Prepare [Part-1]

Dek: (groaning, sitting up) Ugh... what happened?

[Crash, now immune to his flames, stood nearby, looking at Dek with concern. His fiery aura had subsided, leaving only a faint warmth around him.]

Crash: (relieved) Dek! You'You'really awake. You had me worried, mophead.

Dek: (rubbing his eyes) Crash? What the heck happened to us?

Crash: (smirking) We had our awakenings. You froze solid, and I nearly burned this place down. A typical day, right?

Dek: (chuckling weakly) Sounds like it. I had this crazy dream... I was stuck in a blizzard, in some ice age era. It felt so real.

Crash: (nodding) I had one too. But mine was the opposite. Lava, heat... it was like the world was on fire.

Dek: (thoughtfully) Maybe our dreams were part of the awakening. It felt like a test.

[Before they could delve further into their conversation, Supervisor009911 entered the room. A tall, imposing figure with an air of authority, SupeSupervisor009911'ssence commanded respect.]

Supervisor009911: (firmly) Good to see you both awake and talking. You'You'ven through a lot.

Crash: (curiously) Supervisor, what exactly happened to us?

Supervisor009911: (calmly) You both underwent awakenings, a significant milestone in your journey. It'sIt'se for two individuals to awaken simultaneously and even rarer to exhibit such potent abilities right away.

Dek: (determined) So what's for us?

Supervisor009911: (nodding) Follow me. TherThere'sething you need to see.

[The supervisor led them through corridors until they reached an elevator. They descended to a secret floor, deep beneath the PAIR headquarters, known only to the top rankers.]

Crash: (impressed) This place is fantastic. 

Supervisor009911: (thoughtfully) This floor is reserved for our top five rankers. It's merging our weapons and developing new technologies. Today, you're being granted access as part of your recognition.

Dek: (surprised) Wait, are we eligible for weapons now?

Supervisor009911: (smiling) Yes. You yourselves worthy. As awakened individuals, you're allowed to use the workshop to create and modify your weapons.

[They entered a large, state-of-the-art workshop with advanced machinery, tools, and materials. The room buzzed with activity as other top-rankers worked on their projects.]

Crash: (excitedly) This is incredible. We can make anything we want.

Supervisor009911: (nodding) Within reason, yes. Your abilities are unique, and your weapons should reflect that. You have access to all the resources here. Use them wisely.

Dek: (thoughtfully) I've always wanted to create something that complements my ice abilities.

Crash: (grinning) I need something to handle my flames. This is going to be awesome.

Supervisor009911: (encouragingly) Take your time. Experiment. The workshop is at your disposal. Once you have made your weapons, you'll be eligible to use them once you receive your PAIR licenses.

Dek: (grateful) Thank you, Supervisor. We won't let you down.

Supervisor009911: (seriously) I know you won't remember, but with great power comes great responsibility. Your journey is just beginning.

Crash: (determined) We're ready for whatever comes next.

[The supervisor left them to explore the workshop. Dek and Crash wandered around, examining the available tools and materials.]

Dek: (thoughtfully) I think I'llI'llrt with something simple. Maybe a weapon that can channel my ice.

Crash: (excitedly) Something that can withstand my flames. A sword gun, maybe. Something solid and durable.

Dek: (smirking) Typical. Always thinking about fighting.

Crash: (grinning) we need to be ready for anything.

Dek: (nodding) True. Let'Let's to work.

[They spent the next few hours immersed in their projects, discussing ideas and helping each other. The workshop echoed with the sounds of forged metal and new creations taking shape.]

Crash: (looking at his half-finished sword gun) This will be epic.

Dek: (working on a short gun) Yeah, and with our new abilities, we'll be unstoppable.

Meanwhile, Rank-One Ace quietly sneaks in, heading to the washroom to clean his dirt-muddled clothes.

[Ace moved with the stealth of a shadow, his footsteps barely making a sound on the polished floor. His clothes were smeared with dirt and blood, evidence of the brutal scene he had left behind. As he pushed open the washroom door, he glanced around to ensure he was alone.]

Rank 28: (surprised, standing by the sink) Ace? What happened to you?

Ace's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. Without warning, he lunged forward, his movements swift and precise.

Ace: (coldly) Tch tch, buddy, you don't startle me ever.

[With a quick, forceful strike, Ace knocked Rank 28 unconscious, his body crumpling to the floor in a heap. Ace looked down at him with a mixture of annoyance and detachment.]

Ace: (muttering) I don't have time for interruptions.

[Reaching into his pocket, Ace pulled out a thin, needle-like device. He knelt beside Rank 28, carefully placing the device behind his ear. He waited, counting the seconds in his head, his eyes never leaving the unconscious figure.]

Ace: (whispering to himself) Just a little more...

A minute passed. Ace removed the device, inspecting it briefly before slipping it back into his pocket. He stood up, straightening his dirtied clothes with a flick of his wrist.

Ace: (smirking) Should've stayed out of my way.

[He walked out of the washroom with the same quiet grace he had entered, leaving Rank 28 on the cold tiles. Ace's mind was already shifting to his next move; the encounter with Rank 28 was barely a blip on his radar. As he exited the washroom, he seamlessly blended into the flow of the headquarters, just another agent going about his business. But those who crossed Ace knew better; he was anything but ordinary.]

Ace: (thinking to himself) One less problem to deal with. Now, to clean up properly.

[ Everything was going according to his plan, and nothing – or no one – would stand in his way and disappear into the crowd, the perfect predator in a sea of unsuspecting prey.]