This futuristic cityscape of Anhedonia, Euphoria's second largest city, is bathed in a mystical ambiance under the glow of an oversized moon, accompanied by two smaller celestial bodies. The city is graced with intricate, towering structures and the distinctive rims of a colossal Ferris wheel. The skyline is awash with dazzling artificial lights, creating an enthralling atmosphere. Reflected in the foreground is the shimmering water, mirroring the city's radiant illumination, which enhances the otherworldly and enchanting vibe of the setting.

  Chie and Juniper, on the other hand, were both visibly awestruck by the stunning skyline. Chie had a camera out and was quickly taking photos from every angle.

  Juniper, meanwhile, just stood there watching the spectacle with wide eyes and a small, awed smile. "Wow..." she muttered.

  Noel glanced over at her younger friends, shaking her head at their reactions.

  "We're here to fight a Sin, not go sightseeing," she reminded them, though there was mild amusement in her voice.

  Chie pouted dramatically, still snapping photos. "But it's so pretty..."

  Juniper sighed wistfully, leaning against a nearby railing. "Can't we just take a minute to appreciate it? Besides, I have many fans here, so I'm more scared of being randomly cornered by a zany paparazzi than a Sin."

  Noel rolled her eyes but couldn't help the hint of a smile at her friends' antics. "Right. Focus, people. We're not here to admire the view or pose for pictures."

  Chie lowered her phone with an exaggerated sigh.

  "Spoilsport... I was just getting my camera settings all perfect too."

  "Sorry," Juniper chipped in, not even slightly apologetic. "But I will be posing for a few selfies before the fight. For science."

  "For...science?" Alice said, leaning closer. "So...spicy selfies?"

  Chie let out a loud snort at Alice's question while Juniper just grinned wickedly.

  "Exactly. Gotta make sure I get the right angles for the fans."

  "You mean gooners," Chie said with a chuckle.

  Alice and Yuki nearly choked on their own spit at that.

  "Hey, that's rude," Juniper protested, swatting Chie's shoulder lightly. "They're appreciators. Learn the difference."

  Noel coughed to hide a laugh at their banter. "Alright, alright, enough posing. We're here to find Pride, remember?"

  Speak of the devil...a slow clap echoed through air around them all:

  “How delightful.”

  Everyone froze mid-argument (or selfie prep) as that smooth voice rang out from behind them.

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  They turned slowly, and there he stood: Pride himself, lounging lazily atop one of Anhedonia's towering skyscrapers like it belonged to him personally…

  His smirk mirrored Yuki’s own sharpness perfectly when his gaze landed directly upon group before speaking once more:

  “Tell me…who among you dares challenge me?”

  Pride's smirk didn't waver, if anything, it only deepened at Yuki’s challenge. He tilted his head slightly, amusement dancing in his eyes like flickering candlelight.

  "Oh? So the angry little wolf is volunteering first?" His voice was smooth as honey laced with poison.

  Yuki bared her teeth right back at him, claws already extended and ready for a fight she clearly wasn’t backing down from now.

  Chie gasped dramatically while Juniper muttered under breath: "And here we go..."

  Noel watched carefully between them both before stepping forward just enough to say calmly:

  "…Or maybe you should ask me."

  Pride blinked once, genuinely caught off guard by that response before bursting into laughter so loud it echoed across entire cityscape below:

  “HAH! NOW THIS JUST GOT INTERESTING!”

  Yuki shot Noel a quick, surprised glance, clearly not expecting her friend to throw herself right into the line of fire.

  Chie visibly tensed while Kaori just stood there, as quietly observant as always.

  Pride clapped slowly once more, his expression the epitome of pleasantly surprised.

  "Now this? This I like," he said, leaping down to stand before Noel with cat-like precision. "You...are either brave or foolish. Care to tell me which?”

  Noel didn't waver under Pride's scrutiny, nor his question. She stood her ground with her head raised defiantly.

  "Brave."

  Pride took another step closer, almost like a big cat sizing up his prey, looking her up and down with unmasked interest.

  Pride's grin widened, delighted by her confidence. He took another step closer, the air around him crackling with restrained power.

  "Oh? And what makes you so certain?" he purred, voice dripping with mock curiosity.

  Noel didn't back down, instead mirroring his smirk perfectly as she tilted her head slightly and said:

  "Because I've fought worse than you."

  A beat of silence passed where even Yuki looked mildly impressed at that bold claim.

  Then Pride threw his head back and laughed again, this time harder, like Noel had just told the funniest joke in world history before finally stopping mid-chuckle to look at her straight-on once more:

  “Prove it.”

  Pride's smirk didn't waver as he lunged straight for Noel, who leaped out of the way.

  Pride followed her through the air, but Noel landed safely on top of one of the nearby high rises before he could reach her.

  "Get over here, then!" he shouted, landing on his own building and gesturing her forward.

  Noel didn't need any further invitation, she immediately charged toward him, antlers glowing and ready for business.

  Juniper grinned broadly, while Chie practically vibrated with excitement.

  "She's totally gonna kick his ass."

  "Damn right she is," Yuki agreed with a smirk, eyes never leaving the fight unfolding below.

  Pride dodged Noel's charged antlers just in time, the glowing weapons just grazing the back of his coat.

  "Close," he breathed, sounding far too pleased with himself as he danced away from Noel's range. "Too bad you missed."

  Noel lunged again before Pride could finish taunting her, and this time her antlers struck true, knocking him right off balance.

  Pride stumbled back, surprised and furious all at once. "You...little—!”

  Yuki’s grin turned feral as she watched Pride hit the ground, her entire body practically vibrating with adrenaline.

  Chie whooped loudly, jumping up and down like a hype-man at a concert while Juniper just cackled under her breath: "Ohhhh he big mad!"

  Pride pushed himself upright slowly, his expression no longer amused but instead dangerously sharp. He wiped his lip where it had split open from the impact before locking eyes on Noel again:

  "...You're going to regret that."

  Noel didn't even flinch, still standing tall despite how badly she was shaking from exertion (and maybe leftover fear). Instead? She just smirked right back at him and said simply:

  "Worth it."

  The tension between them crackled in the air like a live wire about snap any second now…