Claws of Operation Eclipse (C.O.E)

Luca stood in the dimly lit room, a menacing aura radiating off him. His eyes, sharp and unrelenting, swept across his men, each one too terrified to meet his gaze. "You," he barked, pointing at a bulky man near the front. "Tell me why you returned empty-handed." He began wrapping his knuckles with a strip of black cloth, his movements slow and deliberate, adding to the tension.

The man hesitated, his mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. Before he could speak, he crumpled to the ground with a sharp cry, clutching his stomach. In seconds, he was dead.

Luca smirked darkly. "Now, who wants to be next?" His voice was calm but laced with lethal intent. He looked like a predator who enjoyed the hunt.

"Shush, keep it down," a voice purred as Zarro, a sleek feline with sharp green eyes, padded into the room. "Why does this place always smell like blood and despair? Honestly, Luca, you need better lighting."

Luca's scowl deepened. "And remind me why I keep you around?"

"Because I'm the only one who tells you the truth," Zarro replied smugly, hopping onto the desk with feline grace. "Speaking of which, your men claim they were interrupted."

"By who?" Luca growled, his pupils darkening.

"The Yakimas," Zarro said, his tone suddenly serious. At the mention of the name, Luca's fury turned to something colder, more calculated. His menacing smile dropped.

"Well, Derrick," Luca said, addressing one of his men, "I think it's time we pay Ken Sakura a visit. again." He moved behind his desk, his eyes gleaming with something unfamiliar.

Derrick nodded, and the room emptied quickly, the men eager to escape Luca's wrath. Only Zarro lingered, his tail flicking as he stared at Luca. He was lost in thought. Ken Sakura… so, they've met before. That man… even thinking of him sends a chill down my spine.

Meanwhile, Xander and the group had just landed and were on their way back in a sleek black limousine. Inside the car, Wince was entertaining everyone with his usual quirks, while Gru attempted—and failed—to tell a joke that anyone found funny.

Ariana sat near Xander, her gaze fixed out the window. Though she appeared calm, Hugo's cryptic words before they landed kept replaying in her mind: "I can't tell you here. The wind carries secrets, and there are ears everywhere."

What did he mean by that? she wondered, frustration bubbling beneath her calm exterior.

"We're here," Hugo announced as the limousine came to a halt in front of a grand, unfamiliar mansion.

The midday sun illuminated the sprawling structure, showcasing its intricate design. Ariana stepped out of the car, her expression neutral, but she didn't wait for the others. She entered the mansion, only to realize she had no idea where she was going.

"Lost, are you, my dear?" a warm voice called out. An elderly woman, short and plump with glasses perched on her nose, emerged from a side room.

"Zina, this is Ariana," Hugo introduced as he followed her in, with Xander and Gru trailing behind. "She'll be staying here for some time."

Zina's eyes lit up. "And where are your little companions?" she asked, looking around for Darwin, Wince, or Chloe.

"They've returned to the agency," Xander replied, heading straight for a couch.

Gru faked a pout. "Aunt Zinny, you didn't miss me?"

Zina ignored him, her attention turning back to Ariana. Hugo coughed, breaking the moment. "Perhaps we should rest. It's been a long day."

Ariana shook her head, her voice steady but resolute. "No. I want the truth."

Xander stood and headed upstairs without a word. Gru stretched lazily, claiming he needed sleep. Hugo gestured for Ariana to sit. "Zina, could you bring us some coffee and cookies? This is going to take a while."

Once Zina left, Hugo leaned forward, his tone serious. "Ariana, you've been hearing about Heartfill. Well, his real name is Justin Blackheart… your father."

Her eyes widened in shock, and she stared at him, speechless.

"Let me start from the beginning," Hugo continued. "Five years ago, on May 6, 2024, your father discovered a chip called the Chrono Matrix. It was created by a mysterious figure known only as Genesis. This chip had the power to shut down the entire internet and corrupt all global networks. Its original purpose remains unknown, but your father entrusted it to W.O.D. because of his close ties to Genesis.

"When the Italian Mafia Don and the legendary Yakima Clan found out about the chip, they did everything in their power to retrieve it. Your father was the only one who could crack its code, so they went after him. To protect you and your mother, he left you both.

"On November 17, 2024, Justin disappeared. We searched everywhere, but it was as if he vanished off the face of the earth. Even our best agents couldn't find him. Your mother… I believe she knew something, but she never told us.

"Recently, another agency, DF—Dangerous Felines—found your whereabouts. That's why you've been in danger ever since. They won't stop until they get you. And if they obtain the Chrono Matrix, it will trigger the Aerobatic Apocalypse, wiping out what remains of humanity."

By the time Hugo finished, Ariana was visibly shaken. She stood abruptly and left without a word.

Zina returned with a tray, sipping her own coffee. "Do you think you said too much?" she asked.

Hugo stared after Ariana, his expression unreadable. "No, Zina. I think she's making a tough decision."

"Xander run, run and never look back" a man shouted at a 10 year old Xander. He handed him a paper "Go to this location and repeat this words (Pete sent thee, Thou has been rigged), and you will find help". He ran out and watched from the shadows as his most beloved died by the most familiar hands.

"No!!" Xander screamed, sitting upright in bed, drenched in sweat. His heart raced as memories of his childhood flooded his mind making him uneasy. 

"It was just a nightmare," he murmured, but the unease lingered as he got up to shower.

Downstairs, the household gathered for dinner. Ariana entered last, her face set in an expression of fiery determination. She slammed her hands on the table, startling everyone except Hugo.

"I want to join W.O.D.," she declared.

The room went silent, then erupted with surprise. "What?!" Gru and Zina exclaimed in unison.

Hugo, however, simply smiled. "Very well," he said. "Training starts tomorrow at 0500 hours. Be on time."

Ariana nodded, her resolve unshaken. The battle was just beginning.