Midday sunlight danced across the shining skyline of Valora Downs, the entertainment capital of Tenrihines. Music blared from loudspeakers, crowds surged along the neon-lit walkways, and the smell of street food mixed with the electric hum of Kia energy displays.
Down the center of the main boulevard stretched the highlight of the weeklong fundraiser
a five-mile-wide obstacle course, coiling between skyscrapers like a metallic snake.
Everywhere, stands and booths buzzed with activity, artisan shops, food vendors, holo-games, charity raffles, and even recruitment tents. This wasn't just an event; it was a celebration, a unity gathering, a promise that the Galactic Empire would rebuild its wounded worlds.
The fundraiser, created by Optimus and Draykor, had lasted seven days.
Today was the final day.
Today was the grand race.
Two of the youngest STF members, already rising celebrities in the Empire, stood at the starting line.
Night Coil, lean and sharp-eyed, his chain weapon wrapped around his arm, ending in a heavy black sphere that pulsed with faint blue Kia energy.
Blue Blaze, cheerful and confident, balancing effortlessly on a floating Kia-powered disk, his combat staff glowing with light blue energy.
Both were young. Both were strong. Both were hungry to prove themselves.
Up in the glass booth overlooking the city, Optimus sat beside two famous sports commentators.
Kavon Trellis, booming voice, energetic, a legend in galactic commentary.
Lira Saxen, sharp-tongued, witty, and adored for her analysis during combat sports.
Kavon leaned into his mic. "Ladies and gentlemen across the galaxy, welcome to the final day of the Frontline Rebuild Fundraiser! We've raised an unbelievable total."
Lira cut in with playful sarcasm. "Fifty trillion credits and counting. All thanks to our Greats, and this insane obstacle course."
Optimus grinned. "Let's send Night Coil and Blue Blaze off with a bang."
The Race Begins
The starting horn blared.
Night Coil launched forward instantly, hurling his chain-ball ahead and yanking himself forward with whip-like precision. The chain clanked and glowed as he swung through the air like a human pendulum.
Blue Blaze soared upward on his disk, leaving a dazzling blue trail as he zipped between floating platforms.
The first challenge hit hard.
A volley of giant, fast-moving boulders was hurled from automated cannons.
Night Coil twisted midair, using his chain to redirect himself with impossible agility. Rocks grazed past him, one so close it shaved a few strands of hair clean off.
Blue Blaze wasn't dodging. He was destroying.
He spun his staff, firing rapid bursts of blue Kia beams, shattering boulders midair into shimmering dust.
The crowd roared.
"Night Coil weaving like a phantom!" Kavon shouted.
Lira added, "Blue Blaze showing off again, look at that precision! He's practically dancing on that disk."
The last stretch came down to pure speed.
Night Coil swung from a final anchor point, launching himself toward the finish.
Blue Blaze rocketed forward, disk glowing brighter.
But Night Coil's momentum won out.
He crossed the finish line with a triumphant flip, landing in a crouch.
Night Coil takes first place.
Blue Blaze swooped in seconds later, laughing as they exchanged a friendly fist bump.
Amid the cheering, Ian walked up to the booth, hands in his pockets.
"Wow, Optimus, you really outdid yourself."
Optimus leaned back proudly. "Yeah… we ended up raising over fifty trillion. Enough to rebuild whole districts."
Ian nodded, impressed. "What's next?"
Optimus gestured toward the crowd below. "We're rebuilding infrastructure first. Schools. Transit lines. Hospitals. Then we start improving life for those frontline planets that took the worst hits."
Ian smiled faintly. "Good. They deserve it."
But then
The crowd suddenly parted.
An eight-foot-tall figure marched toward them with heavy, deliberate steps. The atmosphere shifted, voices died, music softened, and even the air felt colder.
He wore a loose, ragged robe that barely hid his massive frame.
Gray skin thick like stone.
Eyes burning red.
No hair.
No eyebrows.
A walking nightmare with the posture of a monk.
He stopped a few feet from Ian and Optimus.
His voice was deep, felt more than heard.
"My name is Bron Krakos. I heard this is where the strongest in the Empire reside."
Ian raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. Why?"
Bron's head tilted slightly, studying them like an animal observing prey.
"Just wondering."
Without another word, the giant melted back into the crowd, disappearing between booths before Ian or Optimus could track him.
Optimus blinked. "Who… was that?"
Ian crossed his arms, uneasy.
"I have no idea. But he looks strong. Too strong."
Optimus looked over the crowd again, but Bron was gone.
The festival continued.
But something dark had walked through Valora Downs that day.