The underground is quiet, with only the sounds of a liquid stirring in a bowl. The water boiled and bubbled as Tang stirred it with a ladle. Ganglie looks over at the filled furnace, his lackeys were standing behind him. "So, Mr. Tang. How is a furnace gonna help me get back at the Bone Demon?" Tang places down the ladle, "This furnace is one of the next steps into our great future."
With one snap of Tang's fingers, a holograph is displayed on the screen, showing a box with a padlock in the centre, "But to move forward we will need this." Ganglie looks up at the display, "And how is that meant to help? Side question: What even is it?" "The first of six powerful items that we will need. But, it can only be retrieved from the Cloud."
Syntax steps forward, "Zhu Ganglie. If this item is in the cloud, allow me to break in and bring it to you." Ganglie turns behind him, "Oh, really? And, just how're you gonna do that?" Syntax grins, "The Cloud is a labyrinth of information, an unrivalled collection of knowledge guarded by Fearsome Beings who cannot be overcome by reckless force or the ability to follow footprints in mud."
Syntax eyes the other two behind him, who seethe as he continues. "However it is connected to all the technology in the world. Therefore I can exploit it." Ganglie grins, "Alright then. But you said it was guarded. How are you gonna get close?"
Syntax chuckles, "Oh, I have a way..." He opens up the app store on a device, clicking an icon with an 8-bit creature, "Has anyone heard the story of... the sleep bug?" He ends his words with one final laugh.
With one button press, the app is advertised on every phone in Megapolis, even reaching the team in the retail store. Zhizhu tugs Lin's jumper with all her might, "YOU. HAVE. TO. PAY!" Lin grips onto the entrance door, "LETMEGOLETMEGOLETMEGOOO!" Red snaps a photo on her phone, lightly giggling at the scenery.
Their phone screen glows red, "Huh? Yo, Lin, Zhu." Both turn to Red as he shows the screen. The screen has an 8-bit bug in it with a title called "Sleep Bug!" A voice calls from the phone, "Sleep Bug! Download now from an app store!"
"What do you mean, you're leaving!??" Bai watches Niangzi pack a bag of essentials, her phone rings with the ad, and instead of responding, she chucks the phone. Niangzi looks over her stuff, "I mean, I decided that I needed a time of relaxation. But like I said, I've left around some tasks for you to do in the meantime, and I'll send others along the way."
Bai runs up and clings to Niangzi, "You can't leave! What if someone attacks the city? *GASP!* What if Zhu Ganglie comes back!?" Niangzi pats her head, "Bai, do not worry so much. I'm not leaving forever, I'll contact you when I can." Niangzi tries shaking Bai off, but fails, "Bone Queen, please. I don't wanna be alone."
Bai is nudged off, Niangzi rests her hands on Bai's shoulders, "You won't be. You have your friends who can help you. I've even told Chang'e to help you with training." Bai sighs, giving a parting hug, "Ok, just... don't take too long. I don't want to fight bad guys alone." Niangzi returns the embrace, "I won't, I promise." Both break the hug, Niangzi holds her bag and mists away. Bai gives a final wave goodbye before zipping herself back home.
"Hey, guys! Guess whose teacher dipped last minute. Haha." Bai walks into the store, finding it empty, "What the... oh." She finds Red, Zhizhu and Lin on the floor, "Guys! Thank goodness, I thought you guys dipped too." She nudges Red, they don't flinch, "Huh? Red?" She walks and taps Zhizhu, "Zhu-Zhu??" She runs and smacks Lin, "Lin!?" None of them respond, Bai takes a shaky breath, "Ok, it's fine, it's fine. Everyone is just asleep. Bone Queen is gone. It's just me and my thoughts. All alone... This is fine."
The city is silent, not even the winds murmured as time went by, "It seems like years since the Big Sleep hit..." Bai monologues while strolling on the sidewalk, "Months... Weeks... Possibly half an hour..." She walked in comfy pyjamas, and pushed Zhizhu in a trolley, "Time has become irrelevant..."
