Chapter Text
"You're fired!"
Your boss's--or rather, ex-boss's--final words still rang through your head as you walk down the streets of TV City. Citizens clogged the sidewalks, captivated by their own lives as they moved around you. Some noticed your presence and sheepishly removed themselves from your path, casting a fearful glance towards you as they hurried their pace. You couldn't blame them for being wary; you were one of the best Guards in TV World.
You sigh as you feel a familiar ache in your legs, one caused from hours of standing and walking by your clients' side. You make your way to the nearest bench and sit, crossing your legs habitually. You tip your head back as you daydream.
Seven years ago, all magic in the Dark Worlds disappeared. No warning, no fading away. It was there one second, and it was gone the next. Chaos enveloped the world at large, TV World included. Once darkners realized that their leaders were almost helpless without magic, people started getting ideas. Bad ideas.
Luckily for some, King Spade and Queen were just as powerful without magic. They had a staff of goons that were obsessed with their leader's every move, whether that be through fear or dedication. Any attempted assassins quickly met their end.
Unluckily for TV World's denizens, Tenna was well known for being quite fragile, despite his size. While he did have employees, very few of them actually liked him. He was eccentric, loud, and desperate for attention. Not to mention he was a big target.
A vibration from your pocket broke through your thoughts. Your dinner alarm, simply labeled: 'Don't forget to eat, idiot.' You stuff your phone back into your pocket and begin to make your way home.
You open the door to your scrappy apartment. Unfortunately for you, freelance bodyguard work didn't pay much--usually. Just enough to rent out a cheap, rundown apartment at the edge of town. It wasn't much, but at least it was warm.
You make dinner and eat on the couch, since you don't have a table. Remote in hand, you begin to absentmindedly flip through channels, not looking for anything in particular.
Suddenly, TV World News stops your surfing.
BREAKING NEWS: Attempted Assassination!
You nearly drop your fork.
Just a few moments ago, TV World's one and king of only, Mr. Ant Tenna, had a close encounter with death! An unknown individual was spotted in the rafters of his set during recording...
The news segment continued, showing a recording of Mr. Ant Tenna's live show. You notice a figure scurrying above the stage, just barely in view. Just a second later, a prop--seemingly suspended above the stage for a gag later--came crashing onto the set. Unluckily for the attempted assassin, Tenna had shifted in the same second, avoiding the prop by a hair. The room was immediately consumed by panic, as audience members screamed and ran. Tenna stood there, one leg lifted in surprise, as he scanned the rafters for his assailant.
The identity of the assassin is still unknown. Stay tuned for more updates!
Your phone rings. "This is _____ speaking," you answer.
"Ah, perfect! Just who weese needed!"
The voice on the other end had an odd manner of speaking.
"Listen, da boss wanted to speak wi' youse."
"And who might this 'boss' be?" You fight the urge to roll your eyes. You really did not want to deal with another corporate bigwig with more arrogance than brains and---
"Mr. Ant Tenna! Da BIG boss!"