Chapter Text
Chapter 1: HEIST GONE WRONG
The air in the Blackrock factory "Crystalline Solutions" corridor tasted like ozone and expensive filtration. It was the kind of place that begged to be blown up, and Coil was more than happy to oblige.
He adjusted his boxing wraps, the blue crystal in his horn pulsing with a small, rhythmic light. He wasn't even being quiet. Stealth was for people who were afraid of getting caught, and Coil hadn't been afraid of anything since he’d learned how to punch someone's lights out.
A voice piped up from behind him. "Can you move any louder? I think there’s a Biograft in the basement who hasn't heard us yet," Shuriken hissed, his shorter frame darting between the shadows of the hallway.
Coil didn't even look back. He just shrugged. "If they haven't heard us, Shuri, it's because they're intimidated by us. Besides, I'm doing you a favor. I'm the distraction, you're the... what is it you do? The 'sneaky little ninja star-thrower'?"
"I'm the one making sure we don't end up in a cage or worse," Shuriken snapped, his eyes flickering with agitation. "Keep your ego in check for five minutes. We get the crystals, we leave. No stunts for the security cameras."
"Whatever you say, Short-stack," Coil smirked, leaning down to ruffle Shuri’s hair just to see him get grumpy. "Just keep those tiny legs moving."
They reached the vault. It was too easy. The doors hissed open, revealing a room bathed in a sickly, dull light.
"Coil, wait—" Shuriken started, his eyes widening as he spotted a figure in the darkness. "It’s a trap! Get back!"
A Biograft unit, all jagged plates and glowing red optics, lumbered forward out of the shadows. Its arm hissed as a blade extended, ready to cleave through whatever was in its path.
Coil didn’t just punch the Biograft; he practically sent it into next week. The machine crumpled like a soda can, sparks showering his boots. He didn't even break a sweat. He turned back to Shuriken, a wide, arrogant grin plastered across his face. He shook out his hands, the crystal in his horn glowing with a smug, steady pulse.
"Oh, chill out, Shuri," Coil chuckled, his voice echoing off the metallic walls. "I’m a boxer, remember? These tin cans aren't exactly powerful and smart."
Shuriken didn't look impressed. He had a shuriken gripped in his hand, his eyes darting toward the vents above. "Coil, get your head in the game! There’s more than one—"
"What’d I say?" Coil interrupted, spreading his arms wide like he was waiting for applause. "Easy. Simple. Charming. You worry too much for someone so sho—"
Thwip.
Coil’s smirk faltered. A sudden, sharp sting erupted at the side of his neck. His hand flew up, fingers brushing against something small and feathered protruding from his skin. A poison dart.
"Coil!" Shuriken lunged for him, catching the much larger boxer before his head hit the pristine floor.
Coil’s weight nearly crushed him. The boxer was gasping, his eyes blown wide, He tried to push Shuriken away, his "no help" instinct kicking in, "run... Shuri... get... out..."
""Shut up! I'm not leaving you!" Shuriken shouted, reaching for his ninja star, his hands trembling.
A mechanical clanking filled the air as a wave of Biografts flooded the room. Shuriken didn't even have time to throw. A metallic arm gripped him, dragging him back and throwing him against the wall with enough force to knock the wind out of him.
"No!" Shuriken gasped, struggling to his feet, his vision blurring. He reached for one last star, but it was too late. A Biograft loomed over him, swinging a heavy baton with calculated precision. The impact echoed through the vault, and Shuriken slumped to the ground, unconscious before he even felt the cold floor.
Coil watched through a haze of pain as Shuriken’s body hit the ground. He tried to stand, to do something, anything, but his legs gave way completely. The last thing he saw was the flash of green from Shuriken's horns fading into the dark.
Then, his world went black.