Among them walked Milly, her arm linked with Venku's. Paparazzi a dn fans swarmed, flashing lights as the couple strolled down a fashionable street. Venku lifted his hand lazily, his smile sharp, his aura untouchable. Milly giggled, striking a playful pose for the photographers.
"Venku," she whispered, leaning close, "they love us."
Venkus watch beeps "darn it"
Amiyona's name pops on on his watch screen.
Venku shifts his eyes over to Milly "Hey babe, we should go this crowd is too much."
His lips curved in a calm, unsettling grin.
The Broadcast
Inside a futuristic helicopter studio, spotlights burned. A clipboard smacked against a desk.
"And we are live in 5...4...3...2...1!"
"Greeeetings, good people of the Royal District!"
The voice boomed, theatrical and dripping with false warmth. Yoshi Miraki burst onto the screen, flamboyant in a golden suit, his hair slicked high, his smile wide enough to break glass.
"Today marks a day of new dawn! Oh yes! The annual Selection! And boy, do we have a treat for you!"
Royal families in penthouses, cafés, and theaters turned their eyes to the holographic screens glowing in every corner of the district. Children clapped, men cheered, women gasped in delight.
"My name, as you all know, is Yoshi Mudo, your FAVORITE Royal broadcaster, and we are about to witness the greatest Selection in Deer Point history! You don't want to miss this!"
YOSHI MUDO
The camera shifted, following Elder Fenok. His face was stone, his eyes cold. Behind him marched five hundred Delta robots, their metal feet stomping in terrifying unison.
Fanok shouts "In the name of the king capture all 2500 and whoever interferes, delete them."
"Ladies and gentlemen," Yoshi cried, "that is the wise Elder Fanok! He will lead the charge in this glorious cleansing! Normally, we send 200... perhaps 400 filthy Zoners to the surface to be devoured by the Barrakudo. But this time—" Yoshi's smile stretched wide, " By order of the King himself... 2,500 scum shall be removed from this island!"
The Royal crowds roared. Champagne sprayed in fountains. Cheers thundered like fireworks.
Inside the shoe shop, Milly tilted her head at the TV. "Wow... 2,500? That's a big number."
Venku only smiled, his reflection gleaming in the glass.
The Zoner District
The bell in the Yon District tower rang furiously. Euly clung to the rope, his chest heaving as he shouted, "Sound the alarm!"
Below, chaos erupted.
Streets filled with smoke as 500 Delta robots stormed the districts.
A massive Truck drove into the area, iron hands reaching out to grab screaming civilians. People kicked and fought, but they were yanked up, thrown into the massive steel trucks.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Ms. Mary stood by the converter machines, handing bread to a child, when the Deltas swarmed.
"Raffi!" she screamed as they fired taser bolts. Rafi's armor flickered half-formed before he convulsed, electricity searing through him. He collapsed, his scream echoing before he hit the ground.
"Raffi!" Mary cried. She ran to him, but the Deltas grabbed them both, tossing their bodies into the steel trucks like sacks of grain.
Gunfire cracked. Those who resisted were gunned down where they stood. Blood stained the food stalls, staining the miracle of Joy's feast.
A child ran down an alley, tears streaming, clutching a melting cone of cotton candy. A Delta cornered her, its gun arm charging, a high-pitched whine filling the air.
"Joy, please save me!" she sobbed.
The robot's core blinked red. The barrel ignited, then exploded in a fiery burst.
Smoke cleared. The child opened her eyes.
Standing across from her was an angel, tall, radiant, golden light burning around his silhouette. Her tears stilled in awe.
Naggi's Desperation
"Naggi!" Soldiers called out, but she tore through the chaos, hair wild, eyes blazing.
"Levy!" she screamed, searching desperately. "He was in his room last night and now he's gone!"
She slashed through robots, Abi fire burning from her gauntlets, but her eyes darted frantically. "Levy!"
Delta's swarmed "Royal Knight, the King has declared you must be executed."
Naggi "I knew this day would come, but to take my child from me, this will not got unpunished." To hell with the King."
Euly walked through the court yard of the knights building, pressed his wristband, his hands shaking. A screen blinked open with Lanni's face, her body moving quickly, soldiers behind her.
"Lanni, what's your status?"
Lanni "I am on my way now, what's your status?"
Euly "Iv'e recieved reports, they're everywhere!" he shouted over the roar of gunfire, Behind him was his army of soldiers. "I'm in the Yon District, it's too many!"
Lanni's face hardened. "Euly. Contact the others. Every soldier, every Knight to the battleground. We were blindsided. Jet is dead."
Euly froze. "Dead?!"
"Yes. And they plan to wipe us all out."
The call ended. Euly stood in the center of the burning streets, sword in hand, eyes wide. "If they killed Jett then this means they're prepared to do whatever it takes to destroy us all."
Above, Yoshi Miraki leaned out of a helicopter, his voice shrill with ecstasy.
"Look, citizens! Look and see the power of righteousness! We Royals are the true evolution of this island! Long live King Mr. Green!"
From inside his domain, King Green sat upon his throne of metal and smoke. Watching the broadcast, he could no longer contain himself.
"Hahaha... Hahahahaha!" His laughter echoed like thunder, filling the halls of his kingdom.