41 Joker (1/2)

Dumped inside a cell in an underground dungeon, Axel, Ryuji and Akira were sitting together trying to figure a way out.

Akira moved all around the room, fiddling with anything and everything while Ryuji became 'Captain Obvious' as he pointed out the things everyone could see.

”That chain over there seems bolted to the wall…”

”That barrel seems empty…”

Axel just stood by and watched while trying not to burst into laughter. While their actions didn't seemed scripted as they genuinely were trying to find a way out, the way they were going about it was hilarious.

However, his laughter didn't last long as the sound of footsteps could be heard. Unlike in the game, Ryuji leapt into the barrel to hide while Akira pretended to sleep on the bed.

With nowhere to hide, Axel opted to just stand in the middle of the cell. The door slowly opened as a man wearing nothing but a cape, his underwear and a fancy crown walked inside.

As he went to open his mouth to speak, Ryuji leapt towards the man while screaming. Then, as if they discussed it earlier, Akira dashed off the bed with the ragged blanket in his hands and wrapped his head with it.

Axel stared in a daze as the man didn't even get to speak a word before being besieged by the two teens. Ryuji and Akira were already outside of the cell as Ryuji screamed, ”Dude, get a move on! He won't stay confused for long!”

Impressed by their teamwork, Axel followed the two outside. However, not before stealing the key off of shadow Kamoshida and locking him inside the cell. Ryuji and Akira both gave Axel a mischievous smile, which Axel returned with a smile just as mischievous.

After running for a bit, the boys stopped as the sound of armour clacking around could be heard just around the corner.

Whispering, ”I got this.”, Axel leaned against the corner as he listened to what the guards were talking about.

”Hey, did you guys get the memo? Some intruders are roaming around the castle. They somehow escaped when the king was going to execute them.”

”Really? Wow… what a lousy king. Letting the prisoners escape.”

”I know right? King Kamoshida is lucky his standing makes him king or else we'd be trying for a new King.”

Axel was surprised by what he was hearing. It turns out that the shadows weren't was loyal to Kamoshida as they were in the anime. Hell, the even doubted him and wanted a replacement.

However, before Axel could get more information, Ryuji suddenly yelled, ”Yo, did those guys just say Kamoshida?”

Both Akira and Axel glared at Ryuji as they yelled, ”DAMN IT RYUJI!!!”

Giving both Akira and Axel a clueless look, Ryuji said, ”What? What'd I do?”

As soon as he finished talking Ryuji finally realised that his little outburst had given away their location and now they were cornered by a huge group of armoured guards.

The guards quickly swarmed the trio, making sure to capture Axel first. As they struggled to free themselves, the man who they locked in the cell appeared before them. He clapped sarcastically as he said, ”Well done. You three managed to escape me for a full five minutes.”

Ryuji glared at the man as he yelled, ”What the hell Kamoshida! You can't just hold us here like captives!”