The Impala purred into G.U.N.’s parking structure like a panther, Shadie stepping out first with the confidence of someone who knew absolutely nobody here could stop her. Everyone followed her toward the front entrance. Cream skipped ahead, smiling—only to be halted by two guards who crossed their arms. “Sorry, kid, children aren’t—” Shadie appeared behind Cream so fast the guards both flinched. Her voice was calm. Her expression was not. “Finish that sentence.” One guard swallowed. “C-children aren’t allowed in the main facility unless—” Shadie stepped closer, tone dropping into something cold and steady: “Unless what? Unless they’re not my daughter? The one child here who could outsmart your AI systems, outrun your security bots, and disassemble your rifles before you could blink?” Cream waved adorably. “Hi!” The guards trembled. Shadie leaned forward slightly, voice firm and lethal: “Let her pass. Or I go from filing complaints… to making threats… to actual violence.” The guards moved aside so fast they nearly tripped. Will whispered to Silver, “She didn’t even pull out a weapon. That was all vibes.” Silver nodded. “That was enough.”They entered the main lobby, and a familiar deep voice echoed: “You’re late.” Shadow stepped out, arms crossed, looking like he had been practicing his dramatic entrance pose for at least ten minutes. Will practically teleported to his side. “SHADOW! MY BIG BROTHER! MY FAVORITE BROTHER! MY HANDSOME BROTHER! How’s married life treating you?!” Shadow exhaled slowly. “Will. Don’t start.” But Will was already starting. “Oh, please, Mr. Doom-and-Gloom, you’re so soft now. Soft like a marshmallow dipped in whipped cream. Actually—” April covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. Will grinned wider. “You’re whipped, brother. Absolutely. Rouge calls you ‘Shads’ and you melt into a puddle.” Shadow’s eyebrow twitched with pure rage. Will leaned in. “Rouge says ‘jump’ and you say ‘how high, my love?’” Fiona almost choked on her tea. Shadow grabbed Will by the shirt and slammed him againstShadow’s voice dropped lower. “Say one more word.” Will grinned through the chokehold. “You’re WHI—”
FWOOOOOSH—KRANG! A blinding streak of violet-black chaos energy ripped across the hallway, hitting the wall between them with a violent shockwave. The entire structure trembled. The lights flickered. The air crackled. Will froze. Shadow froze. Everyone froze. The chaos dagger pulsed dangerously, lodged between their faces like a glowing threat from another dimension. Shadie didn’t even look in their direction. Her hand lowered from the throwing motion she’d used for less than one second as she spoke: “Shadow. Let. Him. Go.” Shadow obeyed immediately, stepping back. Will slid down the wall like a sticker peeling off glass. The dagger hummed louder—then shattered into particles of violet mist. SHHHRRR—BZZT—fsshh… And it vanished completely. No metal. No blade. Not even dust. Cream bounced. “THAT WAS AMAZING!” April whispered, “She didn’t even look.” Fiona nodded. “She never looks.” Shadow muttered, “Still terrifying.” Shadie dusted her sleeve. “Next time, I won’t aim between you.” Will squeaked. Shadow decided not to respond. Everyone else silently agreed to behave.“Let’s go,” Shadie said, walking ahead. “We’re not here to redecorate G.U.N. with knocked-out siblings.” Shadow muttered, “Your husband is unhinged.” Shadie replied, “Trust me, I know.” Will puffed up, immediately recovering his ego. “You ALL know you’d be bored without me! My presence adds spice, charm, brilliance, LIGHT to your dull, dull lives!” Shadow: “You add property damage.” Will: “A small price for greatness.” Shadie, Shadow, Silver, Fiona, and April (all at once): “NO.” Will threw his hands up. “YOU’RE ALL JEALOUS OF MY ENERGY.” Cream giggled. “I like your energy, Uncle Will!” Will pointed triumphantly at the others. “SEE?! Validation from the only sane one here!” April laughed. “Cream is the only one excited about anything.” Fiona shrugged. “Her and Will.” They marched deeper into G.U.N., every guard stepping aside as if sensing their workplace safety rating had just plummeted. Infinite was waiting. But chaos was already here.
