Chapter Eight: A Wager

Well, it seems we’re in the final stretch of our little nightly story. Since I’m so special and you don’t know my identity yet, I get three chapters. I start this thing and I end this thing. Anyways, I sit on the roof taking in all of the carnage I’ve caused tonight. The plan was to kidnap Mr. Levi Toronto and get the information while everyone dealt with the poison, but things went a little haywire.

Mr. T: Ahem!

I turn around and see the two Tributes of the hour. I’m camouflaged, so they can’t see me right now. Man, I love this new body. So convenient.

Fog: Show yourself!

Robot: If you insist.

I uncloak myself and the two of them tense up.

Robot: Geez, what? Did someone almost kill your love interests?

Mr. T: Stop it with this bravado. What do you want with us?

Robot: Straight to the point. I like you.

Mr. T grimaced at that and, if I could show it, I smirked. The only downside of this body is that it doesn’t have actual lips. Just eyes and that’s it. Although it does add to the creep factor.

Robot: Look, Talian wants that data core, and I have to get it for him. So, I have no idea where it is, and I doubt the little guy will let me get close before blasting off again.

Fog: That’s where we come in?

Robot: Bingo. Glad we could keep this chapter short.

Mr. T: Wait. Why? Why us? Why not hire some other nobodies?

Robot: Because, you’re “Tributes”. You’re the best this sector has to offer, right? I watch your games sometimes, and man, you all are very entertaining. Especially you, Fog, and what a perfect stage name for a man with a smoke bomb launcher.

Fog grimaced at me and tightened his fists. Don’t try it little man. I’m literally taller than him now.

Fog: And why Magma?

Robot: What about her?

Fog: You stabbed her!

Robot: Oh! That. I was trying to kill her.

That broke the camel's back and he lunged at me. I dodged out of the way and laughed. He looked at me with venom in his eyes.

Fog: Come here!

He tries to punch me again, but I dodge again and laugh again.

Mr. T: Jamal stop!

But, his words fell on deaf ears. This guy was out for blood...or oil, since I’m a robot. He was throwing punches left and right and I was dodging every throw with ease. He’s so much more emotional than when I first fought him. Don’t tell me that girl made him boring. It was so fascinating watching an emotionless husk of a man navigate a fight. So precise, so focused, and so persistent. Now, he’s just fighting because he’s angry. “Character development” I guess.

He’s about to throw another punch, until an umbrella wraps around his arm and a chain leading back to Mr. T holds him back.

Mr. T: Stop!

Fog: Let me go!

Mr. T: Not happening.

Fog was struggling against the chain until I got bored and groaned.

Robot: I got somewhere to be, so if you don’t mind.

I threw an uppercut and hit Fog square in the jaw. He left the ground for a few short moments and then came crashing onto the roof and fell unconscious. Mr. T ran to his side to check for any damage. I scoff. I didn’t punch him hard enough to break anything. Although, the rare gum may be bleeding.

Robot: I hope you don’t disappoint.

Mr. T: And, if we do?

Robot: I’ll kill every single one of you Tributes, and then everyone you love.

That must’ve set the mood for this wager and I chuckled as I saw Mr. T’s eyes widened with fear. I waved him goodbye before cloaking again and running away.

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Well, that was a short little chapter, wasn’t it? Now, let’s wrap up the show, shall we?