Chapter 4: The Red Sparrow
After narrowly escaping the jungle's fury, Colt was more determined than ever to press forward. "Alright, jungle—check. Giant gorilla king—check. Let's see what else you've got in store for me," he said, marching toward the distant city lights that flickered in the horizon.
As Colt walked, his mind raced. The idea of getting to the West was exciting, but he had no idea what challenges lay ahead. He tugged at the straps of his backpack, adjusting the weight of his gear. "At least I've got gadgets," he muttered, "but I hope I don't have to use all of them."
The closer Colt got to the city, the more he could feel the hum of activity in the air. It was Midway City, a bustling town known for its trade routes and the shady characters lurking in every corner. It was the perfect stop for Colt to rest and resupply. But, as he entered the city's outer streets, Colt couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
The street lamps flickered, casting long shadows across the cobblestone roads, and Colt spotted people scurrying about, whispering behind their hands. It was like the city was holding its breath.
Just as Colt passed a run-down tavern, a voice called out from behind him. "You there! Yeah, you!"
Colt spun around, ready for another weird encounter, but this time, it was a figure in a black cloak, their face obscured by a wide-brimmed hat. The voice was smooth, almost too smooth. "You don't look like you belong here," the stranger said, stepping closer, his eyes gleaming beneath the shadow of his hat.
"Is that so?" Colt asked, raising an eyebrow. He wasn't in the mood for any more weirdness. "What's your deal, buddy?"
The stranger chuckled, a low, eerie sound. "I'm just a humble observer. I've got my eye on you, Colt."
Colt froze. "How do you know my name?" His hand instinctively went to his gadget belt.
"Oh, I know much more than just your name." The stranger gave a little smirk. "But let's save the details for later. I'm not the one you need to be worried about right now."
Before Colt could ask another question, a loud crash echoed from down the street. People scattered, shouting and running for cover. Colt's eyes narrowed. "Sounds like trouble."
"That's right," the stranger said, stepping back. "And I'd be careful if I were you. The Red Sparrow's about to make an entrance."
"The who?" Colt asked, confused.
The man didn't answer. Instead, he turned and melted into the shadows of the alleyway, leaving Colt alone in the now eerily quiet street.
Suddenly, a flap of wings broke the silence. Colt's head snapped up. A shadow blotted out the moon, and the sound of something enormous swooping down filled the air.
Before he could react, a figure landed in front of him, kicking up dust with the force of the landing. The figure wore a red cloak, with a long, sharp beak-like mask covering their face. "You must be the one causing all this ruckus," the figure said, voice dripping with menace. "The Red Sparrow, at your service."
Colt's eyes widened. "Uh, I think you've got the wrong guy—I'm just passing through!"
The Red Sparrow chuckled darkly, twirling a gleaming staff in their hands. "Everyone's got their part to play, Colt. And yours... well, yours is to entertain me."
Before Colt could react, the Red Sparrow lunged, swinging their staff with expert precision. Colt barely dodged, stumbling backward. "Hey, I'm not looking for a fight!" he yelled, pulling out his gadgets.
But the Red Sparrow was fast—faster than Colt expected. With a swift move, the villain jabbed their staff forward, knocking Colt's gadgets from his hands. They flew across the street with a clatter.
"Not so tough without your toys, are we?" the Red Sparrow sneered, their sharp, bird-like eyes gleaming in the dark.
Colt grinned, wiping the dirt off his pants. "Tough? No, but I am clever." Without warning, he grabbed a small item from his belt and hurled it at the ground—a smoke grenade. The area filled with thick, choking smoke.
The Red Sparrow's voice echoed through the fog. "You'll have to do better than that!"
Colt sprinted through the smoke, dodging a sharp slash from the villain's staff as he darted to the side. He grabbed one of his spare gadgets from the ground and activated a grappling hook. In one smooth motion, Colt shot the hook toward a nearby building and swung high into the air, narrowly avoiding another strike.
The Red Sparrow growled in frustration. "Impressive, little man, but not enough to escape me."
As Colt dangled from the building, he saw the Red Sparrow start to climb toward him, their staff glinting in the moonlight.
"Time for Plan B," Colt muttered under his breath.
He waited until the last second before letting go of the hook. In one fluid motion, he dropped down, landing on his feet and rolling to the side as the Red Sparrow came crashing toward him. With a flick of his wrist, Colt pulled out his stun grenade and tossed it at the ground. The resulting burst of electric energy sent a shock through the villain's body, momentarily stunning them.
"Gotcha!" Colt shouted, standing tall. "You're not the only one who can use tricks."
The Red Sparrow staggered, their mask cracked, revealing a flash of shock in their eyes. "You… you're stronger than I thought."
Before Colt could capitalize on his advantage, the Red Sparrow recovered, backing away slowly. "This isn't over," they hissed. "You'll regret crossing paths with me." With a sudden leap, they vanished into the shadows, leaving Colt standing in the street, catching his breath.
"Well, that was fun," Colt said, dusting himself off. "Maybe next time I'll be ready for a real challenge."
He picked up his gadgets and looked down the street, where people were starting to peek out from their hiding places. "Guess I've got a city to save now..."
And so, Colt's adventure continued, but one thing was clear: the Red Sparrow wasn't done with him yet.