2 Episode 2 - Kids With Guns

Los Angeles, June 14th, 20XX. Evening.

Blooming lights took over the night skies as loud music and cheers from the crowd took over the SoFi Stadium. The opening ceremony of the Great Hunt was taking off in full swing with festivities, musical performances and other presentations, such as many bounty hunters showing up to make spectacles using their powers.

It was only around close to midnight when the shows stopped. At the center stage inside the stadium, a tall tan woman with long dark purple hair and glasses came waving at the crowd.

She adjusted her black suit, cleared her throat and grabbed the microphone, speaking in a very deep and intimidating tone.

Z: Good evening, good evening. Nice party today, eh? Glad to see your tax money being well used.

The crowd laughs.

Z: My name's Zoolana Bryce, yet, I prefer the nickname "Z" as I am aware that most of you are thinking right now: "What a stupid name".

The crowd laughs again.

Z: For those who don't know me, I represent the leaders of the Bounty Hunting society. It is an honor for me to welcome all of you to the very first Great Hunt since the fall of Saisem.

The crowd doesn't laugh after that last statement, actually, they stay in silence as Z paces around the stage.

Z: It has been two years since the world was free from Saisem's control and the 3rd War ended. We're still rebuilding, we're still trying to pick up the broken pieces, and, despite life never fully going back to what it once was back in 2010, before it all started, we still cannot give up in trying to move on.

----

Back at the nightclub, Soul and the members of his team, along with Commander Adagium were watching the presentation from the TV at the penthouse where they were staying.

Dante: She speaks well.

Treesap: And she's got a point.

Soul: Can't she drag this on even more?

Dante: Relax, my dude. They will announce the brackets soon enough.

Soul: Does she have to use the last few years as an example though? The bodies are barely getting cold.

Jynga: It has been two years. I think we're already past that.

Dante: By the way... Shouldn't we be there?

Terry: No. It's for the best if we aren't seen together until the competition starts.

Jynga: Good, as if I wanted to be seen with a thief.

Soul: Ex-Thief as of now. Suck my ass.

Dante: Chill, chill, you two. You both need to be in one piece if we plan to win this.

----

Back at the stadium, holographic monitors descended and floated above Z after she pressed buttons on her left sleeve. For those at home, the screen simply switched to another scene where the rules were about to be explained.

Z: The Great Hunt isn't held for the sake of sport. It's meant to find the best the world has to offer. Though it is meant for Bounty Hunter, anyone, including heroes, can participate. If they are willing to take the risks, of course.

The brackets began to appear on the screen and monitors stating the participating teams and who they would be up against.

----

Treesap: Many people are competing this year... The gap between this season and the last was huge, but I didn't think there would be this many teams.

Soul: Which one of these goobers are us?

Terry: That one. Group F, Name: Ratio.

Jynga: What kind of name is that...?

Adagium: Since we never agreed upon a name, it was randomly generated by the inner staff.

Treesap: We also need to address the snake in the room. We don't have a team leader.

Jynga: Then I'll be the leader.

Fae: Nothing against it, but why you?

Jynga: I have experience with teamwork and managed a team before--

Adagium: We already have a leader. He's just not here.

Fae: The party's assassin guy?

Jynga: Why is he not here?

Adagium: He's at the ceremony.

Dante: And when we're meeting him?

Adagium: Not now. Terry, any info on who's the opposing team you guys are facing?

Terry: No, but that's where Jynga's role comes into play.

Jynga: I'll manage it.

Adagium: So go get to work. The rest of you, go get some sleep, tomorrow morning you're meeting with your contact. Terry, you take it from here.

Terry: Aye, aye.

Dante: Contact?

Terry: The one who's gonna assign our targets and deadlines.

Adagium leaves the team alone to discuss, Soul, however, sighs and begins to walk to the exit door, until Jynga stops him.

Jynga: And where do you think you're going?

Soul: It's a nightclub and we got a free pass. Where else do you think I would go?

Fae: Just, take it easy down there.

Treesap: Last thing we need is someone with a hangover tomorrow.

Soul: I'm just getting some air, geez.

Soul leaves and gets the lift to the lower floor, reaching the main area, walking through the people. The place is booming with people dancing, drinking and all that stuff, partying hard with blinding colorful lights.

Soul, just take a seat on a more isolated corner, asking for a simple non alcoholic drink to just pass the time and refusing company of any passersby. Until, around 20 minutes later, a guy in a blue coat sat down on the opposite side of his table.

Soul: Um, sorry, buddy, but I am not looking for company.

Blue: Yeah I noticed. Is not everyday that someone with a free pass refuses three hookers in a row.

Soul: Yet, you sit here.

Blue: You got the face of a cowboy flogging a dead horse. You don't want the girls and you're drinking alone, that feels like someone who is about to make a big mistake.

Soul: Like?

Blue: Killing someone or, worse, proposing.

The guy takes a sip from his drink while Soul gives a small smile, though both could barely see anything due to the place being rather dark.

Soul: You say that, yet there's a ring on your finger.

Blue: That's why this liquid should be alcoholic.

Soul: Well, sorry, stranger I just met, but I don't feel like opening up just because you sat here.

Blue looks at him and smiles.

Blue: Have it your way.

He stands up nonchalantly, leaving, disappearing through the crowd.