[ Alarm Ringing..... ]
"Bring out all of your money," said a man wearing a red mask painted with spade symbols all over it. His outfit looked like something from a twisted carnival, bright and mismatched, giving him the appearance of a deranged clown. He pointed a strange gun—almost like a toy—towards the bank teller, his hand steady despite the ridiculousness of his get-up.
"I-I'm sorry, please don't hurt me!" the banker stammered, quickly sliding open the register with trembling hands. Sweat poured down his temples as he began pulling out stacks of bills, each motion rushed and panicked.
"Hey, hurry it up," the red-masked man snapped. "I don't have all day. Or do you want me to shoot you with my gun and turn you into one of my prized collections?" He laughed loudly, a cruel and wild sound that echoed through the building.
He slung a black duffel bag off his shoulder and shoved it toward the teller. "Stuff all the money in the bag. And don't even think about being a hero. One call to the cops, and everyone in here dies."
The teller nodded frantically and snatched the bag, his fingers fumbling as he shoved in handfuls of cash. Around them, frightened hostages crouched on the floor, trying to stay quiet.
The red mask turned and scanned the bank lobby, his gaze sweeping over the cowering crowd. But then, his smile faded slightly. A shiver ran down his spine.
"Is it just me, or is it getting cold in here?" he asked suddenly, turning back to the teller.
"Y-Yes, sir. It feels colder," the teller said, his voice laced with fear.
The bag was nearly full. The banker held it out, his hands still shaking. "Here. I'm done. You said if I gave you all the money, you'd let us go. You promised."
The villain tilted his head and smirked. "Did I?"
The banker's eyes widened. The fear that had held him captive twisted into something else—rage. "You promised! You said you'd leave us alone!"
The red mask man pointed his gun straight at the teller. "Looks like you don't value your life."
Just as his finger brushed the trigger, a chill shot through his body. His instincts screamed at him to turn around. He spun, but saw nothing. When he looked back, he gasped.
His gun had frozen over completely, covered in a thick layer of ice.
"The f**k? Did I waste too much time?!" he shouted, tossing the frozen weapon aside. He snatched the bag of money and bolted out the door.
High above, on the rooftop of the bank, two female heroes stood in silence.
"Hey Ice Queen, is it okay to let him run away like that?" asked a girl crackling faintly with electricity. She stood beside Ice Queen, peering down at the fleeing villain.
"Electric Girl, we're letting him escape because he's just a Rank F villain," Ice Queen said in her usual calm, icy tone. Her arms were crossed, eyes narrowed. "Someone stronger has to be backing him. There's no way a low-tier crook like him got his hands on advanced tech like that on his own."
Electric Girl blinked. "You're so smart, Ice Queen! Why didn't I think of that?"
"I think the problem is you," Ice Queen said dryly, a touch of sadness in her voice.
"Ouch. That hurt. You know, that's why you don't have any friends except me—your best friend!" Electric Girl said with a playful pout.
"We aren't best friends. You're the one who keeps saying that," Ice Queen muttered.
Electric Girl didn't seem to hear. She placed her fingers on her chin in mock concentration. "Hmm... wait. Isn't there someone you like? What was his name again?"
"Hey. Are you even listening to me?" Ice Queen asked, her expression shifting.
"Oh yeah! I remember now! Sean! That gloomy guy from our class. You like him, don't you?" Electric Girl blurted out.
Before she could say another word, Ice Queen slapped her hand over Electric Girl's mouth, her cheeks flushed a bright red.
"Hey—don't say his name here!" Ice Queen stammered, her cool composure slipping for once.
Electric Girl pulled her hand away, giggling. "So you do like him! I knew it! Cold outside but warm in here, huh?"
"Shut up." Shouted Ice Queen.
"You should tell him. You know, before some other girl melts that icy heart of his," Electric Girl teased, tapping Ice Queen on the shoulder.
Ice Queen turned her gaze back to the streets below. "I don't have time for feelings and even if I do ,it doesn't concerns you"
"Oh please. You freeze a guy's gun and the whole room with one stare, but a boy's name makes you stammer like a schoolgirl." Electric Girl grinned. "Classic."
A soft buzz came from Ice Queen's communicator. She answered swiftly. "Yes?"
A voice crackled through. "The tech used in the robbery is confirmed—it's black market. Sourced from one of Unknown's arms dealers."
Ice Queen's face hardened. "Just as I thought. This isn't a solo job. Someone's pulling the strings."
Electric Girl leaned closer. "Unknown? That psycho still messing around in our city?"
"Looks like it. We need to track the bag.
There's a tracer on the money," Ice Queen said, already calculating the next step.
"Let's go, then! I'll zap the rooftops ahead to scout the path!" Electric Girl said with a spark of excitement.
As she darted off, lightning flickering around her body, Ice Queen followed with calm precision, a mist of frost trailing behind her boots.