Odd One Out

Prologue

Cover Image by @LinkAnd0606 on Twitter.

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A/N: Hey everyone. This is my first ever fic. This story has been bubbling in my head for a long time now, and I decided it was time to see what I could make out of it. I hope you all enjoy what's to come, and as always, reviews are appreciated!

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Everything was going according to plan, or at least they hoped it was.

The pounding of footsteps throughout the darkened corridor was drowned out by the sharp ringing of alarm bells. The group was getting along in making their grand escape from the ill-fated casino. However, they hadn't expected the entire police force of the Tokyo precinct to be waiting for them at the main entrance.

How fitting for an organized group of thieves.

Maybe they should have expected it. After all, they did hold the #1 spot on the wanted list of the government. Whoever got the bragging rights of arresting the Phantom Thieves of Hearts would surely become the most powerful force in all of Japan.

Ronin withheld some doubt on whether their plan would actually work, but he had to keep faith. The team's morale was already high enough and he didn't want to hamper their resolve in any way, shape, or form. He was, however, getting slightly annoyed by the lack of adequate lighting along their route, likely caused by the intruders awaiting them outside in order to slow the group down and increase the probability of their capture.

"Oracle, isn't there a way to bring the power back online?" he yelled to a short girl wearing a binocular-like mask.

"They've restricted remote access to the main console. There's nothing I can do, even with the best of my abilities!" she replied frantically between labored breaths.

"Don't overexert yourself Oracle. Our top priority is getting out of here in one piece," an older girl remarked, her coal-black scarf fluttering behind her as she ran.

"How's our decoy doing?" a tall boy with a crimson mask queried as the party reached an intersection and made a sharp right towards a staircase heading downward, pausing momentarily near the steps to catch their breath.

Oracle looked at him and nodded, pulling up a holographic live feed showcasing the commotion in the main hall of the casino from the decoy's point of view. The team halted their getaway to marvel at the scene unfolding before them.

~

The shadowy silhouette of a young man could be seen gliding across the ceiling of the casino, soaring from platform to platform.

"T-There's something here!" an alarmed man exclaimed while shooting nervous glances at the chandeliers and lights hoisted securely above the crowd. He was pushed out of the way by a group of men with matching black sunglasses and black suits. They craned their necks upward, spotting the silhouette resting atop a bright neon light sign that read "WINNER TAKES ALL" with a smug look on his face and a silver briefcase tucked under his arm. An avian-esque mask protruding from his face, the figure beckoned the men-in-black with his finger, inviting them to try their luck in apprehending him. A full moon shone through the skylight above him, bathing the grandiose thief in moonlight.