"Miraculous 15"

[Timekeeper]

The sun hung low over the bustling streets of Washington, D.C., casting long shadows as Sayuri sat comfortably in her cluttered apartment, a chaotic mix of gaming consoles, manga, and various anime figurines surrounding her. Her fingers danced over the keyboard, the bright glow of the screen illuminating her face, showcasing a smirk that hinted at her mischievous nature.

Sayuri leaned back in her chair, a sly grin spreading across her lips. "Let's see how this plays out," she murmured to herself, her voice a mix of excitement and anticipation. She had been monitoring the heroes—Funneh, René, Chloé Strom, and Chloé Stemdragon—as they unwittingly danced to her tune, their every move guided by her intricate web of lies and manipulation.

What they didn't know was that Master Wu, their supposed ally, was just a mask she wore—a disguise carefully crafted to mislead and control. Behind that façade was the real Sayuri, an otaku gamer who had spent countless hours immersed in online communities, refining her skills not just in gaming, but in deception.

She flicked through various social media platforms, engaging with followers who admired her "Master Wu" persona. To them, she was a wise mentor, a guardian guiding the heroes toward their destiny. But beneath that veneer lay a more twisted ambition. Sayuri relished the idea of pulling strings, of being the unseen hand that shaped events from the shadows.

Her fingers paused momentarily over the keyboard as a sinister thought crossed her mind. "If only they knew the truth," she mused, her eyes gleaming with delight. The heroes believed they were fighting against Nexus, but she had her own plans—a darker game in which she would be both the player and the prize.

Suddenly, the door swung open, interrupting her thoughts. A loud voice echoed through the apartment, "Sayuri! Are you in here?" It was her friend, a fellow gamer who knew nothing of her double life.

"Yeah, just working on some stuff!" she called back, quickly closing a few windows on her computer screen. Her heart raced at the thought of being discovered, but she composed herself, forcing a smile as her friend entered the room.

"What's all this?" her friend asked, eyeing the clutter with curiosity.

"Oh, just some new gaming strategies I've been working on. You know how it is!" Sayuri replied, her tone casual, masking the turmoil beneath.

As they chatted, Sayuri's mind drifted back to her plans. Master Wu would continue to guide the heroes, feeding them just enough information to keep them on her side while steering them away from the truth. And as the battles against Nexus and his minions unfolded, she would be waiting, ready to seize the moment when the heroes would need her most.

"Just wait and see, my little pawns," she whispered under her breath, her eyes glinting with mischief. "The game has only just begun."

[Later…..]

Funneh sat at her desk, the soft glow of her laptop screen illuminating her determined expression. The room was decorated with colorful posters of her favorite superheroes and vibrant sketches she had drawn herself, reflecting her passion for the hero world she had become a part of. Despite her busy schedule as a public hero, she always made time for her creative outlet.

Today, however, her thoughts were consumed by the recent battles. She was replaying the events from the confrontation with Ava, her mind racing with strategies for future encounters. "I can't believe Nexus is behind all this," she muttered, tapping her pencil nervously against her sketchbook. "What does he want? And why target us specifically?"

With a sigh, she pushed her sketchbook aside and opened a new tab in her browser. She began searching for any recent news about Nexus and the recent attacks that had plagued D.C. The screen filled with articles and forums discussing the rising chaos, the public unaware of the deeper machinations at play.

Funneh's eyes narrowed as she read a post that hinted at a connection between the recent villain attacks and a mysterious figure who had been seen manipulating events from the shadows. "This can't be just a coincidence," she thought, her heart pounding. "What if there's someone pulling the strings?"

Her phone buzzed beside her, interrupting her thoughts. It was a message from Chloé Strom, inviting her to meet at their favorite café in New Paris. "Perfect timing," Funneh thought, eager to share her concerns and theories with her friend. She quickly texted back, agreeing to meet.

Moments later, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door, her mind still swirling with possibilities. As she walked through the lively streets of D.C., she felt the weight of her role as a hero heavier than ever. With every step, she could feel the excitement of the café buzzing in the air, but it was tainted by an undercurrent of dread.

Arriving at the café, Funneh spotted Chloé Strom sitting at a table outside, her usual bright smile in place. But as Funneh approached, she noticed a hint of worry in her friend's eyes.

"Hey, Funneh!" Chloé greeted, trying to sound upbeat. "What's up? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I'm just…thinking about everything that's been happening," Funneh replied, sliding into the chair across from Chloé. "I found some information online about Nexus. I think there's more to him than we realize. He seems to be manipulating people and events from the shadows."

Chloé's brow furrowed as she listened intently. "What do you mean? Like, is he trying to recruit people for his cause or something?"

"Exactly! There was a mention of a connection to some high-end school in New Paris where a lot of wealthy kids go. I think he's targeting specific people, trying to turn them into villains to use against us," Funneh explained, her voice tinged with urgency.

Chloé leaned in closer, her expression growing serious. "If that's true, we need to find out who he's after and why. But we also need to be careful. We can't let him catch us off guard again."

"Agreed," Funneh said, determination settling in. "We need to gather as much information as we can. If he's trying to manipulate people, we can't let him succeed. I won't let him turn anyone else into a villain."

As they strategized, Funneh felt a flicker of hope igniting within her. She knew they were stronger together, and with their combined efforts, they could face whatever Nexus had planned.

But as the conversation flowed, Funneh couldn't shake the feeling that there was something lurking just out of sight—something darker and more twisted than she could imagine.

She looked out at the bustling street, watching people go about their lives, unaware of the looming threat. "Nexus, you won't get away with this," she vowed silently. "Not while I'm here."

As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over New Paris, Funneh and Chloé finished their discussion, setting their plans in motion. Little did they know that Sayuri, hidden behind the guise of Master Wu, was watching their every move with a twisted smile, eager to see how her game would unfold.

[end]