Alejandro Flores, Gunslinger

The band room door burst open with a dramatic bang, startling everyone inside.

"Wew! Let's kill some cultists, baby!"

The voice was loud, confident, and brimming with energy. Alejandro strode into the room, his dark cowboy boots clicking against the floor with every step. He exuded a magnetic charisma, his wide-brimmed hat tilted just enough to cast a shadow over his playful smirk. With a flourish, he mimicked finger guns, aiming at everyone in the room in quickdraw fashion.

For a moment, the band members were silent, their expressions oscillating between confusion and mild annoyance. Then Simon leapt to his feet, grinning ear to ear.

"I like this guy's energy!" Simon shouted, immediately mimicking Alejandro's finger guns. The two exchanged pretend shots, clutching their chests and staggering dramatically before collapsing onto the floor.

As if choreographed, they both sprang back to their feet in unison.

Simon walked up to Alejandro, his hand reared back for a dap. "Right here, man."

"Right back at ya, cabrón," Alejandro replied with equal enthusiasm. Their hands clapped together in a perfect dap up, the sound echoing off the walls like a gunshot. The two stared at each other, tears of admiration welling up in their eyes.

Simon spun around, addressing the rest of the group. "Why hasn't this guy joined the band earlier?!"

The others exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from baffled to bemused. Only Sin seemed unaffected, sighing as he leaned against the wall.

"That's because he isn't here to join the band," Sin said, his tone laced with resignation.

Alejandro's grin widened. "I mean, I could if you guys have space!" he offered enthusiastically.

Intrigued, Ivy raised her head. "You would join? What instrument do you play?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

The group collectively turned their attention to Alejandro, who took a few steps toward the stage. He passed Sin with a casual swagger, his boots clicking rhythmically. Picking up Sin's guitar with practiced ease, Alejandro pulled a pick from his pocket and began to play.

The room filled with the sounds of an intricate Spanish guitar riff, each note resonating with fiery passion. Alejandro's fingers moved deftly across the strings, his performance exuding a mix of raw skill and showmanship. The melody seemed to transport the band into another world.

Nina's eyes widened, the haunting beauty of the riff captivating her. She'd never heard anything like it. Her gaze darted to Sin, whose expression had darkened. Jealousy flickered briefly across his face before he masked it with his usual stoicism. Nina's heart skipped a beat. She remembered her feelings for Sin, but Alejandro's presence made it difficult to keep her focus.

Before Alejandro could continue, Sin stormed onto the stage. With a sharp motion, he snatched the guitar from Alejandro's hands.

"Enough," Sin said coldly. He thrust the guitar back into its stand and shoved Alejandro back toward Simon, causing him to stumble slightly.

Alejandro laughed it off, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, amigo! I was just warming up!"

Simon clapped him on the shoulder. "This guy's a legend! You gotta let him jam more, Sin!"

Sin ignored the comment, his gaze shifting to Nina. She averted her eyes quickly, but not before Sin caught the flicker of interest she'd shown toward Alejandro. A pang of jealousy gnawed at him, but he pushed it down, his emotional wall thickening.

Alejandro, oblivious to the tension, turned back to the group with his signature grin. "So, what's the plan? You're all looking pretty serious for a band room."

As the group filled Alejandro in on the cult and their strategy, the atmosphere grew charged. Alejandro leaned casually against the wall, interjecting with quips and playful remarks.

"A cult? Sounds like a great excuse to stretch my legs," he said with a wink.

Sin crossed his arms, his tone dry. "It's not a joke. These people took down Leo. If you're not here to help, you're wasting our time."

Alejandro's grin didn't falter. "Relax, jefe. I'm here to help. But can you blame me for bringing a little fun to the table? This room was feeling like a funeral."

Nina sighed, stepping between the two. "Can we focus? Alejandro, do you have any actual skills we can use, or are you just here for the theatrics?"

Alejandro's eyes sparkled mischievously. "I've got plenty of skills, querida. You'll see soon enough."

Sin clenched his jaw. "We don't have time for your games."

Alejandro straightened, his tone shifting. "You don't trust me. I get it. But if the Shadow Mother sent me, doesn't that mean something?"

Sin didn't respond immediately, his silence thick with tension. Nina placed a hand on his arm, her touch grounding him.

"Let's give him a chance," she said softly. Her words carried a weight that eased some of Sin's tension, though not all.

The room fell into an uneasy quiet, the plan continuing as Alejandro's vibrant presence settled into the group dynamics. Though his charm and quips kept the mood light, the undercurrent of tension between him and Sin remained palpable. Nina found herself caught in the middle, her own feelings becoming harder to ignore. For now, the band's focus remained on the task ahead, but the cracks in their unity hinted at challenges yet to come.

After a brief pause, Alejandro stepped forward, his grin returning. "Since you're all dying to know, let me show you what I bring to the table."

He reached into his coat and drew two ornate peacemakers, their polished steel glinting under the dim lights. Intricate engravings adorned the barrels, and the grips bore symbols that seemed to shift and shimmer when looked at directly.

"Dual peacemakers," Alejandro said, spinning them effortlessly. "Not your average pistols. These beauties have a few tricks up their sleeves."

Ivy raised an eyebrow. "Tricks? Like what?"

Alejandro pointed one of the guns at the wall and fired. The bullet ricocheted off the surface, zipped around the room, and returned to his other gun, where it embedded itself back into the chamber with a satisfying click.

The group stared in stunned silence as Alejandro holstered one gun and casually blew the imaginary smoke off the other.

"Ricochets off anything. Walls, floors, even the air if there's no surface nearby," Alejandro explained, twirling the pistol. "Oh, and I can curve my shots, too. Makes it hard for me to miss."

Simon's jaw dropped. "Dude, you're like a walking action movie!"

Nina couldn't help but smirk. "Alright, I'll admit, that's impressive."

Sin, however, remained stoic, his arms crossed. "Showmanship aside, can you actually handle yourself in a fight?"

Alejandro's grin turned sharp. "You want to find out, jefe?"

Nina stepped between them again, her patience wearing thin. "Enough. We've wasted enough time. Alejandro, you're in, but let's get one thing clear: this isn't a game."

Alejandro holstered his guns and tipped his hat. "Understood, boss. Let's get to work."

Sin watched him carefully as the group returned to their planning, the tension between the two simmering beneath the surface. Alejandro's abilities were undeniable, but Sin couldn't shake the feeling that his flashy demeanor might be more trouble than it was worth.

Sin stepped forward, his demeanor shifting into that of a leader. "Let's go over this one more time," he began, his voice commanding the attention of everyone in the room. "In case the cult attacks before we can gather information on the blonde woman, our counterattack will be ready with these three acts."

Nora stepped in, her voice calm and steady. "Act one: We split Leipzig into two sides, North and South. On the northern side, Simon and I will cover left and right, handling any homes or structures in our areas. Down south, Sin and Nina will do the same. Between the lines, Ivy and Alejandro will provide support to either side as needed."

Naro smirked, his confidence radiating. "And I'll stay in the sky, keeping an eye out for some action."

Ivy and Alejandro exchanged glances, their mutual understanding evident as they nodded in unison.

"Act two," Nina said, her Scottish accent slipping through with an edge of urgency. "Once the fighting starts, Naro will use his winds to lift the fog over Leipzig. That way, we'll have a clear battlefield."

Alejandro's grin widened as he picked up. "And act three? We give 'em hell," he said, flipping his hat back so it rested on his neck.

Sin's eyes burned with determination as he stepped forward, thrusting his hand into the center of the group. "We'll put an end to them here and now," he said, his voice resolute.

Alejandro's hand landed on top of Sin's, his smirk never faltering. "Let's get this show on the road, then."

One by one, the others stacked their hands, the unity among them palpable. They chanted together, "Break!"—but the sound felt off, like something was missing.

Simon scratched his head. "Maybe we should come up with a name…" he suggested, his tone thoughtful.

Alejandro's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Well, what's your band name?"

Sin's hand rose in a casual rock sign. "We're the Misfits."

Alejandro shook his head. "Nah, doesn't stick. We need something better."

The group fell into contemplation, their thoughts racing for the perfect name. Then Simon's face lit up.

"How about Night Knights?" he exclaimed, his voice carrying a mix of darkness and valor.

The room went silent as they exchanged glances, the idea settling over them. Slowly, they put their hands back into the center.

Simon led the chant this time. "Night Knights!"

The others joined in unison, their voices ringing with renewed energy. In that instant, a surge of power enveloped them. Without warning, they were transported to Leipzig, the Shadow Mother seamlessly placing each member into their designated positions. The foggy streets stretched out before them, the night still young and filled with tension. The Night Knights had begun their mission.