Chapter 18: Blackout!!!

Outside of the mall, We find Col. William Rogers making a phone call with a sour look on his wrinkled face.

"I see, so the princess is indeed inside?" William asked in a clarifying manner.

"Yes Col. Rogers. Milady is rather adamant in visiting that specific mall, saying that the limited action figure of her favorite anime series is only found there." A voice of an old man was heard from the call.

"Really now?" William sweat-drop in response. "Still it does not change the fact that Princess Lunaria is in deep danger, a national crisis indeed in our hands."

"Yes Col. Rogers, I'm very well aware of that." The old man answered with a concerned tone. "I'm very worried about Milady. Please perform with the best of your utmost abilities to save her."

"Of course Wilfred, it is our job as Twilight's Police force after all." William replied as the call finally ended.

"So she really is inside." William sighed deeply. "I'm getting too old for this."

The head of the T.P.D. then proceeds to make another call, a number being entered with the code: "2aN5301"

The resulting action caused the phone to ring for a while and afterward, a voice message was heard. "State your identification."

"Code B43TPD" William typed in his smartphone.

After a short while, the voice answered. "Welcome to the B.S.S. Hotline Contact Col. William Rogers. For Co-"

The voice message did not even get to finish as William immediately pressed 3 as he has already done this on multiple occasions.

"You have reached Lion" The voice answered and rang for a bit.

A few seconds later, a woman's voice finally responded. "Ah, Col. Rogers. What can I do for you today."

"You know why I called Lion. I assumed that you know of our situation here." William said with a serious look.

"Yes. as a matter of fact, we are watching it on T.V. right now." Lion answered.

"Good." William said. "Look, the situation is rather unpredictable and I'm not sure if the Police force can handle this complicated situation."

"So you seek us for help?" Lion asked.

"Of course. Your duty to the Royal family demands it. In fact, shouldn't you be the first ones to act in all of this?" William retorted with slight anger in his voice.

"Don't berate us old fool." Lion replied which caused William to grit his teeth. "And don't assume that we are not doing anything in this situation Rogers. We serve the Queen with our utmost loyalty and you have no right to question our allegiance after everything we've done for this kingdom."

"Operating in the shadows, all the secrecy, what for? Seems... cowardly and dishonorable." William clenches his fist.

"None of your business Rogers. Is this the right time to be questioning each other's principles when our beloved princess is in danger?" Lion said with clear irritation on her voice.

"No." William said in response. "I suppose we should set aside our differences and cooperate as one to save our princess."

"Glad you see it in that perspective." Lion responded. "And besides, we are already working on it to resolve this crisis as efficient as possible. One of our agents, as we speak, is already inside for the operation."

"That was fast." William's eyes widen. "I really can't deny the results that you have garnered for the betterment of the kingdom but that does not mean I agree with your methods."

"Naive." Lion simply said. "We're done Rogers."

Just like that, the phone call ended, leaving a sour taste in William's mouth.

'I really can't understand those Brotherhood fellows. Sacrificing themselves, the honor in them to serve the kingdom... I only feel pity for those lots.'

His next thoughts were directed to his direct subordinate, thinking about how a certain blonde Police Lieutenant was able to enter inside the building.

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"Col. Rogers sir, we are in."

A squad of policemen, a total of 5 was seen inside as they successfully infiltrated the shopping mall. Thankfully, the hidden entrance, which they entered via the employee's entrance was only slighted guarded, a handful of three terrorists easily taken down by the squad.

All of them are wearing the standard field uniform of the police force, now with the addition of a blue Kevlar helmet for head protection.

Henders waited for the Police Head's response coming from her earpiece.

"Good work Lt. Henders. What is the situation? Over." William finally spoke.

The Lieutenant took a peek, her eyes scanning every vicinity inside of the mall. "It appears to be that the inside is indeed filled with these criminals, sir. There are three squads, each with 6 of them patrolling the areas while there are also terrorists being assigned to guard each storefront. Most probably there are more inside the stores, holding the hostages in captive."

"I see." William answered. "Very well, we've got no time to waste Henders. Your number one priority is to rescue the princess. Afterward, the rescue of the hostages. Avoid any conflict as much as possible. We can't afford to give those criminals a reason to kill innocent people."

"Affirmative sir." Henders replied and faced her squad. "Alright men." A girl from the squad pouted. "And woman, locating and rescuing the princess is our goal here. Second, after we secure her highness, we are to rescue the hostages from those terrorists. Now I want all of us to divide ourselves into two."

The squad gave a silent nod.

"Brandon, Charlie, Oliver, you three investigate the 3rd and 2nd floor." Henders commanded and the three men acknowledge with a salute. "Recruit, you're with me."

"Yes ma'am." A cheerful police girl with pink hair replied with a smile.

"We are going to look into the 1st floor and the basement. But first things first, the two of us are going to shut the power supply of this mall to cause a blackout and hopefully, we'll-"

Her statement was suddenly cut off as the whole interior of the place in an instant turned dark, the mall now at a state of unclear visibility.

The terrorists immediately felt distressed, multiple murmuring of slight panic was heard as it echoed loudly throughout the entire mall.

"Huh, I guess someone got here first." The pink-haired recruit said with a grin.

"Suspicious." Henders frowned. "Still, it does not change our objectives. Thankfully, our helmet is equipped with night-vision goggles so its best that we use it this instant."

The squad immediately complied, putting on the said equipment and their sights are now showing clear visibility, giving them a significant advantage over the area.

"Good, this is the perfect time to act men. While the Phantom Coffin are preoccupied with restoring power supply, we are going to scout the area and locate the princess."

The police squad nodded with one another before they finally separate to fulfill their respective tasks.

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"It seems that our adversaries are rather impressive."

Inside the administration office located on the 3rd floor of the shopping mall, we find Reginald Cruz leisurely sipping at a glass of wine like this crisis seemed to be a walk in the park for him, while sitting on an office chair near a desk. His expression seemed to be unfazed despite the power outage that is currently happening at this very moment.

He is also with two other terrorists on each side, faithfully guarding their leader and even more so in this situation where the visibility is clouded by darkness.

'Very clever of them in cutting the electrical supply of this building, but it does not matter.' Reginald grinned deviously. 'The men below are merely disposables, the bottom of the barrel, trashes that have fanatically followed me to my cause. As long as I get the princess, then everything is worth the loss.'

While the Mad Jester was lost on his thoughts, a knock on the door was heard. One of the terrorists went to unlock and they were greeted by two other terrorists with a young girl accompanying them.

"Look boss!! We finally have her!!!" The terrorists grinned madly. "And funny, we found her in a toy store hahaha!!!"

The grin on Reginald's handsome face widens brightly, the same expression just like when someone won in the local lottery.

And boy, did he hit the jackpot!!

"Why hello there princess!!" The Mad Jester greeted her with immeasurable glee. "So glad you could finally make it here. I sincerely hope that my men are not that rough with you."

An unamused frown was seen on the princess' facial features, her other physical aspects shadowed by the darkness caused by the blackout but one could see the faint of the silver color on her hair.

"Reginald Cruz." The Princess uttered the name with distaste like she was about to puke at any moment. "The Mad Jester finally out of his lair. How did you know that I was here in this very building?"

"Trade secret your highness." Reginald wiggled his finger playfully. "It seems that we are in a rather unpleasant situation, with the blackout and all."

"Just merely basking at your disgusting, filthy being is already unpleasant so you have nothing to worry about." The princess immediately retorted.

"Ouch!! Right in the calories!!" Reginald faked hurt himself in the stomach. "What a savage mouth you got there princess. Did they also teach you that during Princess class?"

"Perhaps." The princess replied with a smirk. "I could sing it in the alphabet for you if you want."

The Terrorists snickered loudly in the background.

"We've got a smart-mouth here boys!!!" Reginald grinned deviously.

"Hmm..." The Princess stroked her chin, seemingly pondering the next words she is going to say. "Now that I'm here, are you just going to plan on having a nice lovely chat with me all day? I can safely assume that your goal is only me or perhaps I'm wrong?"

"Nah it's just you princess." Reginald answered. "But as much as we would love to leave this 2nd rate of a shopping mall with you here at this very moment but complications come with the job."

"How sad!!" The Princess mocked. "The criminal mastermind of the Phantom Coffin, not everything going according to plan now are we?"

"Just a minor setback princess." Reginald twitched annoyingly in response. "The chopper that will be retrieving us will arrive within 20 minutes."

"20 minutes... oh boy." The princess smiled mischievously.

"What, still expecting help princess? A prince charming dashing forth to your rescue, sweeping off your feet?" Reginald cackled evilly. "This office here is heavily guarded outside by most of my men. In what deluded dreams is someone going to save you in this nightmare of yours."

The princess scowled shortly after, the evident annoyance on her pretty face present as she merely eyed at her kidnapper with disdain.

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On the same floor, we find the trio of policemen creeping around the area as they noticed an unusual pattern of behavior coming from the terrorists.

"Lt. Henders ma'am do you read me?" One of the members of the police squad, Charlie switched his earpiece on to communicate with his squad leader.

"Loud and clear Charlie." Henders answered.

"The terrorists seemed to be leaving their respective posts and decided to proceed at the office, labeled as the Administration Office." Charlie gave his report. "They look rather on extreme alert, and in... high spirits?"

The terrorists were seen happily talking with one another.

"High spirits?" Henders said with a questioning tone. "Ah, I see..."

"You got something for us ma'am?" Charlie said, raising an eyebrow at his squad leader's ecstatic voice.

Henders grinned, her morale in a significant boost as she said-

"Checkmate Charlie. It seems that office is where our princess is."

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Following the pair of Blue and Red, the two were seen on the 1st floor as they too notice the commotion going on.

"Strange, the terrorists, they're leaving?" Rin, now with a mask again, eyed the armed men pulled out from their assigned areas.

"Hmm and it seems that they look really happy too." Mania added as she eyed the terrorists leisurely chatting and even engaging in horseplay with one another.

"You're right." Rin nodded. "I believe that whatever they are supposed to accomplish here, they seemed to be successful and are now gathering somewhere on the third floor."

"Huh, I guess they got the princess." Mania said.

The redhead's statement caused Rin's eyes to widen in astonishment. "C-come again Ms. Death?"

"Oh right, I forgot to tell you~" Mania chirped in response. "The Leader of the Phantom Coffin, Reginald Cruz is also here and it seems his goal is to kidnap the crowned princess who he believed is suppose to be in this very building. A shocker right?"

"Yes..." Rin nodded. "Very shocking indeed."

'This changes things.' Rin thought with a deep scowl. 'If what Mania said is true, then those men must be going to where the princess now supposedly is as evident by their high morale.'

"Thank you for that information Ms. Death." Rin looked at her with gratitude. "My... client will be indeed pleased by that info.

"Happy to help Ryan~" Mania cheerfully replied. "And call me Mania. We are now practically besties!!"

"Right... Mania." Rin nodded. "I guess I better take my leave now and perhaps you should too. I can easily blend in with them and continue my espionage without any issues from here on out."

"Nonsense!!" Mania eyed him with glee. "I change my mind."

Rin raised an eyebrow at this.

"With them occupying in one spot, it would make killing them so much easier. I can't waste this wonderful opportunity presented to me. Oh the Goddess of Death truly did answer my prayers. So much blood to be spilled~" Mania grinned uncontrollably with extreme ecstasy.

"I see." Rin was freaking weirded out by the redhead's antics but opted to remain deadpan. "I'll go on ahead. You uh... do whatever that is you want to do as long as you don't get in my way."

'She would definitely act suspicious if I stop her. I worry about it because she is unstable. Fuck it I'll cross that bridge when I get there.' Rin mentally frowned.

"Okey-dokey!!" The redhead answered delightfully.

As Rin took his leave, he then joined with the terrorists as he made a conversation with one of them.

"So... we got 'her' right?" Rin asked.

"We sure do buddy!!" The terrorist wrapped his arms around Rin's shoulder in a friendly manner. "The princess was spotted at a toy store nearby as Frank and Clint successfully retrieved her."

"Nice." Rin faked a grin. "So where are we going again exactly?"

"The Administration Building on the third floor. That's where boss Reginald and the princess are." The man replied.

The blue-haired boy nodded, as he continued to follow the armed men and now he has a mission to accomplish.

'Saving the Princess... That escalated quickly.'