.

As Misty soars through the air, Sol uses this opportunity to throw a UV Bomb at each boat. He then rushes toward the hourglass just as she makes her descent. Without missing a beat, he makes the catch just at the edge of the long bridge... and just as the two boats explode.

"You okay?"

Misty looks at Sol with a sense of longing as if he were the most handsome guy she had ever seen. "Y-yeah... My hero.", she said, much to his enjoyment. She clears her throat to break the silence, "His office... it's on the top floor."

"Right... Let's go!", he said, letting her back on her feet before they ran inside together.

Presidential Suite, Casino Royale Hotel & Resort - December 11, 2032 [3 Years Ago]

🎵: Jordan Critz - Starry Night

"Kelly! KELLY?!" Misty called out as she burst through the doors of the Presidential Suite.

She hardly noticed the beautiful sound echoing through the room as she ran in. Before she knew it, she turned to see the young man playing beautiful music on the grand piano and in that moment, she felt a light amount of bliss.

"Sorry... It's just been a while. I wanted to play something for you." He carefully hit the last few notes, before getting up to comfort her. "What's wrong? You look like you've been through hell."

"I lived it.", she merely said.

"Tell me what happened."

Misty recalled the awful events of the previous night in brutal and exhaustive detail. Kelly couldn't even believe what he had heard and even more so, that his uncle had permitted it. Her revelation that Moises doubled down by expecting her to do so as the responsibility of his assistant angered him as much as it did her. She was relieved that he believed her despite his familial connection, but Kelly was aware of his uncle's reputation as a ruthless businessman. This event, however, surpassed the boundaries of business.

"Did you know? That he purchased me. That I was his property."

Kelly sighs with a face of guilt, "He told me later down the line, but he explained that it was more for your benefit... and I believed him. I didn't know he'd use you like this." He sinks his face in his hands, "I have to admit I didn't think much about you at first, but I don't know... Something changed and I realized I cared. Maybe he saw that... and paid for me to study abroad as a means to get away from you." He looked at Misty, deep in her eyes, "You were all I thought about when I was gone."

For a moment, Misty thought about whether she should feel angry that Kelly knew she was practically a slave, but he was almost as young as she was. What could he have really done? She laid her head on his shoulder as a means of telling him she didn't hold anything against him.

"I'm going to get you out of here. We can run away together... Go to Auzzmania... and reunite you with your family." His eyes meet her's again, "Give me sometime before the new year and I'll figure something out."

Misty caresses his face, "I love you."

"I love you too." Kelly responded softly before leaning in to kiss her. "By the way, I think I have a good name for that drink. It's stupid... but I like "Viva Valentine." The two laughed before continuing to share a kiss.

Presidential Suite, Casino Royale Hotel & Resort - December 28, 2032

"Kelly? KELLY?!" Misty called out as she entered the unusually dark suite.

She checked her phone once again to be sure that she wasn't imagining Kelly's text. "Waiting for you at the suite. Got a surprise for you ;)", it read.

Usually, the sounds of beautiful piano ballads would fill the air when he was around, but not that night. The switch was just a few feet away, but maybe that could be the surprise. With a moment of hesitation, she turned it on to find... nothing... aside from Kelly lying in the bed.

"Kelly? Love?", she called out as she moved closer.

No response.

"Are you okay?", she asked as her steps grew faster.

Still no response.

"Kel- OH MY G- KELLY!!", she yelled out in agony as she found him lifeless.

Kellin Hitch's body was cold under the warm covers. They were soaked in his blood seeping from the large deep cut on his neck. The eyes that Misty always stared at lovingly were left ajar, staring off into nothing.

"Tragic... a young life full of potential snuffed out for what... love?"

Misty, through her tears, turned to see Moises Hitch sitting at the grand piano with a glass of champagne. Her breaths increased rapidly and she could barely move. If she could've done anything, she would've strangled this monster with everything she had.

"Look at what you made me do! You manipulated my nephew into going against me... betraying me. I sent him away to ensure his future, that he may have been able to make something of himself and make GOOD decisions!" Hitch walked over to the ailing Misty as she suffered next to Kelly's body. "I will say this for the last time... YOU BELONG TO ME!! I DIDN'T HIRE YOU, I OWN YOU!! I won't bury you like I'll have to bury my nephew..." He got within inches of her face. "But, I will bury anyone you bring to rip you from my hands.", he coldly said as he smeared blood on her face.

Misty was really in hell now. She looked back at Kelly, trying to process his loss. Then, she looked at Moises walking towards the exit. Where was the nearest sharp object? She needed to plunge it into his heart.

"Oh, by the way, Mr. Howard wants to visit again to check on the new building. He was so satisfied last time that he felt he should make frequent visits... You know what to do, Miss Valentine."

[Present Day]

🎵: FEARCITY - Taboo & Lingerie

 A hint of rage shows on Misty's face while she and Sol ride the elevator up to the office. Numerous sentries lay unconscious throughout the lobby, many piled onto the mini hourglass at the center with baton marks on their faces. The elevator suddenly stops about ten stories up, leaving them stranded.

A familiar voice comes out over the intercom, "Miss Valentine, I was expecting you to be with an escort of my men. Instead, you brought Sol Calientos into my building. Remember, I promised you that I will bury anyone you bring."

"Oh yeah? I'd love to see you try burying me.", Sol remarked.

"Just wait there, Mr. Calientos. My men will arrive soon to grant your wish.", Hitch responded before signing off.

Misty chimes in, "There's a manual override on the 18th floor. You should be able to get it and shut it down to disable his control."

"Alright, I can do that.

The young hero jumps up and punches the escape hatch out. From the top of the elevator, he finds handholds to climb through the shaft, but Hitch tries to take him out with the adjacent cars.

"Damn, those things are fast... even for me!"

He climbs over to an opening, taking him to the exterior of the hourglass. The views from this place were never done justice by his imagination from what he can see now. He couldn't even imagine what it was like at the very top. The light show started as he climbed upward. Seems like Hitch was trying another tactic to throw him off.

"I guess you haven't heard, Hitch... You only made me stronger!", Sol yelled with excitement.

Moving along with the light show, Sol reaches the 18th floor and bombards a suite full of sentries. One of them flies through the door. Sol walks out, looking around for the manual override and of course, it's right next to the elevator. He unmutes Solar and a returning Rain to help him overcharge the override, allowing Misty's car to ascend to his floor.

Misty jokes as the doors open, "You're late... let's get a move on."

"Yes, mum.", Sol joked back, mocking her accent.

The two ascend to the 35th floor, the highest the elevator can reach and just one below Hitch's office. Directly ahead, a "grand" staircase leads up to the millionaire's domain. All that separates them is some walking around the large chasm spanning to the lobby with an abstract decoration designed to give the feel of sand grains in the hourglass.

Solar chimes in, "Tread carefully, Sol. Hitch might have something up his sleeve and Misty is in harm's way."

"No time to waste! Let's move!"

The two rush across the red carpet-draped floor, almost reaching the red carpet-draped staircase. What they didn't realize was that Room 3515 was occupied. One of Hitch's remaining sentries charges out of the room with Misty in his crosshairs. Sol notices just in time to bump her out of the way. He takes the hit for his troubles, sending both him and his attacker over the railing and falling to the lobby below.

Misty panics as she rushes over to the railing, "SOL, NO!!"

The fall registers with the sentry and he wraps a death grip around Sol. He manages to catch a handhold on the hanging decoration. He only saves himself as his attacker's grip on his jacket tears it completely, leaving him to keep falling.

Sol stretches out his free arm to teleport the bumbling goon to a nearby floor, sending him crashing into a suite door.

"YOU OWE ME FOR THAT JACKET, JACKASS!", he remarked.

"SOL, ARE YOU OKAY?" Misty called out from above.

"I'M FINE, GO!! I'll meet you by the staircase."

Misty acknowledges and keeps moving while Sol shimmies along the decoration. It's a blessing that the thing can even support his weight. He's soon able to get a foothold where he lightly steps along until he's in the right place to reach the 35th floor staircase. Carefully, he plants his feet flat and crouches slowly to Shooting Star Leap all the way up there. Thanks to him, the decor finally gives way and falls to the lobby where a few sentries jump out of the way.

Sol catches the railing and pulls himself over with the help of Misty.

"You saved that guy even though he tried to kill you. Why?"

"I'll beat the hell out of these guys, but I have no right to kill them. It's not what a hero does."

"So, Hitch goes to prison, then?... After all the festy shite he's done?"

Sol takes both of her hands, "It's the right thing to do, Misty. I promise."

Misty relents and grips his hands, "I trust you."

"It's almost over. When we're done here, I'll bring you to the Solar Dojo. You'll finally be free to live your life."

The two walk up the stairs, hand-in-hand, slowly approaching the door to Hitch's office. Sol cracks open one of the double doors to find the hotelier in the midst of warning the Noir Emperor via phone call.

"Sir, I'm telling you. This kid is no joke. He turned my assistant against me and they got through all my men. I need help!"

"Hitch, we just got done removing the weak links at your hotel. Don't tell me you were also one all along."

Hitch relents, knowing that he's stepping into dangerous territory, "You're right. My mistake, Noir Emperor, sir."

"You know what to do, my friend. You have my gift to you for your use. Don't disappoint me!" the Emperor commanded before hanging up on him.

"BUENAS NOCHES, Señor Hitch. I was hoping we could talk some... business.", Sol said, channeling Leon Infante once more.

Hitch turns around to see that Sol and Misty had made their way to his desk unknowingly. He maintained his calm, intimidating demeanor trying to channel the monster they had both seen in the footage.

"So... Sol Calientos. Well, Misty, I have to hand it to you. You sure know how to pick your friends." He looks Sol deeply in the eye, "Did you know that in the last 24 hours, your friend here toppled multiple crime organizations?" He turns to her, "I'm assuming that's why you brought him to take me down."

"Yeah, just like how you took OUT the heads of those organizations. Your time has come, Hitch.", Misty remarked.

"That's Mr. Hitch to you, stupid girl... After all I've done for you. I took you out of that disgusting hole those rats kept you in and got you off of that poison, I fed you, gave you this magnificent resort as a home-"

"You pimped me out to your disgusting mates. You killed your nephew, the man I loved.", Misty pushed back with rage in her voice.

"That was YOUR fault. Remember, you belong to ME! You are NOTHING otherwise! YOU-"

Sol intervenes, "SHE is a human being, you sick creep! You bought her because you wanted a servant not an assistant. I thought you were terrible enough, but killing your own family? You're less than human."

"Am I? And what are you going to do to punish me for my crimes?", Hitch mocked as he subtly opened a drawer, revealing a pistol.

"There's a cage with your name on it... or rather, a prison cell." Sol throws his hands in the air and turns to the scenery, "All of this... Everything you built here will be gone. It's crazy... All this time, I called out a hidden evil deep inside Luminata City... an evil that can only be stopped by one man. Me! I will stop you. Luminata's true hero, the Knight of Light."

Misty smiles at his tenacity, but then she turns to Hitch to see him reaching into his drawer.

"The Knight of Light, huh? I like it.", Hitch said ominously. "I'll be sure it's written on your tombstone!", he yelled as he raised his weapon at Sol.

In a split second, Misty notices the threat to her friend's life. She jumps to push him out of the way just as he realized what was happening. An extreme burst of heat enters through her abdomen and exits from her back, just narrowly avoiding her spine but the wound is still devastating. She coughs up an excess of blood and falls down with Sol catching her before she could meet the unforgiving ground.

"MISTY! No, No, Misty!" Sol said in a panic. He presses on her wound in a haste, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Misty!"

"Shame... what a shame.", Hitch commented before dropping his weapon and running toward the rooftop exit.

Sol lifts Misty and lays her on the desk as she squeals in pain. He desperately searches for some materials in Hitch's desk to patch her up, but there's no such thing inside. He then opts to tear off his sleeves in order to wrap around the wound.

"Stay with me, please! I'll get you somewhere safe.", he said, holding back tears.

"Stop... Hitch... Sol.", Misty commanded faintly, fighting through the pain.

"No, I'm not leaving y-"

A sudden sound of rumbling rings from above. Hitch could've taken a VTOL or a helicopter, but this definitely wasn't it. Stomps progress toward the rear window facing downtown. A mechanical tentacle emerges much to the shock of both in the office. In an instant, it bursts through the window with a loud crash and grabs Sol without fault.

"AGH! MISTY!!"

The young hero is pulled out into the night and is brought face to face with Hitch in the cockpit of an Octopus mech, courtesy of the Noirata Empire.

"I was chosen by the Noir Emperor himself to be in a great position of power within his empire. Your little hero story comes to an end here!"

"HITCH, NO!!", Sol pleaded before the millionaire threw him to the roof.

Sol breaks his fall, landing perfectly. As the mech scales back to the rooftop, his eyes dart for the door before he does. Another tentacle cuts him off pre-entry, leaving him with little choice as teleportation will remove his chance to get Misty out quickly.

"MISTY'S HURT!! SHE NEEDS HELP!"

Hitch scoffs, "She's beneath me now, she made her choice. I am Noirata's Champion!"

Sol scoffs back, "I only see a pussy piloting a mech."

🎵: Dance With The Dead - The Man Who Made a Monster

 The octopus fires its main gun to close him in. Losing some distance, he's forced to dodge relentless attacks from its tentacles. He considers using the sheer power of the Shooting Star Leap to attack from below, but this mech's defense is too omnipresent to get past. He's caught by one and slammed to the ground before being thrown.

"I always knew the Canelli were fodder... losing to the likes of you. You're not so tough!"

Rain chimes in, "Sol, the mobility of those arms look like the main issue here. Try checking for any vulnerabilities."

"Hmmm, I'm thinking... the joints. This one's crying for some good old WRASSLIN'."

Sol rushes in once again, but this time, aiming for the tentacles themselves. He quickly staggers the mech and destroys its gun with some UV bombs. In the slight opening, he works his way toward the joint, finding it lacking the rest of the mech's durable armor. He grapples the tentacle and plants his feet on the base of the mech.

"Hey, Hitch!" Sol called out angrily. "Your crimes are gonna cost you an arm and a leg." He pulls the tentacle off with his superhuman strength. "No more games."

Sol continues pulling a limb off the mech one by one until Hitch remains immobilized. Hitch scrambles to find anything to use to get out of this, but there is little else he can do. The hero stands parallel with the pathetic millionaire, furious because Misty more than likely succumbed to her injuries during this battle. He channels all the light in his being to his right leg.

"For Misty... and for Kelly.", he remarked, gritting his teeth. With a swift kick, Sol punts the entire mech impressively high in the air.

The octopus mech crashes into the hourglass's lightning rod, embedding itself into the symbol of Moises Hitch's vanity. As for the hotelier himself, he lies defeated in his pilot seat. Suddenly, a fist breaks through the cockpit window and violently pulls him out. Before he could even crawl away, Sol lifts and slams him against the mech with a vengeance.

"Not so high and mighty when out of your mech, huh?!"

Hitch pleads, "Please, don't hurt me! Just give me a chance! JUST GIVE ME A CHANCE!"

Sol grits his teeth again at this cowardice, "What about Misty? Did you give her a chance? DID YOU?!?" He pins him hard against the mech.

"Ahh- Fine, you cared about that girl... fuhhh- some reason. I'll make you a deal! What do you want? Money? Women?... A stake in the hotel?"

Sol sarcastically chuckles, "You're very funny. No... You're gonna tell me everything you know about the Noirata Empire. You know, since you're Noirata's champion and all.

"Oh no... no no no no! Do you know what he'll do to me if he finds out I told you anythi-", Hitch pleaded before a punch to the mech directly next to his head cut him off.

"He's not here... but, I am. I'd be more worried about that.", Sol relayed calmly.

Hitch takes a deep breath, "Okay. The Noirata Empire is what it is today after a 12-year-long conquest of the Negative Zone's Earth... but it doesn't stop there, no, Empires expand... It's what they do. So, the next conquest is the Positive Zone..."

"... starting with Luminata City.", Sol, Rain, and Solar all said in tandem.

"That would explain why they came through our gate. Could this be what Operation: Shadowland is? What are they planning?" Solar added.

"You all toasted to 'Operation: Shadowland before killing the mafia heads. Mind telling me about it?" Sol asked Hitch.

"I'm warning you now, kid. You think you've got big balls taking all of us down, but the Noir Emperor is a whole different animal."

"So I've seen."

"Even the best warriors from the original Noirata Kingdom couldn't beat him. You don't stand a chance."

"How about you let me worry about that? Now, Shadowland?"

"Shadowland... His people have landed. They're already here... set up strongholds all around the city... waiting for the time to strike!"

Solar is taken aback, "Strongholds. Throughout the city." He thinks back to not even 48 hours ago, "One of the soldiers here mentioned the word,'stronghold'. CREATOR ABOVE! The dojo wasn't the only one! They could be anywhere!"

"WHERE?! WHERE ARE THEY?!" Sol pushed Hitch harder against the mech.

"I DON'T KNOW! I WAS TALKING SHIT, I'M NOT A CHAMPION, JUST A PAWN, I SWEAR!"

"Okay, what about the mech? Where did you get it?"

"They delivered it to me months ago. I never knew where it came from!"

Sol punches the mech again in frustration. Rain, however, presents a possibility they may have ignored all this time... a power source or an inscription of some kind. The former scans around while restraining Hitch. He finds nothing descript on the mech itself, but he manages to find a port containing its power source... a special battery... that he's seen before.

"Of course!" Sol thought to himself. He turns back to Hitch, "When? When will they attack?"

Hitch takes a big gulp as he digs himself deeper, "Midnight. During the Firefly Music Festival."

"The music festival? The largest party in the city... Everyone is either home or there. No one will see them coming.", Solar urged.

Sol nearly panics, "We only have a few hours! We got-"

Hitch interrupts, "Please, I told you everything I know. N-now, you owe me, right?" He desperately grabs Sol by his shirt, "The Noir Emperor will FIND ME!! Please! Protect me! Prote-"

Hitch's head snaps back with the rest of the body following almost immediately. Poor Sol wasn't ready to be splashed by the man's blood as it all happened far too quickly. He shakes as he looks to see Moises Hitch dead on the ground, shot in the head.

"That is all... ugh... you're owed."

Sol turns to see Misty, holding Hitch's pistol and clutching her wound. He's relieved to see she's alive, but the relief instantly goes away as her bandage is completely red. She's lost too much blood and can barely stay on her feet.

"Misty!" he yelled as he ran to catch her. She collapses in his arms.

🎵: Jordan Critz - Starry Night

"I'm sorry. I know you wanted to keep him alive, b-but... I couldn't."

"Don't worry about that, just... hang in there. I'll get you some help."

Misty caresses his face, "It's too late for me. You... have a job to do."

"Not without you! You have a second chance to live a free life, the one you deserve."

Misty starts panting, "It's okay... I'm already free. Hitch can... no longer hurt me... or anyone else."

Sol tears up, "It shouldn't end like this... This is all my fault, I'm sorry!"

"No... don't say sorry... ya drongo. You saved me already... I'm ace! I can rest knowing you'll go on... and my mum and sis too."

"What about them? Don't you want to see them?"

"I will again someday... They'll understand."

Sol places his hand over hers as he shakes uncontrollably, "I promise I'll find them... tell them how brave you were."

She chuckles faintly, "Promise me this... You'll give that... Noir Emperor hell. She squeezes his hand tightly, "Go out there and be the hero you were meant to be! She coughs, "Save everyone like you saved me!"

He caresses her cheek, "I promise."

"Good. Thank... You... Sol." Misty closes her eyes for the last time. Her faint breaths stop and she moves no more.

Sol takes a deep, uneasy breath, "Misty?" He bows his head in sorrow, "I'm so sorry, my friend."

"Bring her home, son... Bring them both home.", Solar advised calmly.

Just outside the doors of the hourglass building, Asia limps up to see if the coast is clear. She is met with a sight so devastating that she can't even utter a word through her shock. She watches as Sol carries the lifeless body of Misty Valentine toward her with eyes so broken. Both of them look as though they have been through hell.

Without a word, Sol grabs Asia's hand and forms his hand sign, teleporting them away from the Casino Royale... teleporting them home.