The streets of Vale blurred past as Crimson and Neo made their way through the city.
Crimson walked with his usual calm stride, hands in his pockets, lollipop resting between his lips. Neo walked beside him, spinning her parasol idly.
But his mind wasn't on the job.
That flash of red…
"…Tch."
Neo glanced at him.
"It's nothing," Crimson muttered. "Just thought I saw someone."
Neo studied him for a moment… then let it go.
They turned into a quieter part of Vale and stopped in front of a worn-down building.
Crimson pushed the door open.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted immediately.
Dim lights. Low chatter. The smell of cigars.
And at the center—
Leaning against a desk, twirling his cane like he owned the world—
Was
Roman Torchwick.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite troublemakers," Roman said with a smirk.
Crimson tossed the pouch onto the desk. Clink.
Neo hopped up beside it, swinging her legs.
Roman peeked inside, satisfied. "Efficient as always."
"Ben paid," Crimson said simply.
"He always does… eventually," Roman replied.
Then—
Click.
The room went quiet.
Footsteps echoed from deeper inside the building.
Slow. Confident.
Roman frowned slightly. "That's new."
Crimson's eyes narrowed.
Neo stopped moving.
From the shadows, three figures emerged.
At the front—a woman in black and red, her expression calm… almost amused.
Behind her stood a green-haired girl and a blond boy with a cocky look.
The woman's gaze landed on Roman.
"You must be the one in charge," she said smoothly.
Roman straightened, adjusting his hat.
"And you must be the one walking into my base uninvited," he shot back.
The woman smiled faintly.
"The Name's Cinder Fall," she said. "And I'm here to offer you an opportunity."
Roman didn't even hesitate.
"No."
Silence.
Even Crimson blinked slightly.
Cinder's smile didn't fade—but something colder slipped into her eyes.
"…You didn't even hear the offer."
Roman tapped his cane against the floor.
"Don't need to," he said. "I don't like surprises. And I definitely don't like strangers walking in like they own the place."
Behind Cinder,
Emerald Sustrai narrowed her eyes slightly, while
Mercury Black smirked.
Cinder stepped forward.
"I think you'll want to reconsider."
Roman laughed.
"No," he said again, more firmly. "I don't."
The air shifted.
Dangerous.
Crimson pushed himself off the wall slightly, watching carefully.
Neo tilted her head, gripping her parasol tighter.
Roman flicked his cane toward the door.
"Crimson. Neo," he said casually. "Show our guests out."
Crimson sighed.
"…Sure."
Neo grinned.
They moved at the same time.
Mercury stepped forward first—cracking his neck.
"Finally," he said. "Was getting bored."
Crimson met him halfway.
BAM!
Their fists collided, sending a shock through the floor.
Mercury grinned. "Not bad."
Crimson didn't respond—he was already moving.
A sharp kick. A fast jab. Clean. Precise.
Mercury barely blocked in time, sliding back.
"…Okay," Mercury muttered. "You're fun."
Across the room—
Neo vanished.
Then—
CRASH!
Emerald was slammed into a wall by an unseen force.
Neo reappeared behind her, parasol striking fast and unpredictably.
Emerald staggered, trying to keep up. "What—?!"
Neo just smiled.
Crimson ducked under a punch and drove his elbow into Mercury's ribs.
THUD.
Mercury coughed, skidding back.
"Damn…" he muttered. "You don't hold back, do you?"
Crimson's silver eyes stayed cold.
"You're in the way."
He moved again—faster this time.
Neo flipped gracefully over Emerald, striking from behind, then vanishing again.
Emerald spun around, frustrated. "Stop moving—!"
Neo tapped her shoulder from behind.
Emerald flinched—
Too slow.
WHACK.
It was clear.
Crimson and Neo were winning.
And then—
Everything stopped.
A sudden pressure filled the room.
Crimson froze mid-step.
Neo paused.
Mercury and Emerald both stepped back instinctively.
At the center—
Cinder stood behind Roman.
Her hand wrapped tightly around his throat.
Lifting him off the ground.
Roman's cane clattered to the floor.
"…Tch—" he choked, gripping her wrist.
Cinder's expression was calm.
Cold.
"Enough," she said.
Crimson's eyes sharpened instantly.
Neo stilled.
"…Let him go," Crimson said, his voice low.
Cinder didn't even look at him.
"I warned you," she said softly to Roman. "You should have listened."
Roman struggled, smirking weakly despite it. "Yeah… not really my style…"
Cinder's grip tightened slightly.
Roman winced.
"Crimson," she said, finally glancing over. "Neo."
Her eyes gleamed.
"If you don't stand down… he dies."
Silence.
Crimson's fists clenched.
Neo's grip on her parasol tightened.
Mercury smirked slightly. "Well, this got interesting."
Emerald watched carefully.
Crimson stared at Cinder.
Analyzing.
Calculating.
Then—
"…Tch."
He stepped back.
Neo hesitated… then did the same.
Cinder smiled faintly.
"Good."
She lowered Roman just enough so he could breathe—but didn't let go.
"Now," she continued, "let's try this again."
Her gaze swept across the room.
"I'm not offering a deal anymore."
Her voice dropped.
"I'm giving you orders."
Crimson's expression darkened.
Roman glared up at her.
"…You've got nerve," he rasped.
Cinder ignored him.
"You will assist me in acquiring every piece of Dust in Vale," she said. "Every shipment. Every stash."
Neo's eyes narrowed.
Crimson didn't move.
"And in return," Cinder continued, "you get to live."
The room went silent.
Roman let out a rough laugh.
"…Heh… extortion," he muttered. "Classy."
Cinder leaned in slightly.
"I prefer efficiency."
She finally released him.
Roman dropped to the ground, coughing.
Cinder turned away as if the conversation was already over.
"Come," she said to her team.
Emerald smirked at Neo before turning.
Mercury cracked his neck, giving Crimson a grin. "Round two next time."
Crimson didn't respond.
He just watched.
Cinder paused at the doorway, glancing back one last time.
"Don't disappoint me," she said.
Then she left.
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Roman coughed, pushing himself up.
"…Well," he muttered. "That was rude."
Neo walked over, checking him quickly.
Crimson stood still, staring at the door.
His silver eyes were colder than before.
"…She's strong," he said quietly.
Roman wiped his mouth, picking up his cane.
"Yeah," he replied. "No kidding."
He adjusted his hat.
"…Looks like we've got a problem."
Crimson didn't look away from the door.
"…Yeah," he said.
His grip tightened slightly.
"…We do."